customer due diligence

New ID card for foreign nationals being introduced from the 25 November 2008.

The Money Laundering Regulations require relevant businesses to carry out Customer Due Diligence on their customers. This may involve asking for documentary evidence of a customer’s identity. The UK Borders Agency has announced a new ID card for foreign nationals which will begin a roll out programme starting on the 25 November 2008.

FSA fines firm and MLRO for money laundering controls failings

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has today fined Sindicatum Holdings Limited (SHL) £49,000 and its money laundering reporting officer (MLRO), Michael Wheelhouse, £17,500 for not having adequate anti-money laundering systems and controls in place for verifying and recording clients’ identities. This is the first time the FSA has fined a money laundering reporting officer.