5 June 2025 – The International Compliance Association (ICA), the leading professional body for the global regulatory and financial crime compliance community, has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Association of Serbian Banks. The agreement was formalised by ICA Vice President Tim Tyler and Marina Papadakis, Secretary General of the Association of Serbian Banks on the sidelines of the Compliance Function in Banks Conference, held in Zlatibor, Serbia on 29-30 May.
Since its founding in 1921, the Association of Serbian Banks has represented, protected, and promoted the interests of its members while advocating for best practices and standards. Its membership includes all banks operating in Serbia and the Belgrade Stock Exchange, with a mission to enhance the reputation and resilience of Serbia’s banking sector both nationally and internationally.
Serbia continues to strengthen its compliance and regulatory landscape through initiatives that align its frameworks with global standards. Recent legal reforms have enhanced investigative mechanisms for financial crime and corruption, while the introduction of the long-term Data Protection Strategy (2023–2030) is advancing Serbia’s compliance with GDPR. These efforts, alongside the modernization of banking governance and transparency, highlight the country’s commitment to fostering integrity and resilience in the financial sector.
ICA Vice President, Tim Tyler, commented: "This partnership marks a significant milestone in strengthening compliance expertise within the Serbian regulatory and financial crime compliance sector. By collaborating with the Association of Serbian Banks, we are fostering a culture of integrity, resilience, and innovation, ensuring professionals in the region have the knowledge to successfully navigate the evolving regulatory landscape."
“The development of the compliance function is proving to be one of the most important in the Serbian banking sector. Banks in Serbia not only operate within a detailed and developed national framework, but they are increasingly referring to European legislation and regulations, especially following Serbia's accession to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA)”, said Marina Papadakis, Secretary General of the Association of Serbian Banks.
With over 190,000 practitioners trained globally, ICA qualifications equip industry professionals with the understanding, skills, and behaviors needed to detect and mitigate financial crime risks effectively, combining global best practices, case studies, and practical skills.
On 29 May, Tim Tyler delivered a presentation on “Corruption Today: Understanding and Meeting the Threat of Corruption in a Volatile, Uncertain World” at the Compliance Function in Banks 2025 conference. The conference provided a valuable platform for industry professionals to share knowledge, network, and exchange best practices in regulatory and financial crime compliance.