Financial Crime World

Estonia’s Steadfast Fight Against Financial Crimes: AML Compliance and Regulatory Bodies

Amidst countries with developed economies, Estonia stands out for its unyielding commitment against financial crimes, particularly money laundering. The country’s economy is stable thanks to its robust anti-money laundering (AML) framework.

Estonia’s AML Achievements

  • Lowest risk of money laundering out of 125 nations, as per IMF and Basel AML Index Data [1]
  • Compliant for 7 recommendations and largely compliant for 18 out of the FATF 40 Recommendations [2]

The Long Road to AML Compliance

Estonia’s adoption of AML laws and regulations took years following its independence in 1991. After joining the European Union (EU) in 2004, Estonia intensified its efforts to align these laws with international collaborations.

  • Integration of the First EU Money Laundering Directive (1AMLD) in 2007 [3]
  • Enactment of the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Act in 2008 [3]
  • Amendments to the law to comply with the latest EU directives [3]

Challenges Faced and Overcoming Them

Danske Bank Scandal

One challenge to Estonia’s successful AML compliance was the Danske Bank scandal that occurred between 2017 and 2018. Estonia responded by bolstering its efforts to prevent fraudulent activities. [1]

Key Players in Estonia’s AML Framework

Estonian Ministry of Finance

Responsible for implementing and enforcing general AML policies.

Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)

Analyzes and verifies transactions suspected of money laundering and terrorist financing.

Combatting Financial Crimes at the Highest Level

A government committee composed of representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Tax and Customs Board, FIU, and Central Bank of Estonia was set up to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

Obligations of Estonian Organizations

Businesses under Estonia’s AML obligations must:

  • Appoint an AML compliance officer
  • Conduct Customer Due Diligence (CDD)
  • Apply Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)
  • Adhere to Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) lists
  • Retain customer information for at least five years
  • Report suspicious situations to the FIU

Fines and imprisonment are possible repercussions for non-compliance.

Aiding Estonian Businesses in AML Compliance

AML software solutions like Sanction Scanner help Estonian companies navigate these AML compliance requirements and secure their financial operations. Sanction Scanner provides premier AML software, ensuring businesses remain compliant with Estonian and international AML regulations. Contact Sanction Scanner for more information or a demo.

[1] IMF and Basel AML Index Data, [2] FATF Mutual Evaluation Report, [3] Estonian legislative history.