Industry is currently being consulted in relation to a proposed new Funds Section to the AML/CFT Handbook.  This would not amend any existing statutory or regulatory AML/CFT obligations for Funds or Fund Operators but would provide additional clarification and guidance on certain aspects of the AML/CFT regime.

The aim of the proposed Funds Section is to:

(a)   supplement the guidance in the other sections of the AML/CFT Handbook.

(b)   reiterate that all Funds and Fund Operators have statutory AML/CFT obligations in relation to their Customer(s);

(c)   provide guidance on who is the Customer with respect to a Relevant Person who is a either a Fund Operator or a Fund;

(d)   provide practical guidance on conducting Risk Assessments;

(e)   provide guidance on how Article 3 of the Money Laundering Order applies to Funds and Fund Operators particularly focusing on beneficial ownership and control and the “Three Tier Test”;

(f)    in response to specific areas of complexity highlighted by industry, provide guidance in Unit Trusts, passive investors, multiple layered entities, nominees/investment managers, deferred verification, failure to complete identification measures, trigger events and enhanced customer due diligence measures; and

(g)   provide guidance on the circumstances where, although the CDD obligations remain, a Relevant Person may not undertake all CDD Measures themselves.

Responses are to be sent to the JFSC by 25 November 2016.

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