What Services and Transactions Are Subject to OFAC Regulations?
OFAC regulations apply to virtually every type of financial service and transaction that touches a U.S. person or the U.S. financial system — not just international wire transfers. This includes mutual funds, money orders, cashier’s checks, safe deposit boxes, loans, insurance policies, and securities transactions. If a blocked person has an interest in the funds or property involved, the service provider must block it, regardless of the product type.
Banks, credit unions, broker-dealers, insurers, and money service businesses are all required to screen customers and transactions against the SDN List before processing them.
Need help with an OFAC compliance question? Contact our sanctions attorneys
Hanna Sianko
Associate Partner
Hanna Sianko is a legally trained professional with international education from the UK and the US, specializing in international criminal law, human rights, and international commercial law. With strong academic research on human rights violations and a background in international development, she assesses complex global challenges through legal and policy lenses. Her experience includes civil, regulatory, and commercial matters, as well as notable advocacy achievements in competition law and arbitration. Currently advising clients on Interpol notices, diffusions, data protection, and extradition, she focuses on safeguarding rights within cross-border legal cooperation. Fluent in English, Russian, and Spanish, Hanna provides comprehensive support across diverse jurisdictions.
