Breaking the Chains: How Bankers Can Fight Human Trafficking

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and the reality is that traffickers often rely on community financial institutions to move money under the radar. In this actionable session, we’ll walk bankers through the red flags that matter most, how to spot trafficking activity hidden in everyday transactions, and what steps to take the moment something doesn’t look right.

Led by a seasoned trafficking expert from Hope for Justice, this webinar teaches you how to gather pertinent details, when to loop in law enforcement, and how to write SARs that support real-world investigations and protect vulnerable victims.

What You’ll Learn:

• Key financial red flags and patterns commonly tied to human trafficking

• How to respond quickly: escalation, documentation, and law enforcement outreach

• SAR-writing guidance that helps investigators act on your information

Meet the Presenter:

Chris Kenefick, U.S. Investigator at Hope for Justice

Christopher S. Kenefick is a retired Special Agent from the United States Department of the Air Force, Office of Special Investigations (OSI) with 27 years of law enforcement experience. Chris started his career as a police officer in the Metropolitan Nashville, TN Police Department where he served as a patrol officer and a member of the Metropolitan Development Housing Authority Task Force. He became a Special Agent in February 2002 where he served for 22 ½ years with the U.S. Secret Service; Department of Energy - Office of the Inspector General; and OSI. Known for his expertise in investigations and strategic problem solving, Chris brought unwavering dedication to his career. He earned a Master of Science Degree in Public Service Administration from Cumberland University.

Chris currently serves as a U.S. Investigator for Hope for Justice, an international non-profit organization combating human trafficking. He is focused on dismantling human trafficking networks by uncovering their operations; identifying and locating trafficking victims; and fostering trust-based relationships that empower survivors to safely exit exploitation and reclaim their freedom.