News And Announcements

BSP Governor and AMLC Chairman Remolona Speaks on the Delisting of the Philippines from the FATF Grey List of Countries under Increased Monitoring

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor and Anti-Money Laundering Council Chairman Eli M. Remolona, Jr. highlighted that the Philippines’ exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list renews investor confidence, restores correspondent banking relationships, and helps overseas Filipino workers. 

Watch Governor Remolona speak on the delisting of the Philippines from the FATF grey list of countries under increased monitoring. 

AMLC Chairman's Statement on the PH's formal exit from the FATF grey list

All Covered Persons to Deal Only with Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions Registered with the AMLC

          AMLC Resolution No. 81 dated 09 May 2019 directed the issuance of an advisory to covered persons (CPs) dealing with clients who are classified under the sector of Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) to demand presentation of their Certificate of Registration (COR) or Provisional COR (PCOR) with the AMLC as part of Customer Due Diligence (CDD) measures under Section 3.5(b)(1) of the 2018 Implementing Rules and Regulations of the AMLA, as amended. Failure of a DNFBP to supply its P/COR is a ground to conduct enhanced due diligence measure (EDD) and/or to re-evaluate the business relationship. On the part of the CP failing to comply with this directive, it may be cited for the applicable administrative sanctions under the Rules of Procedure in Administrative Cases (RPAC).

      All CPs must deal only with registered DNFBPs with valid or subsisting P/COR or may risk being cited for a Serious Violation under Section 2(C)(25), Rule IV, of the RPAC.

      The updated list of Registered DNFBPs as of 31 January 2025 is posted at Registered DNFBPs.

      For the names of newly registered DNFBPs not yet included in the list, CPs may contact for confirmation/validation the Registration Staff of the Compliance and Supervision Group, Detection and Prevention Department, at telephone numbers (632) 5302-3848, 5310-3244, 8708-7067.

Posted at www.amlc.gov.ph on 05 March 2025

Q&A on the Philippines’ Exit from the Financial Action Task Force’s Grey List

1. THE PH COMMITTED TO EXIT THE FATF’S GREY LIST IN 2024. WHY DID IT ONLY EXIT IN FEB. 2025?

The Philippines accomplished all action plan items needed for it to exit the grey list in 2024.
FATF recognized this during a plenary session in October 2024.
In accordance with its processes, FATF had to conduct an onsite visit from 21 to 22 January 2025 to confirm the fulfilment of the action plan items before making the formal announcement.

2. WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF STAYING IN THE GREY LIST? WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF BEING REMOVED FROM THE GREY LIST?

Greylisting may have significant impacts on an economy’s reputation and the cost of doing business, including:

• Increased administrative burden due to periodic reporting to FATF;
• Limited business relationships or financial transactions with the identified country or persons in that country;
• Inclusion in the European Union List on AML/CTF and being subjected to stricter customer due diligence measures by EU member states in relation to business relationships or transactions;
• Inclusion in the United Kingdom Advisory, leading to stricter due diligence measures and enhanced monitoring by regulated businesses for business relationships;
• De-risking or when financial institutions terminate or restrict business relationships to avoid risk; and
• Reduced investor confidence, potentially affecting foreign investments.

Many of the above increase the cost and requirements for sending remittances, a key issue given the large overseas Filipino population.
Exiting the grey list is expected to lower remittance costs and the cost of doing business with Philippine entities. It also shows the country's compliance with global standards on money laundering and terrorism financing, which helps attract foreign investment.

Click the link to learn more about the Frequently Asked Questions on the Philippines' Exit from the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) Grey List...