Ruth Paley’s latest article in FT Adviser examines AML enforcement in 2025, where many of the same foundational issues—gaps in customer due diligence, ineffective transaction monitoring, and delays in remediation—continue to drive regulatory action. What has changed is the tone from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The regulator is moving decisively beyond assessing whether firms have controls on paper to scrutinizing whether those controls actually operate effectively where risk is generated, particularly during periods of growth, shifting customer behavior, and emerging threats. In the piece, Ruth also looks ahead, highlighting what will separate firms from the pack: measurable effectiveness, integrated financial crime frameworks, and speed to action when issues arise.
