OFAC Authorizes Certain Transactions and Activities to Liquidate Honduras-Based Bank

Anti-Money Laundering OFAC

On October 21, following the October 7 designation of a Honduras-based bank as a Specially Designated Narcotics Trafficker, OFAC announced that it granted a General License authorizing certain transactions and activities to help with the liquidation and wind down of the same bank. Pursuant the General License, transactions and activities that are otherwise prohibited by OFAC during a bank’s liquidation process will be permitted through 12:01 a.m. ET on December 12, 2015, with the following exceptions: (i) the unblocking of any party pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Sanctions Regulations; and (ii) transactions or dealings that are limited by Executive Order, or are with an individual or entity, other than the Honduras-based bank, that is on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals or Blocked Persons. Any U.S. persons involved in the bank’s liquidation process must file a report with OFAC’s Licensing Division to include the parties involved, and the type, scope, and dates of the activities conducted.