Financial Services Regulation and Compliance - Cross Sectoral and Other August 2026

Domestic

Regulations amending rules for accessing the Central Register of Beneficial Ownership of Companies

On 7 August 2026, notice of the European Union (Anti-Money Laundering: Beneficial Ownership of Corporate Entities) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 was published in Iris Oifigiúil. The regulations, which are in force, give effect to Articles 11, 12, 13 and 15 of Directive (EU) 2024/1640 via amendments to the European Union (Anti-Money Laundering: Beneficial Ownership of Corporate Entities) Regulations 2019.

Ireland’s first AML/CFT strategy

On 13 August 2026, the Minister for Finance published the first national strategy to strengthen Ireland’s fight against money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing. The strategy sets out the government’s strategic goals, together with specific actions. It covers the period from 2026 to 2030 and takes account of the recently published National Risk Assessment and related priority action implementation plan.

AI: European Union (Artificial Intelligence) (Designation) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

The European Union (Artificial Intelligence) (Designation) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 were published. They amend the European Union (Artificial Intelligence) (Designation) Regulations 2025 to confirm and clarify that the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) is designated as a market surveillance authority for the purposes of Article 74(6) of the EU AI Act in so far as that Article applies to the placing on the market, putting into service or use of a high risk AI system by a regulated financial service provider in direct connection with the provision of financial services.

Thematic review of complaints management frameworks

The CBI published the results of a cross-sectoral thematic review examining customer experience through the lens of customer complaints. The review involved a sample of payment and e-money institutions, retail intermediaries and life and non-life insurers. However, the CBI expects all regulated firms to review and consider the findings, supervisory expectations and action points to assess if enhancements are required to their complaints management frameworks.

Ireland for Finance Strategy 2030

On 25 August 2026, the Department of Finance published Ireland’s Finance Strategy, ‘Vision 2030 – Renewed and Refocussed for a Digital Age’, setting out 31 actions to boost the competitiveness of Ireland’s international financial services sector until the end of the decade. The actions fall under a number of themes, including efficient legislative transposition, regulatory simplification, banking, international and speciality insurance, digital assets and tokenisation, sustainable finance and innovation.

Date published: 15 September 2026

This publication provides an overview of certain legal and regulatory developments that may be of interest to certain entities. It does not purport to provide analysis of law or legal advice and is strictly for information purposes only.