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Glossary

Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA)

Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) is the Swiss federal statute that obliges financial intermediaries, including independent asset managers, to identify contracting parties, establish the identity of beneficial owners, and report suspicious cases to the Money Laundering Reporting Office (MROS) (SR 955.0).

At a glance

01

Wealth managers qualify as financial intermediaries and are fully subject to the AMLA (AMLA Art. 2 para. 3).

02

Core obligations: identification of the contracting party, determination of the beneficial owner, documentation and archiving, and the duty to report suspicions.

03

Implementation follows FINMA guidelines and the Due Diligence Obligations of the respective Supervisory Organisation.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Independent asset managers are financial intermediaries under AMLA Art. 2 para. 3 and are therefore directly bound by the Anti-Money Laundering Act. Affiliation with a Supervisory Organisation under FinIA covers AMLA supervision as well, provided the Supervisory Organisation is also recognised as a self-regulatory organisation under the AMLA.

Sources: FINMA · Systematische Rechtssammlung (fedlex)