Anti-Money Laundering (AML), CFT and Financial Crime Compliance Course

Introduction

Financial institutions and organizations across the world face growing threats from money laundering, terrorism financing, cyber-enabled fraud, corruption, sanctions violations, and other forms of financial crime. Regulatory authorities continue to strengthen compliance requirements, demanding organizations establish robust Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT), and financial crime compliance programs. This course provides participants with practical knowledge and strategic approaches for identifying, preventing, detecting, investigating, and reporting suspicious financial activities in compliance with international and local regulations.

The course offers a comprehensive understanding of AML and CFT frameworks, including global regulatory standards, compliance obligations, risk-based approaches, and institutional responsibilities. Participants will examine how criminal organizations exploit financial systems, digital platforms, trade mechanisms, and emerging technologies to disguise illicit financial flows. Emphasis is placed on strengthening institutional compliance systems, improving governance structures, and enhancing internal controls to protect organizations from financial crime risks and regulatory penalties.

Participants will gain in-depth knowledge of customer due diligence procedures, enhanced due diligence measures, politically exposed person (PEP) screening, transaction monitoring systems, sanctions compliance, and suspicious transaction reporting processes. The training explores how organizations can establish effective compliance programs that align with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations, regulatory expectations, and industry best practices. Real-world case studies and practical exercises are integrated throughout the course to strengthen learning outcomes.

The course further examines emerging financial crime threats associated with digital banking, cryptocurrencies, fintech innovations, cybercrime, artificial intelligence, trade-based money laundering, and cross-border financial transactions. Participants will understand how technological advancements create new vulnerabilities and compliance challenges for financial institutions, government agencies, NGOs, insurance companies, and corporate organizations. The training equips learners with modern compliance tools and investigative techniques for addressing evolving financial crime risks.

Additionally, the course focuses on governance, ethics, compliance culture, regulatory reporting, and institutional accountability in financial crime prevention. Participants will develop practical skills in conducting AML risk assessments, implementing internal controls, performing compliance audits, handling investigations, and preparing regulatory reports. The training emphasizes collaboration between compliance teams, auditors, investigators, regulators, and law enforcement agencies to strengthen institutional resilience against financial crime threats.

By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the competencies needed to design, implement, and manage effective AML, CFT, and financial crime compliance frameworks within their organizations. They will gain practical insights into regulatory compliance, financial crime detection, governance enhancement, and risk management strategies necessary for protecting institutional integrity, maintaining stakeholder confidence, and ensuring operational sustainability in today’s highly regulated financial environment.

Who Should Attend

• Compliance Officers
• AML and CFT Specialists
• Internal Auditors
• Risk Management Professionals
• Bank Operations Managers
• Financial Analysts and Controllers
• Fraud Investigators
• Legal and Regulatory Affairs Officers
• Microfinance and SACCO Professionals
• Insurance and Investment Professionals
• Procurement and Supply Chain Officers
• Government Regulators and Supervisors
• NGO Finance and Compliance Staff
• Fintech and Digital Banking Professionals
• Law Enforcement and Financial Intelligence Officers

Duration

10 Days

Course Objectives

• Develop comprehensive understanding of AML, CFT, and financial crime compliance frameworks used to combat illicit financial activities globally.
• Equip participants with practical skills for identifying, assessing, monitoring, and mitigating money laundering and terrorism financing risks effectively.
• Strengthen participants’ ability to implement customer due diligence, enhanced due diligence, and beneficial ownership verification processes.
• Enhance competency in detecting suspicious transactions, unusual financial patterns, and emerging financial crime indicators across institutions.
• Build participants’ knowledge of global AML regulations, FATF recommendations, sanctions regimes, and financial crime compliance obligations.
• Enable participants to design and implement risk-based AML and CFT compliance programs aligned with international best practices and standards.
• Improve participants’ understanding of transaction monitoring systems, sanctions screening tools, and automated compliance technologies.
• Equip learners with techniques for conducting AML investigations, regulatory reporting, and suspicious transaction reporting procedures accurately.
• Strengthen institutional governance and internal controls required for preventing fraud, corruption, cybercrime, and financial misconduct risks.
• Develop participants’ capacity to address emerging risks related to cryptocurrencies, fintech innovations, digital banking, and cyber-enabled crimes.
• Enhance participants’ ability to conduct AML compliance audits, compliance reviews, and regulatory examinations within organizations effectively.
• Enable participants to promote ethical compliance cultures, accountability, transparency, and organizational integrity in financial institutions.

Comprehensive Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to AML, CFT and Financial Crime

• Concepts and principles of AML and CFT compliance
• Types and trends of financial crimes globally
• Economic and reputational impact of financial crime
• Roles of institutions in combating financial crime

Module 2: International AML and CFT Regulatory Frameworks

• FATF recommendations and international standards
• Basel Committee and Wolfsberg Group principles
• Regional and national AML regulatory requirements
• Compliance obligations for financial institutions

Module 3: Risk-Based Approach to AML Compliance

• Understanding AML and CFT risk assessments
• Identifying high-risk customers and transactions
• Risk categorization and mitigation strategies
• Enterprise-wide AML risk management frameworks

Module 4: Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and KYC

• Know Your Customer (KYC) principles and procedures
• Customer identification and verification processes
• Beneficial ownership and source of funds verification
• Ongoing customer monitoring and record management

Module 5: Enhanced Due Diligence and PEP Screening

• Enhanced due diligence requirements and controls
• Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) identification
• Adverse media screening and reputational risk checks
• Managing high-risk customer relationships effectively

Module 6: Transaction Monitoring and Suspicious Activity Detection

• Transaction monitoring systems and methodologies
• Identifying suspicious transactions and red flags
• Monitoring unusual financial behavior and activities
• Escalation and case management procedures

Module 7: Suspicious Transaction Reporting and Investigations

• Regulatory reporting requirements and timelines
• Preparing Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs)
• AML investigation processes and documentation
• Coordination with regulators and law enforcement agencies

Module 8: Sanctions Compliance and Screening Controls

• Understanding global sanctions regimes and restrictions
• OFAC, UN, EU, and regional sanctions requirements
• Sanctions screening systems and compliance procedures
• Managing sanctions violations and reporting obligations

Module 9: Fraud Prevention and Financial Crime Controls

• Fraud risk management and prevention strategies
• Internal controls for financial crime compliance
• Anti-corruption and bribery prevention measures
• Whistleblowing and ethical reporting mechanisms

Module 10: Cybercrime, Digital Banking and Emerging Threats

• Cyber-enabled financial crimes and fraud schemes
• Risks associated with digital banking platforms
• Identity theft, phishing, and online fraud detection
• Cybersecurity controls in AML compliance programs

Module 11: Cryptocurrency and Fintech Compliance Risks

• AML risks associated with cryptocurrencies and blockchain
• Virtual asset service provider compliance obligations
• Fintech innovations and regulatory compliance challenges
• Monitoring digital asset transactions and wallets

Module 12: Trade-Based Money Laundering (TBML)

• Concepts and typologies of trade-based laundering
• Mis-invoicing and trade manipulation schemes
• Detection techniques for suspicious trade activities
• Compliance controls for international trade transactions

Module 13: AML Governance and Compliance Culture

• Governance structures for AML compliance programs
• Roles of boards and senior management in compliance
• Building ethical and compliance-focused cultures
• Compliance communication and awareness strategies

Module 14: AML Audits, Reviews and Regulatory Examinations

• Conducting AML compliance audits and assessments
• Regulatory inspections and examination procedures
• Testing effectiveness of AML controls and systems
• Corrective actions and remediation planning

Module 15: Data Analytics, AI and Compliance Technology

• Using artificial intelligence in AML monitoring
• Data analytics for fraud and anomaly detection
• Automation and regtech solutions for compliance
• Managing risks associated with AI-powered systems

Module 16: Case Studies, Simulations and Action Planning

• Analysis of global money laundering case studies
• AML investigation simulations and exercises
• Developing institutional AML action plans
• Group presentations and compliance strategy reviews

Training Approach

The instructor led trainings are delivered using a blended learning approach and comprises of presentations, guided sessions of practical exercise, web-based tutorials and group work. Our facilitators are seasoned industry experts with years of experience, working as professional and trainers in these fields.

All facilitation and course materials will be offered in English. The participants should be reasonably proficient in English.

Certification

Upon successful completion of the training, participants will be awarded a certificate of completion by Steady Development Center.

Training Venue

The training will be held online. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, tutorials and all required training manuals. Any other personal expenses are catered by the participant.
For registration and further enquiries, contact us on:

• Tel: +254 701 180 097
• Email: training@steadytrainingcenter.com

Tailor-Made Option

This course can be customized to suit the specific needs of your organization and be delivered on-line to any convenient location.

Terms Of Payment

Upon agreement by both parties’ payment should be made to Steady Development Center’s official account at least 3 working days before training begins to facilitate adequate preparation.

Our Upcoming Training Schedule