FATF’s Recent Risk Map Update

Two added, three removed—here’s the impact

📅 September 5, 2025

On June 13, 2025, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) updated its list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring due to strategic deficiencies in anti-money laundering, countering the financing of terrorism, and counter-proliferation finance. Even though the news cycle has moved on, the changes still matter for compliance teams. If you haven’t already folded them into your risk framework, now’s the time to double-check. Updates like these can shift due diligence requirements, alter how you score customer risk, and even affect correspondent banking ties. Missing those adjustments doesn’t just mean extra work later—it can also invite regulatory questions and reputational headaches.

From Policy Change to Operational Impact

Every few months, FATF takes the global temperature on money laundering and terrorist financing controls, and June 2025 was no exception. Its review shuffled the list of countries under closer watch, with some added for persistent gaps and others removed after making progress.

After its latest plenary meeting, the intergovernmental watchdog added the British Virgin Islands and Bolivia to its Jurisdictions Under Increased Monitoring (also called the “grey list”) and removed Croatia, Mali, and Tanzania. The High-Risk Jurisdictions Subject to a Call for Action (the “black list”) stayed the same, with Iran, North Korea, and Burma still considered the highest-risk countries.

For compliance teams, this isn’t just background news—it’s a reminder to check that these shifts have been reflected in your programs. Clients or counterparties linked to the British Virgin Islands or Bolivia may now require deeper questions and more frequent monitoring. Exposure to Burma, Iran, or North Korea remains even more sensitive, involving strict prohibitions and enhanced due diligence under U.S. law.

FinCEN’s June 2025 advisory leaves little room for doubt: FATF designations should flow directly into your risk assessments and controls. In practice, that might mean re-scoring jurisdictions in your risk model, updating onboarding checklists, or reviewing correspondent banking relationships. It could also mean preparing business lines for tougher conversations with clients in higher-risk markets. The key is making sure the update isn’t just noted—it’s acted on, so your institution isn’t caught off guard months later.

To help compliance teams quickly visualize FATF’s June 2025 updates, IFI’s interactive FATF Listing Map Tool highlights grey- and black-listed jurisdictions in real time. This resource makes it easier to track changes after each plenary and fold them into your institution’s risk assessments.

Turning FATF Updates Into Action

Revisit your country risk ratings.
If you haven’t already adjusted your scoring to reflect FATF’s June changes, now is a good time. Adding or removing countries from the grey list can shift how you view customer risk and should feed directly into your overall risk framework.
Revisit due diligence for affected clients.
For customers or counterparties tied to the British Virgin Islands or Bolivia, consider whether enhanced due diligence is now required. This could mean asking additional questions, documenting ownership more thoroughly, or adjusting transaction monitoring thresholds.
Share updates with your first line.
Regulators expect the first line of defense to be aware of evolving risks. A simple internal notice or short training refresher session can ensure relationship managers and front-line staff understand how these updates affect the way they handle certain clients and transactions.

Strengthen Your AML/CFT Foundation

FATF’s updates are a reminder that compliance isn’t static; it’s a moving target shaped by global events and regulatory priorities. Staying ahead means not only reacting to updates but understanding the “why” behind them and embedding that insight into daily operations.

Our Foundations of AML/CFT course is designed to help compliance professionals do just that. From interpreting FATF guidance to applying risk-based controls in practice, the course equips you to turn regulatory developments into stronger, more resilient compliance programs.

FATF updates aren’t just headlines—they’re operational triggers that demand quick, informed action. Our Foundations of AML/CFT course equips compliance professionals to:

Interpret and apply FATF guidance in real time
Implement risk-based controls that stand up to regulatory scrutiny
Integrate global enforcement developments into policy and procedure
Strengthen due diligence and monitoring across the institution

Stay ahead of evolving threats.

Learn More

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