RBI tightens KYC/AML norms for Iran, DPRK, Sao Tome
No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/159 · issued 09 Aug 2010 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI directs cooperative banks to factor in AML/CFT risks from Iran, DPRK, and Sao Tome and Principe when dealing with persons or entities from these jurisdictions, following FATF's June 2010 statement.
What changed
RBI updated its earlier May 2010 advisory by incorporating FATF's June 25, 2010 statement, which categorizes Iran as requiring countermeasures and DPRK and Sao Tome and Principe as having strategic deficiencies without committed action plans. Banks must now assess risks from these countries before entering business relationships or transactions.
What it means for you
Cooperative banks must exercise heightened due diligence for any transaction or relationship involving Iran, DPRK, or Sao Tome and Principe. The directive reinforces the need to align with global AML/CFT standards and protect the Indian financial system from potential money laundering or 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
Update internal KYC/AML policies to include enhanced scrutiny for counterparties from Iran, DPRK, and Sao Tome and Principe.
Train staff to identify and flag transactions or relationships linked to these jurisdictions.
Ensure the Principal Officer acknowledges receipt of this circular to the respective RBI Regional Office.
Review existing relationships with entities from these countries and apply risk-based countermeasures as needed.
Who it affects
All State and Central Cooperative Banks, Principal Officers of cooperative banks, Compliance and AML teams in cooperative banks
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-19 04:33 IST
repealed_by — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
Status change: withdrawn03 Aug 2026, 04:00 IST
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
Which countries are specifically flagged in this circular?
Iran is subject to countermeasures; Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Sao Tome and Principe are listed as having strategic AML/CFT deficiencies without committed action plans.
What action must cooperative banks take for these jurisdictions?
Banks must assess risks from these countries before entering business relationships or transactions with persons or entities from or in those jurisdictions, and apply appropriate countermeasures or enhanced due diligence.
Is acknowledgment of this circular mandatory?
Yes, the Principal Officer of the bank must acknowledge receipt of this letter to the concerned RBI Regional Office.
📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Repealed byRBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #1620: RPCD.CO.RF.AML.No.1643/07.02.12/2010-11 — "Know your Customer (KYC) Norms / Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Standards / Combating of Financing of Terrorism (CFT)"”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2010-11/159
RPCD.CO.RF.AML.No.1643/07.02.12/2010-11
August 9, 2010
The Chairmen / CEOs of all State / Central Co-operative 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.RF.AML.No. 11830/07.02.12/2009-10 dated May 12, 2010 on risks arising from the deficiencies in AML/CFT regime of Iran, Angola, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Ecuador, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Sao Tome and Principe .
2. Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has issued a further Statement on June 25, 2010 on the subject ( copy enclosed ). It may be observed that the statement divides the strategic AML/CFT deficient jurisdictions into two groups as under :
Jurisdictions subject to FATF call on its members and other jurisdictions to apply countermeasures to protect the international financial system from the ongoing and substantial money laundering and terrorist financing (ML/FT) risks emanating from the jurisdiction : Iran
Jurisdictions with strategic AML/CFT deficiencies that have not committed to an action plan developed with the FATF to address key deficiencies as of June 2010. The FATF calls on its members to consider the risks arising from the deficiencies associated with each jurisdiction: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Sao Tome and Principe.
3. All banks are accordingly advised to take into account risks arising from the deficiencies in AML/CFT regime of these countries, while entering into business relationships and transactions with persons (including legal persons and other financial institutions) from or in these countries/ jurisdictions.
4. Please advise Principal Officer of your bank to acknowledge receipt of this letter to our concerned Regional Office.
Yours faithfully,
(B.P.Vijayendra)
Chief General Manager
Encl: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/159 · issued 09 Aug 2010. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.
BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 03 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=5936&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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