Anti-corruption mechanisms in the banking sector

This Anti-Corruption Helpdesk brief was produced in response to a query from one of Transparency International’s national chapters. The Anti-Corruption Helpdesk is operated by Transparency International and funded by the European Union.

Query

Please provide a short introduction to anti-corruption mechanisms which may curb corruption risks in the banking sector as well as recommended reading resources related to the issue.

Purpose

To provide background research for a policy brief on standard mechanisms to help the government strengthen banking transparency, integrity and stability in Afghanistan.

Content

• Corruption risks in the banking sector
• Regulatory and non-regulatory tools to counter corruption and promote integrity
• References and further reading

Summary

Corruption in the banking sector has manifested itself in many scandals involving money laundering, rate rigging and tax evasion, all of which undermine the public’s trust in financial institutions. Since the global financial crisis of 2008/2009, a number of high-level reforms have been undertaken, both at the regulatory level and at an operational level within banking institutions.

Among the key anti-corruption tools to consider within the banking sector are: having strong anti-bribery rules, robust anti-money laundering rules, managing risks associated with politically exposed persons as banking clients and tools to counter banking secrecy. To effectively counter corruption and promote integrity, these rule-based approaches should be complemented with measures to engender a culture of integrity in banks and financial institutions. These can include codes of conduct, public oaths, building incentives for integrity in remuneration packages and careful management of conflicts of interest. These measures should be accompanied by strong oversight and measures to ensure there is no impunity for wrongful behaviour.

Authors

Reviewers

Date

13/08/2015

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