ACAMS Today Magazine (March-May 2011) Vol. 10 No. 2 | Page 75

KNOW YOUR CHAPTER Excellent attendance at second Canadian Chapter learning event A thought-provoking panel discussion on key AML compliance issues was the focus of the ACAMS Canadian Chapter’s second learning event. they might face on a daily basis. To make the event especially relevant, they drew on CAMLOs representing a cross-section of sectors. The luncheon held on October 5, 2010 was attended by 130 participants. The luncheon built on the success of the chapter’s first learning event and the presentation by assistant commissioner Mike Cabana of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police was well received. The panel was moderated by Barbara Cox, vice president and chief anti-money laundering officer at BMO Financial Group. The panelists were comprised of Karim Rajwani, CAMLO at RBC representing the banking sector; Richard Hogeveen, CAMLO at Manulife Financial representing life insurers; and Derek McMillan, director, AML Compliance at Western Union representing MSB’s and credit unions. The luncheon featured some of Canada’s leading CAMLOs. It was graciously hosted by Anne Toal, CAMLO of Great-West Life, and Kirsten Lamertz-Harcourt, also of Great-West Life, at their Canada Life building in Toronto. The luncheon was sponsored by Lexis Nexis. Event organizers wanted to provide participants with practical perspectives on issues Topics of discussion included: • New trends in the reporting of suspicious transactions, including tax evasion, corruption and human trafficking. • How to control the quality of STRs • The examination focus of FINTRAC, Canada’s financial intelligence unit. • Challenges in meeting sanctions requirements. • How can the AML function add enterprisewide value. • Best practices in transaction monitoring. The Canada Chapter is grateful to the hard work of the following members of its executive board who spearheaded organizing this event: Richard Hogeveen, chief AML officer responsible for Manulife Financial’s AML/ATF program; Tim McNeil senior manager, Financial Intelligence Unit at the Bank of Montreal; Karim Rajwani, CAMLO at RBC; Garry Clement, president and CEO of Clement Advisory Group; and Kata Martinez, chapter development manager and task force liaison at ACAMS. U.S. Capital Chapter T he U.S. Capital Chapter ended the year with a packed-house holiday networking event that set the stage for launching the chapter’s 2011 calendar. The chapter is focused on developing enhanced multi-session learning events this year. but the sessions will include an overview of MSBs, a look at regulatory requirements for the industry, and ways to manage risk and build effective relationships between MSBs and financial institutions. “We’ve had great learning events during the last year that have touched on topics of importance to our members,” said Joe Soniat, chapter co-chair. “Past learning events have included AML law enforcement trends and emerging issues, criminal investigations and interviews with regulators and law enforcement. We have surveyed our membership and based on their feedback, we are going to take a more in-dep Ѡ