Suspicious Transaction Reporting (STR) is a crucial component of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing compliance, enabling financial institutions to detect and report activities that may indicate financial crime. This course provides a practical, scenario-driven introduction to STR requirements in the United States, with a focus on recognizing suspicious behavior, meeting regulatory obligations, and supporting effective compliance outcomes.
Suspicious Transaction Reporting (STR) - US
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level
Recommended experience
3 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
What you'll learn
Identify when suspicious activity or attempted transactions meet reporting thresholds and require STR/SAR filing
Recognize common red flags, risk indicators, and behaviors associated with potential financial crime, including MSB-specific warning signs
Demonstrate the steps required to document, file, and retain STR/SAR reports while avoiding illegal customer tip-offs
Describe how STR supports U.S. AML and anti-terrorist financing rules, including key regulators and reporting obligations
Details to know
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Recently updated!
March 2026
Assessments
4 assignments
Taught in English
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There are 2 modules in this course
In this module, you will develop the essential skills and knowledge to identify and report suspicious transactions in compliance with U.S. anti-money laundering regulations. You will begin by learning a clear framework for defining suspicious activity using facts, context, and indicators, and by distinguishing between unusual activity and truly suspicious behavior, including understanding the Reasonable Grounds to Suspect (RGS) threshold and the difference between attempted transactions and simple inquiries. Through realistic scenarios and interactive activities, you will strengthen your ability to identify red flags across customer identity, customer behavior, and transaction patterns, with specialized guidance for money services businesses. The module also walks you through the complete SAR workflow—from detection and analysis to documentation and submission—while reinforcing key compliance requirements such as proper recordkeeping, retention periods, and avoiding illegal tipping off of customers.
What's included
1 reading3 assignments18 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
This course teaches you how to identify, assess, and report suspicious activity in compliance with U.S. anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regulations. You will learn how to recognize suspicious and attempted transactions, apply the Reasonable Grounds to Suspect (RGS) threshold, identify red flags (including MSB-specific indicators), and complete the STR/SAR filing process accurately while meeting documentation and record-retention requirements.
No prior AML or compliance experience is required. The course is designed for both new and experienced employees. Concepts are introduced clearly and reinforced through scenarios and interactive activities, making it suitable for frontline staff, operations teams, and compliance professionals who need practical STR/SAR knowledge.
The course provides a structured decision-making framework using facts, context, and indicators to assess activity. You will learn how to distinguish unusual activity from truly suspicious behavior, evaluate attempted transactions, and apply the RGS threshold to determine when reporting is required. Realistic scenarios help you practice making confident and defensible reporting decisions.
More questions
Financial aid available,