Sigma ratings: adapting the credit rating agency model for the anti-money laundering world

Abstract

Purpose

Sigma Ratings is a new entrant to the anti-money laundering (AML) marketplace and seeks to alleviate some of the inherent flaws within the AML regime. This paper aims to examine those flaws and ask whether Sigma may succeed in this bourgeoning marketplace.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based upon a normative methodology, which takes place after reviewing the relevant literature 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/value

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.

Citation

Cash, D. (2020), "Sigma ratings: adapting the credit rating agency model for the anti-money laundering world", Journal of Money Laundering Control, Vol. 23 No. 1, pp. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMLC-06-2019-0046