Treasury issues 5 recommendations for modernizing U.S. sanctions
The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a series of recommendations as to how to “adapt and modernize” the government’s use of sanctions to enhance their effectiveness in supporting national security objectives.
FinCEN report: Ransomware SARs surge past 2020 totals
A Financial Crimes Enforcement Network report on financial trends in Bank Secrecy Act data found a greater number of SARs related to ransomware filed between January and June 2021 than during all of 2020.
Schlumberger subsidiary to pay $1.4M for Russian sanctions violations
A Houston-based subsidiary of oilfield services company Schlumberger has been fined approximately $1.4 million by the Office of Foreign Assets Control for selling goods to a Russian-based energy firm that was under U.S. sanctions.
Treasury sanctions virtual currency exchange as part of ransomware response
The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced “robust actions” to counter ransomware, including blocking the assets of a Russian virtual currency exchange that has facilitated payments for at least eight ransomware variants.
Nord Stream 2 a study in sanctions complexity
The construction of Nord Stream 2 and the accompanying geopolitics at play illustrate how difficult it can be for compliance to respond to evolving sanctions risks.
NewTek fined $189K over Iran sanctions violations
NewTek, a Texas-based company that develops 3D animation hardware and software, has agreed to pay $189,483 to settle OFAC allegations it knowingly violated U.S. sanctions against Iran.
Romanian bank penalized over Iran and Syria sanctions lapses
The Office of Foreign Assets Control fined Romania-based First Bank and its U.S. parent company JC Flowers & Co. $862,318 as part of a settlement for First Bank’s processing of transactions in apparent violation of Iran and Syria sanctions.
OFAC fines Bank of China $2.3M for Sudan sanctions violations
The Office of Foreign Assets Control announced Bank of China’s U.K. arm agreed to pay $2.3 million to settle its potential civil liability for processing transactions in apparent violation of now-repealed Sudan sanctions regulations.
Pandemic not slowing rising AML fine totals, report says
Kroll’s latest annual enforcement review identified $2.2 billion in AML fines in 2020 compared to $444 million in 2019. The first six months of 2021 indicate a similar pace to last year.
OFAC fines Payoneer $1.4M for sanctions violations
Money transfer services company Payoneer will pay $1.4 million to resolve 2,260 apparent violations of U.S. sanctions in a settlement with the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Alfa Laval subsidiaries fined $430K for Iran sanctions violations
Dubai and U.S. subsidiaries of Swedish manufacturer Alfa Laval will settle OFAC charges they violated U.S. sanctions when they shipped storage tank cleaning units to an Iranian company.
OFAC bills Bulgarian sanctions as ‘single largest action targeting corruption’
Calling it the “single largest action targeting corruption to date,” the Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned three prominent Bulgarian individuals along with their network of 64 companies for their “extensive roles” in corruption in Bulgaria.
Tips for keeping pace with ever-evolving sanctions
The constantly changing sanctions landscape is much easier to navigate with a proper understanding of risk exposure. Here’s where firms can get started.
SAP to pay over $8M for admitted Iran sanctions violations
German software company SAP SE agreed to pay more than $8 million in combined penalties issued by three U.S. agencies after admitting to committing numerous violations of sanctions against Iran.
MoneyGram plagued by tech, human error in OFAC sanctions settlement
The Office of Foreign Assets Control announced a $34,329 settlement with MoneyGram Payment Systems for apparent violations of multiple sanctions programs, including the processing of transactions involving Syria.
U.K. rolls out new anti-corruption sanctions regime
The United Kingdom has in place a new global anti-corruption sanctions regime, and the government is wasting no time enforcing it, imposing its first wave of sanctions against 22 individuals.
Alliance Steel to pay $435K for Iran sanctions lapses
The Office of Foreign Assets Control announced a $435,003 settlement with manufacturer Alliance Steel for apparent sanctions violations related to the company’s importation of engineering services from Iran.
U.S. sanctions Russia over SolarWinds hack
The Treasury Department announced sanctions against Russia implemented under an executive order from President Joe Biden in response to the SolarWinds hack and alleged election interference by the country.
USTR threatens tariffs on 6 trade partners in response to digital taxes
The United States Trade Representative is seeking public comment on the potential implementation of tariffs of up to 25 percent on a long list of goods by six U.S. trading partners, including the United Kingdom.
China, Russia to face more sanctions under Biden, experts say
Companies should prepare for more U.S. sanctions to be levied against China and Russia under the Biden administration, two former financial crime regulators predicted at Compliance Week’s Financial Crimes virtual event.
OFAC fines Nordgas $950K for Iran sanctions violations
Italian company Nordgas, a producer and seller of components for gas boiler systems and applications, has agreed to pay $950,000 for apparent sanctions violations related to the sale of air pressure switches in Iran.
OFAC fines UniControl $216K for Iran sanctions violations
Ohio-based manufacturer UniControl will pay $216,464 for apparent U.S. sanctions violations that occurred when its European trade partners re-exported its products to Iran.
U.K. sanctions body signals tougher enforcement with new guidance
Revised guidance by the U.K. Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation suggests the agency might be strengthening its current enforcement stance as it pertains to breaches of financial sanctions.
OFAC crypto crackdown: Coinbase disclosures under review
Coinbase disclosed certain of its transactions are “under review” by the Office of Foreign Assets Control for potential violations of U.S. sanctions laws. Fellow cryptocurrency platforms BitGo and BitPay have each been fined by the regulator in the last three months.
OFAC Director Andrea Gacki dishes advice on mitigating sanctions risk
OFAC Director Andrea Gacki shares insights about her organization’s latest sanctions enforcement priorities, its expectations of sanctions compliance programs, and how to mitigate sanctions risk.
Baker Hughes facing sanctions-related SEC probe
Baker Hughes is being investigated by the SEC related to “books and records and internal controls regarding sales of its products and services in projects impacted by U.S. sanctions.”
BitPay fined $507K for digital currency sanctions violations
The Office of Foreign Assets Control reached a $507,375 settlement with digital currency platform BitPay for lapses in its sanctions compliance procedures that led to 2,102 apparent violations of multiple sanctions programs.
H.B. Fuller avoids fine in OFAC Iran sanctions probe
Adhesive manufacturing company H.B. Fuller said in a regulatory filing it received a “cautionary letter” from the Office of Foreign Assets Control concerning possible economic sanctions dealings in Iran.
Treasury under Yellen to prioritize climate change, sanctions, AML reform
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.
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.
e-Book: Financial services roadmap: Know Your Customer
Risk and compliance leaders in financial services should download this e-Book from CW and WorkFusion for better “Know Your Customer” oversight.
Berkshire Hathaway fined $4.1M for Iran sanctions violations
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control assessed a $4.1 million fine against Berkshire Hathaway for “egregious” violations of sanctions against Iran committed by a subsidiary in Turkey.
e-Book: Government intensifies sanctions enforcement
The United Kingdom has become the second country behind the United States to issue guidance for companies in the maritime shipping industry helping them ferret out suspicious or illicit practices used by those hoping to evade sanctions.