AMLA® to enhance AAT, Sandbox and Global Benchmark sanctions testing
AML Analytics will introduce several enhancements to AAT, Sandbox and Global Benchmark sanctions testing functionality from 8 August 2026, expanding the range of realistic name variations and manipulation techniques available for testing.
Expanded algorithm coverage
From 8 August 2026, new algorithms will be available for selection within the AMLA® Sandbox environment. These enhancements reflect common real-world variations observed in individual and organisation names across sanctions, watchlist and reference data sources.
The new algorithms will include:
- Suffix abbreviation expansion, deletion, addition and replacement
- Additional multiple-manipulation combinations, increasing from 19 to more than 50
- Add middle name
- Add and remove punctuation
- Insert space and remove all spaces
- Diacritics
- Common word replacement
- Add and remove prefixes
- Add title and replace forename with title
These enhancements are intended to simulate realistic sanctions-circumvention techniques, helping customers evidence that their screening controls remain effective when presented with foreseeable non-standard naming scenarios.
The new algorithms will be introduced to Global Benchmark testing from 1 September 2026.
New pre-defined Sandbox template
A new pre-defined algorithm template, General Distance 1 – Enhanced, will also be available to Sandbox customers within the Test Builder from 8 August 2026.
The template will provide a pre-configured selection of algorithm settings, reducing the need to configure each option manually and providing a consistent, repeatable baseline for sanctions screening tests.
The existing General Distance 1 template will remain available to support testing continuity.
Supporting effective sanctions screening
The enhancements reflect evolving regulatory scrutiny, technological change and developments in data quality and naming conventions across jurisdictions.
By expanding the range of manipulation techniques available for testing, AMLA® will continue to help financial institutions independently assess and evidence the effectiveness of their sanctions screening systems.