Advanced BSA Conference
This is our annual Advanced BSA/AML/CFT offering for Community Bankers.
Join us for our hybrid offering - on Zoom and at VACB's office: 6003 Staples Mill Road, Richmond, VA 23228
Event Details
From 2025 Insights to 2026 Readiness | Stay Prepared. Stay Informed. Stay Ahead.
In an environment where regulatory expectations, enforcement priorities, and financial crime risks evolve at record speed, standing still is not an option. The Advanced BSA Conference is designed to help BSA/AML, Fraud, and Compliance professionals translate recent regulatory developments and enforcement lessons into actionable strategies for the year ahead.
This dynamic, first-quarter program goes beyond recapping changes—it focuses on what examiners are looking for, where institutions are getting into trouble, and how to proactively strengthen your program before the next exam cycle. Whether you are refining your risk assessment, preparing for upcoming exams, or reassessing controls in light of new guidance, this session delivers practical insight you can apply immediately.
Participants will receive a Training Program Manual and Resource Manual, including templates, tools, examples, and reference materials.
Agenda Highlights
FinCEN Focus and BSA Officer Priorities for 2026
This session provides a practical update on recent FinCEN rulemakings, advisories, and guidance, connecting regulatory expectations to real-world program impact. We’ll explore how federal and state expectations align—or diverge—and what that means for your institution.
Special attention will be given to evolving examiner focus areas, including cannabis-related businesses and other emerging risk profiles, so you can better anticipate scrutiny and strengthen your program ahead of exams.
Policy and Regulatory Shifts Impacting AML Programs
Regulatory change continues at a rapid pace. This session examines key policy shifts, including Corporate Transparency Act developments, beneficial ownership expectations, and evolving AML/CFT priorities. We’ll discuss how these changes influence risk-based program design, SAR quality and timeliness expectations, and what institutions should be doing now to remain aligned with regulatory direction.
Emerging Fraud and Financial Crime Trends
Fraud risks continue to expand across ACH, P2P, wire, and card payment channels, often intersecting with BSA/AML obligations. Using recent trends and case examples, we’ll identify vulnerabilities in transaction monitoring and escalation processes, discuss common breakdowns between fraud and AML teams, and highlight effective practices for detection, SAR decisioning, and cross-functional coordination.
Sanctions Landscape and OFAC Program Oversight
Sanctions compliance remains a high-risk area for financial institutions of all sizes. This session reviews recent global sanctions developments, OFAC enforcement trends, and common program weaknesses. We’ll focus on practical expectations for system testing and validation, alert disposition documentation, and governance practices that help institutions demonstrate effective oversight.
Managing High-Risk Relationships: De-Risking or Discrimination?
Institutions continue to struggle with balancing risk management, access to services, and reputational considerations. This session explores strategies for managing elevated-risk customers and relationships without resorting to unnecessary de-risking. We’ll discuss communication considerations, alternative risk mitigation approaches, and how to document decisions in a way that aligns with examiner expectations.
Third-Party, Fintech, and Crypto Oversight
As partnerships with fintechs, BaaS providers, and digital asset-related businesses expand, so does regulatory scrutiny. This session focuses on AML oversight responsibilities for third parties, including due diligence, ongoing monitoring, and governance expectations. We’ll also address emerging considerations related to crypto activity and other evolving technologies.
Building a Stronger AML Program for 2026 and Beyond
The final session brings everything together, focusing on forward-looking program enhancement. We’ll discuss anticipating new AML/CFT risks, strengthening continuous monitoring processes, and thoughtfully applying automation and AI tools in KYC, CDD, and investigations.
Participants will leave with practical ideas for continuous improvement and exam readiness.
For More Information:
Why Attend?
The Advanced BSA Conference is designed for professionals who want more than a regulatory recap. This program focuses on helping you:
- Anticipate examiner priorities by understanding recent enforcement actions, guidance, and emerging risk areas
- Translate regulatory expectations into practical action, with real-world examples you can apply immediately
- Strengthen exam readiness by identifying common breakdowns in AML, Fraud, and OFAC programs
- Benchmark your program through peer discussion and shared challenges with other institutions
- Prepare for what’s next, including evolving AML/CFT priorities, fintech partnerships, crypto activity, and the growing role of AI
You’ll leave with clearer direction, actionable tools, and renewed confidence in your institution’s ability to manage risk in an increasingly complex compliance environment.
Who Should Attend?
This program is ideal for professionals with direct or indirect responsibility for financial crime risk management, including:
- BSA/AML Officers and Deputy BSA Officers
- Compliance Officers and Compliance Managers
- Fraud Managers and Investigators seeking stronger alignment with BSA/AML expectations
- Risk Management and Enterprise Risk professionals involved in AML or third-party oversight
- Internal Auditors responsible for testing or reviewing BSA/AML, Fraud, or OFAC programs
- Operations, Payments, and Product Managers supporting higher-risk products or services
Attendees should have a working knowledge of BSA/AML requirements and be prepared to engage in practical discussions focused on real-world application.
The program also emphasizes peer discussion, real-world case studies, and practical takeaways you can bring back to your institution.
About Our Presenters
DIANNE BARTON is Founder & President of PSI., a bank training and consulting company that has been a part of the banking community for 40+ years. PSI specializes in providing “real world’ solutions in meeting the ever-changing banking and regulatory environment. The company’s training and consulting focuses on understanding the “why” beyond the regs.
KRISTIN HARVILLE is an experienced and knowledgeable compliance professional. With her extensive background as a banker, an examiner, and a consultant, she brings a wealth of “real world” knowledge and “how to’s” to the PSI compliance deliverables.
Her certifications include Juris Master’s Degree in Law (Major in Financial Regulation), Certified Regulatory Vendor Program Manager, Certified AML and Fraud Professional (CAFP), Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM), Certified Bank Secrecy Act Professional, and Banking Certificate – Barret School of Banking.