AML Weekly Recap | Week 15th - 19th June 2026 | When Everyone Agrees, Yet Nothing Changes
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A Weekly Note
When Everyone Agrees, Yet Nothing Changes
One of the most frustrating situations in compliance is when everyone agrees there is a problem.
The issue has been identified.
The discussion has taken place.
Actions have been recorded.
Nobody is questioning whether something needs to be done.
Yet six months later, very little has changed.
I have seen this happen with customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, sanctions controls, governance findings and audit observations.
Different teams leave the meeting with different assumptions about what happens next.
Compliance expects the business to take the lead.
The business expects compliance to provide direction.
Operations is waiting for a decision.
Technology is waiting for instructions.
Senior management believes the issue is already being addressed.
Meanwhile, the issue remains open.
Over the years, I have come to believe that one of the most difficult parts of AML is not identifying weaknesses. It is turning discussions into action.
Most organisations already know where many of their challenges are.
The real test is whether they can make decisions, coordinate across functions and maintain momentum until the issue is resolved.
That capability doesn’t appear in policies, procedures or committee minutes.
Yet it often determines whether an AML programme becomes more effective over time.
I recently collaborated with Shufti on an article exploring a challenge many compliance teams face: From AML Screening to AML Decisioning
The article explores how organisations can move beyond screening and make more consistent, risk-based AML decisions.
What Matters This Week: AML News
Australia: Former Star executives penalised over AML failures
Australia’s Federal Court fined former Star Entertainment CEO Matthias Bekier (A$700,000) and former Chief Legal & Risk Officer Paula Martin (A$400,000) for failing to adequately manage money laundering risks linked to the casino’s relationship with junket operator Suncity. Both were also disqualified from managing corporations for six and seven years respectively.
Sweden: Ikano Bank fined SEK 140 million for AML failings
Sweden’s Financial Supervisory Authority fined Ikano Bank SEK 140 million and issued a formal remark after identifying deficiencies in its AML framework. The bank failed to adequately assess money laundering and terrorist financing risks, including risks linked to corporate customers, and did not apply enhanced due diligence measures for higher-risk customers.
From This Week on LinkedIn
Wishing you a great weekend!
Regards
Anna