News & Events – Bates News

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) engages in rigorous examinations of financial institutions to ensure that they follow all applicable laws and regulations, have effective compliance management systems in place, and provide meaningful consumer protections. Bates Group offers independent consumer compliance reviews to help protect your business and customers.

Publications including ThinkAdvisor, Law360, SIFMA SmartBrief, and Politico have all recently mentioned Ira D. Hammerman's new role as Bates Group Managing Director.

We are proud to announce that Ira D. Hammerman has joined Bates Group as Managing Director. 

Bates Group AML Compliance and Virtual Assets Managing Director Brandi Reynolds, CAMS-Audit, will appear at the upcoming SWIFS Lunch and Learn "Fireside Chat: Crypto in the News" - Tuesday, February 14, 2023.

Meet Bates Group's Testifying experts specializing in Blockchain and Digital Assets, including Crypto and Virtual Currencies.

Bates Group consultants Brandi Reynolds and John Ashley have combined their expertise with other AML, cryptoasset and law enforcement professionals to create an innovative new certification for financial crimes in the crypto space -- the “Certified Cryptoasset AFC Specialist" (CCAS) Certification from ACAMS.

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Financial institutions play a critical role in helping to fight human smuggling and human trafficking by identifying suspicious behavior and sharing crucial intelligence with law enforcement officials.

Bates Managing Director Brandi Reynolds, BSA/AML Compliance, MSBs, FinTech, and Virtual Assets, is featured in the latest issue of CrossTech Magazine. Read online now!

FINRA has remained focused on ensuring that eligible customers received Rights of Reinstatement (“ROR”) benefits where appropriate. Just recently, we were retained by another large firm looking to leverage the depth of our experience gained through many engagements assisting our clients with Rights of Reinstatement issues since the targeted examination announcement in 2020. Contact Bates today if you are facing a FINRA inquiry or other action or need to update your policies and procedures.

Bates Group welcomes our newest consulting and testifying experts (pictured, L-R):

Erin Baskett, CPA, CGMA - Brokerage, Investment Advisory, Cryptocurrency Consulting

Patrick Cox - Fintech and Cybersecurity, Employment Matters, Broker-Dealer Sales Practice

Frederick Egler - Operational Risk Management, Insurance/Reinsurance, Banking

Brian Warshaw - Broker-Dealer Operations, Introducing Firm Operations, Transaction Processing

Summer is coming to a quick close, and we hope you had a chance to get moving and enjoy some fun in the sun!

While you are celebrating the final days of summer, we’ve compiled our annual summer roundup of news that you may have missed, as well as a sneak peek of live and virtual events happening this fall. We’ve even included a bonus track at the end of our list to cap off your summer.

Continuing to grow and expand its national reach, Bates Group welcomes Paul Lambert as a Strategic Advisor and Consulting Expert. A 30-year financial services veteran at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Paul will be working with senior leadership to expand our client engagement across the business. Read the full announcement to learn more about Paul and the experience he brings to the Bates team.

The Bates main office has recently relocated from Lake Oswego to Portland.

Bates Managing Director Julie Johnstone was quoted in a recent InvestmentNews Article on the increase of Reg BI Customer Cases in FINRA Arbitration.

Bates Managing Director Brandi Reynolds (CAMS-Audit) is quoted in a new ACAMS Insights article discussing efforts to develop a federal regulatory framework for crypto and virtual assets.

Bates Group is expanding its national MSB, FinTech, and Cryptocurrency Practice with the addition of three leading Money Services Business industry professionals — including AML trailblazer Connie Fenchel.