Malta’s Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit Embodies Robust aML and CFT Regulations

The Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) is Malta’s national central agency responsible for combating money laundering and terrorist financing through information collection, collation, processing, analysis, and dissemination. As part of the Ministry of Finance, FIAU operates independently from its own offices with a dedicated staff.

Governance Structure

The governance responsibilities are split between the Board of Governors and the Director, who receives support from permanent staff working across seven sections:

• Intelligence Analysis: responsible for analyzing financial information to identify potential money laundering or terrorist financing activities.
• Supervision and Enforcement: works closely with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering (aML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) regulations.
• Legal Affairs: provides legal advice and support to the FIAU in its operations and decision-making processes.
• Corporate Services and People Performance and Culture: oversees administrative functions, staff development, and performance management.
• Police: collaborates with law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute money laundering and terrorist financing cases.
• Quality Assurance: ensures that all activities are conducted in accordance with established standards and guidelines.
• Technology and Information Security: responsible for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of financial information.

By dividing responsibilities among these sections, the FIAU is well-equipped to effectively detect and prevent money laundering and terrorist financing, thereby ensuring a robust aML and CFT regulatory framework in Malta.