2024-02-29
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas issued a circular directing all supervised financial institutions to adhere to the Financial Action Task Force's February 2024 updates on high-risk jurisdictions and increased monitoring. The document mandates enhanced due diligence and countermeasures for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Iran, while adding Kenya and Namibia to the list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring. Institutions are further instructed to remain vigilant regarding risks associated with the Russian Federation and to integrate these FATF findings into their ongoing risk analysis and mitigation strategies.
Classification: GENERAL Page OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR FINANCIAL SUPERVISION SECTOR CIRCULAR LETTER NO. CL-2024-___ To : All BSP-Supervised Financial Institutions (BSFIs) Subject : Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Publications – 23 February 2024 This is to inform all BSFIs of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) publications issued last 23 February 2024 on: (i) high-risk jurisdictions subject to a call for action1 , (ii) jurisdictions under increased monitoring2 , and (iii) statement on the Russian Federation3 .
Classification: GENERAL Page 2 of 2 • Jurisdiction subject to a FATF call on its members and other jurisdictions to apply enhanced due diligence (EDD) measures proportionate to the risks arising from the jurisdiction Myanmar Since October 2023, Myanmar took steps to prioritise inspection of certain Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBP) sectors on a risk basis, however overall progress continues to be slow. The FATF urges Myanmar to work to fully address its anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) deficiencies, including to demonstrate that its monitoring and supervision of money or value transfer services (MVTS) is based on documented and sound understanding of ML/TF risks to mitigate undue scrutiny of legitimate financial flows. Myanmar will remain on the list of countries subject to a call for action until its full action plan is completed. 2. Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring These countries are actively working with the FATF and have committed to resolve swiftly the identified strategic deficiencies in their regimes to counter ML/TF/PF within agreed timeframes. The FATF has issued an updated list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring. Barbados, Gibraltar, Uganda, and the United Arab Emirates are no longer subject to increased monitoring. New jurisdictions added to the list are Kenya and Namibia. The FATF does not call for the application of EDD measures on these jurisdictions but encourages its members and all jurisdictions to take into account the information presented in their risk analysis. 3. Statement on the Russian Federation FATF members note with concern the potential risks to the international financial system, including growing financial connectivity of Russia with countries subject to FATF countermeasures, risks of PF, and malicious cyber activities and ransomware attacks. Accordingly, the FATF calls upon all jurisdictions to continue to remain vigilant due to the abovementioned risks. FATF members will continue to monitor the situation and the risks posed to the global financial system. As a suspended member of the FATF, the Russian Federation still remains accountable for its obligation to implement the FATF Standards. Copies of the aforementioned FATF publications may be viewed and downloaded from the FATF website (www.fatf-gafi.org). BSFIs are likewise directed to regularly refer to the FATF’s website for the latest statements on high risk and other monitored jurisdictions and consider the same in their risk analysis and mitigation strategies. For guidance and strict compliance. CHUCHI G. FONACIER Deputy Governor __29 February 2024