CPE Webcast: Managing challenges of sanctions screening in your third-party risk program
Sanctions are one of the most important risk factors to consider in any compliance program. No one wants to be found to have business ties to a sanctioned entity given the potential for significant financial penalties and reputational damage.
e-Book: Avoiding pitfalls of working in high-risk regions
The issues of working in high-risk regions have always been there, but recent dynamic events and circumstances have added unique challenges.
FinCEN/BIS alert flags Russia export control evasion indicators
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and Bureau of Industry and Security warned financial institutions to be on the lookout for new and novel ways individuals and entities in Russia and Belarus are attempting to evade export controls.
OCC risk report: Russian sanctions, staffing churn increase compliance challenges
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency warned banks and financial institutions about elevated operational risks caused by geopolitical tensions and a heightened compliance risk environment complicated by regulatory changes, policy initiatives, and difficulties in hiring qualified professionals.
CPE Webcast: Unmask offshore holdings of Russian oligarchs using public data
The cascade of sanctions condemning Russia’s assault on Ukraine has governments and financial regulators investigating Russian oligarchs, many of whom exploit gaps in public disclosure laws through offshore assets
‘Have contingency plans’: TPRM expert on confronting Russia risk exposure
Melanie Gallagher, head of third-party risk management at financial software company Intuit, offered best practices for navigating sanctions compliance risks at CW’s TPRM Summit in Chicago.
DAG Monaco: Sanctions should be ‘at the forefront’ of compliance approach
Businesses with a multinational footprint or international suppliers should be prioritizing abiding by U.S. sanctions in their compliance efforts, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said at an industry event.
Strain in your supply chain no excuse for compliance shortcuts
With the Russia-Ukraine war’s ever-expanding sanctions landscape, supply chain strain and risk of enforcement are sharply increasing. Speakers at a recent event hosted by Drexel University’s Kline School of Law offered best practices.
e-Book: Navigating Russian sanctions and preparing for new threats
For chief compliance officers of U.S. companies, navigating Russian sanctions and export controls restrictions might feel like a full-time job on its own right now, not knowing when or where violations could occur in an ever-shifting enforcement landscape.
Treasury considering rule to address AML ‘loopholes’ in private investment
The Treasury Department is considering rulemaking that would seek to mitigate the growing risk sanctioned Russian oligarchs and politicians will attempt to use “hedge funds, private equity firms, and investment advisers to hide their assets.”
Banco Popular to pay $255K for violating Venezuela sanctions
Banco Popular de Puerto Rico has agreed to pay more than $255,000 as part of a settlement with the Office of Foreign Assets Control to resolve its civil liability for 337 transactions processed in violation of U.S. sanctions.
Best practices, common pitfalls in working in high-risk countries
A panel of compliance professionals discussed the increasingly relevant topic of working in high-risk countries, sharing their experiences and lessons learned at Compliance Week’s National Conference in Washington, D.C.
New sanctions add ban on U.S. accounting, management consulting work in Russia
The Treasury Department unveiled a host of new sanctions against Russian and Belarusian individuals and banks, in addition to a ban on U.S.-based accounting, management consulting, and trust and corporate formation services to any person located in the Russian Federation.
Cost of business? EU energy firms weigh bypassing Russian sanctions to secure gas
Russia’s squeeze on European energy companies to pay for gas in rubles might be about to pay off as some of the continent’s largest suppliers appear to be working out sanctions-compliant solutions to secure gas flows.
Treasury sanctions first virtual currency mixer
The Department of the Treasury announced first-of-their-kind sanctions against virtual currency mixer Blender.io for its alleged role in a significant virtual currency heist carried out by a North Korean state-sponsored cyber hacking group.
Wells Fargo in resolution negotiations regarding potential OFAC violations
Wells Fargo disclosed in a regulatory filing it has entered resolution discussions with a U.S. authority or authorities regarding potential sanctions violations it voluntarily self-disclosed to the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Why beneficial ownership is crucial in supporting current sanctions
To ensure Russian money is controlled, and for sanctions to work, it is imperative the beneficial owners of sanctioned firms are identified. But determining beneficial owners is not always straightforward.
‘The new FCPA’: Monaco stresses sanctions as top DOJ commitment
As part of a discussion at an industry event, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco reiterated the Justice Department will prioritize the enforcement of sanctions the United States has placed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
CW National 2022 Q&A: Tyler Hand on working in high-risk countries
Tyler Hand, chief compliance officer at Western Union, previews his panel titled, “The Fast-Evolving Risk Working in High-Risk Countries—Experiences and Lessons Learned,” at CW’s National Conference in Washington, D.C. from May 16-18.
Toll Holdings to pay $6.1M for widespread sanctions violations
Toll Holdings, an international freight forwarding and logistics company, has agreed to remit more than $6.1 million as part of a settlement with the Office of Foreign Assets Control resolving nearly 3,000 apparent violations of Iran, North Korea, and Syria sanctions.
Experts assess risks to weigh as companies confront exit from Russia
As sanctions against Russia continue to come down from the United States, European Union, and other countries, companies must ensure they have the means to comply instantly—even if ceasing business dents their financials and puts them at legal risk for breaching contract.
CPE Webcast: How new Russian sanctions might affect your business
U.S. export control and sanctions regulators have been busy issuing new regulations to address the evolving situation in Ukraine.
Yellen calls China to the carpet on Russia-Ukraine war
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned countries that are unified in their sanctions against Russia “will not be indifferent to actions that undermine the sanctions we’ve put in place.”
EU industries put to test as Russian invasion of Ukraine persists
Less than two months since Russia invaded Ukraine, a range of industries across Europe have issued stark warnings about supply chain shortages, production shutdowns, and price hikes. The worst may still be yet to come, particularly in Germany.
ICA Insight: Russia sanctions frequently asked questions
Jake Plenderleith of the International Compliance Association answers selected questions from attendees of a recent ICA webinar on Russian sanctions intended to help provide clarity on what firms can do to protect themselves from exposure.
Treasury expands sanctions against large Russian banks
The Department of the Treasury announced strengthened sanctions against two of Russia’s largest financial institutions, Sberbank and Alfa-Bank, that were already subject to U.S. restrictions.
S&P Global fined $79K over alleged 2016-17 dealings with sanctioned Rosneft
Financial analytics provider S&P Global agreed to pay $78,750 as part of a settlement with the Office of Foreign Assets Control regarding alleged dealings with sanctioned Russian state-owned oil company Rosneft in 2016 and 2017.
Q1 roundup: SEC tackles climate disclosures, businesses navigate Russia restrictions, more
Regulation and guidance from U.S. agencies and the White House, plus compliance challenges stemming from a two-year global pandemic and Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, made the first quarter of 2022 a novel risk environment for regulated businesses.
Senators call for close of private investment AML/CFT loophole
Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) called on the Treasury Department and SEC to close a “disconcerting loophole” that exempts hedge funds and other private investment firms from reporting suspicious activity within their transactions to authorities.
U.S. lawmakers question Credit Suisse over Russian sanctions compliance
Two members of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform requested Credit Suisse provide information regarding its compliance with U.S. sanctions against several Russian oligarchs, following a media report the Swiss bank requested some documents be destroyed.
Judge ends ZTE probation after 5 years
A U.S. district court judge agreed to end ZTE’s five-year probation following the Chinese telecommunications company’s 2017 guilty plea for violating Iran sanctions.
Treasury official: Compliance has chance to effect history with Russia response
Elizabeth Rosenberg, assistant secretary for terrorist financing and financial crimes at the Treasury Department, said in a speech “history has thrust the compliance sector into the center of events” regarding business response to evolving sanctions and actions against Russia.
Advice for navigating ‘fast and furious’ Russian sanctions landscape
To help sort through the gray area of evolving sanctions and export control restrictions against Russia, chief compliance officers should consider a handful of key best practices.
Banks face complex compliance risks as they attempt to exit Russia
Once a bank decides to withdraw or wind down its Russian operations, there are a host of thorny compliance issues to navigate in a compressed timeframe, including sanctions implications, money laundering risks, and more.
Growing list of companies halting Russian operations
As the Russia-Ukraine crisis unfolds, companies around the world have announced changes to their supply chains to reduce their footprint in Russia. Compliance Week looks at how businesses across multiple industries are responding.
Top 10 reasons to attend Compliance Week 2022
A keynote with two SEC commissioners; interactive sessions on global sanctions, ESG, and ethical leadership; and a new conference location and format highlight Dave Lefort’s list of reasons to be excited for CW’s first in-person event in nearly three years.
FinCEN warns financial institutions of Russian sanctions evasion
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued guidance highlighting the types of red flags financial institutions should be looking for to detect potential Russian sanctions evasion attempts.
DOJ establishes task force to ensure compliance with Russia sanctions
Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the formation of an interagency task force designed to ensure sanctions and other actions implemented by the U.S. government against Russia and its officials are fully enforced.
U.S. turns up heat on Russian banking system with new sanctions
The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced expanded sanctions against Russia affecting 80 percent of all banking assets in the country following its further invasion of Ukraine.
What sanctions on Russia mean for U.S. companies
The first wave of sanctions imposed on Russia and its financial sector aren’t expected to result in any immediate implications for U.S. companies or their global supply chains. With matters escalating, that could quickly change, according to sanctions experts.
Sojitz Hong Kong subsidiary fined $5.2M for violating Iran sanctions
Sojitz HK agreed to pay approximately $5.2 million for violations of U.S. sanctions against Iran that occurred when rogue employees deliberately misled company executives and compliance regarding the true origin of goods worth more than $75 million.
Supply chains brace for Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
President Joe Biden signed into law a measure that introduces a U.S. import ban on goods mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China through forced labor.
Airbnb subsidiary to remit $91K for Cuba sanctions violations
Airbnb Payments, a registered money services business and wholly owned subsidiary of Airbnb, will remit $91,172.29 for apparent violations of sanctions against Cuba, OFAC announced.
TD Bank fined $105K for North Korea sanctions violations
TD Bank, N.A. agreed to pay approximately $105,000 as part of a settlement with OFAC for “multiple sanctions compliance breakdowns” that contributed to more than 1,000 apparent violations of North Korean sanctions regulations.
What it takes to work in sanctions compliance
Sanctions compliance veteran Visar Jaha explores for the ICA what it takes to be a successful in ensuring compliance with sanctions regimes within a firm.
Ignoring compliance, Mashreqbank fined $100M for Sudan sanctions violations
The New York State Department of Financial Services fined United Arab Emirates-based Mashreqbank $100 million for violating now-repealed Sudanese sanctions regulations and for having in place an inadequate compliance program.
Treasury ransomware response: More sanctions, updated FinCEN guidance
The U.S. Treasury continued its crackdown on facilitators of ransomware payments, sanctioning a second virtual currency exchange and its affiliates and updating FinCEN guidance to help make financial institutions more aware of related red flags.
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.