European Union: Money Laundering

The European Union's new Anti-Money Laundering Regulation introduces sweeping changes for the automotive sector, bringing luxury vehicle dealers into the compliance framework for the first time while imposing stricter requirements on leasing companies. With motor vehicles priced above EUR 250,000 now classified as high-value goods, dealers must implement comprehensive AML procedures including customer due diligence, beneficial ownership verification, and mandatory reporting to financial intelligence units

Luxembourg's CSSF imposed a €56,000 fine on Stonehage Fleming Luxembourg S.A. for multiple compliance failures, including significant delays in processing sanctions screening alerts and implementing changes to screening lists. At the time of inspection, hundreds of alerts had been treated with substantial delays and 42 alerts remained completely unnoticed by the financial services provider.

The European Commission has published its first report on Directive (EU) 2019/1153, mapping the evolving framework for law-enforcement access to financial intelligence across the EU. While the report defers decisions on expanding data access, it signals a shift toward faster, more standardized cross-border information sharing through interconnected account registers and structured transaction formats. Financial institutions face mounting pressure to ensure their data governance, production capabilities, and

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

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.

Die BaFin hat ihre aufsichtlichen Anforderungen an die Nutzung virtueller IBANs verschärft und fordert strengere Compliance-Kontrollen zur Bekämpfung von Geldwäsche und Terrorismusfinanzierung.

Malta’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) framework has undergone a significant evolution following the introduction of Legal Notice 82 of 2026...

Italy's Bank of Italy has introduced a mandatory notification requirement for the appointment of AML responsible officers, effective July 2026. Obliged entities under the Bank of Italy's supervision must now communicate appointments and changes within specific timeframes through designated procedures. This analysis provides a comprehensive Q&A format breakdown of the new requirements, communication modalities, and critical compliance deadlines that financial intermediaries must meet.

On 11 June 2026, the Court of Justice of the European Union (the “Court”) delivered its judgment in Case C-81/24, Jenec. The case concerned the relationship between the right of access to a payment account with basic features under Directive 2014/92/EU (the “Payment Accounts Directive”) and the AML/CFT obligations imposed on financial institutions under Directive (EU) 2015/849 (the “AML Directive”).