As mentor and friend to many within the Compli-Serve family and the broader community,Richard's legacy is marked by his dedication&unwavering commitment to excellence.The firm has grown to become a trusted partner in compliance,known for its integrity and high standards.
Richard's unexpected departure has left a significant void in the compliance industry, where he was revered as a pioneer and a visionary leader. Richard Rattue's contributions to the field of compliance and regulatory services were unparalleled.
It is with deep regret and profound sadness that Compli-Serve announces the sudden passing of its founder and Managing Director, Richard Rattue, on 9 June 2024.
Looking back on compliance failings: In 2016, the Monetary Authority of Singapore withdrew the status of Swiss bank BSI in Singapore over 41 breaches of anti-money laundering requirements, fining the bank SGD $13.3 million. A costly error that would be best avoided going forward.
Compliance lesson: The Financial Transactions & Reports Analysis Centre of Canada fined an unnamed Canadian bank CAD $1.1 million for failing to report a suspicious transaction & various money transfers in 2016, marking the first time the regulator had penalised a bank.
AML learnings: In 2021 Westpac Banking Corporation agreed to pay a record penalty of A$1.3 billion to settle the largest breach of money laundering & terrorism financing laws in Australian history, failing to report over 19.5 million fund transfer instructions to regulators.
Looking back on the SEC fining Deutsche Bank AG $16 million for hiring unqualified officials to win or retain business back in 2019, serves as a strong reminder of the importance of screening employees and customers to meet regulatory requirements.
When TVFAS was fined R400 000 for AML failings, the FSCA allowed half to be paid in 3 years’ time but rectifying & maintaining compliant operations was paramount to this decision – reminding us that regulators will consider leniency provided compliance is transparent & upheld.
Avoid non-compliance: In 2020, the Financial Conduct Authority fined Commerzbank London £37.8 million for failing to establish adequate AML controls. The deficiencies included shortcomings in the bank's automated monitoring system and failures in due diligence on its clients.
Compliance may involve a lot of admin but avoiding the necessary checks & balances can result in large fines & reputational damage. Ashburton Fund Managers’ R16 million penalty from the FSCA is a good example of why compliance should always be prioritised.
Compli-Serve is pleased to announce two promotions of staff this month. @TanyaVAJ Tanya Van Aswegen has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer, while Kelly Matthews has been appointed as Senior Bookkeeper. Read more via @FAnews_Online https://t.co/AOINHqVS49
🚨 #CPDDeadline Alert for FSPs, KIs, and Reps! 📆 Don't let the 31 May 2024 cut-off catch you off-guard. Ensure your Continuous Professional Development hours are on track. #CompliNEWS is here to help you fulfill your CPD requirements while keeping you updated on the latest 💼📈
Compli-Serve's James George comments on this latest report: "As we navigate regulations and risks, a blend of innovation and traditional know-how can help to keep costs down while ensuring compliance and customer satisfaction."
Read more via @ITOnlineSA
https://t.co/bqqMGXHQzw
“Ethics and compliance are two sides of the same coin,” says James George, Compliance Manager at Compli-Serve SA. While they overlap, they serve different purposes. Do you know the difference?
Tomorrow marks one year on the FATF grey list for SA. The financial services industry plays a pivotal role in identifying & reporting suspicious activities, sharing knowledge and adopting innovative technologies to enhance the detection and prevention of illicit financial flows.
Regulators help to shape the compliance landscape. Consider Treating Customers Fairly (TCF); an ethical stance has become a regulatory requirement in many jurisdictions. But enforcing #compliance and instilling #ethics can be a challenge requiring a culture shift in business.
“While compliance is about ‘can we do it?’, ethics asks ‘should we do it?’. Being ethical goes beyond just following the rules; it's about doing what's right, even in the absence of a specific regulation,” says James George, Compliance Manager at Compli-Serve SA.
An example of compliant, unethical behaviour is recommending a financial product that meets regulatory standards but isn't necessarily the best fit for a client's needs, attracting higher commissions or other incentives. It’s important to prioritise compliance and ethics, always.
Some further #compliance tips for the year from our MD, Richard Rattue turn to tech, including the importance of integrating #AI into business operations to stay ahead of the curve. Do also keep #crypto compliance considerations in mind, such as ensuring licenses are up to date.