The Association of Certified Anti-Money-laundering Specialists has opened a new front for its operations - in Switzerland. It hosted a reception for the Swiss anti-financial-crime community in Zürich yesterday.

ACAMS (which, in the amusing tradition of American comic books, likes to put the symbol ® after its name as often as possible) aims to contribute to the continuing development of professional best practice as part of anti-money laundering efforts in Switzerland. The new chapter intends to provide regular updates to its members about developments in money laundering, terrorist finance, bribery, corruption, sanctions and - a new addition to the list - "compliance regulatory matters."

The chapter is seeking paying members from banks of course, but also wants to attract experts on financial crime from emerging payment technologies, consultancies, 'corporates,' DNFPBs ('gatekeepers' such as lawyers and notaries who grant people access to the financial system) and IT vendors.

The chapter is bent on liaison with other trade associations, the authorities and the private sector. The number of new members is unknown.