5 Key Regulatory Updates for the Banking Sector in 2021

The pandemic disrupted operations in the banking sector and the criminal activities significantly  increased in 2020. As per our Global Identity Fraud Report 2020, fraud rate increased by 3.36% and the worst part is, perpetrators are strategically stronger than before. With the help of advanced technology, they are also utilising new and improved versions of fraudulent attempts. The banking sector has always been under threat of criminal proceedings and so, regulatory authorities across the world are imposing more rigid regulations. For banks, customer due diligence (CDD) requirements have increased in 2021. Here’s a glimpse of the banking regulatory outlook in 2021 and beyond.

Regulatory Outlook for the Banking Sector 

Regulatory bodies across the world are working on imposing enhanced regulations in 2021. Money laundering, terror financing, tax evasion, and many other financial criminal activities have significantly increased. Hence, financial watchdogs are in action to enforce stricter regulations and financial institutions will be heavily fined for non-compliance with the laws. Here are the top regulatory updates for the banking sector in 2021 and beyond. 

FATF’s Plenary – Strategic Proposals for AML/CFT 

Financial Actions Task Force (FATF) had a plenary meeting between June 21 and 25. The fourth plenary proposed strategic and country-specific initiatives for effective AML compliance. The key features of this meeting are: 

• Digital transformation opportunities for AML compliance 
• Guidance to prevent financing of weapons of destruction 
• 12-month review for VASPs
• Terrorism based on ethnicity and racism 
• Consultation update on UBOs
• Money laundering associated with environmental crime 

In the plenary, FATF has also discussed the state of money laundering and terror financing in both Republic of South Africa (RSA) and Japan. The meeting concluded that although South Africa has a robust AML infrastructure, the country must address money laundering concerns on the basis of risk profiles. Similarly, the global watchdog has evaluated other countries and what they must do to enhance the efficiency of AML infrastructure. 

Suggested: FATF’s June 2021 Plenary – Strategic and Country-specific Initiatives 

Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) – New Definition of AML Effectiveness

In the United States, banks can expect more clarity on regulatory expectations for AML programs. In December 2020, the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 was added as an alteration to the National Defense Authorisation Act for FY 2021. As per this amendment, risk-based approach to AML and combating terror financing is reinforced. Moreover, it requires FinCEN to establish “The Priorities” for financial institutions. 

On the other hand, The AML Act of 2020 extends FinCEN’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) proposals on AML effectiveness. However, banks should be prepared for the following challenges: 

• Streamlining their AML policies according to The Priorities
• Enhancing the outcomes for enforcing laws
• Focusing on resources for higher-value AML activities 
• Rethinking AML monitoring, information sharing and investigations 

The Priorities – FinCEN’s Stance Against FinCrime 

As stated earlier, the BSA guided FinCEN to issue ‘The Priorities’ to combat criminal activities like money laundering, terror financing and tax evasion. For the first time, FinCEN has issued governmentwide AML/CFT guidelines. Corruption, fraud, cybercrime, human trafficking, proliferation financing, terror financing (domestic and international), and transnational criminal organisation activity are the eight priorities that FinCEN has issued in June 2021. 

The financial watchdog said that all priorities may not be applicable to every financial institution. However, the applicable ones must be implemented as soon as possible. Otherwise, hefty penalties might hit the finance sector.