As the world becomes more interconnected, the risks associated with international business are becoming more natural for companies. While many opportunities exist for companies to expand their businesses globally, owners must consider the different risks involved. One of these risks is the potential for bribery and corruption.
Bribery and corruption are significant risks when doing business in many countries worldwide. In fact, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission have increased their focus on these risks in recent years. As a result, companies need to be vigilant in their efforts to detect and prevent bribery and corruption. One way to do this is by implementing a customer due diligence (CDD) program. Let’s see how it works.
What is a Customer Due Diligence Program?
A CDD program helps a company identify and assess the risks associated with a potential customer or business partner. Part of the program includes conducting background checks on individuals and entities. Background checks can help a company identify red flags indicating a higher risk of bribery and corruption. For example, if an individual has a history of financial crimes or has been linked to a corruption scandal, this would be a red flag that the company must investigate further.
In addition to conducting background checks, companies should also develop policies and procedures tailored to the company’s specific risk and needs to prevent bribery and corruption. Ultimately, the goal is to create a culture of compliance within the company that will help prevent and detect the associated risks. By taking these steps, companies can protect themselves from the risks associated with doing business internationally.
Current Risk Realities to Consider
The current risk realities in a customer due diligence strategy may seem daunting, but by taking a few simple steps, a business can ensure that it is protected. As the world changes, so do the risks that organizations face. In today’s age, a company must look at its customer due diligence strategy and ensure it is still relevant. Here are some current risk realities to keep in mind:
- Increasing Global Regulation: An increasing number of countries have regulations around customer due diligence, including the recently introduced EU Beneficial Ownership Directive. This means that organizations need to have systems and processes in place to collect and update information on their customers on an ongoing basis.
- Increased Focus on Beneficial Ownership: In light of the Panama Papers scandal and other high-profile money laundering cases, the focus on beneficial ownership has grown significantly. That means organizations must identify their customers’ ultimate beneficial owner(s) and understand their business purpose.
- Emerging Technologies: The latest technologies, like blockchain and biometrics, are changing the landscape of customer due diligence services. Organizations must stay ahead of the curve and integrate these new technologies into their CDD processes.
- Sanctions Risk: With the increased use of sanctions as a foreign policy tool, organizations must stay aware of the risk involved in dealing with customers on a sanctions list. This includes both formal and informal lists that banks or other financial institutions use.
- Heightened Awareness of Reputational Risk: In today’s interconnected world, a company must be aware of the reputational risks associated with its customers. That includes everything from customers’ history of fraud or other criminal activity to their association with political controversies.
Risks in Customer Due Diligence
These services can help identify and assess the risks associated with customers and provide guidance on how to mitigate these risks. When it comes to customer due diligence services, a company must always consider the current risk realities. After all, these risks can change over time, and it must be prepared for them. Staying aware of the current risks helps a company stay on top of the customer due diligence program. Of course, a company must ensure that it keeps up with the latest risk information so that it can update its customer due diligence strategy as needed. Luckily, several resources can help them stay informed about the latest risks. In short, a company must consider the current risk realities regarding customer due diligence services. Using the right services and staying up-to-date on the latest risk information can ensure supreme efficacy for its customer due diligence strategy.
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