January 21, 2026
WASHINGTON D.C. – Global Financial Integrity (GFI) and the Superintendence of Companies, Securities, and Insurance of the Republic of Ecuador have formalized a strategic Memorandum of Understanding to establish mechanisms that strengthen inter-institutional cooperation, financial transparency, and the integrity of the financial system. The goal of the collaboration is to combat organized crime and money laundering.
The signing ceremony took place on Monday, January 19, 2026, at the Embassy of the Republic of Ecuador in Washington, D.C. It was attended by the Ambassador of Ecuador to the United States, Pablo Zambrano Albuja, as well as members of the embassy’s diplomatic delegation and military attachés.
The memorandum was signed by the Superintendent of Companies, Securities, and Insurance, Luis Cabezas-Klaere, together with Herminia Suárez, National Director of Anti-Money Laundering Prevention at the Superintendence. Interim Executive Director Johnna Ebel and Claudia Helms, Director of the Latin America and Caribbean Program, represented GFI. Also in attendance were Raymond Baker, board member and founder of GFI, and Tom Cardamone, GFI’s former President and CEO and current Board Member.
“The agreement seeks to encourage better practices and the exchange of knowledge, to promote transparency and integrity in both the public and private sectors, while empowering the Superintendence of Companies, Securities, and Insurance by strengthening its strategic role in preventing financial crimes. This effort will enable their work to have a greater impact at both the national and regional levels, in line with international recommendations,” said Ebel.
For his part, Superintendent Luis Cabezas-Klaere emphasized that “This agreement reinforces the Superintendence’s commitment to preventing and detecting illicit financial flows by strengthening supervision in strategic sectors of the Ecuadorian economy. With the technical support of GFI through coordinated inter-institutional collaboration, we aim to enhance institutional capacities and position Ecuador as a committed international actor in the fight against financial crimes.”
As a core part of the memorandum, both institutions will conduct research and technical studies in sectors at high risk for illicit financial flows, to strengthen the fight against organized crime, Terrorism Financing (TF), and Proliferation Financing (PF). They will also establish mechanisms for inter-institutional cooperation through technical assistance and training, aimed at promoting pragmatic solutions in key areas such as anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, and transparency. The agreement also seeks to promote the exchange of knowledge and best practices to strengthen financial transparency, protect economic and human rights, and build the institutional capacity of the Superintendence of Companies, Securities, and Insurance of the Republic of Ecuador.
This joint effort reaffirms the commitment of GFI and the Superintendence of Companies, Securities, and Insurance to ensure effective supervision and a transparent economic environment for Ecuador’s financial integrity. The effects of the MOU will strengthen international cooperation, particularly in the Latin American and Caribbean region, in the ongoing fight against financial crimes.
About the Superintendence of Companies, Securities, and Insurance:
The Superintendence of Companies, Securities, and Insurance carries out control processes for the prevention of money laundering, terrorism financing, and other crimes for companies under the control and supervision of the institution. Through technical work, the institution strengthens and empowers obligated entities by providing them with the necessary tools for the knowledge of representatives, compliance officers, and shareholders or partners regarding current regulations.
About Global Financial Integrity (GFI):
Global Financial Integrity (GFI) is a Washington, D.C.-based think tank that produces high-level analysis on illicit financial flows, corporate transparency, money laundering, and other financial crimes. It also advises governments in designing and implementing effective public policies. GFI works collaborates closely with civil society and the private sector to promote projects and good transparency practices within the international financial system, aiming to strengthen global development and security.