HomeCirculars › RBI/2009-10/253

RRBs: Updated FATF AML/CFT Risk Countries List

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/253 · issued 10 Dec 2009 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI directs RRBs to account for AML/CFT risks from Iran, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Sao Tome and Principe, per FATF's October 16, 2009 statement. Acknowledge receipt to your regional office.

What changed

RBI issued a further circular on December 10, 2009, referencing its earlier letter of November 16, 2009, and incorporating FATF's October 16, 2009 statement. The list of countries with deficient AML/CFT regimes is: Iran, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Sao Tome and Principe.

What it means for you

RRBs must continue to apply enhanced due diligence for transactions or relationships involving these five countries. This is a compliance reminder to align with global FATF standards and mitigate money laundering and terrorist financing risks.

Historical instruction — do not use for current compliance. This is what was required at the time; it no longer reflects current RBI requirements. If no replacement rule is linked above, that only means none is recorded on our register yet — it does not prove no later applicable rule exists. Confirm on the official RBI source below.

What banks were required to do at the time

Who it affects

Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Principal Officers of RRBs, Compliance and AML teams at RRBs

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).

Which countries are flagged in this circular?

Iran, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Sao Tome and Principe are identified as having deficiencies in their AML/CFT regimes.

What action is required from RRBs?

RRBs must consider the risks from these countries in their AML/CFT framework and have the Principal Officer acknowledge receipt to the RBI regional office.

📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Repealed by RBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #1773: RPCD.CO.RRB.No.6557/03.05.28-A/2009-10 — "Know Your Customer (KYC) Norms / Anti-Money Laundering(AML)Standards / Combating of Financing of Terrorism (CFT" dat”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2009-10/253 RPCD.CO RRB.No 6557/03.05.28-A/2009-10 December 10, 2009 The Chairman Regional Rural Banks Dear Sir, Know Your Customer (KYC) Norms/Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Standards/Combating of Financing of Terrorism (CFT) Please refer to our letter RPCD.CO.RRB.No.5450/03.05.28-A/2009-10 dated November 16, 2009 on risks arising from the deficiencies in AML/CFT regime of Iran,Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Sao Tome and Principe. 2. Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has issued a further Statement dated October 16, 2009 on the subject ( copy enclosed ). 3. Regional Rural Banks are accordingly advised to take into account, risks arising from the deficiencies in AML/CFT regime of Iran, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Sao Tome and Principe. 4. Please advise the Principal Officer of your bank to acknowledge receipt of this circular letter to our Regional office concerned. Yours faithfully, (A.K.Pandey) General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/253 · issued 10 Dec 2009. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=5411&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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