
EXPERTISE
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Anti-Money Laundering
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Bank Secrecy Act Compliance
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Financial Crimes Risk Management
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Regulatory Compliance
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AML/BSA Risk Management
Kenneth Simmons, with over 30 years of industry experience as Executive Vice President at leading financial institutions, and at regulatory agency such as OCC and FDIC, is a top expert in regulatory compliance, anti-money laundering, bank secrecy act, and financial crimes risk management.
Mr. Simmons is a Review Board Member & Faculty at the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists, and the North & South Metro Atlanta Compliance Roundtable Founder & Chairperson at the Community Bankers Association.
He served as Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer at Origin Bank, and in a similar position at Hamilton State Bank. During his career he was responsible for all aspects of Regulatory Compliance, he devised comprehensive BSA/AML Programs including complex layers of investigations and an enhanced monitoring system to exceed Supervisory Expectations, and developed comprehensive risk assessments, audit schedule and compliance testing programs addressing regulatory inventory of risks.
Mr. Simmons served the Office of the Comptroller Currency (OCC) as Compliance/ BSA Specialist Bank Examiner. During his tenure with the OCC he was the functional Examiner-in-Charge (FEIC) on complex BSA & Compliance examinations, and the Supervisory Review Examiner for BSA/AML, fair lending, and CRA examinations.
He evaluated effectiveness of AML systems (such as FCRM, Bankers Toolbox, and FIS (Prime) and formulated opinions on the use of such systems. He also worked directly with Supervisory office and legal staff regarding BSA/AML violations, MRAs, and consent order issuances, providing guidance and direction to financial institutions regarding resolution of these matters.
Mr. Simmons also served as an instructor for the OCC’s Compliance Examination School and the BSA School for Examiners.
In addition, he served as the General Audit Manager for a multi-billion dollar financial institution, and he served as a Compliance Officer for several financial institutions.
Publications:
Powers of Attorney (Relative – Thief – Confidant), Association of Certified Anti-Money laundering Specialists, (anticipated June 2017) – An evaluation of the use of Powers-of-Attorney in the U.S.; and the risks associated with the acceptance of a POA.
Utilizing NAICS codes to increase the effectiveness of your BSA/AML program, ACAMS Connection (Magazine) and ACAMSToday.org, August 31, 2016
Learning from the Mistakes of Others, Matters Requiring Attention, Association of Certified Anti-Money laundering Specialists, December 2013 – 46 page white-paper analyzing 137 financial institutions issued Supervisory criticism (matters requiring attention). Analysis considers root causes, correlation of 4-pillars, and best practices. 2013
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, Southern Exposure Magazine, Office of the Comptroller Currency, June 2012.
Speaking Engagements:
21st Annual International Anti-Money Laundering Conference, Hollywood Fl., 2017
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Banking Money Service Businesses
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Challenges facing Financial Institutions under $30b.
Community Bankers Association, Advanced BSA/AML and Compliance School, 2016
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Increasing the effectiveness of your BSA/AML program
Bankers Toolbox Users AML Conference, Austin Texas, 2016
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Increasing effectiveness of AML system
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System Rules and Alerts
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Enhancing your most valuable asset, Human Capital
ACAMS 2014 AML Conference, Las Vegas NV, 2014
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Reliance on other Assurance providers an Industry Best Practice.
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Smart AML Auditing: Exploring non-traditional approaches to meet regulatory expectations
ACAMS 2013 AML Conference, Las Vegas NV, 2013
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Meeting regulatory expectations to further strengthen the AML/BSA risk assessment and AML audit risk assessment practices
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Preparing an AML audit regulators can rely on
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AML Audit Intelligence
EDUCATION
American Banker Association
Regulatory Compliance Manager Certification (CRCM)
Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists
Advanced Financial Crimes Investigations Certification (CAMS-FCI)
Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists
Advanced Anti-Money Laundering Audit Certification (CAMS Audit)
Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists
Anti-Money Laundering Specialist Certification (CAMS)
University of North Georgia
B.S. Management
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
SEDA Experts, LLC
Managing Director
2019-Current
Compliance & AML Solutions, and Contract CCO
Owner and CEO
2018 - Current
Origin Bank
EVP, Chief Compliance Officer (Contract)
2018-2019
Hamilton State Bank
SVP, Chief Compliance Officer and BSA Officer
2015-2018
Branch Banking and Trust
SVP, Compliance Testing/ Audit Manager
2013-2015
Office of the Comptroller Currency
Bank Examiner (Compliance/ BSA Expert)
2008-2013
GB&T Bancshares
V.P. General Auditor; Compliance Officer
2005-2008
Regions Financial Corporation
VP, Enterprise-wide Compliance Officer
1996-2005
First National Bancorp
VP Compliance Officer, CRA Officer, VP Mortgage Compliance
1985-1996
OTHER
ACAMS CAMS Examination Prep School, February 2018
American Bankers Association - AML School, 2013
BSA/Compliance Officer Roundtable conference, OCC, 2012
ACAMS –FCI Advanced Certification School, 2017
ACAMS-Audit Certification School, 2015 - 2016
CBA Advanced BSA School, Community Bankers Association, 2016
ACAMS Certification School (webinars) dozens (2015 – current)
Advanced Examination BSA/ AML & Compliance Schools, OCC, 2013 - 2014
Fair Lending Examination School, OCC, 2013 - 2014