Swiss Government Mulls Fees to Fund Anti-Money Laundering Agency

The Swiss government is considering introducing fees to fund the Money Laundering Reporting Office (MROS). This move comes in response to a significant increase in the number of suspicious activity reports received by the agency in recent years. The MROS is responsible for analyzing and investigating reports of potential money laundering and other financial crimes. The rising number of reports has put a strain on the agency's resources, prompting the government to explore alternative funding mechanisms. The proposed fees would be charged to financial institutions and other entities that are required to report suspicious activities. The government believes that this approach would provide a more sustainable funding model for the MROS, allowing it to carry out its responsibilities more effectively. The decision to introduce fees is still under consideration, and the government is expected to further discuss the proposal in the coming months. The move is part of Switzerland's ongoing efforts to strengthen its anti-money laundering framework and maintain its reputation as a financial center.