Comparing AML legislation of the UK, Switzerland and Germany

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare, contrast and evaluate the anti‐money laundering (AML) legislation practised by the UK, Switzerland and Germany.

Design/methodology/approach

To facilitate the evaluation process, AML legislations and regulations of all three countries are compared based on four different aspects, i.e. criminal law, the reporting stage, the collation stage and the investigation stage.

Findings

Although specific differences and similarities between the three AML regimes are highlighted, based on the current literature, it is rather difficult to reach a valid conclusion regarding their effectiveness and efficiency.

Originality/value

A wide range of literature, in the original languages, was analyzed during the compilation of this paper.

Citation

Fiona Preller, S. (2008), "Comparing AML legislation of the UK, Switzerland and Germany", Journal of Money Laundering Control, Vol. 11 No. 3, pp. 234-250. https://doi.org/10.1108/13685200810889380