MLRO Update Autumn 2026 - Latest Developments & Best Practice

Introduction

The AML and financial crime landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with new legislation, regulatory expectations and enforcement activity placing increasing responsibilities on MLROs and compliance professionals.

This practical, interactive seminar provides a comprehensive review of the most significant developments during 2026 and explores what they mean in practice for firms. Through discussion, case studies and practical exercises, delegates will examine how regulatory expectations are changing, consider emerging financial crime risks and identify practical actions to strengthen their firm's AML framework.

Designed for MLROs, Deputy MLROs, compliance officers and senior managers with financial crime responsibilities, this seminar provides an opportunity to benchmark existing arrangements against current best practice while preparing for future regulatory developments.

Please note, the content will be reviewed and updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest legislative changes, regulatory announcements, guidance and enforcement activity.

What You Will Learn

This course will include:

• The current AML landscape and the key developments shaping financial crime compliance during 2026
• The latest changes to AML legislation, regulations and regulatory guidance, together with their practical implications for firms
• What regulators and supervisors have been focusing on throughout 2026, including key findings from AML Annual Reports, thematic reviews and supervisory activity
• Emerging money laundering, terrorist financing and sanctions risks, including developments in National and Sector Risk Assessments, High-Risk Third Countries, proliferation financing, fraud and other evolving financial crime threats
• The latest sanctions developments and what firms should be doing to ensure their sanctions controls remain effective and proportionate
• Current regulatory expectations regarding customer due diligence, enhanced due diligence, source of funds and source of wealth, together with common weaknesses identified during supervisory reviews
• The evolving expectations around governance, the role of the MLRO, Board oversight, management information and demonstrating an effective AML control framework
• Training and competence requirements, including ensuring staff remain equipped to identify and manage emerging financial crime risks
• New facts, figures and intelligence published by regulators and what they reveal about current compliance priorities
• The cost of non-compliance, including a review of recent enforcement action, common failings, regulatory expectations and the practical lessons firms should take away
• Practical case studies and discussion exercises designed to help delegates apply current regulatory expectations to real-world scenarios
• What firms should expect during the remainder of 2026 and beyond, together with practical actions MLROs can take now to prepare for future developments