Financial risk. Global investigations.
Rigorous investigative solutions built for high-stakes environments where accuracy is paramount — a fresh approach to risk management for banks and financial institutions operating in a complex global market.
Independent insight. Experienced leadership.
Exposure beyond the customer name
A name that clears a screening list is not the same as a counterparty that clears risk. Exposure often sits one or two ownership layers below the name on the account.
HIDDEN OWNERSHIP
An unlisted entity can be blocked when blocked persons own 50% or more, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate.
INTERMEDIARY EXPOSURE
Transactions routed through other businesses can still involve prohibited dealings with blocked persons or their property.
THE EQUITAS INVESTIGATION
We examine ownership and transaction relationships, with access to counter-threat and terrorism-finance listing databases that are not available to the general public.
Due diligence for global decisions
KYC: KNOW YOUR CLIENT
Enhanced reviews, identity and business verification, beneficial ownership, source of funds and source of wealth.
GLOBAL CREDIT RESEARCH
Individual and business credit reports, financial standing, bankruptcies and lending-related background research.*
SANCTIONS AND REPUTATION
Sanctions and political exposure screening, adverse media, litigation, criminal records and fraud allegations.
THIRD-PARTY RESEARCH
Vendors, partners, intermediaries and acquisition targets. Local-language research and cross-border verification.
*Credit information depends on availability and lawful access in each jurisdiction.
Financial crime and asset recovery
Fraud and illicit finance
Investigate suspected loan fraud, identity theft, insider misconduct, money laundering and threat finance.
Global asset searches
Locate property, business interests and related entities. Investigate ownership structures and potential asset concealment.
Cryptocurrency investigations
Trace transactions, analyze wallet activity and identify potential exchange connections to support recovery and litigation.
Equitas is handling cross-border fraud matters to locate assets and assist litigation.
Investigative support within banking
BSA/AML AND FinCEN CONTEXT
Investigative findings that support customer risk assessments, enhanced reviews and suspicious-activity escalation.
PAYMENTS AND EXCHANGE HOUSES
Research cross-border payment relationships, money services businesses, intermediaries and correspondent exposure.
LENDING AND FINANCIAL EXPOSURE
Assess borrowers, guarantors and related businesses. Examine credit information, collateral ownership and fraud indicators.
EVIDENCE FOR DECISION MAKERS
Document sources, material findings and unresolved questions for compliance teams, credit officers and counsel.
Leadership with financial-crime depth
Eric Barnard
Chief Executive OfficerMore than 25 years in federal law enforcement. Former DEA Country Attaché in Paraguay. Inspector for Global Money Laundering Operations at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Ric M. Bachour
Principal28 years of law enforcement service. Senior DEA executive (Ret.) and former Country Attaché. Expert in international anti-money laundering investigations and counter-threat finance; CAMS certified.
Christine A. Hanley
PrincipalMore than 26 years in federal law enforcement. U.S. Secret Service and DEA experience in complex investigations, anti-money laundering, counterterrorism and international operations.
Miguel Angel Godinez Munoz
SpecialistFormer Attorney General of Guerrero, Mexico, and federal organized crime prosecutor specializing in money laundering. INTERPOL and UN/UNODC experience.
Investigative and prosecutorial experience across threat finance, fraud and other financial crimes.
A senior-led investigative relationship
Relationships with senior U.S. and foreign agency leaders, built through years of shared operational work.
Global reach through experienced counterparts. Working languages include English, Spanish, Arabic and French.
“A defined scope. Documented findings. Direct access to experienced principals.”