21 July 2026
The Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) has announced a new supervisory framework that defines how it will work alongside national financial regulators when taking responsibility for the direct oversight of selected cross-border financial institutions across the European Union.
The newly published standards establish a structured approach for identifying institutions that will fall under AMLA’s direct supervision, ensuring a coordinated transition of supervisory responsibilities between national authorities and the EU regulator.
Strengthening EU-Wide Financial Oversight
Beginning in 2028, AMLA will directly oversee certain high-impact financial groups operating across multiple EU member states. Until now, these institutions have been supervised solely by national regulatory authorities.
The newly introduced framework aims to create a consistent supervisory environment across the EU, reducing differences in oversight practices while ensuring a seamless transfer of responsibilities whenever supervision shifts between national regulators and AMLA.
Transparent Process for Selecting Supervised Institutions
The standards outline a clearly defined procedure for determining which financial institutions will come under AMLA’s direct supervision.
Under this process:
- National supervisory authorities will collect, verify, and validate the necessary information.
- AMLA will evaluate the submitted data through its own risk assessment process.
- Based on the assessment, AMLA will determine the institutions eligible for direct supervision.
- The final list of selected entities will be made publicly available through AMLA’s official website.
This structured approach is intended to enhance transparency and ensure that supervision is based on consistent risk-based criteria across all participating jurisdictions.
Ensuring Smooth Transfers of Supervisory Responsibility
To maintain continuity, the framework requires a complete exchange of supervisory records whenever oversight responsibilities change.
If an institution moves into AMLA’s direct supervision—or returns to national supervision—the outgoing authority must provide the incoming supervisor with the organization’s complete supervisory history. This measure is designed to eliminate information gaps and support uninterrupted regulatory oversight.
Collaborative Approach with National Authorities
AMLA developed the standards in close consultation with financial supervisors from EU member states, reflecting a cooperative supervisory model rather than replacing national authorities.
The framework also incorporates proportionality measures to reduce unnecessary reporting obligations. Financial institutions will only be required to submit detailed information after they have been identified as potentially falling within AMLA’s supervisory scope. Where regulators can determine in advance that an institution does not meet the eligibility criteria, it will not be required to participate in the reporting process.
Implementation Ahead of 2028
Following adoption by the European Commission, the standards will guide the collection of supervisory data and the selection of institutions in preparation for AMLA’s direct supervisory role, which is scheduled to begin in 2028.
The framework marks another step toward establishing a more harmonized anti-money laundering supervisory system across the European Union, with greater coordination between EU-level and national financial authorities
