Federal and State Regulators Release Updates to BSA/AML Examination Manual


(From NCUA Express) – The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) released several updates to the Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML) examination manual. The manual is used to evaluate compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering requirements.

The agencies are aware of the uncertainty faced by financial institutions during this unprecedented time. The manual update, which supports tailored examination work, has been in process for an extended period and should not be interpreted as new instructions or as a new or increased focus.

The updates offer further transparency into the examination process and establish no new requirements. The updates provide instructions to examiners for risk-focusing BSA/AML examinations and assessing a bank’s BSA/AML compliance program.

The Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the State Liaison Committee worked closely with Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network on updates. Updates to other sections of the manual will be announced as they are completed.

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