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Midweek Roundup: U.S. Senate Okays New Iran Sanctions, China Clamps Down on Macau Casinos, And More
printThe U.S. Senate approved new sanctions legislation against Iran on Friday. The measure, part of the National Defense Authorization Act, passed without opposition by 94-0 votes. It further sanctions Tehran's energy, shipping and shipbuilding sectors. It also targets Iran's trade of precious metals, graphite, aluminum and steel, metallurgical coal and software for industrial processes. More Under the measure, foreign banks caught transacting with U.S. blacklisted Iranians will be subject to sanctions. More The United Kingdom is ramping up efforts to "tackle" domestic and international tax evasion, according to the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke, in a statement Monday....
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Lawmakers should press ahead with Iran sanctions bills despite pressure to put off new restrictions while American and Iranian officials hold nuclear talks, according to David Ibsen, executive director of United Against Nuclear Iran.
New U.S. regulations and a reported sanctions probe by New York officials are increasing pressure on the reinsurance sector, an industry where knowing your customer can prove difficult, say consultants.
Growing salaries for compliance personnel in conjunction with large enforcement actions are raising costs for financial institutions, Filipino lawmakers approved an anti-money laundering bill, and more, in the midweek roundup.
Norway is giving Cyprus $1.3 million to boost its AML regime, Japan plans to restrict money transfers involving North Korea should the Asian nation move ahead with plans to test a nuclear weapon, and more, in the midweek roundup.
Japanese authorities arrested three employees of Tokyo-based shipping agent Ben Line Agencies for violations of Iranian sanctions, the United Nations increased sanctions targeting North Korea, and more, in the midweek roundup.
The head manager and AML officer of a Los Angeles-based MSB were both sentenced to prison for AML violations, a former Citigroup secretary was found guilty of money laundering and tax evasion, and more, in the midweek roundup.
Hong Kong officials are proposing amendments to legislation that would restrict the general public's access to information about private company directors, two former managers at Halifax Bank of Scotland were charged with corruption in the U.K., and more, in the midweek roundup.
Manhattan's U.S. Attorney's Office recovered approximately $3 billion in illicit proceeds in 2012, Nepal faces FATF blacklisting due to its failure to criminalize money laundering and terrorist financing, and more, in the midweek roundup.
The Philippines' Central Bank published AML guidance for bank boards, FinCEN extended the deadline for certain individuals filing FBAR reports, and more, in the midweek roundup.
The Central Bank of Ireland fined Community Credit Union Limited nearly $28,000 for AML violations, Nigerian cross-border cash couriers are using China and Dubai to launder funds, and more, in the weekly roundup.
Finra fined GBM International $20,000 for failing to conduct due diligence on foreign mutual funds, JPMorgan is expected to pay the U.K. approximately 500 pounds to settle claims that the institution evaded taxes on corporate bonuses, and more, in the midweek roundup.
The European Union is set to lift financial sanctions on Egypt and Tunisia and return frozen assets to each country, a former vice president of Canada's largest engineering company was indicted on fraud and money laundering charges involving $139 million, and more, in the midweek roundup.
The U.S. Treasury Department blacklisted a hawala with branches in Afghanistan and Pakistan and two individuals for their support of the Taliban, general insurance agencies in Guernsey will be exempted from anti-money laundering rules starting next year, and more, in the midweek roundup.
Jordan's ex-intelligence chief was sentenced to over 13 years for embezzling and laundering approximately $34 million in public funds, Singapore convicted 44 people of money laundering between 2010 and 2011, and more, in the midweek roundup.
The Central Bank of Iraq will soon issue new rules to tighten controls over money transfers, the U.S. and EU are urging reluctant Swiss officials to implement sanctions against Iran's oil industry and central bank, and more, in the midweek roundup.
Deutsche Bank confirmed rumors that it is under investigation for possible U.S. sanctions violations, a former Bank of Hapoalim chairman was indicted for fraud and money laundering in Israel, and more, in the midweek roundup.
The former head of the now defunct Brazilian lender Banco Cruzeiro do Sul was arrested on money laundering charges, a prominent Chinese businessman and at least 80 others were arrested in Spain for allegedly laundering over $1 billion, and more, in the midweek roundup.
Plans by the Royal Bank of Scotland to sell its U.S. subsidiary Citizens have been delayed due to ongoing AML compliance problems and potential sanctions violations, Turkey, Myanmar and Kenya could be added to the FATF list of noncompliant nations, and more, in the midweek roundup.
Singapore is adding tax evasion to its list of predicate money laundering offenses, eighty foreign MSBs have registered with FinCEN since August, and more, in the midweek roundup.
The Central Bank of Nigeria approved AML legislation that had been pending since 2009, Hong Kong financial institutions filed 29 percent more STRs in the first six months of 2012 than during the same period last year, and more, in the midweek roundup.