The FCA are consulting on proposed changes to its Financial Crime Guide.
Why the FCA are consulting
The FCA are proposing updates to the Financial Crime Guide in relation to sanctions, proliferation financing and transaction monitoring.
They are also proposing to add references to cryptoassets and the Consumer Duty, along with consequential changes throughout the Guide.
With these changes, the FCA want to:
- help firms understand what they expect
- help firms assess the adequacy of their financial crime systems and controls
- remedy deficiencies
Who this is for
This Consultation Paper (CP) is relevant to:
- all FCA financial crime supervised firms
- firms that are supervise under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (MLRs), including cryptoasset businesses
It may also be of interest to:
- individuals and organisations working with firms subject to FCA financial crime and MLRs supervision
- financial services sector trade associations
- any other parties interested in FCA financial crime supervision; this could include non-governmental organisations working on financial crime prevention or academics
This CP is targeted at firms and will be of limited relevance to consumers. Some consumers or consumer groups however may be interested in the Guide.
Next steps
Send us your comments on the CP questions by 27 June 2024.
Use the online response form or write to the FCA at the address below.
Address: Financial Crime Policy, Financial Conduct Authority, 12 Endeavour Square, London, E20 1JN
The FCA will consider your comments and plan to publish feedback, along with the final amended text of the Guide, in a Policy Statement.
Your feedback will also instruct future updates to the Guide.
To make sure the Guide remains clear and supports firms, the FCA will look to introduce further changes to the Guide through consultation, as needed. This will likely include updates to other chapters.
Background
The Guide does not contain rules and imposes no new requirements on firms.
The FCA expect firms to:
- have read and considered the guidance
- use your judgement on how it may help you ensure you have effective financial crime systems and controls in place
Source: FCA