KPMG China has announced that David Cope has joined the firm as a Partner based in Hong Kong, focusing on financial crime compliance and investigations.

Cope joins from Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML) where he was a Managing Director, responsible for oversight of programs and processes for Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Bribery and Corruption and Economic Sanctions as well as associated investigative matters across Asia Pacific.

Commenting on his new role Cope said, "I am joining the KPMG practice at a very interesting time, there is an increased regulatory focus in ensuring that financial institutions have proper and effective controls to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. The forthcoming Financial Action Task Force mutual evaluations in the region, also Hong Kong’s own country level money laundering and terrorist financing risk assessment is sharpening this focus, institutions will need to ensure they have a thorough understanding of their risks and the effectiveness of their controls. I look forward to be able to share with our clients my experience in addressing financial crime, and working with them to ensure that Hong Kong and China remain safe and sound financial centres.”

He previously worked as an Executive Director at Morgan Stanley managing the Anti-Money Laundering and Sanctions Compliance Program in Asia Pacific.

Prior to joining the financial services sector, Cope had worked with the Hong Kong Police for seventeen years, focusing on investigating and prosecuting serious complex financial crime and money laundering. He was also part of the formulation and execution of the Hong Kong's financial investigation policy and training.

Kyran McCarthy, Partner, Asia Pacific Head of AML & Sanctions Services, KPMG China, says: “We are very excited that David has joined our growing AML and Sanctions practice - David’s appointment demonstrates our commitment to significantly expanding our teams in Hong Kong and China.”