Chairman’s Summary of the FATF FinTech and RegTech Forum
Berlin, Germany
9 to 10 October 2017
Berlin, 10 October 2017 – The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) held its second FinTech and RegTech Forum on 9 and 10 October 2017 in Berlin, Germany, chaired by the , Mr. Santiago Otamendi (Argentina).
The meeting, hosted by Germany, was attended by over 150 participants from the FinTech and RegTech sectors, financial institutions, and FATF members, associate members and observers.
Purpose
Outreach to the FinTech and RegTech community continues to be one of the Objectives for the Argentine Presidency of the FATF (2017-2018) under the Argentinian Presidency. This forum aims to provide a platform for constructive dialogue between the public and private sector which will contribute to the integrity of the international financial system and support innovation and economic growth, while at the same time managing the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing.
Close engagement between governments and the private sector on financial innovations is important for fostering a shared understanding of these developments, identifying pertinent issues, and facilitating collaboration to address any concerns or challenges as they arise.
The FATF continues to proactively engage with FinTech and RegTech and has, in a very short period of time, developed a constructive partnership with the industry and engaged in useful dialogue to foster a better understanding of how existing AML/CFT obligations apply to new technologies, products, services and other financial innovations.
Key topics discussed
The forum discussed the opportunities that FinTech and RegTech may present in improving the effective implementation of AML/CFT measures, as well as the challenges that emerging technologies and financial innovations may pose.
Views were exchanged on how to balance the benefits and risks associated with technological developments and the different aspects to take into consideration for the development of innovative products from an AML/CFT perspective.
The meeting discussed how the concept of digital ID is being developed in different ways, and how non-face-to-face transactions and relationships might be mitigated by such technologies. Participants focused on some of the different types of products available or being developed, and their possible implications for customer identification and verification, and financial inclusion.
The participants also discussed the potential applications and challenges presented by the use of distributed ledger technology. Developments and ongoing initiatives relating to KYC utilities were also discussed.
Participants heard both the private sector and public sector perspective on how FinTech and RegTech could have the potential to enhance public-private information sharing for AML/CFT purposes.