The conference, organised by the Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE and the Florence School of Banking and Finance, brought together representatives from European and national institutions, industry, academia and journalism to examine the challenges and future of AML in Europe.
Petersen outlined why AMLA was created, pointing to past AML scandals that revealed the need to improve rules, strengthen supervision, and enhance cooperation among Financial Intelligence Units. She explained that AMLA's two-pillar structure, combining supervision and FIU coordination under one roof, was a deliberate choice by the co-legislators to generate synergies and coherence across the European AML system.
The Executive Board Member presented AMLA's five strategic goals: establishing a robust and harmonised AML framework, promoting cooperation and inclusiveness, driving technological innovation, building institutional trust through transparency, and pursuing global leadership. She noted that AMLA had secured its Frankfurt headquarters, set up governance structures, and was steadily growing, having welcomed its 100th colleague with plans to double that number during 2026 and reach 432 employees by end of 2027.
On direct supervision from 2028, Petersen outlined three components under development: a risk model to guide selection of the 40 financial institutions, technical standards for coordination with national supervisors, and a centralised AMLA database. She also highlighted AMLA's regulatory role, with some 40 draft technical standards and guidelines to be developed over the next four years.
Petersen emphasised that AMLA will engage extensively with stakeholders through consultations, roadshows and exchanges, with first public consultations planned for early 2026.