The European Commission has released its first report on the use of financial information by law enforcement authorities, nearly two years behind schedule. While creating no immediate new obligations for financial institutions, the report clearly signals a future direction: networked account registers, standardized transaction data, and faster cross-border inquiries. As data architecture becomes increasingly integrated while the legal framework remains fragmented, financial institutions must understand the

The European Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA) was established in June 2024. It is an EU agency that will coordinate with national authorities...

Changes to the German anti-money laundering rules require real estate agents to review their risk management systems.

The German police raided Deutsche Bank's Frankfurt headquarters and several of its other offices in Germany.

The Council of the European Union has adopted its 20th and 21st sanctions packages against Russia, marking a fundamental shift in EU sanctions policy. Rather than simply expanding lists of designated persons, these measures systematically target the financial infrastructure—payment channels, banking relationships, crypto-asset ecosystems, correspondent banking, trade finance, and maritime logistics—that enables Russia's war economy.

In an attempt to combat money laundering in Germany, a new financial crime authority has been proposed.

The Transparency Register has been open for filings since 5 July 2017 but will not be accessible for information requests until 27 December 2017.

Money laundering is a crime that can entail significant penalties. In addition to the Money Laundering Act, which is directed at obligated parties, the offence of money laundering in the Criminal Code...

Germany's financial regulator Bafin is undertaking a major structural reorganization to intensify supervision of anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and cyber risks across the financial sector. The authority is creating a new specialized Anti-Financial-Crime division and reallocating approximately 30 additional positions to high-risk areas, signaling heightened scrutiny for financial institutions. What does this mean for compliance frameworks and audit preparedness in the German banking sect

Mit der EU-weiten Vernetzung der nationalen Transparenzregister soll nun schon bald auch das deutsche Transparenzregister von einem Auffangregister zu einem Vollregister werden.

Neil Williams of business crime solicitors Rahman Ravelli says it is another indicator of the scale of the problem that was centred on a small bank branch in Estonia.

Germany's financial regulator BaFin has issued new supervisory guidance on virtual IBANs, addressing concerns about transparency in payment flows and beneficial ownership while affirming that vIBANs remain legitimate payment infrastructure. The communication requires firms to demonstrate that their governance, customer transparency and monitoring arrangements have kept pace with technological innovation, particularly in relation to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing controls.

Die Verpflichtungen im Zusammenhang mit den Sanktionsmassnahmen, einschliesslich der Meldung und Sperrung von Vermögenswerten sanktionierter natürlicher oder juristischer Personen, werden durch das...

The last few months have been marked by the COVID-19 pandemic with its massive impact on business and the real estate industry. As a result of the general easing of restrictions

Niall Hearty of Rahman Ravelli details the decision-making process that led to the German city becoming the base for AMLA.

The European Commission recently proposed expanding the Europe Banking Authority's ("EBA") mandate and entrusting it with financial sector anti-money laundering ("AML") responsibilities.

Since its launch, the concept of the Transparency Register has been subject to criticism and its practical relevance for law enforcement has been limited.

Die zentralen europäischen Finanzaufsichtsbehörden haben ihre Jahresberichte für 2025 veröffentlicht und signalisieren damit einen fundamentalen Strategiewechsel in der EU-Finanzaufsicht. Der Fokus verlagert sich von der Entwicklung neuer Regulierungsrahmen hin zu datengetriebener Überwachung, praktischer Umsetzungskontrolle und konsequenter Durchsetzung bestehender Vorschriften. Für Finanzunternehmen wird die nachweisbare Wirksamkeit ihrer Kontrollen im EU-weiten Vergleich zum

On 26 June 2017, the new German anti money laundering act has entered into force. The act provides for the establishment of a German transparency register.

Consultation of the draft on the interpretation and application of the Money Laundering Act (Geldwäschegesetz - GwG) – Special Section for insurance undertakings as defined in § 2(1)...