European Union to establish a new agency to combat money laundering

The Council of the EU announced that an agreement has been reached on regulations negotiated between member states and the European Parliament (EP) aimed at strengthening the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.

Accordingly, a new European agency will be established to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism. This agency will have direct and indirect supervisory authority over obligated entities in the financial sector.

The new authority will increase the effectiveness of the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing framework by creating an integrated mechanism with national supervisors to ensure that obligated entities comply with regulations.

The agency, which will also have a supporting role regarding non-financial sectors and will coordinate financial intelligence units in member states, will be able to impose fines in cases of serious, systematic, or repeated rule violations.

The regulation will enter into force after being published in the Official Journal of the EU following the formal approval of member states and the EP.

A decision regarding where the agency will be based has not yet been made.

News Source: 12punto