This Foundation-level AML & CTF course provides a practical, in-depth understanding of KYC, customer due diligence, and the UK Money Laundering Regulations. Designed for regulated firms, the course explains not only what the rules require, but how to apply them effectively in real business environments.
You’ll gain clarity on regulatory expectations, improve your risk-based approach, and strengthen your firm’s ability to detect and prevent financial crime.
What makes Our Course Different?
- We have been delivering KYC training for over 12 years and are proud to have been chosen by some of the world’s leading banks.
- Your course director is an expert on the subject, has over 30 years’ experience in the industry and has delivered highly successful programmes to financial services firms at all levels; from small partnerships, to medium sized firms and global giants
- The course is packed full of interesting points and actual case studies making it highly engaging and very relevant
- Our feedback from past delegates has always been excellent
Objectives
By the end of this course, delegates will:
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Understand the full requirements of MLR 2017
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Recognise that “good enough” is rarely sufficient in AML
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Appreciate that AML compliance is mandatory, not optional
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Understand the importance of risk assessments and a risk-based approach
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Be able to design and implement an AML framework that meets regulatory expectations
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Understand how AML must be embedded into business culture
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Confidently manage the challenges of implementing effective AML systems
Course Content
- Introduction – What is Money Laundering
- Placement, Layering, Integration
- How does this work in practice
- The scale of the problem
Establishing a KYC framework
- What should institutions have in place
- Money Laundering Regulations 2017
- Changes
- General risk assessment
- Risk mitigation policies
- Level of due diligence
- Reliance on third parties
- PEPs
- New Criminal Offence
- Office for Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervision (OPBAS)
What is KYC & CDD
- Initial Risk Assessment
- Risk based approach & Methodology
- Risk driven controls
- Material triggers
- The customer lifecycle
The CDD process
- KYC – getting to know the customer
- IDV – checking what they say
- SDD? Is it really viable?
- EDD – more comprehensive client knowledge and due diligence
- Ultimate Beneficial Ownership
- Source of Wealth
- Source of Funds
- Regular review process
Remediation process – introducing new rules and requirements for the first time
- How Should CDD or EDD be applied
- Using a risk based approach only
- How do we allocate the risk category
- A typical Risk Assessment Methodology
- Using the RAM in practice
- The three plus two lines of defence model
Who needs to be subjected to KYC?
- Onboarding and Review procedures
- Using technology – a must for large volumes
- Swim lines
- Exception report and alerts
- The role of the second line of defence
- The role of internal audit
Essential Elements of KYC Standards
- Clear and user friendly procedures and guidelines
- Customer acceptance policy
- Customer identification policy
- Guidelines for opening accounts
- KYC for existing accounts – called “remediation” and needs to be managed well
Politically Exposed Persons
- Definition – formal
- Definition in practice
- Why are they a special case
- Mandatory high risk
- UBO issues
- Source of Wealth issues
- Annual Review issues
Specific Identification & Verification Issues
- Trust nominee and fiduciary accounts
- Corporate vehicles
- Complex Structures
- Introduced business
- Client accounts opened by professional intermediaries
- Non face to face customers
- Offshore accounts
Constructing the KYC Framework
- Policies
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Senior Management and M.I. requirements
- The MLRO (or equivalent) challenge!
- Risk Assessments and Procedures
Implementing and Managing the Total KYC
- Escalation
- SAR’s & Whistleblowing
- Due diligence (on-going)
- Record keeping
- Training
- Monitoring
- Reporting
Challenges with KYC & How To Control It
- Staff & Client resistance
- Embedding as part of the culture
- Prevention & detection
- Early warning systems
- Controls, KPI & KRI
Course Summary, Open Forum, Close
Background of the Trainer
Course Director
The course is led by Lee, an experienced compliance professional who has worked with organisations ranging from start-ups to FTSE 100 companies, including UK and international banks. He has helped firms identify, manage and remediate compliance risks, developing robust systems and controls across a wide range of regulated environments.
His practical experience and qualifications ensure the course remains highly relevant, engaging and directly applicable to real-world compliance challenges.
Course Summary
Who Should Attend
- Financial Institutions regulated by the FCA including those falling under EMI, PSD and MIFID.
- Anyone who onboards new clients for financial transactions as described under the MLR 2017.
- Anyone with an interest in the subject especially “Relevant persons” under the UK MLR 2017, i.e. Estate Agents etc, as below
- Where previously only holders of a casino operating licence were covered by the regulations, they now pertain to all gambling providers
- Trustees now have greater obligations in relation to revealing the beneficiaries of trusts
- Those engaging in financial activity on ‘an occasional or very limited basis’ are not covered by the regulations. ‘Occasional or very limited’ is defined as:
- annual turnover from financial activity of less than £100,000 (this figure was previously £64,000)
- activity limited to transactions not exceeding EUR 1000 per customer
- financial activity ancillary to a larger business
- financial activity not more than 5% of the total turnover of the larger business
- financial activity only offered to customers of the main business
Format
- Duration is as a full day classroom workshop – Your Venue or we can arrange local venue at additional cost.
- Attendees can also purchase our AML & CTF Policy & Procedures Document at 50% discount
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this course suitable for beginners in AML and KYC?
Yes. This is a foundation-level AML & CTF course and no prior knowledge is required. It is suitable for individuals new to AML, KYC, and customer due diligence, as well as those who need a structured understanding of UK Money Laundering Regulations and how they apply in practice.
Is the course aligned with the UK Money Laundering Regulations?
Yes. The course is fully aligned with the UK Money Laundering Regulations 2017, including updates and regulatory expectations around KYC, customer due diligence, risk assessments, and governance. It focuses on what firms are required to do and how those requirements are applied in real business environments.
Does the course cover KYC, CDD and EDD in detail?
Yes. The course provides in-depth coverage of Know Your Customer (KYC), Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), and related requirements such as ultimate beneficial ownership, source of wealth, and source of funds. Practical examples are used throughout to demonstrate how these processes work in practice.
Is the course practical or theoretical?
This is a practical, real-world course, not a theoretical overview. It uses real case studies, regulatory examples, and operational scenarios to show how AML and KYC requirements should be implemented, monitored, and evidenced within regulated firms.
Who should attend this AML & CTF course?
The course is suitable for individuals working in FCA-regulated firms, including those involved in client onboarding, compliance, risk management, governance, and financial crime prevention. It is also relevant for “relevant persons” under the UK Money Laundering Regulations, including estate agents, gambling providers, trustees, and professional service firms.
Does the course cover Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs)?
Yes. The course includes detailed coverage of Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), including definitions, risk classification, enhanced due diligence requirements, source of wealth considerations, and ongoing review obligations.
How is the course delivered?
The course is delivered as a full-day classroom workshop, either at your premises or at a local venue by arrangement. It is designed to be highly interactive, with discussion, practical examples, and open forums built into the session.
Who delivers the course?
The course is delivered by an experienced compliance professional with over 30 years’ industry experience, who has worked with organisations ranging from start-ups to FTSE 100 companies, including UK and international banks. The trainer brings real-world insight into how AML and KYC requirements are applied and assessed by regulators.
Will delegates receive supporting materials?
Yes. Delegates receive supporting course materials to reinforce key learning points and assist with implementation following the course. These materials are designed to support ongoing compliance and staff understanding.
Can the course be tailored to our organisation?
Yes. In-house courses can be tailored to reflect your organisation’s business model, risk profile, customer types, and regulatory obligations, ensuring the training is relevant and directly applicable.
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https://complianceconsultant.org/money-laundering-reporting-officer-mlro-training-module/
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https://complianceconsultant.org/effective-aml-staff-training-practices-for-compliance/
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https://complianceconsultant.org/another-fca-dear-ceo-regarding-aml/)
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