This hands-on course provides comprehensive training on the entire suspicious activity reporting process, from initial detection through to final filing with financial intelligence units. Participants will learn practical techniques for identifying suspicious activities, conducting thorough investigations, and preparing high-quality SAR submissions. The course covers regulatory requirements, filing timelines, and best practices for documentation and case management. Through realistic scenarios and practical exercises, learners will develop the skills needed to effectively manage the SAR process and meet regulatory expectations.
Practical Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR): From Detection to Filing
Anti-Money Laundering AML/CFT
October 25, 2025
Introduction
Objectives
Key Learning Objectives:
- Master the SAR filing process and regulatory requirements
- Learn to identify and investigate suspicious activities
- Develop skills in SAR narrative writing and documentation
- Understand filing timelines and deadline management
- Learn case management and escalation procedures
- Master information gathering and analysis techniques
- Understand regulatory expectations for SAR quality
- Learn best practices for SAR decision-making
- Develop skills in managing SAR backlogs and volumes
Target Audience
- AML investigators and analysts
- Compliance officers and MLROs
- Front-line banking staff
- Branch managers and operations staff
- Legal and compliance professionals
- Law enforcement personnel
- Financial intelligence unit staff
- Audit and testing professionals
Methodology
- Realistic SAR writing exercises
- Case studies of actual SAR filings
- Investigation scenario simulations
- Group discussions on complex cases
- Regulatory requirement analysis
- Peer review of SAR narratives
- Timeline and deadline management exercises
Personal Impact
- Enhanced investigative and analytical skills
- Improved SAR writing and documentation abilities
- Stronger understanding of regulatory requirements
- Better time management and deadline adherence
- Increased confidence in SAR decision-making
- Career development in financial investigation roles
Organizational Impact
- Higher quality SAR submissions
- Reduced regulatory compliance risks
- More efficient investigation processes
- Improved case management and tracking
- Enhanced regulatory relationships
- Stronger financial crime detection capabilities
Course Outline
Unit 1: SAR Fundamentals and Regulatory Framework
Legal and Regulatory Requirements- SAR filing obligations and timelines
- Regulatory expectations and guidance
- Legal protections and confidentiality
- Penalties for non-compliance
- Common money laundering red flags
- Terrorist financing indicators
- Behavioral and transaction patterns
- Industry-specific risk indicators
Unit 2: Detection and Initial Assessment
Alert Generation and Triage- Transaction monitoring system alerts
- Manual referrals and internal reporting
- External information and intelligence
- Initial assessment and prioritization
- Customer information collection
- Transaction analysis and pattern recognition
- External database searches
- Documentation standards and requirements
Unit 3: Investigation Methodology
Investigative Techniques- Timeline and link analysis
- Funds flow tracing
- Beneficial ownership investigation
- Open source intelligence (OSINT) techniques
- Documentation and evidence evaluation
- Pattern recognition and anomaly detection
- Risk assessment and scoring
- Decision-making criteria and thresholds
Unit 4: SAR Preparation and Filing
Narrative Writing Skills- Effective SAR narrative structure
- Factual and objective writing techniques
- Chronological presentation of facts
- Clarity and completeness standards
- SAR form completion guidelines
- Supporting documentation requirements
- Filing system operation and procedures
- Quality control and review processes
Unit 5: Post-Filing Activities and Program Management
Case Management and Follow-up- Post-filing customer management
- Account closure and relationship termination
- Law enforcement coordination
- Record retention and documentation
- SAR program oversight and management
- Management reporting and metrics
- Training and awareness programs
- Quality assurance and continuous improvement
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