VIENNA, Va. - Emphasizing its commitment to providing quality feedback and useful information to both the users and providers of Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) information, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today launched a redesigned and enhanced website. Informational content has been extensively reorganized and supplemented to provide a more user-friendly, informative, and educational communications tool. The launch of the new website by FinCEN Director James H. Freis, Jr. coincided with the semi-annual plenary meeting of the Bank Secrecy Act Advisory Group.
"We have listened to the suggestions and comments from our partners in the financial industry and we have implemented the changes that they have requested to make a better website," said Director Freis. "Efficient, effective, and timely communication is vital to achieving our common mission of protecting the financial system."
FinCEN's redesigned website has a standardized format and restructured navigation to make it easier for users to find information quickly. The convenient category headings (Depository Institutions, Casinos, Money Services Businesses, Insurance Industry, Securities and Futures, Precious Metals/Jewelry) allow financial institutions to click on one place to view news, rules, guidance, and other regulatory information specific to each industry. "Quick links" have been added to the right side of most pages to allow for fast navigation to useful supplemental information. Based on feedback from the financial industry, some of the most-requested information is now listed on the homepage and other items are more efficiently and intuitively categorized. Many case examples of law enforcement successes facilitated by BSA information are more prominently displayed and more easily retrievable. Visitors to FinCEN's new website will see expanded sections on FinCEN's initiatives, and enhanced tools for learning about the BSA.
FinCEN first launched its website in 1996 as an essential complement to its existing outreach efforts such as publications, speaking events, and other information distribution channels. Internet dissemination has become increasingly important as the communities with an interest in FinCEN's work have expanded tremendously in recent years. As before, visitors may stay informed of new postings by subscribing to FinCEN Updates, an email subscription management service with more than 26,000 subscribers and more than one million emails sent since its launch in December 2006. To view the new, enhanced website or to subscribe to FinCEN Updates, visit FinCEN's website at www.fincen.gov. Website users are encouraged to offer their views on the new website by clicking "Let us know what you think" on the homepage.