Bank Secrecy Act VEF Banka, Riga, Latvia - Subject of Primary Money Laundering Concern

• On April 21, 2005, the Department of the Treasury's (Treasury) Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced the designation of VEF Banka, Riga, Latvia, to be a financial institution of "primary money laundering concern" under Section 311 of the USA PATRIOT Act.
• Treasury, acting through FinCEN, is issuing a proposed rule to impose special measures against VEF Banka. The proposed rule would prohibit U.S. financial institutions from opening or maintaining correspondent or payable-through accounts in the U.S. for, or on behalf of, VEF Banka. This proposed prohibition extends to correspondent or payable-through accounts maintained for other foreign banks when such accounts are used by the foreign bank to provide financial services to VEF Banka indirectly.
• Treasury is soliciting written comments regarding this proposed rule. The proposed rule can be found on the FinCEN Web site under "What's New" at http://www.fincen.gov . Comments must be submitted on or before May 26, 2005, to Treasury via electronic mail at regcoments@fincen.treas.gov . Include RIN 1506-AA82 in the subject line of the message. Comments may also be submitted by paper mail to FinCEN, P.O. Box 39, Vienna, Virginia 22183. Include RIN 1506-AA82 in the body of the text.
• Please distribute this information to the appropriate personnel in your institution.

Distribution:
FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Suggested Routing:
Chief Executive Officer
BSA Compliance Officer

Note:
FDIC Financial Institution Letters (FILs) may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/financial-institution-letters/2005/index.html .

To receive FILs electronically, please visit http://www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/fil.html .

Paper copies of FDIC FILs may be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (1-877-275-3342 or (703) 562-2200).