AML Explained

Understanding the source of funds is imperative for financial institutions and businesses to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. It involves determining where the money used in a transaction comes from and assessing the legitimacy of these funds. This practice helps prevent financial crimes by vetting the money’s origins for illegal activities or associations. […]

The source of wealth (SoW) concept plays a critical role within financial institutions and the broader economic framework. It refers to the origin of an individual’s entire wealth, encompassing all the assets and funds they possess. Understanding SoW is essential for legal and compliance purposes, as it ensures financial transparency and mitigates risks associated with

The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, commonly known as AUSTRAC, serves as Australia’s financial intelligence unit and anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulator. It operates under the AML/CTF Act, which equips AUSTRAC with the authority to monitor and regulate financial transactions to prevent and detect money laundering, terrorism financing, and other serious crimes. Through

Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) is an advanced Customer Due Diligence (CDD) level that financial institutions employ to manage risks associated with money laundering and financial crime. It involves in-depth scrutiny of high-risk customers to understand their financial dealings better and mitigate potential legal or reputational risks. EDD is a critical component in the Anti-Money Laundering

Sanctions screening is a critical element in the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) framework, which is pivotal in preventing financial crimes. Financial institutions employ this process to cross-reference new and existing clientele against global sanctions lists to mitigate risk. This ensures they do not inadvertently facilitate illegal activities by doing business with entities or individuals facing sanctions.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an intergovernmental body that shapes the effort to combat money laundering and terrorist financing globally. Established in 1989, it has been instrumental in developing international standards to prevent these financial crimes. Over the years, the FATF has issued a set of recommendations that are recognised as the primary

Customer Due Diligence (CDD) is a critical process undertaken by financial institutions to assess and manage risks associated with new and existing client relationships. The practice involves gathering and analysing information about a customer to ensure that their activities are legitimate and that they are not involved in money laundering or financing of terrorism. This

Know Your Customer (KYC) refers to the process by which businesses verify the identity of their clients. The primary aim of KYC is to prevent businesses from being used, intentionally or unintentionally, by criminal elements for money laundering activities. Detailing both the identity of the client and understanding their financial activities, KYC is a critical

Anti-money laundering (AML) refers to the set of laws, regulations, and procedures to prevent criminals from disguising illegally obtained funds as legitimate income. The AML framework encompasses all policies and legislation that enforce transparency of financial transactions to curb the infiltration of dirty money into the economy. Though laws vary by jurisdiction, they require financial

Tranche 2 AML reform proposals significantly evolve Australia’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) framework. Aimed at addressing the ever-evolving complexities of financial crimes, these amendments are poised to expand the scope of the legislation to sectors previously a bit of the initial AML/CTF laws. This extension is critical for aligning with global standards and