Frequently Asked Questions

1197. I'm a U.S. person with securities held at the National Settlement Depository (NSD), which were transferred pursuant to Russian Decree 840 to another Russian registrar. Am I required to block these securities?

1197 … Yes. On June 12, 2024, OFAC designated the National Settlement Depository (NSD), along with the Moscow Exchange (MOEX) and the National Clearing Center (NCC) pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024 for operating or having operated in the financial services sector of the Russian Federation… Read more

969. Does OFAC’s 50 Percent Rule apply to foreign financial institutions listed in Annex 1 to Directive 2 under Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, “Prohibitions Related to Correspondent or Payable-Through Accounts and Processing of Transactions Involving Certain Foreign Financial Institutions” (Russia-related CAPTA Directive)?

969 … Yes. The prohibitions of the Russia-related CAPTA Directive apply to any foreign financial institution listed in Annex 1 to the Russia-related CAPTA Directive or otherwise determined to be subject to the prohibitions of the Russia-related CAPTA Directive, “or their property or interests in… Read more

970. Are foreign financial institutions (FFIs) located outside of Russia potentially subject to the prohibitions of Directive 2 under Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, “Prohibitions Related to Correspondent or Payable-Through Accounts and Processing of Transactions Involving Certain Foreign Financial Institutions” (Russia-related CAPTA Directive)?

970 … Yes. The prohibitions of the Russia-related CAPTA Directive apply to a U.S. financial institution’s opening or maintaining of a correspondent account or payable-through account for or on behalf of, or processing of a transaction involving, any FFI, wherever located outside of the United… Read more

971. Are the prohibitions of Directive 2 under Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, “Prohibitions Related to Correspondent or Payable-Through Accounts and Processing of Transactions Involving Certain Foreign Financial Institutions” (Russia-related CAPTA Directive) limited to transactions denominated in U.S. dollars?

971 … No. The prohibitions of the Russia-related CAPTA Directive apply with respect to any currency. For example, a foreign branch of a U.S. financial institution may not open or maintain a correspondent account for or on behalf of, or process a transaction involving, a foreign financial… Read more

973. I am a U.S. individual or company that maintains an account at a foreign financial institution sanctioned pursuant to Directive 2 under Executive Order (E.O.) 14024. What are my obligations?

973 … With respect to foreign financial institutions subject to the prohibitions of Directive 2 under E.O. 14024 , “Prohibitions Related to Correspondent or Payable-Through Accounts and Processing of Transactions Involving Certain Foreign Financial Institutions” ( Russia-related CAPTA Directive ),… Read more

974. What Russian financial institutions were blocked in February 2022 pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, and what activities are prohibited as a result?

974 … On February 22, 2022, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated specified Russian financial institutions pursuant to E.O. 14024 , including the State Corporation Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Affairs Vnesheconombank (VEB), Promsvyazbank Public Joint Stock Company, and… Read more

975. Is there a wind-down period for transactions involving the Russian financial institutions blocked in February 2022 pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024? What transactions are authorized during the wind-down period?

975 … For certain Russian financial institutions blocked in February 2022 pursuant to E.O. 14024 , a short-term wind-down period is authorized. General License (GL) 3 authorizes a wind-down period of 30 days for transactions involving State Corporation Bank for Development and Foreign Economic… Read more

977. What are transactions "related to energy" for purposes of Russia-related General License (GL) 8L?

977 … On January 10, 2025, OFAC issued amended GL 8L to authorize the wind-down of transactions related to energy involving certain Russian financial institutions sanctioned pursuant to E.O. 14024 through 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time, March 12, 2025. For the purposes of GL 8L , the term "… Read more

979. I am a U.S. person. Can I rely on a person sanctioned pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024 in connection with transactions for official business of an international organization, certain humanitarian-related trade, or the response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic?

979 … Yes, U.S. persons supporting activities undertaken for the official business of certain international organizations or entities, certain humanitarian-related trade, or the response to the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to engage in such activity involving persons sanctioned pursuant to E.O.… Read more

980. Do non-U.S. persons risk being sanctioned for engaging in activity with persons sanctioned pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024?

980 … OFAC evaluates a range of factors when developing sanctions targets, consistent with foreign policy and national security goals. In the context of blocking sanctions, non-U.S. persons may be exposed to sanctions risk in relation to activities with persons subject to blocking sanctions… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence