AML Conversations

In this special episode of AML Conversations, John Byrne is joined by Ashleigh Subramanian Montgomery of the Charity & Security Network to discuss C&SN’s newly released Shadow Report on the U.S. FATF Mutual Evaluation and what it means for nonprofits, financial institutions, and regulators. The conversation explores how U.S. government actions since the last FATF evaluation in 2016 have affected nonprofit financial access, particularly for humanitarian organizations operating in high‑risk and conflict environments. Ashleigh walks through the findings of the Shadow Report, including both positive developments—such as humanitarian carve-outs and improved risk-based language—and ongoing concerns around de-risking, executive actions, and the expanding use of counterterrorism authorities. John and Ashleigh also discuss recent Treasury risk assessments, the gap between policy and on‑the‑ground implementation, and emerging concerns about nonprofit investigations tied to domestic terrorism. The episode concludes with practical guidance for financial institutions on communication, due diligence, and balancing AML/CFT obligations with humanitarian imperatives as FATF assessors finalize the U.S. review.

In this milestone 300th episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne reflect briefly on the evolution of the podcast before diving into a wide‑ranging discussion of the most pressing developments in the AML, sanctions, and financial crime landscape. The episode features key takeaways from the Fifth Annual AML Partnership Forum in Washington, DC, including insights on public‑private collaboration, cryptocurrency investigations, fraud trends, sextortion, and human trafficking. Elliot and John also unpack major global and domestic developments—from wartime corruption risks and sanctions involving Iran and Russia, to FATF’s new anti‑fraud toolkit and a federal court ruling striking down FinCEN’s residential real estate AML rule. Additional topics include emerging concerns about insider trading and prediction markets, nonprofit investigations tied to domestic extremism, shifting counterterrorism resources, and new reporting on classified information and financial motives. The episode closes with reflections on public service and the legacy of former FBI Director Robert Mueller. As always, listeners are encouraged to review the source material referenced and draw their own conclusions.

Mark Sully, Managing Director of Commercial Affairs (EMEA & APAC) with deep fintech and regtech experience, cuts through AI hype in AML. He contrasts flashy claims with real use cases. He warns about data shortfalls, delayed rollouts and rising alert volumes. He pushes contingency plans, realistic timelines, and using managed services to keep compliance on track.

This week on This Week in AML, John Byrne and Elliot Berman unpack a rapidly evolving risk landscape—from the ongoing war with Iran and its implications for terrorism threats, to new DOJ enforcement policies and global fraud trends reshaping financial crime compliance. They discuss OFAC’s latest Russia-related license, concerns about the lack of updated DHS threat advisories, and the implications of conflict-driven risks for financial institutions. The conversation also covers major developments in fraud and AML, including new SAR guidance, DOJ updates on voluntary disclosure, AI-enabled fraud, human trafficking trends, and critical reports from Interpol, Nasdaq, and MONEYVAL. The episode closes with updates from Europe on fraud enforcement and AMLA’s supervision plans, as well as breaking news from the U.S. national security community—offering essential insights for compliance, risk, and financial crime professionals. A must‑listen for compliance professionals looking to stay current in a rapidly shifting environment.

In this week’s episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne break down a wide-ranging set of developments shaping the financial crime landscape. They begin with the U.S. Treasury’s three newly released national risk assessments—money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing—highlighting key findings on fraud trends, shell companies, NPO vulnerabilities, and geopolitical threats. Elliot and John also discuss emerging insights from the IRS on the value of CTRs, the White House’s new cybersecurity strategy, upcoming AMLA public hearings in the EU, and AUSTRAC’s expanded compulsory examination powers. Additional topics include recent enforcement actions targeting illicit Iranian oil networks, covert Russian vessel-protection teams, and FATF’s updated consolidated assessment ratings. A must‑listen for compliance professionals looking to stay current in a rapidly shifting environment.

In this timely and eye-opening conversation, John Byrne sits down with leaders from the Charity & Security Network, EarthRights International, and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee to explore how the current U.S. AML/CFT environment is reshaping the operating reality for nonprofits. With the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) beginning its mutual evaluation of the United States, the stakes for civil society have never been higher. The guests unpack Recommendation 8, the rise of de-risking, expanding state and federal investigations, and how banks’ compliance decisions—sometimes based on misinformation—can delay humanitarian assistance, hinder environmental advocacy, and even jeopardize lives. From faith-based organizations facing surprise information demands to environmental groups navigating criminalization and “eco‑terrorism” labels, this episode exposes the real-world consequences when financial regulations drift from a risk-based approach. The discussion closes with concrete takeaways for AML/CFT practitioners, emphasizing communication, due diligence, and the need for a deeper understanding of nonprofit missions.

A rapid tour of global crypto misuse and sanctions evasion tied to state actors and exchange movements. Discussion of new stablecoin and fraud risk reports from international standard-setters. Coverage of recent U.S. regulatory moves on real estate reporting, stablecoin frameworks, and corporate transparency debates. Looks at cross-border enforcement actions, supervision gaps in professional bodies, and counterintelligence staffing concerns.

In this week’s episode, Elliot Berman and John Byrne cover a wide-ranging set of developments reshaping the global AML landscape. They open by marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine before diving into new regulatory, enforcement, and geopolitical stories affecting financial crime professionals. John highlights the Federal Reserve’s request for comment on removing “reputation risk” from bank supervision and discusses ongoing litigation involving JPMorgan and the Trump Organization. The conversation then turns international: OCCRP’s newly announced Anti-Corruption Hero Awards, revelations of European-made parts ending up in Russian military drones, and the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law’s work on financial access for human rights defenders. Elliot and John also examine Australia’s transition to a new AML/CFT regime and Canada’s new financial intelligence initiative focused on extortion. Additional topics include the Treasury Inspector General’s audit of FinCEN, IRS-CI’s latest BSA data usage report, and U.S. cases involving cyber intrusions and tax fraud.

In this episode of AML Conversations, John Byrne sits down with Sarah Beth Felix—AML expert and author of Dirty Money Weekly—to break down the biggest storylines shaping financial crime compliance this month. Sarah offers a practical, forward-looking take on the Epstein files and why community and midsize banks must rethink their approach to adverse media screening. She and John also unpack the confusion surrounding the administration’s de-risking Executive Order, the impact of FinCEN’s recent CDD “exceptive relief,” and the optics behind the agency’s decision to rescind its advisory on the St. Kitts & Nevis Citizenship‑by‑Investment program. They dive deeper into IRS‑CI’s newly released data proving the value of BSA reporting—and what rising CTR/SAR thresholds could mean for law enforcement. To close, Sarah responds to emerging rumors that banks should be required to capture and track customer citizenship status, explaining why such a shift would have massive operational implications. This is a must-listen for AML professionals navigating a rapidly changing regulatory landscape and looking for actionable insight, context, and clarity.

Elliot Berman, an AML practitioner and industry analyst, breaks down FATF plenary outcomes and leadership changes. He highlights Kuwait and Papua New Guinea greylisting and upcoming mutual evaluations. He also covers rising crypto-enabled human trafficking, Cambodia’s crackdown on scam centers, FinCEN’s CDD relief and whistleblower portal, and U.S. regulatory shifts.