The Central Bank of the UAE has issued a new regulatory package — four guidance documents and two best-practice manuals — covering proliferation financing, trade-based money laundering, correspondent banking, CDD/KYC, risk-based assessments and role-based training for LFIs and Registered Hawala Providers.
On 16 April 2026, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) issued an updated package of guidance on Anti-Money Laundering, Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/CPF). The package is aligned with international best practices and the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and it operationalises the UAE's National AML/CFT Strategy 2024–2027.
The updates apply to Licensed Financial Institutions (LFIs) and Registered Hawala Providers (RHPs). They comprise four regulatory guidance documents and two best-practice manuals, and are designed to strengthen the effectiveness of financial-sector compliance systems and reinforce the UAE's position as a secure global financial hub.
Four regulatory guidance documents
1. Guidance on Risks Related to Proliferation Financing (PF)
Sets out three components of an effective Counter-Proliferation Financing (CPF) framework: (i) assessing inherent PF risk, (ii) evaluating the policies, procedures and controls that mitigate that risk and remediating any gaps, and (iii) continuously monitoring emerging PF risks, including new trends, typologies and parties involved in potential PF activity.
2. Guidance on Trade-Based Money Laundering (TBML) and Transshipment
Helps LFIs and RHPs build a deeper understanding of ML/TF/PF risks associated with international trade and transshipment flows. The guidance is focused on strengthening readiness to monitor and manage these risks in line with the UAE's legal and regulatory framework.
3. Guidance on Correspondent Banking Relationships
Improves LFIs' and RHPs' ability to monitor AML/CFT/CPF risks arising from correspondent banking services. It supports institutions in formulating internal policies and procedures for managing risks in these relationships, including expectations on ongoing due diligence and information exchange.
4. Guidance on Customer Due Diligence (CDD), KYC and Record Keeping
Clarifies expectations for verifying customer identity and assessing exposure to ML/TF/PF risks — from onboarding through the entire customer lifecycle. It covers the core principles for building a customer risk profile, applying simplified and enhanced due diligence, and defining the data and documentation that must be retained.
Two best-practice manuals
Risk-Based Approach and Institutional Risk Assessments
Sets out how LFIs and RHPs should develop methodologies for assessing institutional ML/TF/PF risks and design counter-measures proportionate to the scale and nature of the risks identified.
Role-Based Training on AML/CFT/CPF
Provides a framework for designing specialised training programmes for employees and senior management, aimed at improving early detection of suspicious activities and embedding a culture of compliance.
Official source
CBUAE press release and full guidance package
Read the announcement and download the four guidance documents and two best-practice manuals published by the Central Bank of the UAE.
What LFIs and RHPs should do now
- Refresh the institutional risk assessment. Re-baseline PF, TBML and correspondent-banking exposure against the new methodology and document the counter-measures.
- Update CDD and KYC procedures. Reflect the clarified expectations on simplified vs enhanced due diligence, customer risk profiling and record-keeping.
- Tune transaction monitoring. Add scenarios and typologies for TBML, transshipment and proliferation-financing red flags.
- Review correspondent-banking policies. Ensure documented due-diligence, ongoing monitoring and information-request procedures meet the updated expectations.
- Deploy role-based training. Move beyond generic annual training to targeted programmes for the first line, MLRO office, senior management and the board.
How ComplianceSuite helps UAE LFIs and RHPs
ComplianceSuite gives LFIs and RHPs a single operating layer for the CBUAE rulebook — automated KYC and KYB with configurable CDD flows, AML sanctions and PEP screening, transaction monitoring with UAE-specific typologies for TBML and PF, and case management with audit-ready evidence for CBUAE inspections.
Talk to us about aligning your control framework with the new CBUAE guidance — book a demo or contact the team.