Anti-Money Laundering Provisions Under the USA PATRIOT Act

SIFMA provides comments to Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) of the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on recommendations to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the anti-money laundering (AML) regulations for the securities industry. SIFMA recommends: A) conducting a review of the effectiveness of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act) rules by industry sector; B) establishing a joint industry-government task force within the Bank Secrecy Act Advisory Group (BSAAG) dedicated to terrorism and other issues related to the U.S. financial system’s security; C) creating an office within the SEC that is dedicated solely to anti-money laundering and terrorist financing prevention; D) increasing comprehensive information sharing among regulators, law enforcement, and the industry, including: (1) the information flow under Sections 314(a) and 314(b), including expanding the ability of financial institutions to share SARs; (2) the exchange of information that will assist firms to detect suspicious activity; and (3) the transparency in the anti-money laundering examination process; and E) increasing coordination among regulators, both domestically and internationally; and F) enhancing the ability of broker-dealers and other financial institutions to rely on other regulated and/or reputable financial institutions: