Leading Anti-Money Laundering Organization Launches First Compensation Survey for the Industry

Leading Anti-Money Laundering Organization Launches First Compensation Survey for the Industry

August 23, 2007

Survey to Collect Data from Professionals in Financial
Institutions,
Law Enforcement and Regulatory Agencies Worldwide


    MIAMI, Aug. 22 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The Association
of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), the
premier membership organization for AML professionals, today
launched the first salary survey designed specifically for
the AML/CFT (combating the financing of terrorism)
industry. Administered through an independent, third-party
research firm, the "2007 AML/CFT Compensation
Survey" was released today to specialists in law
enforcement, financial institutions, and government
regulatory agencies worldwide. The survey's results report
is expected in October 2007.

    In an industry with thousands of specialists around the
world, a primary goal of the survey is to collect and
analyze salary data from a comprehensive range of public
and private sector employees in the AML/CFT field at every
level. Participants in the survey will range from
professionals in community banks to executives at global
financial institutions, as well as representatives from law
enforcement and in regulatory agencies on six continents.

    "As an instrumental global AML resource center,
ACAMS is spearheading the effort to train and support
professionals in the face of increasing demand for AML
specialists," says Gregory Calpakis, Executive
Director for ACAMS. "The compensation survey will be a
valuable tool for the field's rapidly growing number of
practitioners, who have long awaited this kind of
aggregated, comprehensive information."

    As members of a highly specialized, yet geographically
diffused, discipline, AML/CFT professionals have found it
challenging to accurately gauge their compensation relative
to that of their peers. It has been equally difficult for
employers to determine compensation for their AML/CFT
employees, with a vast range of experience and education
represented in this rapidly growing field.

    The survey questions progressively drill down to the
various titles and responsibilities in the AML and
compliance field. An in-depth, comparative analysis of job
title, years of experience, certification, skill set, level
in an organization, and type of business will serve as a
useful barometer for professionals in different geographic
regions and help differentiate between public and private
sector job compensation. 

    To ensure the integrity of the survey, ACAMS has
contracted The Dihedral Group to administer the survey, and
to collect, assess, and analyze individual responses. Survey
results will be published only in aggregate, with individual
responses being consolidated to ensure complete
confidentiality. 

    To view and/or take the survey, go to
http://www.acams.org . 

    ABOUT ACAMS

    ACAMS is an international membership organization
dedicated to enhancing the knowledge and skills of AML
professionals around the globe. It serves as a uniquely
valuable resource for thousands of members from more than
100 countries, promoting year-round support to develop and
sharpen the skills required for superior job performance
and career advancement. Its CAMS certification is the most
widely recognized AML certification among compliance
professionals worldwide. 


    For more information, please contact:

     Christine Michaels 
     ACAMS
     Tel: [phone] Ext. 3061