The Central Bank of the UAE has ordered an urgent special inspection of Banque Misr’s UAE branches after US authorities proposed designating them as a foreign financial institution of primary money laundering concern. The in-depth review will cover the period identified by the US authorities and focus on transactions involving companies named in their statement. The branches remain subject to UAE laws and regulations. The central bank regularly examines banks’ anti-money laundering and counterterrorist financing controls, including electronic sanctions-screening systems, and requires improvements where needed. It is also assessing its options if the US special measure is finalized and will consider the bank’s obligations to UAE customers in determining its response.