Welcome to the debut episode of Voices in Compliance. Hosted by Jason Thomas, we sit down with Jess Cath, Managing Partner and financial crime expert, to discuss the shifting landscape of regulatory strategy in fintech and banking.

In our inaugural episode, we move past the theory and dive into the practical realities of building a credible compliance function. Jess shares candid stories from the front lines. From the emotional toll of extreme workloads to the strategic mistakes firms make when applying for EMI licenses.

In this episode, we cover:

The AI Bandwagon: Why firms are restructuring and reducing headcount before technology is actually proven.

FCA Priorities: A look at weak risk assessments, quantitative methodologies, and the "door knocking" happening around fraud spikes.

EMI Application Failures: The "Mind and Management" rule and why your core decision-makers must be in the UK.

The Strategic MLRO: How to move the MLRO role from a "tick-box" expense to a commercial growth partner.

Digital Assets & Crypto: Navigating the roadmap for 2026 and the rise of stablecoin use cases.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to the Alexander Barnes Podcast

00:15 – Current trends in financial crime and compliance teams

00:44 – The impact of AI and technology on headcount

02:24 – The human cost: Workload pressure and backlogs

03:42 – FCA focus areas: Risk assessments and methodology

06:29 – The surge in fraud monitoring and "door knocking"

07:59 – Why EMI license applications fail

08:21 – The "Mind and Management" requirement

10:01 – When to make your first compliance hire

12:02 – What separates "good" firms from "bad" ones

14:33 – How an MLRO can get internal buy-in

16:52 – One regulatory change: Simple guidance and open dialogue

19:45 – Motivation and fixing problems on a tight budget

21:10 – Advice for young professionals entering the space

23:49 – Banking vs. Fintech: Transitioning to consultancy

27:10 – The Crypto Asset Roadmap and Stablecoins

28:44 – Quickfire questions and wrapping up

🔗Connect with Us:

Host: Jason Thomas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonthomas0784/

Guest: Jess Cath https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-cath/

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