CIMA AML Desk-Based Reviews Begin In October 2026

CIMA’s upcoming AML desk-based review programme provides valuable insight into its supervisory priorities under the new AML Rule and Sanctions Rule. This article examines what CIMA’s planned review programme means in practice, including its focus on business risk assessments, key areas of supervisory scrutiny and the steps regulated entities can take now to assess their AML readiness.

The Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (“CIMA”) has announced that it intends to commence AML desk-based reviews across regulated sectors from mid-October 2026. Entities selected for review will generally be given five business days to provide requested documentation.

The announcement provides useful insight into how CIMA intends to supervise compliance with the recently implemented AML Rule and Sanctions Rule, including areas it considers most important when assessing the effectiveness of an AML compliance programme. CIMA has supplemented these comments with its recently published New AML & Sanctions