The new service offers access to comprehensive and in-depth information on more than 1.6 million UK companies and their directors. AML Online helps organisations protect themselves from the financial, legal and regulatory pressures imposed by money launderers and terrorist financiers.

Businesses are under increased pressure to operate with best practices through compliance with the latest Anti-Money Laundering Regulations and the Proceeds of Crime Act. AML Online has been developed to tackle these issues, providing an extensive range of checks on registered companies, all easily and conveniently available through a single online report.

AML Online allows businesses to validate instantly the identity of a company and its directors by providing proof of existence checks, proof of identity checks and alert notifications. Easy and convenient to use, the service includes an AML profile summarising the number of validated checks on the subject company. Alert notifications include disqualified director, dissolved company, change of board and late or no accounts filed. All of this information is vital for businesses trying to meet their anti-money laundering obligations effectively. Furthermore, ongoing customer monitoring services are also available through Equifax's market leading Portfolio Monitoring Service, enabling businesses to track changes to their customers' financial and legal status.

Michael Shannon, managing director, Equifax, comments: "AML Online provides the depth of data necessary to obtain a detailed and reliable history of a company and its directors, so businesses can view the financial patterns of their customers and therefore be able to see any fraudulent activity. The Equifax databases are updated daily with information from a wide range of data sources, including Companies House, Registry Trust, the gazettes and the press, making our information the most accurate and up-to-date available."

"With more than 30 separate AML checks on new or existing customers available, AML Online is a highly flexible solution offering two report types, so businesses can choose the most appropriate one for their needs, depending on the level of checks required. This is part of Equifax's ongoing commitment to helping our customers protect themselves against money laundering and comply with regulations, securing the future of their business."