SUPERVISORY AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION AUTHORITY (ASIF)
The Supervisory and Financial Information Authority (ASIF) is the institution of the Holy See and the Vatican City State with exclusive competence for
supervision and regulation aimed at preventing and countering money laundering, the financing of terrorism and the financing of the proliferation of weapons
of mass destruction, for financial intelligence, as well as for prudential supervision and regulation of entities carrying out financial activities on a
professional basis.
Established by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI by means of the Motu Proprio “La Sede Apostolica” of 30 December 2010, the Authority was assigned the
function of prudential supervision of entities carrying out financial activities on a professional basis by the Motu Proprio “La promozione” of
His Holiness Pope Francis of 8 August 2013. Following the first amendment to its Statute on 15 November 2013, the Holy Father Francis, by Chirograph of
5 December 2020, approved a new Statute, changing the Authority’s name from “Financial Information Authority” to “Supervisory and Financial Information
Authority” and strengthening its functions.
By a Chirograph dated 25 June 2026, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV approved the Authority’s new Statute, consolidating its core functions, which are now assigned
exclusively to it, and providing not only for a role in supporting other public authorities of the Holy See and the Vatican City State within its areas of
competence, but also for the possibility of serving as an alternative dispute resolution body for disputes that may arise between customers and entities
carrying out financial activities on a professional basis concerning financial transactions and services. In line with the long-standing process through
which the Holy See and the Vatican City State have progressively sought to align themselves with current international standards—both in the prevention and
countering money laundering, the financing of terrorism and the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and in the area of prudential
supervision—furthermore, the Statute guarantees ASIF full autonomy and independence, whilst at the same time establishing an obligation to report to the
Council for the Economy, thereby implementing Article 210 of the Apostolic Constitution “Praedicate Evangelium” of 19 March 2022. In line with the technical
and specialist nature of ASIF’s functions and with the strengthened accountability to the Economic Council, the new Statute adopts a simplified governance model,
which provides for the roles of Director and Deputy Director, supported by Consultors. The internal structure of the Units — which are operationally
autonomous and independent — reflects the Authority’s three main functional areas, and it has been established a Chief Legal Counsel.
ASIF carries out its institutional activity in accordance with, inter alia, Law No. XVIII of 8 October 2013.
ASIF is a member of the Egmont Group, the global forum that brings together the financial intelligence units of various Jurisdictions around the world, within
which rules and best practices for international cooperation and the exchange of information are shared. At a bilateral level, ASIF has entered into Memoranda
of Understanding for the international exchange of information with the relevant supervisory and financial intelligence authorities in various jurisdictions,
such as: Albania; Algeria; Andorra; Argentina; Armenia; Aruba; Australia; Austria; Azerbaijan; Bahamas; Belgium; Bermuda; Brazil; Bulgaria; Canada; Cape Verde;
Chile; Cyprus; Colombia; Cuba; Curaçao; Denmark; Ecuador; El Salvador; Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Ghana; Gibraltar; Greece; Guatemala; Guernsey;
Honduras; India; Isle of Man; Cayman Islands; Cook Islands; Israel; Italy; Jersey; Kuwait; Latvia; Lebanon; Liechtenstein; Luxembourg; North Macedonia; Malta;
Mauritius; Mexico; Moldova; Monaco; Nepal; Norway; New Zealand; Netherlands; Palestine; Panama; Paraguay; Peru; Poland; Portugal; United Kingdom;
Czech Republic; Dominican Republic; Romania; Russia; San Marino; Senegal; Serbia; Seychelles; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; United States of America; South Africa;
Switzerland; Taiwan; Timor Est; Ukraine; Hungary; Uruguay; Zambia.