EIOPA has published draft technical advice to the Commission on the integration of sustainability risks and factors in delegated acts under Solvency II and IDD. The proposed amendments include the addition (in the Solvency II Delegated Act) of a responsibility for identifying and assessing emerging sustainability risks to the risk management function, and including any […]
Following a consultation last year, the FCA has published the ‘FCA Mission: Approach to Authorisation’ and feedback statement. This document includes reference to the introduction of a new range of tools to help firms submit complete authorisation applications. This should minimise the risk that submitted applications will be deemed incomplete and the time for assessment […]
As part of the preparation for a ‘hard’ Brexit, the Treasury has published a Policy Note that accompanies a draft Bill covering in-flight financial services legislation, currently progressing through Parliament. The Policy Note comments that in scope of the Bill are pieces of EU legislation agreed or in negotiation at the point of exit, with implementation […]
FCA has published the results of its survey on tech and cyber resilience, which showed that nearly half of all firms don’t upgrade or retire old IT systems in time, and only just over half say they can measure the effectiveness of their information asset controls. Megan Butler, speaking about the report, said that FCA […]
FCA has published a new modification by consent to allow firms to exclude from their complaints return form those PPI complaints in relation to which the complainant had not in fact bought PPI from the firm. Any firm wanting to take advantage of the waiver must email FCA to apply for it.
FCA announced today that it will be delaying the launch of its Credit Information Market Study Terms of Reference until June 2019. The delay is a result of the FCA having to prioritise the market study on general insurance pricing, which launched on 31 October 2018 but was not originally part of its business plan.
On 22 November 2018, DExEU published the Draft Political Declaration setting out the framework for the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union (“Draft Declaration“). The Draft Declaration puts forward proposals for the future working relationship between the EU and the UK, including a new framework for the financial services market.
On 22 November 2018, Treasury announced it was developing a draft SI for MAR. It proposes that the SI will address: the scope of the regulation; transaction reporting; notification requirements; transfer of functions; and supervisory cooperation and information sharing Treasury also published the Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019; a […]
The Working Group on Sterling Risk-Free Reference Rates (Working Group) has published a communication pack entitled ‘Preparing for 2022: what you need to know about LIBOR transition’. The pack is designed to inform readers about the transition from LIBOR to SONIA and covers the following areas: the problem with LIBOR; why SONIA is the preferred […]
The Plenary of the Financial Stability Board (FSB) has announced the appointment of Randal K. Quarles (Governor and Vice Chairman for Supervision at the US Federal Reserve) as its new Chair and Klaas Knot (President of De Nederlandsche Bank) as Vice Chair, for a three-year term starting on 2 December 2018. Randal K. Quarles will replace […]
The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) is consulting on its proposal to make general directions requiring payment service providers (PSPs) to implement a Confirmation of Payee (CoP) service. The consultation paper seeks comments on whether regulatory intervention is needed to require banks and PSPs to offer a CoP service to their customers when they make payments using […]
On 20 November 2018, Germany’s Federal Ministry of Finance announced that it had prepared draft legislation to provide continuity of business for UK insurers and banks. The draft legislation referred to as “Draft Act Supplementing the Act on Tax-Related Provisions concerning the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the […]
ESMA has released a Public Statement on how central clearing is to be addressed in the event of a no-deal Brexit. ESMA supports continued ability to access UK CCPs and has therefore welcomed the decision to adopt a temporary and conditional equivalence decision. It is now working to plan for recognition of UK CCPs in […]
The first Commencement Order under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 has been made. It brings into force the majority of the sanctions provisions in the Act that enable Ministers to make and implement sanctions. The rest of the Act, including the repeal of existing legislation, will be the subject of a separate Order, […]
FCA has published additional proposals on how it will deal with a hard Brexit. The consultation focuses on: more changes to the Temporary Permissions regime; reflecting the new Credit Rating Agency and Trade Repository Regime in the Handbook and FCA’s approach to guidance and forms Key elements of the consultation include: new “cross-cutting” issues that […]
The FCA has published a consultation paper (CP18/35) setting out its proposals to introduce a price cap on rent-to-own (RTO) firms, summarising the feedback to the consultation carried out in May 2018 on high-cost credit (CP18/12) , and its final rules on a point-of-sale ban on extended warranties alongside the sale of an RTO agreement. In its consultation carried […]
Matthew Wagstaff has spoken on SFO’s priorities and resourcing, and the successes of its collaborations with other enforcement agencies, particularly the DOJ. He spoke of SFO’s perception that the s7 Bribery Act offence has been a big success, as has been the ability generally to hold senior management to account. He moved on to discuss […]
In readiness for the UK’s departure from the European Union, Treasury has published further draft statutory instruments including: Financial Services (Distance Marketing) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019: amending the Financial Services (Distance Marketing) Regulations 2004 by removing references to EU/EEA bodies, territories and instruments and replacing the references to the European Consumer Credit Information Form […]
Rob Gruppetta has spoken on FCA’s views on the use of innovation, data and algorithms to help it in its supervision of, and approach to, financial crime prevention. He said that FCA is always open to innovation, but that it should not be approached without scrutiny. He highlighted FCA’s TechSprints (or “hackathons”), one of which […]
EIOPA Chairman, Gabriel Bernardino, opened their 8th Annual Conference today in Frankfurt with his speech on insurance and pensions: securing the future, which is also the theme of this year’s conference. His speech also looked back at EIOPA’s achievements in the last year and discussed their priorities for 2019. The one day conference will look at […]
FCA has published a report looking at how banks and building societies are developing and delivering their commitment to provide prompts to customers. The prompts should increase engagement of consumers with their products and make them aware of switching possibilities and developments in retail banking. The report has identified practices that are helpful, such as […]
The FCA has published a speech by Christopher Woolard, Executive Director of Strategy and Competition at the FCA, delivered at the Regulation of Cryptocurrencies event on 20 November 2018. The speech highlights the key issues identified by the Cryptoassets Taskforce (consisting of the FCA, HM Treasury and the Bank of England) in its report published at the […]
FCA is consulting on policy proposals for its proposed regulatory fees and levies for 2019/2020. Among the proposed changes is a plan to streamline the process of setting consumer credit fees by exemption community finance organisations and credit unions. The other main element of the paper discusses how FCA will raise fees from credit rating agencies […]
At its latest Board meeting, FCA has made changes to DISP and its guidance, effective from 8 November, to confirm that firms must not reject relevant regular premium PPI complaints without considering whether recurring non-disclosure is an issue. Separately, FCA has amended Chapter 13 of IPRU(INV) to require personal investment firms to have PII cover […]
Andrew Bailey has written to Nicky Morgan setting out FCA’s plans for improving accessibility and usability of the Financial Services Register, and updating on its recent consultation on the register of individuals.
The Department for Exiting the EU published a press statement alongside the announcement on 14 November that the UK and EU negotiating teams had reached an “in principle” agreement on the Withdrawal Agreement and an outline of the Political Declaration on the future relationship. It also published the draft agreement, outline declaration and joint statement. […]
ESMA has updated its Q&As on MiFID II and MiFIR, and on the Short-Selling Regulation. The topics addressed by the MiFID II and MiFIR Q&As include making market structures and transparency issues. The Short-Selling Q&A updates a regulatory reference.
FCA has published its review of how firms implement FCA whistleblowing rules. Its review covered a range of wholesale and retail banks. It found several areas of both good and poor practice to comment on, and now urges all firms to review the report and consider what steps they may need to take to improve […]
The latest batch of draft SIs published under the EU (Withdrawal) Act to ensure continuity of legal framework in the event of a no-deal Brexit relate to: Venture Capital Funds; Social Entrepreneurship Funds; and Money Laundering and Transfer of Funds.
In the light of the implementation of IDD, the CMA is proposing to amend the Payment Protection Insurance Market Investigation Order 2011 (Order). Currently, the Order requires PPI providers to send policyholders and Annual Review document, which contains specified information, including a policy summary. The CMA proposes that the Order should mandate that the reference […]
As part of the implementation of the Securities Regulation, which begins to apply from 1 January 2019, ESMA has published: draft regulatory and implementing standards on the contents of applications to register with ESMA as a securitisation repository; Final Technical Advice on fees to be charged for registering and supervising securitisation repositories; further guidance to […]
The ECB has published non-binding guidance for banks on its expectations regarding internal capital liquidity adequacy assessment processes. The guides will be applied from 1 January 2019. These guides updated previous guidance from January 2016, and indicate an intensification of the ECB’s supervisory assessments and an increase in the role of ICAAP and ILAAP in […]
Sir Brian Leveson and Lisa Osofsky (among others) were listed to give evidence to the Bribery Act Committee. They were expected to be asked questions such as: whether a company that self-reports at an early stage should be offered a DPA as a matter of course; the truth in a belief that some of the […]
ESMA has updated its FAQs on the Market Abuse Regulation, adding new questions on trading restrictions for persons discharging managerial responsibilities.
The Financial Stability Board has published a “cyber lexicon“, comprising a set of around 50 core terms related to cyber security and cyber resilience in the financial sector.
ESMA has updated its supervisory briefing for regulators on the suitability requirements under MiFID 2. The briefing covers: when a suitability assessment is needed; information to clients on the assessment; getting information from clients; arrangements necessary to understand products; arrangements necessary to understand the suitability of an investment; suitability report; staff qualifications; and record keeping.
FCA has completed its first financial crime survey. It intends to carry out the survey annually, using the Financial Crime Return. Over 2,000 firms were required to file the return, and FCA looked to establish: the number of customers that pose a higher risk of financial crime: Firms identified 120,000 PEPs and 11,000 non-EEA correspondent […]
The Foreign Affairs Committee in the Commons has launched an inquiry on the future of UK sanctions policy. Given SAMLA’s Royal Assent, the Committee is to look at different options for the UK’s sanctions policy post-Brexit. It is calling for written submissions on several elements of sanctions regimes, including views on the advantages and disadvantages […]
The ESAs are consulting on proposed amendments to the PRIIPs KID. The consultation follows the ESAs’ letter to the Commission on developing guidance on information on investment funds. It also noted the need to make targeted amendments to the PRIIPs delegated Regulation to apply the PRIIPs KID requirements appropriately to UCITS and relevant non-UCITS funds, […]
Hannah von Dedelszen has spoken on how companies that choose to self-report can engage with SFO. She stressed that being open, honest and transparent is the key. she noted some firms operate “smoke and mirrors”, involving admitting some things but hiding more major issues. She said any firm reporting must do so properly. Going forward, […]
ESMA has published a report with draft RTS that would amend the 3 Commission Delegated Regulations on EMIR. ESMA is proposing a limited exemption that would facilitate novation of certain non-centrally cleared OTC derivatives to EU counterparties for a specific time-window in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The proposals would allow novation without triggering the […]
The Treasury Committee in the Commons has launched a new inquiry into consumers’ access to financial services, with a focus on vulnerable customers. Nicky Morgan said the committee will look at FCA’s definition of vulnerability and how practical it is, as well as how financial institutions try to address the problems of financial exclusion and whether vulnerable […]
PRA has published a policy statement to its second consultation on extending the SMCR to insurers. Following FCA’s finalisation of its rules on the extension, PRA now confirms it had no responses to its consultation and has made no changes to the rules it consulted on. As a result, it has now made the rules, […]
BoE, Treasury and FCA have hosted what has now become a regular one day exercise to test the financial sector’s resilience to a major cyber incident impacting the UK.
The Bank of England and Pay.UK are inviting expressions of interest from senior stakeholders who could represent the payments industry on a newly created Standards Advisory Panel. The new Panel will focus on the implementation of ISO20022, but also cover also payments standards for the UK. The deadline for applications is Monday 10 December 2018.
The Law Society has responded to the Law Commission’s consultation on reform of the SARs regime. It says the proposals, in the main, do no more than “tinker around the edges” of the issues. It says some of the more radical proposals, such as adopting a serious crimes approach instead of an all crimes approach, […]
The latest edition of Ombudsman News looks at complaints and trends around pensions. Complaints about pensions make up a very small proportion of all complaints, but as a pension is so important to consumers, FOS has focussed on assessing what it sees as the key rights, and included case studies on complaints involving defined benefit to […]
PRA has fined 2 individuals connected with the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi following its action in 2017 against the bank and MUFJ Securities EMEA. It has fined Akira Kamiya, former Chair of Mitsubishi UFJ Securities International plc £22,700, and fined Takami Onodera, a former NED of the firm, £14,945. The actions occurred before the SMR took […]
Following its consultation in July 2018 on handling complaints about regular premium PPI, the FCA has published finalised guidance that confirms that firms should assess PPI commission disclosures not only at point of sale, but on an on-going basis. The FCA is also consulting on new rules that would require firms that sold relevant products […]
EIOPA has issued a call to action for insurance firms to take steps in good time to ensure they will be able to continue to service policyholders in the event of the UK withdrawing from the EU without an agreement. It notes that UK (and Gibraltar) insurance entities who have cross-boarder insurance contracts should write to […]
EBA has published the results of its 2018 EU-wide stress tests. This year’s test involved 48 banks from 15 countries and generally shows increased resilience and capacity to withstand the shocks the exercise tested. The exercise did not have a defined pass/fail threshold but rather sought to give supervisors a tool to assess banks’ ability […]
The CMA has made a provisional finding that ComparetheMarket includes clauses in many of its contracts with home insurers that breach competition law and could lead to higher premiums for consumers. It says the clauses stop insurers quoting lower prices elsewhere and therefore prevent rival comparison sites and other channels from offering cheaper prices than […]
CMA has published a consultation paper as part of its review of the investment consultancy and fiduciary management services study. The paper contains draft definitions. The proposals define: “investment consultancy service” and “fiduciary management service” The paper also notes that other terms, such as “pension scheme trustees” and “interconnected body corporate” will need separate definition. […]
FCA’s latest Policy Development Update lists a number of publications due before the end of the year: policy statement on regulating CMCs policy statement on RTS and guidelines under PSD2 rates proposals for covering the costs of OPBAS review of permitted links for insurers in relation to Patient Capital and a discussion paper on Patient […]
HMRC has updated its guidance on how it takes civil measures for breaches of AML requirements. The guidance not only sets out HMRC’s approach, which is to promote compliance and prevent non-compliance, but then to respond to any non-compliance in a way that will encourage sustained future compliance but also explains how it will use […]
PRA has updated its “approach” documents in relation to banking and insurance supervision. Key changes to the previous versions include: an update on the changes to supervisory approach following implementation of the SMR and SIMR (and, in the case of insurers, looking forward to the SIMR changing to the SMCR at the end of the […]
As part of its preparation for the contingency of a ‘hard’ Brexit, HM Treasury has published draft onshoring legislation relating to: Payment accounts Financial markets infrastructure insolvency Central securities depositories and Investment funds and managers The changes made under these SIs are unlikely to take effect if an implementation period is agreed.
On 30 October 2018 the FCA announced that it had fined Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE (Liberty) £5,280,800. The fine relates to failures in Liberty’s oversight of claims and complaints relating to mobile phone insurance for the period 5 July 2010 until 7 June 2015. According to the Final Notice issued by the FCA, Liberty had entered into […]
On 31 October 2018, the FCA published the results of a thematic review on the pricing practices of household insurance firms. The review uncovered a number of issues on pricing practices. As a consequence, the FCA announced a number of next steps: conducting a market study on general insurance pricing practices; Publishing a discussion paper […]
UK Finance has submitted a note to the Economic Crime enquiry on how to improve the effectiveness of the sanctions regime. It says its members regard SAMLA as a necessary piece of legislation which is largely as expected. It recognises that operating outside the EU framework might lead to greater flexibility, and makes some suggestions […]
FCA’s latest Handbook Notice heralds just one set of rule changes. The changes are to COBS, PERG and examination standards in respect of pension advisers providing suitable advice to consumers about whether to transfer from safeguarded benefits to flexible benefits.
FCA has published its H1 2018 complaints data, which show that firms received more than 4 million complaints in the period. This was a 10% increase from the previous period. Nearly all the complaints were made to 235 of the more than 3,000 firms which recorded complaints. PPI accounted for 42% of complaints, and then […]
FCA has written a “Dear CEO” letter on the duties of SIPP operators in respect of due diligence. The letter refers to the judgement in the Berkeley Burke case and several other pending civil claims, and asks firms to consider the potential implications of these cases for them and their customers. The Berkeley Burke case, […]
The Cryptoassets task force, led by Treasury, has published its report on the UK’s policy and regulatory approach to cryptoassets. The report looks at the policy and regulatory implications of DLT and cryptoassets and comments on the considerable risks as well as the potential benefits. Now the Task force will consult on a number of initiatives, specifically: […]
The Treasury Committee has published the Twenty-Fourth Report of Session 2017-2019 on SME Finance. The Committee highlighted the investigation into RBS’ Global Restructuring Group (GRG), and noted the FCA’s comment that the failures at the GRG might have triggered disciplinary action, had they occurred in a regulated business. The Committee commented that the justification for […]
FATF has published Guidance to a risk-based approach (RBA) to AML and CFT in the life insurance and securities sectors. The Guidance: outlines the key elements involved in applying a RBA to AML/ CFT associated with life insurance sets out the types of securities providers that may be involved in a securities transaction and their […]
Treasury has updated its periodic AML advisory notice to reflect the conclusions from the FATF plenary meeting. The notice reiterates the expectation that firms will: apply EDD and countermeasures in respect of North Korea apply EDD in respect of Iran and take appropriate measures to minimise risks in respect of the Bahamas, Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, […]
The FCA and the Pensions Regulator have published a joint strategy outlining how they will work together to address changes in the pensions and retirement income sector. The joint strategy sets out four areas of focus: access and participation, funding and investments, governance and administration, and consumer understanding and decision-making. The Regulators have prioritised the […]
The Bank of England is consulting on the proposed fee for applications for non-UK CCPs that will seek UK recognition both before and after Brexit. Comments and feedback on all aspects of the proposal are sought by 2 January.
On 24 October, the FCA published a report on the progress of its consumer communications campaign and supervisory work regarding the 29 August 2019 deadline for PPI complaints. The report looks at: The PPI campaign so far and how consumers are responding to it; The FCA’s supervisory work to ensure firms are helpful and accessible […]
The European Banking Authority (EBA) has published its work programme, setting out its main objectives, priorities and deliverables for 2019. The EBA’s 5 strategic areas for 2019 include to: lead the Basel III implementation in the EU; understand the risks and opportunities arising from financial innovation; collect, disseminate and analyse banking data; ensure a smooth relocation of the EBA […]
HM Treasury has published a response to the consultation conducted in August – September 2016 on proposed Mutuals’ Deferred Shares Regulations. These would have implemented provision in the Mutuals’ Deferred Shares Act 2015 for a new type of capital to be issued by mutual insurers. The government’s response noted that the nine responses to the […]
HMT has published the latest set of Brexit transition draft and updated draft SIs to be made under the EU Withdrawal Act 2018 in the event of a ‘hard’ Brexit, and accompanying explanatory notes. These cover: Central Securities Depositories Over the Counter Derivatives, Central Counterparties and Trade Repositories Financial Conglomerates and Other Financial Groups (explanatory […]
The Financial Stability Board (FSB) has published a press release following its plenary meeting in Ottawa, in which it reviewed the financial vulnerabilities and deliverables for the G20 Summit. Points of interest include: The Plenary discussed market developments and vulnerabilities in the global financial system. The members considered that, while global growth remained solid, it […]
The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has published a Specific Direction (Specific Direction 8) given to Link Scheme Holdings Ltd, the operator of the LINK ATM system. The direction relates to the adoption of appropriate policies and measures, and reporting obligations regarding protected ATMs (LINK), and follows a consultation on the draft version of the direction in […]
As part of its Brexit preparations, the FCA has updated its webpage for incoming trade repositories that wish to ensure they can continue to do business in the UK following Brexit. Firms are now able to complete draft application forms for registration as a trade repository. The FCA has also published guidance notes for this […]
The latest Occasional Consultation Paper from the PRA covers changes to the Rulebook, Supervisory Statements, Statements of Policy and Forms, in the following areas: Reporting – amendment to the Branch Return Form and amendments to the reporting templates for calculating risk based levies Ring fencing – imposition of financial penalties Written reports by external auditors to […]
The Institute of International Finance has published a short form summary report following a survey it conducted of 59 regulated firms. In particular, the study found that the use of machine learning techniques is spreading across the industry, and is being used to gain greater and faster insights to be reviewed by dedicated AML analysts, […]
ESMA has published an own initiative report on additional steps it can take to contain the risks for investors arising from ICOs and crypto-assets (noting that there are no obvious related stability risks as yet). The report recommends that: additional guidance is produced by EMSA on the interpretation of MiFID with respect to applicability to […]
FCA has today published Evaluation Paper 18/2 on the impact of bringing additional benchmarks into the regulatory and supervisory regime. The paper is the second of a new series of FCA evaluations on its past interventions. Background Misconduct and benchmark manipulation cases and FSA investigations led the Government to ask Martin Wheatley to establish an […]
At FATF’s latest plenary meeting, in Paris, the US presidency discussed: streamlining FATF; strategic initiatives, such as further statements on monitoring of terrorist funds, amendments to FATF Recommendations to address regulation of virtual assets and future work on proliferation financing; peer reviews and review of jurisdictions with strategic deficiencies. The UK report is expected to […]
The High Court has delivered a judgment in David Lonsdale v National Westminster Bank PLC. The bank had made several SARs in relation to Mr Lonsdale and companies he was involved with and, as a result, had frozen all relevant accounts. After Mr Lonsdale applied to the court, the bank lifted the freeze. The next […]
The New Payment System Operator (NPSO) has today announced its new name and brand: Pay.UK The new name and identity is aimed at helping the payments authority to better promote its core purpose, which is to transform the “UK’s payment infrastructure to enable a vibrant economy – as well as being a logical progression following […]
On 18 October 2018, the PRA published responses to its consultation paper (CP) 18/18 ‘Strengthening accountability: implementing the extension of the SM&CR to insurers’. The policy statement (PS) 26/18 also includes amendments to the final rules for implementing the regime to insurers and corrections to the Insurance General Application Part of the PRA Rulebook. Background […]
John Neal, most recently Group CEO of QBE Insurance Group, is to be the new Lloyd’s CEO.
FCA is calling for the next round of applications for the regulatory sandbox. The deadline for applications to join cohort 5 is 30 October 2018.
PRA is consulting on a draft supervisory statement setting out how it expects banks and insurers to manage the financial risks from climate change. The statement sets out how effective governance, risk management, scenario analysis and disclosures can be used to address the risks and is intended to build on previous statements and embed appropriate […]
PIFMA is concerned that the proposed extension of the upper limits of compensation FOS can order firms to pay out, from £150, 000 to £350,000 could put some small firms out of the market as they will be unable to get affordable PII cover. From 1 April, 2019, FCA is proposing to increase the limits […]
PRA has published updated Supervisory Statements on: regulatory reporting, internal model outputs, and on ORSA and the ultimate time horizon for non-life firms. The new policies take effect for all financial year-ends on or after 31 December 2018; internal models – modelling of the volatility adjustment and am amended SS on internal models – assessment, […]
The FPC met on 3 October. At the meeting, it continued to assess the risks Brexit presents to the UK financial services sector, noting there had been considerable progress in the UK to address the risks, but not much in the rest of the EU, such that companies no longer have time to mitigate all […]
Treasury has enabled a regime to implement the EU Regulation on financial sanctions against persons, entities and bodies involved in proliferation and use of chemical weapons. There are not any designated persons on the list as yet.
The FCA has published a feedback statement on digital regulatory reporting. This follows the FCA’s call for input on smarter regulatory reporting in February 2018. The FCA found that most respondents agreed that there are significant potential benefits to be gained by introducing digital regulatory reporting, with the most commonly cited benefit being increased efficiency. However, […]
The FCA has published a ‘Dear CEO’ letter setting out the issues surrounding the increase in complaints about unaffordable lending (including complaints about a ‘chain’ of loans over an extended period), and how it expects high-cost short-term credit (HCSTC) firms to manage the impact. The FCA reminds firms that complaint-handling procedures should ensure that a […]
Climate change is thought to have a significant impact on the UK’s financial services market and has led the FCA to publish its Discussion Paper on climate change and green finance (DP18/8). In its DP, the FCA recognises that the risks from climate change will affect the risks and value to some investments, noting that […]
The EU has adopted a Directive on criminal sanctions for money laundering. The Directive: sets minimum requirements for Member States’ laws on defining criminal offences and sanctions in relation to money laundering; imposes a maximum 4 years’ imprisonment with the possibility for additional civil and administrative sanctions; introduces the possibility of holding legal entities liable […]