The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined Metro Bank 16.6 million pounds (U.S. $21 million) for an alleged failure by its automated system to adequately monitor money laundering risks.

Financial institutions are required by the FCA to conduct anti-money laundering (AML) monitoring as a way to counter criminal activity. Individuals and organizations that make money through crime often try to engage in bank transactions or to open legitimate bank accounts in an effort to โ€œwashโ€ and hide the dirty money.

Adrianne Appel writes regulatory news, policy, and trends for Compliance Week. She previously reported about policy developments for Bloomberg Law and Bloomberg Government. Email: adrianne.appel@complianceweek.com LinkedIn:...