AML/BSA troubles: foregoing them, fixing them, ABA Online
This article offers practical insights for staying on the right side of BSA/AML regulators from bank representatives that have been there – in BSA trouble, that is. Having the right technology and professional skill sets, and taking an organization-wide approach to BSA compliance are a few recommendations for getting it right before the regulators arrive.

Auditors blow a quicker whistle on corporate fraud, Financial Week
This investigation of the relationship between Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) and the rising number of corporate fraud whistle-blowing cases seems to suggest that auditors are more emboldened than other would-be whistle-blowers in the post-SOX environment. Requires free subscription.

Encrypted Email Goes Mainstream, TechRepublic
Until recently, data encryption has not been a viable solution for the masses. However, secure email that offers an enhanced layer of security is quickly evolving into a best practice standard for electronically transmitting sensitive, confidential communications via email and mobile communication devices. Requires free registration.

Banks Evaluate the Role of Risk Manager, Dark Reading
While we can’t deny the importance of risk managers, some are unsure of where to place them and what technologies to supply them with so that companies’ risk can be managed precisely.

Rethinking the Independent Board of Directors, Search Finance
A recent study yielded no evidence to support the notion that independent directors enhance shareholder return; and the authors argue that the corporate governance paradigm for boards of directors is inverted: shareholder-owners should be in the majority and independent directors should be in the minority.

Time to Change Change Management, CIO 
Changes and maintenance activities can account for 40 percent of IT staff cost; therefore, change management must be well-executed for your organization to operate efficiently or progress to the next level. Here are several technologies and ideas that may justify re-engineering your current change process.

The Costs of Compliance: Too Few Geeks, DealBreaker.com
An ex-HP director laments the shrinking number of corporate boards that actually provide business guidance, and discusses the new breed of director – the “compliance nerd” – who understands legal rules and regulations, but is so obsessed with compliance that they don't know much about the company on whose board they serve.

More on Voluntary Sarbox Compliance,  Sarbox Survival Guide
Most in the banking industry are familiar with the complaints that surround SOX compliance. But with companies across the country voluntarily integrating the methods into their everyday practice, the question becomes: is it SOX the burden, or is it mandated SOX that is the burden?

Report Finds Restatement Trends Show Sarbanes-Oxley Works, Dow Jones Newswires
Although many think that Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act should be softened, research shows that enforcement of the rule is working well to root out financial errors and fraud. Smaller public companies that are not yet required to comply with SOX saw a 40% increase in restatements, while restatements fell 14% among larger companies during the same period.

Credit unions next in Sarbanes-Oxley sights, mlive.com
Credit unions aren't public and don't deliver stock options to shareholders and therefore don't face the shareholder pressure to produce the returns. So why do many credit unions believe they inevitably will be required to comply with some SOX-like financial control directives from government or industry watchdogs?

Options-Toll Rises as Corporate Lawyers Retire, Quit,Bloomberg.com
Investigations into whether U.S. companies violated laws in granting stock options to top executives are leading to an exodus of corporate attorneys as they are forced to take responsibility for ill advising company executives on stock options.

Managing Compliance in a Multi-Regulatory World, IT Observer
Federal and state government regulations designed to safeguard confidentiality, integrity, and electronic data from information security breaches present challenges to companies, particularly those in regulated industries that may face more than a dozen IT security regulations. By mapping compliance planning and assessment activities against one common set of controls and policies, you can decrease the cost and complexity of your IT compliance effort.

Balancing Risk Against Opportunity, CIO Today 
Custom-trojan attacks, spear-phishing, and VOIP network coups are predicted to be among 2007’s most damning scams, and represent a more sophisticated and stealth genre of attack. As business demands greater mobility, wireless access to systems, and web-based business processes, IT executives will be required to evaluate risk with greater clarity that ever before.

Where is the Threat? Two Views on Security, BAI Online
A bank CIO and a solutions provider assess the security threats in banking from different perspectives, but agree that criminal elements have become increasingly sophisticated requiring an institution-wide commitment to data security.

Moving From Reactive To Strategic IT, Forrester Research
While most IT departments are experts at successfully completing the day’s technical goals, this article gives detailed insight on ways for IT to become less reactive and more involved with overall company goals. Requires free registration.

Promiscuous laptops, CNET Security Watch
Laptops have consistently been outselling desktops while more and more locations offer free public internet access. With no formal recommendations on how to secure a wireless laptop on a public wireless network, these suggestions offer some practical advice for better securing our precious portables.

To Keep Consumer Trust, Try Tokens And Smart Cards, Bank Systems & Technology
Although most banks and financial institutions have done an acceptable job aiding their customers after identity theft, industry analysts offer these helpful suggestions to make customers feel safe which, in turn, helps secure the future of online banking.

Defining the complementary job roles of the CTO and CIO, TechRepublic
In an effort to maximize the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of their corporations, some business leaders are choosing to introduce a CTO position. Requires free registration.