Retail banks typically have a high inherent risk of money laundering due to their provision of cash services.
This is because cash is a preferred medium of exchange for criminals and terrorists, and retail banks provide a convenient way for them to move large sums of money without detection. Retail banks are also vulnerable to money laundering through the use of false identities and other deceptive practices. (CAMS Manual, 6th Edition, Page 8).

The key goal of EU Directives on money laundering is to establish a consistent regulatory environment across the EU to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing, and to align EU policy with international standards and best practices. EU Directives are legal acts that set out the objectives and principles that member states must achieve, but leave the choice of methods and measures to the national authorities. EU Directives on money laundering aim to harmonize the rules and obligations for FIs and other obliged entities in the areas of customer due diligence, record-keeping, reporting, supervision, and sanctions. They also aim to address the emerging threats and vulnerabilities of the financial system, such as the use of virtual assets, prepaid cards, high-risk third countries, and beneficial ownership. By creating a consistent regulatory environment across the EU, the Directives seek to enhance the effectiveness and cooperation of the AML
/CFT regime, and to protect the integrity and stability of the internal market and the financial system.
References:
* 1: Guide to EU Anti Money Laundering Directives (AMLD) - ComplyAdvantage1
* 2: Directive - 2015/849 - EN - Fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive - EUR-Lex2
* 3: EU context of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism3

Art and Antiquities: Conduits for Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Why Fight the Antiquities Trade?
More recently, groups like Daesh (Islamic State [IS]), al-Qaida, the Taliban and their affiliates have been engaged in ****cultural racketeering and terrorism in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan and elsewhere, converting patrimony into cash for weapons and troops****.
https://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sgsm17427.doc.htm
As Terrorists Diversify Fundraising Tactics, Greater Efforts Needed to Shut Down Illicit Channels, Secretary-General Tells Finance Ministers' Meeting Terrorists continue to adapt their tactics and diversify their funding sources. Today, Da'esh runs a multi-million-dollar economy in territories under its control. Da'esh terrorists raise money through the oil trade, extortion, undetected cash couriers, kidnapping for ransom, trafficking of humans and arms and racketeering. They loot and sell precious cultural property, shamelessly profiting from the destruction of humanity's common heritage.