AML/CTF

: a compared approach between Portugal and the United States of America

Abstract

This dissertation aims to study the evolution of the compliance levels from 2006 to 2010 in two realities, Portugal and the USA, in a comparative study. Another topic that will be addressed is the evolution, during the same period, of the amount and quality of the reports made by obliged entities. In order to complete these goals, state-of-the-art literature on the topic was reviewed and relevant reports of each country were analyzed. With this information in hand, it was possible to compare both countries in the evolution of: the number of reports filled in, with both a data and a graphical analysis; the quality level of the same reports, by using a quality report ratio, which represents the number of reports per investigation started; and the compared level of compliance between Portugal and the USA, with a descriptive analysis of the main changes performed. The main conclusions taken in this dissertation include the fact that Portuguese reports have been increasing in terms of quality, although the situation in terms of quantity is not improving. The USA has had a high and constant number of reports throughout the whole period in study, maintaining, however, a low but constant level of quality. Finally, in terms of the level of compliance evolution, both countries show a trend of convergence, with Portugal having a very positive evolution in the latest years despite its late start in regulating against the crimes in analysis.

Date of Award	2011
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Miguel Trindade Rocha (Supervisor)