Anti-money laundering - the essentials

In November 2025, the UKFIU published updated guidance relating to Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR). It pertains to using the SAR portal, submitting a SAR and understanding DAMLs and DATFs. Find out what you need to know to stay current with the latest requirements. 

Ahead of Companies House ID verification coming in for new directors, several companies seemingly posing as existing firms have incorporated in recent weeks.

We asked a sample of firms about SAR training, policies and procedures, the role of the nominated officer, levels of SAR reporting, reasons for suspicion and areas where firms would appreciate further guidance or clarity.

As part of its plenary meeting, the Financial Action Task Force has announced the removal of the following countries from the grey-list:

• Burkina Faso
• Mozambique
• Nigeria
• South Africa

Read about the work we have carried out in Q3 as the UK’s largest accountancy professional body supervisor for anti-money laundering.

His Majesty’s Government (HMG) is gathering UK industry’s feedback on experiences navigating UK sanctions compliance issues, guidance and regulators.

Your feedback will inform how HMG implements sanctions compliance requirements in the future. The survey responses will provide HMG with valuable insights to identify knowledge gaps, explore ways to improve industry compliance, and minimise barriers to legitimate business.

The Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) (Threshold Amount) (Amendment) Order 2025 will come into force on 31 July 2025. This will raise the threshold amounts in s339A of the Proceeds of Crime Act from £1,000 to £3,000.

The same trusted guidance and resources, now with a cleaner layout that’s easier to navigate.

This booklet contains a summary of feedback from law enforcement agencies on their use of SARs. The booklet provides a snapshot of some of the examples UKFIU receive highlighting the work of law enforcement agencies in utilising SAR intelligence to initiate investigations and informing existing ones.

The National Crime Agency has published its Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) Annual Report 2024, providing valuable insights into emerging money laundering threats and trends.

Find out about authorised corporate service providers (ACSPs) and the future verification of directors and persons of significant control.

Are you a third-party provider planning on carrying out identity verification checks for Companies House on behalf of your clients? Registration to be an authorised company service provider (ACSP) will now open on 18 March 2025 and firms will then be able to voluntarily verify the identity of clients from 8 April. The mandatory verification requirement will take effect in autumn 2025.

OFSI has released a new video series, ‘Financial Sanctions: The Basics’. This series provides high level, accessible guidance on OFSI’s processes and how to comply with financial sanctions obligations.

Our recent webinar explained the latest requirements, the risks of providing ACSP services and how they impact your firm and clients. 

This booklet contains a summary of feedback from law enforcement agencies on their use of SARs. This issue provides a snapshot of some of the examples UKFIU receive highlighting the work of law enforcement agencies in utilising SAR intelligence to initiate investigations and informing existing ones.

The National Crime Agency has published its Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) Annual Report 2024, providing valuable insights into emerging money laundering threats and trends.

This booklet contains a summary of feedback from law enforcement agencies on their use of SARs. The booklet provides a snapshot of some of the examples UKFIU receive highlighting the work of law enforcement agencies in utilising SAR intelligence to initiate investigations and informing existing ones.

Find out about authorised corporate service providers (ACSPs) and the future verification of directors and persons of significant control.

On 24 February, the UK Government designated 67 individuals and entities and specified 40 vessels under the Russia Sanctions Regime. One existing designation under the Russia Sanctions Regime has been varied.

The Financial Action Task Force has added Lao PDR and Nepal to the list of jurisdictions subject to increased monitoring but removed the Philippines.

This booklet contains a sanitised summary of feedback from law enforcement agencies (LEAs) on their use of SARs.