BSA Program and the Pillars

A strong BSA/AML program is the backbone of an institution’s defense against financial crime. This 90-minute session provides a focused, practical overview of how to build, strengthen, and sustain an effective compliance program using the core regulatory pillars.

Participants will gain a clear understanding of how each pillar functions individually—and how they work together to create a resilient, audit-ready AML framework.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Understand the structure and purpose of a BSA/AML compliance program
• Identify and explain the Five Pillars of AML compliance
• Recognize common gaps and weaknesses in AML programs
• Apply best practices to strengthen internal controls and oversight
• Support a culture of compliance within their organization

Topics: The Five Pillars of a Strong BSA/AML Program

1. Internal Controls

• Risk-based approach to AML compliance
• Policies, procedures, and processes that mitigate AML risk
• Risk assessments and control design
• Aligning controls with regulatory expectations
• Documentation and regulatory readiness

2. Independent Testing (Audit)

• Purpose and scope of independent reviews
• Frequency and reporting expectations
• Addressing findings and remediation

3. BSA/AML Compliance Officer

• Governance and board oversight
• Roles and responsibilities
• Authority, independence, and reporting lines
• Leadership in program effectiveness

4. Training Program

• Ongoing employee training requirements
• Role-based training strategies
• Measuring training effectiveness

5. Customer Due Diligence (CDD)

• Customer identification and verification
• Beneficial ownership requirements
• Ongoing monitoring and risk profiling

Participants will leave with:

• A clear framework for a strong AML program
• Actionable insights to enhance each compliance pillar
• Increased confidence in identifying and addressing program weaknesses
• Tools to support audit and regulatory examinations