The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank has opened its inaugural Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/CPF) Conference for financial crime prevention professionals, with Deputy Governor Dr Valda F. Henry calling for a proactive and collaborative approach to compliance that safeguards stability, transparency and trust while ensuring the region’s financial systems work for all except bad actors. Addressing more than 100 representatives from financial institutions, regulatory bodies, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders from across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union and beyond, Henry anchored the conference around the theme “Compliance in the 21st Century: Financial Inclusion and Digital Transformation in a Dynamic Landscape”. She argued that AML/CFT/CPF controls should not act as barriers to access and highlighted the ECCU First Step Account as an example, offering persons aged 18 and older entry to formal banking with one photo identification and no account opening or maintenance fees. She also pointed to evolving vulnerabilities linked to digital delivery of financial services, including increasingly sophisticated cyber-related crimes using social engineering tactics, and recommended a financial crime prevention strategy that includes ongoing education and outreach to raise awareness among stakeholders and the public.
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank 2025-10-17
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank convenes inaugural AML CFT CPF conference as Deputy Governor Henry urges proactive compliance that supports inclusion
The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank held its first AML/CFT/CPF Conference, emphasizing proactive compliance to safeguard financial stability. Deputy Governor Dr. Valda F. Henry highlighted controls that ensure access, citing the ECCU First Step Account as a financial inclusion model. She addressed digital vulnerabilities and recommended ongoing education to combat sophisticated cyber crimes.