Overall Course Objectives

• Overview of the crimes of money laundering and financing of terrorism
• Carry out Customer Due Diligence tasks more effectively including Simplified and Enhanced Due Diligence
• Identify suspicions of money laundering or funding of terrorism and draw up an internal report
• Identify risks and assist senior management in the development and implementation of the subject person’s risk assessment procedures
• Assist in the development and implementation of a robust AML/CFT policy
• Assist in the completion and submission of regulatory reports including the Risk Evaluation Questionnaire
• Identify and investigate suspicious activity.
• Identify internal procedures which need to be implemented for the prevention of money laundering.
• Identify which customers and transactions are at high risk and how one can treat such situations.
• Assess the reputability of a country outside the EEA;
• Help learners identify the effect of international sanction on risk assessment of a customer/transaction;
• Help learners identify when a transaction is suspicious and when/how to report
• Help learners to request necessary and relevant documentation from customers.
• Help learners to analyse documentation provided by customers for purposes of due diligence.
• Provide students with more in-depth knowledge, skills and competencies in relation to AML/CFT specific to these sectors:
  • Trusts & CSPs
  • Land Based & Remote Gaming
  • Auditors & Accountants
  • Banking
  • Insurance & Investment Services
  • Notaries & Legal Professionals

Accreditation and MQF/EQF level

The accreditation status of this programme is a ‘‘Higher Education Programme’’. A CPD Award accredited with 6 ECTS credits (MQF/EQF Level 6) by the Malta Further & Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) in Advanced AML/CFT Compliance will be presented to delegates who obtain a minimum pass in the relative assignment.

Target Audience

• Due Diligence Officers
• Compliance Officers
• MLROs
• Designated Employees
• Company Directors
• Auditors
• Lawyers
• AML Subject Persons
• Finance Professionals
• Risk Officers/ Managers

Course Duration

This part-time course is made up of 2 modules which are spread over 12 evening sessions.

Entry Requirements

• A minimum qualification at MQF Level 5 OR
  
• Maturity age set at 23 – i.e. no formal education is required but a minimum number of 3 years’ full time work experience within the AML/ Financial Services’ environment is required OR
• A pass in LEAD Training Services’ CPD Award accredited with 4 ECTS credits (MQF Level 5) by the National Commission for Further and Higher Education (NCFHE) in Anti-Money Laundering and Funding of Terrorism**

Course Delivery Mode – Live Webinars

This course will be delivered via live online webinars.  The course trainers will be visible on screen via a professional webinar platform through which students can follow the trainer presenting live whilst also using a powerpoint presentation and sharing other resources as necessary.  Students will be able to interact with the trainer by sending questions or comments through the same webinar platform.  Our student support team will assist all students with simple instructions on how to access the webinar online.  A support line will also be made available to communicate with a student support officer in case of technical difficulties encountered during the live webinar.

Trainers will also dedicate very regular Q & A times during the webinar to ensure all students can have the chance to ask questions and reach the intended learning objectives.  The email and contact details of the trainer will also be made available in case students would wish to get in touch with the trainer throughout the course period. Online recordings or videos of the webinars are not available for this course.

Short 10 minute breaks will be given during the webinar.

How You’ll Learn

This course will be delivered via live online webinars.  The course trainers will be visible on screen via a professional webinar platform, through which students can follow the trainer presenting live, whilst also using a PowerPoint presentation and sharing other resources as necessary.

Students will be able to interact with the trainer by sending questions or comments through the same webinar platform.

The course will also make use of:

• Online Presentations
• Video Lecturing;
• Q&A via online course forum;
• Online Q&A with Educator (Trainer).
• The above are considered to be contact hours as all of the above will be under control of the instructor.

Method of Assessment

At the end of the course, students will be presented with the assignment questions. Assignment with practical case study questions of no longer than 3,000 words

• Module 1 – between 1500-3,000 words
• Module 2 – between 2,000-3,000 words

Students need to submit the assignment as per the submission date on the assignment questions document provided.

Grading: The assignment questions will be corrected and students must achieve a pass mark of at least 50 marks, in order to be given a certification.

Language of Course Instruction & Course Materials

The course materials and the live webinars are in English.

Course Dates

Please note that as per terms and conditions, LEAD Training Services reserves the right to alter course dates, times and venue in exceptional circumstances beyond its control.

Total Hours of Learning

This is an accredited course, which requires students to commit themselves and to be responsible for their own studies. Below is a suggested guideline of the number of hours each student should dedicate to self-studying and preparing for the final written assignment.

Course Outline

Trainers

Dr. Rakele Cini

Dr Rakele Cini is an independent legal consultant with many years of experience in AML/CFT, regulatory and compliance advisory. She primarily advises local & international firms / practitioners operating within the regulated industries on matters relating to the prevention of money laundering & funding of terrorism, due diligence, risk management, good governance, and other compliance areas. She is invited to lecture regularly by private institutions and regulatory bodies on these topics. She was previously head of Risk & Compliance at BDO Malta and, prior to that, formed part of the practice protection group at Deloitte Malta for numerous years.

Dr Manfred Galdes

Dr Manfred Galdes is one of Malta’s foremost AML/CFT and compliance specialists, having formerly headed the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit, the agency responsible for the regulation and supervision of all entities subject to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations. He recently joined a local Risk & Compliance company, leading a multi-disciplinary team of professionals providing specialist advisory and support services to private and public entities in the field of AML/CFT and financial crime compliance.

During his tenure at the FIAU he spearheaded the development of an effective risk-based supervisory framework and dedicated himself to refining Malta’s capabilities in fighting financial crime. Over the years he also chaired various domestic committees and represented Malta on international bodies and expert groups set up to contribute to the establishment of EU and international AML/CFT standards and the evaluation of country and institutional compliance with these standards.

Dr Galdes has been involved in the drafting of various laws and lectures on the subject of prevention of money laundering and other areas of law. He was also responsible for co-ordinating Malta’s first AML/CFT National Risk Assessment

After graduating Doctor of Laws from the University of Malta in 2001, Dr Galdes was then conferred the LL.M. degree in EU Commercial Law by the University of Leicester in 2006.

Ms. Martina Scalpello

Ms. Martina Scalpello is a senior manager responsible for AML/CFT compliance. Prior to this role, she worked with the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit, where her main role was to carry out both on-site and off-site AML/CFT reviews and inspections of financial services entities and DNFBPs. During this period she was also involved in a number of AML-related projects, including the implementation of the risk-based approach to supervision. She also previously worked as a compliance officer within the fund administration and investment services sectors.

Martina has been engaged in a number of AML/CFT audits, gap analyses and enterprise risk assessments for financial institutions and gaming operators . She also carries out reviews of policies and procedures for a number of industry players and regularly delivers training to officers and staff of various institutions including financial institutions, casinos, banks and real estate agents.

Mr. John Scicluna

John Scicluna, a career banker for 38 years, has held posts in many areas of one of the largest banks in Malta, 17 of which were as Head of Financial Crime – Money Laundering Reporting Officer. He formed part of the European Banking Federation Prevention of Money Laundering and Fraud Committee on behalf of the Malta Bankers’ Association.  He was also assigned roles within the Internal Audit Department managing investigative and analytical assignments.    During his term as MLRO, John formed part of the interviewee teams during MONEYVAL’s national assessments.

He is currently the Head of Compliance of WH Partners, a leading Malta based law firm providing professional advice in various areas such as AI, banking and finance, blockchain and crypto, gaming, investment management and funds and other regulatory affairs.

John is a visiting speaker in a number of local and international seminars and training events covering AMLCFT and financial crime related topics.

Testimonials

• This is my second course with Lead. I would recommend Lead to anyone who wants to advance in their career. Lecturers are very well prepared and encourage participation during training sessions. Thank you Lead for your constant help and support.
  D. Buttigieg, May 2022