Low-risk countries wishing to maintain their low risk ranking, and all countries wishing to improve their ranking, should take guidance in the following characteristics that low-risk countries typically share:

• Strong AML/CFT legislation including on the freezing of terrorist funds
• Competent authorities with the mandate and resources to investigate and prosecute ML/TF offences and issue sanctions for non-compliance
• Comprehensive measures for domestic and international cooperation
• High level of press freedom, with the media playing a central role in uncovering and reporting financial crime
• Financial sector highly regulated with competent supervisory authorities and minimal, if any, cash-based transactions
• High levels of transparency and integrity in public institutions and businesses
• Low levels of corruption