Today, May 31st, Madrid officially submitted its proposal to host the headquarters of the European Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Authority (AMLA) in Brussels. The European Union has given approval for the establishment of this new institution — currently in the process of being established — which will function as a central authority with supervisory, regulatory, and coordinating powers among the financial intelligence units of its member states.
The joint presentation of Madrid's candidacy took place in a ceremony attended by representatives from the City Council, the Community of Madrid, and the Ministry of Economy and Digital Transformation. Among the attendees were Carlos Cuerpo, the Secretary General of the Ministry of the Treasury and International Finance, Juan Manuel López Zafra, the Director General of Economy of the Community of Madrid, and Marcos Alonso, the Permanent Representative of Spain to the EU.
The presentation took place at the premises of the Permanent Representation of Spain to the European Union (REPER) in the presence of key representatives from diverse stakeholders. These included Members of the European Parliament, Members of the European Commission and from various Member States who are responsible for evaluating the selection process of the host city. Heads of associations and private entities from related sectors were also present. Representatives of the three Spanish banking associations AEB, CECA and UNACC, the employers' association of the insurance industry UNESPA, the Spanish Association of Real Estate, Commercial and Movable Property Registers and the General Council of Notaries, as well as the Executive Service of the Commission for the Prevention of Money Laundering and Monetary Offences (SEPBLAC) participated in the event.
CECA endorses Madrid's bid to become the host of this new European agency, recognising that it will play a crucial role in spreading best practices in this field, where Spain serves as a model for others within the EU. Raquel Cabeza, our Corporate Director of Risk and Compliance, was part of the Spanish delegation, as seen in the photograph where she is positioned fourth from the right.
