CND Establishes 19-Member Expert Panel for 2029 Global Drug Policy Review

The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) announced the 19 members of its newly established Expert Panel at its sixty-ninth session. The Panel, created under Resolution 68/6, will prepare recommendations for the 2029 global drug policy review aimed at enhancing implementation of international drug control treaties. Allan Rock (Canada) and Natalie Yu-Lin Morris-Sharma (Singapore) were appointed as Co-Chairs of the Panel.

Global Fraud Summit Vienna - 44 Countries Pledge Coordinated Action Against Fraud

UNODC and INTERPOL co-hosted the Global Fraud Summit in Vienna, Austria on March 16-17, 2026, where 44 countries signed a joint statement pledging coordinated action against the rising global threat of fraud. More than 1,300 participants including government officials, law enforcement agencies, tech companies, banks, and civil society organizations attended to identify practical solutions for disrupting fraud networks. According to GASA, losses from organized fraud and scams are estimated at USD 442 billion annually.

People v. Deen - Murder Convictions Reversed, Death Penalty Remanded

The California Supreme Court reversed murder convictions and the death penalty for Omar Richard Deen in People v. Deen (S092615), finding reversible error in the trial court's ruling on a defense challenge for cause of a juror panelist. The case, which originated in Imperial County Superior Court (CF-5338), is remanded for further proceedings.

People v. Deen (Omar Richard) - Death Penalty Appeal

California Supreme Court issued an opinion in People v. Deen (S092615), an automatic appeal from a judgment of death. The case involved competency trial issues in the underlying criminal proceedings. The court's disposition addresses the defendant's challenge to the capital sentence imposed.

NACHA Rules on Credit-Push Fraud Risk Now Effective

NACHA has implemented Phase 1 of new fraud monitoring rules for the ACH Network effective March 20, 2026. ODFIs of all sizes and non-consumer Originators, Third-Party Service Providers, and Third-Party Senders with 6 million+ annual ACH origination volume (2023) must now have risk-based processes to identify fraudulent ACH entries. RDFIs with 10 million+ annual ACH receipt volume (2023) must similarly implement fraud identification procedures. Phase 2 in June 2026 will extend these requirements to all entities regardless of volume.

2026 Nacha Operating Rules and Guidelines - New Risk Management Focus

NACHA announces the 2026 Nacha Operating Rules and Guidelines, emphasizing a new focus on risk management and credit-push fraud monitoring. The rulebook is available for purchase through the Nacha Store at $75 for members and $110 for non-members. Financial institutions are encouraged to obtain the latest edition to access educational materials and guidance for compliance with the new risk-based approach.

New Nacha Risk Management Rules Compliance Guidance

NACHA published compliance guidance on new ACH Network Risk Management Rules effective in 2026, advising organizations to implement proactive, risk-based processes including annual reviews. The guidance emphasizes that compliance is not a one-time exercise but requires ongoing evaluation against evolving fraud schemes, technological changes, and operational growth.

Podcast on Fraud Prevention: ACH Check Fraud Rising

NACHA published a podcast featuring Q2 and NACHA executives discussing the rise in check and ACH fraud. The podcast highlights that Positive Pay fraud prevention services are often adopted reactively after fraud occurs rather than proactively, and explores potential industry shifts such as making fraud protection an 'opt-out' rather than 'opt-in' service.

20 New Members Join Payments Innovation Alliance

NACHA announced that 20 organizations joined the Payments Innovation Alliance during Q1 2026, expanding the cross-industry network that addresses innovation, education and operational improvements across the ACH Network. New members include financial institutions, fintech companies, technology providers, and legal service firms. The Alliance provides members with workgroup access, industry discussions, and engagement with payments ecosystem leaders.

SEC Highlights Financial Independence During Financial Literacy Month

The SEC's Office of Investor Education and Assistance announced it will highlight financial planning tools and resources during National Financial Literacy Month in April. The initiative promotes diversified investing, emergency fund creation, debt reduction, and long-term retirement planning through Investor.gov resources.