Statement by FATF President T. Raja Kumar on the death of Deputy Executive Secretary Vincent Schmoll

8 February 2024 – It was with deep sadness that I learnt of the passing of Vincent Schmoll, Deputy Executive Secretary of the FATF Secretariat.

Mr. Schmoll joined the FATF Secretariat in Paris in 1998 and over the years played a crucial role in shaping and driving the FATF’s transformation from a small task force to an established international body with 40 members and an open-ended mandate.  Prior to joining the FATF Secretariat, he worked at the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCen) in his native United States. Until his demise on 4 February, he was Deputy Executive Secretary of the FATF Secretariat, a role he fulfilled with deep commitment, diligence, humility and compassion.

Mr. Schmoll’s unwavering dedication to the fight against money laundering, terrorist financing and the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and his commitment to expand the FATF’s reach, were a driving force behind the creation of the Global Network, bringing together nine FATF-Style Regional Bodies around the globe and 205 countries and jurisdictions.  During his many years in the FATF Secretariat, he contributed to and led many of the core work streams of the FATF, from typologies research to peer reviews. Mr. Schmoll played a crucial role in shaping the success and effectiveness of the FATF.

He was a great mentor and his passion, professionalism and dedication were a source of inspiration and guidance for his colleagues and delegates alike. He was and will always be a FATF colossus. Few will make the same mark as he did on the FATF and its Secretariat.

Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.