Know Your Customer. Understand Your Risk. Stay Compliant.
What is Customer Screening & CRA?
Customer Screening and Customer Risk Assessment (CRA) are core components of an effective AML compliance framework in the UAE.
- Customer Screening involves verifying customers against sanctions lists, watchlists, and adverse media to identify potential risks.
- Customer Risk Assessment (CRA) is the process of evaluating and classifying customers based on their risk level (Low, Medium, High) using defined criteria.
Together, they ensure your business engages only with legitimate customers and applies the right level of due diligence.
Why Customer Screening & CRA Are Important?
- Regulatory Requirement – UAE AML regulations require businesses to perform customer due diligence and ongoing monitoring.
- Risk-Based Approach – Not all customers carry the same risk. CRA ensures proportionate controls based on risk exposure.
- Sanctions & Compliance Protection – Screening helps identify links to sanctioned individuals, entities, or jurisdictions.
- Accurate Reporting Readiness – Supports effective identification of suspicious activities for goAML reporting.
What is Covered Under Customer Screening?
We implement robust screening mechanisms, including:
- Sanctions list screening (UAE, UN, OFAC, EU, etc.)
- Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) identification
- Adverse media and negative news checks
- Ongoing monitoring and periodic re-screening
- Screening of customers, shareholders, and UBOs
Customer Risk Assessment (CRA) Framework
Key Risk Factors Considered:
- Customer profile and background
- Country/jurisdiction risk
- Nature of business activities
- Transaction behavior and volume
- Delivery channels
Risk Classification:
- Low Risk – Standard CDD measures applied
- Medium Risk – Enhanced monitoring and periodic review
- High Risk – Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) with senior management approval
Common Challenges We Solve
- Lack of structured CRA methodology
- Inconsistent or manual customer screening
- Failure to identify PEPs or sanctioned entities
- Over-classification or under-classification of risk
- No linkage between CRA and AML policies
- Weak escalation and reporting mechanisms
Who Needs Customer Screening & CRA?
- Financial Institutions
- DNFBPs (Real Estate, Gold & Precious Metals, Corporate Services, etc.)
- Businesses registered on goAML
- Entities exposed to cross-border transactions
- Companies subject to sanctions and EOCN compliance
