Preventing financial crime is a critical responsibility for financial institutions operating in highly regulated environments. Name screening plays a key role in identifying sanctions risks, terrorist financing, and exposure to politically exposed persons (PEPs) while supporting compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and sanctions regulations. This course provides a practical foundation for understanding name screening and its importance in protecting organizations, customers, and the financial system.

Name Screening and Reporting Obligations - US

Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Explain the purpose and key U.S. regulatory bodies involved in name screening, including OFAC and FinCEN
Identify the types of sanctions lists and high-risk entities that must be screened under U.S. AML regulations
Differentiate between true, potential, and false-positive matches, and apply appropriate escalation procedures
Apply practical screening procedures and documentation standards to ensure compliance and audit readiness
Details to know

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February 2026
4 assignments
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There are 2 modules in this course
In this module, you will learn the key legal and procedural requirements for name screening and property reporting in financial compliance, including screening obligations under OFAC, the Bank Secrecy Act, and U.S. AML regulations. You will explore when screening is required, what information must be reviewed, and how to respond when a potential match is identified. Through practical scenarios, you will practice conducting name screening, accurately interpreting results, distinguishing between false positives and confirmed matches, and understanding enhanced due diligence requirements for politically exposed persons (PEPs).
What's included
1 reading3 assignments9 plugins
This module evaluates your understanding of key concepts through a comprehensive final assessment. The module also summarizes essential takeaways and provides guidance on next steps.
What's included
1 reading1 assignment
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Frequently asked questions
Name screening is a key compliance control used to identify individuals or entities that may be linked to sanctions, terrorist financing, or other financial crime risks. It helps financial institutions meet regulatory obligations, prevent illegal activity, and avoid severe penalties such as fines, enforcement actions, or reputational damage.
This course is ideal for compliance professionals, financial analysts, operations staff, and anyone involved in customer onboarding, transaction processing, sanctions compliance, or regulatory reporting. It is also suitable for learners seeking a practical understanding of U.S. anti-money laundering and sanctions requirements.
No prior expertise is required. The course is designed to be accessible to beginners while still providing value to experienced professionals. Key concepts, regulations, and workflows are clearly explained before moving on to practical scenarios and applications.
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