Financial Crime World

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Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risks in Belgian Financial Institutions

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Summary of Risks Relating to ML/FT


The National Bank of Belgium (NBB) has released a report assessing the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing (ML/FT) in the Belgian financial institutions subject to its supervisory authority. Here are the key points:

  • The inherent risk score for most activities is moderate or high, with some exceptions.
  • Vulnerabilities are also generally moderate or high, with some exceptions.
  • Residual risks are similarly moderate or high.

Specific Activities

The report highlights the following specific activities and their associated risk scores:

  • Payment activities and money remittance: High inherent risk score (4 out of 5)
  • Electronic money activities: Significant vulnerability score (3 out of 5)
  • Private banking: Low to moderate risk score
  • Retail banking: High risk score
  • Corporate banking and trade finance: Moderate risk score
  • Manual exchange services and correspondent banking: High risk score

Institutions Affected by ML/FT Risks


The report assesses the risks associated with various types of financial institutions in Belgium, including:

  • Banks
  • Insurance companies
  • Investment firms
  • Other institutions subject to NBB supervision

Supervisory Approach and Recommendations


The NBB will use this sectoral risk assessment as a guide for its checks on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) in accordance with its risk-based approach. The report also provides input for the national assessment of money laundering risks.

The document is a comprehensive analysis of ML/FT risks in the Belgian financial sector, which will likely be useful for the NBB and other stakeholders in understanding and mitigating these risks.