Briefing
MEPs to vote on making information on beneficial owners of firms public
MEPs to vote on making information on beneficial owners of firms public
Any citizen could, in future, access information about the real owners of companies operating in the EU.
The proposal forms part of the wide-ranging fifth update to the EU’s Anti-money Laundering Directive, which MEPs will debate on Wednesday, before a vote the following day.
If MEPs give their assent, this will be the first time that members of the public will be able to access data on the beneficial owners of firms - a move aimed at stamping out the opaque financial arrangements behind letterbox companies.
Other measures include closer regulation of virtual currencies, like Bitcoins, and protection for whistleblowers who report money laundering.
Debate: Wednesday
Vote: Thursday
Procedure: Co-decision
#AMLD