AML Certification CAMS Updated Exam

The Egmont Group assists financial intelligence unit members to accomplish their goals by providing support to expand and systematize cooperation related to the reciprocal exchange of information, fostering better and secure communication through the application of technology, and encouraging operational autonomy of financial intelligence units. Additionally, the Egmont Group also maintains uniform global formats for funds transfers that assist in the detection of money laundering and supplies information on the common money laundering tactics used by terrorists and financial supporters of terrorism.

The correct answer is B, C, and E, as these three present the highest anti-money laundering or sanctions risk and will require controls prior to launch. According to the FATF Updated Guidance for a Risk-Based Approach to Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers1, P2P transactions pose significant challenges for AML/CFT compliance, as they may involve anonymous or pseudonymous parties, cross-border transfers, real-time settlement, and limited information on the beneficiaries. These factors increase the risk of money laundering, terrorist financing, and sanctions evasion, as well as the difficulty of detecting and reporting suspicious activity. Therefore, the institution should implement appropriate controls to mitigate these risks, such as:

Conducting enhanced due diligence on customers who use the P2P service, especially if they are located in high-risk jurisdictions or are involved in high-risk activities1.

Implementing transaction monitoring systems that can identify and flag unusual or suspicious patterns of behavior, such as large or frequent transfers, transfers to or from sanctioned entities or countries, or transfers that do not match the customer’s profile or expected activity12.

Applying the travel rule, which requires the originator and beneficiary VASPs (or financial institutions) to exchange and retain information on the parties involved in the transfer, such as their names, account numbers, addresses, and national identification numbers13.

Establishing information-sharing and cooperation mechanisms with other VASPs, financial institutions, and regulators, to facilitate the exchange of relevant data and intelligence on P2P transactions and customers14.

 1: Updated Guidance for a Risk-Based Approach to Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers - FATF, page 13-16, 28-29, 32-33, 40-412: AML and Compliance Solution for The P2P Industry - Sanction Scanner3: P2P Money Laundering: How to Comply - ComplyAdvantage4: 2024 National Money Laundering Risk Assessment - U.S. Department of the Treasury, page 17.

According to the Basel guidelines on customer due diligence for banks, a trust is a legal arrangement whereby a person (the settlor or grantor) transfers the legal ownership of specific assets to another person or entity (the trustee) to hold for the benefit of a third person or persons (the beneficiaries)1. The Basel guidelines recommend that banks should identify and verify the identity of the following parties to determine the true nature of the trust relationship:

The trustee, who is the person or entity that has the legal authority and duty to manage the trust assets and distribute them to the beneficiaries according to the trust deed2. The trustee may also be the settlor, the beneficiary, or both, depending on the type and structure of the trust3.

The beneficiaries, who are the persons or entities that have a beneficial interest in the trust assets or income, either presently or in the future4. The beneficiaries may be named individuals, classes of persons, or charitable causes.

The settlor or grantor, who is the person or entity that creates the trust and transfers the legal ownership of the assets to the trustee. The settlor or grantor may also retain some rights or powers over the trust, such as the ability to appoint or remove trustees, beneficiaries, or protectors.

The other three options are incorrect because:

Respondents are not trust parties, but rather financial institutions that maintain correspondent banking relationships with other financial institutions. Respondents are not relevant for the identification of the trust relationship, but rather for the due diligence of the correspondent banking relationship.

Payees are not trust parties, but rather persons or entities that receive payments from the trust or other sources. Payees are not relevant for the identification of the trust relationship, but rather for the monitoring of the transactions and activities of the trust.

Trust administrators are not trust parties, but rather persons or entities that provide administrative services to the trust, such as accounting, record-keeping, or tax compliance. Trust administrators are not relevant for the identification of the trust relationship, but rather for the assessment of the risk and complexity of the trust.

1: Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, Customer due diligence for banks, October 2001, 4, p. 17 2: Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, Customer due diligence for banks, October 2001, 4, p. 17 3: ACAMS, CAMS Study Guide, 6th Edition, Chapter 5,p. 111 4: Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, Customer due diligence for banks, October 2001, 4, p. 17 : ACAMS, CAMS Study Guide, 6th Edition, Chapter 5, p. 111 : Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, Customer due diligence for banks, October 2001, 4, p. 17 : ACAMS, CAMS Study Guide, 6th Edition, Chapter 5, p. 111 : Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, Customer due diligence for banks, October 2001, 4, p. 10 : ACAMS, CAMS Study Guide, 6th Edition, Chapter 5, p. 112 : ACAMS, CAMS Study Guide, 6th Edition, Chapter 5, p. 112

According to the Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (the 6th edition) resources, one of the essential elements of an effective AML program is the establishment of a written AML policy that sets out the bank’s commitment to comply with the applicable AML laws and regulations, as well asthe roles and responsibilities of the board of directors, senior management, and staff in implementing the AML program. The AML policy should also include the bank’s risk assessment, customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, record keeping, reporting, training, and audit procedures. The AML policy should be approved by the board of directors and communicated to all staff from the top down. The other options are not incorrect, but they are not the primary responsibility of the board of directors in demonstrating commitment to AML compliance.