Money laundering
Why do I think it is a macroeconomics issue?
Macroeconomics is a science that studies nature, relationships and behaviour of economic aggregates: national income, total consumption expenditure, total employment and the general price level (Dwivedi, 2010, p.7). In macroeconomics money is considered as a critical element playing the role of encouraging the trading of goods and services. The term "Money laundering" is used to describe an illegal way of putting money in circulation which is not authorised by lawful powers of the country (Nkumunue, 2014, p.143). In 1997 Quirk showed that money laundering involves huge sums relative to overall economic activity, it has caused some negative impacts on the macro-economy (Quirk,
…show more content…
A well-known example: In the HSBC Swiss bank account scandal, the organisation had assisted their wealthy clients with tax evading, involving 106,000 clients in 203 countries and assets worth $118bn. In 2015, the scandal was revealed by a whistle-blower and put under investigation. The media described it as one of the biggest leaks in banking history (Bowler, 2015).
Possible policy implications
Over the decades, IMF (International Monetary Fund) has provided governments across the world with practical assistance to tackle money laundering. As a result, many countries around the world have reformulated laws governing central banking, commercial banking, and foreign exchange with the intention to prevent money laundering (Quirk, 1997, p.8). Furthermore, the cooperation between IMF and FATF (Financial Action Task Force) has also played an important role on combating money laundering (Schneider & Windischbauer, 2008).
Because money laundering has impacted macro-economy significantly, governments will need to implement effective anti-money laundering policies to fight the crime.
Many countries have already reformulated their banking regulations with technical assistance provided by the IMF. In 1997 Quirk claimed "It may be more appropriate to set up separate banking laws and regulations covering reporting requirements for non-prudential purposes than to include such requirements in core banking laws and
Basic Argument- Native American students in Alaska disproportionally receive less involvement, support, and interaction from university faculty and staff, causing a decline in the completion of their collegiate studies.
We must make sure that organised crime cannot launder its funds through the banking system or the gambling sector… Our banks should never function as laundromats for mafia money, or enable the funding of terrorists”.
As a consequence, the government have to enact more strict laws to avoid losing hundreds of billions dollars money of taxes. There are two primary ways to alter this problem including manufacturing small money and stop using cash, for it is a potential way to prevent from informing fake income. The most potential solution that the government can alter this situation is to force everyone to use credits or debits for all purchasing transactions. Take India as a typical example to illustrate this
In medieval literature, the knight is held to the highest esteem among all members of the king’s court. The knight is bound to a shared code that dictates how one should act in any possible situation that may arise. While embarking on their epic journeys, knights are often put through trials that test the strength they have to uphold the Knightly Code. In Geoffrey Chaucer’s Wife of Bath’s Tale, the nameless knight disregards his duty to the Knightly Code in several instances throughout the tale. The knight in question is brought into Arthur’s court labeled with charges of rape. Posed a question by the queen the knight was tasked with supplying her the correct answer in order to save his life. The way the knight carries out his task and how he handles the situations that arise after his life is secure are reasons to question his moral character and his true loyalty to his knighthood.
Anti-money laundering programs can help to combat terrorism. Terrorists may receive money from legal or illicit sources. Before they buy an airline ticket or spend money on terrorist activities, the money has to be funneled into accounts that look legitimate. If Osama Bin Laden's bank account had been used to buy an airline ticket or purchase excessive amounts of fertilizer, it would have been flagged. If an account owned by Sallie Jones buys fertilizer for ABC Greenhouse, it appears less
Counterfeiting, Drug Trafficking, Extortion, Fake Pharmaceuticals, Human Trafficking and Weapon Smuggling are all furtive actions that are inextricably linked to that of Money Laundering. When money is obtained from these illicit actions, individuals must find a way for the money to be “cleaned” or “laundered” so as not to raise suspicion. Individuals usually turn to projects such as Real Estate, Investment in precious metals, creation of fake companies and even Gambling to avoid authorities’ suspicion.
Differences in banking regulations across borders permit the most efficient channeling of funds from lenders to borrowers, leading to increased investment and thus increased GDP. Therefore it is imperative that policy makers prudently evaluate the possible consequences and benefits of harmonized banking regulations, as demonstrated by similar regulations instituted domestically, before any such endeavor is embarked upon.
The FATF is an intergovernmental organization established in 1989 to issue policies (“Recommendations”) related to the combating money laundering. However, in 2001, its mission expanded to deter terrorist financing with the
According to Hopton (2009), the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970 was created in order to prevent money laundering. The act was made to try to discourage illegal acts such as money laundering from happening and to deter the criminals from even thinking about committing the crime. Woods (1998) stated that money laundering was not a criminal offense at the time the Bank Secrecy Act was passed. The act provides information on the movement of money through financial institutions in the United States and it monitors the movement of money into and out of the United States. It requires banks and other financial businesses to help the government in trying to prevent and detect money laundering. The federal government law enforcement agencies use the information gathered through the Bank Secrecy Act to detect criminal activities and regulatory violations. These businesses are required to keep track of all of their cash transactions of ten thousand dollars and more and report them to the IRS within forty five days. These transactions could include anything such as deposits, withdrawals, exchanges, payments, multiple transactions in one day and any cash deposits over the weekend or holidays (Woods, 1998). They also have to identify individuals who are requesting these large transactions and keep any records that relate to their transactions.
Based on the estimation from the International Monetary Fund, the amount of global money laundering is approximately 2.1-3.6 trillion a year, accounting for about 3 to 5 percent of global GDP. Launching regulations and laws related to anti-money
The global financial system (GFS) is the financial system consisting of institutions and regulators that act on the international level, as opposed to those that act on a national or regional level. The main players are the global institutions, such as International Monetary Fund and Bank for International Settlements, national agencies and government departments, e.g., central banks and finance ministries, private
The IMF is also having an important role to fight against money laundering as well as terrorism (IMF, 2014a).
Money Laundering has a close nexus with organized crime. Money Launderers accumulate enormous profits through drug trafficking, international frauds, arms dealing etc. Cash transactions are predominantly
In order to build an effective system in the fight against money laundering it is essential for banks and financial institutions to take strict measures and procedures represented by controlling them, and for that Simwayi and Wang (2011) found that commercial banks in Zambia have gen-erally complied with the Bank of Zambia AML directives of 2004 and they have taken AML laws and
Question A The term economic cycle typically refers to fluctuations in production, trade, unemployment, spending, and economic measures over the course of a time period. In capitalism, these fluctuations usually occur between expansion and boom period (rapid economic growth) and periods of decline or stagnation (recession or contraction). They do not follow a predictable pattern and have a number of variables associated. Capitalism, whether simply the term used as Adam Smith's ideal system or the modern trading of wealth and goods/services needs three things to be successful: a market, a means of production, and natural product. The market may be created (we now have multibillion dollar companies that do nothing but create want), or necessary (certain foods, etc.). The means of production is most usually technological, at least in societies that have advanced; and the natural resources may be human or physical. Because of the volatility and number of variables, it is natural that cycles occur.