ESAs & AMLA forge closer ties with Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation & information exchange

The European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA and ESMA) have today announced the signing of a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the European Union’s new Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA). This landmark agreement establishes a framework for cooperation and information sharing that will underpin the EU’s efforts to strengthen financial integrity and deliver consistent supervision across sectors and borders.

The MoU formalises how AMLA and the ESAs will collaborate to perform their respective mandates efficiently, effectively and in a timely fashion. It provides clear arrangements for exchanging supervisory information, promoting supervisory convergence, and fostering cross-sectoral learning among national and EU-level supervisors. This enhanced cooperation will support the EU’s drive for a more integrated and risk-based approach to combating money laundering and terrorist financing.

Petra Hielkema, Chair of EIOPA and Chair of the Joint Committee of the ESAs, welcomed the signing:

The memorandum we signed demonstrates the strong commitment of Europe’s financial supervisors to working closely together to combat money laundering and terrorist financing — crimes that undermine social justice and the well-being of our communities. Uncovering companies that engage in or facilitate such activities demands serious effort and dedication. The ESAs stand ready to support AMLA with all the knowledge and information at our disposal so that it can exercise its new powers to ensure these illicit activities do not go undetected or unpunished on our soil. We look forward to a productive and efficient EU-wide collaboration with AMLA to protect the integrity of the EU’s financial system and create a safer and fairer financial environment for all.

Bruna Szego, Chair of AMLA, added:

This Memorandum marks an important step in delivering a risk-focused and integrated European AML/CFT framework. Cooperation between AMLA and the ESAs is essential so that we support each other to effectively deliver on our respective mandates and work together for a safer and more resilient Europe. The fight against crime affects all sectors and we are stronger when we work together.

This formalised cooperation is a requirement of Article 91 of the AMLA Regulation, which mandates AMLA to conclude such an agreement with the ESAs by 27 June 2025.

About AMLA

The Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA) has been established to transform AML/CFT supervision across the EU. AMLA will directly supervise the highest-risk financial institutions with significant cross-border operations and exercise indirect supervision across financial and non-financial sectors, ensuring consistent and effective application of EU AML/CFT rules. AMLA also coordinates the work of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), improves the consistency of financial intelligence across the EU, and complements AML/CFT rules through regulatory and technical standards and guidance.

About the ESAs

The European Supervisory Authorities — the European Banking Authority (EBA), the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA), and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) — work to protect the public interest by safeguarding the stability and effectiveness of the EU’s financial system. Together they develop a common regulatory framework and promote supervisory convergence across EU financial markets. The ESAs coordinate through the Joint Committee, chaired in 2025 by EIOPA.

Read the press release here.