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• M26024 - Conducting an Effective CRA (Online)

  • When
    28 Jan 2026
  •  
    13:30 - 16:45
  • Location
    Online Webinar

  Register

  Registration Time: 13:15
  Sessions Time: 13:30- 16:45  including a 15-minute break
  Speakers: Ms Marija Balciunaite & Dr Sarah Attard Cassar
  Venue:   Online Webinar

  Participation Fees
  MIA Members: €40.00
  Non-MIA Members: €75.00
  Retired Members: €20.00
  Students: €30.00

  *Group bookings for 3 or more participants available.

  BACKGROUND INFORMATION

  A Customer Risk Assessment (CRA) is a key tool used to evaluate the level of risk posed by customers in order to prevent financial crime. As a fundamental component of customer due diligence -both at onboarding and throughout the business relationship - the CRA forms the backbone of any risk-based AML control framework. An effective CRA requires a well-structured methodology that allows subject persons to identify, measure, and categorise customer risks in a consistent and justifiable manner. This includes understanding relevant risk factors, selecting appropriate scoring or weighting techniques, determining when enhanced measures are needed, and ensuring that assessments remain dynamic and reflective of a customer’s evolving risk profile. During the webinar, we will explore these core elements and discuss practical guidance on designing and maintaining a robust CRA. We will cover methodological considerations, common challenges, and best practices to help you strengthen your risk assessment processes and support better compliance and risk management.
  

  SPECIFIC TOPICS TO BE COVERED DURING THE SESSION

  The webinar will amongst other things delve into and explore the following areas:
  1. The role of the CRA and its significance within an effective AML control framework
  2. Key preparatory steps and considerations prior to creating or updating a CRA
  3. Methodological approaches and the end-to-end process of developing a CRA
  4. Practical guidance and illustrative examples for implementing a robust CRA

  
  

  Why is the session of relevance to our members?

  This session is highly relevant to both members and non-members as it offers practical, actionable guidance on how subject persons can design, review, and enhance their Customer Risk Assessment. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the methodologies, key considerations, and best practices needed to ensure that their CRA is effective, proportionate, and aligned with regulatory expectations.

  Target Audience

  Professionals involved in AML/CFT compliance, risk management, customer due diligence, internal controls, or regulatory oversight - across all sectors subject to AML/CFT obligations.
  1. Accountants, auditors, and tax advisors
  2. MLROs and designated employees
  3. Compliance officers
  4. Risk management professionals
  5. Internal auditors
  6. Financial Services Professionals
  8. Partners, directors and other persons responsible for governance
  9. Business consultants and legal advisors

  Speakers' Profiles

  Marija Balciunaite is a Senior Compliance Manager at Forvis Mazars. She holds ACAMS, ICA, CCI certifications and has previously worked for leading financial services companies such as PayPal and Western Union. Her diverse experience spans multiple jurisdictions, including Lithuania and Ireland. Marija now continues her professional journey in Malta, bringing a wealth of international expertise to her role.

  Sarah Attard Cassar is the FCC Manger at Forvis Mazars Malta and specialises in Financial Crime Compliance. She is a warranted lawyer with a background in commercial and civil litigation.

  EVeNT CPE COMPETENCies

  
  

  3  Core

  
  

  WEBINARS TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  Terms and conditions  apply

  
  

  DISCLAIMER

  By Registering and/or Booking for this event, you agree that MIA will collect your information which will be using it in accordance with its Privacy Notice available at the following link.

  Please note that all webinars are recorded by the MIA. Such recordings will be retained by the MIA for internal use.

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• M26019 - Meet the Regulator - The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA)

  • When
    5 Feb 2026
  •  
    09:30 - 12:30
  • Location
    Villa Arrigo Naxxar

  Register

  Registration Time: 09:00
  Session Time: 09:30 - 12:30  No Break
  

  Speakers: Mr Jesmond Gatt- Chairman MFSA, Ms Petra Camilleri - Head Trustees Supervision, Ms Alison Cortis - Head Company Service Providers Supervision, Ms Daniela Bagnaschi - Head Data Management & BI, Mr Edward Grech Head Enforcement, Mr Paul Caruana - Head  Due Diligence & Ms Lorraine Vella - Head of Capital Markets Supervision - MFSA

  Venue:   Villa Arrigo Naxxar

  Participation Fees 
  MIA Members: €45.00

  Non-MIA Members: €80.00

  Retired Members: €25.00

  Students: €35.00

  10% discount for CPE Bundle Holders.
  Kindly contact cpeevents@miamalta.org.

  Building on the existing partnership and ongoing collaboration between the MIA and authorities, the MIA is organising a series of events in collaboration with MBR, FIAU, MFSA and MTCA.

  During this meeting, participants will have the opportunity to participate in a discussion on matters encountered during the day-to-day operations and related explanations, solutions and proposed way forward.

  Participation is highly recommended as it will provide attendees with the opportunity to directly interact with the regulators.

  Agenda

  Welcome and Introductions -  Ms Maria Cauchi Delia - CEO MIA  & Mr Jesmond Gatt - Chairman MFSA

  Opportunities, challenges, deficiencies, and problems being encountered by MFSA, and actions being taken - Mr Jesmond Gatt - Chairman MFSA 
  Questions and Answers from the floor

  Trustees 2025 developments and update - Petra Camilleri (Head - Trustees Supervision) 

  CSPs 2025 developments and update - Alison Cortis (Head - Company Service Providers Supervision)

  
  

  Company announcements - Lessons Learnt - Lorraine Vella (Head - Capital Markets Supervision)

  Data Quality and Governance: Foundations for a Future-Proof, AI-Enabled Financial Services Sector - Daniel Bagnaschi (Head - Data Management & BI)

  
  

  Enhancing transparency in Enforcement: the MFSA’s Evolving
  Enforcement Landscape - Achieving regulatory outcomes through fair, proportionate and dissuasive enforcement action - Edward Grech (Head - Enforcement)

  
  

  Due Diligence insights & lessons learnt - Paul Caruana (Head - Due Diligence)

  
  

  Questions and Answers (for questions received before the session) Ms Maria Cauchi Delia MIA CEO and Mr Jesmond Gatt -  MFSA Chairman/Representatives

  
  

  Concluding Comments - Next Steps Ms Maria Cauchi Delia - MIA CEO and Mr Jesmond Gatt - MFSA Chairman

  
  

  Speakers' Profiles

  Jesmond Gatt joined the Central Bank of Malta in 1984 and graduated in Mathematics and Computing from the University of Malta in 1995. Over a career spanning more than 37 years at the Bank, he led major IT projects and served as Chief Officer responsible for retail banking services, currency management, and the regulation of payment systems and infrastructures. He was a key member of the financial sector team that oversaw Malta’s changeover to the euro in 2008.
  Since Malta’s accession to the European Union, Mr Gatt has represented the country on various Eurosystem and European Commission committees, contributing to initiatives on payment systems, euro banknotes and coins, and the development of the digital euro. He has also participated in European Commission working groups drafting payment systems regulations.
  From 2016 to 2023, he served on the Board of the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU), chairing the Board from 2020. Between 2022 and 2024, he was Chief Executive Officer of Malta Government Investments Ltd and MIMCOL (Malta Investment Management Company Ltd), overseeing strategic government investments and providing advisory services to public entities.
  In 2022, he established the Malta Government Venture Capital Company and was appointed Chairman of its Board, managing a fund dedicated to equity participation in innovative start-ups. In 2023, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Malta Financial Services Authority.

  Paul Caruana is the Head of Due Diligence at the Malta Financial Services Authority. With over thirty years of experience across law enforcement and regulatory roles, he has led key initiatives related to criminal investigations, international cooperation, and cybersecurity. He is a criminologist and lectures the subject at the University of Malta.

  Edward Grech ACCA CPA MSc Forensic Accounting, is the Head of the Enforcement Function within the MFSA Enforcement Directorate. Joining the Authority in 2008, he moved from Supervision to Enforcement in 2018. He leads financial investigation into regulatory breaches and represents the MFSA on ESMA’s Enforcement Working Group at European supervisory level forums.

  Alison Cortis is the Head of the Company and Services Providers Supervision function. She started her professional career in financial services over twenty-five years ago in the private sector, working with an international company specialising in the administration and management of trusts. Subsequently, Alison worked for five years with a local investment firm specialising in brokerage. She joined the MFSA in 2010 as part of the onsite supervision team for the Securities and Markets sector, and later moved to the Trustees and Company Service Providers function, responsible for the supervision of such entities. In 2020, Alison took on a leading role in relation to the Company Service Providers reform, involved in the legislative amendments and their implementation thereafter. In 2023, she was appointed Deputy Head, responsible for both authorisations pertaining to Trustees and Company Services Providers, as well as further amendments to the CSPs regulatory framework. Alison holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) in Banking and Finance from the University of Malta and later obtained the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Diploma in International Trust Management.

  EVeNT CPE COMPETENCies

  
  

  3 Core

  
  

  WEBINARS TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  Terms and conditions  apply

  
  

  DISCLAIMER

  By Registering and/or Booking for this event, you agree that MIA will collect your information which will be using it in accordance with its Privacy Notice available at the following link.

  The Malta Institute of Accountants may take photos during this event. These images will be used by the Institute to share news about the event in newsletters, the Annual Report, The Accountant Journal and printed publicity. Photos can also be published on MIA’s social media channels including Facebook and LinkedIn. Such images may be used to publicise future events of the same nature and for reporting purposes.

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