Identify, analyse, and manage money laundering and terrorist financing risks with a structured assessment approach. Understand your business exposure and strengthen controls according to your organisation's risk profile.
RISK ASSESSMENT
Risk Identification
Identify relevant exposure
Control Evaluation
Review existing safeguards
Risk Mitigation
Plan appropriate improvements
An AML risk assessment helps an organisation understand where its business may be vulnerable to money laundering and terrorist financing. It provides a documented basis for prioritising resources and selecting proportionate controls.
Rather than applying the same measures to every situation, a risk-based approach considers the nature, scale, complexity, and relevant exposure of the business.
Risk-Based Decisions
Assess exposure and prioritise controls
A comprehensive assessment considers relevant risk factors across customers, transactions, geographic exposure, and business operations.
Evaluate customer profiles, ownership structures, business activities, and other relevant risk indicators to determine appropriate due diligence measures.
Customer identity and verification
Beneficial ownership assessment
Politically exposed person checks where applicable
Assess how products, services, payment methods, and transaction patterns could expose the business to money laundering or terrorist financing risks.
Unusual transaction patterns
Complex or high-value transactions
Product and service vulnerabilities
Consider the countries and jurisdictions associated with customers, transactions, counterparties, and business operations.
Relevant country risk indicators
Applicable sanctions exposure
Cross-border business relationships
Review business models, customer onboarding methods, third-party relationships, and delivery channels to identify potential weaknesses.
Online and remote onboarding
Intermediaries and third parties
Internal controls and operational processes
Follow a clear methodology to understand your exposure, assess existing controls, and document the actions needed to improve your compliance framework.
Understand your business activities, customer base, products, services, and exposure to relevant financial crime risks.
Evaluate the likelihood and potential impact of identified risks using a consistent, documented methodology.
Review due diligence, monitoring, screening, reporting, and other controls already in place.
Prioritise gaps, assign responsibilities, and identify appropriate improvements and review arrangements.
Identifying a risk is only part of the assessment. Businesses should also consider the controls already in place, how effectively they operate, and whether additional measures are needed.
Identity, ownership, activity, and risk indicators
Potential misuse of offerings and transaction methods
Relevant jurisdictions and cross-border relationships
Effectiveness of existing safeguards and oversight
Review material changes in your customers, transactions, business activities, and applicable requirements.
A useful assessment should produce clear findings that support decision-making and provide a basis for improving relevant AML controls.
Documented risk factors and identified gaps.
Recommendations based on assessed exposure.
Practical steps to address relevant weaknesses.
A basis for follow-up and future reassessment.
This page provides general information and is not legal advice. The appropriate AML risk assessment methodology and related obligations depend on the applicable UAE legal framework, supervisory authority, sector, and individual business circumstances. Confirm the requirements that apply to your organisation before relying on an assessment.
Discuss your business activities, risk concerns, and compliance priorities with our team to explore suitable assessment support.