The goal of the 2001 US Patriot Act, is to provide the means and the tools to the governmental agencies in the division of anti-terrorism. This act was intended to strengthen and to unite the people of the the United States in the months and now the years that have followed the terrorist attacks in New York City and at the US Pentagon. This Act is meant to deter further acts of terrorism, and should those acts occur, the Act ensures the proper agencies have at their disposal the methods to conduct thorough investigations. The act has also been responsible for the easier detection of other crimes as well, such as money laundering and extortion.
American financial institutions have enacted certain practices and policies with regards to the complete investigation of anyone conducted business with the banks, and those who are wanting to become new customers in the American market. When ever large sums of cash are deposited, employees are required to fill out reports, regardless if the deposit or the transaction appears suspicious. Every suspicious activity that is noticed, is required by federal law to be reported by that employee.
The US Patriot Act also holds the banks themselves to the same standards. All records and books must be made available for scrutiny, and the banks that do not comply are subject to criminal charges. This has resulted in the deterrence of foreign officials and cases of bribery and corruption. Any time a gift or a monetary amount is requested in exchange for business or financial opportunities, a report will be filed and an investigation will follow. This has been a problem in some of the developing nations in the world, as corrupt leaders will take illegal chances to abuse their power and to satisfy their own greed. Assets that are stolen in this manner will be returned to the countries that fall victim to such corrupt leaders.