A new era of cooperation
European Central Bank (ECB) and European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AMLA
These agreements mark important milestones in the ongoing effort to protect Europe’s financial system, reflecting a shared vision of integrity, resilience, and cooperation.
Common highlights for both MoUs:
Purpose and key principles: Both MoUs aim to establish frameworks for efficient, effective, and timely cooperation and information exchange, respecting the autonomy of each participant’s roles and tasks. Both agreements highlight the importance of exchanging information relevant to anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) tasks, ensuring that cooperation supports the stability and integrity of the financial system.
Enforcement: Both MoUs are a statement of intent, not legally binding, emphasizing best-efforts cooperation without creating enforceable rights.
Confidentiality: Both MoUs stress the importance of maintaining confidentiality in information exchange, adhering to professional secrecy and data protection regulations.
Creating a safer and fairer financial environment
“Close cooperation between AML/CFT and prudential supervisors is essential to building a robust anti-money laundering framework across Europe,” declared Bruna Szego, Chair of AMLA. This powerful statement sets the tone, as the European Central Bank (ECB) and the European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA and ESMA—the ESAs) both signed a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the European Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) on 3 July 2025.
“This agreement lays the groundwork for structured cooperation between the ECB and AMLA, allowing us to address risks effectively,” echoed Claudia Buch, Chair of the ECB’s Supervisory Board. Petra Hielkema, Chair of EIOPA and Chair of the Joint Committee of the ESAs agrees with this by stating “the memorandum demonstrates a strong commitment of Europe’s financial supervisors to working closely together to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.” She reinforces this statement by mentioning that “The ESAs stand ready to support AMLA with all the knowledge and information at their disposal so that it can exercise its new powers to ensure that these illicit activities do not go undetected or unpunished on our soil.”
The institutions look forward to a productive and efficient EU-wide collaboration with AMLA, to help protect the integrity of the EU’s financial system and create a safer and fairer financial environment. It is a move toward a potential future where financial systems are well-protected against misuse.
Highlights of the MoU between the ECB and AMLA
Highlights of the MoU between the ESAs and AMLA
