AML, Financial Crime and Sanctions Compliance for Banking and Finance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 12 – 13 May 2026
AML, Financial Crime and Sanctions Compliance for Banking and Finance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 12 – 13 May 2026
‘Culture beats Compliance’ is well known maxim but carries no weight with Regulators. So how do you not only build leading compliance programs but also ensure their take up and buy in by your colleagues? To quote 'Tomell Da Silva of The Middle East and Africa Compliance Association ''you may have the right 'Tone from the top' but what about the 'Mood in the middle' and the 'Groove on the ground'' ?...
Our Sanctions, AML and CFT for Banking and Finance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is the one place where you, as a local compliance specialist, can find a way through. Designed as the definitive gathering for local compliance specialists. In a rapidly evolving regulatory environment, this is the one essential place where you will gain the clarity and practical strategies needed to confidently navigate complex mandates.
Join us to delve into actionable solutions, expert insights, and collaborative discussions focused on embedding a pervasive culture of compliance that resonates from leadership to the front lines, empowering you to meet and exceed KSA’s stringent regulatory expectations.
- Mr. Mishal Al Ismail, Head of Compliance & AML, Albilad Capital
- Ms. Sara Wahba, Regional Compliance Manager – CEMEA & ASIAPAC, Visa Payments Limited
- Mr. Christos Christou, Director of Compliance, LuLu Financial Holdings
- Ms. Rasha Saleh, Director, Head of Middle East Compliance & MLRO, CA-CIA Arabia Financial Company
- Mr. Muhammad Shakil, Head of Governance & Control, SAB
- Ms. Norah Alharbi, Chief Compliance Officer, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)
- Mr. Waleed Alhabardi, Director of Compliance & Governance, Bayan Credit Bureau
- Ms. Lauren Talerman, Partner, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
- Ms. Zahra Mashhood, Counsel, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
- Ms. Sahar Abas, Counsel, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Should you wish to join our esteemed speaker panel at this event, please contact If you are interested in speaking at this conference, please contact Mr. Alex Terry on alex.terry@nielsonsmith.com
The agenda for the AML, Financial Crime and Sanctions Compliance for Banking and Finance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Conference, is prepared by and for industry professionals, and includes the most interesting topics, currently pertinent to the field.
Day One
09:00 – 10:00 Registration opens with early morning refreshments
10:00 – 10:20 Chairman’s welcome, opening address
10:20 – 11:40 The Art of Financial Crime Risk Management
11:40 – 12:00 Prayer Break
12:00 – 12:15 Morning refreshments and networking
12:15 – 13:15 The Future of Compliance: Adapting AML to Technological Innovation
13:15 – 14:00 Building Strong Governance & Oversight Frameworks for Sanctions Compliance
14:00 – 14:55 Networking lunch
14:55 – 15:15 Prayer Break
15:15 – 16:15 Panel Discussion: AI, Data & Automation in AML/CFT: Promise, Pitfalls & KSA Regulatory Expectations
16:15 – 17:15 Countering Sanctions Evasion Tactics in the GCC: KSA‑Centric Risk Drivers
17:15 – 17:20 Chairman’s closing remarks
17:25 – 17:40 Prayer Break
Day Two
09:00 – 09:55 Early morning refreshments and networking
09:55 – 10:00 Chairman’s opening remarks
10:00 – 10:55 Countering Proliferation Finance: Expectations vs Reality
10:55 – 11:40 Crypto Compliance in Saudi Arabia: Navigating the Emerging KSA Virtual Assets Framework
11:40 – 12:00 Prayer Break
12:00 – 12:15 Morning refreshments and networking
12:15 – 13:15 Managing Financial Inclusion & AML Risk: Striking the Balance in Saudi Arabia
13:15 – 14:00 Emerging AML/FinCrime Typologies in the GCC: Lessons for KSA Compliance Programmes
14:00 – 14:55 Networking lunch
14:55 – 15:15 Prayer Break
15:15 – 16:15 Panel Discussion: Sanctions, AML & Fraud: Integrating Compliance Functions Across KSA Financial Institutions
16:15 – 16:20 Chairman’s remarks
End of Conference
Please contact your NielsonSmith representative to discuss the programme in more depth.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP (Akin) is a leading global law firm with more than 900 lawyers and advisors, who pride themselves on dedication to their clients and their communities. With offices worldwide, we are renowned for numerous market-leading practices. Our international trade practice is highly regarded as a top-tier practice providing counseling and advice to companies, industries and governments across the globe as they navigate detailed trade regulatory processes. We have extensive experience guiding companies across various industries through the detailed trade regulatory processes in areas including export controls, economic sanctions, customs and import controls, global investment review, anticorruption, anti-money laundering, trade remedy litigation and trade policy. We regularly advise clients based in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region seeking regional and international representation, as well as international clients headquartered in the United States, Europe and Asia, on their investments and other commercial interests across the MENA region. This includes regulatory and compliance aspects of all transactions with cross-border dimensions, and a wide range of other trade compliance issues, as well as trade policy and WTO matters. www.akingump.com
Should you wish to become our Partner at this event, please contact Mr. Reyhan Perera on reyhan.perera@nielsonsmith.com
1 physical 2-Day pass and the Company-wide Post-Event Microsite license for 1 year with access to conference recordings – 999 USD
The in-person event includes sessions, lunch, refreshments and available documentation. Please contact us for Groups. Please note: “Vendor” companies may attend as sponsors only.
Conference will be in English with translation into Arabic available
Venue
TBC
Accommodation Allotment
TBC
Information
Delegate tickets are for in-house participants only. Compliance vendors may only attend by becoming a sponsor, please request a prospectus via the button below. Vendors purchasing tickets will not gain access to the event and will receive only a 70% refund.
