Written by The Banking Post
Bangladesh Bank and the country’s non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) have adopted a joint strategy to strengthen anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) measures, with a particular focus on compliance culture and risk-based supervision.
The initiative was formalised through the “Joint Strategy Statement 2027”, a roadmap that outlines key priorities, institutional responsibilities and action plans aimed at enhancing the sector’s ability to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing.
The strategy was developed at the two-day Finance Company CAMLCO Conference-2026, jointly organised by Bangladesh Bank’s Anti-Money Laundering Department (AMLD) and the Association of Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officers of Finance Companies in Bangladesh (ASIOF), according to a press release issued on Saturday.
A central feature of the roadmap is an agreement on key priorities, responsibilities and action points. Under the framework, Bangladesh Bank and finance companies have identified priority areas for AML compliance, assigned specific responsibilities and set out concrete actions to address money laundering risks across the sector.
The strategy also includes the “CAMLCO-FC Joint Strategy Statement”, designed as a collective commitment to strengthening and institutionalising compliance culture within finance companies. The document underscores the need for coordinated efforts among stakeholders to improve compliance standards across the financial sector.
Conference participants stressed that AML and CFT measures should move beyond a box-ticking exercise and become an integral part of institutional culture. Emphasis was placed on adopting a risk-based approach tailored to the business models of individual finance companies, while AML/CFT ratings were also highlighted as an important area of focus.
The conference called for closer coordination between the regulator and finance companies to improve the detection and reporting of suspicious transactions and activities. Participants also stressed the importance of preparing and submitting Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) accurately and in a timely manner.
Senior officials from Bangladesh Bank, including representatives from the Finance Companies Supervision Department, Finance Companies Regulations and Policy Department, and the central bank’s Chattogram office, attended the conference alongside AML/CFT officials.
Managing directors, chief executive officers, Chief Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officers (CAMLCOs) and deputy CAMLCOs from various finance companies also took part in the event.
According to the organisers, Bangladesh Bank and finance companies will continue joint initiatives, coordination and supervisory activities to protect the financial sector from financial crime risks and support a transparent, secure and sustainable economic environment.
