Moody’s Extends Pole Position with Bogard

Moody’s Corporation has acquired Bogard AB, a leading provider of data and information on politically exposed persons (PEPs) in the Nordic region. The acquisition advances Moody’s ability to help customers perform Know Your Customer (KYC) screening and research to address financial crime.

Bogard covers over 17,000 PEPs, relatives, and close associates across Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland. The company collects, refines, and updates its data using various sources, including tax authorities, business and real estate registries, and other directories in the Nordic region.

The EU’s Fourth Money Laundering Directive entails an extension of the PEP concept, which now also covers domestic PEPs. This means that more resources are used for the activities affected by the law and that the importance of an efficient KYC process increases. With the help of Bogard’s practical experience of AML, Bogard has developed services that help customers in the Nordic market to easily and smoothly meet the requirements for PEP identification.

“Access to accurate, up-to-date information on politically exposed persons is vital for banks, corporations, and other market participants seeking to prevent money laundering and other forms of corruption,” said Keith Berry, General Manager of Moody’s KYC business unit. “Bogard’s sophisticated technology and local expertise further expands Moody’s integrated risk assessment capabilities to address financial crime, and deepens our presence in the region.”