Program | Financial Crimes Enforcement Conference

7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

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. We’ll cut through the noise and help you optimize your fraud strategy—not just to check a box, but to drive real results. 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.

• Elissa Brewer, Principal Consultant, Abrigo

Power Breakfast 2: When Vladimir Putin (from Iowa) Applies: AI Fraud and the New CIP Challenge
Sponsored by SentiLink

Generative AI is lowering the cost and increasing the scale at which criminals fabricate identities and falsify documents — making it easier than ever to slip past traditional CIP checks. The days of treating fraud and KYC compliance as separate domains are over. This panel brings together academic, operational, and regulatory voices to examine how AI is reshaping the threat model for customer identification programs, expose emerging attack vectors, and recommend forward-looking controls banks can implement now. Panelists will translate lessons from battling identity thieves and synthetic fraudsters into pragmatic strategies that balance customer growth, operational efficiency, and compliance in an AI-driven fraud era.

• Dr. David Maimon, Head of Fraud Insights, SentiLink and Georgia State University
• Sepideh Rowland, CBCO, CAFP, Partner, Klaros Group

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

Kick off the conference with a dynamic general session spotlighting new industry initiatives across the financial crimes landscape. In three distinct segments, you’ll hear from ABA’s President and CEO Rob Nichols on the state of the industry and the strategic priorities shaping the future of AML and fraud. Then, you will dive into ABA’s initiative to build a National Check Verification System — a collaborative effort to combat check fraud at scale. Finally, get up to speed on stablecoin developments and what they mean for financial crime professionals, with insights from ABA’s in-house expert. Whether you're focused on policy, innovation, or emerging risks, this session delivers a clear view of where the industry is headed.

• Rob Nichols, President and CEO, American Bankers Association
• Paul Benda, Executive Vice President, Risk, Fraud and Cyber Security, American Bankers Association
• Ram Krishnamurthy, Principal Consultant, Greenway Solutions
• Heather Trew, Senior Vice President and Counsel, BSM/AML/CFT, Sanctions and Policy, American Bankers Association
• Brooke Ybarra, Senior Vice President, Innovation and Strategy, American Bankers Association

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/OFAC

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/OFAC

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 US Investigations, TD Bank, National Association
• Louis (Lou) D’Ambrosio, the Special Agent in Charge, Special Operations Divisions of DEA
• Brian Davis, CAMS, Head of Intelligence, Emerging Risk and Trends, TD Bank
• Ann Martin, Deputy Associate Director, Research and Analysis Division, FinCEN

1C: Comparing The United States Fraud Response to International Fraud Strategies
Track: Fraud

How does the U.S. fraud response stack up against global counterparts? This session offers a candid assessment of America’s current fraud strategy—highlighting areas of progress, pinpointing gaps, and exploring opportunities for improvement. Through comparative insights from international programs and policies, attendees will gain a broader perspective on what’s working around the world and how those lessons can inform and elevate U.S. efforts. Expect practical examples, strategic contrasts, and a forward-looking discussion on enhancing fraud resilience across borders.

• Moderator: Patrick Smith, Senior Vice President, Fraud Operations, American Bankers Association
• Paul Benda, Executive Vice President, Risk, Fraud and Cyber Security, American Bankers Association
• Michelle Pilsworth, Head of Fraud & Complaints Customer Experience, Santander

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

Insider threats — from negligent behavior to malicious intent — demand a coordinated response to detection, escalation and mitigation. This session explores how financial institutions are integrating AML, fraud, cyber, and conduct risk insights to detect behavioral red flags, manage insider risk, and foster a culture of compliance. Featuring perspectives from institutions that have built cross-functional insider threat frameworks, learn practical strategies for governance, SAR filings, early detection techniques, and cross-functional collaboration including effective data sharing.

• 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
• Ryan T. Scarborough, Partner, Williams & Connolly LLP

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.

• Moderator: Ryan Rasske, Senior Vice President, Risk and Compliance, American Bankers Association
• Jo Ann Barefoot, Co-Founder and CEO, Alliance for Innovative Regulation
• Aaron Rykowski, CRCM, CERP, CAFP, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, WesBanco Bank, Inc
• Ann Marie Tarantino CRCM, CRP, AMLP, Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer & Risk Officer, Esquire Bank
• Roy Zur, Co-Founder & CEO, Charm Security

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/OFAC

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/OFAC

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 US Investigations, TD Bank, National Association
• Louis (Lou) D'Ambrosio, the Special Agent in Charge, Special Operations Division of DEA
• Brian Davis, CAMS, Head of Intelligence, Emerging Risk and Trends, TD Bank
• Ann Martin, Deputy Associate Director, Research and Analysis Division, FinCEN

2C: Comparing The United States Fraud Response to International Fraud Strategies
Track: Fraud

How does the U.S. fraud response stack up against global counterparts? This session offers a candid assessment of America’s current fraud strategy—highlighting areas of progress, pinpointing gaps, and exploring opportunities for improvement. Through comparative insights from international programs and policies, attendees will gain a broader perspective on what’s working around the world and how those lessons can inform and elevate U.S. efforts. Expect practical examples, strategic contrasts, and a forward-looking discussion on enhancing fraud resilience across borders.

• Moderator: Patrick Smith, Senior Vice President, Fraud Operations, American Bankers Association
• Paul Benda, Executive Vice President, Risk, Fraud and Cyber Security, American Bankers Association
• Michelle Pilsworth, Head of Fraud & Complaints Customer Experience, Santander

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

Insider threats — from negligent behavior to malicious intent — demand a coordinated response to detection, escalation and mitigation. This session explores how financial institutions are integrating AML, fraud, cyber, and conduct risk insights to detect behavioral red flags, manage insider risk, and foster a culture of compliance. Featuring perspectives from institutions that have built cross-functional insider threat frameworks, learn practical strategies for governance, SAR filings, early detection techniques, and cross-functional collaboration including effective data sharing.

• 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
• Ryan T. Scarborough, Partner, Williams & Connolly LLP

2:45 PM – 3:00 PM

Move to the next session

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

CONCURRENT SERIES #3
Single Sessions - No repeats offered, but all are recorded

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

The IRS Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI) has launched a groundbreaking initiative—CI-FIRST (Feedback in Response to Strategic Threats)—to transform how law enforcement engages with financial institutions 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
• Lauren R. Kohr, Sr. Strategic Engagement Advisor, CI-FIRST, Public-Private Partnerships, Outreach Global Operations – Financial Crimes, IRS-Criminal Investigations
• José R. Salcedo, Special Agent, IRS-Criminal Investigations

3B: Preparing Your Bank For Crypto: From a BSA/Sanctions Perspective 
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.

• Moderator: Marilu Jimenez, Esq., CAMS, Founder and President, Financial Intelligence Network and Compliance Advisors and Senior Advisor, McKinsey & Company, (contract); and Fractional Chief Compliance Officer, Nave Bank
• James Sayko, Head of CIB Financial Crimes, Corporate and Investment Banking, Wells Fargo, NA
• Mike Pavlick, Head of Private Sector Deployment Strategy, TRM Labs

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

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.

• Moderator: Steve Kenneally, Senior Vice President, Payments, American Bankers Association
• Jordan Bennett, AAP, APRP, Senior Director, ACH Network Risk Management NACHA
• DJ Seeterlin, President, Chesapeake Payment Systems

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

This session explores how fraudsters leverage cryptocurrency and decentralized finance to obscure identities and facilitate illicit transfers. It will highlight emerging threats, regulatory gaps, and the role banks can play in detecting, mitigating, and collaborating across sectors to combat crypto-enabled fraud.

• Moderator: Sagar K. Ravi, Partner, White Collar Crime, Cybersecurity and Digital Assets, McDermott Will and Emergy
• Kim Hlavaty, CFE, CFCI, CECFI, CCCI, CCCIA, Director of Enterprise Fraud Cyber Risk, Ally Bank
• Kevin O'Connor, Chief, Virtual Assets and Emerging Technologies Section, Enforcement and Compliance Division, FinCEN

4:00 PM – 4:15 PM

Move to the next session

4:15 PM – 5:15 PM

General Session 2

DEEP DIVE INTO SANCTIONS COMPLIANCE

This session offers a comprehensive exploration of the evolving sanctions landscape, tailored for professionals navigating complex compliance environments. Attendees will gain insights into recent regulatory developments, enforcement trends, and geopolitical dynamics shaping sanctions policy. Whether your institution is managing global exposure or refining internal controls, this session will provide critical context and practical considerations to strengthen your sanctions compliance program.

• Moderator: Heather Trew, Senior Vice President and Counsel, BSA/AML/CFT, Sanctions Compliance and Policy, American Bankers Association

Invited:

• Laurence Scheinert, Associate Director, Compliance and Enforcement, Office of Foreign Assets Control
• Alex Parets, Vice President, Head of Global Sanctions, Trade Controls and Enterprise Screening, Capital One
• Jason Prince, Partner, Akin Gump

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: FinCEN Notices, Guidance, and Advisories – Oh My! Exploring Recent FinCEN Publications and Their Impact on the Financial Crimes Landscape Sponsored by SAS

FinCEN has been exceptionally active in recent weeks, issuing a Notice on Financially Related Sextortion, modifying the Southwest Border Geographic Targeting Order, issuing Guidance on Cross-Border Information Sharing, and issuing an Advisory on Chinese Money Laundering Networks. Join us for a quick-hit analysis on each of these publications and their impact on the financial crimes landscape. Our panel of industry experts from the government, banking, and technology spaces will share actionable intelligence for attendees to use in investigations, program management, examination prep, and beyond.

• Moderator: Jane Bell, Senior Industry Consultant, SAS
• Andrew Hawkins, Principal Solutions Advisor, SAS
• Dennis Lormel, President, DML Associates, LLC

Power Breakfast 2

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM

Coffee and Rolls in the Foyer

8:30 AM – 10:15 AM

GENERAL SESSION 3

What's Hot and What's Next? A Regulatory Deep Dive

Back by demand — and bigger than ever. This cornerstone general session opens with a fireside chat featuring OFAC and FinCEN, followed by our annual regulatory panel with senior AML officials from the OCC, Federal Reserve, FDIC, and FinCEN. Expect direct, timely insights into the regulatory priorities shaping financial crime compliance — from sanctions enforcement and supervisory trends to emerging technologies and risk expectations. Whether you're preparing for your next exam, advising your board, or recalibrating your risk framework, this session delivers the clarity and foresight you need — straight from the agencies setting the tone.

• 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

Regulatory Panel:

• A. Christina (Christy) Cornell-Pape, Acting Chief, Anti-Money Laundering, FDIC
• Eric Ellis, Director for Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering Policy, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
• Koko Ives, Manager, BSA/AML Compliance Section, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
• James Martinelli, Associate Director, Policy Division, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)

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
• Chris Prokop, Senior Vice President, Chief AML Officer, Capital One
• Dennis van de Graaf, Senior Vice President, Data Governance, Wintrust Financial Corporation

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, Regions Bank
• James (Jim) Candelmo, Chief AML Officer, PNC Bank

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

Fraud risk assessments are more than a checkbox—they’re a strategic tool for uncovering hidden vulnerabilities. This session explores how targeted, well-designed assessments can surface emerging fraud threats, strengthen controls, and drive smarter prevention strategies. Attendees will walk away with practical insights on aligning fraud risk assessments with evolving schemes and organizational risk appetite.

• Moderator: Patrick Smith, Senior Vice President, Fraud Operations, American Bankers Association
• Darrin McLaughlin, CAMS, Executive Vice President, Chief AML and Sanctions Officer, Flagstar Bank
• Aaron Steinitz, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Fraud Policy and Governance, M&T Bank

4D: Is the Customer Always Right?
Track: Fraud

In today's world of competitive products and services, we have all been taught to go the extra mile and build relationship with our customers. But going the extra mile, does that mean the customer is always right, even when they are not? When an employee gets the "gut" feeling that something is wrong, have you empowered them to be curious and trust their judgement on situations where the customer is either trying to circumvent those controls that protect the bank or prevent the customer from making a bad decision that protects them?
This session will discuss the approaches and situations that need to be taught to employees to get the outcome that protects the institution and the customer. It will also provide insight on how you get buy in at the top to empower your employees to respond appropriately depending upon the situation.

• Moderator: Shannon Bennett, CRCM, CAMS, Senior Vice President, Compliance Technology Product Management, Wintrust Financial Corporation
• Paul R. Achman, Senior Vice President, Director of Compliance, BankProv
• Lindsay Lindmier, CAMS, CAFP , Vice President, Director of Financial Crimes - BSA/OFAC Officer, Security National Bank

11:45 AM – 1:15 PM

SEATED LUNCHEON WITH SPEAKER

Featuring: Kitboga – Scam education content creator, fraud prevention expert, software engineer and CEO of Seraph Secure

In this dynamic keynote, Kitboga—renowned for his real-time scam baiting and viral online educational content—offers a rare window into the psychology and tactics of fraudsters. With a background in software engineering and a mission sparked by personal experience, Kitboga has spent years engaging scammers in elaborate digital sting operations, exposing their methods while protecting potential victims.

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
• Chris Prokop, Senior Vice President, Chief AML Officer, Capital One
• Dennis van de Graaf, Senior Vice President, Data Governance, Wintrust Financial Corporation

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 Crime Risk Management, Regions Bank
• James (Jim) Candelmo, Chief AML Officer, PNC Bank

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

Fraud risk assessments are more than a checkbox—they’re a strategic tool for uncovering hidden vulnerabilities. This session explores how targeted, well-designed assessments can surface emerging fraud threats, strengthen controls, and drive smarter prevention strategies. Attendees will walk away with practical insights on aligning fraud risk assessments with evolving schemes and organizational risk appetite.

• Moderator: Patrick Smith, Senior Vice President, Fraud Operations, American Bankers Association
• Darrin McLaughlin, Executive Vice President, Chief AML and Sanctions Officer, Flagstar Bank
• Aaron Steinitz, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Fraud Policy and Governance, M&T Bank

5D: Is the Customer Always Right?
Track: Fraud

In today's world of competitive products and services, we have all been taught to go the extra mile and build relationship with our customers. But going the extra mile, does that mean the customer is always right, even when they are not? When an employee gets the "gut" feeling that something is wrong, have you empowered them to be curious and trust their judgement on situations where the customer is either trying to circumvent those controls that protect the bank or prevent the customer from making a bad decision that protects them?
This session will discuss the approaches and situations that need to be taught to employees to get the outcome that protects the institution and the customer. It will also provide insight on how you get buy in at the top to empower your employees to respond appropriately depending upon the situation.

• Moderator: Shannon Bennett, CRCM, CAMS, Senior Vice President, Compliance Technology Product Management, Wintrust Financial Corporation

• Paul R. Achman, Senior Vice President, Director of Compliance, BankProv

• Lindsay Lindmier, CAMS, CAFP, Vice President, Director of Financial Crimes - BSA/OFAC Officer, Security National Bank

2:45 PM – 3:00 PM

Move to next session

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

CONCURRENT SERIES #6: Focus on Technology
Single Sessions - No repeats offered, but all are 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.

• Moderator: Shannon Bennett, CRCM, CAMS, Senior Vice President, Compliance Technology Product Management, Wintrust Financial Corporation
• Paul R. Achman, Senior Vice President, Director of Compliance, BankProv
• Harsh Pandya, Vice President, Product Management, Saifr, Fidelity Investments
• David M. Riley, Jr., Executive Director, AML Transaction Monitoring Coverage Strategy, JPMorgan Chase

6B: How FinTechs and Virtual Assets Comply with BSA and Sanctions
Track: AML/CFT/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.

• Moderator: Heather Trew, Senior Vice President and Counsel, BSA/AML/CFT, Sanctions Compliance and Policy, American Bankers Association
• Caroline Hill, Senior Director of Global Policy and Regulatory Strategy, Circle
• Eric Lorber, Principal, Cyber, Risk and Regulatory Consulting Solutions, PricewaterhouseCoopers
• Mike Pavlick, Head of Private Sector Deployment Strategy. TRM Labs
• Alex Zerden, Founder, Capital Peak Strategies

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

Now more than ever validation of the information provided to banks is being tested. From synthetic identification to holograms and AI generated photos and videos a bank's controls are being tested by criminal organizations and what could once be relied upon for account opening or customer engagement is in peril. Learn from industry experts what emerging risks banks face and how controls need to evolve to address these risks.

• Moderator: Sepideh Rowland, CBCO, CAFP, Partner, Klaros Group
• Minh T. Nguyen, CAMS, CCAS, Section Chief - DEA Cyber, US Drug Enforcement Administration
• Christian Quinn, Managing Principal, Fulcrum Innovation LLC

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

Learn how fraudulent funds flow globally and how assets can be traced for investigative purposes. This session will also discuss the importance of bank-to-bank information sharing, collaboration and communication with law enforcement, and explore ways in which funds may be recovered.

• Moderator: Lindsay Lindmier , CAMS, CAFP, Vice President, Director of Financial Crimes - BSA/OFAC Officer, Security National Bank
• Jeffrey R. Lamirand(CI), Acting ASAC – Washington DC Field Office, IRS
• Christian Quinn, Managing Principal, Fulcrum Innovation LLC
• Amanda Vetter, CAMS, Director, Financial Crimes, First National Bank of Omaha

4:00 PM – 4:15 PM

Move to next session

4:15 PM – 5:15 PM

GENERAL SESSION 5

Mitigating AI-Powered Attacks Against Digital Identity and Authentication

Generative AI is reshaping the threat landscape for identity and authentication—and financial criminals are taking note. This session will explore ten current and emerging attack vectors powered by Gen AI that directly impact fraud and AML detection, customer authentication, and controls. Panelists will share practical mitigation strategies financial institutions can deploy today, including how to strengthen digital identity frameworks and reduce exposure to synthetic identities, deepfake-enabled social engineering, and AI-driven credential compromise. Special focus of this session will be an update on the collaborative work underway by ABA, the Better Identity Coalition, and the Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council, who will outline recommended policy actions that could help institutions better defend against current and emerging Gen AI-facilitated attacks against identity and authentication systems.

• Moderator: Paul Benda, Executive Vice President, Risk, Fraud and Cyber Security, American Bankers Association
• Juliana Cafik, Independent Expert/ Identity Standards Architect
• John W. Carlson, Senior Vice President, Cybersecurity Regulation and Resilience, American Bankers Association
• Anthony Scarola, Senior Vice President, CISO, Apple Bank

5:15 PM – 6:15 PM

Reception in The HUB

7:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Registration Open

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: Data Driven SARs
Track: AML/Fraud

As financial crime grows more complex, the need for smarter, more strategic Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) has never been greater. This session explores how institutions are leveraging data analytics to enhance the quality, consistency, and impact of SAR filings. Learn how to move beyond check-the-box compliance to a more proactive, intelligence-led approach that supports law enforcement and strengthens your institution’s risk posture. Experts will share real-world examples of how data is being used to identify patterns, prioritize cases, and improve narrative quality—ultimately transforming SARs into a more powerful tool in the fight against financial crime.

• Moderator: Sepideh Rowland, CBCO, CAFP, Partner, Klaros Group
• David Gerhart, CAMS, Vice President, BSA Officer, Atlantic Community Bankers Bank
• Dale Kasprzyk, Head of BSA Financial Investigations Unit, M&T Bank
• Nicholas (Nic) Khouri, Senior Compliance Director, Deputy BSA/AML Officer, Ally Bank
• David Tyree, Senior Advisor, Financial Crime Detection and Anti-Money Laundering, Valid8 Financial

7B: Deep Dive into the Latest Fraud Trends
Track: Fraud

Fraud threats are evolving faster than ever, driven by shifts in consumer behavior, emerging technologies, and increasingly sophisticated criminal networks. This 90-minute session offers an in-depth exploration of the most pressing fraud trends impacting financial institutions today—from synthetic identity and mule account networks to real-time payment fraud and deepfake-enabled social engineering. Expert speakers will unpack the lifecycle of these schemes, share frontline insights from recent investigations, and discuss how fraud and AML teams are adapting their detection and response strategies. The session will also highlight cross-channel vulnerabilities and the growing need for integrated risk intelligence across fraud, cyber, and compliance functions.

• Moderator: Patrick Smith, Senior Vice President, Fraud Operations, American Bankers Association
• Anthony Fitzgerald, Enterprise Product Expert, Nasdaq Verafin
• Kelvin Ortiz, Head, Economic Crimes Unit, Federal Bureau of Investigation

7C: Stress Testing Your Fraud Defenses: Improving Fraud Operations
Track: Fraud

Join us as we provide specific ways you can improve your fraud operations. From actual testing of your fraud defenses, to a review of your fraud solutions and how AI is improving detection and controls, to improving your risk assessment become more predictive, to partnerships with government and law enforcement to implementing a strong post-action fraud review to improve fraud controls, this covers the full range of actions you can take to improve fraud operations.

• Moderator: Jim Hitchcock, Vice President, Fraud Mitigation, American Bankers Association
• Ram Krishnamurthy, Principal Consultant, Greenway Solutions
• Raymond Olsen, CAFP, CFS, CBAP, Senior Vice President, Senior Director, Enterprise Fraud Management, Wintrust Financial Corporation
• Stacey Ann Williams, CAMS, CFE, MBA, Senior Advisor, Independent Consultant, Kroll Consulting

7D: Governance 3.0: Upgrading Oversight for a New Era of Risk and Intelligence
Track: AML

As financial crime risks evolve and AI begins to reshape compliance operations, governance frameworks must keep pace. This deep-dive session explores how leading institutions are modernizing their governance practices—not just designing and measuring programs, but elevating how they communicate risk to Boards, regulators, and internal stakeholders. Panelists will share strategies for aligning governance with enterprise risk, embedding agility into oversight structures, and preparing for the integration of AI-driven tools. Whether you're refining fraud oversight or enhancing AML program governance, this session will offer practical insights for building resilient, future-ready frameworks.

• Moderator: Marilu Jimenez, Esq., CAMS, Founder and President, Financial Intelligence Network and Compliance Advisors and Senior Advisor, McKinsey & Company, (contract); and Fractional Chief Compliance Officer, Nave Bank (contract)
• Rachele Byrne, Vice President and Senior Manager, AML and Sanctions Governance and Programs, PNC
• Alicia Hobbs, CAMS, CRCM, CIA, AML Compliance Director, Ally Bank
• Richard Weber, Partner and Chair of Financial Services Investigations and Enforcement Practice

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Move to next session

10:15 AM – 11:30 AM

GENERAL SESSION 6

The AML Officer's Agenda: Talent, Tech and Transformation

As financial crime programs evolve, so do the expectations placed on their leaders—whether you're a chief AML officer, manager, investigator, executive management or board member. In this closing general session, AML executives from banks of varying sizes will share how they’re navigating the future. From adapting to AI-driven change to securing investment and board engagement, to right-focusing workflows, this conversation will offer practical insights and strategic foresight for professionals shaping the next generation of AML operations.

• Moderator: Ryan Rasske, Senior Vice President, Risk and Compliance, American Bankers Association
• Matthew S. Haslinger, Chief BSA/AML Officer, M&T Bank
• Megan D. Hodge, CAMS, Executive Compliance Director, BSA/AML Officer, Enterprise Compliance Regulatory Affairs, Ally Bank
• Harsh Pandya, Vice President, Product Management, Saifr, Fidelity Investments
• Rebecca Schauer Robertson, Executive Vice President, BSAO & Director Financial Crimes Compliance, Blue Ridge Bank, National Association

11:30 AM

Conference Concludes