Customer Due Diligence (CDD) is one of the most important components of an effective Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing framework. It enables a business to understand who its customer is, who ultimately owns or controls the customer, why the customer wants to establish a relationship, what activity is expected, and whether the relationship presents money laundering, terrorist financing or proliferation financing risks.
What Is MENAFATF? Members, Observers & UAE AML Guide
MENAFATF, or the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force, is a FATF-Style Regional Body (FSRB) responsible for strengthening anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, and counter-proliferation financing standards across the Middle East and North Africa region.
The Role of Re-KYC Process in AML Compliance in the UAE
Re-KYC is an important part of ongoing Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance. While KYC begins when a customer is onboarded, Re-KYC ensures that customer information, beneficial ownership, risk profiles, and expected activities remain accurate throughout the business relationship.
CBUAE AML Fine 2026: AED 20 Million Bank Penalty and MLRO Personal Liability What Every UAE Business Must Learn
On 24 June 2026, the Central Bank of the UAE issued the most consequential CBUAE AML fine 2026 to date, imposing a financial penalty of AED 20 million on a branch of a foreign bank following examinations that revealed significant and repeated failures in its anti-money laundering, countering the financing of terrorism, and sanctions compliance framework.
Enhanced Due Diligence for High-Risk Countries: The Complete 2026 Guide
Enhanced due diligence for high-risk countries is one of the most operationally critical and most frequently misunderstood obligations under UAE AML law. With Iraq and Bosnia and Herzegovina added to the FATF grey list on 19 June 2026, and Kuwait added in February 2026, the question of when and how to apply enhanced due diligence high risk countries UAE has never been more urgent for financial institutions, DNFBPs, and VASPs across the country.
FATF Grey List Update UAE 2026: What Every Business Must Do Right Now
On 19 June 2026, the Financial Action Task Force concluded its June Plenary in Paris and issued its latest FATF grey list update UAE 2026, adding Iraq and Bosnia and Herzegovina to the jurisdictions under increased monitoring list and removing Algeria and Namibia. The FATF black list remains unchanged, covering Iran, North Korea, and Myanmar.






