Money Laundering: British Banks Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Money Laundering: British Banks

David Nuttall Excerpts
Tuesday 21st March 2017

(7 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Nuttall Portrait Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)
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Having witnessed at first hand the anti-money laundering procedures of UK banks, when I tried to keep open an existing bank account, I wonder how any organisation has managed to launder ill-gotten gains through our banks, and I can only conclude that it is because complying with the regulations is seen as no more than a tick-box exercise. Does my hon. Friend agree that banks should adopt a more proportionate and common-sense approach when dealing with members of the public?

Simon Kirby Portrait Simon Kirby
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My hon. Friend will be pleased that the fourth money laundering directive, which the Government are consulting on as we speak, includes provision for a more proportionate approach to that very issue, and I hope he takes part in the consultation. I also hope that the banks, with FCA guidance and a Government steer, will have to take a proportionate approach in the very near future.