The document summarizes updates made in April 2020 to the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council's Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering Examination Manual. The updates provide examiners more guidance in assessing banks' BSA/AML risk assessments, tailoring examinations based on risk profiles, and evaluating the adequacy of BSA/AML compliance programs. The document encourages banks to periodically review their BSA/AML programs to ensure they are sufficient and aligned with changes to risk categories. It provides contact information for representatives at Sia Partners who can assist with such reviews.

1. INSIGHT
APRIL
2020
April 2020 Bank Secrecy Act / Anti-Money Laundering Examination Manual Update

2. On April 15, 2020, members of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council ("FFIEC")
released several updated sections and related examination procedures to the Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-
Money Laundering ("BSA/AML") Examination Manual that provide instructions to examiners when
assessing the adequacy of a bank’s BSA/AML compliance program. Note that the update does not
establish new requirements; however, it provides a more transparent breakdown of what examiners
will be assessing.
AMENDMENTS
BSA/AML Risk Assessment – The bank’s BSA/AML risk assessment processes should include:
• Theidentification of specific risk categories (e.g., products, services, customers, and
geographic locations) unique to the bank.
• Ananalysis of the information identified to better assess risk within these categories.
Further, the Manual provides instructions to examiners that there is no particular method or format a
bank must use for the risk assessment and that risk categories can vary based on a bank’s size,
complexity, or organizational structure. There is also no requirement for risk assessment updates on a
continuous or specified periodic basis, but these updates may occur as necessary to align the risk
assessment with a significant change in a bank’s risk profile.
Risk-Focused BSA/AML Supervision – Examiners should tailor BSA/AML examinations to a bank’s
risk profile, including the examination and testing procedures, and conducting risk-focused testing.
The manual notes that examiners should utilize BSA Reporting that is readily available from FinCEN,
independent testing, and audits.
Assessing the BSA/AML Compliance Program – Examiners should assess the adequacy of a
bank’s BSA/AML compliance program, by setting a minimum set of procedures that will be utilized for
the full scope BSA/AML examinations. This section separates internal controls, independent testing,
BSA compliance officer, and training to provide in-depth instructions for the examiner.
Developing Conclusions and Finalizing the Exam – The Manual reminds examiners that they
should primarily focus on whether the bank has established appropriate processes to manage ML/TF
and other illicit financial activity risks, and that the bank has complied with BSA requirements.
NEXT STEPS
It is important that banks and compliance teams periodically assess the quality of their BSA/AML
programs. This is most important when the bank’s risk categories (products, services, customers, and
geographic locations) change. High level of due diligence from financial institutions will help protect
against ML/TF and other illicit financial activities.
You should work with your Sia Partners representative to review your BSA/AML compliance
program(s) to ensure appropriate sufficiency with the new amendments.
YOUR CONTACTS
LAUREN PICKETT
Director AML, US Sanctions and FATCA
917-439-3328
lauren.pickett@sia-partners.com
MUHAMMAD REHMAN
Consultant
718-314-7422
muhammad.rehman@sia-partners.com
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