Banker's Compliance Consulting Blog

Human Trafficking & Smuggling: A National Priority

Written by Kevin Edwards | Jul 16, 2026 6:04:28 PM

The Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 required FinCEN to establish government-wide priorities for anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism. These were issued in 2021 and included the following:

  • Corruption
  • Cybercrime
  • Terrorist Financing
  • Fraud
  • Transnational Criminal Organization Activity
  • Drug Trafficking Organization Activity
  • Human Trafficking and Human Smuggling
  • Proliferation Financing

While these Priorities are due to be updated really any time now, we anticipate that human trafficking and smuggling will remain a priority for the foreseeable future. This means it is vitally important that everyone on your team has clarity and some understanding of this topic, especially the associated red flags so they can help detect and prevent this type of criminal activity.

Kevin explains more in the video.

Published 2026/07/16