A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
We may never pass this way again—
So fortunate to be in AML!
T
he money laundering challenge in the U.S. and globally is a relatively recent issue. Start-
ing with the drug trafficking crisis in the 1980s, the U.S. passed the first laws covering
the movement of illicit funds in 1986 and the now well-known Financial Action Task
Force (FATF) organized in 1989 to create an international response to the ever-growing prob-
lems associated with money laundering. I have been honored to have been a part of both the
struggles and successes of what is now the anti-money laundering (AML) community through-
out these 30 plus years. We have much work to do, but no one can deny that law enforcement,
the broad financial sector and the supervisory agencies have all been committed to protecting
society from those who prey on victims through the misuse of monies or items of value.
Our mission needs to be collaboration, com-
munication and cooperation in this essen-
tial endeavor. I h ave tried to follow this
mantra since I entered AML and will con-
tinue this strategy as I leave ACAMS as the
executive vice president immediately after
our annual conference in Las Vegas.
With the growth of ACAMS to over 50,000
members and closing in on 65 to 70 chapters
worldwide, it is a good time for me to pursue
other endeavors while still working closely
with ACAMS on the advisory board, confer-
ence task forces and occasional columns for
this great publication. AML in 2017 needs
advocates for financial inclusion, to combat
human trafficking and to offer recommenda-
tions on how to improve the compliance
infrastructure—all issues I am committed to
working on to seek solutions.
Having been on the inaugural ACAMS advi-
sory board in 2002 and serving as chairman
prior to joining the staff in 2010, I have
always been so impressed by our members
and their desire to share information, learn
from each other and assist anyone that
seeks their guidance. We truly are a com-
munity and that makes me proud.
Dedication and commitment
AML in 2017 is vastly different than in 2002,
not to mention 1986 when the first AML
laws and regulations were created. To be
effective today in our profession demands
an understanding of a vast array of financial
products, crimes far beyond drug traffick-
ing, and how to utilize technology to
manage the risks inherent in using the
financial sector. Record keeping and report-
ing is no longer enough. Successful AML
requires risk assessment, advanced train-
ing and ensuring enough information and
awareness by boards and senior manage-
ment to have a strong “tone at the top.” We
have kept these goals in mind at ACAMS,
but we rely on our members to make sure
we produce tools to assist you in your
endeavors, so keep us honest going for-
ward. I am confident that the staff will con-
tinue to serve the membership so that you
are successful in your challenges.
A brief thank you!
As I transition to teach, write and continue
my podcast AML Now, I will have many
opportunities to thank key members in my
career that have helped me in my attempts
to improve the AML community. For now, I
want to note a few individuals that have
been great partners in our collective goals
mentioned above. Rick Small, our advisory
board chair and good friend for more years
than we both care to admit, has been a
sounding board, a mentor and committed
AML leader who has done so much for our
community. Dan Soto, our first chair, set the
template for ACAMS and I have tried to
follow that model. Dennis Lormel, a true
patriot, has been and continues to be, com-
mitted to ensuring that our members have
information on terrorist financing and acts
as soon as they occur. We have all benefit-
ted from his unwavering commitment to
making sure AML includes all parts of the
community—the essential private-public
partnership which I share and try to live
every day. William Langford—the young
guy of the group—was so important in ele-
vating human trafficking as an AML priority
and making sure ACAMS kept this focus
throughout my time here. William, it will
continue I assure you.
There are others of course that have helped
me with successes that I have had at
ACAMS and I will continue to seek you out
and thank you as well.
Finally, the growth and expansion of what
we are today could not have happened
without the great staff we have here at
ACAMS. Our former CEO, Ted Weissberg,
ensured we could bring together a strong
team to address certification, publications,
chapters, products and membership sup-
port. My partners were not only great to
work with, but their dedication to you as
members knows no bounds.
Thanks to all of you for the past 15 years of
ACAMS and here is to many more!
John J. Byrne, Esq., CAMS
executive vice president
Note: The title “We May Never Pass This Way Again” comes from Seals and Croft’s 1973 album “Diamond Girl.” My blog utilizes song titles and so I thought
I would use that one more time in ACAMS Today. While we may never pass this particular way again, we will continue together in other ways.
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