In 2012, HSBC Holdings (HSBC), one of the world’s largest global banks, was hit with a $1.9 billion fine for, most notably, serving as a conduit for Mexican drug cartels. The penalty, which was coupled with $665 million in civil penalties, exposed severe problems with the bank’s compliance and anti-money laundering (AML) controls.
It ranks among the most significant fines ever imposed on a bank for breaking U.S. law.