What is an Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Check?

Money laundering is the process of disguising the origins of money obtained through illegal activities so that it appears to be from a legitimate source. Criminals use money laundering to integrate illicit gains into the financial system without raising suspicion. Common methods include funneling money through multiple bank accounts, investing in businesses, or using shell companies.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the estimated amount of money laundered globally ranges from 2% to 5% of global GDP, equating to approximately $800 billion to $2 trillion annually.

AML checks are essential in preventing financial crimes and ensuring that financial institutions do not facilitate illegal activities. These checks help detect and deter money laundering by identifying and monitoring suspicious activities.

Key components of an AML check include:

• Customer Due Diligence (CDD): CDD involves identifying and verifying the identity of customers and understanding the nature of their activities. This process includes collecting information such as name, address, and identification documents to ensure the customer is who they claim to be. CDD also involves assessing the risk associated with the customer based on their background and transactional behavior. 
• Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD): EDD is applied to customers who pose a higher risk of money laundering. This involves a more detailed investigation into the customer’s background, sources of funds, and the purpose of transactions. EDD is typically required for politically exposed persons (PEPs), high-net-worth individuals, and customers from high-risk jurisdictions.
• Ongoing Monitoring: Ongoing monitoring involves continuously tracking customer transactions and activities to detect unusual or suspicious behavior. This helps in identifying patterns that may indicate money laundering and ensures that customer profiles are up-to-date. Regular monitoring enables financial institutions to respond promptly to any red flags and adjust their risk assessments as needed. 

The Process of Conducting an AML Check

To conduct an AML check, the following steps can be taken: 

1. Customer Identification and Verification: The first step in an AML check is to identify and verify the customer’s identity using reliable, independent sources. This helps in establishing a customer’s true identity and prevents identity fraud. Verification can involve checking government-issued identification documents, verifying addresses, and cross-referencing information with external databases.
2. Risk Assessment and Profiling: After identifying the customer, a risk assessment is conducted to determine the level of risk associated with the customer. This involves evaluating factors such as the customer’s background, transaction patterns, and geographic location. Risk profiling helps in categorizing customers into different risk levels and determining the appropriate level of due diligence required. A McKinsey report found that risk-based profiling reduces compliance costs by up to 20% by focusing resources on high-risk clients.
3. Transaction Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of customer transactions is crucial in detecting suspicious activities. This involves analyzing transaction data to identify patterns and anomalies that may indicate money laundering. Transaction monitoring systems use various techniques, such as rule-based algorithms and machine learning, to flag unusual activities for further investigation.
4. Reporting Suspicious Activities: When suspicious activities are detected, they must be reported to the relevant authorities. This involves filing Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) with regulatory bodies to alert them of potential money laundering activities. SARs provide detailed information about the suspicious activity, including the nature of the transactions, involved parties, and any relevant supporting documentation. 

Tools and Technologies Used in AML Checks

Innovative tools help to ensure the efficiency of AML checks:

• AML software solutions: AML software solutions, such as those provided by regtech companies like Sanction Scanner, help automate and streamline the AML check process. These solutions use advanced algorithms to analyze transaction data, identify suspicious activities, and generate reports for compliance purposes. AML software can integrate with existing systems and provide real-time monitoring, reducing the burden on compliance teams and improving the efficiency of AML checks.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML): AI and ML technologies are increasingly used in AML checks to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of detecting suspicious activities. These technologies can analyze large volumes of data in real time, identify patterns, and predict potential risks. Machine learning models can adapt to new threats and continuously improve their detection capabilities.

Challenges in Conducting AML Checks

Some challenges in conducting AML checks include:

• Complex Regulatory Eequirements: Regulatory requirements for AML checks can be complex and vary across jurisdictions. Businesses must stay updated with the latest regulations and ensure their AML programs comply with these requirements. Compliance with international standards, such as those set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), adds another layer of complexity. 
• The High Volume of Transactions: Financial institutions process a high volume of transactions daily, making it challenging to monitor each transaction for suspicious activities. Efficient transaction monitoring systems are required to handle this volume effectively. Manual monitoring is impractical, necessitating the use of automated systems that can analyze large datasets in real time and flag potential issues for further review.
• Evolving money laundering techniques: Money launderers constantly develop new techniques to evade detection. Businesses must stay ahead of these evolving methods by continuously updating their AML strategies and technologies. This includes staying informed about emerging threats, adapting to new regulatory requirements, and investing in advanced technologies to enhance detection and prevention capabilities.

Strategies to Overcome AML Check Challenges

• Utilizing Advanced Technologies: Adopting advanced AML technologies helps businesses tackle challenges such as evolving threats and high transaction volumes. A case study by KPMG highlighted that businesses using AI-driven AML solutions reported a 40% improvement in suspicious activity detection rates.
• Ongoing Training and Awareness: Financial institutions should invest in continuous staff training to ensure that compliance teams are well-versed in AML regulations and emerging threats. Training programs should focus on the latest money laundering techniques, regulatory updates, and advanced tools to help staff remain vigilant.

Customer Risk Assessment Tool by Sanction Scanner

Sanction Scanner offers a comprehensive customer risk assessment tool that helps businesses identify and mitigate risks associated with their customers. The tool uses advanced algorithms to assess customer risk based on various factors, including transaction history, geographic location, and business activities. 

Sanction Scanner's risk assessment tool provides detailed risk scores and profiles for each customer, allowing businesses to tailor their due diligence efforts based on the level of risk. The tool also offers real-time updates and alerts, enabling businesses to respond promptly to any changes in a customer's risk profile.

To discover how this tool can ease your AML checks, contact us or request a demo today.