Schedule

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
Conference Chairs: Tamara Smith- Bassett, T'sa James-Hodge, Fareda Sands

Regulators assess institutions. Institutions evaluate risk. But what happens when accountability flows only in one direction? This panel explores the power dynamics between regulators, compliance professionals, and institutions. Are regulatory expectations always realistic? Are institutions adequately supported to meet them? Participants will discuss supervisory pressure, regulatory engagement, and the importance of building constructive rather than adversarial relationships between regulators and the regulated community.

Financial flows do not stop at borders, compliance policies, or institutional safeguards. Criminal networks, informal financial systems, and technological innovations continue to move funds faster than regulatory frameworks evolve. This session examines how illicit finance continues to operate despite increasing AML/CFT controls. Experts will explore emerging risks including digital payments, trade-based money laundering, sanctions evasion, and the vulnerabilities within Caribbean financial systems.

Caribbean jurisdictions often face external pressure from global regulatory bodies, standard setters, and economic partners. But where does national sovereignty stand when international expectations shape domestic legislation and regulatory priorities? This discussion will unpack the tension between global compliance standards and regional independence, including FATF evaluations, blacklisting risks, and the economic consequences for small financial centres.

Compliance professionals often focus on preventing financial crime within institutions—but what happens when the risks come from outside? Law enforcement agencies share real-world cases where financial crime investigations intersect with financial institutions. From fraud rings to corruption networks and cross-border investigations, this session examines the growing collaboration—and tension—between compliance professionals and law enforcement.

Boards set strategy and approve policies. Compliance teams implement them. But too often there is a disconnect between governance expectations and operational realities. This session explores the gap between boardroom compliance strategies and the practical challenges of implementation, including resource limitations, technological gaps, and competing business pressures.

High-net-worth clients can bring significant revenue—but also significant risk. This session tackles one of the industry’s most sensitive issues: managing wealth that may be legal but ethically questionable—or potentially illicit. Experts will discuss enhanced due diligence, reputational risk, beneficial ownership transparency, and the difficult decisions institutions must make when profit conflicts with compliance.

All work and no play makes for a very long day! Join us for a little unwinding.

Transparency has become a global priority in combating financial crime, yet many jurisdictions continue to debate the balance between privacy rights and transparency obligations. This panel examines how beneficial ownership frameworks are evolving, the challenges of maintaining accurate registers, and how regulators and institutions can strike the right balance between protecting legitimate privacy while preventing misuse of corporate structures.

Financial institutions invest heavily in compliance technology, but systems do not always deliver the promised results. This session explores the limitations of compliance technology, including transaction monitoring failures, poor data quality, AI risks, and implementation challenges. Experts will discuss how institutions can ensure technology supports—not replaces—effective compliance oversight.

In a world where communication happens instantly and digitally, record-keeping failures can have serious consequences. This session looks at the risks associated with missing communications, weak documentation practices, and regulatory investigations. The discussion will also explore how cross-border travel, enforcement actions, and regulatory scrutiny can arise when records cannot support institutional decisions.

Early-career compliance professionals often focus on preparing reports, regulatory responses, and internal communications. But what happens when the documentation does not fully capture the risk? This session explores how to identify red flags beyond written explanations, strengthen investigative thinking, and develop professional judgment early in a compliance career. Versus When a Cost Centre Is Really a Cost-Saving Centre Compliance departments are often viewed as operational expenses rather than strategic assets. This session highlights how effective compliance programs protect institutions from regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and financial loss, demonstrating that compliance is not merely a cost—but a critical investment.

Even experienced compliance leaders face situations where decisions are influenced by business pressures, regulatory expectations, or institutional politics. This discussion explores strategies for managing risk when authority is limited, maintaining professional independence, and navigating ethical dilemmas within organizations. Versus When the Office Environment Sucks the Life Out of You Burnout is increasingly common among compliance professionals dealing with regulatory scrutiny, resource limitations, and high expectations. This session addresses mental resilience, leadership support, and creating sustainable compliance cultures that support both institutional success and professional wellbeing.

Sometimes the biggest risk—or the greatest opportunity—sits right inside the room. This closing session focuses on the power of professional networks in the compliance community. Relationships between regulators, compliance officers, investigators, and industry leaders often determine how effectively financial crime is addressed. Participants will explore why your professional network may ultimately be more valuable than your net worth, and how collaboration can strengthen the region’s collective compliance framework.

Closing remarks and an invitation to the 2028 conference