Financial Crime Reporting Obligations

This online course is designed to provide a comprehensive and practical understanding of the most critical aspects of financial crime reporting obligations and the associated mitigation of regulatory risk.

Following a brief overview of the expected AML governance framework that needs to be put in place, the core functions of the Money Laundering Officer (MLRO) will be set out.As such, participants will obtain a better understanding of how to carry out their reporting function in a wider sense.

During the session, practical advice and guidance will be offered on the following:

• Setting up and entrenching internal and external reporting procedures;
• Dealing with internal reports and other alerts;
• Obtaining and processing the necessary information from internal, third-party and public sources;
• Conducting an internal analysis and making a determination; and
• Preparing and filing an appropriate external report through the goAML system, in line with regulatory expectations.

Good practice in relation to the setting up of registers and the maintenance of records will also be shared.

As reporting obligations go well beyond the traditional suspicious transaction report, the session will also address other reporting obligations associated with financial crime, including those relating to both the FIAU as well as the other Regulatory, Law Enforcement and Competent Authorities in terms of the respective legislative provisions.Additionally, reporting to one’s own Board of Directors or Senior Management will also be covered.

The last part of the session will be dedicated to the available safeguards and protection from personal liability offered by the Prevention of Money Laundering and Funding of Terrorism Regulations (PMLFTR) and the Protection of the Whistleblower Act.

The Speaker

Antonio Ghirlando is a seasoned compliance specialist with a specific focus on financial crime compliance, including the prevention of money laundering, countering the funding of terrorism, combatting proliferation finance, sanctions, anti-bribery & corruption, and fraud. He is also well versed in other regulatory compliance obligations.

Antonio is actively involved in the provision of real-time operational support, specialist advice, intuitive guidance and training to several businesses seeking to ensure ongoing compliance with their regulatory obligations. He also assists Money Laundering Reporting Officers (MLROs) and Compliance Officers with their day-to-day tasks and oversight.

During his career he has worked with various licensed entities in both the financial and non-financial sectors, having served as the Head of Compliance, Head of Financial Crime Compliance, Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) and Data Protection Officer (DPO). He also headed the Compliance and Legal & International Sections of the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) and served as the Secretary General of the Malta Bankers’ Association (MBA).

Antonio has been involved in several local and international committees, and has also presented numerous papers at various workshops, seminars, conferences and training events. Antonio is a graduate of the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.