Revolution 2008

Program Content

Fraud continues to proliferate across financial institutions, through multiple lines of business and banking channels (payments, account opening, online banking, etc.). Increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics and the proliferation of organized crime rings make detecting fraud difficult and preventing it nearly impossible. Adding to the complexity is increased globalization and growth through mergers and acquisition, which make it harder to effectively monitor multiple portfolios and business lines. During this discussion, we will identify and share best practices and ideas around the prevention, investigation, and detection of possible fraudulent activities.

Emerging trends in the market.
New technologies that support robust analytical modeling to better address the changing tactics for fraud.
Gaining a true enterprise view of fraud.
Increasing ROI through real-time prevention of losses.
Going beyond fraud detection and prevention.


Participant level of understanding
This program is intended for participants with a basic or intermediate level of understanding on the topic.

About John Geurts, Executive General Manager, Group Security, Commonwealth Bank of Australia; Steve Ledford, Associate Principal, McKinsey & Company; Dan Barta, Director – Enterprise Fraud & Risk Strategy, SAS

John Geurts, Executive General Manager, Group Security, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

John Geurts has led the CBA Group’s fraud and security risk management function for eight years, and is accountable for global fraud & security risk management strategy, policy and operations for the CBA, its subsidiaries and joint ventures; including investigations, fraud and financial crime, protective security, business continuity management and crisis management.

Geurts leads a team of 180 staff and maintains a 24x7 fraud detection team and global incident monitoring centre servicing the Group and its Australian customers.

Prior to joining the Bank, Geurts enjoyed a 19-year career within the Australian Federal Police, with experience in major fraud, money laundering and organised crime investigations, retiring as Director of Technical Operations in 2000.

Geurts is a member of the Global Board of Advisors to the International Association of Financial Crime Investigators (IAFCI) and is a Senior Associate of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia. He is also the past Chair of the Banking & Finance Infrastructure Assurance Advisory Committee and former member of the Australian Government’s Critical Infrastructure Advisory Council.

Steve Ledford, Associate Principal, McKinsey & Company

Steve Ledford has more than 25 years experience in the financial services industry. Ledford’s work has focused on payment systems and services in the US and international markets. He has provided consulting services to a variety of clients including technology vendors, payment associations and major banks in the US, Canada, Europe and Asia.

Ledford has been with Global Concepts since 1991. Global Concepts is a research and consulting group specializing in payments that became part of McKinsey & Company in 2004.

Prior to joining the firm, Ledford served as consultant, analyst and research director with a number of organizations, including the Lafferty Group, Bank Administration Institute, Deloitte, First Interstate Banks and South Carolina National Bank.

Ledford is a graduate of Wofford College with a BA in Economics.

Dan Barta, Director – Enterprise Fraud & Risk Strategy, SAS

Dan Barta is part of a team responsible for the development of SAS’ Enterprise Fraud program including the development and delivery of product solutions and consulting. He is also responsible for development of analytical software tools for detecting and preventing fraudulent activity, as well as, the development of tools to address alert management and operational needs of fraud detection and prevention.

Barta has over 20 years experience in fraud investigation, detection and prevention primarily in the financial services industry. Dan began his career in 1987 as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Dallas, TX as a member of the Bank Fraud Taskforce responsible for the investigation of numerous failed savings and loans in North Texas. He also investigated several white-collar crimes and defense procurement fraud matters.

In 1994, Barta became a manager with a Big Six accounting firm in their Business Fraud and Risk Services practice. His primary responsibilities included performing internal fraud investigations for client organizations and developing anti-fraud programs.

Barta spent approximately 3 years with Nations Bank/Bank of America in the Liability Risk Management department. During his time with the bank, Dan led the implementation of a check fraud detection software product across multiple sites within the bank. He also managed a team of fraud detection specialists.

From 1999 until April 2008 when he came to SAS, Barta worked for Carreker Corporation, later acquired by Checkfree Corporation, managing a delivery team responsible for the implementation of fraud software products. He also performed numerous consulting engagements for clients in the area of fraud and risk operations and optimization of fraud systems and resources. He was also responsible for the development of a fraud alert management product currently utilized by several banks.

Barta is a graduate of Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, GA with a BS in Criminal Justice and from Savannah State College with a BA in Accounting. Dan is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Fraud Examiner.

Barta lives in Irving, Texas with his wife Sheryl and children – Nicholas (9) and Kennedy (5). He enjoys tennis, golf and travel.

He joined SAS in April 2008.