Bank Secrecy Act Awards

The Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) Both Include Provisions for Monetary Awards

Financial institution employees and other individuals can report violations of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) to the federal government in a wide range of circumstances. Reporting BSA violations helps the federal government hold bad actors accountable, and individuals who report BSA violations will be entitled to mandatory awards in many cases. Along with the BSA, the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), Anti-Money Laundering Whistleblower Improvement Act (AMLWIA) and other statutes include award provisions as well, and federal authorities are required to pay awards in compliance with federal law.

Our attorneys represent BSA whistleblowers nationwide. If you are eligible to serve as a whistleblower under federal law, our attorneys can protect your identity, and we can work with the government to secure a BSA award on your behalf. We are intimately familiar with the protections and incentives that are available, and we have extensive experience providing assistance to the government in cases involving both civil and criminal violations.

Options for Seeking a BSA Whistleblower Award (BSA Award)

U.S. citizens and other individuals can seek BSA whistleblower awards by coming forward through the appropriate channels. Broadly, the options for seeking a BSA award are as follows:

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Whistleblower Award Program

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) accepts whistleblower complaints involving violations of the Bank Secrecy Act and various related federal statutes and regulations. These include the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA), among others.

FinCEN is a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Along with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), it holds primary statutory authority to investigate BSA violations, tax evasion, and related offenses. When FinCEN pursues a successful enforcement action based on the information a whistleblower provided, the whistleblower is generally entitled to a monetary award of between 10% and 30% of the monetary sanctions imposed—provided that these sanctions total at least $1 million. FinCEN introduced regulations to finalize its new award structure in early 2026, and FinCEN’s BSA awards will be paid out of the bureau’s $300 million revolving Financial Integrity Fund (FIF).

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Corporate Whistleblower Program

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) also investigates cases involving statutory and regulatory violations within the financial industry and other offenses that compromise the integrity of the U.S. financial system. While this includes common BSA violations like failure to file suspicious activity reports (SARs) and conduct adequate transaction monitoring, it also includes violations involving terrorist financing and other threats to national security.

Under its corporate whistleblower program, the DOJ pays whistleblower awards of up to 30% of the first $100 million recovered, and up to 5% of amounts recovered between $100 million and $500 million. This includes amounts recovered through forfeiture actions as well as civil penalties, criminal fines, and other monetary penalties imposed in successful government enforcement actions.

U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Whistleblower Program

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) accepts whistleblower complaints involving violations of BSA requirements when those violations also implicate institutions’ and companies’ obligations under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and its implementing regulations. Whistleblowers who submit information to the CFTC that leads to a successful enforcement action are generally entitled to an award of between 10% and 30% of the amount recovered.

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Whistleblower Program

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) accepts whistleblower complaints involving BSA violations that pose risks for investor fraud. This includes violations such as concealing suspicious transactions, failing to disclose internal reporting of BSA violations, and paying bribes to avoid reporting, among many others. When the SEC uses a whistleblower’s information to pursue a successful enforcement action against the whistleblower’s employer (or any other entity), the whistleblower is generally entitled to an award of between 10% and 30% of the amount recovered.

Other Whistleblower Programs (In Appropriate Cases)

Other federal agencies have whistleblower reward programs as well, and it may make sense for whistleblowers to contact one of these other agencies in certain circumstances. If your information relates to a BSA violation that may be of interest to a federal agency other than those listed above, our attorneys can identify the right agency for you to contact and then work with that agency on your behalf.

Exposing Statutory Violations and Economic Sanctions Violations By Financial Institutions and Other Entities

Regardless of which federal agency you ultimately choose to contact, coming forward as a BSA whistleblower is a multi-step process that requires an informed approach guided by experienced legal counsel. At Oberheiden P.C., we help whistleblowers expose all types of statutory violations and economic sanctions violations by financial institutions and other entities. This includes (but is by no means limited to):

• Bribery, corruption, fraud, and other white-collar crimes
• Failure to file currency transaction reports (CTRs) and suspicious activity reports (SARs)
• Failure to maintain an overall effective BSA/AML compliance program
• Sidestepping federal reporting requirements to conduct or facilitate illicit transactions
• Violations of OFAC sanctions and other federal economic sanctions

When you contact us about coming forward, we will arrange for you to speak with one of our senior attorneys in strict confidence as soon as possible. Your attorney will explain everything you need to know about serving as a BSA whistleblower—including the requirements for seeking a monetary award. If you decide to come forward, our attorneys will work with the appropriate federal authority (or authorities) on your behalf; and, if you become entitled to an award, we will seek an award that is commensurate with the importance of the information and assistance you provided.

FAQs: Whistleblower Awards Under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA)

Schedule a Free and Confidential Consultation with a Senior BSA Whistleblower Attorney at Oberheiden P.C.

If you believe you may be eligible to seek a whistleblower award under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), we strongly encourage you to contact us for more information. We work with prospective BSA whistleblowers nationwide. To speak with a senior BSA whistleblower attorney at Oberheiden P.C. in strict confidence as soon as possible, call 888-680-1745 or request a free consultation online today.

Further Information About Our BSA Whistleblower Lawsuit Attorney Services

• Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) Whistleblower Lawsuit Attorney
• Do I Need to Hire a BSA Attorney?
• Who Can Serve as a BSA Whistleblower?