Over the past years, the risk level of money laundering and terrorism and proliferation financing (ML/TPF) has decreased substantially at Latvian financial institutions, and their internal control systems have been strengthened considerably; therefore, the introduction of a risk-based approach has to be continued at this point in time. Cooperation between all stakeholders has to lead to proportionate application of the anti-money laundering and countering terrorism and proliferation financing (AML/CTPF) regulation at Latvian financial institutions without hindering the availability of financial services, investment attraction and Latvia's economic growth.
This week, Latvijas Banka participated at a meeting of the Council of the Financial Sector Development during which the National Money Laundering, Terrorism and Proliferation Financing Risk Assessment Report 2020–2022 and the National Strategy for Preventing and Combating Financial Crimes, as well as topical issues of the Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL) of the Council of Europe with regard to the 6th round evaluation were discussed.
Kristīne Černaja-Mežmale, Member of the Council of Latvijas Banka, emphasises: "The keyword in the area of the supervision of financial crime prevention is balance. The work accomplished by Latvia in this area has been commended in the international arena; however, excessive caution practised by credit institutions results in problems related to the availability of financial services. The supervisory process reveals situations suggesting that the rapid changes experienced by the financial sector have not necessarily led to a proportionate approach to cooperation with customers, particularly with low risk customers or specific customer groups. Latvijas Banka has developed an action plan for the next year to assess the ML/TPF risk management at financial institutions, and its inspections will also focus on the provision of services to low risk customers. Our priority is the availability of financial services."
Along with successful introduction of AML/CTPF standards in Latvia and also in other countries, financial institutions tend to refuse to take risks. Given the global nature of the problem and its relationship with the AML/CTPF regulation, several international organisations have responded to the growing concerns about the fact that credit institutions suspend cooperation with their customers without an adequate basis for doing so and without regard for consequences.
As of 2020, but in particular over the last two years, Latvijas Banka and previously the Financial and Capital Market Commission have extensively dealt with the aspects of practical application of proportionate regulation. They, in collaboration with the sector, have developed the AML Guide, provided detailed explanations, prepared and published examples of good and bad practice, organised mediation processes between credit institutions and their customers, as well as organised educational activities and provided advice.
In response to credit institutions' precaution, Latvijas Banka has come up with amendments to regulation.. Currently, the conditions for the basic account service are being eased and a proposal for the regulation of firms' economic activity account is being developed. In addition to the above, it has been planned to: set up a framework for the supervision of AML/CTPF of crypto-asset service providers; improve the AML Guide; draw up explanations of cases where disproportionate AML/CTPF requirements have been applied and cooperation has been suspended in an unsubstantiated manner to avoid risk; apply the requirements of the sanctions within the public and private partnership; and exchange experience at international level.
The geographical structure of Latvian credit institution deposits continues the path of recent years – deposits by residents of Latvia and the European Economic Area (EEA) – are continuing to increase. In the second quarter of 2023, the share of deposits made by Latvia's customers in total deposits attracted by credit institutions reached 87.8%, but deposits by customers of EEA countries stood at 8.2%. Despite the regular inspections, credit institutions have been fined much less frequently, as their awareness of risk management has increased substantially.
When planning the priorities of the financial sector supervision for the following year, Latvijas Banka has compiled key information on the supervision of AML/CTPF.