GC17/2: Treatment of politically exposed persons (PEPs) under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are consulting on new guidance for how financial services firms should treat customers who are politically exposed persons (PEPs) when meeting their anti-money laundering obligations.
This guidance consultation follows the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 published by HM Treasury on March 15.
FCA proposed guidance clarifies who should be considered a PEP, a family member of a PEP or known close associates and the steps that firms should take when dealing with higher or lower risk PEPs.
The regulator expect firms to take a proportionate approach to meeting their money laundering obligations but there has been some evidence that firms are not applying enhanced due applied measures that were not commensurate with the risk posed by the PEP.
This guidance is intended to give firms certainty on FCA expectations for how they treat the varying risks posed by PEPs, whether they are based in the UK, another EU member state or in a country outside the EU.
The FCA will monitor the extent to which this guidance is leading financial services to take a differential and risk based approach to their treatment of PEPs, their family members and known close associates.
Who this applies to
This guidance is aimed at any firm that are subject to supervision by the FCA for anti-money laundering purposes. This includes, but is not limited to:
- banks
- building societies
- wealth management firms
- e-money institutions
- investment managers
It will also be of interest to some consumers who hold high public office in the UK such as MPs as well as family members and close associates of those holding high office.
Please send your comments by 18 April 2017 via the Online response form.
You can also:
Email: pepsguidanceconsultation@fca.org.uk or write to: Andy Watson, Financial Crime Department, Financial Conduct Authority, 25 the North Colonnade, Canary Wharf, E14 5HS
Next steps
The FCA will consider your feedback and issue a response before the law requires it to be in place by 26 June 2017.
Read: GC17/2 (PDF)
Source: FCA
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