FinCrime Unfiltered with Sarah Beth Felix - iHeartPodcasts

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Latest Episodes:

OCC Drops the Hammer: Hefty Consent Order & Crypto Bank Approval Explained | FinCrime Unfiltered Oct 17, 2025

Show notes

This week on FinCrime Unfiltered, host Sarah Beth Felix breaks down the OCC’s latest enforcement action and what its preliminary approval of a crypto bank really signals for the future of U.S. banking.
What triggered the hefty consent order?
Why is the OCC warming up to crypto charters now?
And how should compliance and risk teams interpret these moves?
Join Sarah Beth for a sharp, unfiltered look at the regulators’ evolving stance on traditional vs. digital banking—and what it means for financial institutions navigating the next wave of oversight.
#OCC #Crypto #Compliance #BankingRegulation

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federal Banking Shake-Up: What Regulators Are Really Signaling | FinCrime Unfiltered Oct 10, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of FinCrime Unfiltered, host Sarah Beth Felix breaks down a wave of new announcements from federal banking agencies — and what they reveal about the next era of compliance risk. From the evolving expectations around Model Risk Management (MRM) to how the “Unsafe or Unsound Practice” clause is being applied in modern enforcement, Sarah explores how regulators are tightening the screws on operational integrity and governance.

She also unpacks the proposed NPRM on Reputational Risk, a move that could reshape how financial institutions assess exposure beyond traditional compliance frameworks. Plus, a look at FinCEN’s latest FAQ on SARs — and what it says about the government’s shifting priorities in financial crime reporting.

Today's Topics:
Federal banking agencies issue coordinated statements
What’s changing in Model Risk Management (MRM)
The “Unsafe or Unsound Practice” clause explained
NPRM on Reputational Risk: New frontier in compliance
FinCEN’s updated FAQ for SARs and real-world implications

#FinCrimeUnfiltered #FinancialCrime #Compliance #BankingRegulation #FinCEN #AML

Proudly Supported by Castellum AI
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more unfiltered takes on the world of financial crime.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FDIC’s Compliance Cost Survey, OFAC’s Crypto Crackdown, & CCP’s Hong Kong Warning | FinCrime Unfiltered Sep 26, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of FinCrime Unfiltered, host Sarah Beth Felix breaks down three major developments shaping the global financial crime landscape:
FDIC’s Survey on Compliance Costs – What new data reveals about the rising burden of compliance for U.S. banks and financial institutions. Check out the full survey here:

https://www.fdic.gov/federal-register-publications/draft-survey-comment-survey-costs-amlcft-compliance
OFAC’s Penalty Against a Denver Digital Asset Exchange – Why this enforcement action signals Washington’s growing scrutiny of crypto players.
Congressional-Executive Commission on China Letter – A sharp warning on Hong Kong and Chinese companies, and its implications for compliance, sanctions, and cross-border risk.

Proudly Supported by Hummingbird - Register for Hummingbird's Event: Customer Screening In The Age of AI: https://newsletter.illicitedge.com/p/cut-screening-time-by-50?utm_source=newsletter.illicitedge.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=cut-screening-time-by-50
Stay ahead of the regulatory curve with sharp analysis, expert insight, and a look at how these moves could impact compliance teams, financial institutions, and global markets.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more unfiltered takes on the world of financial crime.
#AML #FinCrime #Crypto #OFAC #FDIC #Sanctions

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hot Takes on U.S. AML Reform & John Hurley’s ACAMS Vegas Statement | FinCrime Unfiltered Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

Host Sarah Beth Felix dives into the real meaning behind U.S. Undersecretary of the Treasury John Hurley’s ACAMS Vegas statement — and what it could mean for the future of AML reform.
Key Hot Takes & Quotes:
“As everyone in this field knows, there are useful SARs and not so useful SARs.”
SAR Complexity, Flooding the system, Communication gaps, Exam reform, AI innovation, De-risking dangers, Modernizing AML, and More!
Sarah Beth breaks down what’s rhetoric vs. what’s realistic — and why Hurley’s remarks may signal a turning point in the U.S. AML policy.
Subscribe to FinCrime Unfiltered for weekly insights on enforcement, regulatory reform, sanctions, and AML strategy.
#FinCrime #AML #ACAMS #SARs #Compliance #FinCEN #FinancialCrime #Banking

Proudly Supported by Castellum.AI

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FINCEN’s Busy Week, Border GTO & OCC Shake-Up | FinCrime Unfiltered Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

Host Sarah Beth Felix unpacks a whirlwind week in financial crime and compliance, with critical updates every compliance officer needs to hear:
FINCEN’s Busy Week — key takeaways from multiple announcements and regulatory actions.
Financially Motivated Sextortion — new notice highlights urgent red flags for institutions.
Border Geographical Targeting Order — reporting rule changes and what they mean in practice.
FINCEN’s Cross Border Guidance — why “proceed with caution” is the message for banks and MSBs.
OCC’s Supervisory Framework Changes — what the shift could mean for oversight and enforcement.
Subscribe to FinCrime Unfiltered for weekly insights on sanctions, AML, enforcement, and regulatory shifts.
#FinCrime #FINCEN #OCC #AML #Compliance #FinancialCrime #Sextortion #Banking

Proudly Supported by Hummingbird

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Country Codes, OFAC’s Latest Fine, Marshall Islands + Bunq Penalty | FinCrime Unfiltered Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of FinCrime Unfiltered, Sarah Beth Felix breaks down some of the latest global financial crime and compliance headlines you need to know:
IRS vs ISO Country Codes — why the difference matters for compliance teams.
Key Takeaways on OFAC’s Latest Penalty — what regulators are signaling with this action.
Marshall Islands — implications for shipping registries and global trade.
Bunq B.V. Penalty in the Netherlands — lessons from the Dutch central bank’s enforcement.
Stay ahead of the evolving sanctions, AML, and compliance landscape with clear analysis and practical insights.
Subscribe for weekly updates on financial crime, enforcement, and regulatory trends.

Proudly Supported by Castellum AI

This episode of FinCrime Unfiltered with Sarah Beth Felix is brought to you by Castellum.AI - the real time AI agents and screening platform keeping banks, fintechs, and governments ahead of financial crime.
Whether you're navigating sanctions or watchlists, Castellum.AI helps you move fast and stay compliant.
No outdated databases. No manual processes. Just lightning-fast intelligence you can rely on.
Visit Castellum.AI to see why compliance teams are making the switch. That’s Castellum.AI

#FinCrime #OFAC #Sanctions #AML #Compliance #Bunq #MarshallIslands #IRS #ISO

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fair Banking, Mexican FinCEN Measures & UIGEA Explained | FinCrime Unfiltered Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of FinCrime Unfiltered, Sarah Beth Felix breaks down major regulatory updates and compliance frameworks shaping financial crime prevention in the U.S. and abroad:

FINCEN Extends Measures for Mexican Financial Institutions – examining cross-border compliance challenges

Executive Order on Guaranteeing Fair Banking for All Americans – what this means for inclusive and transparent banking practices

UIGEA (Reg GG) – unpacking the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and its compliance implications

USA Patriot Act: Section 314A – how information sharing powers continue to be leveraged in financial crime investigations

SISS: Secure Information Sharing System – the backbone of modern financial intelligence coordination

AML: The Truth Hurts – 2 Days, 2 Insiders, No Spin

Part 1 - Tuesday, August 26th: https://streamyard.com/watch/eRBD3YGgEDek

Part 2 - Thursday, August 28th:

https://streamyard.com/watch/edq7JBPDWSX7

Next week, FinCrime headliners Sarah Beth Felix and Jim Richards go live for two unfiltered briefings. No spin, no panels — just straight talk on what’s really shaping AML right now.

This time, you set the agenda: bring your questions for live Q&A.

Subscribe for more episodes of FinCrime Unfiltered

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FinCrime Unfiltered's Proud Sponsors:

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Illicit Edge: Breaking News for Financial Crime

FinCrime Unfiltered with Sarah Beth Felix dives into the gritty world of financial crime with sharp insights, real talk, and unapologetically, SB or Sarah Beth. From money laundering trends to sanctions, we break down the latest headlines and operational takeaways with a no-nonsense edge. Expect frank analysis, lessons learned, and the occasional guest— no fluff, just what matters.

Email us with your questions: fincrimeunfiltered@illicitedge.com

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of Acceleron Bank (in formation).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI, Paxos, and a $26M Penalty Aug 08, 2025

Show notes

On this week's episode of FinCrime Unfiltered, Sarah Beth Felix shares her thoughts on AI and the recent Paxos case that cost them nearly $26 million in fines over AML and due-diligence failures

Please like, subscribe, follow us on social media and comment with your thoughts or any questions you'd like us to answer in future episodes!

Email us with your questions: fincrimeunfiltered@illicitedge.com

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Illicit Edge's Newest Podcast: FinCrime Unfiltered with Sarah Beth Felix dives into the gritty world of financial crime with sharp insights, real talk, and unapologetically, SB or Sarah Beth. From money laundering trends to sanctions, we break down the latest headlines and operational takeaways with a no-nonsense edge. Expect frank analysis, lessons learned, and the occasional guest— no fluff, just what matters.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FinCrime Unfiltered's Proud Sponsors:

Thomson Reuters equips institutions to navigate complexities with confidence by elevating beyond mere risk management, setting new industry standards for decision-making and operational efficiency.

Visit TR.com/CLEAR to learn more.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Illicit Edge: Breaking News for Financial Crime

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of Acceleron Bank (in formation).

#FinCEN #AML #Compliance #Banking #Paxos #FinancialRegulations #RiskManagement #Sanctions #AI

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of Acceleron Bank (in formation).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stablecoin Guidelines, Art Market Integrity, and High Risk Customer Actions | FinCrime Unfiltered Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Sarah Beth Felix unpack's the latest developments shaping the financial crime and compliance landscape:

HKMA's New Stablecoin Guidelines — What the Hong Kong Monetary Authority is signaling about digital asset regulation.

Art Market Integrity Act — What this overlooked regulation tells us about illicit finance risks in the art world.

Managing High-Risk Customers — Operational strategies and red flag management for HIFCA/HIDTA-designated regions.

Practical Takeaways — What compliance teams need to implement today to stay ahead.

From crypto oversight to narcotics-linked financial networks, this is your no-BS breakdown of what matters — and what’s coming next.

Subscribe for more episodes of FinCrime Unfiltered

#FinCrime #AML #Stablecoins #Compliance #HKMA #FCA #FIU #HIFCA #HIDTA #ArtMarket #riskmanagement

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FinCrime Unfiltered's Proud Sponsors:

Unit 21: This podcast is brought to you by Unit21.

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In fact, this is a top concern for most risk and compliance teams. That’s why Unit21 is hitting the road this summer for Risky Business, A FinCrime Ops

Tour—bringing together select groups of fraud and AML leaders, to share what’s actually working (and what’s not) in the age of AI.

No fluff. No vendor pitches. Just real conversations and tactical insights with peers who are deep in the fight. And the best part? You can catch me, yours truly, at the New York stop on August 13th.

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See you there!

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Illicit Edge: Breaking News for Financial Crime

Email us with your questions: fincrimeunfiltered@illicitedge.com

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of Acceleron Bank (in formation).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GENIUS Act, HKMA Penalties + RIA Rollback | FinCrime Unfiltered Jul 25, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Sarah Beth Felix breaks down The GENIUS Act and explores its potential impact on financial institutions and the broader compliance landscape. SB analyzes innovative or novel AML policies emerging globally, including recent developments from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)—with a close look at the penalties issued this week.

📌 Stay tuned for key operational takeaways for banks and credit unions, especially those banking RIAs, and what to expect next in compliance strategy and enforcement.

You'll also learn how Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) are evolving to meet modern financial crime threats, and what the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) guidance means in practice. We examine how recent NPRMs (Notices of Proposed Rulemaking) could reshape U.S. compliance frameworks, especially for Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), and how that intersects with Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) obligations and Customer Identification Programs (CIP).

Plus, we draw connections between AML policies and other industry regulations using NAICS codes to help you understand how regulators categorize business activity and risk.

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How close are we to the world of Minority Report or Mission: Impossible?

Next Monday, July 28 at 2pm ET, Illicit Edge is hosting a live digital event on how once-fictional AI is transforming present-day financial crimes compliance – featuring TRM Labs’ Ari Redbord and Illicit Edge podcast host and former CIA analyst Yaya Fanusie. It’ll be fast, sharp, and live but you’ve got to register to attend.

Check it out and secure your spot today: https://streamyard.com/watch/8sibvXgwwApy

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FinCrime Unfiltered's Proud Sponsors:

Hummingbird is a compliance operating system reimagining what's possible from financial crime investigations. By providing financial institutions with fast and easy data integrations, seamless report filing, and time-saving automation and AI tools, Hummingbird helps those on the front lines of financial crime quickly get to the heart of each investigation.

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Illicit Edge: Breaking News for Financial Crime

Email us with your questions: fincrimeunfiltered@illicitedge.com

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of Acceleron Bank (in formation).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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