ResourcesPractical guidance and standards for financial crime compliance practitioners

Risk-Based Approach

At the Wolfsberg Group, we fundamentally believe that an effective financial crime risk management framework is rooted in a risk-based approach (RBA). This methodology enables institutions to prioritize resources, tailor controls, and focus compliance efforts on the areas of highest risk. Our achievements in this field include establishing global standards and best practices that guide financial institutions in implementing a proportionate, effective, and flexible risk-based strategy - integrated, scalable, and capable of adapting to evolving threats.

Guidance, Principles and Standards
Statements and Public Comment Letters
Best Practices and FAQs

The Wolfsberg Group - Statement on the Risk-Based Approach

2025

Wolfsberg Group Response to FATF public consultation on AML/CFT and Financial Inclusion - R.1, 10 and 15

2024
Statements and Public Comment Letters

Wolfsberg Response to the FBAs’ Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the AML Program Rule

2024
Statements and Public Comment Letters

Wolfsberg Response to the Consultation on FinCEN’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the AML/CFT Program Rule

2024
Statements and Public Comment Letters

Wolfsberg Group Response to the UK's HMT Consultation on the MLRs

2024
Statements and Public Comment Letters

Wolfsberg Group on Countering Terrorist Financing

2024
FAQs

Country Risk FAQs

2024
Statements and Public Comment Letters

Wolfsberg Group Response to EBA Consultation on Travel Rule Guidelines

2024
Guidance, Principles and Standards

Swift RMA Guidance

2024
Statements and Public Comment Letters

Wolfsberg Group-IIF joint response to the FATF’s public consultation on its Risk-Based Guidance on Recommendation 25

2023
Statements and Public Comment Letters

Wolfsberg Group Response to HMT Consultation on UK AML/CTF Supervisory Regime

2023
Statements and Public Comment Letters

Wolfsberg response to EBA consultation on revised Guidelines on money laundering and terrorist financing risk factors

2023
Statements and Public Comment Letters

Wolfsberg Group response to FATF Consultation relating to non-profit organisations

2023
Guidance, Principles and Standards

Wolfsberg ABC Guidance

2023
Guidance, Principles and Standards

Wolfsberg ABC Guidance Executive Summary

2023
Statements and Public Comment Letters

Wolfsberg IIF Comment letter to EBA on derisking

2023
Statements and Public Comment Letters

Wolfsberg Group Comment Letter on the EU AML/CFT Legislative Package 2022

2022
FAQs

Negative News Screening FAQs

2022
Guidance, Principles and Standards

Wolfsberg Group Guidance on Digital Customer Lifecycle Risk Management

2022
Statements and Public Comment Letters

The Wolfsberg Group Response to FinCEN RFI 2021.0008 on Modernizing AML/CFT Regulations

2022
Statements and Public Comment Letters

The Wolfsberg Group statement on Developing an Effective AML/CTF Programme

2020
FAQs

Wolfsberg Source of Wealth and Source of Funds FAQs

2020
Guidance, Principles and Standards

Wolfsberg Group Sanctions Screening Guidance

2019
Guidance, Principles and Standards

Wolfsberg Group Trade Finance Principles

2019
Statements and Public Comment Letters

Wolfsberg Group Publication Statement on PEPs

2017
Guidance, Principles and Standards

Wolfsberg Group PEP Guidance

2017
FAQs

Wolfsberg Risk Assessment FAQs

2015
FAQs

Wolfsberg FAQs on Beneficial Ownership

2012
Guidance, Principles and Standards

Wolfsberg Group Private Banking Principles

2012
Guidance, Principles and Standards

Wolfsberg Group Prepaid and Stored Value Cards Guidance

2011
Guidance, Principles and Standards

Wolfsberg Group Credit Cards Guidance

2009
Guidance, Principles and Standards

Wolfsberg RBA Guidance

2006

The history of the Wolfsberg group until 2012

The Wolfsberg Process