Banks should include all forms of TBML in compliance processes says new NGO
Financial institutions should include all forms of trade-based money laundering (TBML) in their standard due diligence, record keeping, and financial intelligence reporting according to a new report by a recently formed national security non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Washington. The report by the International Coalition…
Banks drawn into reputational laundering networks to obscure illicit gains
Reputation launderers, notably public relations agencies and law firms, are distorting the financial crime and sanctions risk profiles of kleptocratic regimes and oligarchs seeking to launder and protect their illicit gains according to academic and investigative researchers. Banks can also be drawn into reputation laundering…
Banks and financial regulators wasting time on AML compliance should consider AI techniques
A new policy brief published by the Brookings Centre on Regulation and Markets has a clear focus on anti-money laundering (AML) compliance and suggests that banks, regulators, and law enforcement authorities are spending time and money chasing down potential leads but not really curbing illicit…
Duplicate trade financing targeted by Duality’s privacy preserving data collaboration platform
Duality Technologies is focusing on a collaborative trade finance platform on which lenders can check if an invoice has been submitted to, or financed by, another bank while complying with privacy regulations and protecting business secrets. The Israel-based start-up says its platform enables lenders to…
Freshly sanctioned Russian entities may turn to established TBML platforms and schemes
Sanctions imposed by western countries, Australia and Japan on Russian banks, oligarchs and other wealthy individuals in response to Moscow ordering troops into separatist regions of eastern Ukraine may prompt sanctioned individuals and entities to contemplate using trade-based money laundering (TBML) operations to channel funds….
Swiss commodity trade finance banks respond to major frauds and insolvencies in 2020 with recommended best practices guide
Ten banks active in commodity trade finance (CTF) in Switzerland have responded to the slew of huge trade finance scandals that emerged in 2020 by producing a summary published by the Swiss Trading & Shipping Association (STSA) of recommended best practices for their CTF activity….
Single window customs portal expected to curb TBML in Pakistan says former finance minister
Pakistan’s new national single window customs portal, which allows traders to submit and access all relevant documents relating to a trade via a single electronic gateway, is expected to curb trade-based money laundering (TBML) according to a former finance minister. Shaukat Tarin, who is now…
Trade-based financial crime features in Turkey’s downgrade to FATF’s grey list
Concerns over trade-based financial crime contributed to the decision by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to add Turkey to its grey list of jurisdictions subject to increased monitoring for failing to adequately implement anti-money laundering and counter financing of terrorism(AML/CFT) measures. Jordan and Mali…
AML and KYC requirements remain top barriers to expanding trade finance operations
Requirements for anti-money laundering (AML) and know your customer (KYC) compliance remain the top barriers to expanding trade finance operations according to 72 per cent of banks canvassed in the latest Trade Finance Gaps, Growth and Jobs Survey released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB)….
Former CFO of collapsed commodity trader accused of fraudulently obtaining L/Cs
The former chief financial officer (CFO) of commodity trader Agritrade International which collapsed last year has been charged by Singapore police with cheating. Lim Beng Kim Lulu is accused of obtaining letters of credit (L/Cs) and procuring forged certificates of quality when there was no…
