On May 18, a speech by the European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union was published outlining elements of the anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) action plan that the European Commission (Commission) intends to present further and reform.
Continue Reading European Commissioner Speech on AML and CTF Action Plan Reforms

On March 29, the Securities and Exchange Commission Division of Examinations (EXAMS) issued a risk alert to remind broker-dealers of their obligations related to anti-money laundering (AML) rules and regulations, as well as to provide the staff’s observations of compliance items related to those obligations. The risk alert is designed to assist broker-dealers with reviewing and enhancing their AML programs.
Continue Reading Compliance Issues Related to Suspicious Activity Monitoring and Reporting at Broker-Dealers

On March 24, HM Treasury revised its advisory notice on money laundering and terrorist financing controls in overseas jurisdictions (AML/CTF). This replaces all previous notices issued by HM Treasury on this subject. The updated notice follows two statements published by the Financial Action Task Force on February 25, identifying jurisdictions with strategic deficiencies in their AML/CTF regimes.
Continue Reading AML: HM Treasury Updates Advisory Notice on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Controls in Higher-Risk Jurisdictions

On March 25, the UK Government published the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) (High-Risk Countries) Regulations 2021 (SI 2021/392) on its website together with an explanatory memorandum (the Regulations).
Continue Reading AML: UK Government Publishes Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) (High-Risk Countries) Regulations 2021

On March 11, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an advisory to announce that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has updated its list of jurisdictions with strategic anti-money laundering and combatting the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) deficiencies.
Continue Reading NFA Publishes Series of Member Notices Related to Common Deficiencies and Other Regulatory Matters

On September 10, the European Banking Authority (EBA) published its response to the European Commission’s March 2020 call for advice on the EU’s future anti-money laundering (AML) and countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) framework (the Response).
Continue Reading EBA Publishes Response to the European Commission’s Call for Advice on the EU’s AML and CFT Framework

On August 24, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a consultation paper on extending its annual financial crime reporting obligation (REP-CRIM) to a wider range of FCA-regulated firms in the UK (the Consultation Paper).

REP-CRIM aims to identify indicators where there is a potential money laundering risk posed by a regulated firm, based on its regulated activities and customers.
Continue Reading FCA Publishes Consultation Paper on Extending Annual Financial Crime Reporting Obligation

On August 19, the European Banking Authority (EBA) published its response to the European Commission’s action plan on preventing anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) (the Response).

The EBA’s key recommendations set out in the Response are:
Continue Reading EBA Publishes Statement on the European Commission’s AML and CTF Action Plan