Treasury announced an OFAC designation of the A7 Network, effective immediately, alongside a FinCEN alert and a proposed rule that would prohibit certain fund transmittals involving A7-controlled foreign sub-agents. The proposed restriction is pending Federal Register publication; its comment period will close 30 days after publication.
HSBC’s AML and sanctions admissions led to a $1.921 billion coordinated resolution and five-year deferred prosecution. The case also produced an important appeal about judicial oversight of corporate agreements.
Lending & consumer financeResearch updated Oct 4, 2026
Relationship investment fraud links fabricated profits and escalating payments to organized criminal services and, in many cases, forced labour. Cases through 2026 reveal how the money moves, where institutions can see it and why seizure headlines are not the same as victim recovery.
Voluntary information sharing can help institutions understand activity that appears fragmented within any one firm. Its value depends on usable evidence, precise boundaries and decisions that protect legitimate customers as well as detect suspicious activity.
Correspondent relationships connect financial institutions and their customers across markets. Evaluate delivered funds, exchange costs, working capital and service reliability alongside the balances needed to support the route.
Policy & official records
Curated library records that name Financial Crimes Enforcement Network or connect through its linked research. The official source provides full scope and status.
Treasury / FinCEN / OFAC2026-10-01 · FinCEN NPRM is on public inspection and scheduled for Federal Register publication October 5, 2026; the restriction remains proposed. The separate OFAC designation was announced October 1.
FinCEN identifies transactions involving foreign companies controlled by A7 as a class of primary money-laundering concern and proposes prohibiting certain fund transmittals by covered financial institutions. Separately, OFAC designated the A7 Network; the designation and applicable blocking rules are distinct from the pending proposal. The comment period closes 30 days after Federal Register publication.
September 8 FAQs explain when unexpired government-issued digital credentials can support documentary identity verification under existing CIP requirements. Acceptance is optional; credentials and systems must meet the stated safeguards. The FAQs create no new BSA requirements or supervisory expectations.
FinCEN identifies the defined five UAE branches as a primary money-laundering concern and proposes correspondent-account restrictions and special diligence. The finding is the agency’s assessment; the proposed special measure is not a final prohibition and does not cover Banque Misr operations in other countries.