Ethics and governance in the European Financial centers

20-21 November 2006, Palais de l’Europe, Strasbourg, France

Democracies in Europe are confronted with numerous challenges, ranging from the impact of globalisation and threats to security, to the erosion of democratic decision-making and the declining trust and participation of citizens in democratic institutions. Corruption appears to be an important factor in this respect, thus representing a threat to the future of democracy.

The following issues will be on the agenda :

Political finance
Lobbying
Conflicts of interest
Corruption, justice and democracy
Democracy and the control of corruption

Know more

The FATF carried out two studies. The first one on New Payment Methods and the second one one the Misuse of Corporate Vehicles.
Both were published early November 2006.

New Payment Methods

The FATF has examined the way in which money can be laundered through the exploitation of new payment technologies (prepaid cards, Internet payment systems, mobile payments, and digital precious metals). The report found that, while there is a legitimate market demand for these payment methods, money laundering and terrorist financing vulnerabilities exist. Specifically, cross-border providers of new payment methods may pose more risk than providers operating within a particular country. The report recommends continued vigilance to further assess the impact of evolving technologies on cross-border and domestic regulatory frameworks.

This report is one in a series of thematic studies carried out by the FATF to provide an in-depth look at money laundering and terrorist financing typologies. A full text of the report is available on the FATF website

See report

Misuse of corporate vehicles

The FATF has conducted an examination of the ways in which Corporate Vehicles (legal entities, including corporations, trusts, foundations and partnerships with limited liability) can be exploited for money laundering or terrorist financing purposes. The study of corporate vehicles found evidence of their misuse for money laundering / terrorist financing. The report identifies a number of risk factors and concludes that this misuse could be significantly reduced if governments have access to information about the beneficial owner, the source of assets, and the business objective of the company or trust.

This report is one in a series of thematic studies carried out by the FATF to provide an in-depth look at money laundering and terrorist financing typologies. A full text of the report is available on the FATF website. Click here to download a copy]

See report



For further information, journalists are invited to contact Helen Fisher, OECD Media Relations (tel.: +33 1 45 24 80 97 or helen.fisher@oecd.org or Spencer.Wilson@oecd.org) or the FATF Secretariat, 2, rue André-Pascal, 75775 Paris Cedex 16 (tel: +33 1 45 24 79 45, fax: +33 1 44 30 61 37 or email: contact@fatf-gafi.org).

FSA published a speech given by Philip Robinson, Financial Crime Sector Leader, at the Cambridge Economic Symposium (6 September 2006)

See speech