Managua, June 23, 2026. The National Assembly approved Law No. 1282, Law of Reforms and Additions to Law No. 977, the Law Against Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing, and Financing of the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (and to Laws No. 976, 641, 406, and 735), published in La Gaceta, Official Gazette No. 111 of June 19, 2026. The law entered into force on the same day of its publication.
What Changes?
Obligated parties: new terminology and scope adjustments (Art. 9). The heading shifts from “Non-Financial Activities and Professions” to “Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions” (DNFBPs), aligning with FATF terminology. Factoring, financial leasing, and fiduciary services are narrowed to their corporate form (“Companies providing…”) and banks and microfinance institutions that already carry out those operations under their own supervision are expressly excluded, avoiding double coverage. Lawyers and notaries will now be regulated by the Judicial System through a new Central Directorate for Information Gathering and Prevention, rather than by the Judiciary.
Beneficial ownership: the reform confirms and consolidates an existing requirement (Art. 13). The beneficial ownership declaration and the submission of the corresponding certificate were already an obligation and a prerequisite for various institutions to process filings submitted to them. The reform does not create this requirement — it confirms and reinforces it in the statutory text: the final paragraph of Article 13 expressly establishes that submission of the beneficial ownership declaration will be an indispensable requirement for the admission, continuation, or resolution of any proceeding. The article also codifies the existing obligation of legal entities to provide beneficial ownership information to public entities, financial institutions, or other obligated parties when requested, and clarifies that, in legal structures, the beneficial owner includes the attorney-in-fact or representative.
Pre-registered corporate power of attorney (Art. 13 bis, new). This is an entirely new article with direct implications for corporate and notarial practice. Any shareholder or member of a commercial company who is represented by another person in corporate matters must grant a power of attorney and register it in advance with the Commercial Registry for it to take effect vis-à-vis the company and third parties. The power of attorney must identify both the principal and the representative and specify the scope of the granted authority (participation in meetings, assemblies, votes, and other corporate acts). Once registered, the company must update the Beneficial Ownership Registry for Commercial Companies by attaching the power of attorney. The penalty is that failure to register the power of attorney prevents the registration of any corporate acts in which that representation was used — meaning that a single member’s omission can block acts that affect the entire company.
Several issues remain pending clarification by the authorities, including:
- Whether a separate power of attorney is required for each act or assembly, or whether a general power of attorney suffices;
- Whether a separate power of attorney is required for each company in which the shareholder participates, or whether a single broad power can cover multiple companies;
- Whether a single representative may represent multiple shareholders across multiple companies;
- The legal liability assumed by the representative; and
- How to determine when a shareholder or member is considered to “require representation.”
From “financial group” to “business group” (Art. 16). The obligation to implement consolidated prevention programs and risk assessments will no longer apply exclusively to banking financial groups — it now extends to business groups as well. It is worth clarifying the scope to avoid overstating it: not every group or conglomerate of companies becomes obligated merely by virtue of being one. The obligation is triggered when the group includes at least one obligated party (for example, a finance company, insurer, virtual asset service provider, real estate company, or vehicle dealer within the group); it is that obligated party that “ties” the group together and triggers the duty to maintain a consolidated prevention program and risk assessment. Accordingly, the competent supervisor is no longer exclusively SIBOIF but rather “the corresponding supervisor” (SIBOIF, UAF, or CONAMI, as applicable), and the frequency of assessments — previously annual — will now be defined by each supervisor.
Tools against shell companies (Art. 12). Supervisors will be empowered not only to cancel but also to revoke or void the authorization, license, or registration of entities that fail to commence operations within an express period of one (1) year, or that discontinue operations for more than one year.
Implications for Local Companies
The reform expressly confirms in statute that, without a submitted and up-to-date beneficial ownership declaration, any proceeding may be halted. Every company should verify today that its declaration has been filed and is current, as its absence can stall routine matters such as a registry filing, a banking transaction, or a contracting process.
Article 13 bis requires a review of how representation is exercised at meetings and assemblies: powers of attorney for corporate matters must be registered with the Commercial Registry before they are used, or the corresponding acts will not be registrable. Companies should factor this step into their corporate calendar well in advance — not leave it for the day of the assembly.
Business groups become subject to the obligation to maintain a consolidated prevention program and risk assessment only when at least one obligated party exists among their members (for example, a finance company, insurer, real estate company, virtual asset service provider, or vehicle dealer within the group).
Entry into Force and Regulation
The law has been in force since its publication on June 19, 2026.