United Kingdom: Money Laundering

The UK government has significantly expanded its sanctions framework targeting Russia, introducing measures against individuals and entities involved in military supply chains, energy sectors, cryptocurrency networks, and alleged human rights violations. These developments reflect an evolving enforcement landscape with new powers, increased scrutiny of sanctions evasion, and landmark legal clarifications affecting businesses operating in sanctioned jurisdictions.

The guidance clarifies the standards Companies House will apply when assessing whether authorised corporate service providers meet the fitness requirements introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023

The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority has recently (22 July 2026) published its review of financial crime controls across 242 asset management and alternatives firms. The findings reinforce themes from the FCA's February 2025 portfolio letter, which identified anti-money laundering controls in private markets as a supervisory priority.

The Bill aims to deliver key aspects of the Leeds Reforms, drive modernisation of regulation of the financial services sector, enable growth, and make consumer protections and redress fit for the digital age.

On 9 March 2026, the UK government published the Fraud Strategy 2026–2029: Disrupting crime, supporting economic resilience and delivering justice (the Strategy), replacing the 2023–2025 framework.

This comprehensive monthly bulletin tracks the latest regulatory developments across UK, EU, and US financial services sectors, covering everything from motor finance compensation schemes...

The Nationwide building society has been fined £44 million by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for having inadequate anti-financial crime systems and controls in place

On 11 November 2025, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) shared its findings following its review of risk assessment processes and controls in firms subject to its regulation.

While reform has been on the agenda following HM Treasury's 2023 consultation, the government's decision to move anti-money laundering (AML) supervision from professional body supervisors...