GFN Daily Brief
Short, high-signal briefs you can act on today.
UK Treasury Consults on AML/CFT Regulatory Amendments
The UK Treasury has launched a consultation on proposed amendments to the UK AML/CFT regulatory framework, signalling potential changes to supervisory powers and compliance obligations.
UK FCA Highlights Transaction Monitoring Weaknesses in Thematic Findings
The UK Financial Conduct Authority has outlined recurring weaknesses in firms’ transaction monitoring frameworks, signalling continued supervisory scrutiny of alert quality and governance.
EU Advances Political Agreement on AMLA Implementation Framework
EU institutions have progressed political agreement on elements of the AMLA implementation framework, signalling accelerated supervisory convergence expectations.
OFAC Issues Updated Russia-Related General License
OFAC has issued an updated Russia-related General License, modifying the scope of authorised transactions and compliance conditions.
FATF Updates High-Risk Jurisdictions List
FATF has updated its lists of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, reinforcing expectations for enhanced due diligence and country risk reassessment.
US Treasury Expands North Korea Sanctions
The US Treasury added entities and individuals to North Korea sanctions lists, reinforcing aggressive enforcement of DPRK-linked financial restrictions.
UK Updates Russia Sanctions Designations
The UK has introduced additional Russia-related sanctions designations, reinforcing ongoing expectations for real-time screening and exposure reassessment.
US Enforcement Signals Heightened Scrutiny of Crypto AML Controls
Recent US enforcement action underscores continued focus on AML program effectiveness and sanctions controls within crypto and digital asset platforms.
Sanctions Screening Data Quality Remains a Supervisory Focus
Recent supervisory commentary continues to emphasise data quality and update governance as core weaknesses in sanctions screening frameworks.
UK Sanctions Listing and Reporting Expectations Update
The UK’s financial sanctions regime architecture shifted with new regime-specific sanction list pages and expanded guidance on reporting obligations, affecting screening and compliance processes.
Supervisors Reinforce Expectations on Ongoing Customer Risk Reassessment
Regulatory messaging underscored that customer risk assessments are expected to be dynamic, with periodic and event-driven reviews treated as a core AML control.
Supervisors Highlight Model Risk Governance in AI-Driven Fraud and AML Controls
Supervisory communications underscored rising expectations around governance, explainability, and oversight of AI-enabled fraud and AML models.
Beneficial Ownership Verification Expectations Continue to Tighten
Regulatory messaging reinforced that reliance on beneficial ownership registries does not replace independent verification and ongoing ownership risk assessment.
Model Governance Expectations Tighten for AML Monitoring Systems
Supervisory messaging indicates that AML transaction monitoring models are increasingly assessed through formal model risk and governance standards, not as standalone compliance tools.
Supervisors Highlight Data Quality as a Core Financial Crime Control
Regulatory messaging reinforced that deficiencies in data quality are increasingly treated as fundamental financial crime control weaknesses rather than technical issues.
Supervisors Reinforce Accountability for AML Control Failures
Recent supervisory communications underscored that persistent AML control weaknesses are increasingly being framed as governance and accountability failures.
Supervisors Signal Heightened Expectations for Ongoing Sanctions Screening
Regulatory communications reinforced that sanctions screening is expected to be dynamic and continuously updated, not a static onboarding control.
Supervisors Emphasise Trade Finance Controls as Sanctions Evasion Risk Persists
Regulatory messaging highlighted continued supervisory concern over trade finance weaknesses being exploited for sanctions evasion and illicit trade.
Supervisors Signal Heightened Scrutiny of Suspicious Activity Reporting Quality
Regulatory messaging emphasised that the quality and timeliness of suspicious activity reports are increasingly viewed as indicators of overall AML control effectiveness.
Regulators Reiterate Expectations on Ongoing Customer Risk Reviews
Supervisory communications reinforced that periodic and event-driven customer risk reviews are a core AML control, not a formal refresh exercise.
Supervisors Emphasise Data Quality as a Core Financial Crime Control
Regulatory communications underscored that poor data quality is increasingly viewed as a root cause of AML and sanctions control failures.
Sanctions Screening Expectations Tighten on Indirect Exposure
Supervisory messaging highlighted growing concern over indirect and downstream sanctions exposure beyond name-based screening.
Transaction Monitoring Model Governance Under Review
Supervisors signalled closer scrutiny of transaction monitoring model governance, tuning, and validation practices.
Beneficial Ownership Transparency Back in Supervisory Focus
Regulators reiterated expectations around accurate, timely beneficial ownership identification as a core AML control.
Crypto Fraud and Sanctions Risks Converge in Supervisory Messaging
Regulators signalled growing concern over the intersection of crypto-enabled fraud and sanctions exposure.
Renewed Focus on Russia Sanctions Evasion Controls
US and UK authorities reiterated expectations on controls to detect Russia-related sanctions evasion through third countries and complex trade structures.
Supervisory Focus Shifts to Control Effectiveness Reviews
Multiple regulators signalled increased scrutiny of the effectiveness, not just existence, of financial crime controls.
EMEA and APAC AML Enforcement Divergence
Fines for AML, KYC and sanctions breaches declined globally in 2025 but surged sharply in EMEA and Asia-Pacific, underscoring regional divergence in enforcement priorities.
Swiss Asset Freeze and Singapore AML Enforcement Uptick
Swiss authorities freeze assets linked to Venezuelan PEP and Singapore sees sharp rise in AML/CFT fines.