Why AML registration does not always mean financial authorisation
Understand why anti-money-laundering registration and permission to provide a financial service are not interchangeable.
This is general consumer education, not legal or financial advice. Rules and register entries can change; check the current official record for the relevant service and jurisdiction.
Different records answer different questions
An AML or money-services registration may show that an entity is recorded for a particular compliance regime. A financial-services authorisation concerns permission for specified regulated activities. Neither record should be substituted for the other.
Check the exact service
Identify whether the provider is lending, advising, arranging investments, holding deposits, transmitting money, or offering another service. Find the authority responsible for that activity in the relevant jurisdiction.
Avoid broad claims
A company should not be described as fully licensed or regulator-approved based only on an AML registration. State the record, jurisdiction, scope, and date actually supported by the source.
Official sources
- FCA RegisterUK financial regulator
- ASIC register searchAustralian regulator
- FSCA regulated entitiesSouth African financial regulator
These links are starting points for checking current records. Their inclusion is not an endorsement and does not verify a particular company or offer.
Frequently asked questions
Does AML registration mean a firm can offer investments?
Not by itself. Check the investment regulator and the permissions for that specific activity.
Can one business need several registrations?
Depending on its activities and jurisdictions, a business may have different obligations with different authorities.