Must a DNFBP appoint an AML compliance officer in the UAE?
Yes. Every DNFBP must appoint a compliance officer at management level who has independence in decision making and appropriate competence and experience. This person is often referred to as the money laundering reporting officer. The appointment is a mandatory element of the AML programme and is reviewed by the supervisory authority.
The compliance officer monitors transactions linked to financial crime, reviews and assesses suspicious transaction data and decides whether to notify the Financial Intelligence Unit, keeps the internal systems and procedures under review, delivers staff training, and cooperates with the supervisory authority and the Unit. The officer reports directly to senior management, which keeps the compliance function visible at the top of the business.
Legal Reference (UAE):
· Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025 (Executive Regulations), Article 22 - requires the appointment of a management-level compliance officer and lists the officer’s duties.
For more details, consult the full text of Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.