Category: PEPs

Four insights for UK firms in the year of the PEP

PEPs
The recent review by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), along with updates to the UK’s anti-money laundering regulations, has resulted in new requirements for firms: they must now classify ‘domestic’ PEPs as inherently lower risk compared to ‘non-domestic’ PEPs as long as there are no ‘high-risk indicators’ present. With the recent election completed and new MPs in office, UK firms are now facing the challenge of adjusting to these changes in guidance. As firms make operational adjustments in light of the UK’s regulatory update, the spotlight on PEPs presents an opportunity to reflect on four key insights. The FCA review…

Key findings from Phase 2 of Travers Smith review

PEPs
NatWest Group (NWG) has today published the key findings and recommendations from Phase 2 of the Travers Smith independent review – commissioned by the Board in July – relating to account closures at Coutts over the 24-month period prior to 28 July 2023. The key findings and recommendations report (the report) published today was compiled by Travers Smith. The Phase 2 review analysed 84 customer account closures – including all relevant PEP cases exited over the relevant period – building a total sample of around 10% of relevant account closures in the period. The report confirms that decision-making was consistent…

Treatment of Politically Exposed Persons under the Money Laundering Regulations

Legislation, PEPs
My Noble Friend the Treasury Lords Minister (Baroness Vere of Norbiton) has today made the following Writen Ministerial Statement. Today the Government has laid The Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (SI 2023/1371) a Statutory Instrument to amend the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (the Regulations) in relation to the treatment of Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) who are entrusted with prominent public functions by the UK (known as ‘domestic PEPs’). The amendment makes clear that under the Regulations the starting point for banks and other regulated firms in their…

Deutsche Bank in $26.3 million shareholder settlement over Epstein, Russian oligarch ties

Money Laundering, PEPs
Deutsche Bank AG agreed to pay $26.25 million to settle a U.S. shareholder lawsuit accusing the German bank of lax oversight while doing business with risky, ultra-rich clients like Jeffrey Epstein and Russian oligarchs. The preliminary all-cash settlement filed on Friday in federal court in Manhattan requires approval by U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff, who in June allowed the proposed class action to proceed. Shareholders led by Yun Wang, who traded Deutsche Bank stock in 2018 and 2020, claimed that the bank had known its know-your-customer and anti-money laundering controls were ineffective, and that its share price fell as problems…