FATF Blacklist
The list of jurisdictions whose anti-money laundering failures are serious enough that the international financial system is advised to treat them accordingly.
The FATF blacklist, formally known as the list of High-Risk Jurisdictions Subject to a Call for Action, identifies states whose anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, and counter-proliferation frameworks have severe strategic deficiencies that pose a significant threat to the international financial system. Placement on the blacklist results from the FATF’s mutual evaluation process, when deficiencies remain unaddressed after engagement through the grey list has not led to remediation.
The consequences of blacklisting are substantial. FATF calls on member jurisdictions to apply enhanced due diligence to transactions involving listed states, and in the most serious cases, to apply countermeasures — actively restricting financial flows rather than merely scrutinising them. Correspondent banking relationships become difficult to maintain, access to international capital markets contracts, and the reputational signal to private financial institutions is significant, independent of any formal requirement.
As of 2023, the blacklist has rarely included more than three jurisdictions at any one time. Its influence stems partly from its rarity — and partly from the credible threat of placement, which encourages most states to remain engaged with the grey list process.
See also: FATF. FATF Grey List. Mutual legal assistance.
Source: Financial Action Task Force, High-Risk Jurisdictions Subject to a Call for Action (updated February 2025).