Decoding Compliance Excellence: Working in AML & Financial Crime Compliance

Regulatory Ramblings

Martin James Wallis has a deep understanding and vocation for thwarting financial crime. Currently, he serves as COO at financial crime consultancy FINTRAIL in Singapore. In that capacity, he supports FINTRAIL's efforts to provide practical and inclusive solutions in the global fight against financial crime.
Before joining FINTRAIL, Martin enjoyed a 22-year career in the British Army's Intelligence Corps, holding various specialised intelligence and security roles in support of military operations worldwide – including being based in Northern Ireland and at the British Embassy in Beijing. He holds a degree in Global Business Management from Bournemouth University and an Executive MBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology.
In this episode of Regulatory Ramblings, Martin shares more about his background, how he got into consulting and his family history of military service. He talks to host Ajay Shamdasani the types of personalities that do well in AML/KYC and financial crime compliance, how to manage and lead them to serve their greatest purpose, and how to handle the ego issues that often arise when overseeing capable, high achieving performers. Their conversation concludes on how ESG connects to financial crime and how solving such problems goes a long way toward fighting such transgressions. Martin stresses that such offenses are not a victimless matter.
Regulatory Ramblings podcasts is brought to you by The University of Hong Kong - Reg/Tech Lab, HKU-SCF Fintech Academy, Asia Global Institute, and HKU-edX Professional Certificate in Fintech, with support from the HKU Faculty of Law.
Find out more about us at: hkufintech.com/regulatoryramblings

HKU FinTech is the leading fintech research and education in Asia. Learn more at www.hkufintech.com.

Chapters

1. Decoding Compliance Excellence: Working in AML & Financial Crime Compliance (00:00:00)

2. Backgrounder: Joining the Army, military mindset, surveillance skills, and lessons in crisis management ​ (00:01:53)

3. What was it in your career in the British intelligence that sparked your interest to pursue AML, terrorist financing or financial crime? (00:27:18)

4. What does your role as Chief Operating Officer at FINTRAIL consultancy entail? (00:31:38)

5. Continuing education and leadership by experience: On managing problems and finding solutions (00:38:30)

6. Corporate vs military experience: Managing diversity on age group approaches in viewing and solving problems as well as individual temperaments (00:50:51)

7. The role of Artificial Intelligence in AML and financial crime compliance (01:09:15)

8. Can ESG reduce the volume of financial crime? (01:14:14)

9. Final note: The advantages of being adaptable, curious and having a keen sense on the fundamentals in this technology-driven world  (01:25:17)