DFSA Personal Account Dealing Review

In this episode of *The Riffle*, we examine the Dubai Financial Services Authority’s (DFSA) thematic review on Personal Account Dealing (PAD) and its implications for brokerage firms, compliance officers, senior management, internal auditors, and other regulated entities operating within the DIFC. The discussion explores key supervisory findings, including risk-based PAD policies and procedures, governance and oversight expectations, management information requirements, independent monitoring mechanisms, and post-trade surveillance practices. It also addresses the importance of effective compliance assurance, tailored training programmes, comprehensive record-keeping obligations, and the role of technology in strengthening PAD controls. Further, the episode highlights common industry weaknesses identified by the DFSA, such as reliance on employee self-attestations, inadequate monitoring frameworks, policy gaps arising from business evolution, and insufficient oversight of digital assets and connected persons. The conversation also examines strategic considerations for firms, including conduct risk assessments, breach management processes, organisational culture, and the proportionality of monitoring arrangements. A concise briefing for compliance professionals, MLROs, senior executives, legal advisors, internal auditors, risk managers, and regulated firms seeking to understand the DFSA’s expectations for Personal Account Dealing frameworks and the broader implications for governance, market integrity, and conduct risk management within the DIFC. 🎙️ Presented by 10 Leaves.