AML Certification CAMS Reddit Questions

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) is an international body that sets standards and guidelines for the prudential regulation of banks. One of its key publications is the Customer Due Diligence for Banks, which outlines the essential elements of Know Your Customer (KYC) standards for banks. According to this document, customer acceptance, customer due diligence, and record-keeping policies and procedures should be changed as necessary to address variations in risk among each line of business within the organization. This means that banks should adopt a risk-based approach to KYC, taking into account the different types, levels, and sources of risk associated with different customers, products, services, transactions, and delivery channels. By doing so, banks can allocate their resources more efficiently and effectively, and mitigate the potential for money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes.

References:

Customer Due Diligence for Banks, BCBS, October 2001, p. 5, 14-15.

The Basel Committee: The Important Set Of International Banking Regulations, Financial Crime Academy, November 2023.

According to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), financial institutions should apply a risk-based approach to customer due diligence (CDD), which includes obtaining and updating information on the identity, beneficial ownership, and business activities of their clients. If a client refuses to provide or update such information, or provides false or misleading information, the financial institution should consider this as a red flag for potential money laundering or terrorist financing, and should exit the relationship with the client, unless the circumstances warrant otherwise. Exiting the relationship with a client who refuses to update information is also consistent with the FATF’s Recommendation 10, which requires financial institutions to terminate the business relationship if they are unable to perform CDD measures.

References:

1: This document contains the FATF’s 40 Recommendations, which are the international standards for combating money laundering and terrorist financing. Recommendation 10 covers the CDD requirements for financial institutions, and paragraph 22 states that “If the financial institution is unable to comply with paragraphs 10 to 12, 15 and 17, it should not open the account, commence business relations or perform the transaction; or should terminate the business relationship; and should consider making a suspicious transactions report in relation to the customer.”

2: This document provides guidance on the implementation of the FATF’s Recommendations on transparency and beneficial ownership, which are relevant for CDD purposes. It explains the definition of beneficial owner, the risks associated with legal persons and arrangements, and the effective mechanisms to combat the misuse of such entities. It also provides examples of situations where financial institutions should exit the relationship with a client, such as when the client refuses to provide or update information on beneficial ownership or control, or when the client is a shell company or a trust with no legitimate economic purpose.

B. An internal auditor with the requisite knowledge and expertise of AML: An internal auditor with sufficient knowledge and expertise in AML regulations and compliance requirements can perform the AML audit.

D. Qualified bank staff if not involved in the AML function being tested: Qualified bank staff who are not involved in the AML function being audited can perform the AML audit.

According to the ACAMS CAMS Certification Study Guide (6th edition), one of the key steps of conducting an investigation of a suspicious activity is to maintain and secure supporting documentation used to perform the investigation. This includes the transaction activity that generated the alert, the analysis performed, the decision made, and the rationale for the decision. This documentation serves as evidence of the investigation process and the compliance with the relevant policies and procedures. It also helps to ensure consistency, accountability, and transparency in the investigation process1

References: 1: ACAMS CAMS Certification Study Guide (6th edition), page 156.