Regulated entities – including PSPs, VASPs, investment platforms, and trust companies – must meet rising KYB and AML expectations. This article highlights emerging requirements across the UAE, UK, EU, Singapore, and U.S.
Regulated entities operate in complex environments where KYB and AML compliance are non-negotiable. Whether your firm is a payment service provider (PSP), virtual asset service provider (VASP), investment platform, corporate services provider, a real estate agent, a mortgage broker, regulators are tightening standards.
In 2025 and beyond, firms must demonstrate robust KYB controls, real-time screening, and jurisdictional audit readiness – especially as rules evolve in key markets like the UK, UAE, and EU.
Emerging Global AML Requirements for Regulated Entities
United Kingdom
Regulators: Companies House, FCA
Shifts: Mandatory KYB and identity verification for directors and PSCs; AML registration and sanctions screening under MLR 2017
United Arab Emirates
Regulators: CBUAE, DFSA, VARA, ADGM
Requirements: Risk-based onboarding, KYB for corporate clients, Travel Rule compliance, UBO discovery, and localized data handling
European Union
Regulators: AMLA (in development), national competent authorities
Real estate professionals face rising AML scrutiny across markets. This article breaks down identity verification, source of funds, and beneficial ownership rules in the U.S., Canada, UK, EU, and Australia – and shows how iComply helps automate compliance across agents, lawyers, and lenders.
Real estate is a prime target for financial crime. High-value transactions, opaque ownership structures, and limited oversight have made the sector vulnerable to money laundering worldwide.
From regulators to investigative journalists, scrutiny is intensifying, compliance expectations are evolving. Brokers, lawyers, developers, mortgage professionals, and title companies all have a role to play.
Shifting AML Expectations in Real Estate
United States
Regulators: FinCEN, state real estate commissions
Requirements: Geographic targeting orders (GTOs), beneficial ownership reporting (CTA), SARs, and KYC for buyers and entities
Canada
Regulators: FINTRAC, provincial real estate councils
Requirements: KYC, source of funds verification, PEP/sanctions screening, STRs, and compliance program requirements (as reinforced by the Cullen Commission)
United Kingdom
Regulators: HMRC, FCA (for lenders), SRA (for law firms)
Requirements: Client due diligence, UBO checks, transaction monitoring, and compliance under MLR 2017
European Union
Regulators: National AML authorities under AMLD6
Requirements: Risk-based customer due diligence, UBO transparency, STRs, and GDPR-aligned reporting
Australia
Regulator: AUSTRAC (legislation pending for real estate-specific coverage)
Requirements: AML risk management for law firms, lenders, and trust accounts; expected expansion to include property professionals
Real Estate-Specific Risk Factors
1. Complex Ownership Structures
Use of shell companies, nominees, and trusts can obscure true buyers.
2. Source of Funds Obscurity
Large cash deposits or offshore funding require enhanced scrutiny.
3. Multi-Party Transactions
Buyers, sellers, agents, lawyers, lenders, and developers often use disconnected systems.
4. Regulatory Patchwork
Requirements vary by jurisdiction and professional role.
How iComply Helps Real Estate Professionals Stay Compliant
iComply enables unified compliance across real estate workflows—from individual onboarding to multi-party coordination.
1. Identity and Entity Verification
KYC/KYB onboarding via secure, white-labeled portals
Support for 14,000+ ID types in 195 countries
UBO discovery and documentation
2. Source of Funds Checks
Collect and validate financial statements, employment records, or declarations
Risk-based automation of EDD triggers
Document retention for regulator inspection
3. Sanctions and Risk Screening
Real-time screening of all participants (buyers, sellers, brokers, law firms)
Automated refresh cycles and trigger alerts
4. Cross-Party Case Collaboration
Connect agents, legal counsel, and lenders in a single audit-ready file
Assign roles, track tasks, and escalate within shared dashboards
5. Data Residency and Privacy Compliance
Edge computing ensures PII is encrypted before upload
Compliant with PIPEDA, GDPR, and U.S. state laws
On-premise or cloud deployment options
Case Insight: Vancouver Brokerage
A Canadian real estate firm used iComply to digitize ID checks and SoF verification for domestic and foreign buyers:
Reduced onboarding time by 65%
Flagged two nominee structures linked to offshore trusts
Passed a FINTRAC audit with zero deficiencies
Final Take
Real estate professionals can no longer afford fragmented compliance. With global pressure mounting, smart automation ensures faster onboarding, better oversight, and fewer audit risks.
Talk to iComply to learn how we help brokers, lawyers, and lenders unify AML workflows – without slowing down the deal.
Nonprofits are under growing pressure to vet grantees, partners, and donors to meet global AML standards. This article outlines key KYC and KYB expectations in the U.S., UK, EU, Canada, and Australia – and shows how iComply enables automated risk screening without disrupting trust or operations.
Nonprofits and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are mission-driven – but increasingly, they’re also AML-obligated. Regulators, donors, and banking partners now expect them to verify counterparties, conduct due diligence on sub-recipients, and track risk exposure across jurisdictions.
Global AML rules are expanding—and nonprofits must ensure their programs and funds are not diverted for criminal or terrorist use.
Emerging AML Obligations for Nonprofits
United States
Regulators: FinCEN, IRS, Department of State
Requirements: Due diligence on foreign grantees, donor vetting, sanctions screening, and enhanced scrutiny of transactions involving high-risk countries
United Kingdom
Regulators: Charity Commission, HMRC
Requirements: Financial controls, PEP and sanctions screening, and governance reviews for organizations handling overseas grants
European Union
Regulators: National charity bodies, AML authorities
Requirements: UBO transparency, transaction monitoring, GDPR-compliant due diligence, and STR obligations
Canada
Regulator: CRA, FINTRAC
Requirements: Anti-terrorist financing controls, donor due diligence, reporting obligations, and foreign activity reviews
Australia
Regulator: ACNC, AUSTRAC
Requirements: AML/CTF compliance for overseas programs, sanctions compliance, and source-of-funds transparency
Challenges Nonprofits Face
1. Resource Constraints
Small compliance teams, tight budgets, and limited infrastructure
2. Complex Grant Networks
Sub-grantees, international affiliates, and in-country partners with limited transparency
3. Donor Sensitivity
Trust and confidentiality must be preserved during verification
4. High-Risk Regions
Operations often focus on areas with elevated AML or sanctions risk
iComply: Mission-Aligned AML Tools for Nonprofits
iComply offers a lightweight, privacy-respecting AML platform that supports risk screening and verification across the nonprofit ecosystem.
1. KYC + KYB for Partners and Grantees
Verify local nonprofits, vendors, and individuals with document and registry checks
Onboard stakeholders using multilingual, mobile-ready portals
Collect declarations, signatures, and supporting documentation securely
2. Sanctions and Risk Screening
Screen partners and donors against OFAC, EU, UN, and national sanctions lists
Apply configurable thresholds and refresh cycles
Automate PEP/adverse media checks without storing unnecessary PII
3. Privacy-First Infrastructure
Data processed on-device before transmission
Full compliance with PIPEDA, GDPR, and local privacy laws
Configurable consent workflows and retention schedules
4. Case Management and Reporting
Assign compliance reviews and track escalations
Export audit logs for internal governance or third-party funders
Maintain a defensible trail of due diligence
Case Insight: Charitable Gifting Platform
A Canadian-registered charitable gifting platform operating across North America adopted iComply to manage grantee and partner due diligence. Results:
Screened 60+ partners in under 4 weeks
Flagged one entity with prior sanction exposure
Increased trust with a major foundation through automated compliance
The Bottom Line
Doing good doesn’t exempt you from doing due diligence. Nonprofits that integrate smart, mission-aligned compliance tools can:
Meet funder and regulatory expectations
Maintain operational focus
Build donor and partner trust
Talk to iComply to learn how we help nonprofits automate global AML screening – without sacrificing impact or transparency.
Money service businesses (MSBs)—including remittance providers, currency exchanges, and prepaid platforms – face some of the strictest AML expectations globally. This article breaks down key KYC, KYB, KYT, and AML requirements in the U.S., UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and Singapore – and how iComply helps automate screening and reporting across borders.
Money service businesses (MSBs) operate in high-risk zones for financial crime, often processing large volumes of low-margin transactions across borders. As a result, regulators expect MSBs to maintain exceptional AML programs – on par with traditional banks.
With sanctions enforcement, PEP exposure, and transaction monitoring under scrutiny, MSBs need real-time, automated tools to meet growing global expectations.
AML Requirements for MSBs by Jurisdiction
United States
Regulator: FinCEN
Requirements: MSB registration, SARs, Travel Rule compliance, OFAC screening, and AML program implementation
United Kingdom
Regulator: FCA
Requirements: AML registration, customer due diligence (CDD), sanctions/PEP screening, and transaction monitoring
European Union
Regulators: National AML authorities (under AMLD6)
Commercial lenders face heightened global AML expectations, especially around KYB, UBO verification, and ongoing monitoring. This article outlines key obligations across the U.S., UK, Canada, EU, and Australia—and how iComply helps automate compliance for business loan onboarding and risk management.
Commercial lenders – from banks to fintech platforms to leasing companies – are under increasing pressure to validate the legitimacy of the businesses they serve. Regulators worldwide now expect lenders to implement robust know-your-business (KYB) procedures, identify beneficial owners (UBOs), and monitor ongoing risk across their business lending portfolios.
With varying standards across borders and complex corporate structures at play, automation is no longer optional – it’s essential.
AML and KYB Expectations for Lenders
United States
Regulators: FinCEN, OCC, FDIC, state banking departments
Requirements: BOI reporting under the Corporate Transparency Act, CDD Rule compliance, SAR filings, and sanctions screening
United Kingdom
Regulator: FCA, PRA
Requirements: KYB, UBO verification, transaction monitoring, and enhanced due diligence (EDD) for high-risk entities
Canada
Regulator: FINTRAC
Requirements: Business client verification, beneficial ownership discovery, ongoing monitoring, and STRs for suspicious transactions
European Union
Regulators: National regulators under AMLD6 framework
Requirements: KYB and UBO collection, EDD for complex structures, and real-time transaction tracking
Australia
Regulator: AUSTRAC
Requirements: AML/CTF compliance for non-bank lenders, UBO transparency, and reporting obligations for high-value transactions
Lending-Specific Risk Factors
1. Opaque Business Structures
LLCs, trusts, and holding companies often obscure real ownership.
2. High Application Volume
Manual KYB checks don’t scale with demand.
3. Evolving Regulatory Standards
CTA in the U.S., EU AMLA rollout, and FATF alignment create shifting expectations.
4. Loan Fraud and Misuse of Funds
Inadequate checks can lead to reputational damage, defaults, and penalties.
How iComply Supports AML in Lending
iComply provides a configurable platform that simplifies KYB, UBO discovery, and AML monitoring for commercial lenders.
1. Streamlined KYB Onboarding
Verify legal entities through registry and document checks
Identify directors, shareholders, and authorized signatories
Localized workflows and multilingual support
2. Beneficial Ownership Mapping
Visual UBO trees across jurisdictions
Automated detection of nominee owners and shell structures
Apply configurable thresholds for deeper review
3. AML and Sanctions Screening
Real-time screening of businesses and individuals against global watchlists
Continuous monitoring with refresh cycles and trigger-based reviews
Risk scoring by industry, geography, and transaction patterns
4. Case Management and Reporting
Unified dashboard for all onboarding and screening activity
Audit-ready logs and regulatory export templates (FinCEN, FCA, AUSTRAC, etc.)
Track escalations, reviews, and resolution timelines
Case Insight: SME Lender in the UK
A UK-based lender adopted iComply to digitize business borrower onboarding. Within 6 weeks:
Cut average application processing time by 45%
Flagged 3 UBO anomalies across high-value applicants
Passed an FCA review of UBO verification procedures and audit trails
Final Word
Commercial lenders must scale responsibly. Those who embrace KYB automation now can:
Reduce onboarding friction
Improve risk visibility
Meet cross-border AML expectations with confidence
Talk to iComply to see how we help lenders automate 90% of compliance tasks—so your team can focus on building relationships, not chasing paperwork.
“Chandy,” is a technology and risk expert with executive experience at Boston Consulting Group, Citi, and PwC. With over two decades in financial services, digital transformation, and enterprise risk, he advises iComply on scalable compliance infrastructure for global markets.
Thomas is a global tax and compliance expert with deep specialization in digital assets, blockchain, and tokenization. As a partner at MME Legal | Tax | Compliance, he advises iComply on regulatory strategy, cross-border compliance, and digital finance innovation.
Thomas is a renowned identity and cybersecurity expert, serving as CTO of Connection Science at MIT. With deep expertise in decentralized identity, zero trust, and secure data exchange, he advises iComply on cutting-edge technology and privacy-first compliance architecture.
Rodney is the former President of ADP Canada and international executive with over two decades of leadership in global HR and enterprise technology. He advises iComply with deep expertise in international service delivery, M&A, and scaling high-growth operations across regulated markets.
Praveen is a serial entrepreneur and technology innovator, known for leadership roles at Lucent Bell Labs, ChargePoint, and the Stanford Linear Accelerator. He advises iComply on advanced computing, scalable infrastructure, and the intersection of AI, energy, and compliance tech.
Paul is a Canadian RegTech leader and founder of Maple Peak Group, with extensive experience in financial services compliance, AML, and digital transformation. He advises iComply on regulatory alignment, operational strategy, and scaling compliance programs in complex markets.
John is a seasoned business executive with senior leadership experience at CIBC, UBS, and Accenture. With deep expertise in investment banking, private equity, and digital transformation, he advises iComply on strategic growth, partnerships, and global market expansion.
Jeff is a former CFTC official and globally recognized expert in financial regulation, fintech, and digital assets. As founder of Bandman Advisors, he brings deep insight into regulatory policy, market infrastructure, and innovation to guide iComply’s global compliance strategy.
Greg is a seasoned investment banker with over 35 years of experience, including leadership roles at BMO Capital Markets, Morgan Stanley, and Citigroup. Greg brings deep expertise in financial strategy and growth to support iComply's expansion in the RegTech sector.
Deven is the former President of S&P and a globally respected authority in risk, data, and capital markets. With decades of leadership across financial services and tech, he advises iComply on strategic growth, governance, and the future of trusted data in AML compliance.
