Claudia Buch: AMLA and ECB Banking Supervision: strengthening cooperation

AI Analysis

In a February 2026 speech, ECB supervisory chair Claudia Buch outlined enhanced cooperation between the future Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) and ECB Banking Supervision. The key change is the formal integration of AML/CFT considerations into the ECB's supervisory review process via the MaRisk framework. This means AML/CFT governance, risk management, and internal controls will be assessed as a core component of a bank's overall risk profile during ECB inspections.

This change directly affects all significant credit institutions directly supervised by the ECB within the Single Supervisory Mechanism. Compliance and risk management teams at these banks are primarily impacted.

Compliance teams should immediately review their institution's MaRisk implementation to ensure AML/CFT controls are fully embedded and documented within the general risk management framework. They must prepare for these integrated assessments by strengthening internal cooperation between AML and risk control functions, ensuring governance structures are clear, and that data and reporting mechanisms support a holistic view of non-financial risks for supervisory dialogue.