Press release on ACAMS web site issued one day earlier.

Intriguing. I had always thought of them in the same "non profit" category as a state bankers association, but did feel that some of their decisions e.g. requiring certified individuals to use their training (at least in part) and the pricing of their conferences, belied a profit motive.

It's gotten worse over the past few years, in my opinion. IIRC, memberships used to be cheaper and provided more value (e.g. ACAMS Today included).

They also used to be at every ABA/ABA Conference, but didn't have a booth at the 2015 one.

They've got a monopoly on recognized training for AML, despite other sources providing much more valuable information regarding operational BSA/AML.

I think I told Ken the story about how I was contacted several years ago about an AML/BSA Compliance Officer position at a bank that was under regulatory order to shape up its AML/BSA compliance. I was convinced I was going to receive a formal offer until the recruiter asked if I was ACAMS certified. She said the OCC made that a requirement for the position. When I told her no, she said thanks for the interview, but I was not qualified for the position. I think ACAMS is probably a great organization, but somehow I did not think an ACAMS certification would make me better qualified than my 30+ years of experience in AML/BSA. I also wondered how OCC could require someone to get a certification from a particular organization when there are other organizations that offer excellent training in AML and BSA. Any comments?

Retread: Grasshopper?
Ken: Yes, Master Po?

Thank you for 25 years of tutelage. Sorry you don't have an acronym.

I wonder the same thing about the regulators view of the ACAMS certification myself Retread. CAMS itself actually does try to provide good service and they try to work with you to the extent possible, but I've never really known regulators to take a hard stance on a service provider in the fashion they have with ACAMS.

That is absolutely ridiculous.

Meanwhile, I've been consulting at a bank that has been in some hot water, and to demonstrate they have qualified candidates they have been requiring all of their new hires (mostly recent college graduates) to get CAMS certified. Don't get me wrong. It was my idea for them to do that so they could appease the regulators, but it has little to no meaning relative to actual skill.

Some of the same recent certificate recipients also ask me basic BSA questions related to CTRs, MILs, the travel rule, etc.

Retread - Maybe us non-CAMS people should start a new certification program??? Ken - what do you say?? You could sponsor it

after 30+ years in the industry without CAMS the examiners have looked at me as if I had 25 heads while pointing out when they were incorrect on several items with qualifying documentation directly from the exam guide and or other government documentation that clearly lists exemptions cited by staff. Now with the CAMS on the business card they only look at me as if I have 10 heads. Way better.

Randy, Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I've let 2 certifications expire because I ultimately decided they were more about the sponsor's revenue stream than they were about my knowledge level. Of course, we all know that I'm not as smart as the OCC...as demonstrated above, nobody is.

Ed, in your shoes, I would do it too.

I too, similarly to Retread's story, was contacted (2 years ago, 2014) from a third party banking recruiting agency for a bank that's about an hour-ish from where I'm at who had recently finished an exam and where they were "recommended" to find someone with CAMS certification to take the place of the outgoing BSA Officer (who was retiring).

you make an excellent point, one I have also thought relates to many banking certifications (I maintain one solely to appease examiners as well, but have let a second expire)

I'm keeping one of mine "just in case." I can't bear the thought of having to take the test again, even though I might not ever need that certification again.

Has anyone heard that ACAMS is changing the exam to include additional material?

If so, does anyone know the date this "new" exam would start being distributed?

Call them and ask.

I just got a call from them asking if I planned to renew my membership (they wanted $$$). They said 'ACAMS' on the phone.

The exam is in the process of being updated. Not sure when the roll-out will be, but I know the study guide update is still in process, so I don't think it will be in the next 2 months.

great, that makes plenty sense.. thank you, really appreciate the responses!

So....did they fire everyone after the acquisition was complete? I literally want to give them my $$ (so I can make more $$) and I can't even get a call or email reply back.

Any current members know anything more?

"I just received the below email, inviting me to obtain an advanced certification."

ADVERTISERS NEED TO PAY TO PLAY and that includes bankers reposting advertisements.

We appreciate your cooperation.

Hmm...

Thank you for a contact though. I'm going to email this guy directly and see what happens from there.

Just wondering if anyone has attained their BSA/AML Officer Certification? The one my girl is looking into is a program consisting of seven sessions over four days. You are then required to pass a final test within six months of completing the course requirements. A minimum of six hours of continuing education beginning in the second year is required in order to maintain certification.

Thanks, Lisa

It has just come to my attention that the CAMS recertification requirements includes needing 12 credits from attending ACAMS training events. I received my CAMS in 2005. I do not recall this being a requirement at all, nor being notified of a change. Am I crazy, were we notified? The last time I had to recertify was 2014. Thankfully I do not have to recertify until 12/31/2017 so I have ample time to make sure 12 of my credits are from ACAMS.

From the CAMS Recertification Handbook and Application (downloaded from ACAMS website today, has a copyright of 2015):

"A total of sixty (60) Continuing Education Credits must be earned within a three-year cycle from the year of certification. Certificants are required to earn twelve (12) of the total credits from attending ACAMS training events. Additionally, two (2) credits may be earned on the topic of ethics. "

I ran into the same thing. Luckily it was right after I attended ACAMS in Florida so I was OK.

You can get the necessary ACAMS credits by attending the local chapter events (if you are close to one ie NY, No. NJ, Philly) or free webinars that are available from ACAMS.