Blog — AML Dictionary

Written by Erling Andersen

Customer Due Diligence (CDD)

Customer Due Diligence (CDD) refers to the process of gathering and verifying relevant information about customers to assess their identity, risk profile, and potential involvement in illicit activities.

20/05/2023

Definition

Customer Due Diligence (CDD) refers to the process of gathering and verifying relevant information about customers to assess their identity. Also risk profile, and potential involvement in illicit activities. It is an essential component of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations. CDD aims to establish a thorough understanding of customers, their financial activities, and the purpose behind their transactions to mitigate the risk of money laundering. Also terrorist financing, and other financial crimes.

CDD Views

It is seen from different points of view. Some consider it a regulatory requirement, while others perceive it as a business necessity or a risk management tool. However, regardless of the viewpoint, CDD serves the same purpose, which is to mitigate the risk of financial crimes.

Historical View

CDD regulations were first introduced by the US government in the 1970s to combat money laundering. Since then, the regulations expanded to cover other financial crimes, such as terrorist financing and fraud. The terrorist attacks in the US further increased the focus on CDD regulations. Also led to the enactment of the USA PATRIOT Act in 2001, which strengthened CDD requirements for financial institutions.

“CDD is an important component of a comprehensive AML program, and it is critical for financial institutions to have strong CDD policies and procedures in place.”

KPMG

Examples

CDD is a crucial part of the onboarding process for new clients at financial institutions. For example, a bank may require a new client to provide their government-issued identification documents, proof of address, and other identification documents to verify their identity. The bank may also ask the client about the nature of their business, the source of their income, and their financial history to assess their potential risk of involvement in financial crimes.

Practical Examples

To illustrate the practical application of Customer Due Diligence, consider the following examples:

Identity Verification: A financial institution performing CDD would verify the identity of a customer by collecting official identification documents, such as a passport or driver’s license. They would compare the provided information with reliable sources to ensure accuracy and authenticity.
Risk Profiling: CDD involves assessing the risk associated with a customer. Financial institutions may consider factors such as the customer’s occupation, geographic location. Also source of wealth, and business activities. The level of risk determines the extent of due diligence required.
Ongoing Monitoring: CDD is not a one-time process. Financial institutions must continuously monitor customer accounts and transactions to detect any unusual or suspicious activities. Regular updates of customer information required to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulatory obligations.

Statistics

As we already took about the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

The global AML market is expected to grow from $1.42 billion in 2020 to $4.61 billion by 2025.
According to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), CDD is a crucial element of AML/CFT regimes and implemented effectively by financial institutions.
An estimated $2 trillion is laundered globally each year, with only 1-2% of this being detected and confiscated by authorities.
In 2020, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) assessed a $390 million penalty against a major US bank for violating CDD and AML regulations.
A survey conducted by Thomson Reuters found that 64% of financial institutions experienced at least one instance of financial crime in the past year.

Relevant Numbers

Understanding the significance of Customer Due Diligence is crucial. Consider the following statistics that highlight its importance in combating money laundering:

According to a report by a global financial intelligence unit. It’s noted that countries with robust CDD requirements and effective monitoring systems experienced a 35% reduction in potential money laundering cases reported.
A survey conducted by a leading AML association found that organizations implementing comprehensive CDD practices were 50% more successful in identifying and reporting suspicious activities compared to those with limited or inadequate due diligence measures.

Incidents

The FinCEN Files: In 2020, a group of journalists released a series of reports. It is based on leaked documents from the US Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The reports revealed how major banks facilitate money laundering and other financial crimes by failing to properly implement CDD and AML regulations.
Danske Bank Scandal: In 2018, Danske Bank, the largest bank in Denmark, found to facilitate money laundering of up to $230 billion through its Estonian branch. The scandal revealed serious deficiencies in the bank’s CDD and AML procedures.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia Scandal: In 2017, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia fined $700 million for failing to properly implement CDD and AML regulations. The bank allowed criminal syndicates to launder money through its ATMs and failed to report suspicious transactions.
Deutsche Bank Scandal: In 2019, Deutsche Bank fined $16 million for failing to properly implement CDD and AML regulations. The bank allowed a convicted sex offender to transfer millions of dollars through its accounts without proper scrutiny.
Wirecard Scandal: In 2020, Wirecard, a German payment processor, filed for insolvency after revealing a $2 billion hole in its accounts. The scandal revealed serious deficiencies in the company’s CDD and AML procedures.

Benefits of CDD

Implementing Customer Due Diligence offers several benefits to AML professionals, including:

Risk Mitigation: CDD helps identify and assess potential risks associated with customers, enabling AML professionals to implement appropriate risk mitigation measures and prevent illicit financial activities.
Regulatory Compliance: By conducting thorough CDD, organizations demonstrate adherence to regulatory requirements and enhance their compliance with AML and KYC regulations. This helps protect the organization from potential penalties. Also sanctions, and reputational damage.
Enhanced Security: Through CDD, AML professionals can ensure the integrity and security of their organization’s financial system by preventing unauthorized access, identity theft, and misuse of accounts.
Improved Decision-Making: CDD provides AML professionals with accurate and up-to-date customer information, enabling informed decision-making regarding the acceptance of new customers. Also the establishment of risk-based controls, and the detection of suspicious activities.

As an AML professional, leveraging advanced technology and tools can greatly support the implementation of Customer Due Diligence. One such tool is the Kyros AML Data Suite, a comprehensive AML compliance SaaS software that assists in managing CDD processes efficiently.

The Benefits of Kyros AML Data Suite

Kyros AML Data Suite is a powerful AML compliance SaaS software that can help financial institutions to manage their CDD processes more efficiently and effectively. The software uses AI and machine learning algorithms to analyze large amounts of data and identify potential risks. Which allowing institutions to focus their resources on high-risk clients.

Kyros AML Data Suite also offers a range of other benefits, including real-time monitoring. Also customizable risk scoring, and automated reporting. With Kyros AML Data Suite, financial institutions can streamline their CDD processes. Also reduce the risk of financial crimes, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Explore the Power of Kyros AML Data Suite

If you are an AML professional looking to improve your CDD processes, consider exploring the power of Kyros AML Data Suite. With its advanced technology and customizable features, Kyros AML Data Suite can help your institution to stay ahead of the curve in the fight against financial crimes. Visit kyrosaml.com to learn more about the benefits of Kyros AML Data Suite and how it can help your institution to achieve its compliance goals.

The Kyros AML Data Suite offers numerous benefits to AML professionals, including:

Automated Identity Verification: The software automates the customer identity verification process. Which allowing AML professionals to quickly and accurately verify customer identities through advanced document verification techniques.
Risk Assessment and Profiling: With the Kyros AML Data Suite, AML professionals can perform robust risk assessments and create detailed risk profiles for customers. The software leverages intelligent algorithms and data analysis to identify high-risk customers and facilitate appropriate due diligence measures.
Ongoing Monitoring and Alerts: The Kyros AML Data Suite provides real-time monitoring of customer transactions.Which enabling AML professionals to promptly detect and investigate suspicious activities. The software generates alerts for potential money laundering risks, ensuring proactive risk mitigation.

The Future of CDD

CDD regulations expected to become stricter in the future, as governments and regulators seek to combat the growing threat of financial crimes. The use of new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain, is also expected to play a significant role in improving CDD processes and reducing the risk of fraud.

Increased Use of Technology

One of the key trends in the future of CDD is the increased use of technology. AI used to analyze large amounts of data and identify potential risks, while blockchain used to create a secure and tamper-proof record of customer information. These technologies can help to automate and streamline the CDD process, making it more efficient and reducing the risk of errors.

Focus on Risk-Based Approach

Another trend in the future of CDD is the increased focus on a risk-based approach. Financial institutions are increasingly using risk-based assessments to determine the level of due diligence required for each client. This approach allows institutions to focus their resources on higher-risk clients, while reducing the burden on lower-risk clients.

Collaboration and Information Sharing

Collaboration and information sharing are also expected to play a key role in the future of CDD. Financial institutions and regulators are increasingly sharing information about potential risks and suspicious activities, allowing for a more coordinated response to financial crimes.

Increased Regulatory Oversight

Finally, the future of CDD is likely to be shaped by increased regulatory oversight. As financial crimes continue to evolve, regulators expected to introduce new regulations and requirements to combat these threats. Financial institutions will need to stay up-to-date with these regulations and ensure that their CDD processes are compliant.

Conclusion

Customer Due Diligence (CDD) is a critical process for assessing the identity and risk profile of customers to mitigate the risk of financial crimes. Implementing thorough CDD measures ensures regulatory compliance. Also enhances security, and enables informed decision-making. By leveraging advanced tools like the Kyros AML Data Suite, AML professionals can automate identity verification, perform robust risk assessments, and conduct ongoing monitoring, thereby enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of their CDD processes.

To learn more about the Kyros AML Data Suite and how it can support your organization in implementing effective Customer Due Diligence processes, visit kyrosaml.com.

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Customer Due Diligence (CDD)