Domestic

CBI publishes first edition of the Financial Crime Bulletin

In December 2025, the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) issued the first edition of its newly launched Financial Crime Bulletin (the bulletin). The purpose of the biannual bulletin is to provide an update on key regulatory and supervisory developments in the areas of anti-money laundering, counter terrorist-financing, financial sanctions, and fraud. The topics covered in the first edition of the bulletin included:

• risk assessment
• CBI’s sectoral and firm specific risk assessment
• CBI risk evaluation questionnaires
• monitoring and review of risk assessments
• crypto and payments
• frauds and scams
• financial sanctions
• 2024 thematic review
• international card schemes
• EU AML package

CBI publishes roadmap to deliver a more effective and efficient regulatory framework

On 10 December 2025, the CBI published a paper outlining its roadmap for achieving a more effective and efficient domestic regulatory framework in light of the EU’s broader simplification agenda being led by the European Commission. The roadmap sets out a multi-year programme of initiatives across four areas: supervision, regulation, gatekeeping, reporting and data. Across these four areas, the CBI aims to reduce regulatory complexity and improve clarity, while preserving key regulatory protections and ensuring resilience. The CBI views simplification as:

• doing things clearly, consistently, and coherently, so that rules are understood, applied predictably and achieve their purpose without unnecessary burden or complexity
• ensuring its frameworks and engagements are risk-based and proportionate
• supporting supervisory judgement through clearer frameworks and supporting supervisory effectiveness through clearer communications
• maintaining the protections and resilience that underpin trust in the financial system

The CBI will introduce new rules and requirements so that the regulatory and supervisory frameworks adapt to changes to the financial services sector. However, it recognises that complexity must be both necessary and purposeful, and new rules must be well-designed, well-justified and clearly understood –  meeting the principles of predictability, proportionality and being outcomes-focused.

European

EU list of AML high-risk third countries updated

On 3 December 2025, the European Commission adopted two draft Delegated Regulations to update the EU’s list of high-risk jurisdictions presenting strategic deficiencies in their national AML/CTF regimes (the list):

• Draft Commission Delegated Regulation amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1675 to add Russia to the list 
• Draft Commission Delegated Regulation amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1675 to add Bolivia and the British Virgin Islands to the list, and to remove Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa and Tanzania from the list. The Commission Delegated Regulations will be subject to the scrutiny and non-objection of the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, following which they will be published in the Official Journal of the EU.

Once in force, the Commission Delegated Regulations will:

• add the following third-country jurisdictions to the list: Russia, Bolivia and the British Virgin Islands
• remove the following third-country jurisdictions from the list: Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa and Tanzania

European Commission launches package to fully integrate EU financial markets

On 4 December 2025, the European Commission announced the adoption of a comprehensive package of measures designed to remove barriers and unlock the full potential of the EU single market for financial services. The package is a central component of the Savings and Investments Union (SIU) strategy, aiming to create a more integrated, efficient and competitive financial system providing EU citizens better options for growing their wealth and supporting businesses in accessing funding. The proposals must be negotiated and approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.

Council and Parliament agree on a retail investment package

On 18 December 2025, the Council of the EU and the European Parliament announced their agreement on a package of legislative proposals to update the retail investment framework to empower and protect consumers when they invest. This retail investment package forms part of the EU’s broader retail investment SIU initiative. The package of proposals comprises:

• an Omnibus directive containing targeted amendments to MiFID II, the Insurance Distribution Directive, Solvency II, the UCITS Directive and AIFMD
• a regulation amending the Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulation (PRIIP)

The package provides a wider range of efficient investment and financing opportunities for citizens and businesses. It will also contribute to the SIU and to the simplification of financial services regulation – both priority initiatives to improve how the EU’s financial system channels savings into productive investments.

Date published: 21 January 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.