Switzerland’s Financial Market Supervisory Authority published new guidance to improve banks’ money laundering risk analysis after repeatedly identifying shortcomings during on-site supervisory reviews.
Europe
Expert views mixed on proposed U.K. AML reforms
Experts share differences of opinion over whether future anti-money laundering supervision in the United Kingdom should be industry specific and whether a single regulator would be more effective than multiple bodies.
A day in the life of an MLRO
Discover the key responsibilities and skills of a money laundering reporting officer from Jason Holt, global head of financial crimes compliance at U.K-based investment manager abrdn.
U.K. regulator fines Morgan Stanley $6.8M for off-channel comms
The U.K.’s Office of Gas and Electricity Markets fined Morgan Stanley £5.4 million (U.S. $6.8 million) for allegedly failing to record and retain electronic communications by its wholesale energy traders over two years.
Dutch banks’ innovative AML collaboration ready to take next step
ABN AMRO, ING, Rabobank, Triodos Bank, and de Volksbank are each participating in a first-of-its-kind collaboration to shine light on the estimated €16 billion worth of illicit funds coursing through the Netherlands’ banking system every year.
FRC fines Mazars $92K over missed material misstatement
The U.K. Financial Reporting Council fined audit firm Mazars £72,000 (U.S. $92,000) for “wide-ranging failings” in its audit of an unnamed market traded company.
UBS to pay $1.4B over financial crisis-era fraud
UBS and several of its U.S. affiliates agreed to pay $1.44 billion as part of a settlement with the Department of Justice regarding the underwriting and issuance of residential mortgage-backed securities in the lead up to the 2008 financial crisis.
SEC fines Crowe U.K. $750K over deficient Akazoo audit
The U.K. arm of audit firm Crowe agreed to pay $750,000 as part of a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for alleged professional care and skepticism failures regarding its 2018 audit of music streaming subscription company Akazoo.
KPMG survey: ESG-related concerns in M&A derailing deals
Material findings related to environmental, social, and governance due diligence have disrupted mergers and acquisitions, forcing companies in the United States and abroad to back out of deals, according to a study from KPMG.
Dubai financial regulator fines Mirabaud unit $3M for weak AML controls
A Middle Eastern unit of international banking group Mirabaud was ordered to pay a $3 million fine for inadequate anti-money laundering controls by the Dubai Financial Services Authority.


