Financial Action Task Force

KYC & CDD

FATF Highlights Digital Identity, Virtual Assets as Key Priority Areas

By Manesh Samtani | 24/02/2020

At its Plenary, the FATF highlighted the use of digital identity systems, the new standards for virtual assets, and efforts to tackle illegal wildlife trade as some of its key initiatives.

Anti-Money Laundering

FATF Commends Korea, Warns Pakistan, Blacklists Iran

By Manesh Samtani | 24/02/2020

Korea has a sound legal and institutional framework. Pakistan is asked to complete its action plan. Countermeasures against Iran are reinstated.

Custody & Infrastructure

AUSTRAC, Home Affairs Dept Highlight Benefits of Blockchain

By Editors | 18/02/2020

The Department of Home Affairs and AUSTRAC say blockchain has the potential to significantly reduce compliance costs and the regulatory burden imposed on reporting entities.

Anti-Money Laundering

PBOC Fines Three FIs, 24 Officers for AML Compliance Failures

By Editors | 18/02/2020

China Minsheng Bank, China Everbright Bank and Huatai Securities have been fined a combined 52mn yuan for failures in customer identification, transaction reporting and record keeping.

PEPs & Sanctions

RUSI-ACAMS Survey Reveals Proliferation Finance Implementation Gaps

By Manesh Samtani | 08/02/2020

A global survey of sanctions professionals reveals a lack of industry awareness of proliferation finance risks, and a lack of focus on this area in compliance programmes.

Anti-Money Laundering

Between a Rock and a Hard Place: FATF Faces an Iranian Crunch

By Tom Keatinge | 07/02/2020

A well-intentioned decision on Iran in 2016 has haunted FATF ever since. That decision is about to become a nightmare, says RUSI’s Tom Keatinge.

Anti-Money Laundering

What FATF Recommendation 16 Means for the Crypto Industry

By Michael Ou | 22/01/2020

Implementing strict KYC processes to comply with the ‘travel rule’ may be costly, but it is a necessary sacrifice to build a stronger industry in the long-run, says Michael Ou at CoolBitX.

AI Risk & Governance

Technology to Drive Regulatory Agenda in 2020: Thomson Reuters

By Manesh Samtani | 09/01/2020

Technology has displaced the 2008 financial crisis as the main issue driving the international regulatory agenda, says a new report from Thomson Reuters.

Anti-Money Laundering

CBIRC Tightens Scrutiny of AML/CTF Programmes at Banks, Insurers

By Editors | 06/01/2020

Banks and insurers are required to submit annual reports on their AML/CTF programmes within 20 working days after the end of each year. For 2019, the reports should be submitted by 15 February 2020.