The Financial Services Skills Council (FSSC) is seeking views on its new draft industry performance standards for compliance and money laundering prevention roles.

The consultation is the culmination of a 12-month project to develop the draft standards.

Lucy Courtenay, Standards & Accreditation Director at the FSSC, said: "Compliance issues are under the spotlight as never before. These new standards are vital to ensure that financial services staff are equipped with the necessary skills to carry out these crucial job functions in an increasingly complex regulatory environment."

According to the FSSC, the weight of regulation on financial institutions, combined with tighter government controls on money laundering, has thrust the compliance and fraud prevention functions into the front line and created a growing demand for skilled staff.

Sharon Ward, Global Course Director of the International Compliance Association, said: "As the demand for demonstrably skilled and knowledgeable compliance and anti money laundering professionals continues, the new standards resulting from this consultation process will provide an industry-agreed benchmark against which those working in these key areas of business can be practically measured."

The consultation period ends on Tuesday 31 May 2005, and the new standards are expected to be operational by mid-August 2005.

To view the draft standards click here.