FinCrime Unfiltered with Sarah Beth Felix
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.
Episodes
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, unfilt...
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 tighte...
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-co...
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 dan...
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 ...
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.
Bu...
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) – unpack...
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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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 HIF...
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 t...
On this week's episode of FinCrime Unfiltered, Sarah Beth Felix decides it's time to stir the AML Pot! Sarah Beth reacts to OFAC's $11.8 Million Penalty on Interactive Brokers, OCC, FDIC + FRB's Safeguard Crypto Document, and Andorra's Court Sentencing 18 Executives to Prison for Money Laundering.
Plus, SB shares why "A Clean Audit is not a GOOD Audit," and why an auditor needs raw data from their clients. To read more on the Andorr...
On this week's episode of FinCrime Unfiltered, Sarah Beth Felix shares her takeaways from the WISE and Monzo penalties. Plus, Sarah shares her reaction to FINCEN's latest special measures.
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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In this episode, Sarah breaks down the key operational takeaways from FinCEN’s unprecedented actions against Mexican banks. From enhanced due diligence to cross-border compliance strategies, we explore what financial institutions can learn and implement now to stay ahead of regulatory scrutiny.
✅ Why FinCEN's move is a game-changer
✅ How banks should respond to high-risk customer profiles
✅ Best practices for AML compliance and repor...
On this week's episode of FinCrime Unfiltered, Sarah Beth Felix recaps the joint banking agencies guidance on fraud and her takeaways on the latest OFAC Penalties. Plus, Sarah shares her reaction to FINRA's AWC on the defunct AML Officer.
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@illic...
On this week's episode of FinCrime Unfiltered, Sarah Beth Felix recaps and analyzes the FDIC's Consent Order against Cheyenne State Bank. She reveals what went wrong and her takeaways for banks and AML professionals.
To read the DLA Piper article with more context click here: https://www.dlapiper.com/en-us/insights/publications/2025/06/us-treasury-doubles-down-on-fighting-iranian-illicit-finance-and-supply-chain-networks?utm_source...
On this week's episode of FinCrime Unfiltered, Sarah Beth Felix recaps and analyzes the the WSJ article revealing the billion dollar currency exchange scheme being exploited by Iran backed militias.
To read the entire piece click here: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-visa-mastercard-dollars-sanctions-militias-0ecea0b9?st=jnJxTX&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink
Plus, Sarah shares guidance on how the FATF Recommendation 1...
On today's episode of FinCrime Unfiltered, Sarah Beth Felix analyzes the $74 Million Construction Company who was laundering money through shell corporations. Plus, Sarah shares guidance on how NGO and NPO's are regulated with the news of the Florida NPO COO embezzling funds & purchasing a rose gold golf cart and other luxury items. She also reveals the latest consent order's threat landscape and how threat + vulnerability = RISK.
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On today's episode of FinCrime Unfiltered, Sarah Beth Felix further analyzes the news of Drug Cartel's laundering money through ATM and teller windows with bags full of cash in U.S. banks. She lays out how this can be mitigated going forward and how this even happened. Plus, also breaks down indicators of Shell or Sham companies, and her reveals her takeaways from the recently unsealed indictments of Narco Terrorism.
Please like, s...
On today's episode of FinCrime Unfiltered Sarah Beth Felix breaks down the issues with banks integrating crypto, their lack of regulations, understanding LendTech, and further analyzes the Unregulated Payment Ecosystem. 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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On today's episode of FinCrime Unfiltered Sarah Beth Felix breaks down the Unregulated Payment Ecosystem, it's latest cases, how to detect money laundering compared to fraud, how banks can monitor payment processors and more.
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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