Treasury Issues Updated List Of Specially Designated Nationals And Blocked Persons

Executive Summary

The Department of Treasury (Treasury) recently asked the NASD to provide members with the Office of Foreign Assets Control's (OFAC) latest list of persons and entities identified as "Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons." In addition to the list, the NASD has included a summary of OFAC's regulations governing the activities of financial institutions that have such persons or entities as customers. These regulations require broker/dealers to block1 accounts and other assets of countries identified as threats to national security by the President of the United States and prohibit broker/dealers from engaging in unlicensed trade and financial transactions with such countries. OFAC is authorized to impose significant monetary fines for violations of these regulations.

Questions concerning this Notice may be directed to OFAC at (202) 622-2490. For additional information, refer to Notice to Members 95-97.