On 8 October 2026, the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) hosted a sold-out Training Event on Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Sanctions Circumvention Risks, bringing together more than 150 compliance, regulatory and financial crime prevention professionals to discuss emerging risks, regulatory developments and effective mitigation measures. The event formed part of the FIAU’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Malta’s anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) framework.
Throughout the day, attendees benefited from presentations delivered by both local and international experts covering key developments within the AML/CFT landscape. Sessions included an update on Malta’s National Risk Assessment delivered by the National Coordinating Committee on Combating Money Laundering and Funding of Terrorism (NCC), insights into the importance of risk factors in developing effective risk-based compliance programmes, and an overview of the latest developments relating to AMLA’s Risk Factor Guidelines.
Participants also heard from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), which highlighted ongoing public-private partnership initiatives aimed at strengthening fraud detection and prevention. The session underscored the value of close cooperation between competent authorities and subject persons in addressing money laundering and terrorist financing risks.
A keynote presentation delivered by Yehuda Shaffer provided valuable insights into current and emerging terrorist financing threats. Drawing on extensive international experience, the session explored evolving terrorist financing methodologies, emerging global typologies and practical considerations for both public and private sector stakeholders seeking to enhance their understanding and management of terrorist financing risks.
The programme also featured a presentation by the Sanctions Monitoring Board (SMB), focusing on sanctions circumvention risk factors and recent guidance updates. In addition, officers from the FIAU’s Intelligence Analysis Section shared practical terrorist financing case studies, providing attendees with first-hand insight into key typologies, indicators and red flags associated with illicit financial activity.
Through initiatives such as this training event, the FIAU continues to support the private sector through knowledge-sharing, capacity-building and ongoing engagement. By promoting greater awareness of financial crime risks and strengthening AML/CFT expertise across the sector, the FIAU remains committed to enhancing the resilience and effectiveness of Malta’s framework for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and related threats.