The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has released new guidance on strengthening sanctions compliance programs for companies based in or conducting business in the U.S. In the same month, there have been developments in sanctions in the U.S., China, Russia, Ukraine and Iran, and signs that... Read More

Turbulence appears to be the new normal in today’s global risk landscape. Political turmoil, changing regulations, disruptive weather events, financial instability and a variety of other factors can disrupt supply chains or involve companies in legal actions that result in devastating financial... Read More

Many people cringe when they hear the word ‘audit’ because it is almost inextricably linked with ‘tax’—another cringe-worthy topic. Admittedly, audits can be uncomfortable; very few people enjoy time spent under a microscope. But as the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA... Read More

Blame it on Blue Planet II. Since the nature documentary series began airing in early 2018, the blight of ocean plastics has come into focus for those who have watched it. Sir David Attenborough has become the Jiminy Cricket for this generation—a story-teller, a sage advisor, and apparently, the... Read More

Today is National Honesty Day. It’s an ironic ending to a month that begins with the mischief and mayhem of April Fool’s. But in an era marked by declining trust in institutions, honesty is a hot commodity. And while trust in government and the media remain subpar, the corporate world has... Read More

There’s no room for clowning about when it comes to risk management and maintaining the integrity of international business. According to records of ancient Chinese history, the armies of the Chu and Song states were facing each other in readiness for battle in 630 BC when a Chu warrior, Xiong... Read More

This year is the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the OECD’s Anti-Bribery Convention. So, we went to Paris to meet Patrick Moulette, Head of the OECD Anti-Corruption Division. He explained that the global spread of negotiated settlements, particularly Deferred Prosecution Agreements, prompted... Read More

Is it time for universities—and the foundations that fundraise on their behalf—to adopt the rigorous due diligence and risk monitoring processes that global companies use? Based on the latest bribes-for-admission scandal to hit the headlines, the answer is a resounding, “YES!”... Read More

Transparency International’s just-published annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) reveals the world’s most corrupt countries in 2018. Introduced in 1995, the CPI currently ranks 180 countries and territories worldwide by their perceived levels of public sector corruption with the support... Read More

One of the biggest potential time-savers for risk management professionals is technology. From initial risk assessment before on-boarding a new client to ongoing risk monitoring to surface threats more quickly, the power of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics show great promise. Tools... Read More

The World Economic Forum (WEF) brings together leaders of government and business in the Alpine town of Davos in Switzerland this week. They are discussing the latest trends in business and society. The participant list is revealing—this year, some of the world’s biggest companies have sent... Read More

Despite recent Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) enforcement actions, there are signs of more positive engagement with governance and compliance in Latin America. Emerging markets offer attractive opportunities for investors, but businesses aiming to capitalize will need to prioritize robust due diligence... Read More

From AI to blockchain, companies are rapidly adopting new technologies which use data to drive business insights and manage risks more effectively . Our third volume of The Trust Issue explores how technology can also improve a company’s transparency and increase the trust it receives from customers... Read More

If serious trivia seems like a contradiction, maybe you need to be more quizzical when it comes to anti-corruption compliance. January 4 is the one day of the year when there’s an excuse to be trivial—even in an area as serious as compliance in anti-bribery and corruption , anti-money laundering... Read More

2018 has been a record year of penalties issued for breaches of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Settlements totaling more than $2.96 billion were agreed by corporations found to be in breach of the Act. The year saw further indications of the FCPA’s global reach, witnessed the first judgments... Read More

Migration is a recurrent theme in human history. Whether seeking to escape violence, natural disasters or poverty, migrants express their determination for better lives through migration. On International Migrants Day, we look at a particular risk that migrants face—forced labor. The issue is more... Read More

Many organizations use Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) standards or engage in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs to support sustainable business practices and mitigate third-party risk . But what about on the home-front? ‘Tis the season of celebration, but the glittery... Read More

Forget about the turtles. Today is International Ninja Day, but what we’re on about has more to do with regulatory risk than teenagers or (as far as we know) mutants. Why does International Ninja Day make us think ‘compliance program’? International Ninja Day was the brainchild of... Read More

Several months ago, we highlighted news that Kroger was phasing out plastic grocery bags as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment . The national grocery chain is not alone. When it comes to addressing food supply chain risk, corporate social responsibility programs are helping... Read More

Without question, companies’ global supply chains and third-party networks increase their risk exposure. Yet, according to a recently-released benchmark report , approximately one-third of organizations lack a cohesive risk mitigation process —relying instead on a manual process or traditional... Read More

It was a clash of old and new. In the lobby of Brussels’ Plaza Hotel were ornate chandeliers, royal portraits and a marble staircase. In the adjacent conference room, compliance officers from across Europe were discussing how the latest trends in technology can help them meet the growing risks... Read More

A few years ago, we highlighted bribery and corruption vulnerabilities in the Energy sector, noting that “Companies linked to energy industries, in particular, face elevated risks in order to reap the equally high rewards.” But more recent events highlight the need for companies in this sector... Read More

Twenty-five years ago, the United Nations General Assembly declared October 17th International Day for the Eradication of Poverty . In marking the anniversary, the UN has stated that … “all people must come together to end poverty and discrimination in order to build a sustainable future... Read More

Three quarters of the world’s biggest exporting countries are failing to punish corporations that pay bribes overseas, according to a new report from the NGO Transparency International. The report shows that there are vast differences in the level of risk of bribery and corruption in different... Read More

Petrobras has reached a $1.78 billion settlement with the DOJ and SEC over bribes to politicians and political parties in Brazil. This is the first time an enforcement action over FCPA violations has exceeded a billion dollars. The amount is bigger than the nearest two settlements combined, and the case... Read More