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Insight
[E-Book] ESG Survey: Social Risks, Blind Spots and Barriers
Environment, social and governance (ESG) considerations are moving ever further up the risk agenda. However, the ‘S’ in ESG represents a broadening range of issues and, as the findings of this survey suggest, firms’ level of understanding of these diverse risks – and their resulting approach to managing them – may vary considerably.....More
It’s time to embrace AI
Artificial intelligence is here to help you not replace you, explains Pia Ffoulkes from Silent Eight.
Inflation: A breeding ground for financial crime
Inflation has ripple effects on individuals and businesses, posing a wide variety of threats to the economy. It not only affects a country’s financial stability, but also results in increased financial crime rates.....More
Cryptocurrency: Risks and red flags
This article explores the money laundering risks and red flags associated with cryptocurrencies.
I’ll do it tomorrow: Procrastination and the art of putting things off
Putting things off can cause delay, discomfort and missed deadlines. Here’s how to avoid the pitfalls of procrastination.....More
Horizon scanning – Part 2: Investment, ESG and the Consumer Duty
The second in a two-part look at the compliance landscape as we beging the year’s second quarter
Horizon scanning: Inflation, costs & regulatory action
As we begin the year’s second quarter, we're scanning the horizon to seek out the patterns and trends about which compliance professionals will need to be aware....More
The Future of AML
ICA’s latest report provides a range of perspectives on the challenges and opportunities within anti money laundering
Sanctions series: Episode 1 – Introduction to the sanctions compliance landscape
Sanctions series: An in-depth look at the role of a sanctions compliance professional....More
Celebrating women in compliance
Equity culture must be fully understood and embedded in the workplace, and that should start at the top
5 tips to secure your first role in compliance
Are you interested in taking that first step into a compliance career, but aren’t sure where to start?....More
ChatGPT comes with compliance caveats, experts warn
There are downsides to every new technology, and artificial intelligence and machine learning are no exception. Experts discussed the importance for compliance professionals to understand the risks of such tools at Compliance Week’s virtual Cyber Risk & Data Privacy Summit.
Corporate conformity and ‘blame culture’
UK TV viewers sat in front of the box over Christmas may have inadvertently learned a corporate ethics lesson....More
A crypto tipping point: A look back at 2022 and forwards to 2023
2022 was a turbulent time in the world of cryptocurrency
Is the threat of regulatory censure a risk worth taking?
How should risk and compliance professionals behave when boards knowingly break rules?....More
CPI 2022: the key findings
Delving into the key findings from Transparency International’s 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).
Horizon scanning – Part 2: Fraud, crypto & corruption
A look at some of the pertinent opportunities and threats that are emerging as the year gets underway....More
Santander UK Plc - AML failures - £107m fine
There are extensive learnings for firms across all sectors and for all customer types. This checklist highlights the key issues identified in the Final Notice.
5 compliance skills to help you succeed in 2023
If you’re hoping to kickstart a successful career in compliance, it’s worth exploring the fundamentals....More
Apprenticeships: A new way to study with ICA
Whilst apprenticeships have in one guise or another been in existence for many years, the implementation of the Apprenticeship Levy by the UK government in April 2017 immeasurably changed the landscape of professional training.
Horizon scanning: Greenwashing, human rights & ESG
An essential element of compliance is looking to the future to assess potential risks and opportunities, and there is no better time to do this than at the beginning of a new year. What follows is a summary of some of the key risk and compliance-related topics to reflect upon for 2023.....More
5 compliance triumphs from 2022
After navigating a year of high-volume sanctions, labour shortages, economic turmoil, daunting policy proposals, and remote/in-person work tension, compliance departments deserve an added helping of praise.
How to prevent AML failures
Analysing past AML failures can help firms shore up their own money laundering controls, writes Jake Plenderleith....More
Top 4 e-books our members have enjoyed in 2022
As we wind down for the year, and start looking forward to the festive season, we're pleased to present the top 4 e-books our members have enjoyed in 2022. They're free to download, so do make sure you grab your copy!
Managing Sanctions Risk: What are the keys to successful implementation
In early December, we hosted a webinar on the challenges faced by organisations in light of the huge changes in the sanctions landscape in 2022.....More
Joining the dots between ESG and corruption
Dr Ingrida Kerusauskaite and Rory Donaldson explain why business integrity and anti-corruption are core components of ESG
[E-book] The Future of KYC
Know your customer (KYC) controls, including customer due diligence (CDD), remain fundamental steps in identifying a customer’s identity, and assessing their inherent level of risk....More
Climate reporting: Is transparency the answer to imperfection?
The measurement and reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within supply chains (so-called ‘Scope 3’ emissions) is a fundamental component of plans to address climate change
[E-book] Whistleblowing in the U.K.
To learn more about the history of U.K. whistleblowing, an overview of what the Bill aims to address, and tips on best practices for whistleblowing programmes, download the NAVEX U.K. Whistleblowing e-book today.....More
Regulatory independence vital in fight against fraud
Ensuring regulatory independence is the surest means of protecting customers from becoming fraud victims.....More
What is green hushing?
With COP27 underway in Sharm El Sheikh, the topic has returned to the fore again. Climate scientists are piling criticism on entities they feel are ‘green hushing’ their way through environmental responsibility.
How to build an effective code of conduct
At the heart of every robust and effective GRC framework is a code of conduct....More
South Africa edges towards FATF grey list
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), alongside the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG), assessed South Africa’s AML/CFT regime during an onsite visit in November 2019
Diversity and inclusion’s power in compliance
In September, ICA and Broadgate joined forces to host a panel discussion on diversity and inclusion in London....More
Sharing the keys to effective collaboration in the fight against financial crime
Collaboration is increasingly viewed as an essential tool in the global fight against financial crime
Virtual Assets: Managing the Regulatory and Financial Crime Compliance Risks
ICA’s latest report ‘Virtual Assets: Managing the Regulatory and Financial Crime Compliance Risks’ provides a range of expert insight and analysis on virtual assets....More
How effective beneficial ownership searches leverage technology
Where is the sweet spot on understanding the UBO of the entities your firm does business with?
Focus on professional enablers puts lawyers in spotlight
Increasing global regulation is putting the legal sector’s relationship with money laundering under the spotlight....More
6 reasons why you should invest in a professional qualification
Studying for a professional qualification is a significant commitment – but it’s also a tried and tested way of advancing your career
Five minutes with...Merisha Stevenson
We caught up with Merisha Stevenson, Head of Quality, Risk and Audit, ICA, to find out what makes her tick and why becoming an auditor is a more attractive, rewarding career path than you might think.....More
Russia sanctions – so far
A revealing look at the impact of sanctions imposed upon Russian entities 6 months into the war in Ukraine.
FCA warns challenger banks in thematic review
In April 2022, the UK’s FCA published a thematic review, highlighting a range of financial crime issues that required remediation.....More
Fraud risks grow as cost-of-living soars
The cost of living has rocketed – which means firms must prepare for a rise in fraud
Adaptability: An overlooked, and underrated, compliance skill
This Insight article explores the importance of adaptability as a soft skill for compliance professionals, focusing on the different types of adaptability skills, the reasons why adaptability is so important for compliance professionals and the ways in which to improve upon your adaptability.....More
Risk, Compliance and Cultural Change Series
This series on culture change will demonstrate how studying human behaviour can help alleviate some of the challenges of our profession, helping you, your colleagues and your firm.
How compliance can help prevent human trafficking
30th July is the United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, this article will look at what compliance professionals can do to help prevent this awful activity from happening....More
Managing Risk More Effectively Through Intelligent Automation
Download this e-book to learn the way forward of bridging the current knowledge gap and how to equip compliance teams with the automation tools they need to be fully prepared.
The smartest guys in the room – how to deal with cultural arrogance
Arrogance is an unpleasant trait to deal with in our career. It is, however, everywhere. Learning how and when to face it will be a long-term useful skill.....More
Mind your language
Words matter, as risk and compliance professionals it is vital that this is understood and acted upon. A misunderstanding can lead to a costly mistake so by understanding the nuances of language you can be better placed to communicate well with colleagues and stakeholders.
Financial crime within the metaverse
Criminals are always early adopters of new technology; it is up to compliance to ensure they do not gain a foothold in the metaverse.....More
Transaction monitoring: its importance and how you can do better
Ahead of the imminent launch of a new virtual classroom workshop, we are taking a look at transaction monitoring: what it is, what risks to look out for and how we can learn from examples of poor monitoring activity.
Thumbs down: Fraud and social media
This Insight article focuses on the impact social media has had on the way fraudsters target their victims.....More
The importance of maintenance and record-keeping
This insight article looks at the importance of maintenance and record-keeping as part of an effective GRC programme.
Factors to consider when implementing risk assessment technology
This Insight article focuses on the factors that compliance professionals must consider when implementing risk assessment technology.....More
FedEx Series Part 1: Desire for transparency launches FedEx on ESG journey
Behind its white trucks and the orange and purple of its iconic logo, FedEx Corp. has built its enterprise on an absolute commitment to ethics, integrity, and reliability. This principle is the bedrock of its long-term success in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.
Why beneficial ownership is crucial in supporting current sanctions
Understanding who the owners of a company are is a key tool in fighting financial crime and potential sanctions evasion.....More
The dangers of money laundering within the art market
The value of the global art market has reached $67.4 billion so it is unsurprising that criminals have targeted it. Through understanding it’s vulnerabilities and what legislation is in place, compliance officers can help to prevent potential money laundering from happening.
Managing Correspondent Banking Relationships
Correspondent banking serves a vital function within the global economy. However, if correspondent banking relationships are not managed properly, they can present considerable risks from an anti-financial crime perspective. This article will review a recent ICA Webinar that discussed some of these challenges and how to make these relationships a success.....More
Your questions, answered: Russia sanctions FAQs.
As governments continue to issue sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many firms are looking to limit their sanctions exposure. Our Russia sanctions FAQs consider the ways in which this can be achieved, as well as addressing some of the more complex demands placed on firms with Russian exposure.
5 considerations for a Transaction Monitoring system
Transaction Monitoring is an area that is constantly in the spotlight. The challenge for a financial institution is to get the balance right of monitoring the accounts of those individuals who are up to no good, but without impacting on the transaction flow of those who are innocent.....More
NFTs: the future, a craze or a risky business?
This Insight article focuses on the recent surge in popularity of NFTs, specifically detailing what NFTs are, the risks associated with them and what the future holds for the technology.
Greenwashing under the spotlight
With growing concerns over greenwashing, regulators are placing greater scrutiny on organisations’ claims about their green credentials.....More
Where are we heading with ESG?
ESG is climbing up the corporate agenda and in this piece, Rhodri Kettle takes a look at some of the reasons why this is the case and then poses some indicators to look out for to assess the acceptance of ESG within your own firms.
Learning points from the HSBC fine – practical steps businesses can take
HSBC received a hefty fine by the FCA and their decision notice highlighted three areas with deficiencies related to systems and controls. This article will explore the decision notice and look at what lessons other firms can glean to help their own risk-based approaches.....More
Russia sanctions surgery - what are the implications for your business?
As the terrible conflict in Ukraine intensifies, sanctions are making global headlines. This public and media interest has brought with it fresh challenges for those trying to keep pace with the complex measures imposed by governments on entities linked to the Russian state. In response, an ICA webinar on 9 March sought to bring some clarity to the new sanctions landscape.
The big crypto conversation - MENA conference
The regulation of virtual assets will be high on the agenda at ICA Live: MENA, with a current and a former regulator driving the conversation.....More
Red flags for illegal wildlife trafficking
Identifying red flags in any form of transaction monitoring of customer activity is a key part of spotting and stopping criminal activity. This is crucial in trying to prevent the illegal trade of wildlife and this piece will highlight some of these red flags and discuss the important of good quality reporting when they are identified.
5 tips for handling SoF/SoW
Holly Thomas-Wrightson helps us to understand the complexities of source of funds and source of wealth.....More
How to help prevent the illegal wildlife trade
Illegal wildlife trafficking has been described as a low-risk, high-reward crime that is thought to be worth a huge £17 billion a year. It’s widely accepted that this is an awful, illegal industry but there is still some debate and struggle with how to prevent it. By identifying key touch points across the supply chain and targeting those that seek to profit from it there is the potential to save millions of animals across the world. This approach, combined with increased legislation and support from regulators could be the difference between this illegal industry thriving or ceasing to exist.
ESG perspectives: implications for compliance professionals
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) is a broad topic formed of diverse and often fascinating issues. We are therefore pleased to present this unmissable collection of perspectives on ESG from compliance professionals all over the world....More
Raising awareness of the illegal wildlife trade
Illegal wildlife trafficking has grown in its severity and occurrence in recent years. This article looks at how this has happened and the importance of building a solid criminal case against those that carry it out. Changing the behaviour of the consumer is a significant factor in the overall effort against the illegal wildlife trade and this article plays a large part in helping readings to understand the importance of this.
Happy Valentine’s Day – or is it?
Romance fraud is a crime that often avoids the headlines when compared to tax or credit card fraud, but it is on the rise and can leave victims with not just a loss of money but can also be a big hit to their self-esteem, if not very emotionally damaging. This piece will look at how it happens, how people can protect themselves and also what to do if you or someone you know has been a victim.....More
Zeroing in: Making the transition to net zero
Achieving ‘net zero’ emissions has become a huge priority for everyone as the urgency of the climate crises grows year on year. Tackling this is a serious challenge and at the recent COP26 summit, plans were announced to make the UK ‘the world’s first net-zero aligned financial centre’. This piece will look at how banks can plot their way along this journey and increase their confidence at hitting these important targets.
CPI 2021: Looking beyond a high score
The release of Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is always a significant event in the financial crime compliance calendar, compiling as it does a ranking of perceived corruption across countries around the globe. This year's index will make interesting, if dispiriting, reading for compliance professionals, and this piece argues of the need to look beyond the CPI to inform their own judgements based on curiosity and looking beyond the obvious.....More
UN International Day of Education – the changing face of learning
Since 2001, ICA has been committed to increasing the knowledge and skills of regulatory and financial crime compliance professionals around the world. On this special day, we are marking the UN International Day of Education with a look at how we have successfully tailored our deliverables to harness developments in technology and continue to give our students an outstanding learner experience.
A 2022 Compliance Wish List
This article recaps some of the developments we would like to see in the compliance world in the upcoming year....More
What it takes to work in sanctions compliance – Part 2
This article is the second in our series on sanctions: What it takes to work in sanctions compliance
Pandora Papers - How to identify ultimate beneficial owners
The Pandora Papers were another massive story in 2021 as a group of journalists released a paper that highlighted the issue of UBOs. This have us a chance to reflect on the European regulatory landscape and best practice examples for financial institutions to enhance their systems and controls for preventing financial crime.....More
Top 5 e-books that our members have enjoyed in 2021
Cybersecurity, financial crime compliance trends, integrated risk management and governance, risk and compliance were among the key topics that attracted our members' interest in 2021
3 major talking points from 2021 for the compliance industry
With 2021 quickly drawing to a close, now seems an apposite time to reflect on the last 12 months....More
EU Whistle-blowing regulations: the right questions to ask in and outside Europe
The deadline for Member States, to transpose the EU Whistleblower Protection Directive into national laws, is 17th Dec 2021
SARs reporting in the service sector
Why is the number of SARs being raised in the service sector so low when compared to credit institutions, like banks?....More
Old crimes, new methods
Times and technology may change, but the fundamental means by which criminals attempt to launder money and carry out their nefarious acts are still rooted in the same criminal process – commit a crime, evade capture and benefit from the proceeds.
Why study with ICA?
Have you decided it’s time to progress your career and that a professional qualification is the perfect way to enhance your knowledge and skills?....More
Compliance must carve out role in company ESG efforts
Respondents to Compliance Week's “Inside the Mind of the CCO” survey agree compliance should play a key part as businesses determine their ESG strategy—either through primary oversight or meaningful participation
Why I loved being an MLRO
Being an MLRO can be tough, but it is also exciting and fulfilling with many opportunities for personal and professional development....More
Compliance must be a force for good
Ethics and purpose should underpin every effort to meet the challenge of climate change, writes James Thomas
What it takes to work in sanctions compliance
Sanctions impact almost every aspect of our lives, and is one of the few topics with real, day-to-day significance....More
The journey toward integrated risk management
Discover four practical steps to realising the gains of IRM
Putting the ‘G’ into GRC
Governance plays a significant role in determining how a business’ objectives are set and achieved, how risk is monitored and addressed, and how performance is optimised.....More
Suex sanctions: the compliance implications
Deepa Chandrasekhar considers the significance of the recent OFAC decision to sanction cryptocurrency exchange Suex
Ethics Masterclass: A Plantation Adventure
In this four-part series, Dr. Kara Tan Bhala will guide you each week through a case study taken from her book, Ethics in Finance: Case Studies of a Woman’s Life on Wall Street.....More
Counterfeiting, Covid and Conscience
Are you inadvertently contributing to criminality? As we acclimatise to the ‘new normal’, we examine how the global pandemic has helped facilitate unprecedented growth in the UK’s counterfeit market and how compliance professionals utilise their skills to combat it.
A milestone case in Singapore: Failing to perform KYC/CDD & false statements
Proper due diligence work is very important; so important, that it is vital it isn’t undermined in practice by banking and finance professionals, nor by the firms in which they work.....More
Nord Stream 2: A study in sanctions complexity
The political fallout has been described as ‘the biggest diplomatic crisis in transatlantic relations since the Iraq War
Why compliance needs to talk about sustainability
Recently, we conducted a poll of ICA members and the wider compliance community on sustainability and the role compliance has in addressing it. The results were not only revealing, but pointed to a potential new direction for compliance as its responsibilities expand.....More
Whistle-blowing: Good apples, bad apples and behavioural science
This blog series will explore sensitive questions around whistleblowing. It will consider the social and individual processes that surround deviant corporate behaviour and why these are strong barriers to ‘speaking up’. It will also ask how we can bring those barriers down. A field operation plan for whistle-blowers will also be built, sharing techniques that individuals can adopt to assist them in the face of corporate misdemeanours.
What every compliance professional needs to know
Why every compliance professional needs to know how to protect customers’ monies and assets – and why they should encourage others to do the same.....More
6 ways to mitigate a bad day at the office
Throughout this mini-series, we have explored how compliance faces unprecedented challenges and exciting new opportunities in our rapidly changing, digitising world.
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