FTI Consulting’s Strategic Hiring Signals Growth in Regulatory Compliance Services Amid Rising Demand
14min read FTI Consulting’s recent expansion of its Financial Services practice, marked by the addition of seven senior professionals across the U.S. and Germany, underscores the growing demand for specialized advisory services in an era of escalating regulatory scrutiny and financial crime risks. The hires—spanning roles in compliance, risk management, and operational efficiency—position FTI to capitalize on a market increasingly reliant on third-party experts to navigate complex regulatory landscapes.
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A Deep Dive into the Strategic Additions
The new team brings decades of expertise from federal agencies, major financial institutions, and regulatory bodies. Two notable hires lead the charge:
- Alma Angotti (Washington, D.C.), a former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and FinCEN official, specializes in anti-money laundering (AML) and sanctions compliance. Her experience as an approved independent compliance monitor positions FTI to assist clients facing regulatory enforcement actions.
- Michael Peters (Frankfurt), a former German Federal Criminal Police investigator, adds expertise in European financial crime prevention, aligning with Germany’s stringent compliance standards.
The broader team expands FTI’s capabilities in payment systems modernization, mortgage market risk management, and compliance remediation. For instance, Syed Raza, ex-Acting Chief Innovation Officer at the OCC, will advise on regulatory frameworks for consumer financial services, while Laura Huntley (New York) focuses on litigation risk and enforcement actions for banks and fintechs.
Strategic Rationale: A Regulatory and Economic Crossroads
The hires reflect FTI’s anticipation of rising demand for compliance services as financial institutions grapple with:
1. Heightened Regulatory Scrutiny: Global regulators are tightening oversight of AML, sanctions, and consumer protection laws. The U.S. Treasury’s recent sanctions expansions and the EU’s Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD6) exemplify this trend.
2. Technological Disruption: Banks and fintechs must modernize legacy systems to comply with standards like ISO 20022. FTI’s Steven Hansen (Dallas) will address this gap, advising on payment platform upgrades.
3. Economic Uncertainty: In volatile markets, institutions prioritize risk mitigation and operational efficiency—areas where FTI’s Creighton Oswald (mortgage markets) and Wolfgang Konkel (compliance process optimization) will add value.
Market Context and Growth Potential
The global regulatory compliance market is projected to grow at a 6.2% CAGR through 2030, driven by cross-border transactions, digital finance adoption, and post-pandemic economic reforms. FTI’s expansion into this space aligns with its core strength in crisis management and transformation.
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Financial Backing and Leadership Confidence
FTI’s $3.7 billion in 2024 revenue and 8,100 global professionals provide a robust foundation for scaling its Financial Services practice. Recent hires like Michael Herde and Tom Anapolis in leadership roles signal a long-term commitment to this segment. Stella Mendes, the global leader of FTI’s Financial Services practice, emphasized the team’s ability to “solve problems that keep clients up at night”—a direct response to institutional needs in today’s risk-heavy environment.
Conclusion: A Prudent Investment Play?
FTI’s strategic moves reflect a calculated bet on regulatory compliance as a growth driver. With its new hires addressing critical gaps in expertise—particularly in AML, sanctions, and cross-border risk—the firm is well-positioned to serve financial institutions navigating an increasingly complex global regulatory environment.
Investors should note FTI’s strong financials: its 2024 revenue grew by 8% year-over-year, outpacing the 3% average in consulting services. The stock’s 12-month performance (+15% as of May 2025) also outperforms the S&P 500 (+7%), suggesting market confidence in its strategy.
However, risks remain. Over-reliance on large institutional clients could expose FTI to cyclical demand swings, and geopolitical tensions (e.g., U.S.-China trade disputes) may complicate cross-border compliance work. Still, FTI’s diversified geographic presence—strengthened by U.S. and German expertise—and its focus on high-margin advisory services make it a compelling play for investors seeking exposure to regulatory compliance growth.
In a world where financial institutions spend an average of $12 million annually on AML compliance (per a 2024 McKinsey report), FTI’s enhanced capabilities are not just an advantage—they’re a necessity. The firm’s latest moves signal it is prepared to meet the demand.
