Welcome to the June 2025 summary of news you can use as your bank or other financial institution attempts to stay up to date on the world of BSA/AML compliance. Our monthly series of curated news about FinCrime regulatory developments, resources and stories.
In this edition, three main stories emerge:
- The European Commission updates its list of high-risk countries for financial crime.
- UAE’s Central Bank Imposes a financial sanction of 200 million Dirham on an Exchange House.
- U.S. Treasury Issues Additional, Targeted Sanctions Relief for Syrian People.
The European Commission updates its list of high-risk countries for financial crime
On June 10, 2025, the European Commission announced that it has updated its list of high‑risk jurisdictions presenting strategic deficiencies in their national anti‑money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regimes. EU entities covered by the AML framework are required to apply enhanced vigilance in transactions involving these countries.
Countries Newly Added
A number of countries were added to the list, while several countries were removed from the list. Notable third‑country jurisdictions added to the list include Algeria, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Monaco, Namibia, Nepal and Venezuela.
Countries Delisted
Notable third-country jurisdictions which the EC delisted in May include Barbados, Gibraltar, Jamaica, Panama, the Philippines, Senegal, Uganda, and the United Arab Emirates.
The updated list considers the work of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and in particular its list of “Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring”. As a founding member of FATF, the EC is closely involved in monitoring the progress of the listed jurisdictions, helping them to fully implement their respective action plans agreed with the FATF.
For an updated and complete list of high-risk third-country jurisdictions, see the Register of Commission Documents – C(2025)3815.
Read more here:
UAE’s Central Bank imposes a financial sanction of 200 million Dirham on an Exchange House
According to a May 25, 2025 official press release of the UAE, the CBUAE imposed a financial sanction of amount 200 million Dirham on an exchange house. The sanction is based on the results of the findings of examinations conducted by the CBUAE, which revealed significant failures in the exchange house’s Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Illegal Organizations framework, and related regulations.
Resulting from the same investigation, CBUAE has also imposed a 500,000 Dirham fine on a branch manager. That person has also been prohibited from holding any position within any licensed financial institution in the UAE.
Read more here:
cbuae-imposes-a-financial-sanction-of-aed-200-million-on-an-exchange-house-en.pdf
U.S. Treasury Issues Additional, Targeted Sanctions Relief for Syrian People
On June 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Syria General License (GL) 24 to expand authorizations for activities and transactions in Syria.
“The end of Bashar al-Assad’s brutal and repressive rule, backed by Russia and Iran, provides a unique opportunity for Syria and its people to rebuild,” said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo. “During this period of transition, Treasury will continue to support humanitarian assistance and responsible governance in Syria.”
This authorization does not unblock the property or interest in property of any blocked person under any of Treasury’s sanctions programs, including Assad and his associates, the Government of Syria, Central Bank of Syria, or Hay’at Tahrir al Sham (HTS); nor does it authorize any financial transfers to any blocked person.
U.S. persons may continue to send non-commercial, personal remittances to friends or family in Syria. Additional guidance is provided in OFAC’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Read more here:
U.S. Treasury Issues Additional Sanctions Relief for Syrian People | U.S. Department of the Treasury
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AML,Banking & Financial Services,BSA/AML compliance,FinCrime
