Post-financial crisis regulations have forced banks to become more diligent and aggressive against financial fraud, including money laundering. In response to new rules, financial institutions in the U.K. have heightened their practice of de-risking — that is, withdrawing bank accounts or other financial services from customers deemed to be high-risk.
Financial institutions assure authorities that their increase of de-risking practices is a direct result of new regulations, as well as a residual effect of the cost of compliance.