AML Weekly Recap and Insights | Week 31st March - 4th April 2025
Dear AML Professionals,
Another week has come to an end, bringing with it key developments and insights in the world of financial crime compliance.
If you want to learn what to expect this year in the area of anti-financial crime, download the Anti-Financial Crime 2025 Report! Packed with expert contributions and practical guidance, it’s a must-read for compliance professionals navigating today’s challenges.
When Things Don’t Go As We Expect
You thought the meeting would be quick. It wasn’t.
You expected support. You got resistance.
You explained things clearly - but they didn’t get it.
When conversations go sideways, it usually comes down to one thing: you and the other person were thinking about the situation differently.
Different goals.
Different assumptions.
Different mental models.
Want better outcomes? Start by understanding how the other person thinks.
People don’t react to what you said. They react to what they think you meant - filtered through their own priorities, assumptions, and experiences.
And when that interpretation doesn’t match your intent, things go off track.
Before making a point, ask yourself:
What matters to this person?
How do they typically make decisions?
What outcome are they trying to get to?
If you don’t know, that’s your first job. Influence doesn’t start with talking. It starts with listening and aligning.
How to make your point so it actually lands:
Start from their perspective.
Frame your idea in terms of their goals, not just yours. Speak their language.Show your logic.
Don’t drop a conclusion and expect them to say yes. Walk them through how you got there.Make it safe to disagree.
Be open to disagreements. People are more honest when they know it won’t turn into conflict or get taken the wrong way.Listen before you speak.
Listening shows you care. It builds trust, lowers defenses, and opens the door to real dialogue.
Final thought:
When things don’t go as we expect, it’s not random. It’s a sign we need to adjust how we’re showing up.
Communication isn’t about being right. It’s about being effective.
Keep thriving!
Anna
FATF has updated its Standards (Feb 2025) to strengthen financial inclusion by promoting proportionality and simplified AML/CFT measures in low-risk scenarios. Key changes include clearer guidance on non-face-to-face interactions and mandatory simplified measures for lower-risk customers. A public consultation on updated guidance is open until 4 April 2025.
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) suspended UK solicitor William Osmond for 12 months for allowing £32 million to pass through his firm’s account without legal justification and failing to apply anti-money laundering checks. Osmond was the first solicitor prosecuted for tipping off a client about a money laundering investigation. The SDT also fined the firm’s compliance officer £5,001 for ignoring red flags.
Cyprus receives FBI report on measures to tackle financial crime and sanctions evasion: Cyprus will adopt FBI recommendations following a nine-month joint initiative to improve its fight against money laundering and sanctions evasion. The report suggests more staff training, stronger laws, and better technology. Cypriot authorities are now working to put these measures in place.
In case you missed my Weekly LinkedIn Activity:
Monday 31st March: Who are high-risk customers? (2 min read)
Tuesday 1st April: Breaching sanctions by mistake won’t save anyone from enforcement (2 min read)
Wednesday 2nd April: Most AML programs in startups don’t “fail” - because they don’t exist in practice (2 min read)
Thursday 3rd April: How Blockchain Can Support Financial Crime Prevention
(2 min read)Friday 4th April: You will not be liked by everyone. And it’s ok. (1 min read)
That's all for this week! Wishing you a great weekend!
Wondering who we are? AML Cube and its associates can assist you with:
AML Compliance
Sanctions Compliance
MiCA Regulations
Cybersecurity / DORA Compliance
Trainings on the above areas
Don't hesitate to schedule a call with our team to discuss how we can help.
Best regards,
Anna Stylianou