Janet Yellen takes over as leader of a Treasury Department with a lot on its plate, including studying the effects of climate change on the economy, unwinding Trump administration sanctions, revamping the Bank Secrecy Act, and more.
Sanctions
Parting gift: New Trump sanctions against China complex for compliance
A November executive order by former President Donald Trump banning U.S. investment in companies with ties to the Chinese military has proven difficult for compliance officers to navigate after taking effect earlier this month.
OFAC fines Indonesian manufacturer $1M in North Korea sanctions case
The Office of Foreign Assets Control announced a $1.02 million settlement with paper products manufacturer PT Bukit Muria Jaya for lapses in its compliance procedures that led to 28 apparent violations of North Korea sanctions.
OFAC targets Iran metals sector with new sanctions
The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated more than a dozen new sanctions aimed to impact the revenue production of the Iranian metals sector.
OFAC fines French bank UBAF $8.6M for Syria-related sanctions violations
The Office of Foreign Assets Control settled with a French bank for processing payments on behalf of sanctioned Syrian financial institutions that were followed by corresponding funds transfers through the U.S. financial system.
BitGo fined $99K for digital currency sanctions violations
The Office of Foreign Assets Control announced an approximately $99,000 settlement with digital asset platform BitGo for lapses in its sanctions compliance procedures that led to 183 apparent violations of multiple sanctions programs.
OFAC fines Saudi bank for Sudan/Syria sanctions violations
The Office of Foreign Assets Control announced a $650,000 settlement with a Saudi Arabian bank for apparent violations of sanctions against Sudan and Syria related to transactions that took place via the U.S. financial system.
OFAC closes investigation into Danske Estonia case
Danske Bank received a no-action letter from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control regarding an investigation at the bank’s infamous Estonian branch.
Biden will tread carefully on sanctions, seek international consensus, experts say
Experts believe President-elect Joe Biden will likely take his time before making big moves to unwind the dizzying array of sanctions levied by his predecessor, President Donald Trump.
Airbnb in talks with OFAC regarding potential sanctions violations
Airbnb said in a regulatory filing that it has been in discussions with the Office of Foreign Assets Control regarding user activity on its platform that may be in violation of U.S. sanctions laws.


