The Financial Action Task Force finalized its guidance to provide tougher global beneficial ownership standards in its Recommendation 24 by requiring countries to ensure that competent authorities have access to adequate, accurate and up-to-date information on the true owners of companies. This guidance will help implement the revised Recommendation 24.  If implemented properly by national-level authorities, it will provide efficient and rapid access to the information for use by financial institutions including credit unions to help with their AML/CFT responsibilities with respect to legal entities. 

WOCCU advocated for this approach which should help ease regulatory burdens associated with opening accounts and doing business with legal entities.  The guidance will help countries identify, design and implement appropriate measures in line with the revised Recommendation 24 to ensure that beneficial ownership information is held by a public authority or body functioning as a beneficial ownership registry, or an alternative mechanism is readily available for use by credit unions.  Further,  the Standard will help prevent the organised criminal gangs, the corrupt and sanctions evaders from using anonymous shell companies and other businesses to hide their dirty money and illicit activities.

A copy of the finalized standard can be viewed here.