In 2020, U.S. regulators signaled that anti-money laundering (AML) compliance would remain a perennial favorite of theirs. This heightened regulatory scrutiny was not deterred by the additional complications caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. If anything, regulatory concerns were exacerbated by pandemic-related fraud schemes targeting financial institutions.
But the pandemic also complicated AML compliance by giving rise to longer-term telework and hybrid work arrangements that tested required AML controls. Resource constraints and prioritization due to the health crisis and economic downturn may also affect how certain AML responsibilities are addressed.
While some regulators encouraged financial institutions to communicate their concerns ...