AML Compliance
Navigating UK AML Regulations
Ensuring Regulatory Compliance in the UK
From government to small businesses, we all have a shared responsibility to preserve the integrity of our financial system. Money laundering and terrorist financing pose significant threats to the UK’s security and prosperity. To address these concerns, the UK government has introduced stringent Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance regulations, underscoring its commitment to safeguarding its citizens and supporting legitimate businesses.
The Gravity of UK AML Compliance Regulations
Non-compliance with UK AML regulations can have dire consequences, including substantial fines and penalties. Recent cases serve as stark reminders of the seriousness with which these regulations are enforced:
– In August 2022, Entain Plc faced a record-breaking £17 million ($20.6 million) fine, the largest ever imposed on a UK bookmaker, due to AML-related lapses.
– A year prior, National Westminster Bank Plc (NatWest) incurred a hefty £265 million ($298 million) penalty for AML failures linked to a single client.
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Key UK AML Regulation Laws
To ensure compliance with UK AML regulations, businesses must adhere to several pivotal domestic and international laws, including:
- The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017:
This framework, alongside subsequent amendments, outlines various AML requirements that businesses must follow.
- Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA): FSMA, the primary regulation governing all financial services in the UK, designates the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as the principal AML regulator. It also delineates the FCA’s duties and responsibilities.
- Proceeds of Crime Act 2002: This legislation identifies money laundering-related criminal offences and prescribes penalties. It obliges businesses to report suspicious activities.
Overseeing AML Compliance in the UK
AML regulations in the UK fall under the multiple law enforcement authorities, including:
- The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA): Serving as the primary AML regulator, the FCA monitors financial institutions and various entities within the financial services sector. It also conducts investigations into money laundering offences across diverse industries.
- HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), Serious Fraud Office (SFO), and National Crime Agency (NCA): These agencies collaborate to enforce AML regulations and investigate financial crimes, working in tandem with the FCA.
Entities Subject to AML Regulations
Over 100,000 businesses in the UK are subject to AML regulations, spanning a multitude of sectors, including but not limited to:
- Banks, building societies, and credit institutions
- DNFPBs
- Crypto businesses
- Estate agents
- High-value dealers (jewelers, art dealers, auctioneers, car dealers)
- Money service businesses
Achieving AML Compliance in the UK
Compliance with AML regulations in the UK entails the meticulous implementation of various procedures, such as the following:
Risk Assessment and the Risk-Based Approach
Businesses must identify money laundering risks and establish systems and controls to mitigate any identified risks by determining appropriate Customer Due Diligence (CDD) measures.
CDD Checks
This involves identifying and verifying customer information, as well as assessing the purpose and nature of business relationships or transactions
AML Screening
Businesses should have effective screening systems that align with a risk-based approach and screen customers against various sanctions lists.
Ongoing Monitoring
This includes transaction monitoring and reviewing and updating records and documents obtained through CDD.
Record Retention Requirements
UK businesses must maintain comprehensive records, including due diligence check results, transaction details, suspicious activity reports, information on established business relationships, and communication records with customers. Copies of documents and information obtained during due diligence checks must be retained for five years after the business relationship ends.
Reporting
Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, businesses must report suspicious activities to the National Crime Agency (NCA) by submitting Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) as soon as suspicions arise.