Aurelija Balčiūnė

Aurelija Balčiūnė is a leading expert in anti-money laundering (AML) and financial regulatory compliance, with over 15 years of experience advising international and local banks, fintech companies, and financial institutions. As a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), Associate Partner of COBALT’s Banking & Finance Practice Group, and Head of the AML and Sanctions Task Force, she helps clients navigate complex AML frameworks, implement robust compliance programs, and address challenging regulatory issues in Lithuania. Chambers Europe 2025 praises her “great knowledge about the market in Lithuania” and being able “to solve things that are very demanding,” ranking her as “Up and Coming” in Banking & Finance. IFLR1000 has also recognised her as a Rising Star in Banking in Lithuania, reflecting her prominence in high-value financial deals and compliance advisory. Aurelija is committed to delivering tailored solutions that protect clients’ interests while ensuring full regulatory compliance. Her expertise makes her a trusted advisor for institutions seeking to navigate the evolving complexities of the market with confidence. · Cobalt

LithuaniaBanking & Finance, Anti-Money LaunderingLithuanian, English, French, Spanish, Russian

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About

Associate Partner at COBALT and Head of the AML and Sanctions Task Force, Aurelija Balčiūnė is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) with over 15 years’ experience advising international and local banks, fintechs and other financial institutions on AML and financial regulatory compliance. She is recognised by Chambers Europe (Up and Coming, Banking & Finance) and IFLR1000 (Rising Star in Banking, Lithuania) and has significant experience in structured and aviation finance and large-scale financing transactions.

Practice areas

Banking & FinanceAnti-Money LaunderingFinancial RegulationComplianceStructured FinanceAviation FinanceSanctions

Office

Lithuania

Cobalt · Aurelija Balčiūnė is a leading expert in anti-money laundering (AML) and financial regulatory compliance, with over 15 years of experience advising international and local banks, fintech companies, and financial institutions. As a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), Associate Partner of COBALT’s Banking & Finance Practice Group, and Head of the AML and Sanctions Task Force, she helps clients navigate complex AML frameworks, implement robust compliance programs, and address challenging regulatory issues in Lithuania. Chambers Europe 2025 praises her “great knowledge about the market in Lithuania” and being able “to solve things that are very demanding,” ranking her as “Up and Coming” in Banking & Finance. IFLR1000 has also recognised her as a Rising Star in Banking in Lithuania, reflecting her prominence in high-value financial deals and compliance advisory. Aurelija is committed to delivering tailored solutions that protect clients’ interests while ensuring full regulatory compliance. Her expertise makes her a trusted advisor for institutions seeking to navigate the evolving complexities of the market with confidence.

Lithuania

Expertise

BanksFintechFinancial InstitutionsAML programme implementation and complianceStructured FinanceAviation FinanceLarge-scale financing transactions (e.g., Technopolis Group)Landmark banking sector transactions (e.g., Luminor Bank)

Education

PhD studies, Faculty of Law, Vilnius University (2012–2018)
Visiting researcher scholarship, Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law, Hamburg (2016)
Lifelong Learning Programme, Erasmus Intensive Programmes, NICLAS Summer School on Minorities, Universität Wien (2012)
Master’s degree in Law, Faculty of Law, Vilnius University (2012)

Admissions

Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)

Languages

LithuanianEnglishFrenchSpanishRussian