The bank should request a formal letter be submitted to verify the validity of the request, as this is the best practice to ensure compliance with the law and protect customer privacy. The bank should not confirm or deny the existence of a customer relationship, nor provide any information without proper authorization. The bank should also not inform the board of directors before responding to the request, as this could compromise the confidentiality of the investigation or alert the customer.
Reference:
ACAMS CAMS Certification Video Training Course, Module 2: Compliance Standards for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT), Section 2.3: Data Protection and Privacy, Slide 10 ACAMS CAMS Certification Study Guide, 6th Edition, Chapter 2: Compliance Standards for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT), Page 51

Precious metals, such as gold and silver, pose a high risk of money laundering because they have some features that make them attractive to criminals. According to the FATF Guidance on the Risk-Based Approach for Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones1, these features include:
Some precious metals can be formed into other objects, making easier to transport. For example, gold can be melted and shaped into jewellery, coins, bars, or other items that can be easily concealed and moved across borders. This makes it difficult for law enforcement and customs authorities to detect and seize the illicit proceeds of crime.
Precious metals have high intrinsic value in a relatively compact form and are easy to convert into currency. For example, gold has a stable and universal value that can be exchanged for cash or other assets in any market. This makes it easy for criminals to store, transfer, and launder their illicit funds without leaving a trace in the formal financial system.
The other two options, C and D, are not as relevant to the risk of money laundering. The value of precious metals is determined by the market forces of supply and demand, and it is not easy to inflate or manipulate it. Precious metals can be used in many high-tech commercial applications, but this does not necessarily make them more valuable or more prone to money laundering.
Reference:
1: FATF Guidance on the Risk-Based Approach for Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones, 2008, https://www.fatf-gafi.org/en/publications/Fatfrecommendations/Fatfguidanceontherisk-basedapproachfordealersinpreciousmetalsandstones.html
2: Money laundering and terrorist financing risks and vulnerabilities associated with gold, 2015, https://www.fatf-gafi.org/en/publications/Methodsandtrends/Ml-tf-risks-and-vulnerabilities-gold.html
3: The anti-money laundering framework for precious stones and metals dealers in Singapore, 2021, https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JMLC-07-2021-0074/full/html
4: Gold and Money Laundering, 2019, https://www.moneylaunderingnews.com/2019/04/gold-and-money-laundering/

Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) serve as national centers for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating AML/CFT information.
Option B (Correct): FIUs analyze SARs and STRs to detect money laundering and terrorist financing risks.
Option D (Correct): FIUs disseminate financial intelligence to local and international law enforcement agencies and other FIUs.
Option E (Correct): FIUs receive SARs/STRs from financial institutions, which form the basis for their analysis.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect:
Option A (Incorrect): FIUs do not prosecute cases; they refer findings to law enforcement agencies.
Option C (Incorrect): FIUs share intelligence, but prosecution is handled by judicial authorities, not FIUs.
Best Practices for FIUs:
Enhance data-sharing agreements with domestic and international agencies.
Use AI and analytics tools to detect suspicious financial patterns.
Ensure secure handling of sensitive AML/CFT data.
Reference:
FATF Recommendation 29 (FIU Role & Responsibilities)
Egmont Group Guidelines on FIU Information Sharing
EU 6th AML Directive (6AMLD) on Financial Intelligence Functions

According to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global standard-setter for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing, two channels that can be utilized during a cross-border money laundering investigation to assist in gathering information are contacting existing liaison officers in the foreign jurisdiction and exchanging information between national law enforcement agencies. These are two of the methods that the FATF recommends in its guidance on international cooperation1. The FATF states that liaison officers can facilitate the exchange of information and intelligence, provide operational support, and coordinate joint investigations1. The FATF also encourages the use of bilateral or multilateral agreements or arrangements to enable the exchange of information and intelligence between national law enforcement agencies, as well as the use of informal networks or mechanisms, such as the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units1.
Option C is incorrect because contacting the potential suspect or their family members to request information is not a recommended channel for cross-border money laundering investigations. This method may alert the suspect of the investigation, compromise the confidentiality of the information, or violate the legal rights of the suspect or their family members. Moreover, the information obtained from the suspect or their family members may not be reliable or admissible in court.
Option D is incorrect because submitting only formal requests for information to a financial intelligence unit (FIU) is not a sufficient channel for cross-border money laundering investigations. While FIUs play an important role in collecting, analyzing, and disseminating financial information, they are not the only source of information for cross-border investigations. The FATF guidance states that investigators should also seek information from other competent authorities, such as law enforcement, supervisory, or judicial authorities, depending on the nature and purpose of the information sought1. Furthermore, the FATF guidance advises investigators to use both formal and informal channels of communication, as formal requests may take longer or face legal obstacles1.
Reference:
1: FATF, International Co-operation Review Group, Guidance on Investigating and Prosecuting Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism, October 2012, pp. 13-18.

One of the criteria that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) uses to define non-cooperative countries and territories (NCCTs) is the lack of adequate rules for the licensing and creation of financial institutions, especially those with no or minimal presence, and the lack of effective systems for checking the backgrounds of managers and beneficial owners of such institutions. This criterion aims to prevent the establishment and operation of shell banks or other entities that can be used for money laundering or terrorist financing purposes. The FATF requires that countries and territories should have laws and regulations that ensure that financial institutions are subject to adequate licensing or registration procedures, that the authorities have the power to deny or revoke licenses or registrations, and that the authorities have access to information on the identity, reputation, and financial soundness of the managers and beneficial owners of financial institutions.
Reference:
About the Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories NCCT Initiative, Section "The review and listing process": "The FATF established at that time four regional review groups (Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Africa/Middle East) consisting of representatives from the FATF member governments that served as the main points of contact with the reviewed country or territory. ... The review groups gathered relevant laws, regulations and other relevant information, analysed this information against the 25 NCCT criteria, and drafted a report that was sent to the jurisdictions for comment." Annual Review of Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories 2006-2007: Eighth NCCT Review, Annex 1: "List of Criteria for Defining Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories", Criterion 1: "Licensing and creation of financial institutions, in particular those with no physical presence, and the ability to obtain information on the beneficial ownership and control of such institutions." FATF (Financial Action Task Force) Countries 2024 - World Population Review, Section "Blacklisted Countries": "These are countries which were previously placed on the grey list and advised by the FATF to adopt the recommended financial security procedures, but have either failed or refused to do so. Blacklisted countries may be labeled as Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs)."