As a result of the revelations about the suspected money laundering in Swedbank, invited Per Bolund into bankers ‘ association to a meeting to hear how the banks to fight against money laundering.
Hans Lindblad took the opportunity to present the association’s ”request” on the right extensive changes to the law. In principle, for the proposals that banking secrecy is broken up.
when it comes to the fight against money laundering is the knowledge of how it spreads. It comes to knowledge about customers and their transactions, and who receives the money.
Banks are required to know their customers and what they do with their money. The regulatory framework has also been strengthened in installments over several years, which means that higher requirements are imposed on banks.
But the Swedish bankers ‘ Association considers that the banks did not have got the ”tools and opportunities” to the right clear of the task.
“the Banks have had myndighetsliknande police information in the fight against money laundering,” says Hans Lindberg, in an email to DN.
– It is important that banks be given the opportunity to pursue this work effectively. Currently receive the banks, for example, do not share information about suspicious customers and transactions between each other, ” he adds.
out the association that when a bank says no to a particular customer, the customer go to another bank, Therefore, should be the first information from the bank to be able to be used to ”avoid the customer at the incorrect premises are given access to a bank account.”
this is a hearty way of derogation from the legislation on bank secrecy that Sweden has today.
In its request to write the association with reference to the latest scandals that it is ”urgent” that the authorities must ”a requirement on knowledge transfer” to the banks.
Banks may not be ongoing feedback from the fraud squad about the current risk and what’s happened with the notifications made about suspected money laundering, says Lindberg.
to banks to be able to take a ”secret” credit check on a customer who they suspect may be involved with money laundering. Today, a customer always an indication of who requests a credit report on the person in question.
this, however, requires changes in the law – that Lindberg would be implemented as soon as possible.
– the Government and parliament must urgently change in the legal environment that the banks will have the right tools in order to effectively combat money laundering. For example, the Dataskyddsregelverket and public access to information and secrecy act, ” says Lindberg.
money laundering in Swedbank, and the bank management’s lack of ability to handle this crisis of confidence led to the chief executive officer Birgitte Bonnesen was fired. Hence she got also leave the record as the bankers ‘ association, chairman of the board.
On Monday elected Johan Torgeby, ceo of SEB as a Bonnesens successor. At the same time was elected Carina Åkerström, ceo of Handelsbanken, vice chairman of the board.
“In these times, when confidence in our industry are tested, will the Association become an even more active voice to discuss the challenges we face and the public benefit that the banks make,” says Johan Torgeby in a written comment after the appointment.