What is the main goal of the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations?

The primary goal of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations is to prevent the illegal generation of income through financial transactions. These regulations are designed to identify and mitigate the risk of money laundering, which involves concealing the origins of illegally obtained money, typically by passing it through a complex sequence of banking transfers or commercial transactions. By focusing on prevention, AML regulations aim to disrupt the financial networks used by criminals and eliminate the means by which they can integrate illicit funds into the legitimate economy.

This focus on prevention is crucial as it directly addresses the core issue of illicit activities funded through complex financial networks. AML measures compel financial institutions to monitor suspicious activities, report certain transactions, and conduct thorough checks to ensure they are not facilitating money laundering. Ultimately, by targeting the illegal generation of income, AML regulations serve to protect the integrity of the financial system and maintain public trust.