Something Seems Suspicious – The Key to a Good SAR Pillar

Identifying and reporting suspicious activity is one of the most critical responsibilities within a BSA/AML program. A strong Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) pillar not only ensures regulatory compliance but also plays a vital role in protecting the financial system from illicit activity.

This webinar provides a practical, end-to-end look at the SAR process—from identifying red flags to filing complete, accurate, and timely reports. Participants will gain the knowledge and confidence to recognize suspicious behavior and take appropriate action.

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

• Understand the purpose and regulatory expectations of SAR reporting
• Identify common red flags and indicators of suspicious activity
• Apply a structured approach to investigating unusual transactions
• Prepare clear, concise, and effective SAR narratives
• Ensure timely and compliant SAR filing

What You’ll Learn

1. The Role of SARs in the BSA/AML Program
   • Why SARs are critical to financial crime prevention
   • Regulatory expectations and consequences of non-compliance
2. Identifying Suspicious Activity
   • Common red flags across customer types and transactions
   • Behavioral vs. transactional indicators
   • High-risk scenarios and emerging trends
3. Investigating Suspicious Activity
   • Gathering and analyzing relevant information
   • Documenting findings and maintaining audit trails
   • Escalation procedures and decision-making
4. SAR Filing Requirements
   • When to file a SAR
   • Key timelines and thresholds
   • Required data elements and supporting documentation
5. Strengthening the SAR Pillar
   • Writing the SAR
   • Internal controls and quality assurance
   • Training and consistency across teams
   • Preparing for audits and regulatory exams

Participants will leave with:

• A stronger understanding of SAR requirements and expectations
• Practical tools to identify and investigate suspicious activity
• Confidence in preparing high-quality SAR filings
• Insights to enhance their institution’s SAR processes