Intel event brings AML speakers

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Hannah Maloney, Contributing writer

On Sept. 12th an Anti-Money Laundering (AML) 101 event was held by the Anti-Money Laundering Club in the Performing Arts Center. The event started at 4:00 p.m. and ended at 7:00 p.m.

During the welcome, Duncan McGill, Ph.D, Dean of the Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences said, “I would like to thank each of you for taking the time to come to share this first meeting of its kind at Mercyhurst.”

“The event was spectacular! We had a turnout of over 200 students in addition to AML professions in the surrounding Erie community.” said Musa Tuzuner, Ph.D, assistant professor of Intelligence Studies.

The Anti-Money Laundering Club board said that they decided to put on a big event at the beginning of the academic year to attract as many students as possible to the club.

“In addition, the speakers were able to educate the audience about the basics of money laundering and terrorist financing, which is a new topic to many students at Mercyhurst.” said the AML club board.

AML professionals have the ability to work in a variety of different fields.

Bryan Chapman and John Waterstram, AVP Detection and Investigations Managers at PNC Bank and Gordon Plancon, BSA/AML Compliance Officer at Washington Financial Bank presented their backgrounds and how they got into AML after the welcome.
The speakers said that all companies, casinos and some universities have AML officers. There is a growing need for AML specialists across the board and it is a career students should look into.

A new Anti-Money Laundering minor will be added to the curriculum at Mercyhurst. It will officially begin during the Spring 2019 semester, said the AML club board.

The ACAMS event helped accomplish our club’s mission. Mercyhurst’s Anti-Money Laundering Club was formed in 2018. Our mission is to act as both a club and networking organization where students learn about money laundering by connecting with organizations for job and internship opportunities, while also working on collaborative projects,” said Tuzuner.

Approximately five percent of the global GDP is laundered every year (about $590 billion to $1.5 trillion). According to the US Bank Secrecy Act, financial and non-financial institutions are required to incorporate AML programs. In compliance, financial and non-financial institutions are opening AML positions requiring the knowledge and skills that Intelligence Studies students possess. I have developed an AML minor program with its curriculum aimed to help students in related majors acquire knowledge and skills needed to enter the AML profession,” Tuzuner said.

The club is always open to new members. If interested, please contact Emma Rastatter at erasta81@lakers.mercyhurst.edu.