AMLA at a glance

Ensuring the uniform implementation and monitoring of anti-money laundering (AML) regulations across the EU

The establishment of AMLA is the result of an ambitious legislative package introduced by the European Commission in July 2021 to strengthen the EU's efforts in combating money laundering (AML) and countering the financing of terrorism (CFT).

Following extensive political negotiations, the package was approved by the European Parliament on 24 April 2024 and subsequently adopted by the Council of the European Union on30 May 2024. The relevant legal texts, the AMLA Regulation (AMLA-R), the AML Regulation (AML-R), and the Sixth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (6AMLD) - were published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 19 June 2024.

With incremental development of its resources and capabilities through the end of 2027, AMLA will assume its role as a central supervisory authority. By 2027, the agency plans to select 40 obligated entities for direct supervision and expand its staffing capacity to approximately 430 employees. Starting on 1 January 2028, AMLA will officially commence full operational functions, marking a significant shift in the EU’s regulatory landscape.

For financial services institutions, the establishment of AMLA represents a broad transformation that likely cannot be effectively managed without adopting advanced technologies, such as data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tools. To comply with the new requirements, institutions should adapt their internal processes, optimize existing data systems, and enhance reporting standards to help meet supervisory expectations effectively. The ability to prepare and process both existing and newly defined data points will be important for affected financial institutions.

In addition to implementing specific changes driven by AMLA’s requirements, strategic considerations will also be important. How can financial services institutions develop a sustainable and flexible operating model that leverages data-driven solutions and AI-driven technologies? Such a model should extend beyond compliance with regulatory requirements; it should unlock opportunities to optimize the cost structure within the anti-financial crime framework.

Furthermore, it is important to consider the direct impact of AMLA’s new powers, and its close collaboration with existing European supervisory authorities, such as the European Central Bank (ECB), the European Banking Authority (EBA), the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), and the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA). This cooperation underscores a growing emphasis on a harmonized and risk-oriented approach to regulation in the European financial sector.

Beyond regulatory compliance, financial services institutions will likely also increasingly need to focus on fostering a robust corporate culture and developing effective non-financial risk management (NFR) practices. Alongside technological advancements, these elements are important for long-term resilience, regulatory compliance, and cost efficiency. AMLA will introduce new regulatory and technical standards and drive lasting and sustainable changes in corporate governance and oversight in the financial sector.

The Deloitte EMEA AMLA Center of Competence is here to support you as your central point of contact. Together, Deloitte practitioners can help you maximize the diverse opportunities presented by AMLA’s long-term transformative impact. By leveraging these developments, you can refine your strategy, reduce costs, and enhance the resilience of your organization.