CCI staff share recent surveys, reports and analysis on risk, compliance, governance, infosec and leadership issues. Share details of your survey with us: editor@corporatecomplianceinsights.com.
Global fines for AML, KYC and related violations totaled almost $4 billion in 2025, down 18%
Global financial institution penalties for AML, KYC, sanctions and customer due diligence violations totaled nearly $4 billion in 2025, down 18% from 2024 and marking the second consecutive year of decline, according to a report from compliance software provider Fenergo.
Enforcement activity diverged sharply by region. Fines issued by North American regulators fell 58%, with US fines dropping 61%. By contrast, EMEA penalties rose 767% and APAC fines increased 44%, driven by the conclusion of long-running investigations and intensified scrutiny in specific sectors. France became the second-largest enforcer globally at $1 billion behind the US at $1.7 billion, a dramatic increase from 2024.
The single largest penalty of 2025 was $985 million issued to a Swiss bank by French authorities for AML failings. Digital asset firms remain overrepresented in major AML fines, with almost one-quarter of the top 10 highest-value fines involving digital asset firms.
Political instability drives divergence in global employment regulation
Political instability and economic uncertainty are driving significant divergence in employment regulation globally, with jurisdictions taking sharply different approaches to AI and data privacy, pay transparency, vulnerable worker protections and restrictive covenants, according to a new report from law firm Hogan Lovells.
The report highlights emerging developments, including new rules on AI and data use in the workplace, shifting protections for vulnerable workers, evolving pay transparency requirements, changes to working time and family-friendly policies and renewed scrutiny of noncompete agreements. Key shifts include the US federal government aiming to loosen AI restrictions while states like California tighten their own rules, Italy introducing workplace AI legislation that conflicts with an existing statute and members of the European Parliament calling for updated requirements on algorithmic management.
Separately, the firm released its global bribery, investigations and enforcement outlook, which found that cooperation incentives are becoming more meaningful for companies that self-disclose early and deliver documented remediation, while rising personal exposure means regulators are focusing more closely on senior manager accountability and decision-making documentation.
