On April 19, the European Parliament (EP) published a press release announcing its adoption of a proposal for a fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (MLD5). The introduction of MLD5 forms part of the European Commission’s action plan to counter terrorist financing and money laundering, published in February 2016 (further details are available in the Corporate &… Continue Reading
The Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) of the Securities and Exchange Commission has announced its examination priorities for 2018. This year, the OCIE’s examination priorities fall within the following categories: examining compliance and risks in critical market infrastructures; protecting retail investors, including seniors and those saving for retirement; continuing oversight over the Financial… Continue Reading
On January 8, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) released its annual Regulatory and Examination Priority Letter detailing various issues that will be the subject of particular regulatory focus and scrutiny this year. Many of the areas noted are carry-overs from previous years, including the protection of senior investors and other retail customers, new product… Continue Reading
On December 6, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) released a summary of findings from its examinations of broker-dealers (Summary Report). As part of FINRA’s mission of investor protection and market integrity, FINRA conducts regular examinations of its broker-dealer members, with each broker-dealer being examined at least once every four years. FINRA prepares a report—which… Continue Reading
On September 14, the National Futures Association (NFA) published Notice I-16-19, which notified member futures commission merchants (FCMs) and introducing brokers (IBs) of a September 7 advisory published by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) regarding updates to the Financial Action Task Force’s list of jurisdictions with strategic anti-money laundering and combating the financing of… Continue Reading
On July 20, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an advisory announcing that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has updated its list of jurisdictions with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) deficiencies. In connection with this update, the National Futures Association (NFA) issued a notice reminding futures commission merchants and introducing brokers to… Continue Reading
On April 20, the European Council of Ministers adopted its version of new rules aimed at preventing money laundering and terrorist financing in the form of a draft new European Union Directive and Regulation (Draft Rules). The Draft Rules, once implemented into EU law, will strengthen EU rules against money laundering and ensure consistency with… Continue Reading
On March 16, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an advisory announcing that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has updated its list of jurisdictions that have strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) regimes. Specifically, FATF has noted that: (1) Indonesia has been removed from FAFT’s list that calls… Continue Reading
