The European Central Bank (ECB) and the European Anti-Money Laundering Authority (Amla) have concluded a formal cooperation agreement to enhance coordination between prudential and anti-money laundering supervision, according to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 3 July 2025.
The agreement outlined a joint framework that aimed to improve supervisory effectiveness and operational efficiency whilst avoiding duplication of efforts. The MOU established principles for systematic information exchange, regular policy coordination and collaborative oversight measures, as set out in the text of the agreement.
The report further stated that Amla, established in 2024 and based in Frankfurt am Main, would directly supervise a select group of financial institutions identified as being at high risk of cross-border money laundering. These “selected obliged entities” include payment institutions, crypto-asset service providers and certain banks, some of which also fall under the ECB’s existing prudential supervisory remit.
The ECB already integrates anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) considerations into its prudential supervisory practices. The new cooperation framework is intended to enhance the coherence of these efforts when institutions are jointly overseen by both bodies.
Bruna Szego, chair of AMLA, stated that “close cooperation between AML/CFT and prudential supervisors is essential to building a robust and consistent anti-money laundering framework across Europe.” She described the MOU as a “cornerstone” in that effort, noting its role in facilitating meaningful information exchange and inter-agency coordination.
Claudia Buch, chair of the ECB’s supervisory board, echoed this sentiment, asserting that “it is essential that prudential supervisors and anti-money laundering authorities work closely and efficiently together to strengthen the resilience of the banking sector.” She added that the agreement would enable both institutions to “address risks in a coordinated and effective way”.
The agreement covered scenarios in which serious breaches of AML/CFT rules could necessitate joint action, including the restriction or limitation of a financial institution’s operations or the withdrawal of licences. In such cases, collaboration would support timely and consistent enforcement across jurisdictions.
Amla is is expected to begin direct AML/CFT supervision in January 2028 across the European Union.