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AI culture ‘profiling’ and anti-money laundering: Efficacy vs ethics

Author

Listed:
  • Goodell, John W.
  • Muckley, Cal B.
  • Neelakantan, Parvati
  • Ryan, Darragh
  • Yu, Pei-Shan

Abstract

Using extensive transaction and money laundering detection data, at a globally important financial institution, we investigate the efficacy of including facets of national culture in formulating anti-money laundering predictions. For corporate and individual accounts, Hofstede individualism scores of the country in which a customer is resident, or from which a wire is sent/received, are of first-order importance in the detection of money laundering. When combined with account and transaction data; as well as even a proprietary institutional algorithm, individualism scores continue to determine the models’ predictive performances. The efficacy of cultural profiling in money laundering detection underscores the need for stringent and enforced data protection to prohibit its use. This will safeguard the civil right of individuals to privacy and promote financial inclusion.

Suggested Citation

  • Goodell, John W. & Muckley, Cal B. & Neelakantan, Parvati & Ryan, Darragh & Yu, Pei-Shan, 2025. "AI culture ‘profiling’ and anti-money laundering: Efficacy vs ethics," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:101:y:2025:i:c:s1057521925000675
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2025.103980
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Financial institutions; Anti-money laundering; Machine learning; National culture;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C52 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Evaluation, Validation, and Selection
    • C55 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Large Data Sets: Modeling and Analysis
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • G17 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Financial Forecasting and Simulation
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages

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