U.S. imposes heavy fines on banks

12.12.2012

To absolve themselves of charges of violating sanctions against Iran, the British bank Standard Chartered Bank has agreed to pay the U.S. Treasury $ 327 million.

In August, Standard Chartered Bank agreed to strengthen controls above their international transactions. In addition, the Bank has already paid to the Government of New York fine $ 340 million as part of pre-trial settlement charges.

Standard Chartered Bank is not the only bank that pays U.S. enormous fines. Transnational bank HSBC will also pay a fine of almost $ 2 million the U.S. Treasury, as U.S. officials accused the bank of money laundering, drug cartels and that belong to States in respect of which the U.S. imposed sanctions.

On the basis of:

http://www.standardchartered.com/en/

http://www.hsbc.com/1/2/

Expert’s opinion

"Lately it is becoming harder to work with banks. One of the reasons is America, which, trying to "bite" at every opportunity because of its economic crisis. Surprisingly, update there are little banks that have not agreed to cooperate with the states, to provide information about their customers - the Americans or, of course, is nonsense - to pay a fine.

Should still be noted that this concerns only the terror of American citizens. Therefore, banks are just trying to pass them by.

Otherwise, if your business is transparent and clean, there is no reason to worry: Banking secrecy is still a banking secret, you just have to choose wisely for the bank. "

Irina Lomakina ( Director of Moscow office of «Honest&Bright» Company)