Preparing for MONEYVAL 2026: Upholding the Isle of Man’s Reputation for Strong Governance
The Isle of Man’s financial sector will undergo its next evaluation by MONEYVAL in October 2026. MONEYVAL is a body of the Council of Europe that assesses how jurisdictions prevent and detect money laundering, terrorist financing and related financial crime. Its reviews measure compliance with global standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
The Island’s last full assessment took place in 2016, with the report published in late 2022. Since then, regulators, government departments and the private sector have continued to strengthen the Island’s framework of laws, supervision and enforcement. The upcoming visit in 2026 will examine how these measures operate in practice and how effective they are in protecting the integrity of the Isle of Man’s financial system.
MONEYVAL’s findings matter because they influence how other countries and institutions view the Island. A strong outcome supports continued confidence in the Isle of Man as a well regulated and responsible international finance centre. A poor rating could make cross border activity more difficult, as other jurisdictions rely on MONEYVAL’s reports when assessing risk and determining the level of cooperation and scrutiny applied to business relationships.
The review will assess not only legislation such as the Proceeds of Crime Act 2008 and the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Code 2019, but also how those requirements are applied in day to day business. Inspectors will meet representatives from the public and private sectors to test how risk assessments are prepared, how suspicious transactions are reported, and how enforcement and sanctions processes are managed.
The Isle of Man Financial Services Authority’s 2025 AML/CFT Handbook reminds firms that their business risk assessments should reflect the Island’s National Risk Assessment, which is being updated ahead of the inspection. This alignment helps ensure that firms’ internal controls match the Island’s wider understanding of financial crime risks.
Martyn Fiddler are committed to ensuring that the Isle of Man receives a positive MONEYVAL assessment. Good governance and strong regulation are central to maintaining the Island’s reputation for integrity and professionalism. Preparing for MONEYVAL is not simply a regulatory exercise for the sake of it, rather it is an opportunity to demonstrate that the Island continues to meet international expectations and to reinforce the trust placed in it by clients, partners and counterparties around the world.
The 2026 evaluation will measure effectiveness as much as compliance. It will consider whether the Island’s systems work in practice and deliver results. As a community of regulators, businesses and professionals, we all have a role in showing that the Isle of Man remains a cooperative, transparent and well governed jurisdiction.
Our collective goal is a glowing MONEYVAL report that reflects the high standards to which the Island aspires and the shared belief that robust regulation supports a strong, sustainable and respected financial centre.
