Financial Crime

Following a consultation we ran earlier this year, the Commission has today published amendments to the Financial Crime Returns Rules (“the FC Returns Rules”) which makes mandatory the filing of periodic returns for accountants, lawyers and estate agents (prescribed businesses), ending the disparity with other sectors where such filings are mandatory. The amendments also introduce the requirement...

As part of our engagement with industry and the associations that represent them, the Commission learned of an anomaly in the way in which the Handbook on Countering Financial Crime (AML/CFT/CPF) (the “Handbook”) treats pooled accounts operated by subsidiary companies of investment and fiduciary licensees. In response to industry feedback, the Commission has today made minor amendments to the...

The Commission has today issued an amendment to the country list in Appendix I of the Handbook on Countering Financial Crime (AML/CFT/CPF) (the “Handbook”) reflecting the Financial Action Task Force (“FATF”)’s updated list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, which added the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Nepal. Both countries were already included on Appendix I due to being listed...

The Guernsey Financial Services Commission welcomes the findings of Guernsey’s Mutual Evaluation Report by MONEYVAL, the Council of Europe’s permanent monitoring body, published today (Monday 10 February 2025). The report confirms the Bailiwick takes a robust approach to counter money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing. Speaking about the report, the Commission’s Director...

The Commission has today published a consultation paper proposing amendments to the Financial Crime Returns Rules (“the FC Returns Rules”) which will make mandatory the filing of periodic returns for accountants, lawyers and estate agents (“prescribed businesses”). This will end the disparity with other sectors where such filings are mandatory. The proposed amendments follow the consultation by...

The Commission has today issued updates to two appendices in the Handbook on Countering Financial Crime which add Gibraltar to the Appendix C list of equivalent jurisdictions and update the Appendix I list of higher risk jurisdictions following the Financial Action Task Force changes to its list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring. Gibraltar’s addition to Appendix C means that in certain...

The Financial Services Business (Enforcement Powers) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2020 (the “Enforcement Powers Law”) The Regulation of Fiduciaries, Administration Businesses and Company Directors, etc (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2020 (the “Fiduciaries Law”) [1] The Beneficial Ownership of Legal Persons (Guernsey) Law, 2017 (the “Beneficial Ownership Law”) Schedule 3 to Criminal Justice (Proceeds...

The Commission wishes to remind all financial services businesses and prescribed businesses that the 2024 Financial Crime Risk Return (“the FCRR”) is due for submission by 31 October 2024. Please note that for financial services businesses the FCRR is subject to late and inaccurate filing penalties. Firms which are required to complete the FCRR will find it available via the Commission’s Online...