This document is a detailed compilation of information about the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), its provisions, and enforcement. It is the product of extensive efforts by experts at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in addition to input from the Departments of Commerce and State.

All the major financial centres have experienced a rise in anti-money laundering rules and regulations. Initially, anti-money laundering laws were used as a weapon in the war on drugs, whilst more recently they have been deployed in the ongoing fight against terrorism. These developments, the authors reveal, have had serious consequences for banks and other financial institutions – affecting not only profit margins but also the way in which business is conducted. 

Switzerland is frequently accused of being reluctant to take thorough measures to fight money laundering. Both the Swiss authorities and the banks in Switzerland strongly reject such accusations. We are convinced that our anti-money laundering measures are best market practice.