In the financial services industry, those who work the front line – tellers, loan officers, brokers, customer service representatives and the like – perform a critical, but often undervalued, role in managing anti-money laundering (AML) control processes. Because front-line employees have the most direct interaction with customers, they are an institution’s first line of defense in identifying and preventing financial crime. It is critical, then, that the AML compliance training they receive is effective.
Executive leadership can impact the success of the company’s AML compliance program by communicating a strong, consistent “tone at the top” that motivates front-line employees not only to fulfill their AML-related responsibilities but possibly change the way they view their role.