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Topic: Beyond Sanctions: Key considerations for financial services firms

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FCA speech – How to change in response to changing threats

On 17 May 2023, the FCA published a speech given by Sarah Pritchard (FCA Executive Director of Markets, and Executive Director of International) entitled How to change in response to changing threats. Among other things the speech asks important questions regarding financial crime controls: Ms Pritchard states that these are important questions to ask – … Continue Reading

Are your due diligence measures fit for purpose? OFSI provides further clarity on its assessment of breaches of financial sanctions

In line with indications that it will prioritise enforcement in the coming year, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has expanded its enforcement guidance concerning the approach it takes when assessing potential breaches of financial sanctions. Earlier this month, OFSI amended its “OFSI enforcement and monetary penalties for breaches of financial sanctions” guidance (the … Continue Reading

Financial crime investigations in the UK: looking ahead to 2023

As we enter a recession against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical instability, we expect to see significant financial crime enforcement and investigations in 2023, including a focus on emerging areas such as ESG, cryptocurrencies, and significant developments in financial sanctions. We predict that developments in 2023 will include: 1. Fraud We expect to see continued political … Continue Reading

Individual accountability for directors of non-UK entities under the UK’s Russian sanctions regime

In addition to the obligations on regulated firms to comply with applicable sanctions regimes, individuals also need to be aware of their own compliance with sanctions restrictions. From a territorial perspective, individuals must comply with the sanctions regimes in their home jurisdiction wherever in the world they are located — for example, EU, UK and … Continue Reading

Reporting to OFSI: what do I need to do ?

On 30 August 2022, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) published a blog entitled ‘Reporting to the OFSI: what do I need to do?’ The blog describes what companies’ reporting obligations are under UK financial sanctions legislation and how they can be met. It also sets out high level examples. In terms of how … Continue Reading

OFSI updated guidance on the general principles for financial sanctions under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018

On 30 August 2022, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) published updated general guidance for financial sanctions under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018. Chapter 5 of the general guidance dealing with reporting obligations has been expanded.… Continue Reading

European Commission updates FAQs on asset freeze and prohibition to make funds and economic resources available

On 30 August 2022, the European Commission updated their FAQs on asset freeze and prohibition to make funds and economic resources available. The FAQs have been updated to include the following question and answer: Does a listing affect the status of a beneficial owner of a legal person ? EU sanctions are temporary measures that … Continue Reading

OFSI updates licensing timeframes in its general guidance for financial sanctions under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018

On 28 July 2022, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) updated its general guidance for financial sanctions under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018. The guidance outlines firms’ obligations under financial sanctions, as well as OFSI’s approach to licensing and compliance issues. It takes into account relevant case law and guidance at the … Continue Reading

New RT Plus podcast – Beyond Sanctions – Key updates

The sixth instalment of our Beyond Sanctions podcast series is now available to stream and download on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. In this episode, David Harris, Co-Head of our Contentious Financial Services Group in London, discusses some recent developments in the sanctions landscape for regulated firms, including key points from the: Red Alert on Financial Sanctions … Continue Reading

UK sanctions: the ban on providing professional and business services to persons “connected with Russia”

On 4 May 2022, the UK Government announced a ban on services exports to Russia, and as of 21 July 2022 that ban is now in force by virtue of regulation 54C of The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (as amended by The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 14) Regulations 2022) (the Regulations). … Continue Reading

The Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 – the conundrum of strict liability

The Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 (the Act), which came into force in March 2022, aimed amongst other things, to give UK sanctions authorities greater power to take enforcement action and impose penalties on persons that breach sanctions restrictions, through the introduction of a “strict liability” test. These new powers of the UK’s … Continue Reading

Recent developments signal a rise in sanctions enforcement risk for UK regulated firms

Whilst historically there have been relatively low levels of sanctions enforcement in the UK, in light of recent developments, in the coming months we expect to see more scrutiny in this area and increased enforcement activity in relation to sanctions breaches. In our latest briefing, first published on Thomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence on 24th June … Continue Reading

Governance Lessons Learned: experience from implementation of Russian sanctions

UK regulated firms seeking to comply with the Russian sanctions have had to grapple with fast moving legislative and regulatory change, and have inevitably encountered governance challenges along the way.  The lessons learned as part of that process have read across which may assist firms in reacting to future developments beyond sanctions.  Conducting a governance … Continue Reading

New RT Plus podcast – Beyond Sanctions – Enforcement

The next instalment of our Beyond Sanctions podcast series is now available to stream and download on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. In this episode, David Harris and Katie Stephen, Co-Heads of our Contentious Financial Services Group in London, discuss some recent developments regarding sanctions enforcement for regulated firms. For further updates in this area please … Continue Reading

Regulation Around the World – Beyond Sanctions

What have the financial services regulators been doing following the sanctions imposed on Russia? In the latest instalment of our Regulation Around the World series we cover some of the regulatory alerts that financial services regulators have issued in key jurisdictions. Our global updater focussing on the regulatory alerts is accompanied by further analysis in our … Continue Reading

Sanctions evasion to become an EU crime under Commission’s proposal

This week, the European Commission is reportedly expected to present a legal proposal to make the evasion of sanctions an EU crime. This step will equip EU countries with a legal tool to confiscate frozen assets as part of the measures taken against Russia. It is estimated that to date around €30 billion in assets … Continue Reading

Hot topics in sanctions compliance for financial services firms and broader considerations

The events in Ukraine and the economic sanctions imposed on Russia raise a number of issues that financial services firms will need to consider. Above and beyond the immediate challenges arising from the imposition of sanctions on clients and counterparties, firms may also need to address concerns about market conduct and systems and controls. This … Continue Reading

New FCA webpage – Reporting sanctions evasions

On 17 May 2022, the FCA published a new web page concerning the reporting of sanctions evasions. The web page provides information concerning the ways in which firms and individuals can report sanctions evasion to the FCA. It also covers what to tell the FCA and how to report another firm or individual. The web … Continue Reading

Russian sanctions: European Commission’s guidance

Following adoption of a series of trade and economic sanctions against Russia (see our earlier Beyond Sanctions publication), the European Commission (the Commission) continues to update dedicated industry guidance in a form of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). The FAQs are divided into five thematic sections: Horizontal Individual financial measures Finance and banking Trade and customs … Continue Reading

RT Plus – Beyond Sanctions – Sanctions and governance insights

In this episode of our Beyond Sanctions series, David Harris and Katie Stephen, Co-Heads of our Contentious Financial Services Group in London, discuss their sanctions and governance insights from recent work, as well as some practical takeaways for firms from these. The podcast is available to stream and download from the Norton Rose Fulbright website, … Continue Reading

Beyond Sanctions – new financial services hub

Our financial services and regulation team have launched the ‘Beyond Sanctions’ insights hub, highlighting the broader issues that financial services firms will need to consider, above and beyond the immediate concerns and challenges arising from the economic sanctions. Visit our hub to find out more.… Continue Reading

RT Plus – Beyond Sanctions – Market manipulation

In this next instalment of our Beyond Sanctions series, Katie Stephen and Joe Smallshaw discuss examples of market manipulation, red flags for firms and practical steps firms can be taking now to help detect and prevent market manipulation. The podcast is available to stream and download from the Norton Rose Fulbright website, Apple Podcasts and … Continue Reading

Russian sanctions: European developments in the area of financial services

In the light of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Union (EU) Member States adopted a series of new sanctions against Russia. Both the scope, complexity and the expedited pace of adoption of the new restrictive measures is unprecedented, which can make it challenging for financial and non-financial institutions to keep a track … Continue Reading
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