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.
World Bank debars Kalpataru Power Transmission for fraud
The World Bank announced the debarment of India-based Kalpataru Power Transmission for 12 months and one day for fraudulent practices connected to power development projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Egypt.
Travel service company to pay $6M for violating Cuba sanctions
Generali Global Assistance has agreed to pay approximately $5.9 million for violating U.S. sanctions. The action comes a week after OFAC amended its Cuban Assets Control Regulations.
Keysight Technologies to pay $473K for sanctioned dealings in Iran
Keysight Technologies, a successor entity to Anite Finland, has reached a $473,157 settlement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control regarding subsidiary dealings in the sanctioned country of Iran.
Compliance official key to Comtech sanctions penalty
The alleged actions of an export compliance official are at the heart of “egregious” apparent OFAC sanctions violations by New York-based Comtech Telecommunications Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiary regarding sales in Sudan.
OFAC-Delaware sanctions pact more than meets the eye
As the state home to nearly 70 percent of Fortune 500 companies, the Delaware Department of Justice’s Memorandum of Understanding with OFAC represents a significant milestone for U.S. sanctions enforcement.
Credit to JPMorgan Chase in this week’s banking-themed naughty/nice list
JPMorgan Chase, Danske Bank, Deutsche Bank, and Bank of America all either “Nailed It” or “Failed It” this week.
Deutsche Bank Trust to pay $583K in Ukraine sanctions settlements
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas has reached a pair of settlements with the Office of Foreign Assets Control totaling $583,100 for apparent violations of Ukraine-related sanctions.
White paper: Managing Sanctions Compliance in a Global Economy Part 2
Regardless of industry, companies have ample growth opportunities in today’s global economy—but with that growth comes an increasingly complex landscape of rules, regulations and compliance pitfalls.
Assessing U.K. sanctions in a post-Brexit world
Can the United Kingdom play with the big boys when it comes to issuing its own sanctions, and what do compliance professionals need to know as Brexit’s start date looms closer?
Curtiss-Wright reports possible Russia sanctions violation
A North Carolina manufacturer that traces its origins back to the Wright brothers may have violated sanctions by doing business with two longtime customers purchased by a blacklisted Russian company.
OFAC announces rare sanctions enforcement against individual
The Office of Foreign Assets Control announced a $5,000 settlement with a U.S. person for apparent sanctions violations—a reminder the regulator can pursue enforcement against individuals in addition to companies.
Treasury sanctions 11 individuals for undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy
The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced sanctions against 11 individuals for “undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy and restricting the freedom of expression or assembly of the citizens of Hong Kong.”
U.K. issues maritime guidance for reducing sanctions risk
The United Kingdom has become just the second country to issue guidance for companies in the maritime shipping industry alerting them about common illicit and suspicious practices used to evade sanctions.
Whitford to pay $824K for sanctioned dealings in Iran
Cookware coating manufacturer Whitford Worldwide has agreed to pay $824,314 as part of a settlement with OFAC regarding subsidiary dealings in the sanctioned country of Iran.
New U.K. regime targets human rights abusers
The United Kingdom issued its first wave of sanctions this month under a new regime targeting those who commit human rights abuses, with the promise of many more sanctions to come.
Cigarette filter maker agrees to first-ever U.S.-North Korea sanctions DPA
A cigarette filter maker has entered into the first-ever U.S.-North Korea DPA with the Justice Department for sanctions violations and agreed to pay a fine of $665,112 to the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Amazon pays $135K to settle OFAC screening violations
Amazon will pay approximately $135,000 as part of a settlement with the Office of Foreign Assets Control regarding apparent sanctions violations derived from deficient screening processes.
OFAC targets Mexican companies for helping Venezuelan President Maduro evade U.S. sanctions
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has blacklisted a network of Mexican individuals and companies said to be helping Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro evade U.S. sanctions.
White paper: Managing Sanctions Compliance in a Global Economy Part 3
In today’s global economy, opportunities for growth are often accompanied by an increasingly complex landscape of rules, regulations and compliance issues. Since compliance is now a component of everyday business operations, businesses must employ a strategic, holistic program with several key components, including customer risk profiling.