Report: Prioritised risks related to money laundering, terrorism financing and international sanctions

Supervising that the financial sector counteract crime such as money laundering and terrorism financing is already one of FI's priorities and will continue to be so in 2026.

For the third time, FI now publishes the report Prioritised risks in money laundering, terrorist financing and international sanctions. FI's assessment is that several of the risks identified in previous years will continue to apply in 2026. These include the banking sector, services for international payments and trading in crypto-assets that are at increased risk of being exploited in systematic money laundering schemes.

Financial undertakings are obliged to prevent and counteract their exploitation for economic crime and to assess the impact of the risks on their own operations. The report provides guidance on where FI sees the greatest risks.

- The financial sector is particularly vulnerable to being exploited by criminals. Therefore, it is important that companies do what they can to counteract money laundering, terrorism financing and circumvention of sanctions, says Halszka Onoszko, Head of the Department of Anti-Money Laundering Supervision at FI.

In the report, FI highlight risks associated with banks, companies that offer international payments and electronic money, as well as crypto-assets.

FI also draw attention to companies that are used as tools of crime and internal enablers in the financial sector. Furthermore, the authority sees continued risks for the financial sector when it comes to international sanctions and preventing terrorism financing.

- Digitalization and innovation have created many opportunities but have also given criminals new tools to launder money and commit other crimes. We expect that financial companies need to continue to focus on the risks that can arise with these services and work to counteract them, says Halszka Onoszko.

According to the national risk assessment published in June 2026, the overall risk level for money laundering and terrorist financing in the financial sector is now assessed to be higher than it was five years ago. The higher risk level can primarily be attributed to the assessed increase in the threat posed by organized crime.

• Our supervision priorities
• Report: Prioritised risks related to money laundering, terrorism financing and international sanctions ( < 1MB)