The following were the key features of the Second Directive:
* It extended the scope of the First Directive beyond drug-related crimes. The definition of "criminal activity" was expanded to cover not just drug trafficking, but all serious crimes, including corruption and fraud against the financial interests of the European community.
* It explicitly brought bureaux de change and money remittance offices under AML coverage.
* It clarified that knowledge of criminal conduct can be inferred from objective factual circumstances.