Against a backdrop of increasing complexity and ever-changing regulatory requirements, compliance has become a strategic function for banks. Combining mastery of legal frameworks and proactive risk management, this discipline requires a panoramic vision and a capacity for pragmatic application.

In this interview, Laurent Thonney, lecturer in the ISFB Compliance Officer Certificate program, shares his expertise on current challenges and the essential skills to be developed to meet the demands of this key area.

Mr. Thonney, you are a lecturer at ISFB for the ISFB Compliance Officer certificate. Can you tell us about your experience as a lecturer?

Since starting my career in 2004, I have had the opportunity to develop in-depth expertise in banking compliance and international sanctions, holding a variety of positions and assuming increasing responsibilities within prestigious institutions. Having started my career at a time when the Compliance Officer profession was just emerging, I've been fortunate enough to assist and participate in its structuring, and to witness its constant evolution.
Taking part in the ISFB program is a valuable opportunity for sharing. Drawing on concrete cases from my own professional experience and an in-depth knowledge of international regulatory frameworks, I provide participants with practical and directly applicable tools. These tools help them to meet the main challenges of compliance, including managing sanctions-related risks, in-depth analysis of cases requiring enhanced due diligence, setting up filtering tools and designing an effective Sanctions Compliance Programme.

Can you tell us about your academic and professional background?

I have a Bachelor's degree in economics, followed by a Master's degree in political science, which was awarded by the University of Lausanne. I completed this course with a Certificate in Compliance Management and the ACAMS Global Sanctions Specialist certification.
Professionally, I have accumulated over 20 years' experience in banking compliance and risk management, including senior positions at Banque Cantonale Vaudoise, Société Générale Private Banking and KBL (Switzerland) Ltd. I am currently Group Head of Compliance & CSC at Banque Heritage, a dynamic family-owned private bank.
In parallel, I have lectured on compliance, money laundering, international sanctions and investment funds. I am also involved with the Groupement des Compliance Officers.

What do you see as the main challenges in the field of banking compliance, and how does this program provide concrete solutions?

Banking compliance faces complex challenges, including :

• Managing international sanctions: banks have to navigate an ever-changing sanctions landscape, often more complex than the authorities themselves anticipate. This includes taking foreign sanctions into account, given the international dimension of their activities.
• Reinforced due diligence obligations: The growing severity of the authorities and public opinion demands constant vigilance. This calls for rigorous management of cases requiring enhanced due diligence to prevent the risks of money laundering or terrorist financing.
• Automation and technological innovation: AI and other innovative tools offer promising opportunities for analyzing transactions and managing risk, but also pose major challenges in terms of data integration and protection.

The ISFB program stands out for its practical approach and its adaptation to regulatory developments. It prepares participants to manage risk proactively, while providing solutions applicable to current challenges.

What, in your opinion, are the strengths and specific features that make this program so rich and high quality?

The ISFB program offers a valuable balance between theory and practice, favoring an operational understanding of the issues at stake. Its content adapts to changes in the sector while developing directly useful skills. As a lecturer, I particularly appreciate the interactivity of the exchanges, which enriches participants' experience and contributes to strengthening the Compliance Officer function in the banking sector.

Laurent Thonney

Group Head of Compliance & CSC, Banque Heritage

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