07:00 PM EDT, 05/05/2024 (MT Newswires) -- TD Bank Group over the weekend made a statement related to media reports about its anti-money laundering (AML) program: "Criminals relentlessly target financial institutions to launder money and TD has a responsibility and an obligation to thwart their illegal activity," said Bharat Masrani, Group President and Chief Executive Officer, TD Bank Group. "I regret that there were serious instances where the Bank's AML program fell short and did not effectively monitor, detect, report or respond. This is unacceptable."

According to Masrani, an overhaul of TD's U.S. and global AML program is "well underway". He said TD has already invested over $500 million in program remediation and platform enhancements.

The Globe and Mail reported Friday that TD's lengthy regulatory and law enforcement investigation in the United States is tied to a US$653-million money-laundering and drug-trafficking operation, a revelation that finally sheds light on American regulators' decision to block TD's multibillion-dollar U.S. acquisition a year ago.

Meanwhile, Vizsla Silver Corp. ( VZLA ) announced that it has now issued 448,137 common shares for the previously announced asset purchase agreement dated March 5, 2024, entered into with Inca Azteca Gold S.A.P.I. de C.V. and the company's wholly owned subsidiary, Minera Canam, S.A. de C.V., pursuant to which the company agreed to acquire, through Minera Canam, all of the seller's right, title and interest in and to the mineral concessions. A statement noted the company will acquire two large claims comprising 10,667.0 Ha located south and partially adjacent to the company's Panuco project. The San Enrique prospect is situated along the highly prospective Panuco-San Dimas corridor and is covered 100% with LiDAR and partially covered with high-resolution aero-magnetic and radiometric surveys.