As a U.S. company operating globally, American Express is required to abide by U.S. sanctions regulations administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The company is also required to abide by sanctions requirements imposed by other countries where we operate.

What are sanctions?

Sanctions generally prohibit certain economic or trade-related transactions with specific countries, governments, entities and persons. Sanctions can be imposed due to concerns about terrorism or other criminal activity or for reasons of national security or foreign policy. 
In the United States, persons or entities subject to sanctions are called "Specially Designated Nationals" (SDNs). U.S. sanctions regulations require American Express to reject transactions involving an SDN and to block property in which an SDN has an interest. Other countries and international bodies, including the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN), have similar prohibitions against transacting with designated persons or entities. American Express complies with U.S., UN, EU and local sanctions regulations. 
American Express enforces a strong sanctions compliance program to help ensure that company's products, services and facilities are not:

• •used for prohibited transactions,
• used by prohibited persons,
• used for evading, avoiding or otherwise circumventing sanctions programs.

What countries and groups are affected?

Country based sanctions programs prohibit certain transactions involving:

• Syria
• Sudan
• North Korea
• Iran
• Cuba

In the US other specific list-based sanctions programs include, but are not limited to:

• Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers (SDNTs)
• Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers Kingpin (SDNTKs)
• Specially Designated Terrorists (SDTs)
• Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs)
• Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs)
• Non Proliferation Weapons of Mass Destruction (NPWMD)
• Designated Foreign Persons (DFPs)

Similar lists are published by the EU, UN and other governments. All sanctions program lists are subject to periodic changes. The Compliance & Ethics staff monitors sanctions changes and distributes communications globally. For a complete list of countries, persons and entities subject to sanctions regulations, contact your local MCO or refer to your local government website.

Why is Sanctions Compliance important?

Because of global concerns about international terrorism, money laundering or other serious crimes, the company strives to maintain a robust sanctions compliance program that prevents American Express products and services from being used for criminal purposes. When sanctions regulations are not followed, the company is at risk for civil or criminal penalties including fines and criminal prosecution. Noncompliance puts the American Express brand at risk.

What can I do?

• Participate in regular sanctions training. 
• Familiarize yourself with the aspects of sanctions screening that may apply to your job.
• Promptly escalate potential sanctions matches to your leader or Compliance Officer.