U.S. Formally Seeks Dismissal of Halkbank Sanctions Case
The U.S. Department of Justice formally asked a federal judge Wednesday to dismiss its criminal case against Halkbank, telling the court it has no intention of prosecuting the Turkish state-run lender.
EU Proposes 21st Russia Sanctions Package, Targeting Banks and Crypto Networks
The European Union has proposed a sweeping 21st package of sanctions against Russia, with a record-setting wave of bank listings at its core and new measures targeting cryptocurrency platforms, oil traders, and shadow fleet vessels.
Moroccan Bank Pays €175mn to Settle Probe Over Unauthorized Banking
Morocco’s Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) has agreed to pay €175,215,571 to settle a Belgian criminal investigation into the bank and its French subsidiary over nearly two decades of alleged unauthorized banking operations serving tens of thousands of Belgian clients.
Chile Rethinks Bank Secrecy as Tren de Aragua Probe Points to Insider Recruitment
The arrest of bank employees with alleged ties to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua criminal organization has reignited debate over Chile’s financial secrecy rules, which are among the most restrictive in the world.
FinCEN Issues Advisory Warning Banks on Payroll Fraud Tied to Migrants
FinCEN and other U.S. regulators on Friday issued a joint advisory warning banks to be alert to payroll fraud and identity-theft schemes connected to the employment of undocumented migrants, citing more than $2.5 billion in suspicious activity reported to the bureau in 2025.
U.S. Sanctions Cuban President, Castro Relatives in Growing Pressure Campaign
The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, his wife, several relatives of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro and five Cuban entities, escalating the Trump administration’s campaign to pressure Havana’s political and military leadership.
Danish Prosecutors Seek Record Penalty for Alleged AML Failures at Nordea
Danish prosecutors are seeking a 6.6 billion krone ($1 billion) fine against Nordea Bank for a series of anti-money-laundering (AML) failures, in what authorities describe as the largest-ever criminal case ever brought against a bank in Denmark.
FINMA Issues New AML Guidance after Finding Firms Are Mishandling Risks
Switzerland’s financial markets regulator published supplementary guidance on money laundering risk analysis Wednesday, flagging persistent weaknesses in how banks and other financial institutions define risk tolerance and assess inherent risks.
House Votes to Advance Sweeping Russia Sanctions over GOP Opposition
The House voted Wednesday to take up legislation that would impose sweeping new sanctions on Russia and provide additional aid to Ukraine, as six Republicans and an independent broke with party leaders to join Democrats in forcing the measure to the floor.
Cuba to Suspend Visa and Mastercard Payments Following U.S. Sanctions
Cuba will suspend Visa and Mastercard transactions beginning June 6 after a foreign partner that had processed credit card payments on the island decided to curtail operations in response to sweeping new U.S. sanctions.