Leading Anti-Money Laundering Association Amasses 10,000 Members

Milestone membership met for association on heels of record-setting conference

MIAMI, Nov. 12, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists® (ACAMS®) announced today Richard Curran of London, Great Britain, as its official 10,000^th member. Curran is a practicing Global Business Manager for the COBAM KYC team with HSBC, and has been active in the anti-money laundering(AML) field for six years.

Curran cited the constant changing requirements and regulatory scrutiny on large financial institutions as the biggest challenge facing AML compliance professionals today. "Working for such a global organization, we have specific challenges in trying to align our global requirements where regulations permit and translate this into a global KYC system. ACAMS can continue to help propose and share solutions to these issues. Identifying solutions used by peer banks can go a long way in assisting with our local issues. The various forums are great for information sharing," said Curran. As reward for being ACAMS 10,000^th member, Curran will be receiving a complimentary registration to a 2011 ACAMS conference of his choosing to further his continued AML training and education.

"This achievement marks a critical turning point for ACAMS," said John Byrne, CAMS, ACAMS, executive vice president. "With the intrinsic volatility in the AML field, professionals and experts from around the world are continuing to rely on ACAMS to be their connection to continuing education and career networking. It comes as no surprise that we've reached this epoch within the organization considering the monumental successes we've experienced from all other facets of ACAMS."

In September, ACAMS held its 9^th annual international anti-money laundering conference in Las Vegas, NV. Attendance for the conference was at a record high. With 1,000 AML/CTF professionals attending, the 2010 conference offered three days of ongoing continuing education and professional networking.

ACAMS also launched a completely overhauled website in April, 2010. The website features capabilities that allow members to virtually connect on a global scale. Among the varied applications, members can build networking profiles, share crucial documents and forms and grow their professional contacts.

"Since the inception of our new web-based services, we have seen dramatic increases in internet traffic," Byrne stated. "The newly revamped website as well as the expansion of ACAMS Chapters are integral pieces of our global outreach strategy."

ACAMS Chapters serve as regional outlets for AML education and training for members. Chapters provide live forums where members can discuss pressing local issues. ACAMS currently counts nine Chapters in its roster and has several other international chapters in development.

"ACAMS Chapters will provide an invaluable knowledge base for members on regional specific topics," cited Byrne. "Growing our chapters is but one example of the ongoing commitment of ACAMS to provide progressive new services for our members and ensure the dynamic growth of our AML community."

About the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists® 

ACAMS is an international membership organization dedicated to enhancing the knowledge and skills of AML professionals from a wide range of industries. It serves 10,000 members in 160 countries with extensive resources designed to develop and sharpen the skills required for superior job performance and career advancement. Its CAMS certification is the most widely recognized AML certification among compliance professionals worldwide. Visit the new ACAMS website at www.ACAMS.org.

SOURCE Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists