AML/CFT risk ratings confirmed for sectors under FMA supervision

Media Release
MR No. 2021 – 59

A new report by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) - Te Mana Tātai Hokohoko - has found that derivatives issuers (DI’s) and cryptocurrency service providers are in the high risk category for meeting anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations.

The FMA has today published its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Sector Risk Assessment 2021, which updates the regulator’s 2017 version. The report outlines those factors that can increase a sector’s risk to ML/TF. It is an important document for reporting entities that report to the FMA under the AML/CFT regime because they must carry out an individual risk assessment of their business. The report aims to improve firms’ understanding of ML/TF risks in their sectors, as well as identify trends and emerging issues.

The risk ratings of the 10 sectors the FMA supervises have not changed since 2017 as there has been little change in circumstances for reporting entities. However, virtual asset service providers (VASPs) - which facilitate cryptocurrency, token, or crypto-asset transactions – have been added and rated as high risk. The primary supervisor of VASPs is the DIA; the FMA supervises a very small number VASPs.

James Greig, FMA Director of Supervision, said: “The sectors we supervise are generally expected to be the target of more sophisticated money launderers, as these criminals are familiar with capital markets and financial products. This means it’s essential that entities understand their key risks and take the necessary steps to detect and prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. 

“Derivatives issuers are naturally high risk because their products have high liquidity, accounts can be opened easily, and they can have many non-resident customers in higher-risk jurisdictions. And since our last assessment the risks of virtual assets, particularly cryptocurrencies, have become more prominent. Virtual assets allow for greater levels of anonymity and have global reach, making cross-border payments easy.”

The SRA found providers of client money or property service (previously known as brokers and custodians) were medium-high risk and noted there had been a rapid increase in the use of online investment platforms in this sector. 

Mr Greig said: “The rapid growth of a large customer base using online investment platforms means they may be targeted by money launderers because their compliance resources may not have kept pace.

“These platforms are highly liquid, allowing for high volumes of trading to take place without suspicion, and customers can create online accounts quickly without face-to-face verification, which favours anonymity. Although these platforms often have sophisticated systems to monitor accounts, they must collect sufficient information regarding the nature and purpose of the investment.”

Mr Greig said the FMA expected all FMA-reporting entities to review the new SRA and update their own risk assessments accordingly, incorporating any new risks and findings.

ENDS

Media contacts:
Andrew Park
FMA Media Relations Manager
[email protected]
021 220 6770

Campbell Gibson
FMA Senior Adviser, Media Relations
[email protected]
021 945 323