An interview with Gemma Aiolfi, Head of Compliance, Corporate Governance and Collective Action at the Basel Institute, has been published by KMPG.

The interview – "From the top: effective anti-corruption measures and the need for change" – discusses the challenges facing banks in combating financial crime, including the need for senior management to lead by example.

We continue to offer our tailored advisory services to companies seeking to improve their anti-corruption compliance programmes.

Many companies with more mature programmes are showing interest in how to adapt elements of behavioural ethics to their compliance approach. Their aim is to go beyond traditional incentives to embed integrity in employees working in areas more exposed to compliance risks. 

Basel Open Intelligence is a new due diligence tool that allows users to collect open-source information on individuals and companies quickly and efficiently.

Powered by the latest natural language recognition technology, BOI uses an automated search function to detect connections between the subject and over 270 keywords in multiple languages. The keywords encompass financial and other crimes, law enforcement and judicial decisions.

In October 2011, FIFA had announced that it had commissioned four internal Task Forces to conduct a thorough reform process. Concurrently, it indicated that an external advisory board, the Independent Governance Committee (IGC) would oversee its governance reform and make final recommendations to FIFA`s Executive Committee (ExCo).

After the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) announced its decision to reform the organisation and to commit to greater transparency earlier this year, it asked Prof. Dr. Mark Pieth to advise on the reorganisation of its governance.

In this role, Prof. Pieth examined the organisational structures and procedures and their abilities to deal with existing risks and challenges.

After two years as the external supporting and supervisory body of FIFA’s governance reform, the Independent Governance Committee (IGC) chaired by Prof. Mark Pieth will step down from its position by the end of 2013. The IGC was set up as a temporary body with the goal of overseeing the creation of a framework of good governance and controls for FIFA.

Professor Mark Pieth, Chairman of the Independent Governance Committee of FIFA, gave this address at the 62nd FIFA Congress 2012. 

Download the presentation (PDF).

Mr President, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

On behalf of the Independent Governance Committee (IGC) and its members I would like to thank you for this opportunity to present our findings. Allow me first, though, to congratulate you to the decision to engage in this major reform process.

The Chairman of the Independent Governance Committee (IGC) welcomes the Recommendations by the European Parliamentary Assembly on the reform of Sports Governing Bodies. The IGC considers the Recommendations a helpful support of the ongoing governance reform of FIFA.

The Bank Council of the Swiss National Bank (SNB) approved new regulations on private financial investments and financial transactions by members of SNB management, which will come into effect on 1 May 2012. The draft regulations were drawn up by a working group headed by a Zurich commercial lawyer, Professor Peter Forstmoser.

The working group based its work mainly on a comparative law report by the Basel Institute on Governance. The report assesses the regulations for bank transactions by the Governing Board and compared it with other major central banks.

Today, Friday March 30, 2012, the Independent Governance Committee (IGC) presented its first report to the Executive Committee of FIFA.