Clemente L. Vazquez-Bello
Practice Group(s): Banking & Financial Services, International
Clemente Vázquez-Bello is a shareholder who joined the firm in 1979.
- Practice Areas[ - ]
- Banking and Commercial Law
- BSA Compliance and Money Laundering Related Matters
- International Law
Mr. Vázquez-Bello is well known in the U.S. and international banking circles for his long-standing career as counsel to domestic and foreign banks. In his capacity as banking counsel, Mr. Vázquez-Bello has counseled international and banking clients in licensing, regulatory and transactional matters. Additionally, he has developed substantial expertise in the development and implementation of policies, procedures, programs and systems to prevent, detect and react to the movement of illicit capital vis a vis U.S. laws and regulations. He has also acquired considerable experience in his dealings with U.S. banking and governmental authorities in his areas of specialization.
- Education[ - ]
- University of Miami School of Law, J.D., 1974
- University of Miami, B.A., cum laude, 1971
- Honors[ - ]
- Florida Super Lawyers, outstanding lawyer in Banking Law, 2006-11
- Chambers & Partners, Leaders in Their Field, Banking & Finance: Regulatory, 2009-11
- The Best Lawyers in America, Banking Law, 2006-12
- Chambers USA, Leading lawyer in banking and financial matters, 2004-07
- University of Miami, Early Admissions Program and Scholarship, 1967
- AV Rated as independently determined by Martindale-Hubbell
- Seminars & Presentations[ - ]
- 2011 Citibank Latin American Institutions Forum – Topic: “Compliance in Correspondent Banking-Privacy & Confidentiality in Banking,” Miami, Florida, June 2011
- 2011 Compliance Forum of the South Florida Compliance Association – Topic: “BSA/AML/OFAC Update – What is in the Horizon?,” Miami, Florida, April 2011
- XI FIBA Compliance and AML Conference – Topic: “FinCEN Final Rule on SAR Confidentiality and Prohibited Disclosure” and “Compliance on Sharing SARs by Depository Institutions with Certain U.S. Affiliates,” Miami, Florida, February 2011
- 2010 Conference Private Banking Latin America – Topic: “Privacy & Confidentiality in Banking/What is the Future in a World of Global Transparency?,” Miami, Florida, November 2010
- ABA/ABA Money Laundering Enforcement Conference – Topic: “International AML Legal Issues/AML Issues in Latin America,” Washington, DC, October 2010
- 2010 Citibank Forum of Latin American Banking Institutions – Topic: “Anti-Money Laundering Training for CEOs,” Miami, Florida, July 2010
- X FIBA Compliance and AML Conference – Topic: “Present Landscape of Anti-Money Laundering,” Miami, Florida, February 2010
- 3rd Latin American Conference of Private Banks – Topic: “The Impact of the Bank Secrecy Act on Private Banking and Trust,” Miami, Florida, November 2009
- 27th Cambridge International Symposium on Financial Crimes – Topic: “Financial Fraud in the U.S.,” Cambridge, UK, September 2009
- IX FIBA Compliance and AML Conference – Topic: “Confidentiality/SARs Sharing,” Miami, Florida, March 2009
- 6th Puerto Rican Anti-Money Laundering Symposium – Topic: “Confidentiality/Sharing Suspicious Activity Reports/Safe Harbor,” San Juan, Puerto Rico, August 2008
- XII Hemispheric Conference from the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing – 2008 – Topic: “The Future of International Banking in the United States” – Panama, Republic of Panama, August 2008
- FIBA 8th Annual BSA/AML Compliance Conference – Topic: “Suspicious Activity Reports: If I Don’t File, Will My Decision Be Questioned/Overruled?,” Miami, FL, February 2008
- Argentine Banking and Financial Sector Conference – Topic: “What the BSA and Other Anti-Money Laundering Regulations Require of U.S. Banks,” Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 2007
- 2007 Annual Convention of the Florida Bankers Association – Topic: “BSA/AML Requirements of Senior Management and Board: How to Limit Personal Risk,” June 2007
- The South Florida Compliance Association Regulatory Compliance Conference – Topic: “Continuing Compliance Headaches,” Miami, FL, June 2007
- FIBA Anti-Money Laundering Institute, Senior Management Certificate Course – Topic: “The Management of BSA/AML Risk,” Miami, FL, April 2007
- FIBA 7th Annual AML Compliance Conference – Topics: “Overview of Suspicious Activity Reporting Requirements” and “Overview of Requirements on Foreign Correspondent Banking,” Miami, FL, February 2007
- Senior Management Certification Course sponsored by Florida International Bankers Association (FIBA)’s Anti-Money Laundering Institute – Topic: “The Management of BSA/AML Risk,” Miami, FL, November 2006
- Sixth Annual Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Conference sponsored by Florida International Bankers Association (FIBA) – Topics: “Section 312 – Final Rule and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking” and “Recent BSA/AML Developments,” Miami, FL, February 2006
- Risk Management and Regulatory Compliance Conference of the Financial Institutions Risk Management Association (FIRMA) – Topic: “Overview of Suspicious Activity Reporting Requirements and Updates,” Naples, FL, September 2005
- 2005 Trust Conference of the Florida Bankers Association – Topic: “The Current BSA/AML Scenario in the Aftermath of Riggs Bank and AmSouth Bank,” Palm Beach, FL, June 2005
- The International Bank of Miami Annual BSA/AML Seminar – Topic: “Update on BSA/AML Laws and the USA Patriot Act,” Miami, FL, April 2005
- Fifth Annual BSA/AML Conference sponsored by FIBA & CSBS – Topic: “Requirement of Reporting Suspicious Activities,” Miami, FL, February 2005
- BSA/AML and Anti-money Laundering Conference (sponsored by First National Bank of South Florida), Homestead, FL – Topic: “A Review of BSA/AML, Anti-Money Laundering and the USA Patriot Act,” December 2004
- Annual Compliance Conference (sponsored by IBOA) – Topic: “Update on BSA/AML,” Naples, FL, September 2004
- Annual Conference (sponsored by Asociación Bancaria y de Entidades Financieras de Colombia [Asobancaria]), Cartagena, Colombia – Topic: “The Impact of the USA Patriot Act on Foreign Correspondent Banking,” June 2004
- 4th International Conference on Anti-Money Laundering and Compliance (sponsored by FIBA), Miami, FL – Topic: “Implementing the USA Patriot Act,” March 2004
- International Private Banking Meeting (sponsored by Santander Group), Naples, FL – Topic: “New Compliance Requirements,” December 2003
- Annual Conference on Compliance (sponsored by IBOA), Miami, FL – Topic: “Latest Developments on the USA Patriot Act – Its Interpretation,” September 2003
- Forum on Anti-Money Laundering and Compliance (sponsored by the Institute of International Research) New York, NY – Topic: “Impact of the Patriot Act on U.S. Banks and on the International Banking Business,” September 2003
- Conference on the New Requirements of the BSA (sponsored by the South Florida Compliance Association), Miami, FL – Topic: “New Customer Identification Programs and FinCEN Reports,” August 2003
- VII Hemispheric Congress for the Prevention of Money Laundering (sponsored by the Bankers Association of Panama), Panama City, Panama – Topic: “Update on the USA Patriot Act,” August 2003
- Conferences on the BSA and the Patriot Act (sponsored by the Florida Bankers Association (FBA), Naples, Orlando and Boca Raton, FL – Topic: “Impact of BSA and the Patriot Act on Trust Business,” June and October 2003
- Conference on New Requirements under the USA Patriot Act (sponsored by FIBA), Miami, FL – Topic: “New Requirement of Customer Identification Program,” June 2003
- Conference on Prevention of Money Laundering (sponsored by Banco Popular Dominicano, S.A.), Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – Topic: “The USA Patriot Act and Other Anti-Money Laundering Developments,” March 2003
- Conference on the USA Patriot Act (Banco Atlantico Group), Panama City, Panama – Topic: “Impact of the USA Patriot Act on International Banking Law,” February 2003
- Third International Conference on Anti-Money Laundering and BSA Compliance (sponsored by FIBA), Miami, FL – Topics: “Overview of the USA Patriot Act and its Impact on U.S. Financial Institution, Correspondent Banking and Private Banking,” January 2003
- Second Global Conference on International Tax Planning and Money Laundering Compliance (sponsored by St. Thomas University) – Topic: “The Patriot Act,” December 2002
- Seminar on BSA/Anti-Money Laundering (sponsored by Banco Internacional de Costa Rica, S.A., Miami Agency), Miami, FL – Topic: “The Patriot Act and its Impact on Banking,” November 2002
- ABA/ABA Money Laundering Enforcement Seminar (sponsored by the American Bankers Association and the American Bar Association), Washington, DC – Topic: “The Impact of the Patriot Act on Correspondent Banking,” October 2002
- Conference on the New Customer Identification Program (CIP) (sponsored by the International Banking Operations Association), Miami, FL – Topic: “New Customer Identification Program,” October 2002
- BSA/Anti-Money Laundering Conference (sponsored by ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Miami Agency), Miami, FL – Topic: “Overview of the BSA and the Patriot Act,” October 2002
- 2002 IFSA Annual Conference (sponsored by the International Financial Services Association), Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Topic: “The Impact of the Patriot Act on Financial Institutions,” September 2002
- Conference on the Bank Secrecy Act (sponsored by Banco Atlantico, S.A., Miami Agency), Miami, FL – Topic: “Amendments to the BSA by the Patriot Act,” September 2002
- VI Hemispheric Congress for the Prevention of Money Laundering (sponsored by the Panamanian Banking Association), Panama City, Panama – Topic: “The Patriot Act and its Impact on International Banking,” August 2002
- Workshop on Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism (sponsored by the Venezuelan Banking Association), Caracas, Venezuela – Topic: “The USA Patriot Act and Other Recent Events Against Terrorism and Money Laundering,” March 2002
- International Conference on Anti-Money Laundering and Compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act (sponsored by Florida International Bankers Association, FIBA), Miami, FL – Topic: “Title III of the USA Patriot Act,” March 2002
- Conference on EDD Under Title III of the USA Patriot Act (sponsored by Americas Software Corporation), Miami, FL – Topic: “EDD and the USA Patriot Act,” February 2002
- Workshop on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorism (sponsored by Banco Atlantico, S.A., Miami Agency), Miami, FL – Topic: “The USA Patriot Act and Other Recent Measures Taken Against Terrorism and Money Laundering,” January 2002
- International Banking Conference (sponsored by the Panamanian Banking Association), Panama City, Panama – Topic: “The USA Patriot Act and Other Recent Measures Taken Against Terrorism and Money Laundering,” December 2001
- Conference on Title III of the USA Patriot Act (sponsored by the Florida International Bankers Association, FIBA), Miami, FL – Topic: “International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act of 2001 in a Nutshell,” December 2001
- Conference on Anti-Laundering of Monies Obtained Through Corruption and Organized Crime (sponsored by Banco del Caribe, C.A./Banco Universal), Caracas, Venezuela – Topic: “The Bank Secrecy Act and Money Laundering in the United States Banking System,” November 2001
- ABA/ABA Money Laundering Enforcement Seminar, Arlington, VA – Topic: “The BSA/Money Laundering Threat: Correspondent Banking, How to Confront It,” October 2001
- Breakfast Forum, “Cyber Money Laundering Overtakes the Market” (sponsored by Kroll Consulting Company), Miami, FL – Topic: “The Looming Threat of the Cyberspace Payment/Transfer Systems,” October 2001
- 2001 Convention on Money Laundering and Cyber Crime (sponsored by EnCambio and ICSA), Caracas, Venezuela – Topic: “Bank Secrecy Act/The Threat of Money Laundering in the U.S. Banking System,” October 2001
- Workshop on Prevention of Money Laundering (sponsored by Banco Mercantil, C.A.) Caracas, Venezuela – Topic: “The Bank Secrecy Act and the Money Laundering Threat; How to Confront It,” May 2001
- Seminaire Europe (sponsored by BNP/Paribas), Talloires, France – Topic: “The BSA/Money Laundering Threat: How to Confront It,” May 2001
- Private BankAmericas Seminar (sponsored by BNP/Paribas), Key Biscayne, FL – Topic: “The BSA/Money Laundering Threat,” April 2001
- Anti-Money Laundering Seminar for International Bankers (sponsored by FIBA, Miami, FL) – Topic: “Overview of BSA/Anti-Money Laundering Developments During 2000,” January 2001
- 13th Oceana Anti-Money Laundering, Compliance and International Crimes Conference, Miami, FL (sponsored by Oceana Publications and The Centre for International Financial Crimes Studies, College of Law, University of Florida) – Topic: “Know-Your-Customer,” February 2000
- Americas Software Assist//Ck Conference II, Coral Gables, FL – Topic: “The Future of Know-Your-Customer,” January 2000
- Workshop for “Private Banking America” of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya, Miami, FL – Topic: “Problems of Illicit Capital in U.S. Banking,” November 1999
- Banking Compliance Conference (sponsored by IBOA), Naples, FL – Topic: “To Know or Not to Know,” September 1999
- The Miami Herald Americas Conference: The Problem of Money Laundering in our Hemisphere: Where We Are and Where We Are Going (sponsored by Gunster, Yoakley, Valdes-Fauli & Stewart, The Miami Herald, American Airlines, and others), Miami, FL – Topic: “The Global Fight Against Corruption,” September/October 1999
- 3rd Hemispheric Congress on Money Laundering Prevention (sponsored by the Panamanian Banking Association), Miami, FL – “Do You Know Your Banking Customer?,” August 1999
- Seminar on Money Laundering and Know Your Customer (sponsored by The Financial Institute and International Bankers of the Netherlands Antilles, Curacao, N.V.), Curacao, N.V., “Do You Know Your Banking Customer?,” June 1999
- Compliance Conference for Banco Portugues do Atlantico, Miami Agency, Miami, FL, “The Problem of Money Laundering from a Banking Perspective,” May 1999
- 11th International Money Laundering, Cybercrime, Forfeiture, and International Financial Crimes Conference (sponsored by Oceana Publications, Inc.), Miami, FL, “Federal and State (Florida) Confidentiality in Banking, Disclosures and the Safe Harbor Provision,” February 1999
- Conference on the Proposed Federal Reserve Know Your Customer Regulations (sponsored by Banco Mercantil, S.A.C.A., Miami Agency, Miami, FL, “Do You Know Your Customer?,” February 1999
- Seminar on the Federal Reserve’s proposed Know Your Customer Regulation (sponsored by IBOA), Miami, FL, December 1998
- 10th Annual Money Laundering Enforcement Seminar (sponsored by American Bar Association and American Bankers Association), Washington, DC, “Federal and State (Florida) Confidentiality on Banking, Disclosures, and the State Harbor Provision,” November 1998
- Seminar on How to Safely Transact Business in South America-Uruguay: Gateway to Investment and Trade in Mercosur (sponsored by Gunster, Yoakley, Valdes-Fauli & Stewart, P.A.). Eurofiducia Management and Others, “Are You Ready to Do Business Abroad? Checklist to Reduce Legal Risks,” October 1998
- Seminar on Money Laundering Prevention (sponsored by Corp Banca, C.A.), Caracas, Venezuela, “Problems of Illicit Capital in U.S. Banking,” October 1998
- Banking Compliance Conference (sponsored by International Banking Operations Association “IBOA”), Naples, FL, “Update on Recent Developments in Anti-Money Laundering,” September 1998
- First Seminar on Banking Security (sponsored by Febraban- Brazilian Federation of Banks), Sao Paulo, Brazil, “Illicit Capitals and U.S. Banking,” August 1998
- Second Hemispheric Congress for the Prevention of Money Laundering (sponsored by the Panamanian Banking Association), Panama, Republic of Panama, Round Table on the topic of “The Black Markets and Their Effect on International Commerce,” August 1998
- Presentation at the Meeting of Compliance Officers of Grupo Santander, Miami, FL, “The Problem of Illicit Capitals in U.S. Banking,” July 1998
- Presentation for the Board of Directors of Banco Internacional de Costa Rica, S.A., Miami Agency, Miami, FL, “Obligation to Know Your Customer and to Report Illicit, Suspicious or Doubtful Activities,” July 1998
- Conference on Money Laundering Risks and Problems (sponsored by Banco Santander International), Miami, FL, “Illicit Capital in U.S. Banking,” April 1998
- Bank Secrecy and Anti-Money Laundering Laws Seminar (sponsored by Banque Sudameris), Miami, FL, “The Problem of Money Laundering from a Banking Perspective,” April 1998
- Presentation before the Cuban American CPA’s Association, Inc., Miami, FL, “The Money Laundering Problem,” March 1998
- Presentation before the International Banking Operations Association [IBOA], Miami, FL, “Privacy and Confidentiality in Banking in the State of Florida,” January 1998
- Annual Commercial Meeting of Grupo Santander in La Romana, Dominican Republic, “Money Laundering Problems for International Banks in the U.S.,” December 1997
- Anti-Money Laundering Conference (sponsored by KPMG Alcaraz Cabrera Vazquez), Caracas, Venezuela, “Money Laundering Problems in the U.S. for International Banks,” December 1997
- Anti-Money Laundering Conference (sponsored by KPMG El Salvador), San Salvador, El Salvador, “Money Laundering Problems in the U.S. for International Banks,” December 1997
- Bank Secrecy and Compliance Training Seminar (sponsored by Israel Discount Bank Ltd.), Miami, FL, “The Problem of Money Laundering from a Banking Perspective,” November 1997
- Implementing OFAC Compliance Seminar (sponsored by Thomson Financial Publishing and Money Laundering Alert), Miami, FL, “New Developments and Issues in OFAC Compliance,” September 1997
- Teleconference on the Prevention of Money Laundering in the Banking System (sponsored by KPMG Uruguay Ltda.), “Money Laundering Risks and Problems for International Banks,” September 1997
- Regulatory Compliance and Operations Conference (sponsored by the International Banking Operations Association [IBOA]), Naples, FL, “Do You Know Your Private Banking Customer? – An Overview of the New York Federal Reserve Bank Guidance on Sound Risk Management Practices Governing Private Banking Activities,” September 1997
- Conference for Banco Santander International, Miami, FL, “Money Laundering Risks and Problems for International Banks,” September 1997
- Conference for the Board of Directors of Banco Ganadero, S.A., Miami Agency (sponsored by Banco Ganadero, S.A., Miami Agency), Miami, FL, “Know Your Customer,” July 1997
- Conference for the International Representatives of KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP (sponsored by KPMG Peat Marwick), Miami, FL, “Money Laundering Risks and Problems for International Banks in the United States,” June 1997
- Bank Secrecy and Compliance Training Seminar (sponsored by Florida International Bankers Association (F.I.B.A.), Miami, FL, “The Problem of Money Laundering from a Banking Perspective,” June 1997
- International Banking Seminar (sponsored by the Central Bank of Honduras and Amtrade International Bank), Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, Honduras, “Fraud, Risks and Problems for International Banks,” May 1997
- IBOA Operations and Technology Conference, Key Largo, FL, “Are You Ready for the Travel Rule? (Third Update),” April 1997
- IBOA General Meeting, Miami, FL, “FinCEN Advisory on Mexican Bank Drafts and Factored Third-Party Checks,” January 1997
- Anti-Money Laundering Conference (sponsored by Banco Mercantil, C.A.), Caracas, Venezuela, “Money Laundering Risks and Problems for Foreign Banks in the United States,” November 1996
- Regulatory Compliance Conference on Bank Confidentiality Law and Anti-Money Laundering (sponsored by Banco Bilbao Vizcaya, S.A., Miami Agency), “BSA Anti-Money Laundering Program,” October 1996
- Regulatory Compliance Conference (sponsored by IBOA), Naples, FL, “Post-Implementation Review of Joint Regulation and Travel Rule,” September 1996
- International Money Laundering Conference (sponsored by the Chamber of Paraguayan Banks), Asunción, Paraguay, “Risks Confronted by Foreign Banks Doing Business in the U.S. as a Result of Money Laundering Problems,” July 1996
- International Money Laundering Conference (sponsored by Money Laundering Alert), Miami, FL, “U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) – Regulations and Blocking of Assets of Specially Designated Narcotraffickers,” May 1996
- Mid-Year Legal and Regulatory Compliance Conference (sponsored by IBOA), Key Largo, FL, “New Treasury (FINCEN) and Federal Reserve Regulatory on Reporting Suspected Crimes and Suspicious Activities,” April 1996
- General Meeting of IBOA, “New Wire Transfer Recordkeeping Requirements Regulation and Travel Rule,” January 1996
- International Money Laundering and Transaction Fraud Conference, sponsored by Global Business Research Ltd., “Recent International Anti-Money Laundering Developments,” December 1995
- Annual Meeting of FELABAN, “Money Laundering Risks and Problems for Foreign Banks in the United States,” November 1995
- Annual Legal and Regulatory Compliance Conference, sponsored by IBOA, “International Regulatory Update and Review,” September 1995
- 40th Annual CBF Convention, sponsored by the Community Bankers of Florida, “The Problem of Money Laundering from a Banking Perspective,” August 1995
- Anti-Money Laundering Workshop for the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic of Colombia, sponsored by BANCAFE, “Anti-Money Laundering Measures in the U.S. Banking System,” July 1995
- XIV Latin American Congress of Banking Law, sponsored by FELABAN and by the Association of Banks and Financial Entities of Colombia, “The Problem of Illicit Funds from the Perspective of U.S. Banks,” April 1995
- Third International Conference on Money Laundering, Asset Forfeiture and International Financial Crimes, sponsored by Oceana Publications, “Money Laundering Problems in International Banking,” February 1995
- “Recent Developments in the International Banking Arena,” 1994 Money Laundering Enforcement Seminar, sponsored by American Bankers Association and American Bar Association, October 1994
- “Bank Confidentiality in the State of Florida and Legal Protections for Funds Transfers: UCC Article 4A,” Ninth Latin American Congress on Bank Security, sponsored by FELABAN and Florida International Bankers Association, September 1994
- “Check Fraud: The Problem of a Forged or Altered Instrument,” Annual Legal and Regulatory Compliance Conference, sponsored by the IBOA, September 1994
- “A Historical Review of Money Laundering from a U.S. Bank Perspective,” International Seminar on the Detection and Prevention of the Movement of Illicit Capital in the Banking System, sponsored by the Association of Banks and Financial Entities in Colombia and Banco Cafetero, September 1994
- “Protecting the Bank’s Assets and Wire Transfer Compliance,” Second Annual International Money Laundering Conference, sponsored by “Money Laundering Alert,” May 1994
- “Recent Modifications to Article 3 (Commercial Documents) and Article 4 (Bank Deposits and Collections) of the Uniform Commercial Code,” Annual Legal and Regulatory Compliance Conference, sponsored by IBOA, September 1993
- “Compliance of Domestic & International Banks,” International Conference on Money Laundering Asset Forfeiture and International Financial Crimes, sponsored by Oceana Publications, February 1993
- “Right to Financial Privacy Act: Subpoenas, Summonses and Seizures,” Annual Legal and Regulatory Compliance Conference, Sponsored by IBOA, September 1992
- “New Law Governing Funds Transfers – Article 4A of the Uniform Commercial Code,” General Meeting of International Banking Operations Associations, July 1992
- “Fraud Against Banks,” Banking in the ’90s – Opportunities and Challenges, sponsored by Florida International Bankers Association, July 1992
- Publications[ - ]
- Banking Operations, International Transactions Manual, The Florida Bar, Co-author, 1998
- “Proposed Foreign Bank Draft Rules May Hurt Foreign Commerce,” Money Laundering Alert, February 1997
- “Steps that a Bank Should Take Upon the Arrest and/or Seizure of a Customer’s Account,” Money Laundering Alert, May 1997
- “Compliance Issues Arise Under Wire Rules,” Money Laundering Alert, October 1996
- Languages Spoken[ - ]
Spanish
- Professional Associations & Memberships[ - ]
- Cuban American Bar Association, board of directors, 1987-92
- FL International Bankers Association, board of directors
- American Bar Association
- Miami-Dade County Bar Association
- Member of the Bank Secrecy Act Advisory Group of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Department of the Treasury, 1998-present
- Bar Admissions[ - ]
- The Florida Bar, 1974 – International Law Section, Chairman ,1986-87, Executive Council 1985-89


