Program | Financial Crimes Enforcement Conference

7:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Registration Open

7:30 AM – 8:15 AM

Power Breakfasts

Power Breakfast 1: Not Just Instincts: Formalizing Your Fraud-Fighting Framework
Sponsored by Abrigo

Your team knows your fraud risks—and you’ve taken meaningful action to address them. But is your strategy clearly documented, scalable, and exam-ready? Can it evolve as fast as fraud does? Join us for a practical, round-table session tailored for fraud program leaders and decision-makers. This session will equip you to: 1) Optimize and document a fraud strategy that adapts to shifting threats and examiner expectations; 2) Address core fraud channels like check, wire, p2p and ACH with clarity and confidence; 3) Identify common pitfalls in existing strategies—and how to fill the gaps; 4) Strengthen internal alignment and demonstrate a mature, forward-looking program.

Power Breakfast 2

Details coming soon.

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM

Coffee and Rolls in the Foyer

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM

General Session 1

ABA Leads Forward: Priorities and Innovation in AML and Fraud

Part 1: State of the Industry Featuring Rob Nichols, President and CEO, American Bankers Association
Part 2: National Check Verification System
Part 3: What You Need to Know about Stablecoin Now

10:00 AM – 10:45 AM

Coffee Break in The HUB

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM

Concurrent Series #1
(Repeated in Series 2)

1A: Operationalizing AML Reform: Changes to Make Now
Track: AML/CFT/Sanctions

FinCEN’s proposed AML/CFT program rule marks a pivotal shift in how AML programs are expected to operate. This session explores what the rule means for your institution, including the requirement for a risk-based, effective, and reasonably designed AML program aligned with national AML priorities. We’ll connect the dots between this regulatory shift and what examiners are already asking for — from enhanced risk assessments and control testing to documentation and governance. Designed for AML officers across bank sizes, this session translates regulatory change into operational strategy, helping you prioritize updates that examiners expect and your institution needs.

• Moderator: Marilu Jimenez, Esq., CAMS, Founder and President, Financial Intelligence Network and Compliance Advisors and Senior Advisor, McKinsey & Company, and Fractional Chief Compliance Officer, Nave Bank
• Megan D. Hodge, CAMS, Executive Compliance Director, BSA/AML Officer, Enterprise Compliance Regulatory Affairs, Ally Bank
• Heather Trew, Senior Vice President and Counsel, BSA/AML/CFT, Sanctions Compliance and Policy, American Bankers Association
  

1B: Fentanyl Trafficking and Financing Terrorism: Converging Threats in the AML Landscape
Track: AML/CFT/Sanctions

The illicit fentanyl trade is not only a public health crisis—it’s a financial crime threat with global reach and terrorist financing implications. This session explores how cartels and transnational criminal organizations are using the U.S. financial system to move billions in fentanyl proceeds, often through complex laundering schemes involving Chinese chemical suppliers, Mexican cartels, and underground banking networks. With new authorities under the FEND Off Fentanyl Act and recent designations of cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, regulators are escalating enforcement—and banks must respond. Expect to learn more on how fentanyl trafficking intersects with terrorism financing and AML/CFT priorities; what recent FinCEN orders and FATF findings mean for financial institutions; how to identify red flags, typologies, and high-risk corridors linked to fentanyl-related finance and practical steps to strengthen transaction monitoring, SAR reporting, and cross-border risk controls.

• Moderator: Marcy Forman, CAMS, CGSS, Head of Complex Investigations, TD Bank, National Association
• Brian Davis, CAMS, Head of Intelligence, Emerging Risk and Trends, TD Bank

1C: Creating Actionable Response to the Latest International Fraud Scams
Track: Fraud

1D: New: The Enemy Within? Building a Unified Defense Against Insider Risk
Track: Fraud

Insider threats cut across silos — and so must your response. This session examines how financial institutions are strengthening insider threat programs by uniting AML, fraud, cyber, and conduct risk functions. From spotting behavioral red flags to addressing credential abuse, collusion, and data misuse, the discussion will focus on coordinated detection, escalation, and mitigation strategies. Featuring real-world insights from institutions with mature cross-functional frameworks, the session will provide practical approaches for collaboration, data sharing, and governance — especially valuable for organizations managing resource constraints or fragmented oversight.

• Moderator: Matthew S. Haslinger, Executive Vice President, Chief BSA/AML & Sanctions Compliance Officer, M&T Bank
• Constantine P. Lizas, BSA/AML/ OFAC Officer, Tomkins Financial Corporation

11:45 AM – 1:15 PM

Seated Luncheon: Partner Game Changers: Bridging Cutting-Edge Solutions with Today's Banking Challenges

A fast-moving, high-impact session featuring rapid product pitches and meaningful dialogue between innovators and banking leaders.

1:15 PM – 1:45 PM

Dessert in The HUB

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM

Concurrent Series #2

2A: Operationalizing AML Reform: Changes to Make Now
Track: AML/CFT/Sanctions

FinCEN’s proposed AML/CFT program rule marks a pivotal shift in how AML programs are expected to operate. This session explores what the rule means for your institution, including the requirement for a risk-based, effective, and reasonably designed AML program aligned with national AML priorities. We’ll connect the dots between this regulatory shift and what examiners are already asking for — from enhanced risk assessments and control testing to documentation and governance. Designed for AML officers across bank sizes, this session translates regulatory change into operational strategy, helping you prioritize updates that examiners expect and your institution needs.

• Moderator: Marilu Jimenez, Esq., CAMS, Founder and President, Financial Intelligence Network and Compliance Advisors and Senior Advisor, McKinsey & Company, and Fractional Chief Compliance Officer, Nave Bank
• Megan D. Hodge, CAMS, Executive Compliance Director, BSA/AML Officer, Enterprise Compliance Regulatory Affairs, Ally Bank
• Heather Trew, Senior Vice President and Counsel, BSA/AML/CFT, Sanctions Compliance and Policy, American Bankers Association
  

2B: Fentanyl Trafficking and Financing Terrorism: Converging Threats in the AML Landscape
Track: AML/CFT/Sanctions

The illicit fentanyl trade is not only a public health crisis—it’s a financial crime threat with global reach and terrorist financing implications. This session explores how cartels and transnational criminal organizations are using the U.S. financial system to move billions in fentanyl proceeds, often through complex laundering schemes involving Chinese chemical suppliers, Mexican cartels, and underground banking networks. With new authorities under the FEND Off Fentanyl Act and recent designations of cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, regulators are escalating enforcement—and banks must respond. Expect to learn more on how fentanyl trafficking intersects with terrorism financing and AML/CFT priorities; what recent FinCEN orders and FATF findings mean for financial institutions; how to identify red flags, typologies, and high-risk corridors linked to fentanyl-related finance and practical steps to strengthen transaction monitoring, SAR reporting, and cross-border risk controls.

• Moderator: Marcy Forman, CAMS, CGSS, Head of Complex Investigations, TD Bank, National Association
• Brian Davis, CAMS, Head of Intelligence, Emerging Risk and Trends, TD Bank

2C: Creating Actionable Response to the Latest International Fraud Scams
Track: Fraud

2D: New: The Enemy Within? Building a Unified Defense Against Insider Risk
Track: Fraud

Insider threats cut across silos — and so must your response. This session examines how financial institutions are strengthening insider threat programs by uniting AML, fraud, cyber, and conduct risk functions. From spotting behavioral red flags to addressing credential abuse, collusion, and data misuse, the discussion will focus on coordinated detection, escalation, and mitigation strategies. Featuring real-world insights from institutions with mature cross-functional frameworks, the session will provide practical approaches for collaboration, data sharing, and governance — especially valuable for organizations managing resource constraints or fragmented oversight.

• Moderator: Matthew S. Haslinger, Executive Vice President, Chief BSA/AML & Sanctions Compliance Officer, M&T Bank
• Constantine P. Lizas, BSA/AML/ OFAC Officer, Tomkins Financial Corporation

2:45 PM – 3:00 PM

Move to the next session

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Concurrent Series #3
(Sessions not repeated but will be recorded)

3A: CI-FIRST: A New Era of IRS-CI Feedback and Engagement with Financial Institutions
Track: AML/CFT/Sanctions

The IRS Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI) has launched a groundbreaking initiative—CI-FIRST (Feedback in Response to Strategic Threats)—to transform how financial institutions engage with law enforcement on financial crime investigations. CI-FIRST addresses long-standing challenges in the utility of Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) data by offering institutions direct insight into how Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) and Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs) are used in federal investigations. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how IRS-CI leverages BSA data to uncover billions in fraud, enhance investigative efficiency, and improve case development. Additionally, we will explore how to improve your overall law enforcement partnerships to yield better results. This advanced-level session is ideal for AML professionals seeking to optimize SAR filings and understand their impact on law enforcement outcomes. Fraud specialists will also benefit from insights into IRS-CI’s focus on emerging threats such as tax fraud, narcotics trafficking, and pandemic-era financial crimes.

• Moderator: Rebecca “Becky” Schauer Robertson, CAMS Audit, CAFP, CFE, CCI, Executive Vice President, BSA Officer & Director of Financial Crimes, Blue Ridge Bank, NA
  

3B: How FinTechs and Virtual Assets Comply with BSA and Sanctions
Track: AML/CFT/Sanctions/OFAC

If you are partnering with FinTechs - do you know how well they are complying? We'll walk through the key compliance due diligence questions you should be asking your FinTech partners in assuring they are meeting BSA and Sanctions obligations.

• Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy and Government Affairs, TRM Labs
• James Sayko, Financial Crimes Leader, Corporate and Investment Banking, Wells Fargo, NA

3C: ACH Fraud Prevention Under NACHA’s New Rules: What Every Bank Needs to Know
Track: Fraud

NACHA’s phased updates to ACH fraud prevention rules—rolling out through mid-2026—are reshaping how financial institutions detect, report, and respond to ACH payment fraud. This session breaks down what’s changed, what’s coming, and what it means for your institution. From expanded definitions of fraud to new monitoring requirements and return protocols, we’ll cover the operational, compliance, and strategic impacts for banks of all sizes. Whether you're updating existing controls or building new ones, this session will help you align with NACHA’s expectations and strengthen your payments fraud prevention framework.

• Moderator: Steve Kenneally, Senior Vice President, Payments, American Bankers Association

3D: New Digital Deception: How Criminal Networks Use Crypto and DeFi to Defraud and Launder
Track: Fraud/AML

As digital assets and decentralized finance platforms become more mainstream, so do the fraud and laundering schemes that exploit them. This session walks through the lifecycle of a crypto-enabled fraud scheme — from initial setup and social engineering to asset movement, laundering, and cash-out. With insights from law enforcement and regulatory experts, we’ll explore how criminal networks are leveraging digital assets and DeFi platforms to evade detection and defraud institutions and launder funds. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of the operational risks, red flags, and investigative challenges unique to crypto-related fraud — and how AML and fraud teams can respond.

• Moderator: Julian L. Andre’, Partner, McDermott Will & Emery LLP

4:00 PM – 4:15 PM

Move to the next session

4:15 PM – 5:15 PM

General Session 2

5:15 PM – 6:15 PM

Reception in The HUB

7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Registration Open

7:30 AM – 8:15 AM

Power Breakfast Sessions

Power Breakfast 1

Power Breakfast 2

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM

Coffee and Rolls in the Foyer

8:30 AM – 10:15 AM

General Session 3

FinCEN/OFAC Dialogue – A Fireside Chat with ABA

This must-see conversation features a discussion on where collaboration is furthering efforts to disrupt illicit finance networks. The discussion will range from shared compliance expectations and enforcement concerns to how they are leveraging feedback loops between sanctions actions, guidance, and financial intelligence to improve their joint impact in securing our nation’s financial system against bad actors.

• Moderator: Heather Trew, Senior Vice President and Counsel, BSA/AML/Sanctions, American Bankers Association
• Andrea Gacki, Director, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)
• Bradley T. Smith, Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control, US Department of Treasury

10:15 AM – 10:45 AM

Coffee Break in The HUB

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM

Concurrent Series #4
(Repeated in Series 5)

4A: The Data You Can Trust: Governance Strategies for AML Effectiveness
Track: AML/CFT/OFAC

The strength of your AML program depends on the integrity of the data it relies on — and regulators are paying close attention. This session explores how financial institutions can strengthen their data governance frameworks to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and traceability of data feeding into suspicious activity monitoring and other AML processes. We’ll examine the questions regulators like FinCEN are asking, the connection between governance and model validation, and the practical steps institutions can take to protect their data and their programs. Whether you're refining your policies or preparing for an exam, this session will help you align your data governance strategy with regulatory expectations and operational needs.

• Moderator: Michael J. Leotta, Partner, Wilmer Hale
• John F. Caruso, Principal, Consulting, KPMG LLP
• Heidi D. Ponder, CAMS, CAFP, BSA Officer, Centier Bank

4B: Open or Close? Navigating Account Closures in a New Regulatory Era
Track: AML/Fraud

With heightened regulatory scrutiny, financial institutions are facing new challenges in managing account closures, particularly those involving high-risk or sensitive customers. The August 2025 Executive Order on “Guaranteeing Fair Banking for All Americans” has reshaped expectations, requiring that debanking decisions be based on objective, individualized risk assessments rather than political, religious, or reputational considerations. This session explores how banks can navigate this complex terrain while minimizing legal exposure and maintaining commitments to financial inclusion. Experts will examine the legal and regulatory risks of both retaining and terminating accounts and offer guidance on governance strategies that help institutions document and defend their decisions to boards and regulators. Attendees will gain practical insights into improving board reporting, strengthening operational safeguards, and addressing emerging expectations around complaint management. The session offers a roadmap for building a defensible governance framework that supports compliance, inclusion, and strategic risk management.

• Moderator: Daniel P. Stipano, Partner, Davis Polk
• Jim Arndts, CAMS, BSA Officer, Head of Financial Crimes of the Americas, MUFG

4C: Identifying Fraud Risk Through Effective Risk Assessments
Track: Fraud

4D: First Party Fraud - Is the Customer Always Right?
Track: Fraud

11:45 AM – 1:15 PM

Seated Luncheon with Speaker

1:15 PM – 1:45 PM

Dessert in The HUB

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM

Concurrent Series #5
(Repeated from Series 4)

5A: The Data You Can Trust: Governance Strategies for AML Effectiveness
Track: AML/CFT/OFAC

The strength of your AML program depends on the integrity of the data it relies on — and regulators are paying close attention. This session explores how financial institutions can strengthen their data governance frameworks to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and traceability of data feeding into suspicious activity monitoring and other AML processes. We’ll examine the questions regulators like FinCEN are asking, the connection between governance and model validation, and the practical steps institutions can take to protect their data and their programs. Whether you're refining your policies or preparing for an exam, this session will help you align your data governance strategy with regulatory expectations and operational needs.

• Moderator: Michael J. Leotta, Partner, Wilmer Hale
• John F. Caruso, Principal, Consulting, KPMG LLP
• Heidi D. Ponder, CAMS, CAFP, BSA Officer, Centier Bank

5B: Open or Close? Navigating Account Closures in a New Regulatory Era
Track: AML/Fraud

With heightened regulatory scrutiny, financial institutions are facing new challenges in managing account closures, particularly those involving high-risk or sensitive customers. The August 2025 Executive Order on “Guaranteeing Fair Banking for All Americans” has reshaped expectations, requiring that debanking decisions be based on objective, individualized risk assessments rather than political, religious, or reputational considerations. This session explores how banks can navigate this complex terrain while minimizing legal exposure and maintaining commitments to financial inclusion. Experts will examine the legal and regulatory risks of both retaining and terminating accounts and offer guidance on governance strategies that help institutions document and defend their decisions to boards and regulators. Attendees will gain practical insights into improving board reporting, strengthening operational safeguards, and addressing emerging expectations around complaint management. The session offers a roadmap for building a defensible governance framework that supports compliance, inclusion, and strategic risk management.

• Moderator: Daniel P. Stipano, Partner, Davis Polk
• Jim Arndts, CAMS, BSA Officer, Head of Financial Crimes of the Americas, MUFG

5C: Identifying Fraud Risk Through Effective Risk Assessments
Track: Fraud

5D: First Party Fraud - Is the Customer Always Right?
Track: Fraud

2:45 PM – 3:00 PM

Move to next session

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Concurrent Series #6 Focus on Technology
(Sessions not repeated but will be recorded)

6A: AI Meets AML: What is Possible vs. What is Valuable
Track: AML/CFT/OFAC

Are you ready? Join us to explore how AI can enhance BSA/AML risk management—from streamlining data integration to improving behavioral analysis, network detection, and risk prioritization. Learn how financial institutions are using AI to identify risks and opportunities and what that means for your evolving risk framework.

6B: Preparing Your Bank for Crypto: From a BSA/Sanctions Perspective
Track: AML/CFT/OFAC

As crypto activity becomes increasingly integrated into mainstream financial services, banks must be ready to manage the BSA/AML and sanctions risks that come with it—whether through direct holdings, customer transactions, or depository services or other forms of engagement. This session will help AML leaders assess their institution’s preparedness for crypto engagement. We’ll explore key considerations for updating your risk framework, transaction monitoring, and sanctions screening protocols to account for virtual assets. Learn what questions to ask internally, what controls to strengthen, and how to align your crypto strategy with regulatory expectations.

6C: Combating AI Driven Fraud Threats: How Criminals Are Using AI Against Banks
Track: Fraud

6D: Bank-to-Bank: Tracing Fraud Funds Across Financial Institutions
Track: Fraud

4:00 PM – 4:15 PM

Move to next session

4:15 PM – 5:15 PM

General Session 5Details coming soon

5:15 PM – 6:15 PM

Reception in The HUB

7:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Registration Open

7:30 AM – 8:15 AM

Power Breakfast Sessions

Power Breakfast 1

Power Breakfast 2

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM

Coffee and Rolls in the Foyer

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Concurrent Series #7: Learning Labs
These extended sessions offer a deep dive into selected topics, designed to foster meaningful interaction and engagement. Each session is offered exclusively on-site and will not be recorded, ensuring a candid and immersive experience.

7A: Deep Dive in Sanctions ComplianceTrack: AML/CFT/OFAC

7B: Data Driven SARsTrack: AML/Fraud

7C: Deep Dive into the Latest Fraud TrendsTrack: Fraud

7D: Stress Testing Your Fraud Defenses: Improving Fraud OperationsTrack: Fraud

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Move to next session

10:15 AM – 11:30 AM

General Session 6

AI: Moving from the Edge to the Center in Financial Crimes Risk Management

11:30 AM

Conference Concludes