Sector specific money laundering/terrorist financing Risk Evaluation Questionnaire

Background and Scope

The Central Bank is adapting its supervisory approach to AML/CFT risk, in line with its strategic objective to become more data-driven, agile and scalable, and having regard to Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards and the new EU AML Framework.

Over a phased timeframe, we are replacing the current AML/CFT Risk Evaluation Questionnaire (‘REQ’) with sector specific REQs to capture more detailed and pertinent risk data, to better inform decision-making and supervisory strategy.  Following an extended period of consultation with sample firms, and associated representative bodies, we publish here the revised REQ templates and guidance for:

1. Credit institutions, and
2. Payment institutions/electronic money institutions.
   

We have sought to ensure that the sector specific REQ aligns to the greatest possible extent with the data requests that will be emanating from the EU Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) in due course.

We request the return of reporting data for reference date 31 December 2024 for these two sectors in line with the relevant XSD schema below, to be submitted by February 2026, being year-one extended timelines to accommodate firm development schedules. The completed REQ XML file should be uploaded to the Central Bank Portal. The files will be available for submission on the Portal at least two weeks before submission date, external testing will be conducted in Q4 2026.

The Central Bank will be introducing new sector specific REQs for other sectors within our supervisory population in H2 2025 and over 2026. As part of this process, we will consult with the relevant representative bodies within these sectors. 

Taxonomy and Guidance Note

The REQ XSD schema, REQ Template and associated Guidance Note, which includes instructions for completion and submission of the REQ for each sector via the Portal, are provided below. The individual question instructions extracted from the Guidance Notes have been provided in Excel as per an industry body request. An example of a completed REQ has been provided in Excel and XML format to assist institutions with the completion of the XML return. These examples are only for illustrative purposes following the data types defined in the Guidance Note and use randomly generated data. Only XML format submissions will be accepted.  

Credit Institutions

Payment Institutions & Electronic Money Institutions

Contact Details for further Clarification and Queries

If you have any queries or require further clarifications, please direct these to [email protected].  Please keep your Central Bank Supervisory Contact in copy of any correspondence to the mailbox. 

For technical queries or issues relating to access to the Central Bank of Ireland Portal you can contact the Online Reporting helpline at 01 224 4545 or email [email protected].