Deutsche Bank this week has reached settlements with the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS). The settlements conclude the FCA and the DFS’s investigations into the bank’s anti-money laundering (AML) control function in its investment banking division, including in relation to certain securities trades that occurred between 2011 and 2015 involving its Moscow, London and New York offices.
“The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has today fined Deutsche Bank AG (Deutsche Bank) £163,076,224 for failing to maintain an adequate anti-money laundering (AML) control framework during the period between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2015. This is the largest financial penalty for AML controls failings ever imposed by the FCA, or its predecessor the Financial Services Authority (FSA),” said the FCA in its statement. “Deutsche Bank was used by unidentified customers to transfer approximately $10 billion, of unknown origin, from Russia to offshore bank accounts in a manner that is highly suggestive of financial crime.”
“Under the terms of the settlement agreement with the FCA, Deutsche Bank agreed to pay civil monetary penalties of approximately 163 million pounds (USD 204 million). The bank qualified for a 30 percent discount for agreeing to settle at an early stage of the FCA’s investigation. The FCA noted in its findings that the bank has committed significant resources to improving its AML controls and recognises the work already undertaken in this area. The FCA also noted that the bank has been exceptionally cooperative in bringing the matter to its attention and throughout its investigation,” Deutsche Bank explained in its statement.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement with the DFS, Deutsche Bank entered into a Consent Order, and agreed to pay civil monetary penalties of 425 million dollars and to engage an independent monitor for a term of up to two years.
The settlement amounts are already materially reflected in existing litigation reserves, said the bank.