Tag Archive for anti-money laundering

Risky Business: 5AMLD and EDD

The fifth EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD) carries significant regulatory developments particularly in relation to high-risk customers and relevant enhanced due diligence requirements. Innovations concern EDD in view of high-risk third countries, ultimate ownership information, transparency of funds, and scrutiny of political exposed persons. Essentially, the 5AMLD further raises the benchmarks for the practice of EDD on high-risk customers.

Status of the European AML Framework

Large-scale money laundering investigations have been the drivers to improving the safeguards for the overall stability of the EU’s financial sector. Beyond the implementation of the Fifth AML Directive (5AMLD), additional significant developments include the proposed EU regulation strengthening the role of the European Banking Authority (EBA) in supervising the financial institutions, the European Council’s action plan for non-legislative AML measures, and the passing of the EU Directive on combating money laundering by criminal law.

The Controversial EU List of High-Risk Third Countries

The list of High-Risk Third Countries with strategic AML deficiencies presented by the EU Commission in February 2019 was rejected by the EU Council shortly after. It appears that the country risk assessment has been affected by political considerations.

EU Methodology for Identifying High-Risk Third Countries

The 5th EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive, in force as of 11 July 2018, includes amendments to the 4th AML Directive, among them improvements in the assessment of high-risk third countries. Moreover, the EU Commission has recently published a relevant methodology for identifying such countries with strategic deficiencies in combating money laundering and terrorist financing.

Ultimate Beneficial Ownership and the Fourth EU AML Directive

The Fourth EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive has now been implemented and with it comes the launch of the new ultimate beneficial ownership registry across the 27 EU member states. Here is a detailed look at the new registry and the drive for increased transparency.

Enhanced Due Diligence in Managing Sanctions Risks

Jennifer Hanley-Giersch elaborates on the sanctions in force against Russia, Syria and Iran as well as those recently lifted against Belarus, highlighting the risks still associated with the countries.