Money is the lifeblood of the economy. Banks, merchants and capital markets ensure that payments, credit and investments keep flowing. This drives economic growth and supports social progress.

But the financial system can also be exploited by bad actors. Fraudsters rob people of their life savings. Tax evaders deplete public funds. Criminal organisations seek to “launder” their dirty money — that is, to hide and legalise the profits of crime. In the deepest shadows, terrorist groups and hostile states finance illegal operations targeting European societies.

At clean finance, we explain how the European Union is preventing such abuses of the financial system. Here we track institutions and actions ensuring that Europe’s financial bloodline remains robust and safe for the benefit of all citizens.