2026-07-10
Added · Updated
Reporting entities must apply countermeasures against Iran and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, including prohibiting new correspondent relationships and limiting business transactions based on risk. Enhanced due diligence measures are required for Myanmar, with potential countermeasures considered if no progress is made by October 2026. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iraq are added to the list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, while Algeria and Namibia are removed. All reporting entities must update their risk assessments and controls in accordance with Section 41(3) of the AML/CFT Act and Regulation 16 of the AML/CFT Regulations.
Circular No. 4 of 2026 Date: 10th July 2026 Financial Action Task Force (“FATF”) statements concerning:
the FATF standards to address proliferation financing risks emanating from Iran. Additionally, given the ongoing terrorist financing and proliferation financing threats emanating from Iran and as Iran’s action plan remains incomplete, the FATF reiterates its call on its members and urges all jurisdictions to apply effective countermeasures on Iran, including the following: • Refusing the establishment of subsidiaries or branches or representative offices of financial institutions and virtual asset service providers from the country concerned or otherwise taking into account the fact that the relevant financial institution or virtual asset service provider is from a country that does not have adequate AML/CFT systems. • Prohibiting financial institutions and virtual asset service providers from establishing branches or representative offices in the country concerned or otherwise taking into account the fact that the relevant branch or representative office would be in a country that does not have adequate AML/CFT systems. • On a risk basis, limiting business relationships or financial transactions, including virtual asset transactions, with the identified country or persons in the country concerned. • Prohibiting financial institutions and virtual asset service providers from establishing new correspondent relationships and requiring them to undertake a risk-based review of existing correspondent relationships with financial institutions and virtual asset service providers in the country concerned. Given heightened proliferation financing risks, the FATF reiterates its call to apply countermeasures on these high-risk jurisdictions. When applying countermeasures, countries should ensure that flows of funds involving humanitarian assistance, food and health supplies, diplomatic operating costs, and personal remittances are appropriately handled on a risk basis considering the terrorist financing or proliferation financing risks emanating from Iran, in line with international obligations. Iran will remain on the list of FATF High Risk Jurisdictions Subject to a Call for Action until the full Action Plan has been completed. 2. HIGH-RISK JURISDICTIONS SUBJECT TO A FATF CALL ON ITS MEMBERS AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS TO APPLY ENHANCED DUE DILIGENCE MEASURES PROPORTIONATE TO THE RISKS ARISING FROM THE JURISDICTION In February 2020, Myanmar committed to address its strategic deficiencies. Myanmar’s action plan expired in September 2021. In October 2022, given the continued lack of progress and the majority of its action items still not addressed after a year beyond the action plan deadline, the FATF decided that further action was necessary in line with its procedures and FATF calls on its members and other jurisdictions to apply enhanced due diligence measures proportionate to the risk arising from Myanmar. The FATF requires that as part of enhanced due diligence, financial institutions should increase the degree and nature of monitoring of the business relationship, in order to determine whether those transactions or activities appear unusual or suspicious. If no further progress is made by October 2026, the FATF will consider countermeasures. When applying enhanced due diligence measures, countries should ensure that flows of funds for humanitarian assistance, legitimate NPO activity and remittances are neither disrupted nor discouraged.
The FATF will also continue to monitor whether Myanmar’s AML/CFT activities apply undue scrutiny to legitimate financial flows. Myanmar will remain on the list of countries subject to a call for action until its full action plan is completed. The following web link to the FATF’s website provides for the list of high-risk jurisdictions subject to a call for action as identified by the FATF: https://www.fatf-gafi.org/en/publications/High-risk-and-other-monitored-jurisdictions/call-foraction-june-2026.html 3. JURISDICTIONS UNDER INCREASED MONITORING Jurisdictions under increased monitoring are actively working with the FATF to address strategic deficiencies in their regimes to counter ML/TF/PF. When the FATF places a jurisdiction under increased monitoring, it means the country has committed to implementing an Action Plan to swiftly resolve the identified strategic deficiencies within agreed timeframes. The FATF calls for the application of a Risk-Based approach and encourages its members and all jurisdictions to consider the information presented through the link below in their risk analysis. As countries consider actions based on their risk analysis taking into account the information contained in the link below, they should ensure that flows of funds for humanitarian assistance, legitimate NPO activity and remittances are neither disrupted nor discouraged. New jurisdictions subject to increased monitoring: Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iraq The FATF identifies additional jurisdictions, on an on-going basis, that have strategic deficiencies in their regimes to counter ML/TF/PF. Following review, the FATF has also identified Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iraq as new jurisdictions subject to increased monitoring. The following web link to the FATF website provides for the list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring as identified by the FATF: https://www.fatf-gafi.org/content/fatf-gafi/en/publications/High-risk-and-other-monitoredjurisdictions/increased-monitoring-june-2026.html Jurisdictions no longer under Increased Monitoring – Algeria and Namibia The FATF Plenary welcomed and congratulated, the Plenary congratulated Algeria and Namibia for positive progress in addressing strategic anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism and proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF) deficiencies identified during their mutual evaluations. The jurisdictions have completed their Action Plans within agreed timeframes and will no longer be subject to the FATF’s increased monitoring process. Algeria and Namibia will continue to work with their FATF-Style Regional Bodies, of which they are a member, to sustain improvements in their AML/CFT/CPF systems. All reporting entities are hereby guided to refer to the following link to the FATF website concerning the outcomes of the Plenary held from June 17th to 19th, 2026. https://www.fatf-gafi.org/en/publications/Fatfgeneral/outcomes-fatf-plenary-june-2026.html
The FSA counts on the usual cooperation of reporting entities in maintaining effective systems of controls in safeguarding the integrity of Seychelles. Reporting entities may contact the FSA, through email at amlcft@fsaseychelles.sc, for any clarification or further information regarding the content of this Circular. FINANCIAL SERVICES AUTHORITY