Transaction monitoring is the process of keeping track of customer transactions, which includes analyzing past and present customer interactions and information to paint a whole picture of consumer behavior. Transfers, deposits, and withdrawals are examples of this. The majority of financial institutions will utilize software to analyze this data automatically.
Potentially, manually stopping and questioning each transaction a customer completes would be the most efficient method of transaction monitoring in AML. The transaction would not be authorized for completion until this evaluation was finished.
This idea is absurd because of the number of resources needed, yet some organizations may be putting themselves at greater risk due to the automated approach they have taken in developing their transaction monitoring system (TMS).
The role of transaction monitoring systems in AML
For many years, organizations have relied on a TMS of some kind to provide risk-based AML transaction monitoring. In order to account for client risk, the TMS often uses data from know-your-customer (KYC) operations. Then, specific account-based behaviors are identified for examination and potential disclosure using the risk measures as part of rules and scenarios.
The approach to a TMS is typically only examined after the regulators have imposed some sort of penalty or conducted an investigation.
Transaction Screening vs. Transaction Monitoring
There are several significant differences between transaction screening and transaction monitoring, despite the fact that they may sound similar. First, real-time transaction screening makes it simpler to examine transactions without holding up the entire payment process.
For instance, before attempting to ban an account, certain financial companies will text the account holder to ensure they are making a purchase. This is advantageous since it makes sure the customer can complete their transaction without asking the bank for assistance.
Customizing transaction screening to track the warning signs for your department is another advantage. As a result, it is simpler to keep an eye on accounts without missing a beat.
High-risk transactions frequently proceed if they are not properly flagged in transaction monitoring, but this is not the case with transaction screening. Transactions that are unusual or high-risk will be temporarily stopped while the customer confirms them.
Importance Of Transaction Monitoring
Solutions for transaction monitoring are necessary since the world is getting more digitally sophisticated. As a result, the number of financial crimes, including money laundering, is rising.
To simplify and improve the consumer experience, many businesses are using online payment options. This indicates a decrease in the use of cash and an increase in credit card payments.
Transaction monitoring is more crucial than ever because there is such a vast volume to check each day as a result of the rise in digital payments. Financial crime would skyrocket in the absence of transaction monitoring.
Who Needs Transaction Monitoring?
The legislation requires every business that moves money to take the necessary precautions to safeguard clients from security breaches, fraud, and other financial crimes. Continue reading to find out more about each kind of business and what it entails.
Money Services
Businesses that convert money or send it are known as money services. This phrase was coined to include non-bank financial institutions.
These enterprises must abide by various jurisdictional rules, depending on the MSB’s jurisdiction. Local regulators are in charge of monitoring MSB services, and they are always required to adhere to these guidelines.
The majority of MSBs offer services in places where there are no banks or other financial institutions to assist people with their money.
They can be found in places like:
- Groceries shops
- Retail pharmacies
- Constipation shops
- Drugstores
If the region is sufficiently tiny, it might also refer to their offerings inside the neighborhood post office.
Traditional Banks
While depositing, withdrawing, and transferring money are typically done at banks, there are a number of additional options available. For instance, if someone is interested in purchasing a property, they can inquire with their bank about getting a mortgage approved.
Customers can also apply for several types of insurance through their banks, including home and auto insurance. Additionally, they provide devoted customers numerous chances to bundle their insurance at a discount in one location.
In spite of these rules, banks nevertheless take on a lot of risks. When someone borrows money from them and fails to repay it as arranged, that person poses a credit risk.
Market risk is another sort of risk, which occurs when the value of the bank’s investment and trading portfolio declines as a result of recent market movements.
Other types of risk that banks assume include:
- Reputational
- Macroeconomic
- Liquidity
- Operational
Financial services
When economic aspects are made available to people and enterprises, this is referred to as financial services. This category includes a number of financial institutions such as finance corporations or finance lenders. Financial services enable people and organizations to buy the different financial products they require. For instance, if you take payments from customers, you might let them use credit/debit cards to pay or allow them to send money electronically.
