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Trusted by Fintechs & Financial Institutions

AML Program Development

A strong Anti-Money Laundering program isn't just a regulatory requirement. It's the foundation everything else in your compliance program is built on. Pillars FinCrime Advisory designs and builds AML programs from the ground up, giving fintechs and financial institutions the structure, documentation, and operational controls they need to detect risk, satisfy regulators, and grow with confidence.
Fractional Compliance Services

What Goes Into Building an AML Program That Actually Works

A real AML program is more than a policy document sitting in a shared drive. It's a living, operational framework that detects risk, satisfies regulators, and holds up when it's put to the test. Here's how Pillars builds it.

Policy & Procedure Development

We build AML policies and procedures that reflect how your business actually operates. Every document is written to meet regulatory expectations and give your team clear, actionable guidance they can follow day to day.

Risk Assessment

We conduct a thorough AML risk assessment that identifies where your organization is most exposed, what controls you have in place, and where the gaps are. It's the baseline everything else is built from.

Transaction Monitoring Framework

We design a transaction monitoring framework with rules and thresholds calibrated to your specific risk profile, making sure your alerts are meaningful and your team isn't drowning in noise.

KYC / KYB Program Design

We build customer and business onboarding processes that collect the right information, apply appropriate due diligence, and create a clear audit trail that regulators and bank partners expect to see.

Training & Awareness

We develop AML training programs that give your team the knowledge they need to recognize red flags, follow proper procedures, and understand why the program exists in the first place.

Program Testing & Ongoing Improvement

Building the program is just the beginning. We test controls, review performance, and make continuous improvements so your AML program stays effective as your business evolves and the regulatory environment changes.

Built From the Ground Up

An AML Program Built for How Your Business Actually Operates

Too many AML programs are built to look good on paper rather than work in practice. Pillars takes a different approach. We design programs around your actual business model, your real risk profile, and the regulatory environment you're operating in. The result is a program your team can execute, your regulators can examine, and your bank partners can trust. Whether you're starting from scratch or rebuilding something that isn't working, we build it right the first time.

aml-program-development
What's Included

The Core Elements of Every AML Program We Build

Every AML program Pillars builds is tailored to your organization, but there are core elements that every effective program needs to have in place. Here's what we make sure you've got covered.

Written Policies & Procedures
Clear, compliant AML policies and procedures that your team can actually follow and that regulators can actually examine without raising red flags.
Risk-Based Controls
Controls that are calibrated to your actual risk exposure, not just copied from a template. We make sure your program addresses the risks your business actually faces.
Transaction Monitoring
A transaction monitoring setup with rules and thresholds that generate meaningful alerts without overwhelming your team with false positives and noise.
Staff Training Program
Training that gives your people the knowledge and confidence to recognize financial crime risk and respond appropriately when they see something that doesn't look right.

An AML Program Is Only as Good as the People Who Build It

Anyone can put together a policy document. Building an AML program that actually detects risk, satisfies regulators, and scales with your business is a different challenge entirely. That's where Pillars comes in.

Joshua Douglas has spent more than 12 years building, managing, and remediating AML programs across the fintech and financial services space. He knows what regulators look for, what bank partners expect, and what it takes to build something that holds up under real scrutiny. When Pillars develops your AML program, we're not filling in a template. We're studying your business model, understanding your customer base, identifying your highest risk areas, and building controls that actually address them. The result is a program your team can run, your auditors can review, and your regulators can examine with confidence.
12+ Years
AML Program Experience
Risk Based
Built Around Your Business
Exam Ready
Built to Hold Up Under Scrutiny
Client Impact

Built for the Challenges Fintechs Actually Face

From first-time compliance builds to regulatory remediation and bank partner readiness — see how Pillars FinCrime Advisory helps organizations move forward with confidence, clarity, and programs that hold up under scrutiny.

Pillars helped us navigate a complex regulatory review with confidence. Their hands-on approach and deep understanding of fintech compliance made all the difference. Our program is now scalable and audit-ready.

JD

James Donovan

Chief Compliance Officer

The fractional CCO service provided exactly what we needed—senior-level expertise without the overhead. Joshua and his team integrated seamlessly with our operations and gave us the strategic guidance to grow safely.

SW

Sarah Wagner

Head of Risk

From transaction monitoring optimization to KYC redesign, Pillars delivered measurable improvements. Alert quality is up, operational friction is down, and we're better prepared for regulatory exams.

MT

Michael Thompson

VP, Compliance Operations

Pillars helped us navigate a complex regulatory review with confidence. Their hands-on approach and deep understanding of fintech compliance made all the difference. Our program is now scalable and audit-ready.

JD

James Donovan

Chief Compliance Officer

The fractional CCO service provided exactly what we needed—senior-level expertise without the overhead. Joshua and his team integrated seamlessly with our operations and gave us the strategic guidance to grow safely.

SW

Sarah Wagner

Head of Risk

From transaction monitoring optimization to KYC redesign, Pillars delivered measurable improvements. Alert quality is up, operational friction is down, and we're better prepared for regulatory exams.

MT

Michael Thompson

VP, Compliance Operations

Frequently Asked Questions

What does AML program development actually involve?
It covers everything your organization needs to detect, prevent, and report financial crime activity. That includes written policies and procedures, a risk assessment, customer due diligence processes, transaction monitoring rules, suspicious activity reporting workflows, and a staff training program. Pillars builds all of it in a way that's tailored to your specific business model and risk profile rather than pulled from a generic template.
How long does it take to build an AML program from scratch?
It depends on the complexity of your business and how much is already in place. For most early-stage fintechs starting with nothing, a foundational program can be built and documented within a few weeks. For more complex organizations or situations requiring remediation of an existing program, the timeline is longer. Either way, we move with urgency because we know that compliance gaps have real consequences.
What if we already have an AML program but it needs work?
That's actually one of the most common situations we work with. Many organizations have a program on paper that isn't functioning the way it should in practice. We come in, assess what you have, identify the gaps, and rebuild or enhance what needs to be fixed. We don't tear everything down and start over unless that's genuinely the right call.
How does Pillars make sure our AML program stays current as regulations change?
We don't build your program and disappear. Ongoing monitoring and program maintenance is part of how we work. As regulatory guidance evolves, your risk profile changes, or your product offerings expand, we update your program to reflect those changes. An AML program that made sense two years ago may need real adjustments today and we stay on top of that so you don't have to.

Who We Work With

Pillars FinCrime Advisory partners with a range of organizations across the financial services ecosystem — from early-stage startups to established institutions managing complex compliance demands.

Houston, Texas

Headquarters

United States

Remote & On-Site Engagements

Founded 2025

By Joshua Douglas

Fintechs

Payments Companies

Sponsor Banks

Financial Institutions

Why Pillars
Why Organizations Trust Pillars to Build Their AML Program
We've Built Programs That Get Tested
Joshua Douglas has built AML programs that have been through regulatory exams, bank partner reviews, and internal audits. He knows what passes and what doesn't because he's been in the room when it happens.
Built Around Your Risk, Not a Template
Every AML program we build starts with understanding your business. Your products, your customers, your risk exposure. The result is a program that actually fits your organization rather than one that could belong to anyone.
We Stay With You After It's Built
Building the program is the beginning, not the end. We stay engaged to test controls, update policies, and make sure your AML program keeps pace with your business and the regulatory environment around it.
Ready to Strengthen Your Financial Crime Program?
Let's discuss your compliance needs today
Reach out to Joshua Douglas and the Pillars team at 281-825-1603 or pillarsfincrimeadvisory@gmail.com . Whether you're launching a new product, preparing for regulatory review, or scaling your compliance program—we're here to help.
Headquarters: Houston, Texas (Serving clients nationwide)
Contact Us Today