Frequently Asked Questions

943 … No.  The prohibitions in Directive 1 do not apply to any entity that is owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus or the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus, whether individually or in the aggregate. … Does the 50 Percent… Read more

944 … The term debt includes bonds, loans, extensions of credit, loan guarantees, letters of credit, drafts, bankers’ acceptances, discount notes or bills, or commercial paper. … What constitutes “debt” pursuant to Directive 1 under E.O. …

945 … No.   Directive 1 under E.O. 14038 prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in only certain activities with the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus or the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus, as explained in  FAQ 940 .  All other activities with the Ministry of Finance of the… Read more

946 … Yes.  U.S. financial institutions may continue to maintain correspondent accounts and process U.S. dollar-clearing transactions for the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus or the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus, provided such activity is not otherwise prohibited… Read more

947 … If a U.S. person entered into a revolving credit facility or long-term loan agreement prior to December 2, 2021, drawdowns and disbursements with repayment terms of 90 days or less are permitted.  In addition, drawdowns and disbursements whose repayment terms exceed 90 days are not prohibited… Read more

948 … Yes.  Transactions by U.S. persons and within the United States involving derivative products whose value is linked to an underlying asset that constitutes prohibited debt issued by a person subject to Directive 1 under E.O. 14038 are prohibited, unless otherwise authorized by the Office of… Read more

27 … This is primarily a question for your regulator. What constitutes an adequate compliance program depends in large part on who your customers are and what kinds of business you do. Certain areas of bank operations, such as international wire transfers and trade finance, are at a higher risk… Read more

28 … The frequency of running an OFAC scan must be guided by your organization's internal policies and procedures. Keep in mind, however, that if your organization fails to identify and block a target account (of a terrorist, for example), there could be serious consequences such as a transfer of… Read more

29 … There is no prepackaged compliance program that fits the needs of every bank. Banks, obviously, range in size from small to some of the largest institutions in the world. A good starting point is to go to the OFAC website and look under " Regulations by Industry ." Then read the brochure for… Read more

30 … The following information will provide you with areas to consider as you review your OFAC procedures . … How do I know if my compliance program is adequate? …