The FATF is a global organization that sets global standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing (AML/CFT).
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), also known by its French name, Group d’action financière (GAFI) is a global organization that sets global standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing (AML/CFT). The FATF was formed in 1989 by the G7. At the time of its inception, it had 16 members, but as of 2021, it has 39. In 2001, the FATF’s mandate was expanded to include terrorist financing following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The force is tasked with learning money laundering trends, monitoring legislative, financial, and law enforcement activities at both national and international levels, as well as reporting on compliance and issuing recommendations and standards to combat money laundering.
In addition to the legally non-binding 40+9 Recommendations, FATF began issuing its FATF Black List in 2010, officially called the list of Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCT). The list includes jurisdictions that were uncooperative in international money laundering and terrorist financing efforts.
This includes unwillingness to provide bank or brokerage account records, customer identification, and beneficial ownership information relating to these accounts, shell companies, and other financial entities commonly used to launder money.