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In Managing Competing Concerns, FinCEN Hopes to Strike Balance, Says Director

As an intermediary between Bank Secrecy Act departments that feel burdened by regulations and law enforcement investigators who welcome more reporting, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network often finds itself in a "difficult position," according to Director James Freis, Jr. Since taking on the role of head of the nation's financial intelligence unit in March 2007, Freis has overseen the drafting of proposed rules on cross-border transactions, government sponsored enterprises, investment advisers, non-bank mortgage lenders, suspicious activity report (SAR) confidentiality and prepaid products-regulations that have elicited either praise or groans, depending on which side of the fence you're on. "Frankly, if...

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