AML

The news media investigation of transactions by nefarious actors puts certain large banks in a negative light, but it also points to inefficient use of suspicious activity reports and other anti-money-laundering issues that the industry has decried for years.

With lawmakers weighing changes to Bank Secrecy Act requirements, the Government Accountability Office urged the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to establish written policies for expanding use of the agency’s database.

A new investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists says JPMorgan Chase, Deutsche Bank and several other global institutions kept moving illicit funds after receiving warnings from U.S. officials.

The future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the Fed’s supervisory regime for the biggest financial institutions, reform of the Community Reinvestment Act and a host of other industry-related issues are on the ballot this November.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is seeking to create a better-defined standard for effective AML compliance programs and is considering whether to impose formal requirements that banks assess their laundering risk.

The federal banking agencies clarified that minor violations of Bank Secrecy Act rules will typically not result in a cease-and-desist order.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., was finally declared the winner weeks after election day, while Rep. Lacy Clay of Missouri was defeated by a progressive challenger.

Lexicon Bank in Las Vegas, whose chairman was a professional gambler, is actively courting poker players to open deposit accounts for their tournament winnings.

Legislation that would force transparency around company ownership would be better than another burdensome anti-money-laundering rule.

After the House passed a defense spending bill that included the provision ahead of negotiations with the Senate, industry representatives are optimistic Congress will finally shift the burden of reporting true-owner information from banks to their business clients.