AMLA Chair Bruna Szego Unveils Vision for Combatting Financial Crime at EAFCS 2025

Key Takeaways

• AMLA’s Vision: Bruna Szego, Chair of the European Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA), emphasized the transformative role of the new body in strengthening cross-border cooperation and fighting financial crime across the EU.
• Strategic Priorities: AMLA’s key focuses include building operational foundations, enhancing coordination between financial intelligence units (FIUs) and supervisory bodies, and fostering a culture of cooperation, particularly within the non-financial sector.
• Breaking Down Silos: Szego highlighted the importance of synergies between supervision and intelligence functions, aiming to create a more informed, responsive, and effective anti-money laundering (AML) system.
• Urgency of Action: Despite challenges like national regulatory divergence and technological advancements, Szego called for unified, determined action, with a tight timeline for addressing financial crime.
• The Power of Collaboration: Szego stressed the critical importance of collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders, marking forums like the European Anti-Financial Crime Summit as essential for success.

Deep Dive

Bruna Szego, the Chair of the newly established European Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA), took center stage at the European Anti-Financial Crime Summit (EAFCS) in Dublin last week, unveiling her vision for the future of AMLA and its role in tackling financial crime across the EU.

With a room full of stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, Szego addressed a crucial topic with a sense of urgency that reflected the stakes at hand. She didn’t mince words when she pointed out how money laundering (ML) and terrorism financing (TF) are deeply tied to the economic and democratic stability of the European Union.

“Money laundering corrodes public trust, fuels organized crime, and undermines fair competition,” she said. “It's not just a criminal issue. It’s an issue that threatens the very foundation of our economies and societies.”

Szego, the inaugural chair of AMLA, painted a picture of the Authority as a transformative force in Europe’s fight against financial crime. She referred to AMLA’s creation as "a significant step ushering in a new chapter of enhanced cooperation." Her words weren’t just about structural change but about the cultural shift needed to tackle financial crime more effectively.

"The formation of AMLA is a new beginning, a moment when we step up our game," Szego emphasized. "We’re not just fighting criminals—we’re fighting a system that’s undermining the trust that holds us all together. Our mission has never been more urgent."

Building Bridges, Not Silos

In her address, Szego laid out AMLA’s strategic priorities, focusing on three core areas that will drive the organization’s work in the coming months:

1. Building Operational Foundations: Laying the groundwork for a robust, effective authority.
2. Fostering Coordination Between Supervisory Bodies and FIUs: Ensuring better collaboration between financial intelligence units and supervisors to catch financial crime at the source.
3. Cultivating a Culture of Cooperation: Encouraging the non-financial sector, particularly newly obligated entities, to embrace a unified response to the evolving AML landscape.

For Szego, this isn’t just about coordinating efforts, it’s about creating meaningful synergies between supervision and intelligence-gathering. "This is a big opportunity for us," she noted. "By tearing down silos, we are building an AML system that’s not just more responsive—it’s smarter, more effective, and truly informed."

Facing the Challenges Ahead

While the roadmap is clear, Szego acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead. Diverging national practices, technological changes, and an increasingly sophisticated financial crime landscape all present obstacles. But she made it clear that AMLA is committed to tackling these head-on.

"Despite the hurdles, we must act with unwavering determination," Szego said, her voice firm. "We know the issues are complex, and our timeline is tight—but we have no choice but to push forward."

As she wrapped up her speech, Szego reminded the audience of the importance of events like EAFCS, “Bringing together these key players from across the sectors isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. Collaboration is the only way forward.”

This was more than just a speech. It was a vision, an invitation, and a rallying cry to tackle financial crime in a way that Europe has never done before. And with Szego at the helm, it’s clear that the momentum for this new chapter has already begun.

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