Sigma Ratings: Adapting the Credit Rating Agency Model for the Anti-Money Laundering World

Abstract

Purpose: Sigma Ratings is a new entrant to the AML marketplace and seeks to alleviate some of the inherent flaws within the AML regime. This paper exists to examine those flaws and ask whether Sigma may succeed in this bourgeoning marketplace.

Design/Methodology: This paper is based upon a normative methodology, which takes place after reviewing the relevant literature in order to examine the potential success for Sigma Ratings.

Findings: The paper finds that there is indeed a position for Sigma Ratings in the marketplace, and that it may alleviate key issues within the AML Regime.

Originality: The paper presents Sigma Ratings to the literature for the first time and positions this against an examination of the role of banks within AML – Sigma’s main demographic.