What to Look For in a AML Transaction Monitoring System

In the context of anti-money laundering (AML), a Transaction Monitoring System (TMS) is a software tool or platform that financial institutions use to monitor their customers’ transactions for potential money laundering or terrorist financing activity.

24/04/2023

The TMS analyzes data from various sources, such as bank transactions, wire transfers, ATM withdrawals, and account balances, to identify suspicious activity. The system applies rules and algorithms to detect patterns of behavior that may indicate money laundering, such as large cash transactions, frequent international transfers, and transactions involving high-risk countries or individuals.

If the TMS detects a suspicious transaction, it generates an alert that is reviewed by AML compliance staff for further investigation. A well-designed TMS can help financial institutions to comply with AML regulations, prevent financial crimes, and protect themselves from reputational and regulatory risks.

A Transaction Monitoring System is a crucial element to good regulatory compliance software.

Why is having a good Transaction Monitoring System (TMS) important?

Having a good Transaction Monitoring System is important for banks and other financial institutions for several reasons, especially in the context of ever stricter anti-money laundering (AML) rules:

Compliance: Financial institutions are required by law to comply with AML regulations and implement effective AML programs. A well-designed TMS can help financial institutions to identify and report suspicious activity, which is a key component of AML compliance.
Risk Management: AML non-compliance can result in financial, legal, and reputational risks for financial institutions. Implementing a good TMS can help financial institutions to mitigate these risks by detecting and preventing money laundering and other financial crimes.
Efficiency: A good TMS can help financial institutions to automate and streamline their AML compliance processes. This can save time and resources and enable AML compliance staff to focus on high-risk activities that require human analysis.
Enhanced Reputation: Financial institutions that have a good TMS in place can demonstrate their commitment to AML compliance and financial crime prevention. This can enhance their reputation with customers, regulators, and other stakeholders.

Overall, having a good TMS is essential for financial institutions that want to comply with AML regulations, manage risks, and protect their reputation. With ever stricter AML rules, having a robust TMS is becoming increasingly important for financial institutions to ensure compliance and mitigate risks associated with financial crime.

What are the most important legal requirements for a Transaction Monitoring System?

In the context of the EU and US law, there are different legal requirements for a software-based transaction monitoring system. Below are some of the most important legal considerations for a TMS in each jurisdiction:

EU / EEA Law:

Fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD4): AMLD4 requires financial institutions to have effective systems and controls in place to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. This includes implementing a TMS that is capable of identifying suspicious transactions and generating alerts for further investigation.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): GDPR requires financial institutions to protect the personal data of their customers and employees. When implementing a TMS, financial institutions must ensure that they comply with GDPR and protect the privacy of individuals whose data is being processed.
Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2): PSD2 requires financial institutions to implement strong customer authentication and transaction monitoring measures to prevent fraud and unauthorized access to payment accounts.
“The Travel Rule”: The Travel Rule is a term used to refer to the revised FATF Recommendation 16. It requires VASPs to obtain “required and accurate originator information, and required beneficiary information” and share it with counterparty VASPs or financial institutions during or before the transaction. Because the personal data of the transacting parties ‘travels’ with their transfers, the regulation was dubbed the “Travel Rule”.

US Law:

Bank Secrecy Act (BSA): The BSA requires financial institutions to implement a risk-based AML program that includes transaction monitoring. The program must be designed to detect and report suspicious activity, and the TMS must be capable of generating alerts for further investigation.
USA PATRIOT Act: The USA PATRIOT Act requires financial institutions to implement a customer identification program (CIP) to verify the identity of their customers. The TMS must be capable of integrating with the CIP to ensure that customer data is accurate and up-to-date.
Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations: OFAC regulations require financial institutions to monitor their transactions to ensure compliance with economic and trade sanctions. The TMS must be capable of identifying transactions involving sanctioned countries or individuals and generating alerts for further investigation.

In summary, the most important legal requirements for a TMS in the EU and US include AML regulations, data protection regulations, payment regulations, BSA, USA PATRIOT Act, and OFAC regulations. Financial institutions must ensure that their TMS complies with these regulations to prevent financial crime, protect customer data, and avoid legal and reputational risks.

How can transaction monitoring help companies achieve a greater degree of AML compliance?

Vigilant transaction monitoring can help financial institutions achieve a greater degree of anti-money laundering (AML) compliance by:

Identifying Suspicious Activity: A vigilant transaction monitoring system can analyze large volumes of transactions and identify unusual patterns or behaviors that may indicate money laundering or terrorist financing. By detecting suspicious activity early, financial institutions can prevent money laundering and comply with AML regulations.
Generating Alerts: When the TMS detects suspicious activity, it generates alerts for further investigation by AML compliance staff. These alerts enable financial institutions to investigate potential money laundering or terrorist financing and take appropriate action.
Risk-Based Approach: A vigilant TMS can help financial institutions to adopt a risk-based approach to AML compliance. By analyzing transaction data and identifying high-risk customers and activities, financial institutions can allocate their resources and focus their efforts on the areas that pose the greatest risk of financial crime.
AML Automation: A vigilant TMS can automate many of the AML compliance processes, such as data analysis, alert generation, and reporting. This can save time and resources and enable AML compliance staff to focus on high-risk activities that require human analysis.
Record-Keeping: A vigilant TMS can help financial institutions to maintain accurate and complete records of their AML compliance efforts. This can provide evidence of compliance to regulators and help financial institutions to avoid legal and reputational risks.

By implementing a vigilant TMS, financial institutions can prevent financial crime, comply with AML regulations, and protect themselves from legal and reputational risks.

How can Kyros AML Data Suite assist with transaction monitoring system?

Kyros is a complete KYC and AML cloud-based solution, with native API support. With Kyros, you get multiple sources in one simple dashboard.

Kyros offers live transaction monitoring of all transactions, allowing you to setup advanced alert rules for user behavior and transaction data – such as triggering EDD based on custom transaction limits.

All compliance work is performed in the cloud-based Kyros Data Suite. All compliance actions are logged, allowing for easy third-party auditing.

Create automatic in-depth reports for easy Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) and Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) reporting. Export to PDF and upload to your relevant financial authority.

You can use Kyros Data Suite on its own, or as an integrated part of your backoffice. Data can be exchanged seamlessly back and forth. API webhooks allow for automated back office decision-making.

Kyros AML Data Suite is well suited for banks, EMI’s, casinos, crypto exchanges, brokers, funds, auction houses, real estate agents and more.

With Kyros, you don’t have to compromise. Learn more about Kyros AML software suite and its integrated transaction monitoring systems by contacting us.