According to the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, banks should deal with high-risk customers by:
Correct Answer: C
According to the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, banks should apply a risk-based approach to customer due diligence, which means that they should adopt enhanced measures for higher-risk customers and simplified measures for lower-risk customers. Enhanced due diligence (EDD) may include obtaining additional information on the customer's identity, source of funds, business activities, beneficial owners, and expected transactions, as well as conducting more frequent and intensive monitoring of the account activity. EDD is especially important for customers who are politically exposed persons (PEPs), who are from or have connections with high-risk countries or jurisdictions, or who are involved in high-risk industries or sectors. Therefore, performing EDD including enhanced ongoing monitoring of the account activity is the correct way for banks to deal with high-risk customers. References: Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, CAMS Study Guide, 6th Edition, Chapter 4, page 121. Reference: https://www.bis.org/bcbs/basel3.htm
Question 517
Which information must a United States financial institution retain for having foreign correspondent accounts as part of the USA PATRIOT Act record keeping requirements?
In order to protect investigative materials from disclosure when conducting an internal Investigation of any employee of a financial institution, legal counsel of that financial should ____________?
Correct Answer: C
Question 519
A company contracts a life insurance policy with a savings feature of 100,000 USD for an individual in a high-risk country. The policy receives monthly cash deposits from unknown third parties. A minimal part of the deposit is invested and the rest is withdrawn by the end of the month. Which are the circumstances to consider as a risk for money laundering? (Select Two.)
Correct Answer: A,B
According to the ACAMS CAMS Study Guide (the 6th edition), one of the common methods of money laundering in the insurance sector is to purchase policies with illicit funds, overpay premiums, and then cancel or surrender the policies to receive refunds or payouts1. This allows criminals to move and disguise the source of their funds through the insurance company. Therefore, the regular withdrawals from the policy by the end of the month could indicate a money laundering scheme. Moreover, the FATF Guidance for a Risk-Based Approach for the Life Insurance Sector states that unidentified third parties depositing cash to the policy could also pose a high money laundering risk, as cash transactions are difficult to trace and third parties may act as intermediaries or nominees for the real beneficiaries2. Therefore, the insurance company should conduct enhanced due diligence on the policyholder and the third parties, and monitor the transactions for any suspicious activity. References: ACAMS CAMS Study Guide (the 6th edition), Chapter 2: Money Laundering Risks and Methods, page 671 FATF Guidance for a Risk-Based Approach for the Life Insurance Sector, pages 18-192
Question 520
An employee hears a colleague on the telephone with a customer giving advice on how to ensure that a suspicious transaction report will not be filed as a result of a future transaction. What action should the employee take?
Correct Answer: B
According to the Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (the 6th edition) resources, the employee should report the conversation to the compliance officer because the colleague is engaging in tipping off, which is a serious violation of anti-money laundering laws and regulations. Tipping off is the act of informing a person or entity that they are the subject of a suspicious transaction report or an investigation, or providing any information that may compromise or impede the investigation. Tipping off can result in criminal penalties, civil liabilities, and disciplinary actions for the individual and the institution. Therefore, the employee has a duty to report the colleague's misconduct to the compliance officer, who is responsible for ensuring compliance with the anti-money laundering policies and procedures, and taking appropriate corrective actions. References: * CAMS Certification Package - 6th Edition | ACAMS, Chapter 3: Compliance Standards for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT), page 97 * CAMS Certifications: How to Get CAMS Certified | ACAMS, CAMS Examination Preparation, page 8 * ACAMS CAMS Certification Video Training Course - Exam-Labs, Module 3: Compliance Standards for Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism, video 3.4: Tipping Off and Confidentiality * Exam CAMS: Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (the 6th edition), Question 8, Answer B
