Anti-Money Laundering (AML) refers to a set of laws, regulations, and procedures designed to prevent the illegal process of making "dirty" money appear legitimate. This involves monitoring financial transactions to identify and report suspicious activities that may indicate money laundering, which is often linked to criminal activities like drug trafficking or fraud. Financial institutions, such as banks and credit unions, play a crucial role in AML efforts by implementing compliance programs. These programs include customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, and reporting requirements to government agencies, such as the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in the United States, to help combat financial crime.