This course will enable the learner to

• Understand the concept of money laundering;
• Appreciate the importance of AML regulation in combatting crime, fraud and terrorism;
• Become aware of obligations under arising under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act,
• Prevention of Money Laundering and Funding of Terrorism of Regulations and other relevant legislation and guidelines;
• Understand the main responsibilities of Senior Management and the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (‘MLRO’);
• Learn about industry-specific good practice guidance and direction on AML programmes;
• Conduct proper customer due diligence procedures;
• Develop and implement effective systems and controls for the prevention and detection of AML;
• Define the role of the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU).
• Course updated with the latest 5th AML Directive Developments

Accreditation and MQF level

The accreditation status of this programme is a ‘‘Higher Education Programme’’. A CPD Award accredited with 4 ECTS credits (MQF/EQF Level 5) by the Malta Further & Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) in Anti-Money Laundering and Funding of Terrorism will be presented to delegates who obtain a minimum pass in the relative assignment.

Target Audience

Professionals who want to become aware of obligations arising under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and other relevant legislation and guidelines such as:

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

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for this course are 5 O-Levels and 2 A-Levels OR a minimum of 3 years working experience in Business Administration.

Duration & Mode of Attendance

This part-time course is made up of 8 live online evening webinar sessions which are spread over a period of 8 weeks.

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, where students have four or five questions and need to choose three. The total word count for the total assignment is 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.

Testimonials

• Lead Training Services have recently organised, to our utmost satisfaction a n accredited course leading to the Certification in Anti-Money Laundering and Funding of Terrorism.
  Both the training delivery and learning content have served us very well in this critical, compliance training requirement within the financial services industry.
  Paul Gauci,
  Executive Head, Training Centre, Bank of Valletta
• I attended an Anti-Money Laundering and Funding of Terrorism compliance course and found the content and structure of the course most useful. The course was tested with an exam at the end and a certificate was issued; the course content was excellent and both presenters over the 6 weeks of the course provided a high quality of training. The fact that the course was tested at the end was most useful as it confirmed the value we received from attending.
  Philip Eatonrichards,
  Managing Partners Group
• I have attended the course ‘Certificate in Anti-Money Laundering and Funding of Terrorism’ and I must say it was very interesting and very relevant to the practical side of today’s real case situations. The tutors were very understanding and focussed and LEAD’s admin was pretty much up to scratch to ensure we were being provided a good service. I shall definitely be using LEAD training services again and would definitely recommend to others.
  Marc Vella Bonanno,
  MVB Financial Consultancy
• It was a really interesting course with extremely broad assignment questions which cover the whole curriculum.
  Christian Baldacchino,
  APS Bank
• Thank you for the amount of resourceful teaching. Highly reccommended.
  Chanelle Gafa’,
  Notary Sharon Faith Farrugia and Associates
• The course was well structured. The tutors are very knowledgeable and know the subject very well.
  S. Vassallo, August 2022
• I received my certificate and I would like to thank you for your support. I enjoyed the course and classes and look forward to taking other courses with you in the near future.
  M. A. Bonnici, June 2022
• The course was well structured and the open architecture of the webinars always allowed for the participants to ask more detailed questions regarding particular topics. Each webinar was followed by upload of very useful resources by the lecturer dedicated to a specific subject matter. A good insight into Maltese AML/CFT law. Also the assignment was of a very practical nature and the situations described could be faced in real life by MLROs.
  P. Lisak, June 2022
• I received my certificate, and I would like to thank you for your support. Your course was always interesting and challenging. I enjoyed your the sessions tremendously.
  S. Deguara, October 2021
• Lead staff members were very helpful, lecturers were concise and clear and knowledgeable, which made the course interesting and instructive.
  M. Vella,  October 2021
• Having successfully attended an AMLFT course with LEAD and they have provided us with good straight forward self- explanatory notes, prompt support throughout and their excellent tutors made sure that they make learning – fun. Thanks to all the admin and teaching team!
  N. Pace, June 2021
• The course was extremely well scheduled and informative. Additionally, the lecturers were extremely knowledgeable, professional and well prepared. Looking forward to attend more courses.
  A. Cachia, February 2021
• Very interesting and well structured course which touches base with all aspects of AML/FT compliance. Lecturers are experts in their own field and know how to present the material, making it very interactive with room for debate. Admin staff very helpful, ready to go out of their way to assist you!
  M. Muscat, August 2020
• I would like to thank LEAD for their expertise in delivery of courses. I highly recommend you!
  J.B Pace, August 2020
• During this course I had the opportunity to gain more knowledge about the policies and procedures of money laundering. Also, I found this certificate useful because it was related to my job as well. Prior to this course there were some areas that I did not know much about and due to this course I was able to to enhance my knowledge on these particular areas especially when it comes to the different directives, penalties, and much more.
  C. Farrugia, February 2020
• The course I attended was extremely informative. Lecturers gave clear and detailed sessions, Which led to the final Q&A session and assessment. Every session was accompanied by slides and examples of real-life situations were given to explain the subject person’s obligations and responsibilities. Overall, sessions were interesting, enjoyable and open for discussion. I highly recommend these courses and training sessions.
  A. Fenech, February 2020
• The course combines the general approach towards the concept and the characteristics of the money laundering with a thorough and encompassing analysis of the Maltese and international regulations. The lecturers are very professional and efficient in providing the information and, most importantly, in facilitating the student to think independently and to build a critical thinking. Apart from the theory, the course abounds in case studies and concrete examples, which help the student comprehend the applicability of the AML rules in real-life situations.
  I strongly recommend this course and consider it a good opportunity to learn about the AML legal rules and obligations, as well as to understand the role and importance of the public authorities, company’s management and the MLRO in preventing and fighting money laundering.
  D. Botnari, July 2019
• It was a very interesting course with great and very helpful lecturers. Will definitely recommend this course or any other courses as even the service offered by LEAD staff was great. Thank you for having this course and giving me the opportunity to learn more on the subject.
  M. Camilleri, April 2019
• The lecturers were great, so knowledgeable in the subject and with the right expertise how to pass the information on to the students. It was a pleasure to undertake this course, which i fully recommend!
  R. Calleja, October 2018
• Very interesting course. Lectures have a good experience in the subject and we could learn a lot from them. Lead Training Services staff are also very helpful and organised. Will definitely attend other courses at Lead Training Services.
  A. Massa, October 2018
• A well organised course with professional tutors in their field, held in a pleasant and central location with ample parking. Looking forward to the next.
  P. Xuereb, October 2017