A Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) is a designated individual within a financial institution responsible for overseeing its compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and reporting suspicious activities to the relevant authorities. The MLRO plays a critical role in ensuring the organisation’s adherence to financial crime compliance frameworks, including sanctions and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) requirements. 

As part of their duties, the MLRO must ensure that the institution's AML policies and procedures are robust, up-to-date, and aligned with regulatory expectations. This includes monitoring transactions, conducting regular audits, and implementing employee training programs. When suspicious transactions are detected, the MLRO is responsible for filing suspicious activity reports (SARs) with regulatory bodies. Their work helps mitigate the risk of the financial institution being used for illicit activities like money laundering or sanctions evasion, safeguarding both the organisation and the broader financial system.