Securities Firms | Certain Risk

An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, prepares to launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in support of Operation Epic Fury, Feb. 28, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo)

U.S., Gulf Banks Brace for Cyberattacks as Iran Conflict Continues

U.S. banks have stepped up monitoring for potential cyberattacks as the U.S. war in Iran grinds on, while Gulf lenders face fresh questions over their preparedness for cyber activity tied to Iran-aligned hacktivists.

A photo of a man and woman taking photos at Dubai Creek Harbor. In the background is the skyline of Dubai, with Burj Dubai in the center of the frame.

Will Dubai’s Business-Haven Brand Be a Casualty of War?

Dubai has cultivated an image as the safest haven for global capital in the Middle East, but Iranian strikes on the emirate are putting that image to a test.

A black-and-white view of the Charles Schwab office in Manhattan, with the sign edited to be gold — Attribution (CC BY-SA 4.0): “53rd St 6th Av td 19 - CBS Building.jpg” by Tdorante10, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution–ShareAlike 4.0 International. This version was edited using AI (the “Charles Schwab” sign was recolored to gold; the rest remains black-and-white).

Charles Schwab and the Palace Epstein Tried to Buy Days Before His Arrest

Long after his 2008 conviction for procuring a minor for prostitution and just days before his final arrest in 2019, Jeffrey Epstein had his eyes on a palace in Morocco. He wanted to buy it, but he needed help.

A photo of Gautam Adani sitting in a room. — “Ilham Aliyev met with Founder and Chairman of Adani Group in Davos 01” by Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (President.az), via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ilham_Aliyev_met_with_Founder_and_Chairman_of_Adani_Group_in_Davos_01.jpg), CC BY 4.0. Edited using AI.

Bank Records Bolster Claims of Adani Group Stock Manipulation

As allegations swirled in 2023 that the Adani Group’s yearslong stock rally was driven by insider manipulation, two close associates of the Adani family privately admitted to their bankers that they held billions of dollars in the conglomerate’s shares through multiple hedge funds, according to bank records.

Morgan Stanley signage on exterior of entryway. — Alex Proimos, “Morgan Stanley Headquarters” (July 5, 2011), via Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Morgan_Stanley_Headquarters_(5903796680).jpg, licensed under CC BY 2.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. Adapted from the original (changes made).

Two Wall Street Firms Continued to Work with Russian Oligarch Despite Sanctions

Two Wall Street firms continued to manage a trust held on behalf of Suleiman Kerimov even after the Russian oligarch was blacklisted under U.S. sanctions in 2018, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.

Royal Marines sit on a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey with 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) as it flies over Scotland during a bilateral training exercise, May 10, 2021. 24th MEU, embarked with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is forward deployed in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sergeant Mark E Morrow Jr/Released)

FCA to Expedite Approval of Defense Funds as Europe Aims to Rearm

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will fast-track approvals for defense-focused investment funds in an effort to make it easier for investors to access stocks and bonds tied to Europe’s accelerating rearmament.

EU’s New AML Supervisor Set for Full Launch in 2028

The European Union’s new Anti-Money Laundering Authority said it is on track to become fully operational in 2028, setting out a multi-year plan that flags emerging illicit-finance threats ranging from crypto-assets to “novel payment channels.”

Photo of a sign in Venezuela for the oil company PDVSA. — “PDVSA 5 de Julio” by Wilfredor (2009), Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Edited from the original. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PDVSA_5_de_Julio.jpg License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Secret Audio Recording Catches Launderers Discussing How to Hide PDVSA Loot

Secret audio recorded in Madrid in 2017 captures “shadow bankers” laying out a plan to launder millions of dollars tied to corruption at Venezuela’s state oil company, including a proposed bond swap designed to evade anti-money laundering controls

Elderly couple eating at a street crossing.

Japan’s ‘Dementia Money’ Becomes Increasing Target of Elder Fraud

Japan’s rapidly aging population is creating a sprawling new target for financial abuse, with older people experiencing cognitive decline controlling assets worth almost half the country’s GDP.

Alex Acosta shaking hands with President Donald Trump in front of a gaggle of reporters. — Alex Acosta

Emails Show Dirty-Money Probe of Epstein, Contradicting Testimony of Ex-Trump Official

Federal prosecutors examined Jeffrey Epstein for money laundering and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business in 2007, according to emails from the deceased sex trafficker’s personal Yahoo account obtained by Bloomberg.