According to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Special Recommendation IV, if financial institutions, or other businesses or entities subject to anti-money laundering obligations, suspect or have reasonable grounds to suspect that funds are linked or related to, or are to be used for terrorism, terrorist acts or by terrorist organisations, they should be required to report promptly their suspicions to the competent authorities1. This is consistent with the FATF Recommendation 20, which requires the same reporting obligation for money laundering and the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction2.
Reporting suspicious transactions related to terrorism is a key measure to detect, prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism and terrorist acts, and to facilitate international cooperation and information exchange.
1: The FATF Recommendations - Financial Action Task Force
2: IX Special Recommendations - Financial Action Task Force

A Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) is an agreement between two or more countries that allows for the exchange of information and evidence in the investigation and enforcement of criminal laws. MLATs provide a framework for countries to assist each other with investigations, prosecutions, and other legal matters, including the exchange of information, evidence, documents, and testimony. MLATs are commonly used in investigations related to money laundering, terrorism, and other transnational crimes.

* Understanding the source and origin of assets (C):According to the CAMS 6th Edition (Chapter:
Customer Due Diligence and Enhanced Due Diligence) and the EU 4th & 5th AML Directives, regulated entities are required to take adequate measures to understand the source of funds and the origin of assets of their customers, especially when there are higher risk factors such as large transactions or PEPs."Firms must identify the source and origin of assets to ensure they are not the proceeds of crime or corruption, particularly for higher-risk customers."(CAMS 6th Edition, CDD
/EDD Requirements; EU Directive 2015/849, Article 20)
* Performing negative news checks of prospective customers (D):Adverse media screening is an essential part of the onboarding process for identifying potential risks related to money laundering, terrorist financing, or reputational harm."Negative news or adverse media checks form a vital component of the due diligence process, helping organizations detect links to criminal or suspicious activities."(CAMS 6th Edition, CDD/EDD Requirements) Incorrect Options:
* A: Onboarding interviews may be part of EDD, but are not a standard or required AML control.
* B: PEPs are not to be automatically rejected; instead, enhanced due diligence should be applied.
* E: Producing financial stability reports is not an AML control, but may be relevant for credit or investment assessment.
References:
CAMS Study Guide 6th Edition, Customer Due Diligence
EU 4th AML Directive (Directive 2015/849/EU)
EU 5th AML Directive (Directive 2018/843/EU)

According to the BSA/AML Manual1, once a financial institution files a SAR, it should maintain a copy of the SAR and the original or business record equivalent of any supporting documentation for a period of five years from the date of filing the SAR. The supporting documentation should be identified and maintained by the financial institution as such, and be deemed to have been filed with the SAR. The financial institution should make all supporting documentation available to FinCEN or any federal, state, or local law enforcement agency, or any federal regulatory authority that examines the financial institution for compliance with the BSA, upon request. Therefore, the best action to take regarding a particular account once suspicious activity is reported by the institution is to secure all supporting documentation, as it may be needed for further investigation or examination.
BSA/AML Manual1
Suspicious Activity Reporting - Overview2
Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) Basics3