Whitepapers

  Everyone has a key role to play in ensuring that the organization stays true to its mission, but compliance officers have a unique responsibility. This resource walks you through the key focus areas in that process: how to adopt a risk-based and federated approach, how to track regulatory engagements while keeping policies in sync with evolving...

This free 30-page eBook explores graph analytics as an AML tool to uncover money laundering networks and improve financial crime compliance. Despite efforts spent on AML, recent reports from the leaked FinCEN Files shed light on the weaknesses in the global anti-money laundering system that are allowing criminal activity to remain undetected. The AML system...

As many companies continue to pivot quickly in response to unanticipated events that unfolded due to the pandemic, board agendas are becoming more complex by the day. The recently released second issue of Board Practices Quarterly – conducted by Deloitte in collaboration with the Society for Corporate Governance – provides an extensive look at some of the key areas and trends...

We're facing a "Channel Explosion" these days, which means we're challenged to monitor more data streams than ever -- and we must do it in the new era of the hybrid workforce.  Technology can play a critical role here. Here's how an AI-driven solution can enhance financial services compliance while improving company culture. The hybrid...

Based on research from Thomson Reuters, this report indicates there's a perception that the overall value of maintaining a compliant workforce has diminished, and that training has largely been reduced to a "check the box" activity. The research suggests that more robust compliance frameworks are needed -- particularly given the "new normal" of the COVID...

This year, as in the previous five years, Russell Reynolds Associates interviewed over 40 global institutional and activist investors, pension fund managers, proxy advisors and other corporate governance professionals to identify the corporate governance trends that will impact boards and directors in 2021. This year's trends include: Climate Change Risk Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)...

Corporate whistleblower tips are skyrocketing. In FY 2020, the SEC received over 6,900 whistleblower tips – the most ever for any year. More than 80% of those tips came from company employees who had previously raised red flags, which typically should have triggered evaluations to determine what sort of internal probe might be necessary. This...

As we enter 2021 with considerable uncertainty, a new report from Hogan Lovells highlights expectations for a year that will be shaped by ongoing political disruption and pandemic-related pressure. Despite these unpredictable times, Hogan Lovells attorneys have identified several unifying trends across key industries and jurisdictions globally, including: An expectation for continued cross-border enforcement activity...

One of the top corporate scandals over the past few years entered its next phase with the settlement by the DOJ with Boeing around its fraud in the certification of its 737 MAX aircraft. Tom Fox offers background (including the company laying blame at the feet of the pilots, despite knowing of flaws in the...

Credit risk, ESG and cybersecurity are the trio of risk types that risk executives at financial institutions perceive as increasing the most in importance for their business over the next two years, out of a field of 16, according to a new survey out today from Deloitte. This is part of an in-depth survey report...

A trio of COVID-19 related risks head up the 10th Allianz Risk Barometer 2021, reflecting potential disruption and loss scenarios companies are facing in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Business interruption (BI) (41 percent) and pandemic outbreak (40 percent) are this year’s top business risks, with cyber incidents (40 percent) ranking a close third. The annual...

Control Risks has just launched its annual RiskMap report, outlining five considerations for legal teams and compliance officers in the year to come. As we move into 2021, legal and compliance teams – like the companies they work for – undoubtedly face challenges. In a new and evolving world, companies will go full throttle on...

Regulatory agencies around the world emphasize the importance of mitigating risks through adverse media screening. In fact, screening for negative news has become an important component of a comprehensive program to determine the level of risk that customers, prospects and business partners may pose to organizations. But relying solely on free search engine data to...

Tom Fox offers wisdom from an unlikely source: one of the greatest movie villains of all time. It may seem strange to aspire to be like Darth Vader, but Tom argues convincingly that this ultimate villain is, in fact, an effective leader. Plus, he has quite a way with words.   Download the full whitepaper...

The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) today issued a new whitepaper to help auditors providing SOC for Service Organization (SOC) reports on organizations that have incorporated blockchain into their service delivery systems. The paper examines the skills and competencies auditors need to perform such engagements, the unique features of blockchain, the risks associated with using blockchain, and...

If there was ever a question about energy traders and FCPA risk, a recent FCPA enforcement action against Vitol answers it once and for all. Tom Fox outlines the bribery schemes and corruption in Mexico and Ecuador, as well as the penalties assessed. Interestingly, this action marks the DOJ’s first coordinated FCPA resolution with the...

Global consulting firm Protiviti recently released the findings from its latest study, “IT Audit Perspectives: Top Technology Risks in 2021,” which reveals that concerns around security, privacy, cloud and other advanced technologies are being further fueled by the pandemic-induced remote work environment and accelerated deployment of new technologies. The study, conducted in partnership with ISACA, surveyed over 7,400 IT audit...

PwC and The Corporate Board recently released an executive survey of more than 500 members of public company C-suites, examining the relationship between management and the board. While executives appreciate the freedom their boards offer to run their organizations, many feel the board needs a refresh, with 82 percent of executives responding that at least one...

In a tumultuous year in which a global pandemic, a racial justice movement, and a contentious presidential election have gripped the United States, corporate shareholders are engaged in environmental, social and governance issues as never before, according to a new report by Intelligize, the industry-leading provider of corporate compliance management solutions. This ESG-focused playbook from Intelligize...

Today Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty has released a new report on the state of the D&O insurance market. D&O Insurance Insights 2021 highlights market challenges and five D&O mega trends facing companies in 2021. Rising insolvency exposures, growing cybersecurity threats and persistent securities class-action activity are among the key risks for which D&Os could be held liable....

There's no question that the new guidance has raised the bar for compliance programs, including placing substantial emphasis on continual data-driven improvement and an increased focus on appropriate investment -- even as organizations worldwide are challenged by workforce, operational and business disruptions. It seems clear DOJ seeks to encourage remedial efforts to address weaknesses in...

Compliance officers and small business owners across all industries and in large and small organizations are faced with dual challenges. They live in fear of failing an audit yet they are under pressure to reduce costs. They struggle to keep up with compliance efforts, all while knowing that a single bad audit could be a...

As we move into the next season of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses are still seeing a dramatically reduced amount of employee spend on travel (T&E) But a new report shows risk for businesses tripled when looking at year over year Q3 spending. Why is risk rising dramatically against a backdrop of reduced spending and what should business leaders...

Companies that fail to create a "speak up" culture run the risk of talking over the voices they need to be listening to most. A rising trend of the last few years has seen employees become increasingly vocal about injustices perpetrated by their workplace or employer. Those that have not been able to find a...

Tom Fox details the bribery scheme at J&F Investimentos SA (J&F), a Brazil-based investment company, the company's FCPA violations and the following DOJ resolution and SEC settlement. Given the inventive ways J&F engaged in bribery and corruption, compliance practitioners would do well to study this particular case.   Download the full whitepaper below.

This whitepaper offers an Information Governance Lifecycle Model that aims to assist organizations in dealing with content on the web, on mobile devices, in team collaboration and on social media. How to Manage Communication & Collaboration Tools for Compliance As companies instructed their employees to work from home at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,...

Sargeant Marine Inc. recently pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, with the wrongdoing carried out by the company's employees and agents in Brazil, Venezuela and Ecuador. Tom Fox details the bribery schemes, the penalty Sargeant Marine incurred and the guilty pleas and offers takeaways for boards...

As security threats to organization’s data — whether it’s patient or corporate data – continue to trend upward, privacy can longer be an issue of just legal departments — it needs to be a priority that permeates operations and strategy. A new survey from FairWarning, the leader in protecting the privacy of people and organizations, and...

Consider the Herbalife FCPA enforcement action a case study in why multiple redundancies are important. Unless the whole of the organization is corrupt, eventually someone will notice misconduct and compliance violations. In Herbalife’s case, the company’s bribery scheme spanned 10 years and stretched right to the top of the organization. Tom Fox mines the Herbalife...

Deloitte and the Society for Corporate Governance are pleased to announce the collaborative launch of the Board Practices Quarterly, a new series of periodic reports based upon brief surveys of Society members. The Quarterly replaces the long-standing Board Practices Report to offer insights and benchmarking data more frequently. The landmark events of 2020 surrounding systemic racism and racial...