RBI Updates AML/CFT Guidance on High-Risk Jurisdictions
No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/484 · issued 02 May 2013 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI has updated AML/CFT guidance for money changers, referencing FATF's February 2013 statement on high-risk jurisdictions. Authorised Persons must factor this into their risk assessments but can still process legitimate transactions.
The rule, in the simplest words
Money changers (people who exchange foreign money) must check a special list from FATF (a global group that fights money laundering) to see which countries are risky.
If a customer comes from a risky country, the money changer can still do the deal but must be extra careful and check more details.
Big companies that hire agents or franchisees (smaller helpers) must make sure those helpers also follow these rules.
The person in charge of following rules (Principal Officer) must say they got this new guidance.
How it plays out — a real example
A KYC & compliance officer in Indore receives a request from a customer who wants to exchange rupees for dollars to send to a country on the FATF high-risk list. The officer checks the updated FATF statement, allows the transaction because it's legitimate, but asks for extra documents like proof of the customer's business and the purpose of the transfer, and notes the details in the bank's records.
What changed
RBI issued a circular updating its earlier January 2013 guidance on AML/CFT risks from certain jurisdictions. It now incorporates FATF's February 22, 2013 statement and ongoing compliance document. The circular directs Authorised Persons to consider the updated FATF information when dealing with money changing activities.
What it means for you
Banks and money changers must refresh their AML/CFT risk frameworks to reflect the latest FATF list of high-risk and non-cooperative jurisdictions. While legitimate transactions are not banned, enhanced due diligence may be required for counterparties from these jurisdictions. The circular also extends these obligations to agents and franchisees, making franchisers responsible for their compliance.
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
Review the enclosed FATF statement and update your AML/CFT risk assessment for money changing activities.
Ensure your Principal Officer acknowledges receipt of this circular.
Communicate the updated guidance to all agents and franchisees and verify their compliance.
Continue to allow legitimate transactions with listed jurisdictions but apply enhanced scrutiny where needed.
Who it affects
All Authorised Persons (banks and money changers), Agents and franchisees of Authorised Persons, Principal Officers of Authorised Persons
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-18 15:40 IST
Status change: withdrawn11 Jul 2026, 02:13 IST
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
Does this circular ban transactions with the listed jurisdictions?
No. The circular explicitly states it does not preclude legitimate transactions with those countries and jurisdictions.
Are agents and franchisees covered by this circular?
Yes. The guidelines apply mutatis mutandis to all agents and franchisees, and franchisers are solely responsible for ensuring their compliance.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2012-13/484
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 101
May 2, 2013
To,
All Authorised Persons
Madam/ Dear Sir,
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) standards/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) Standards - Money changing activities
Please refer to our A.P.(DIR Series) Circular No. 70 dated January 10, 2013 on risks arising from the deficiencies in AML/CFT regime of certain jurisdiction.
2. Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has updated its Statement on the subject and document 'Improving Global AML/CFT Compliance: on-going process' on February 22, 2013 ( DBOD.AML.No.12913/14.01.001/2012-13 dated March 11, 2013 ). The statement /document can be accessed from the following URLs also :
http://www.fatf-gafi.org/documents/documents/fatfpublicstatement22february2013.html and
http://www.fatf-gafi.org/topics/high-riskandnon-cooperativejurisdictions/documents/improvingglobalamlcftcomplianceon-goingprocess-22february2013.html
3. Authorised Persons are accordingly advised to consider the information contained in the enclosed statement.
4. This, however, does not preclude Authorised Persons from legitimate transactions with these countries and jurisdictions.
5. These guidelines are also applicable mutatis mutandis to all agents/ franchisees of Authorised Persons and it will be the sole responsibility of the franchisers to ensure that their agents / franchisees also adhere to these guidelines.
6. Authorised Persons may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents concerned.
7. Please advise your Principal Officer to acknowledge receipt of this circular letter.
8. The directions contained in this Circular have been issued under Section 10(4) and Section 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999) and also under the, Prevention of Money Laundering Act, (PMLA), 2002, as amended by Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Act, 2009 and Prevention of Money-Laundering (Maintenance of Records of the Nature and Value of Transactions, the Procedure and Manner of Maintaining and Time for Furnishing Information and Verification and Maintenance of Records of the Identity of the Clients of the Banking Companies, Financial Institutions and Intermediaries) Rules, 2005 as amended from time to time and are without prejudice to permission /approvals, if any, required under any other law.
Yours faithfully,
(Rudra Narayan Kar)
Chief General Manager-in-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/484 · issued 02 May 2013. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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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=7957&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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