Tag Archive for: AML

New Obligations for Overseas Entities with UK Properties

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Do you have property in the UK, or are you about to acquire or have you recently sold property there? If so, you must comply with new anti-money laundering legislation for UK properties.

On 1 August 2022, the new Register of Overseas Entities, came into effect through the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022.

Any overseas entity that wants to buy, sell, or transfer property or land in the UK, must register with the UK Companies House and declare the identity of their beneficial owners or managing officers before 31 January 2023.

Overseas entities that disposed of property or land since 28 February 2022 (when legislation for the register was first announced) are required to provide a statement to Companies House.

The register applies to property acquired in:

  • England and Wales since 1 January 1999;
  • Scotland since 8 December 2014; and
  • Northern Ireland since 1 August 2022.

Failure to comply with these new obligations is a criminal offence and will lead to fines of up to £2,500 per day or a prison sentence of up to 5 years.

For further information, please Emma Dunne, Assistant Manager of Corporate Compliance.

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Central Bank issues Guidelines on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Terrorism Financing

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On 6 September 2019, the Central Bank issued guidelines to help firms meet their anti-money laundering (AML) and countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) obligations.

Money laundering and terrorist financing is a large global issue. An estimate of between 2% (€715 billion) and 5% (€1.87 trillion) of global GDP is laundered each year.

These guidelines aim to help firms to understand their obligations under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010-2018.

Speaking at the launch of these guidelines, Director General, Financial Conduct, Derville Rowland said,

“Firms must adopt a risk-based approach to fulfilling their obligations and ensure that their controls, policies and procedures are fit for purpose, up-to-date, tested and kept under constant review and scrutiny.”

“Effective regulation in this area strengthens the integrity of the financial sector and contributes to the safety and security of citizens by preventing drug dealers, and those engaged in human trafficking, terrorist attacks and organised crime, from using the financial system to support these activities,” she said.

“Financial institutions must know their customers, understand their customer profiles, monitor the way accounts are used and make reports of suspicions to An Garda Síochána, and the Revenue Commissioners where appropriate,’’ she added.

You can find a copy of the guidelines here and view the Central Bank’s press release here.

If you are a designated person for AML purposes and require assistance with your requirements under the legislation, please contact Tony Cooney, Partner and Head of Risk Consulting.

We provide the following services:

  • AML business risk assessments
  • Update AML policies and procedures for new legislative requirements
  • Provide AML training to Directors and staff
  • Independent AML function audits
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