31 U.S.C.
United States Code, 2011 Edition
Title 31 - MONEY AND FINANCE
SUBTITLE IV - MONEY
CHAPTER 53 - MONETARY TRANSACTIONS
From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov

CHAPTER 53—MONETARY TRANSACTIONS

SUBCHAPTER I—CREDIT AND MONETARY EXPANSION

Sec.
5301.
Buying obligations of the United States Government.
5302.
Stabilizing exchange rates and arrangements.
5303.
Reserved coins and currencies of foreign countries.
5304.
Regulations.

        

SUBCHAPTER II—RECORDS AND REPORTS ON MONETARY INSTRUMENTS TRANSACTIONS

5311.
Declaration of purpose.
5312.
Definitions and application.
5313.
Reports on domestic coins and currency transactions.
5314.
Records and reports on foreign financial agency transactions.
5315.
Reports on foreign currency transactions.
5316.
Reports on exporting and importing monetary instruments.
5317.
Search and forfeiture of monetary instruments.
5318.
Compliance, exemptions, and summons authority.
5318A.
Special measures for jurisdictions, financial institutions, international transactions, or types of accounts of primary money laundering concern.
5319.
Availability of reports.
5320.
Injunctions.
5321.
Civil penalties.
5322.
Criminal penalties.
5323.
Rewards for informants.
5324.
Structuring transactions to evade reporting requirement prohibited.
5325.
Identification required to purchase certain monetary instruments.
5326.
Records of certain domestic coin and currency transactions.
[5327.
Repealed.]
5328.
Whistleblower protections.
5329.
Staff commentaries.
5330.
Registration of money transmitting businesses.
5331.
Reports relating to coins and currency received in nonfinancial trade or business.
5332.
Bulk cash smuggling into or out of the United States.

        

SUBCHAPTER III—MONEY LAUNDERING AND RELATED FINANCIAL CRIMES

5340.
Definitions.

        

Part 1—National Money Laundering and Related Financial Crimes Strategy

5341.
National money laundering and related financial crimes strategy.
5342.
High-risk money laundering and related financial crime areas.

        

Part 2—Financial Crime-Free Communities Support Program

5351.
Establishment of financial crime-free communities support program.
5352.
Program authorization.
5353.
Information collection and dissemination with respect to grant recipients.
5354.
Grants for fighting money laundering and related financial crimes.
5355.
Authorization of appropriations.

        

SUBCHAPTER IV—PROHIBITION ON FUNDING OF UNLAWFUL INTERNET GAMBLING

5361.
Congressional findings and purpose.
5362.
Definitions.
5363.
Prohibition on acceptance of any financial instrument for unlawful Internet gambling.
5364.
Policies and procedures to identify and prevent restricted transactions.
5365.
Civil remedies.
5366.
Criminal penalties.
5367.
Circumventions prohibited.

        

Amendments

2006—Pub. L. 109–347, title VIII, §802(b), Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 1961, added subchapter IV heading and items 5361 to 5367.

2004—Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, §6203(i), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3747, substituted item 5318A for former item 5318A “Special measures for jurisdictions, financial institutions, or international transactions of primary money laundering concern”.

Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, §6202(n)(1), (o), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3746, amended Pub. L. 107–56, §365. See 2001 Amendment note below.

2001—Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §365(d), formerly §365(c), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 335, as renumbered and amended by Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, §6202(n)(1), (o), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3746, added item 5331.

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §§311(b), 371(c), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 304, 338, added items 5318A and 5332.

1998—Pub. L. 105–310, §2(b), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2948, added subchapter III heading, parts 1 and 2 headings, and items 5340 to 5355.

1996—Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title II, §2223(2), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–415, struck out item 5327 “Identification of financial institutions”.

1994—Pub. L. 103–325, title III, §311(b), title IV, §408(d), Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2221, 2252, added items 5329 and 5330.

1992—Pub. L. 102–550, title XV, §§1511(c), 1563(b), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4057, 4073, added items 5327 and 5328.

1988—Pub. L. 100–690, title VI, §6185(f), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4357, added items 5325 and 5326.

1986—Pub. L. 99–570, title I, §§1354(b), 1356(d), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–22, 3207–25, substituted “Compliance, exemptions, and summons authority” for “Compliance and exemptions” in item 5318 and added item 5324.

1984—Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §901(f), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2136, added item 5323.

SUBCHAPTER I—CREDIT AND MONETARY EXPANSION

§5301. Buying obligations of the United States Government

(a) The President may direct the Secretary of the Treasury to make an agreement with the Federal reserve banks and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System when the President decides that the foreign commerce of the United States is affected adversely because—

(1) the value of coins and currency of a foreign country compared to the present standard value of gold is depreciating;

(2) action is necessary to regulate and maintain the parity of United States coins and currency;

(3) an economic emergency requires an expansion of credit; or

(4) an expansion of credit is necessary so that the United States Government and the governments of other countries can stabilize the value of coins and currencies of a country.


(b) Under an agreement under subsection (a) of this section, the Board shall permit the banks (and the Board is authorized to permit the banks notwithstanding another law) to agree that the banks will—

(1) conduct through each entire specified period open market operations in obligations of the United States Government or corporations in which the Government is the majority stockholder; and

(2) buy directly and hold an additional $3,000,000,000 of obligations of the Government for each agreed period, unless the Secretary consents to the sale of the obligations before the end of the period.


(c) With the approval of the Secretary, the Board may require Federal reserve banks to take action the Secretary and Board consider necessary to prevent unreasonable credit expansion.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 993.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
5301(a), (b) 31:821(less (a)(last sentence)). May 12, 1933, ch. 25, §43(less (b)(1)(last sentence)), 48 Stat. 51; Jan. 30, 1934, ch. 6, §12, 48 Stat. 342; Jan. 23, 1937, ch. 5, §2, 50 Stat. 4; July 6, 1939, ch. 260, §3, 53 Stat. 998; June 30, 1941, ch. 265, §2, 55 Stat. 396; June 12, 1945, ch. 186, §4, 59 Stat. 238; Mar. 18, 1968, Pub. L. 90–269, §9, 82 Stat. 50.
5301(c) 31:821(a)(last sentence).

In subsection (a), before clause (1), the text of 31:821(b)(matter before (1)) is omitted as obsolete because clause (1) is omitted as executed, and clause (2) is omitted as expired. The text of 31:821(b)(matter after (2)) is omitted as obsolete because silver is no longer coined. The words “in his discretion” and “several” are omitted as surplus. The words “Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System” are substituted for “Federal Reserve Board” because of 12:241. The words “upon investigation” are omitted as surplus. In clause (1), the word “foreign” is substituted for “of any other government or governments” to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “coins and” are added for consistency. In clause (2), the words “United States coins and currency” are substituted for “currency issues of the United States” for consistency. In clause (4), the words “so that the United States Government and the governments of other countries can stabilize” are substituted for “to secure by international agreement a stabilization” for clarity. The words “at proper levels” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b), before clause (1), the words “(and the Board is authorized to permit the banks notwithstanding another law)” are substituted for “notwithstanding any provisions of law or rules and regulations to the contrary” for clarity. In clause (1), the words “pursuant to existing law” are omitted as surplus. The words “through each entire” are substituted for “throughout” for clarity. In clause (2), the words “in portfolio”, “or periods of time Treasury bills or other” and “in an aggregate sum of” are omitted as surplus.

Short Title of 2006 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–347, title VIII, §801, Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 1952, provided that: “This title [enacting sections 5361 to 5367 of this title and provisions set out as a note under section 5361 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006’.”

Short Title of 2004 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, §6201, Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3745, provided that: “This subtitle [subtitle C (§§6201–6205) of title VI of Pub. L. 108–458, amending sections 310, 5312, 5318, 5318A, 5324, and 5332 of this title, sections 1828, 1829b, and 1953 of Title 12, Banks and Banking, section 1681v of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, and section 262p–4r of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse, enacting provisions set out as a note under section 1828 of Title 12, amending provisions set out as notes under sections 310, 5311, and 5331 of this title and sections 1828 and 1842 of Title 12, and repealing provisions set out as a note under section 5311 of this title] may be cited as the ‘International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Antiterrorism Technical Corrections Act of 2004’.”

Short Title of 2001 Amendment

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §301, Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 296, provided that: “This title [enacting sections 310, 5318A, 5331, and 5332 of this title, section 1681v of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, and section 262p–4r of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse, amending sections 5311, 5312, 5317, 5318, 5319, 5321, 5322, 5324, 5326, 5328, 5330, and 5341 of this title, sections 248, 1828, 1829b, 1842, 1953, 3412, 3414, and 3420 of Title 12, Banks and Banking, section 1681u of Title 15, sections 470 to 474, 476 to 484, 493, 981 to 983, 1029, 1956, and 1960 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, section 853 of Title 21, Food and Drugs, and sections 2466 and 2467 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, renumbering former section 310 of this title as section 311, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 310, 5311, 5313, 5314, 5318, 5331, and 5332 of this title, sections 1828, 1829b, and 1842 of Title 12, and section 983 of Title 18] may be cited as the ‘International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001’.”

Short Title of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–310, §1, Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2941, provided that: “This Act [enacting subchapter III of this chapter and provisions set out as a note under section 5342 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Money Laundering and Financial Crimes Strategy Act of 1998’.”

Short Title of 1994 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–325, title IV, §401, Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2243, provided that: “This title [enacting section 5330 of this title, amending sections 5312, 5313, 5318, 5321, 5322, and 5324 of this title, sections 93, 1464, 1772d, 1786, 1818, and 1821 of Title 12, Banks and Banking, and sections 984, 986, 1956, 1957, and 1960 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 5311, 5313, 5318, and 5330 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Money Laundering Suppression Act of 1994’.”

§5302. Stabilizing exchange rates and arrangements

(a)(1) The Department of the Treasury has a stabilization fund. The fund is available to carry out this section, section 18 of the Bretton Woods Agreement Act (22 U.S.C. 286e–3), and section 3 of the Special Drawing Rights Act (22 U.S.C. 286o), and for investing in obligations of the United States Government those amounts in the fund the Secretary of the Treasury, with the approval of the President, decides are not required at the time to carry out this section. Proceeds of sales and investments, earnings, and interest shall be paid into the fund and are available to carry out this section. However, the fund is not available to pay administrative expenses.

(2) Subject to approval by the President, the fund is under the exclusive control of the Secretary, and may not be used in a way that direct control and custody pass from the President and the Secretary. Decisions of the Secretary are final and may not be reviewed by another officer or employee of the Government.

(b) Consistent with the obligations of the Government in the International Monetary Fund on orderly exchange arrangements and a stable system of exchange rates, the Secretary or an agency designated by the Secretary, with the approval of the President, may deal in gold, foreign exchange, and other instruments of credit and securities the Secretary considers necessary. However, a loan or credit to a foreign entity or government of a foreign country may be made for more than 6 months in any 12-month period only if the President gives Congress a written statement that unique or emergency circumstances require the loan or credit be for more than 6 months.

(c)(1) By the 30th day after the end of each month, the Secretary shall give the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate a detailed financial statement on the stabilization fund showing all agreements made or renewed, all transactions occurring during the month, and all projected liabilities.

(2) The Secretary shall report each year to the President and Congress on the operation of the fund.

(d) A repayment of any part of the first subscription payment of the Government to the International Monetary Fund, previously paid from the stabilization fund, shall be deposited in the Treasury as a miscellaneous receipt.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 994.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
5302(a) 31:822a(b)(1). Jan. 30, 1934, ch. 6, §10(a), (b)(1), (c), 48 Stat. 341, 342; Jan. 23, 1937, ch. 5, §1, 50 Stat. 4; July 6, 1939, ch. 260, §§1, 2, 53 Stat. 998; June 30, 1941, ch. 265, §1, 55 Stat. 395; Apr. 29, 1943, ch. 76, 57 Stat. 68; July 31, 1945, ch. 339, §7(a), 59 Stat. 514; Dec. 30, 1970, Pub. L. 91–599, §§41, 42, 84 Stat. 1659; Oct. 19, 1976, Pub. L. 94–564, §7, 90 Stat. 2661; Oct. 28, 1977, Pub. L. 95–147, §4(b), 91 Stat. 1229; Nov. 8, 1978, Pub. L. 95–612, §§1, 6, 92 Stat. 3091, 3092.
5302(b) 31:822a(a)(1st sentence).
5302(c)(1) 31:822a(b)(2). Jan. 30, 1934, ch. 6, 48 Stat. 337, §10(b)(2); added Nov. 8, 1978, Pub. L. 95–612, §6, 92 Stat. 3092.
5302(c)(2) 31:822a(a)(last sentence).
5302(d) 31:822a(c).

In subsection (a)(1), the words “The Department of the Treasury has a stabilization fund” are substituted for “there is appropriated, out of the receipts which are directed to be covered into the Treasury under section 408b of this title, the sum of $2,000,000,000, which sum when available shall be deposited in the United States Treasury in a stabilization fund” because the fund has been established. The words “(hereinafter called the ‘fund’)” are omitted as unnecessary because of the restatement. The words “To enable the Secretary of the Treasury” and “The fund shall be available for expenditure, under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury and in his discretion, for any purpose in connection with carrying out the provisions of this section” are omitted as surplus. The words “section 18 of the Bretton Woods Agreement Act (22 U.S.C. 286e–3), and section 3 of the Special Drawing Rights Act (22 U.S.C. 286o)” are added for clarity. The words “and reinvestment” and “direct” are omitted as surplus. The word “Government” is added for consistency. The words “accruing under the operations of this section” are omitted as surplus. The words “to carry out this section” after “are available” are substituted for “for the purposes of the fund” for consistency.

In subsection (b), the words “directly . . . through” and “for the account of the fund established in this section” are omitted as surplus. The words “government of a foreign country” are substituted for “foreign government” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The words “by or through such fund” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (c)(1), the word “calendar” is omitted as surplus. The words “beginning after the effective date of this paragraph” are omitted as executed. The words “to occur” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (d), the words “any part of the first subscription payment of the Government to the International Monetary Fund, previously paid from the stabilization fund” are substituted for 31:822a(c)(words before semicolon) and “thereof” for clarity because the payment has been made.

Change of Name

Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs of House of Representatives treated as referring to Committee on Banking and Financial Services of House of Representatives by section 1(a) of Pub. L. 104–14, set out as a note preceding section 21 of Title 2, The Congress. Committee on Banking and Financial Services of House of Representatives abolished and replaced by Committee on Financial Services of House of Representatives, and jurisdiction over matters relating to securities and exchanges and insurance generally transferred from Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Seventh Congress, Jan. 3, 2001.

Mexican Debt Disclosure

Pub. L. 104–6, title IV, Apr. 10, 1995, 109 Stat. 89, provided that:

“SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.

“This title may be cited as the ‘Mexican Debt Disclosure Act of 1995’.

“SEC. 402. FINDINGS.

“The Congress finds that—

“(1) Mexico is an important neighbor and trading partner of the United States;

“(2) on January 31, 1995, the President approved a program of assistance to Mexico, in the form of swap facilities and securities guarantees in the amount of $20,000,000,000, using the exchange stabilization fund;

“(3) the program of assistance involves the participation of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the International Monetary Fund, the Bank for International Settlements, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Bank of Canada, and several Latin American countries;

“(4) the involvement of the exchange stabilization fund and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System means that United States taxpayer funds will be used in the assistance effort to Mexico;

“(5) assistance provided by the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Inter-American Development Bank may require additional United States contributions of taxpayer funds to those entities;

“(6) the immediate use of taxpayer funds and the potential requirement for additional future United States contributions of taxpayer funds necessitates congressional oversight of the disbursement of funds; and

“(7) the efficacy of the assistance to Mexico is contingent on the pursuit of sound economic policy by the Government of Mexico.

“SEC. 403. PRESIDENTIAL REPORTS.

“(a) Reporting Requirement.—Not later than June 30, 1995, and every 6 months thereafter, the President shall transmit to the appropriate congressional committees a report concerning all guarantees issued to, and short-term and long-term currency swaps with, the Government of Mexico by the United States Government, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

“(b) Contents of Reports.—Each report described in subsection (a) shall contain a description of the following actions taken, or economic situations existing, during the preceding 6-month period or, in the case of the initial report, during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [Apr. 10, 1995]:

“(1) Changes in wage, price, and credit controls in the Mexican economy.

“(2) Changes in taxation policy of the Government of Mexico.

“(3) Specific actions taken by the Government of Mexico to further privatize the economy of Mexico.

“(4) Actions taken by the Government of Mexico in the development of regulatory policy that significantly affected the performance of the Mexican economy.

“(5) Consultations concerning the program approved by the President, including advice on economic, monetary, and fiscal policy, held between the Government of Mexico and the Secretary of the Treasury (including any designee of the Secretary) and the conclusions resulting from any periodic reviews undertaken by the International Monetary Fund pursuant to the Fund's loan agreements with Mexico.

“(6) All outstanding loans, credits, and guarantees provided to the Government of Mexico, by the United States Government, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, set forth by category of financing.

“(7) The progress the Government of Mexico has made in stabilizing the peso and establishing an independent central bank or currency board.

“(c) Summary of Treasury Department Reports.—In addition to the information required to be included under subsection (b), each report required under this section shall contain a summary of the information contained in all reports submitted under section 404 during the period covered by the report required under this section.

“SEC. 404. REPORTS BY THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.

“(a) Reporting Requirement.—Beginning on the last day of the first month which begins after the date of enactment of this Act [Apr. 10, 1995], and on the last day of every month thereafter, the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report concerning all guarantees issued to, and short-term and long-term currency swaps with, the Government of Mexico by the United States Government, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

“(b) Contents of Reports.—Each report described in subsection (a) shall include a description of the following actions taken, or economic situations existing, during the month in which the report is required to be submitted:

“(1) The current condition of the Mexican economy.

“(2) The reserve positions of the central bank of Mexico and data relating to the functioning of Mexican monetary policy.

“(3) The amount of any funds disbursed from the exchange stabilization fund pursuant to the program of assistance to the Government of Mexico approved by the President on January 31, 1995.

“(4) The amount of any funds disbursed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System pursuant to the program of assistance referred to in paragraph (3).

“(5) Financial transactions, both inside and outside of Mexico, made during the reporting period involving funds disbursed to Mexico from the exchange stabilization fund or proceeds of Mexican Government securities guaranteed by the exchange stabilization fund.

“(6) All outstanding guarantees issued to, and short-term and medium-term currency swaps with, the Government of Mexico by the Secretary of the Treasury, set forth by category of financing.

“(7) All outstanding currency swaps with the central bank of Mexico by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the rationale for, and any expected costs of, such transactions.

“(8) The amount of payments made by customers of Mexican petroleum companies that have been deposited in the account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York established to ensure repayment of any payment by the United States Government, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in connection with any guarantee issued to, or any swap with, the Government of Mexico.

“(9) Any setoff by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York against funds in the account described in paragraph (8).

“(10) To the extent such information is available, once there has been a setoff by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, any interruption in deliveries of petroleum products to existing customers whose payments were setoff.

“(11) The interest rates and fees charged to compensate the Secretary of the Treasury for the risk of providing financing.

“SEC. 405. TERMINATION OF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

“The requirements of sections 403 and 404 shall terminate on the date that the Government of Mexico has paid all obligations with respect to swap facilities and guarantees of securities made available under the program approved by the President on January 31, 1995.

“SEC. 406. PRESIDENTIAL CERTIFICATION REGARDING SWAP OF CURRENCIES TO MEXICO THROUGH EXCHANGE STABILIZATION FUND OR FEDERAL RESERVE.

“(a) In General.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no loan, credit, guarantee, or arrangement for a swap of currencies to Mexico through the exchange stabilization fund or by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System may be extended or (if already extended) further utilized, unless and until the President submits to the appropriate congressional committees a certification that—

“(1) there is no projected cost (as defined in the Credit Reform Act of 1990 [probably means the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, 2 U.S.C. 661 et seq.]) to the United States from the proposed loan, credit, guarantee, or currency swap;

“(2) all loans, credits, guarantees, and currency swaps are adequately backed to ensure that all United States funds are repaid;

“(3) the Government of Mexico is making progress in ensuring an independent central bank or an independent currency control mechanism;

“(4) Mexico has in effect a significant economic reform effort; and

“(5) the President has provided the documents described in paragraphs (1) through (28) of House Resolution 80, adopted March 1, 1995.

“(b) Treatment of Classified or Privileged Material.—For purposes of the certification required by subsection (a)(5), the President shall specify, in the case of any document that is classified or subject to applicable privileges, that, while such document may not have been produced to the House of Representatives, in lieu thereof it has been produced to specified Members of Congress or their designees by mutual agreement among the President, the Speaker of the House, and the chairmen and ranking members of the Committee on Banking and Financial Services [now Committee on Financial Services], the Committee on International Relations [now Committee on Foreign Affairs], and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House.

“SEC. 407. DEFINITIONS.

“For purposes of this title, the following definitions shall apply:

“(1) Appropriate congressional committees.—The term ‘appropriate congressional committees’ means the Committees on International Relations [now Committee on Foreign Affairs] and Banking and Financial Services [now Committee on Financial Services] of the House of Representatives, the Committees on Foreign Relations and Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, and the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

“(2) Exchange stabilization fund.—The term ‘exchange stabilization fund’ means the stabilization fund referred to in section 5302(a)(1) of title 31, United States Code.”

Certification Regarding Use of Exchange Stabilization Fund and Federal Reserve in Relation to Economic Crisis in Mexico

Memorandum of President of the United States, June 29, 1995, 60 F.R. 35113, provided:

Memorandum for the Secretary of the Treasury

On January 31, 1995, I approved a program of assistance to Mexico, in the form of swap facilities and securities guarantees in an amount not to exceed $20 billion, using the Exchange Stabilization Fund (the “ESF program”).

By virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and section 406 of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions for the Department of Defense to Preserve and Enhance Military Readiness Act of 1995 (Public Law 104–6) [set out above], I hereby certify that:

(1) There is no projected cost (as defined in the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 [2 U.S.C. 661 et seq.]) to the United States from the proposed swap transaction.

(2) All loans, credits, guarantees, and currency swaps to Mexico from the Exchange Stabilization Fund or the Federal Reserve System are adequately backed to ensure that all United States funds are repaid.

(3) The Government of Mexico is making progress in ensuring an independent central bank.

(4) Mexico has in effect a significant economic reform effort.

(5) The Executive Branch has provided the documents requested by House Resolution 80 adopted March 1, 1995, and described in paragraphs (1) through (28) of that Resolution. All documents identified as responsive to the Resolution have been provided to the entire House of Representatives. Pursuant to the terms of the Resolution, the Executive Branch has not provided those documents as to which the Executive Branch has informed the House that it would be inconsistent with the public interest to provide the documents to the House. Pursuant to arrangements for safekeeping of classified materials in House facilities, classified documents have been provided to the House by making them available either at designated, secure House facilities or at Executive Branch facilities. Each agency, including the Federal Reserve Board, has advised the House of the procedures employed by that agency to provide the documents requested by House Resolution 80.

I have been informed that the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has provided the documents requested by House Resolution 80 and described in paragraphs (1) through (28) of that Resolution.

I hereby delegate to you the reporting requirement contained in section 406 of Public Law 104–6 [set out above]. You are authorized and requested to report this certification immediately to the Speaker of the House and appropriate congressional committees, as defined in section 407 of Public Law 104–6 [set out above].

I also hereby delegate to you the reporting requirement contained in section 403 of Public Law 104–6 [set out above].

You are authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

William J. Clinton.      


Prior certifications were contained in the following:

Memorandum of President of the United States, May 17, 1995, 60 F.R. 27395.

Memorandum of President of the United States, Apr. 14, 1995, 60 F.R. 19485.

§5303. Reserved coins and currencies of foreign countries

An agency may use coins and currencies of a foreign country the United States Government holds that are or may be reserved for a specific program or activity of an agency. The agency shall reimburse the Treasury from appropriations and shall replace the coins and currencies when they are needed for the program or activity for which they were reserved originally.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 994.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
5303 31:938. Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–677, 80 Stat. 955.

The word “Federal” is omitted as unnecessary because of the definition of “agency” in section 101 of the revised title. The words “coins and” and “Government” are added for consistency. The words “or set aside” and “of the Government” are omitted as surplus. The words “The agency shall reimburse . . . shall replace” are substituted for “except (1) that reimbursement shall be made . . . (2) . . . shall be replaced” for clarity. The words “applicable . . . of the agency concerned” are omitted as surplus. The words “program or activity” are substituted for “purpose” for clarity and consistency.

§5304. Regulations

With the approval of the President, the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe regulations—

(1) to carry out section 5301 of this title; and

(2) the Secretary considers necessary to carry out section 5302 of this title.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 994.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
5304 31:822. May 12, 1933, ch. 25, §44, 48 Stat. 53.
  31:822b. Jan. 30, 1934, ch. 6, §11, 48 Stat. 342.

Before clause (1), the words “prescribe regulations” are substituted for “make and promulgate rules and regulations” in 31:822 and “issue . . . such rules and regulations” in 31:822b for consistency. In clause (1), the words “to carry out” are substituted for “covering any action taken or to be taken by the President under” in 31:822 to eliminate unnecessary words. In clause (2), the words “or proper” in 31:822b and “the purposes of” are omitted as surplus. Reference to 31:821 is omitted as obsolete because silver is no longer coined. Reference to 31:824 is omitted as obsolete because 31:824 is executed and is not part of the revised title.

SUBCHAPTER II—RECORDS AND REPORTS ON MONETARY INSTRUMENTS TRANSACTIONS

§5311. Declaration of purpose

It is the purpose of this subchapter (except section 5315) to require certain reports or records where they have a high degree of usefulness in criminal, tax, or regulatory investigations or proceedings, or in the conduct of intelligence or counterintelligence activities, including analysis, to protect against international terrorism.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 995; Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §358(a), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 326.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
5311 31:1051. Oct. 26, 1970, Pub. L. 91–508, §202, 84 Stat. 1118.

Amendments

2001—Pub. L. 107–56 inserted “, or in the conduct of intelligence or counterintelligence activities, including analysis, to protect against international terrorism” before period at end.

Effective Date of 2001 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–56 applicable with respect to reports filed or records maintained on, before, or after Oct. 26, 2001, see section 358(h) of Pub. L. 107–56, set out as a note under section 1829b of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

Short Title

This subchapter and chapter 21 (§1951 et seq.) of Title 12, Banks and Banking, are each popularly known as the “Bank Secrecy Act”. See Short Title note set out under section 1951 of Title 12.

Stored Value

Pub. L. 111–24, title V, §503, May 22, 2009, 123 Stat. 1756, provided that:

“(a) In General.—Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act [May 22, 2009], the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall issue regulations in final form implementing the Bank Secrecy Act [see Short Title note under section 1951 of Title 12, Banks and Banking], regarding the sale, issuance, redemption, or international transport of stored value, including stored value cards.

“(b) Consideration of International Transport.—Regulations under this section regarding international transport of stored value may include reporting requirements pursuant to section 5316 of title 31, United States Code.

“(c) Emerging Methods for Transmittal and Storage in Electronic Form.—Regulations under this section shall take into consideration current and future needs and methodologies for transmitting and storing value in electronic form.”

Improvement of International Standards and Cooperation To Fight Terrorist Financing

Pub. L. 108–458, title VII, §§7701, 7702, 7704, Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3858–3860, provided that:

“SEC. 7701. IMPROVING INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND COOPERATION TO FIGHT TERRORIST FINANCING.

“(a) Findings.—Congress makes the following findings:

“(1) The global war on terrorism and cutting off terrorist financing is a policy priority for the United States and its partners, working bilaterally and multilaterally through the United Nations, the United Nations Security Council and its committees, such as the 1267 and 1373 Committees, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and various international financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), and the regional multilateral development banks, and other multilateral fora.

“(2) The international financial community has become engaged in the global fight against terrorist financing. The Financial Action Task Force has focused on the new threat posed by terrorist financing to the international financial system, resulting in the establishment of the FATF's Eight Special Recommendations on Terrorist Financing as the international standard on combating terrorist financing. The Group of Seven and the Group of Twenty Finance Ministers are developing action plans to curb the financing of terror. In addition, other economic and regional fora, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum, and the Western Hemisphere Financial Ministers, have been used to marshal political will and actions in support of combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) standards.

“(3) FATF's Forty Recommendations on Money Laundering and the Eight Special Recommendations on Terrorist Financing are the recognized global standards for fighting money laundering and terrorist financing. The FATF has engaged in an assessment process for jurisdictions based on their compliance with these standards.

“(4) In March 2004, the IMF and IBRD Boards agreed to make permanent a pilot program of collaboration with the FATF to assess global compliance with the FATF Forty Recommendations on Money Laundering and the Eight Special Recommendations on Terrorist Financing. As a result, anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) assessments are now a regular part of their Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) and Offshore Financial Center assessments, which provide for a comprehensive analysis of the strength of a jurisdiction's financial system. These reviews assess potential systemic vulnerabilities, consider sectoral development needs and priorities, and review the state of implementation of and compliance with key financial codes and regulatory standards, among them the AML and CFT standards.

“(5) To date, 70 FSAPs have been conducted, with over 24 of those incorporating AML and CFT assessments. The international financial institutions (IFIs), the FATF, and the FATF-style regional bodies together are expected to assess AML and CFT regimes in up to 40 countries or jurisdictions per year. This will help countries and jurisdictions identify deficiencies in their AML and CFT regimes and help focus technical assistance efforts.

“(6) Technical assistance programs from the United States and other nations, coordinated with the Department of State and other departments and agencies, are playing an important role in helping countries and jurisdictions address shortcomings in their AML and CFT regimes and bringing their regimes into conformity with international standards. Training is coordinated within the United States Government, which leverages multilateral organizations and bodies and international financial institutions to internationalize the conveyance of technical assistance.

“(7) In fulfilling its duties in advancing incorporation of AML and CFT standards into the IFIs as part of the IFIs’ work on protecting the integrity of the international monetary system, the Department of the Treasury, under the guidance of the Secretary of the Treasury, has effectively brought together all of the key United States Government agencies. In particular, United States Government agencies continue to work together to foster broad support for this important undertaking in various multilateral fora, and United States Government agencies recognize the need for close coordination and communication within our own Government.

“(b) Sense of Congress Regarding Success in Multilateral Organizations.—It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of the Treasury should continue to promote the dissemination of international AML and CFT standards, and to press for full implementation of the FATF 40 + 8 Recommendations by all countries in order to curb financial risks and hinder terrorist financing around the globe. The efforts of the Secretary in this regard should include, where necessary or appropriate, multilateral action against countries whose counter-money laundering regimes and efforts against the financing of terrorism fall below recognized international standards.

“SEC. 7702. DEFINITIONS.

“In this subtitle [subtitle G (§§7701–7704) of title VII of Pub. L. 108–458, amending sections 262o–2 and 262r–4 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse]—

“(1) the term ‘international financial institutions’ has the same meaning as in section 1701(c)(2) of the International Financial Institutions Act [22 U.S.C. 262r(c)(2)];

“(2) the term ‘Financial Action Task Force’ means the international policy-making and standard-setting body dedicated to combating money laundering and terrorist financing that was created by the Group of Seven in 1989; and

“(3) the terms ‘Interagency Paper on Sound Practices to Strengthen the Resilience of the U.S. Financial System’ and ‘Interagency Paper’ mean the interagency paper prepared by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Securities and Exchange Commission that was announced in the Federal Register on April 8, 2003.

“SEC. 7704. COORDINATION OF UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT EFFORTS.

“The Secretary of the Treasury, or the designee of the Secretary, as the lead United States Government official to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), shall continue to convene the interagency United States Government FATF working group. This group, which includes representatives from all relevant Federal agencies, shall meet at least once a year to advise the Secretary on policies to be pursued by the United States regarding the development of common international AML and CFT standards, to assess the adequacy and implementation of such standards, and to recommend to the Secretary improved or new standards, as necessary.”

International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001; Findings and Purposes

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §302, Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 296, as amended by Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, §6202(c), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3745, provided that:

“(a) Findings.—The Congress finds that—

“(1) money laundering, estimated by the International Monetary Fund to amount to between 2 and 5 percent of global gross domestic product, which is at least $600,000,000,000 annually, provides the financial fuel that permits transnational criminal enterprises to conduct and expand their operations to the detriment of the safety and security of American citizens;

“(2) money laundering, and the defects in financial transparency on which money launderers rely, are critical to the financing of global terrorism and the provision of funds for terrorist attacks;

“(3) money launderers subvert legitimate financial mechanisms and banking relationships by using them as protective covering for the movement of criminal proceeds and the financing of crime and terrorism, and, by so doing, can threaten the safety of United States citizens and undermine the integrity of United States financial institutions and of the global financial and trading systems upon which prosperity and growth depend;

“(4) certain jurisdictions outside of the United States that offer ‘offshore’ banking and related facilities designed to provide anonymity, coupled with weak financial supervisory and enforcement regimes, provide essential tools to disguise ownership and movement of criminal funds derived from, or used to commit, offenses ranging from narcotics trafficking, terrorism, arms smuggling, and trafficking in human beings, to financial frauds that prey on law-abiding citizens;

“(5) transactions involving such offshore jurisdictions make it difficult for law enforcement officials and regulators to follow the trail of money earned by criminals, organized international criminal enterprises, and global terrorist organizations;

“(6) correspondent banking facilities are one of the banking mechanisms susceptible in some circumstances to manipulation by foreign banks to permit the laundering of funds by hiding the identity of real parties in interest to financial transactions;

“(7) private banking services can be susceptible to manipulation by money launderers, for example corrupt foreign government officials, particularly if those services include the creation of offshore accounts and facilities for large personal funds transfers to channel funds into accounts around the globe;

“(8) United States anti-money laundering efforts are impeded by outmoded and inadequate statutory provisions that make investigations, prosecutions, and forfeitures more difficult, particularly in cases in which money laundering involves foreign persons, foreign banks, or foreign countries;

“(9) the ability to mount effective counter-measures to international money launderers requires national, as well as bilateral and multilateral action, using tools specially designed for that effort; and

“(10) the Basle Committee on Banking Regulation and Supervisory Practices and the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering, of both of which the United States is a member, have each adopted international anti-money laundering principles and recommendations.

“(b) Purposes.—The purposes of this title [see Short Title of 2001 Amendment note set out under section 5301 of this title] are—

“(1) to increase the strength of United States measures to prevent, detect, and prosecute international money laundering and the financing of terrorism;

“(2) to ensure that—

“(A) banking transactions and financial relationships and the conduct of such transactions and relationships, do not contravene the purposes of subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 31, United States Code, section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act [12 U.S.C. 1829b], or chapter 2 of title I of Public Law 91–508 (84 Stat. 1116) [12 U.S.C. 1951 et seq.], or facilitate the evasion of any such provision; and

“(B) the purposes of such provisions of law continue to be fulfilled, and such provisions of law are effectively and efficiently administered;

“(3) to strengthen the provisions put into place by the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 (18 U.S.C. 981 note) [see Short Title of 1986 Amendment note set out under section 981 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure], especially with respect to crimes by non-United States nationals and foreign financial institutions;

“(4) to provide a clear national mandate for subjecting to special scrutiny those foreign jurisdictions, financial institutions operating outside of the United States, and classes of international transactions or types of accounts that pose particular, identifiable opportunities for criminal abuse;

“(5) to provide the Secretary of the Treasury (in this title referred to as the ‘Secretary’) with broad discretion, subject to the safeguards provided by the Administrative Procedure Act under title 5, United States Code [5 U.S.C. 551 et seq., 701 et seq.], to take measures tailored to the particular money laundering problems presented by specific foreign jurisdictions, financial institutions operating outside of the United States, and classes of international transactions or types of accounts;

“(6) to ensure that the employment of such measures by the Secretary permits appropriate opportunity for comment by affected financial institutions;

“(7) to provide guidance to domestic financial institutions on particular foreign jurisdictions, financial institutions operating outside of the United States, and classes of international transactions or types of accounts that are of primary money laundering concern to the United States Government;

“(8) to ensure that the forfeiture of any assets in connection with the anti-terrorist efforts of the United States permits for adequate challenge consistent with providing due process rights;

“(9) to clarify the terms of the safe harbor from civil liability for filing suspicious activity reports;

“(10) to strengthen the authority of the Secretary to issue and administer geographic targeting orders, and to clarify that violations of such orders or any other requirement imposed under the authority contained in chapter 2 of title I of Public Law 91–508 [12 U.S.C. 1951 et seq.] and subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 31, United States Code, may result in criminal and civil penalties;

“(11) to ensure that all appropriate elements of the financial services industry are subject to appropriate requirements to report potential money laundering transactions to proper authorities, and that jurisdictional disputes do not hinder examination of compliance by financial institutions with relevant reporting requirements;

“(12) to strengthen the ability of financial institutions to maintain the integrity of their employee population; and

“(13) to strengthen measures to prevent the use of the United States financial system for personal gain by corrupt foreign officials and to facilitate the repatriation of any stolen assets to the citizens of countries to whom such assets belong.”

Four-Year Congressional Review; Expedited Consideration

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §303, Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 298, as amended by Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, §6202(d), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3745, which provided that, effective on and after the first day of fiscal year 2005, the provisions of title III of Pub. L. 107–56 and the amendments made by such title would terminate if the Congress enacted a joint resolution, the text after the resolving clause of which was as follows: “That provisions of the International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Antiterrorism Act of 2001, and the amendments made thereby, shall no longer have the force of law.”, was repealed by Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, §§6204, 6205, Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3747, effective as if included in Pub. L. 107–56, as of the date of enactment of such Act.

Cooperative Efforts To Deter Money Laundering

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §314, Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 307, as amended by Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, §6202(f), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3745, provided that:

“(a) Cooperation Among Financial Institutions, Regulatory Authorities, and Law Enforcement Authorities.—

“(1) Regulations.—The Secretary [of the Treasury] shall, within 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 26, 2001], adopt regulations to encourage further cooperation among financial institutions, their regulatory authorities, and law enforcement authorities, with the specific purpose of encouraging regulatory authorities and law enforcement authorities to share with financial institutions information regarding individuals, entities, and organizations engaged in, or reasonably suspected based on credible evidence of engaging in, terrorist acts or money laundering activities.

“(2) Cooperation and information sharing procedures.—The regulations adopted under paragraph (1) may include or create procedures for cooperation and information sharing focusing on—

“(A) matters specifically related to the finances of terrorist groups, the means by which terrorist groups transfer funds around the world and within the United States, including through the use of charitable organizations, nonprofit organizations, and nongovernmental organizations, the extent to which financial institutions in the United States are unwittingly involved in such finances, and the extent to which such institutions are at risk as a result;

“(B) the relationship, particularly the financial relationship, between international narcotics traffickers and foreign terrorist organizations, the extent to which their memberships overlap and engage in joint activities, and the extent to which they cooperate with each other in raising and transferring funds for their respective purposes; and

“(C) means of facilitating the identification of accounts and transactions involving terrorist groups and facilitating the exchange of information concerning such accounts and transactions between financial institutions and law enforcement organizations.

“(3) Contents.—The regulations adopted pursuant to paragraph (1) may—

“(A) require that each financial institution designate 1 or more persons to receive information concerning, and monitor accounts of, individuals, entities, and organizations identified pursuant to paragraph (1); and

“(B) further establish procedures for the protection of the shared information, consistent with the capacity, size, and nature of the financial institution to which the particular procedures apply.

“(4) Rule of construction.—The receipt of information by a financial institution pursuant to this section shall not relieve or otherwise modify the obligations of the financial institution with respect to any other person or account.

“(5) Use of information.—Information received by a financial institution pursuant to this section shall not be used for any purpose other than identifying and reporting on activities that may involve terrorist acts or money laundering activities.

“(b) Cooperation Among Financial Institutions.—Upon notice provided to the Secretary, 2 or more financial institutions and any association of financial institutions may share information with one another regarding individuals, entities, organizations, and countries suspected of possible terrorist or money laundering activities. A financial institution or association that transmits, receives, or shares such information for the purposes of identifying and reporting activities that may involve terrorist acts or money laundering activities shall not be liable to any person under any law or regulation of the United States, any constitution, law, or regulation of any State or political subdivision thereof, or under any contract or other legally enforceable agreement (including any arbitration agreement), for such disclosure or for any failure to provide notice of such disclosure to the person who is the subject of such disclosure, or any other person identified in the disclosure, except where such transmission, receipt, or sharing violates this section or regulations promulgated pursuant to this section.

“(c) Rule of Construction.—Compliance with the provisions of this title [see Short Title of 2001 Amendment note set out under section 5301 of this title] requiring or allowing financial institutions and any association of financial institutions to disclose or share information regarding individuals, entities, and organizations engaged in or suspected of engaging in terrorist acts or money laundering activities shall not constitute a violation of the provisions of title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (Public Law 106–102) [15 U.S.C. 6801 et seq.].

“(d) Reports to the Financial Services Industry on Suspicious Financial Activities.—At least semiannually, the Secretary shall—

“(1) publish a report containing a detailed analysis identifying patterns of suspicious activity and other investigative insights derived from suspicious activity reports and investigations conducted by Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies to the extent appropriate; and

“(2) distribute such report to financial institutions (as defined in section 5312 of title 31, United States Code).”

Report and Recommendation on Legislative Action on International Counter Money Laundering Provisions

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §324, Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 316, provided that: “Not later than 30 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 26, 2001], the Secretary [of the Treasury], in consultation with the Attorney General, the Federal banking agencies (as defined at section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act [12 U.S.C. 1813]), the National Credit Union Administration Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and such other agencies as the Secretary may determine, at the discretion of the Secretary, shall evaluate the operations of the provisions of this subtitle [subtitle A (§§311–330) of title III of Pub. L. 107–56, enacting section 5318A of this title, amending sections 5312 and 5318 of this title, sections 1828 and 1842 of Title 12, Banks and Banking, sections 981, 983, and 1956 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, section 853 of Title 21, Food and Drugs, and sections 2466 and 2467 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and section 5318 of this title, sections 1828 and 1842 of Title 12, and section 983 of Title 18] and make recommendations to Congress as to any legislative action with respect to this subtitle as the Secretary may determine to be necessary or advisable.”

International Cooperation on Identification of Originators of Wire Transfers

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §328, Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 319, provided that: “The Secretary [of the Treasury] shall—

“(1) in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of State, take all reasonable steps to encourage foreign governments to require the inclusion of the name of the originator in wire transfer instructions sent to the United States and other countries, with the information to remain with the transfer from its origination until the point of disbursement; and

“(2) report annually to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate on—

“(A) progress toward the goal enumerated in paragraph (1), as well as impediments to implementation and an estimated compliance rate; and

“(B) impediments to instituting a regime in which all appropriate identification, as defined by the Secretary, about wire transfer recipients shall be included with wire transfers from their point of origination until disbursement.”

Criminal Penalties

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §329, Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 319, provided that: “Any person who is an official or employee of any department, agency, bureau, office, commission, or other entity of the Federal Government, and any other person who is acting for or on behalf of any such entity, who, directly or indirectly, in connection with the administration of this title [see Short Title of 2001 Amendment note set out under section 5301 of this title], corruptly demands, seeks, receives, accepts, or agrees to receive or accept anything of value personally or for any other person or entity in return for—

“(1) being influenced in the performance of any official act;

“(2) being influenced to commit or aid in the committing, or to collude in, or allow, any fraud, or make opportunity for the commission of any fraud, on the United States; or

“(3) being induced to do or omit to do any act in violation of the official duty of such official or person,

shall be fined in an amount not more than 3 times the monetary equivalent of the thing of value, or imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both. A violation of this section shall be subject to chapter 227 of title 18, United States Code, and the provisions of the United States Sentencing Guidelines.”

Report on Investment Companies

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §356(c), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 324, as amended by Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, §6202(j), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3746, provided that:

“(1) In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 26, 2001], the Secretary [of the Treasury], the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Securities and Exchange Commission shall jointly submit a report to the Congress on recommendations for effective regulations to apply the requirements of subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 31, United States Code, to investment companies pursuant to section 5312(a)(2)(I) of title 31, United States Code.

“(2) Definition.—For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘investment company’—

“(A) has the same meaning as in section 3 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a–3); and

“(B) includes any person that, but for the exceptions provided for in paragraph (1) or (7) of section 3(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a–3(c)), would be an investment company.

“(3) Additional recommendations.—The report required by paragraph (1) may make different recommendations for different types of entities covered by this subsection.

“(4) Beneficial ownership of personal holding companies.—The report described in paragraph (1) shall also include recommendations as to whether the Secretary should promulgate regulations to treat any corporation, business trust, or other grantor trust whose assets are predominantly securities, bank certificates of deposit, or other securities or investment instruments (other than such as relate to operating subsidiaries of such corporation or trust) and that has 5 or fewer common shareholders or holders of beneficial or other equity interest, as a financial institution within the meaning of that phrase in section 5312(a)(2)(I) and whether to require such corporations or trusts to disclose their beneficial owners when opening accounts or initiating funds transfers at any domestic financial institution.”

Report on Need for Additional Legislation Relating to Informal Money Transfer Systems

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §359(d), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 329, provided that: “Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 26, 2001], the Secretary of the Treasury shall report to Congress on the need for any additional legislation relating to persons who engage as a business in an informal money transfer system or any network of people who engage as a business in facilitating the transfer of money domestically or internationally outside of the conventional financial institutions system, counter money laundering and regulatory controls relating to underground money movement and banking systems, including whether the threshold for the filing of suspicious activity reports under section 5318(g) of title 31, United States Code should be lowered in the case of such systems.”

Uniform State Licensing and Regulation of Check Cashing, Currency Exchange, and Money Transmitting Businesses

Pub. L. 103–325, title IV, §407, Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2247, provided that:

“(a) Uniform Laws and Enforcement.—For purposes of preventing money laundering and protecting the payment system from fraud and abuse, it is the sense of the Congress that the several States should—

“(1) establish uniform laws for licensing and regulating businesses which—

“(A) provide check cashing, currency exchange, or money transmitting or remittance services, or issue or redeem money orders, travelers’ checks, and other similar instruments; and

“(B) are not depository institutions (as defined in section 5313(g) of title 31, United States Code); and

“(2) provide sufficient resources to the appropriate State agency to enforce such laws and regulations prescribed pursuant to such laws.

“(b) Model Statute.—It is the sense of the Congress that the several States should develop, through the auspices of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, the American Law Institute, or such other forum as the States may determine to be appropriate, a model statute to carry out the goals described in subsection (a) which would include the following:

“(1) Licensing requirements.—A requirement that any business described in subsection (a)(1) be licensed and regulated by an appropriate State agency in order to engage in any such activity within the State.

“(2) Licensing standards.—A requirement that—

“(A) in order for any business described in subsection (a)(1) to be licensed in the State, the appropriate State agency shall review and approve—

“(i) the business record and the capital adequacy of the business seeking the license; and

“(ii) the competence, experience, integrity, and financial ability of any individual who—

     “(I) is a director, officer, or supervisory employee of such business; or

     “(II) owns or controls such business; and

“(B) any record, on the part of any business seeking the license or any person referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii), of—

“(i) any criminal activity;

“(ii) any fraud or other act of personal dishonesty;

“(iii) any act, omission, or practice which constitutes a breach of a fiduciary duty; or

“(iv) any suspension or removal, by any agency or department of the United States or any State, from participation in the conduct of any federally or State licensed or regulated business,

  may be grounds for the denial of any such license by the appropriate State agency.

“(3) Reporting requirements.—A requirement that any business described in subsection (a)(1)—

“(A) disclose to the appropriate State agency the fees charged to consumers for services described in subsection (a)(1)(A); and

“(B) conspicuously disclose to the public, at each location of such business, the fees charged to consumers for such services.

“(4) Procedures to ensure compliance with federal cash transaction reporting requirements.—A civil or criminal penalty for operating any business referred to in paragraph (1) without establishing and complying with appropriate procedures to ensure compliance with subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 31, United States Code (relating to records and reports on monetary instruments transactions).

“(5) Criminal penalties for operation of business without a license.—A criminal penalty for operating any business referred to in paragraph (1) without a license within the State after the end of an appropriate transition period beginning on the date of enactment of such model statute by the State.

“(c) Study Required.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall conduct a study of—

“(1) the progress made by the several States in developing and enacting a model statute which—

“(A) meets the requirements of subsection (b); and

“(B) furthers the goals of—

“(i) preventing money laundering by businesses which are required to be licensed under any such statute; and

“(ii) protecting the payment system, including the receipt, payment, collection, and clearing of checks, from fraud and abuse by such businesses; and

“(2) the adequacy of—

“(A) the activity of the several States in enforcing the requirements of such statute; and

“(B) the resources made available to the appropriate State agencies for such enforcement activity.

“(d) Report Required.—Not later than the end of the 3-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [Sept. 23, 1994] and not later than the end of each of the first two 1-year periods beginning after the end of such 3-year period, the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit a report to the Congress containing the findings and recommendations of the Secretary in connection with the study under subsection (c), together with such recommendations for legislative and administrative action as the Secretary may determine to be appropriate.

“(e) Recommendations in Cases of Inadequate Regulation and Enforcement by States.—If the Secretary of the Treasury determines that any State has been unable to—

“(1) enact a statute which meets the requirements described in subsection (b);

“(2) undertake adequate activity to enforce such statute; or

“(3) make adequate resources available to the appropriate State agency for such enforcement activity,

the report submitted pursuant to subsection (d) shall contain recommendations of the Secretary which are designed to facilitate the enactment and enforcement by the State of such a statute.

“(f) Federal Funding Study.—

“(1) Study required.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall conduct a study to identify possible available sources of Federal funding to cover costs which will be incurred by the States in carrying out the purposes of this section.

“(2) Report.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall submit a report to the Congress on the study conducted pursuant to paragraph (1) not later than the end of the 18-month period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [Sept. 23, 1994].”

Anti-Money Laundering Training Team

Pub. L. 102–550, title XV, §1518, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4060, provided that: “The Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General shall jointly establish a team of experts to assist and provide training to foreign governments and agencies thereof in developing and expanding their capabilities for investigating and prosecuting violations of money laundering and related laws.”

Advisory Group on Reporting Requirements

Pub. L. 102–550, title XV, §1564, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4073, provided that:

“(a) Establishment.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 28, 1992], the Secretary of the Treasury shall establish a Bank Secrecy Act Advisory Group consisting of representatives of the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Justice, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy and of other interested persons and financial institutions subject to the reporting requirements of subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 31, United States Code, or section 6050I of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [26 U.S.C. 6050I].

“(b) Purposes.—The Advisory Group shall provide a means by which the Secretary—

“(1) informs private sector representatives, on a regular basis, of the ways in which the reports submitted pursuant to the requirements referred to in subsection (a) have been used;

“(2) informs private sector representatives, on a regular basis, of how information regarding suspicious financial transactions provided voluntarily by financial institutions has been used; and

“(3) receives advice on the manner in which the reporting requirements referred to in subsection (a) should be modified to enhance the ability of law enforcement agencies to use the information provided for law enforcement purposes.

“(c) Inapplicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act [5 U.S.C. App.] shall not apply to the Bank Secrecy Act Advisory Group established pursuant to subsection (a).”

GAO Feasibility Study of Financial Crimes Enforcement Network

Pub. L. 102–550, title XV, §1565, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4074, provided that:

“(a) Study Required.—The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a feasibility study of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (popularly referred to as ‘Fincen’) established by the Secretary of the Treasury in cooperation with other agencies and departments of the United States and appropriate Federal banking agencies.

“(b) Specific Requirements.—In conducting the study required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall examine and evaluate—

“(1) the extent to which Federal, State, and local governmental and nongovernmental organizations are voluntarily providing information which is necessary for the system to be useful for law enforcement purposes;

“(2) the extent to which the operational guidelines established for the system provide for the coordinated and efficient entry of information into, and withdrawal of information from, the system;

“(3) the extent to which the operating procedures established for the system provide appropriate standards or guidelines for determining—

“(A) who is to be given access to the information in the system;

“(B) what limits are to be imposed on the use of such information; and

“(C) how information about activities or relationships which involve or are closely associated with the exercise of constitutional rights is to be screened out of the system; and

“(4) the extent to which the operating procedures established for the system provide for the prompt verification of the accuracy and completeness of information entered into the system and the prompt deletion or correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.

“(c) Report to Congress.—Before the end of the 1-year period, beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 28, 1992], the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to the Congress containing the findings and conclusions of the Comptroller General in connection with the study conducted pursuant to subsection (a), together with such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Comptroller General may determine to be appropriate.”

Reports on Uses Made of Currency Transaction Reports

Pub. L. 101–647, title I, §101, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4789, provided that: “Not later than 180 days after the effective date of this section [Nov. 29, 1990], and every 2 years for 4 years, the Secretary of the Treasury shall report to the Congress the following:

“(1) the number of each type of report filed pursuant to subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 31, United States Code (or regulations promulgated thereunder) in the previous fiscal year;

“(2) the number of reports filed pursuant to section 6050I of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [26 U.S.C. 6050I] (regarding transactions involving currency) in the previous fiscal year;

“(3) an estimate of the rate of compliance with the reporting requirements by persons required to file the reports referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2);

“(4) the manner in which the Department of the Treasury and other agencies of the United States collect, organize, analyze and use the reports referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) to support investigations and prosecutions of (A) violations of the criminal laws of the United States, (B) violations of the laws of foreign countries, and (C) civil enforcement of the laws of the United States including the provisions regarding asset forfeiture;

“(5) a summary of sanctions imposed in the previous fiscal year against persons who failed to comply with the reporting requirements referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2), and other steps taken to ensure maximum compliance;

“(6) a summary of criminal indictments filed in the previous fiscal year which resulted, in large part, from investigations initiated by analysis of the reports referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2); and

“(7) a summary of criminal indictments filed in the previous fiscal year which resulted, in large part, from investigations initiated by information regarding suspicious financial transactions provided voluntarily by financial institutions.”

International Currency Transaction Reporting

Pub. L. 100–690, title IV, §4701, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4290, stated Congressional findings concerning success of cash transaction and money laundering control statutes in United States and desirability of United States playing a leadership role in development of similar international system, urged United States Government to seek active cooperation of other countries in enforcement of such statutes, urged Secretary of the Treasury to negotiate with finance ministers of foreign countries to establish an international currency control agency to serve as central source of information and database for international drug enforcement agencies to collect and analyze currency transaction reports filed by member countries, and encouraged adoption, by member countries, of uniform cash transaction and money laundering statutes, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–583, §6(e)(1), Nov. 2, 1992, 106 Stat. 4933.

Restrictions on Laundering of United States Currency

Pub. L. 100–690, title IV, §4702, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4291, as amended by Pub. L. 103–447, title I, §103(b), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4693, provided that:

“(a) Findings.—The Congress finds that international currency transactions, especially in United States currency, that involve the proceeds of narcotics trafficking fuel trade in narcotics in the United States and worldwide and consequently are a threat to the national security of the United States.

“(b) Purpose.—The purpose of this section is to provide for international negotiations that would expand access to information on transactions involving large amounts of United States currency wherever those transactions occur worldwide.

“(c) Negotiations.—(1) The Secretary of the Treasury (hereinafter in this section referred to as the ‘Secretary’) shall enter into negotiations with the appropriate financial supervisory agencies and other officials of any foreign country the financial institutions of which do business in United States currency. Highest priority shall be attached to countries whose financial institutions the Secretary determines, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Director of National Drug Control Policy, may be engaging in currency transactions involving the proceeds of international narcotics trafficking, particularly United States currency derived from drug sales in the United States.

“(2) The purposes of negotiations under this subsection are—

“(A) to reach one or more international agreements to ensure that foreign banks and other financial institutions maintain adequate records of large United States currency transactions, and

“(B) to establish a mechanism whereby such records may be made available to United States law enforcement officials.

In carrying out such negotiations, the Secretary should seek to enter into and further cooperative efforts, voluntary information exchanges, the use of letters rogatory, and mutual legal assistance treaties.

“(d) Reports.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 18, 1988], the Secretary shall submit an interim report to the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate on progress in the negotiations under subsection (c). Not later than 2 years after such enactment, the Secretary shall submit a final report to such Committees and the President on the outcome of those negotiations and shall identify, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Director of National Drug Control Policy, countries—

“(1) with respect to which the Secretary determines there is evidence that the financial institutions in such countries are engaging in currency transactions involving the proceeds of international narcotics trafficking; and

“(2) which have not reached agreement with United States authorities on a mechanism for exchanging adequate records on international currency transactions in connection with narcotics investigations and proceedings.

“(e) Authority.—If after receiving the advice of the Secretary and in any case at the time of receipt of the Secretary's report, the Secretary determines that a foreign country—

“(1) has jurisdiction over financial institutions that are substantially engaging in currency transactions that effect [affect] the United States involving the proceeds of international narcotics trafficking;

“(2) such country has not reached agreement on a mechanism for exchanging adequate records on international currency transactions in connection with narcotics investigations and proceedings; and

“(3) such country is not negotiating in good faith to reach such an agreement,

the President shall impose appropriate penalties and sanctions, including temporarily or permanently—

“(1) prohibiting such persons, institutions or other entities in such countries from participating in any United States dollar clearing or wire transfer system; and

“(2) prohibiting such persons, institutions or entities in such countries from maintaining an account with any bank or other financial institution chartered under the laws of the United States or any State.

Any penalties or sanctions so imposed may be delayed or waived upon certification of the President to the Congress that it is in the national interest to do so. Financial institutions in such countries that maintain adequate records shall be exempt from such penalties and sanctions.

“(f) Definitions.—For the purposes of this section—

“(1) The term ‘United States currency’ means Federal Reserve Notes and United States coins.

“(2) The term ‘adequate records’ means records of United States’ currency transactions in excess of $10,000 including the identification of the person initiating the transaction, the person's business or occupation, and the account or accounts affected by the transaction, or other records of comparable effect.”

International Information Exchange System; Study of Foreign Branches of Domestic Institutions

Pub. L. 99–570, title I, §1363, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–33, required the Secretary of the Treasury to initiate discussions with the central banks or other appropriate governmental authorities of other countries and propose that an information exchange system be established to reduce international flow of money derived from illicit drug operations and other criminal activities and to report to Congress before the end of the 9-month period beginning Oct. 27, 1986. The Secretary of the Treasury was also required to conduct a study of (1) the extent to which foreign branches of domestic institutions are used to facilitate illicit transfers of or to evade reporting requirements on transfers of coins, currency, and other monetary instruments into and out of the United States; (2) the extent to which the law of the United States is applicable to the activities of such foreign branches; and (3) methods for obtaining the cooperation of the country in which any such foreign branch is located for purposes of enforcing the law of the United States with respect to transfers, and reports on transfers, of such monetary instruments into and out of the United States and to report to Congress before the end of the 9-month period beginning Oct. 27, 1986.

§5312. Definitions and application

(a) In this subchapter—

(1) “financial agency” means a person acting for a person (except for a country, a monetary or financial authority acting as a monetary or financial authority, or an international financial institution of which the United States Government is a member) as a financial institution, bailee, depository trustee, or agent, or acting in a similar way related to money, credit, securities, gold, or a transaction in money, credit, securities, or gold.

(2) “financial institution” means—

(A) an insured bank (as defined in section 3(h) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813(h)));

(B) a commercial bank or trust company;

(C) a private banker;

(D) an agency or branch of a foreign bank in the United States;

(E) any credit union;

(F) a thrift institution;

(G) a broker or dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.);

(H) a broker or dealer in securities or commodities;

(I) an investment banker or investment company;

(J) a currency exchange;

(K) an issuer, redeemer, or cashier of travelers’ checks, checks, money orders, or similar instruments;

(L) an operator of a credit card system;

(M) an insurance company;

(N) a dealer in precious metals, stones, or jewels;

(O) a pawnbroker;

(P) a loan or finance company;

(Q) a travel agency;

(R) a licensed sender of money or any other person who engages as a business in the transmission of funds, including any person who engages as a business in an informal money transfer system or any network of people who engage as a business in facilitating the transfer of money domestically or internationally outside of the conventional financial institutions system;

(S) a telegraph company;

(T) a business engaged in vehicle sales, including automobile, airplane, and boat sales;

(U) persons involved in real estate closings and settlements;

(V) the United States Postal Service;

(W) an agency of the United States Government or of a State or local government carrying out a duty or power of a business described in this paragraph;

(X) a casino, gambling casino, or gaming establishment with an annual gaming revenue of more than $1,000,000 which—

(i) is licensed as a casino, gambling casino, or gaming establishment under the laws of any State or any political subdivision of any State; or

(ii) is an Indian gaming operation conducted under or pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act other than an operation which is limited to class I gaming (as defined in section 4(6) of such Act);


(Y) any business or agency which engages in any activity which the Secretary of the Treasury determines, by regulation, to be an activity which is similar to, related to, or a substitute for any activity in which any business described in this paragraph is authorized to engage; or

(Z) any other business designated by the Secretary whose cash transactions have a high degree of usefulness in criminal, tax, or regulatory matters.


(3) “monetary instruments” means—

(A) United States coins and currency;

(B) as the Secretary may prescribe by regulation, coins and currency of a foreign country, travelers’ checks, bearer negotiable instruments, bearer investment securities, bearer securities, stock on which title is passed on delivery, and similar material; and

(C) as the Secretary of the Treasury shall provide by regulation for purposes of sections 5316 and 5331, checks, drafts, notes, money orders, and other similar instruments which are drawn on or by a foreign financial institution and are not in bearer form.


(4) Nonfinancial trade or business.—The term “nonfinancial trade or business” means any trade or business other than a financial institution that is subject to the reporting requirements of section 5313 and regulations prescribed under such section.

(5) “person”, in addition to its meaning under section 1 of title 1, includes a trustee, a representative of an estate and, when the Secretary prescribes, a governmental entity.

(6) “United States” means the States of the United States, the District of Columbia, and, when the Secretary prescribes by regulation, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, a territory or possession of the United States, or a military or diplomatic establishment.


(b) In this subchapter—

(1) “domestic financial agency” and “domestic financial institution” apply to an action in the United States of a financial agency or institution.

(2) “foreign financial agency” and “foreign financial institution” apply to an action outside the United States of a financial agency or institution.


(c) Additional Definitions.—For purposes of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) 1 Certain institutions included in definition.—The term “financial institution” (as defined in subsection (a)) includes the following:

(A) 2 Any futures commission merchant, commodity trading advisor, or commodity pool operator registered, or required to register, under the Commodity Exchange Act.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 995; Pub. L. 99–570, title I, §1362, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–33; Pub. L. 100–690, title VI, §6185(a), (g)(1), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4354, 4357; Pub. L. 103–325, title IV, §§405, 409, Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2247, 2252; Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §§321(a), (b), 359(a), 365(c)(1), (2)(A), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 315, 328, 335; Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, §§6202(g), 6203(b), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3746.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
5312(a)(1) 31:1052(a), (b), (g), (i). Oct. 26, 1970, Pub. L. 91–508, §203(a)–(i), (l), 84 Stat. 1118.
5312(a)(2) 31:1052(e).
5312(a)(3) 31:1052(l).
5312(a)(4) 31:1052(c).
5312(a)(5) 31:1052(d).
5312(b) 31:1052(f), (h).

In subsection (a)(1), the text of 31:1052(a) is omitted as unnecessary. The text of 31:1052(b) is omitted because of the restatement. The text of 31:1052(i) is omitted as unnecessary because the source provision is restated where necessary in the revised subchapter.

In subsection (a)(2), (3), (4), and (5), the words “the Secretary . . . prescribes” are substituted for “specified by the Secretary by regulation”, “as the Secretary may by regulation specify”, “specified by the Secretary”, and “the Secretary shall by regulation specify” for consistency.

In subsection (a)(2) and (3), the words “for the purposes of the provision of this chapter to which the regulation relates” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (a)(2), before subclause (A), the words “any person which does business in any one or more of the following capacities” are omitted as surplus. In subclause (F), the words “savings bank, building and loan association, credit union, industrial bank, or other” are omitted as surplus. In subclause (T), the words “agency of the United States Government or of a State or local government” are substituted for “Federal, State, or local government institution” for consistency. In subclause (U), the words “type of” are omitted as surplus. The word “agency” is substituted for “institution” for consistency.

In subsection (a)(3)(B)–(5), the word “prescribe” is substituted for “specify” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.

In subsection (a)(3)(B), the words “in addition”, and “and such types of” are omitted as surplus. The words “similar material” are substituted for “the equivalent thereof” for clarity.

In subsection (a)(4), the words “in addition to its meaning under section 1 of title 1” are substituted for “natural persons, partnerships, . . . associations, corporations, and all entities cognizable as legal personalities” for consistency because 1:1 is applicable to all laws unless otherwise provided. The words “a trustee, a representative of an estate” are substituted for “trusts, estates”, and the word “entity” is substituted for “department or agency”, for consistency. The words “either for the purpose of this chapter generally or any particular requirement thereunder” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (a)(5), the words “used in a geographic sense” are omitted because of the restatement. The words “either for the purposes of this chapter generally or any particular requirement thereunder” are omitted as surplus. The words “territory or” are added for consistency.

Subsection (b) is substituted for 31:1052(f) and (h) to eliminate unnecessary words and for consistency.

References in Text

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(G), is act June 6, 1934, ch. 404, 48 Stat. 881, as amended, which is classified principally to chapter 2B (§78a et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 78a of Title 15 and Tables.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(X)(ii), is Pub. L. 100–497, Oct. 17, 1988, 102 Stat. 2467, as amended, which is classified principally to chapter 29 (§2701 et seq.) of Title 25, Indians. Section 4(6) of the Act is classified to section 2703(6) of Title 25. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2701 of this title and Tables.

The Commodity Exchange Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(A), is act Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, 42 Stat. 998, as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 1 (§1 et seq.) of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1 of Title 7 and Tables.

Amendments

2004—Subsec. (a)(2)(E). Pub. L. 108–458, §6202(g), made technical correction to directory language of Pub. L. 107–56, §321(a). See 2001 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (a)(3)(C). Pub. L. 108–458, §6203(b), substituted “sections 5316 and 5331” for “sections 5333 and 5316”.

2001—Subsec. (a)(2)(E). Pub. L. 107–56, §321(a), as amended by Pub. L. 108–458, §6202(g), amended subpar. (E) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (E) read as follows: “an insured institution (as defined in section 401(a) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1724(a)));”.

Subsec. (a)(2)(R). Pub. L. 107–56, §359(a), amended subpar. (R) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (R) read as follows: “a licensed sender of money;”.

Subsec. (a)(3)(C). Pub. L. 107–56, §365(c)(2)(A), substituted “sections 5333 and 5316,” for “section 5316,”.

Subsec. (a)(4) to (6). Pub. L. 107–56, §365(c)(1), added par. (4) and redesignated former pars. (4) and (5) as (5) and (6), respectively.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 107–56, §321(b), added subsec. (c).

1994—Subsec. (a)(2)(X) to (Z). Pub. L. 103–325, §409, added subpar. (X) and redesignated former subpars. (X) and (Y) as (Y) and (Z), respectively.

Subsec. (a)(3)(C). Pub. L. 103–325, §405, added subpar. (C).

1988—Subsec. (a)(2)(T) to (Y). Pub. L. 100–690, §6185(a), added subpars. (T) to (Y) and struck out former subpars. (T) and (U) which read as follows:

“(T) an agency of the United States Government or of a State or local government carrying out a duty or power of a business described in this clause (2), including the United States Postal Service; or

“(U) another business or agency carrying out a similar, related, or substitute duty or power the Secretary of the Treasury prescribes.”

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 100–690, §6185(g)(1), inserted a comma after “Puerto Rico” and struck out second comma after “Pacific Islands”.

1986—Subsec. (a)(2)(T). Pub. L. 99–570, §1362(a), which directed that the Postal Service be included within United States agencies by amending subsec. (a)(2)(U) of this section by inserting before the semicolon at the end thereof the following “, including the United States Postal Service”, was executed to subsec. (a)(2)(T) of this section as the probable intent of Congress, because subsec. (a)(2)(U) does not contain a semicolon and subsec. (a)(2)(T) relates to United States agencies.

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 99–570, §1362(b), inserted “the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands,” after “Puerto Rico”.

Effective Date of 2004 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 108–458 effective as if included in Pub. L. 107–56, as of the date of enactment of such Act, and no amendment made by Pub. L. 107–56 that is inconsistent with such amendment to be deemed to have taken effect, see section 6205 of Pub. L. 108–458, set out as a note under section 1828 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

1 So in original. No par. (2) has been enacted.

2 So in original. No subpar. (B) has been enacted.

§5313. Reports on domestic coins and currency transactions

(a) When a domestic financial institution is involved in a transaction for the payment, receipt, or transfer of United States coins or currency (or other monetary instruments the Secretary of the Treasury prescribes), in an amount, denomination, or amount and denomination, or under circumstances the Secretary prescribes by regulation, the institution and any other participant in the transaction the Secretary may prescribe shall file a report on the transaction at the time and in the way the Secretary prescribes. A participant acting for another person shall make the report as the agent or bailee of the person and identify the person for whom the transaction is being made.

(b) The Secretary may designate a domestic financial institution as an agent of the United States Government to receive a report under this section. However, the Secretary may designate a domestic financial institution that is not insured, chartered, examined, or registered as a domestic financial institution only if the institution consents. The Secretary may suspend or revoke a designation for a violation of this subchapter or a regulation under this subchapter (except a violation of section 5315 of this title or a regulation prescribed under section 5315), section 411 1 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1730d), or section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1829b).

(c)(1) A person (except a domestic financial institution designated under subsection (b) of this section) required to file a report under this section shall file the report—

(A) with the institution involved in the transaction if the institution was designated;

(B) in the way the Secretary prescribes when the institution was not designated; or

(C) with the Secretary.


(2) The Secretary shall prescribe—

(A) the filing procedure for a domestic financial institution designated under subsection (b) of this section; and

(B) the way the institution shall submit reports filed with it.


(d) Mandatory Exemptions From Reporting Requirements.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall exempt, pursuant to section 5318(a)(6), a depository institution from the reporting requirements of subsection (a) with respect to transactions between the depository institution and the following categories of entities:

(A) Another depository institution.

(B) A department or agency of the United States, any State, or any political subdivision of any State.

(C) Any entity established under the laws of the United States, any State, or any political subdivision of any State, or under an interstate compact between 2 or more States, which exercises governmental authority on behalf of the United States or any such State or political subdivision.

(D) Any business or category of business the reports on which have little or no value for law enforcement purposes.


(2) Notice of exemption.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall publish in the Federal Register at such times as the Secretary determines to be appropriate (but not less frequently than once each year) a list of all the entities whose transactions with a depository institution are exempt under this subsection from the reporting requirements of subsection (a).


(e) Discretionary Exemptions From Reporting Requirements.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary of the Treasury may exempt, pursuant to section 5318(a)(6), a depository institution from the reporting requirements of subsection (a) with respect to transactions between the depository institution and a qualified business customer of the institution on the basis of information submitted to the Secretary by the institution in accordance with procedures which the Secretary shall establish.

(2) Qualified business customer defined.—For purposes of this subsection, the term “qualified business customer” means a business which—

(A) maintains a transaction account (as defined in section 19(b)(1)(C) of the Federal Reserve Act) at the depository institution;

(B) frequently engages in transactions with the depository institution which are subject to the reporting requirements of subsection (a); and

(C) meets criteria which the Secretary determines are sufficient to ensure that the purposes of this subchapter are carried out without requiring a report with respect to such transactions.


(3) Criteria for exemption.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall establish, by regulation, the criteria for granting and maintaining an exemption under paragraph (1).

(4) Guidelines.—

(A) In general.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall establish guidelines for depository institutions to follow in selecting customers for an exemption under this subsection.

(B) Contents.—The guidelines may include a description of the types of businesses or an itemization of specific businesses for which no exemption will be granted under this subsection to any depository institution.


(5) Annual review.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe regulations requiring each depository institution to—

(A) review, at least once each year, the qualified business customers of such institution with respect to whom an exemption has been granted under this subsection; and

(B) upon the completion of such review, resubmit information about such customers, with such modifications as the institution determines to be appropriate, to the Secretary for the Secretary's approval.


(6) 2-year phase-in provision.—During the 2-year period beginning on the date of enactment of the Money Laundering Suppression Act of 1994, this subsection shall be applied by the Secretary on the basis of such criteria as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to achieve an orderly implementation of the requirements of this subsection.


(f) Provisions Applicable to Mandatory and Discretionary Exemptions.—

(1) Limitation on liability of depository institutions.—No depository institution shall be subject to any penalty which may be imposed under this subchapter for the failure of the institution to file a report with respect to a transaction with a customer for whom an exemption has been granted under subsection (d) or (e) unless the institution—

(A) knowingly files false or incomplete information to the Secretary with respect to the transaction or the customer engaging in the transaction; or

(B) has reason to believe at the time the exemption is granted or the transaction is entered into that the customer or the transaction does not meet the criteria established for granting such exemption.


(2) Coordination with other provisions.—Any exemption granted by the Secretary of the Treasury under section 5318(a) in accordance with this section, and any transaction which is subject to such exemption, shall be subject to any other provision of law applicable to such exemption, including—

(A) the authority of the Secretary, under section 5318(a)(6), to revoke such exemption at any time; and

(B) any requirement to report, or any authority to require a report on, any possible violation of any law or regulation or any suspected criminal activity.


(g) Depository Institution Defined.—For purposes of this section, the term “depository institution”—

(1) has the meaning given to such term in section 19(b)(1)(A) of the Federal Reserve Act; and

(2) includes—

(A) any branch, agency, or commercial lending company (as such terms are defined in section 1(b) of the International Banking Act of 1978);

(B) any corporation chartered under section 25A of the Federal Reserve Act; and

(C) any corporation having an agreement or undertaking with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System under section 25 of the Federal Reserve Act.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 996; Pub. L. 103–325, title IV, §402(a), Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2243.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
5313(a) 31:1081. Oct. 26, 1970, Pub. L. 91–508, §§221–223, 84 Stat. 1122.
  31:1082.
5313(b) 31:1083(a).
5313(c) 31:1083(b).

In subsection (a), the words “coins or” are added, and the words “prescribe” and “prescribes” are substituted for “specify” in 31:1081, and “require”, for consistency. The words “other parties thereto or” in 31:1082 are omitted as surplus. The words “to the Secretary” in 31:1081 are omitted as unnecessary and for clarity. The words “in such detail” are omitted as surplus. The words “A participant acting for another person shall make the report as the agent or bailee of the person and identify the person for whom the transaction is being made” are substituted for 31:1082(last sentence) for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (b), the words “in his discretion” and “individually or by class” are omitted as surplus. The word “Government” is added for consistency. The words “or a regulation under this subchapter”, are added because of the restatement. The words “(except a violation of section 5315 of this title or a regulation prescribed under section 5315)” are added because 31:1141–1143 was not enacted as a part of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act that is restated in this subchapter.

In subsection (c)(1), clause (A) is substituted for “with respect to a domestic financial institution . . . with that institution” for clarity. Clause (C) is substituted for “any such person may, at his election and in lieu of filing the report in the manner hereinabove prescribed, file the report with the Secretary” to eliminate unnecessary words.

References in Text

Section 411 of the National Housing Act, referred to in subsec. (b), which was classified to section 1730d of Title 12, Banks and Banking, was repealed by Pub. L. 101–73, title IV, §407, Aug. 9, 1989, 103 Stat. 363.

Section 19(b)(1)(A) and (C) of the Federal Reserve Act, referred to in subsecs. (e)(2)(A) and (g)(1), is classified to section 461(b)(1)(A) and (C) of Title 12.

The date of enactment of the Money Laundering Suppression Act of 1994, referred to in subsec. (e)(6), is the date of enactment of title IV of Pub. L. 103–325, which was approved Sept. 23, 1994.

Section 1(b) of the International Banking Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (g)(2)(A), is classified to section 3101 of Title 12.

Sections 25 and 25A of the Federal Reserve Act, referred to in subsec. (g)(2)(B), (C), are classified to subchapters I (§§601 et seq.) and II (§§611 et seq.), respectively, of chapter 6 of Title 12.

Amendments

1994—Subsecs. (d) to (g). Pub. L. 103–325 added subsecs. (d) to (g).

Efficient Use of Currency Transaction Report System

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §366, Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 335, provided that:

“(a) Findings.—The Congress finds the following:

“(1) The Congress established the currency transaction reporting requirements in 1970 because the Congress found then that such reports have a high degree of usefulness in criminal, tax, and regulatory investigations and proceedings and the usefulness of such reports has only increased in the years since the requirements were established.

“(2) In 1994, in response to reports and testimony that excess amounts of currency transaction reports were interfering with effective law enforcement, the Congress reformed the currency transaction report exemption requirements to provide—

“(A) mandatory exemptions for certain reports that had little usefulness for law enforcement, such as cash transfers between depository institutions and cash deposits from government agencies; and

“(B) discretionary authority for the Secretary of the Treasury to provide exemptions, subject to criteria and guidelines established by the Secretary, for financial institutions with regard to regular business customers that maintain accounts at an institution into which frequent cash deposits are made.

“(3) Today there is evidence that some financial institutions are not utilizing the exemption system, or are filing reports even if there is an exemption in effect, with the result that the volume of currency transaction reports is once again interfering with effective law enforcement.

“(b) Study and Report.—

“(1) Study required.—The Secretary shall conduct a study of—

“(A) the possible expansion of the statutory exemption system in effect under section 5313 of title 31, United States Code; and

“(B) methods for improving financial institution utilization of the statutory exemption provisions as a way of reducing the submission of currency transaction reports that have little or no value for law enforcement purposes, including improvements in the systems in effect at financial institutions for regular review of the exemption procedures used at the institution and the training of personnel in its effective use.

“(2) Report required.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall submit a report to the Congress before the end of the 1-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 26, 2001] containing the findings and conclusions of the Secretary with regard to the study required under subsection (a), and such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.”

Report Reduction Goal; Streamlined Currency Transaction Reports

Section 402(b), (c) of Pub. L. 103–325 provided that:

“(b) Report Reduction Goal; Reports.—

“(1) In general.—In implementing the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section], the Secretary of the Treasury shall seek to reduce, within a reasonable period of time, the number of reports required to be filed in the aggregate by depository institutions pursuant to section 5313(a) of title 31, United States Code, by at least 30 percent of the number filed during the year preceding the date of enactment of this Act [Sept. 23, 1994].

“(2) Interim report.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall submit a report to the Congress not later than the end of the 180-day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act on the progress made by the Secretary in implementing the amendment made by subsection (a).

“(3) Annual report.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall submit an annual report to the Congress after the end of each of the first 5 calendar years which begin after the date of enactment of this Act on the extent to which the Secretary has reduced the overall number of currency transaction reports filed with the Secretary pursuant to section 5313(a) of title 31, United States Code, consistent with the purposes of such section and effective law enforcement.

“(c) Streamlined Currency Transaction Reports.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall take such action as may be appropriate to—

“(1) redesign the format of reports required to be filed under section 5313(a) of title 31, United States Code, by any financial institution (as defined in section 5312(a)(2) of such title) to eliminate the need to report information which has little or no value for law enforcement purposes; and

“(2) reduce the time and effort required to prepare such report for filing by any such financial institution under such section.”

1 See References in Text note below.

§5314. Records and reports on foreign financial agency transactions

(a) Considering the need to avoid impeding or controlling the export or import of monetary instruments and the need to avoid burdening unreasonably a person making a transaction with a foreign financial agency, the Secretary of the Treasury shall require a resident or citizen of the United States or a person in, and doing business in, the United States, to keep records, file reports, or keep records and file reports, when the resident, citizen, or person makes a transaction or maintains a relation for any person with a foreign financial agency. The records and reports shall contain the following information in the way and to the extent the Secretary prescribes:

(1) the identity and address of participants in a transaction or relationship.

(2) the legal capacity in which a participant is acting.

(3) the identity of real parties in interest.

(4) a description of the transaction.


(b) The Secretary may prescribe—

(1) a reasonable classification of persons subject to or exempt from a requirement under this section or a regulation under this section;

(2) a foreign country to which a requirement or a regulation under this section applies if the Secretary decides applying the requirement or regulation to all foreign countries is unnecessary or undesirable;

(3) the magnitude of transactions subject to a requirement or a regulation under this section;

(4) the kind of transaction subject to or exempt from a requirement or a regulation under this section; and

(5) other matters the Secretary considers necessary to carry out this section or a regulation under this section.


(c) A person shall be required to disclose a record required to be kept under this section or under a regulation under this section only as required by law.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 997.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
5314(a) 31:1121(a). Oct. 26, 1970, Pub. L. 91–508, §§241, 242, 84 Stat. 1124.
5314(b) 31:1122.
5314(c) 31:1121(b).

In subsection (a), before clause (1), the words “currency or other”, “legitimately”, “by regulation”, and “directly or indirectly” are omitted as surplus. The words “for any person” are substituted for “on behalf of himself or another” to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “and to the extent” are substituted for “and in such detail” for clarity. In clauses (1) and (2), the words “participants” and “participant” are substituted for “parties” for consistency. In clause (2), the words “to the transaction or relationship” are omitted as surplus. In clause (3), the words “if one or more of the parties are not acting solely as principals” are omitted as surplus. In clause (4), the words “including the amounts of money, credit, or other property involved” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b), the words “or a regulation under this section” are added because of the restatement. The words “or does not apply” and “uniform” in clause (2) are omitted as surplus. In clause (5), the words “carry out” are substituted for “the application of” for consistency.

In subsection (c), the words “produce or otherwise . . . the contents of” and “in compliance with a subpena or summons duly authorized and issued or . . . may otherwise be” are omitted as surplus. The words “under a regulation” are added because of the restatement.

Compliance With Reporting Requirements

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §361(b), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 332, provided that: “The Secretary of the Treasury shall study methods for improving compliance with the reporting requirements established in section 5314 of title 31, United States Code, and shall submit a report on such study to the Congress by the end of the 6-month period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 26, 2001] and each 1-year period thereafter. The initial report shall include historical data on compliance with such reporting requirements.”

§5315. Reports on foreign currency transactions

(a) Congress finds that—

(1) moving mobile capital can have a significant impact on the proper functioning of the international monetary system;

(2) it is important to have the most feasible current and complete information on the kind and source of capital flows, including transactions by large United States businesses and their foreign affiliates; and

(3) additional authority should be provided to collect information on capital flows under section 5(b) of the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 App. U.S.C. 5(b)) and section 8 of the Bretton Woods Agreement Act (22 U.S.C. 286f).


(b) In this section, “United States person” and “foreign person controlled by a United States person” have the same meanings given those terms in section 7(f)(2)(A) and (C), respectively, of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78g(f)(2)(A), (C)).

(c) The Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe regulations consistent with subsection (a) of this section requiring reports on foreign currency transactions conducted by a United States person or a foreign person controlled by a United States person. The regulations shall require that a report contain information and be submitted at the time and in the way, with reasonable exceptions and classifications, necessary to carry out this section.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 997.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
5315(a) 31:1141. Sept. 21, 1973, Pub. L. 93–110, §§201, 202, 87 Stat. 353.
5315(b), (c) 31:1142.

In subsection (a)(3), the words “it is desirable to emphasize this objective . . . existing legal” are omitted as unnecessary.

In subsection (c), the words “(hereafter referred to as the ‘Secretary’)” are omitted because of the restatement. The words “under the authority of this subchapter and any other authority conferred by law” are omitted as surplus. The word “prescribe” is substituted for “supplement” for clarity. The words “the statement of findings under” and “the submission of” are omitted as surplus. The words “Reports required under this subchapter shall cover foreign currency transactions” are omitted because of the restatement. The words “such terms are” and “the policy of” are omitted as surplus.

References in Text

Section 5(b) of the Trading With the Enemy Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(3), is also classified to section 95a of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

§5316. Reports on exporting and importing monetary instruments

(a) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a person or an agent or bailee of the person shall file a report under subsection (b) of this section when the person, agent, or bailee knowingly—

(1) transports, is about to transport, or has transported, monetary instruments of more than $10,000 at one time—

(A) from a place in the United States to or through a place outside the United States; or

(B) to a place in the United States from or through a place outside the United States; or


(2) receives monetary instruments of more than $10,000 at one time transported into the United States from or through a place outside the United States.


(b) A report under this section shall be filed at the time and place the Secretary of the Treasury prescribes. The report shall contain the following information to the extent the Secretary prescribes:

(1) the legal capacity in which the person filing the report is acting.

(2) the origin, destination, and route of the monetary instruments.

(3) when the monetary instruments are not legally and beneficially owned by the person transporting the instruments, or if the person transporting the instruments personally is not going to use them, the identity of the person that gave the instruments to the person transporting them, the identity of the person who is to receive them, or both.

(4) the amount and kind of monetary instruments transported.

(5) additional information.


(c) This section or a regulation under this section does not apply to a common carrier of passengers when a passenger possesses a monetary instrument, or to a common carrier of goods if the shipper does not declare the instrument.

(d) Cumulation of Closely Related Events.—The Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe regulations under this section defining the term “at one time” for purposes of subsection (a). Such regulations may permit the cumulation of closely related events in order that such events may collectively be considered to occur at one time for the purposes of subsection (a).

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 998; Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §901(c), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2135; Pub. L. 99–570, title I, §1358, title III, §3153, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–26, 3207–94.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
5316(a) 31:1101(a). Oct. 26, 1970, Pub. L. 91–508, §231, 84 Stat. 1122.
5316(b) 31:1101(b).
5316(c) 31:1101(c).

In subsection (a), before clause (1), the words “a person or an agent or bailee of the person shall” are substituted for “whoever, whether as principal, agent, or bailee, or by an agent or bailee” for consistency. The words “or reports” are omitted as unnecessary because of 1:1. In clause (2), the words “transported into the United States” are substituted for “at the termination of their transportation to the United States” for consistency and to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (b), before clause (1), the word “required” is omitted as surplus. The word “prescribes” is substituted for “require” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The words “to the extent” are substituted for “in such detail” for clarity. In clause (1), the words “with respect to the monetary instruments transported” are omitted as surplus. In clause (3), the words “or if the person transporting the instruments personally is not going to use them” are substituted for “or are transported for any purpose other than the use in his own behalf of the person transporting the same” for clarity.

In subsection (c), the words “or a regulation under this section” are added because of the restatement.

Amendments

1986—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 99–570, §1358(b), substituted “transports, is about to transport, or has transported” for “transports or has transported, or attempts to transport or have transported”.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 99–570, §§1358(c), 3153, made identical amendments substituting “$10,000” for “$5,000”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 99–570, §1358(a), added subsec. (d).

1984—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 98–473 inserted “, or attempts to transport or have transported,” after “transports or has transported” and substituted “$10,000” for “$5,000”.

Effective Date of Regulations Prescribed Under 1986 Amendment

Section 1364(d) of Pub. L. 99–570 provided that: “Any regulation prescribed under the amendments made by section 1358 [amending this section] shall apply with respect to transactions completed after the effective date of such regulation.”

§5317. Search and forfeiture of monetary instruments

(a) The Secretary of the Treasury may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for a search warrant when the Secretary reasonably believes a monetary instrument is being transported and a report on the instrument under section 5316 of this title has not been filed or contains a material omission or misstatement. The Secretary shall include a statement of information in support of the warrant. On a showing of probable cause, the court may issue a search warrant for a designated person or a designated or described place or physical object. This subsection does not affect the authority of the Secretary under another law.

(b) Searches at Border.—For purposes of ensuring compliance with the requirements of section 5316, a customs officer may stop and search, at the border and without a search warrant, any vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or other conveyance, any envelope or other container, and any person entering or departing from the United States.

(c) Forfeiture.—

(1) Criminal forfeiture.—

(A) In general.—The court in imposing sentence for any violation of section 5313, 5316, or 5324 of this title, or any conspiracy to commit such violation, shall order the defendant to forfeit all property, real or personal, involved in the offense and any property traceable thereto.

(B) Procedure.—Forfeitures under this paragraph shall be governed by the procedures established in section 413 of the Controlled Substances Act.


(2) Civil forfeiture.—Any property involved in a violation of section 5313, 5316, or 5324 of this title, or any conspiracy to commit any such violation, and any property traceable to any such violation or conspiracy, may be seized and forfeited to the United States in accordance with the procedures governing civil forfeitures in money laundering cases pursuant to section 981(a)(1)(A) of title 18, United States Code.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 998; Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §901(d), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2135; Pub. L. 99–570, title I, §1355, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–22; Pub. L. 102–550, title XV, §1525(c)(2), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4065; Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §§365(b)(2)(B), 372(a), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 335, 338.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
5317(a) 31:1105. Oct. 26, 1970, Pub. L. 91–508, §§232, 235, 84 Stat. 1123.
5317(b) 31:1102.

In subsection (a), the words “The Secretary shall include a statement of information in support of the warrant” are substituted for 31:1105(a)(last sentence) to eliminate unnecessary words and for consistency. The word “for” is substituted for “authorizing the search of . . . all of the following” to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “or more” are omitted as unnecessary because the singular includes the plural under 1:1. The words “or premises”, “letters, parcels, packages, or other”, and “vehicles” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b), the words “either” and “the possession of” are omitted as surplus. The words “United States Postal Service” are substituted for “postal service” for consistency with title 39. The words “or retained in” are omitted as surplus.

References in Text

Section 413 of the Controlled Substances Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(B), is classified to section 853 of Title 21, Food and Drugs.

Amendments

2001—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 107–56, §372(a), inserted heading and amended text of subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “If a report required under section 5316 with respect to any monetary instrument is not filed (or if filed, contains a material omission or misstatement of fact), the instrument and any interest in property, including a deposit in a financial institution, traceable to such instrument may be seized and forfeited to the United States Government. Any property, real or personal, involved in a transaction or attempted transaction in violation of section 5324(c), or any property traceable to such property, may be seized and forfeited to the United States Government. A monetary instrument transported by mail or a common carrier, messenger, or bailee is being transported under this subsection from the time the instrument is delivered to the United States Postal Service, common carrier, messenger, or bailee through the time it is delivered to the addressee, intended recipient, or agent of the addressee or intended recipient without being transported further in, or taken out of, the United States.”

Pub. L. 107–56, §365(b)(2)(B), substituted “section 5324(c)” for “section 5324(b)”.

1992—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–550 inserted after first sentence “Any property, real or personal, involved in a transaction or attempted transaction in violation of section 5324(b), or any property traceable to such property, may be seized and forfeited to the United States Government.”

1986—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–570, §1355(a), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: “A customs officer may stop and search, without a search warrant, a vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or other conveyance, envelope or other container, or person entering or departing from the United States with respect to which or whom the officer has reasonable cause to believe there is a monetary instrument being transported in violation of section 5316 of this title.”

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99–570, §1355(b), amended first sentence generally. Prior to amendment, first sentence read as follows: “A monetary instrument being transported may be seized and forfeited to the United States Government when a report on the instrument under section 5316 of this title has not been filed or contains a material omission or misstatement.”

1984—Subsecs. (b), (c). Pub. L. 98–473, §901, added subsec. (b) and redesignated former subsec. (b) as (c).

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Section 1364(b) of Pub. L. 99–570 provided that: “The amendments made by sections 1355(b) and 1357(a) [amending this section and section 5321 of this title] shall apply with respect to violations committed after the end of the 3-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 27, 1986].”

§5318. Compliance, exemptions, and summons authority

(a) General Powers of Secretary.—The Secretary of the Treasury may (except under section 5315 of this title and regulations prescribed under section 5315)—

(1) except as provided in subsection (b)(2), delegate duties and powers under this subchapter to an appropriate supervising agency and the United States Postal Service;

(2) require a class of domestic financial institutions or nonfinancial trades or businesses to maintain appropriate procedures to ensure compliance with this subchapter and regulations prescribed under this subchapter or to guard against money laundering;

(3) examine any books, papers, records, or other data of domestic financial institutions or nonfinancial trades or businesses relevant to the recordkeeping or reporting requirements of this subchapter;

(4) summon a financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business, an officer or employee of a financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business (including a former officer or employee), or any person having possession, custody, or care of the reports and records required under this subchapter, to appear before the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate at a time and place named in the summons and to produce such books, papers, records, or other data, and to give testimony, under oath, as may be relevant or material to an investigation described in subsection (b);

(5) exempt from the requirements of this subchapter any class of transactions within any State if the Secretary determines that—

(A) under the laws of such State, that class of transactions is subject to requirements substantially similar to those imposed under this subchapter; and

(B) there is adequate provision for the enforcement of such requirements; and


(6) prescribe an appropriate exemption from a requirement under this subchapter and regulations prescribed under this subchapter. The Secretary may revoke an exemption under this paragraph or paragraph (5) by actually or constructively notifying the parties affected. A revocation is effective during judicial review.


(b) Limitations on Summons Power.—

(1) Scope of power.—The Secretary of the Treasury may take any action described in paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection (a) only in connection with investigations for the purpose of civil enforcement of violations of this subchapter, section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, section 411 1 of the National Housing Act, or chapter 2 of Public Law 91–508 (12 U.S.C. 1951 et seq.) or any regulation under any such provision.

(2) Authority to issue.—A summons may be issued under subsection (a)(4) only by, or with the approval of, the Secretary of the Treasury or a supervisory level delegate of the Secretary of the Treasury.


(c) Administrative Aspects of Summons.—

(1) Production at designated site.—A summons issued pursuant to this section may require that books, papers, records, or other data stored or maintained at any place be produced at any designated location in any State or in any territory or other place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States not more than 500 miles distant from any place where the financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business operates or conducts business in the United States.

(2) Fees and travel expenses.—Persons summoned under this section shall be paid the same fees and mileage for travel in the United States that are paid witnesses in the courts of the United States.

(3) No liability for expenses.—The United States shall not be liable for any expense, other than an expense described in paragraph (2), incurred in connection with the production of books, papers, records, or other data under this section.


(d) Service of Summons.—Service of a summons issued under this section may be by registered mail or in such other manner calculated to give actual notice as the Secretary may prescribe by regulation.

(e) Contumacy or Refusal.—

(1) Referral to attorney general.—In case of contumacy by a person issued a summons under paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection (a) or a refusal by such person to obey such summons, the Secretary of the Treasury shall refer the matter to the Attorney General.

(2) Jurisdiction of court.—The Attorney General may invoke the aid of any court of the United States within the jurisdiction of which—

(A) the investigation which gave rise to the summons is being or has been carried on;

(B) the person summoned is an inhabitant; or

(C) the person summoned carries on business or may be found,


to compel compliance with the summons.

(3) Court order.—The court may issue an order requiring the person summoned to appear before the Secretary or his delegate to produce books, papers, records, and other data, to give testimony as may be necessary to explain how such material was compiled and maintained, and to pay the costs of the proceeding.

(4) Failure to comply with order.—Any failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof.

(5) Service of process.—All process in any case under this subsection may be served in any judicial district in which such person may be found.


(f) Written and Signed Statement Required.—No person shall qualify for an exemption under subsection (a)(5) 2 unless the relevant financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business prepares and maintains a statement which—

(1) describes in detail the reasons why such person is qualified for such exemption; and

(2) contains the signature of such person.


(g) Reporting of Suspicious Transactions.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary may require any financial institution, and any director, officer, employee, or agent of any financial institution, to report any suspicious transaction relevant to a possible violation of law or regulation.

(2) Notification prohibited.—

(A) In general.—If a financial institution or any director, officer, employee, or agent of any financial institution, voluntarily or pursuant to this section or any other authority, reports a suspicious transaction to a government agency—

(i) neither the financial institution, director, officer, employee, or agent of such institution (whether or not any such person is still employed by the institution), nor any other current or former director, officer, or employee of, or contractor for, the financial institution or other reporting person, may notify any person involved in the transaction that the transaction has been reported; and

(ii) no current or former officer or employee of or contractor for the Federal Government or of or for any State, local, tribal, or territorial government within the United States, who has any knowledge that such report was made may disclose to any person involved in the transaction that the transaction has been reported, other than as necessary to fulfill the official duties of such officer or employee.


(B) Disclosures in certain employment references.—

(i) Rule of construction.—Notwithstanding the application of subparagraph (A) in any other context, subparagraph (A) shall not be construed as prohibiting any financial institution, or any director, officer, employee, or agent of such institution, from including information that was included in a report to which subparagraph (A) applies—

(I) in a written employment reference that is provided in accordance with section 18(w) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act in response to a request from another financial institution; or

(II) in a written termination notice or employment reference that is provided in accordance with the rules of a self-regulatory organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission,


 except that such written reference or notice may not disclose that such information was also included in any such report, or that such report was made.

(ii) Information not required.—Clause (i) shall not be construed, by itself, to create any affirmative duty to include any information described in clause (i) in any employment reference or termination notice referred to in clause (i).


(3) Liability for disclosures.—

(A) In general.—Any financial institution that makes a voluntary disclosure of any possible violation of law or regulation to a government agency or makes a disclosure pursuant to this subsection or any other authority, and any director, officer, employee, or agent of such institution who makes, or requires another to make any such disclosure, shall not be liable to any person under any law or regulation of the United States, any constitution, law, or regulation of any State or political subdivision of any State, or under any contract or other legally enforceable agreement (including any arbitration agreement), for such disclosure or for any failure to provide notice of such disclosure to the person who is the subject of such disclosure or any other person identified in the disclosure.

(B) Rule of construction.—Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed as creating—

(i) any inference that the term “person”, as used in such subparagraph, may be construed more broadly than its ordinary usage so as to include any government or agency of government; or

(ii) any immunity against, or otherwise affecting, any civil or criminal action brought by any government or agency of government to enforce any constitution, law, or regulation of such government or agency.


(4) Single designee for reporting suspicious transactions.—

(A) In general.—In requiring reports under paragraph (1) of suspicious transactions, the Secretary of the Treasury shall designate, to the extent practicable and appropriate, a single officer or agency of the United States to whom such reports shall be made.

(B) Duty of designee.—The officer or agency of the United States designated by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall refer any report of a suspicious transaction to any appropriate law enforcement, supervisory agency, or United States intelligence agency for use in the conduct of intelligence or counterintelligence activities, including analysis, to protect against international terrorism.

(C) Coordination with other reporting requirements.—Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed as precluding any supervisory agency for any financial institution from requiring the financial institution to submit any information or report to the agency or another agency pursuant to any other applicable provision of law.


(h) Anti-Money Laundering Programs.—

(1) In general.—In order to guard against money laundering through financial institutions, each financial institution shall establish anti-money laundering programs, including, at a minimum—

(A) the development of internal policies, procedures, and controls;

(B) the designation of a compliance officer;

(C) an ongoing employee training program; and

(D) an independent audit function to test programs.


(2) Regulations.—The Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the appropriate Federal functional regulator (as defined in section 509 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act), may prescribe minimum standards for programs established under paragraph (1), and may exempt from the application of those standards any financial institution that is not subject to the provisions of the rules contained in part 103 of title 31, of the Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor rule thereto, for so long as such financial institution is not subject to the provisions of such rules.

(3) Concentration accounts.—The Secretary may prescribe regulations under this subsection that govern maintenance of concentration accounts by financial institutions, in order to ensure that such accounts are not used to prevent association of the identity of an individual customer with the movement of funds of which the customer is the direct or beneficial owner, which regulations shall, at a minimum—

(A) prohibit financial institutions from allowing clients to direct transactions that move their funds into, out of, or through the concentration accounts of the financial institution;

(B) prohibit financial institutions and their employees from informing customers of the existence of, or the means of identifying, the concentration accounts of the institution; and

(C) require each financial institution to establish written procedures governing the documentation of all transactions involving a concentration account, which procedures shall ensure that, any time a transaction involving a concentration account commingles funds belonging to 1 or more customers, the identity of, and specific amount belonging to, each customer is documented.


(i) Due Diligence for United States Private Banking and Correspondent Bank Accounts Involving Foreign Persons.—

(1) In general.—Each financial institution that establishes, maintains, administers, or manages a private banking account or a correspondent account in the United States for a non-United States person, including a foreign individual visiting the United States, or a representative of a non-United States person shall establish appropriate, specific, and, where necessary, enhanced, due diligence policies, procedures, and controls that are reasonably designed to detect and report instances of money laundering through those accounts.

(2) Additional standards for certain correspondent accounts.—

(A) In general.—Subparagraph (B) shall apply if a correspondent account is requested or maintained by, or on behalf of, a foreign bank operating—

(i) under an offshore banking license; or

(ii) under a banking license issued by a foreign country that has been designated—

(I) as noncooperative with international anti-money laundering principles or procedures by an intergovernmental group or organization of which the United States is a member, with which designation the United States representative to the group or organization concurs; or

(II) by the Secretary of the Treasury as warranting special measures due to money laundering concerns.


(B) Policies, procedures, and controls.—The enhanced due diligence policies, procedures, and controls required under paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum, ensure that the financial institution in the United States takes reasonable steps—

(i) to ascertain for any such foreign bank, the shares of which are not publicly traded, the identity of each of the owners of the foreign bank, and the nature and extent of the ownership interest of each such owner;

(ii) to conduct enhanced scrutiny of such account to guard against money laundering and report any suspicious transactions under subsection (g); and

(iii) to ascertain whether such foreign bank provides correspondent accounts to other foreign banks and, if so, the identity of those foreign banks and related due diligence information, as appropriate under paragraph (1).


(3) Minimum standards for private banking accounts.—If a private banking account is requested or maintained by, or on behalf of, a non-United States person, then the due diligence policies, procedures, and controls required under paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum, ensure that the financial institution takes reasonable steps—

(A) to ascertain the identity of the nominal and beneficial owners of, and the source of funds deposited into, such account as needed to guard against money laundering and report any suspicious transactions under subsection (g); and

(B) to conduct enhanced scrutiny of any such account that is requested or maintained by, or on behalf of, a senior foreign political figure, or any immediate family member or close associate of a senior foreign political figure, that is reasonably designed to detect and report transactions that may involve the proceeds of foreign corruption.


(4) Definitions.—For purposes of this subsection, the following definitions shall apply:

(A) Offshore banking license.—The term “offshore banking license” means a license to conduct banking activities which, as a condition of the license, prohibits the licensed entity from conducting banking activities with the citizens of, or with the local currency of, the country which issued the license.

(B) Private banking account.—The term “private banking account” means an account (or any combination of accounts) that—

(i) requires a minimum aggregate deposits of funds or other assets of not less than $1,000,000;

(ii) is established on behalf of 1 or more individuals who have a direct or beneficial ownership interest in the account; and

(iii) is assigned to, or is administered or managed by, in whole or in part, an officer, employee, or agent of a financial institution acting as a liaison between the financial institution and the direct or beneficial owner of the account.


(j) Prohibition on United States Correspondent Accounts With Foreign Shell Banks.—

(1) In general.—A financial institution described in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of section 5312(a)(2) (in this subsection referred to as a “covered financial institution”) shall not establish, maintain, administer, or manage a correspondent account in the United States for, or on behalf of, a foreign bank that does not have a physical presence in any country.

(2) Prevention of indirect service to foreign shell banks.—A covered financial institution shall take reasonable steps to ensure that any correspondent account established, maintained, administered, or managed by that covered financial institution in the United States for a foreign bank is not being used by that foreign bank to indirectly provide banking services to another foreign bank that does not have a physical presence in any country. The Secretary of the Treasury shall, by regulation, delineate the reasonable steps necessary to comply with this paragraph.

(3) Exception.—Paragraphs (1) and (2) do not prohibit a covered financial institution from providing a correspondent account to a foreign bank, if the foreign bank—

(A) is an affiliate of a depository institution, credit union, or foreign bank that maintains a physical presence in the United States or a foreign country, as applicable; and

(B) is subject to supervision by a banking authority in the country regulating the affiliated depository institution, credit union, or foreign bank described in subparagraph (A), as applicable.


(4) Definitions.—For purposes of this subsection—

(A) the term “affiliate” means a foreign bank that is controlled by or is under common control with a depository institution, credit union, or foreign bank; and

(B) the term “physical presence” means a place of business that—

(i) is maintained by a foreign bank;

(ii) is located at a fixed address (other than solely an electronic address) in a country in which the foreign bank is authorized to conduct banking activities, at which location the foreign bank—

(I) employs 1 or more individuals on a full-time basis; and

(II) maintains operating records related to its banking activities; and


(iii) is subject to inspection by the banking authority which licensed the foreign bank to conduct banking activities.


(k) Bank Records Related to Anti-Money Laundering Programs.—

(1) Definitions.—For purposes of this subsection, the following definitions shall apply:

(A) Appropriate federal banking agency.—The term “appropriate Federal banking agency” has the same meaning as in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813).

(B) Incorporated term.—The term “correspondent account” has the same meaning as in section 5318A(e)(1)(B).


(2) 120-hour rule.—Not later than 120 hours after receiving a request by an appropriate Federal banking agency for information related to anti-money laundering compliance by a covered financial institution or a customer of such institution, a covered financial institution shall provide to the appropriate Federal banking agency, or make available at a location specified by the representative of the appropriate Federal banking agency, information and account documentation for any account opened, maintained, administered or managed in the United States by the covered financial institution.

(3) Foreign bank records.—

(A) Summons or subpoena of records.—

(i) In general.—The Secretary of the Treasury or the Attorney General may issue a summons or subpoena to any foreign bank that maintains a correspondent account in the United States and request records related to such correspondent account, including records maintained outside of the United States relating to the deposit of funds into the foreign bank.

(ii) Service of summons or subpoena.—A summons or subpoena referred to in clause (i) may be served on the foreign bank in the United States if the foreign bank has a representative in the United States, or in a foreign country pursuant to any mutual legal assistance treaty, multilateral agreement, or other request for international law enforcement assistance.


(B) Acceptance of service.—

(i) Maintaining records in the united states.—Any covered financial institution which maintains a correspondent account in the United States for a foreign bank shall maintain records in the United States identifying the owners of such foreign bank and the name and address of a person who resides in the United States and is authorized to accept service of legal process for records regarding the correspondent account.

(ii) Law enforcement request.—Upon receipt of a written request from a Federal law enforcement officer for information required to be maintained under this paragraph, the covered financial institution shall provide the information to the requesting officer not later than 7 days after receipt of the request.


(C) Termination of correspondent relationship.—

(i) Termination upon receipt of notice.—A covered financial institution shall terminate any correspondent relationship with a foreign bank not later than 10 business days after receipt of written notice from the Secretary or the Attorney General (in each case, after consultation with the other) that the foreign bank has failed—

(I) to comply with a summons or subpoena issued under subparagraph (A); or

(II) to initiate proceedings in a United States court contesting such summons or subpoena.


(ii) Limitation on liability.—A covered financial institution shall not be liable to any person in any court or arbitration proceeding for terminating a correspondent relationship in accordance with this subsection.

(iii) Failure to terminate relationship.—Failure to terminate a correspondent relationship in accordance with this subsection shall render the covered financial institution liable for a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per day until the correspondent relationship is so terminated.


(l) Identification and Verification of Accountholders.—

(1) In general.—Subject to the requirements of this subsection, the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe regulations setting forth the minimum standards for financial institutions and their customers regarding the identity of the customer that shall apply in connection with the opening of an account at a financial institution.

(2) Minimum requirements.—The regulations shall, at a minimum, require financial institutions to implement, and customers (after being given adequate notice) to comply with, reasonable procedures for—

(A) verifying the identity of any person seeking to open an account to the extent reasonable and practicable;

(B) maintaining records of the information used to verify a person's identity, including name, address, and other identifying information; and

(C) consulting lists of known or suspected terrorists or terrorist organizations provided to the financial institution by any government agency to determine whether a person seeking to open an account appears on any such list.


(3) Factors to be considered.—In prescribing regulations under this subsection, the Secretary shall take into consideration the various types of accounts maintained by various types of financial institutions, the various methods of opening accounts, and the various types of identifying information available.

(4) Certain financial institutions.—In the case of any financial institution the business of which is engaging in financial activities described in section 4(k) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (including financial activities subject to the jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission), the regulations prescribed by the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed jointly with each Federal functional regulator (as defined in section 509 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission) appropriate for such financial institution.

(5) Exemptions.—The Secretary (and, in the case of any financial institution described in paragraph (4), any Federal agency described in such paragraph) may, by regulation or order, exempt any financial institution or type of account from the requirements of any regulation prescribed under this subsection in accordance with such standards and procedures as the Secretary may prescribe.

(6) Effective date.—Final regulations prescribed under this subsection shall take effect before the end of the 1-year period beginning on the date of enactment of the International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001.


(m) Applicability of Rules.—Any rules promulgated pursuant to the authority contained in section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1829b) shall apply, in addition to any other financial institution to which such rules apply, to any person that engages as a business in the transmission of funds, including any person who engages as a business in an informal money transfer system or any network of people who engage as a business in facilitating the transfer of money domestically or internationally outside of the conventional financial institutions system.

(n) Reporting of Certain Cross-Border Transmittals of Funds.—

(1) In general.—Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the Secretary shall prescribe regulations requiring such financial institutions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to report to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network certain cross-border electronic transmittals of funds, if the Secretary determines that reporting of such transmittals is reasonably necessary to conduct the efforts of the Secretary against money laundering and terrorist financing.

(2) Limitation on reporting requirements.—Information required to be reported by the regulations prescribed under paragraph (1) shall not exceed the information required to be retained by the reporting financial institution pursuant to section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder, unless—

(A) the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Secretary jointly determine that a particular item or items of information are not currently required to be retained under such section or such regulations; and

(B) the Secretary determines, after consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, that the reporting of such information is reasonably necessary to conduct the efforts of the Secretary to identify cross-border money laundering and terrorist financing.


(3) Form and manner of reports.—In prescribing the regulations required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, subject to paragraph (2), determine the appropriate form, manner, content, and frequency of filing of the required reports.

(4) Feasibility report.—

(A) In general.—Before prescribing the regulations required under paragraph (1), and as soon as is practicable after the date of enactment of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives that—

(i) identifies the information in cross-border electronic transmittals of funds that may be found in particular cases to be reasonably necessary to conduct the efforts of the Secretary to identify money laundering and terrorist financing, and outlines the criteria to be used by the Secretary to select the situations in which reporting under this subsection may be required;

(ii) outlines the appropriate form, manner, content, and frequency of filing of the reports that may be required under such regulations;

(iii) identifies the technology necessary for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to receive, keep, exploit, protect the security of, and disseminate information from reports of cross-border electronic transmittals of funds to law enforcement and other entities engaged in efforts against money laundering and terrorist financing; and

(iv) discusses the information security protections required by the exercise of the Secretary's authority under this subsection.


(B) Consultation.—In reporting the feasibility report under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may consult with the Bank Secrecy Act Advisory Group established by the Secretary, and any other group considered by the Secretary to be relevant.


(5) Regulations.—

(A) In general.—Subject to subparagraph (B), the regulations required by paragraph (1) shall be prescribed in final form by the Secretary, in consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, before the end of the 3-year period beginning on the date of enactment of the National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004.

(B) Technological feasibility.—No regulations shall be prescribed under this subsection before the Secretary certifies to the Congress that the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has the technological systems in place to effectively and efficiently receive, keep, exploit, protect the security of, and disseminate information from reports of cross-border electronic transmittals of funds to law enforcement and other entities engaged in efforts against money laundering and terrorist financing.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 999; Pub. L. 99–570, title I, §1356(a), (b), (c)(2), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–23, 3207–24; Pub. L. 100–690, title VI, §§6185(e), 6469(c), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4357, 4377; Pub. L. 102–550, title XV, §§1504(d)(1), 1513, 1517(b), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4055, 4058, 4059; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330017(b)(1), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2149; Pub. L. 103–325, title IV, §§403(a), 410, 413(b)(1), Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2245, 2252, 2254; Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §§312(a), 313(a), 319(b), 325, 326(a), 351, 352(a), 358(b), 359(c), 365(c)(2)(B), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 304, 306, 312, 317, 320, 322, 326, 328, 335; Pub. L. 108–159, title VIII, §811(g), Dec. 4, 2003, 117 Stat. 2012; Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, §§6202(h), 6203(c), (d), 6302, Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3746–3748; Pub. L. 109–177, title IV, §407, Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 245; Pub. L. 112–74, div. C, title I, §118, Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 891.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
5318 31:1054(a), (b)(1st sentence). Oct. 26, 1970, Pub. L. 91–508, §§205(a), (b)(1st sentence), 206, 84 Stat. 1120.
  31:1055.

In the section, before clause (1), the words “have the responsibility to assure compliance with the requirements of this chapter” in 31:1054(a) are omitted as unnecessary because of section 321 of the revised title. The words “(except under section 5315 of this title and regulations prescribed under section 5315)” are added because 31:1141–1143 was not enacted as a part of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act that is restated in this subchapter. In clause (1), the words “duties and powers” are substituted for “responsibilities” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The words “bank supervisory agency, or other” are omitted as surplus. In clause (2), the words “by regulation” and “as he may deem” are omitted as surplus. The words “and regulations prescribed under this subchapter” are added because of the restatement. In clause (3), the word “prescribe” is substituted for “make” in 31:1055 for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. The words “otherwise imposed”, 31:1055(1st sentence), and the words “in his discretion” are omitted as surplus.

References in Text

Section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, referred to in subsecs. (b)(1), (m), and (n)(2), is classified to section 1829b of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

Section 411 of the National Housing Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), which was classified to section 1730d of Title 12, was repealed by Pub. L. 101–73, title IV, §407, Aug. 9, 1989, 103 Stat. 363.

Chapter 2 of Public Law 91–508 (12 U.S.C. 1951 et seq.), referred to in subsec. (b)(1), probably means chapter 2 (§§121 to 129) of title I of Pub. L. 91–508, Oct. 26, 1970, 84 Stat. 1116, which is classified generally to chapter 21 (§1951 et seq.) of Title 12. For complete classification of chapter 2 to the Code, see Tables.

Subsection (a)(5), referred to in subsec. (f), was redesignated subsection (a)(6) by section 410(a)(2) of Pub. L. 103–325.

Section 18(w) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, referred to in subsec. (g)(2)(B)(i)(I), is classified to section 1828(w) of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

Section 509 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, referred to in subsecs. (h)(2) and (l)(4), is classified to section 6809 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.

Section 4(k) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, referred to in subsec. (l)(4), is classified to section 1843(k) of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

The date of enactment of the International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001, referred to in subsec. (l)(6), is the date of enactment of title III of Pub. L. 107–56, which was approved Oct. 26, 2001.

The date of enactment of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, referred to in subsec. (n)(4)(A), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 108–458, which was approved Dec. 17, 2004.

The date of enactment of the National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004, referred to in subsec. (n)(5)(A), probably means the date of enactment of the National Security Intelligence Reform Act of 2004, title I of Pub. L. 108–458, which was approved Dec. 17, 2004.

For provisions relating to the Bank Secrecy Act Advisory Group, referred to in subsec. (n)(4)(B), see section 1564 of Pub. L. 102–550, which is set out as a note under section 5311 of this title.

Amendments

2011—Subsec. (g)(2)(A)(i). Pub. L. 112–74, §118(1), added cl. (i) and struck out former cl. (i) which read as follows: “the financial institution, director, officer, employee, or agent may not notify any person involved in the transaction that the transaction has been reported; and”.

Subsec. (g)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 112–74, §118(2), substituted “no current or former officer or employee of or contractor for” for “no officer or employee of” and inserted “or for” before “any State”.

2006—Subsec. (n)(4)(A). Pub. L. 109–177 substituted “Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004” for “National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004” in introductory provisions.

2004—Subsec. (h)(3). Pub. L. 108–458, §6202(h), made technical correction to directory language of Pub. L. 107–56, §325. See 2001 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (i)(3)(B). Pub. L. 108–458, §6203(c)(1), inserted comma before “that is reasonably designed”.

Subsec. (i)(4). Pub. L. 108–458, §6203(c)(2), substituted “Definitions” for “Definition” in heading.

Subsec. (k)(1)(B). Pub. L. 108–458, §6203(d), substituted “section 5318A(e)(1)(B)” for “section 5318A(f)(1)(B)”.

Subsec. (n). Pub. L. 108–458, §6302, added subsec. (n).

2003—Subsecs. (l), (m). Pub. L. 108–159 redesignated subsec. (l), relating to applicability of rules, as (m).

2001—Subsec. (a)(2), (3). Pub. L. 107–56, §365(c)(2)(B)(ii), inserted “or nonfinancial trades or businesses” after “financial institutions”.

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 107–56, §365(c)(2)(B)(i), inserted “or nonfinancial trade or business” after “financial institution” in two places.

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 107–56, §365(c)(2)(B)(i), inserted “or nonfinancial trade or business” after “financial institution”.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 107–56, §365(c)(2)(B)(i), inserted “or nonfinancial trade or business” after “financial institution” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 107–56, §351(b), reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “A financial institution, and a director, officer, employee, or agent of any financial institution, who voluntarily reports a suspicious transaction, or that reports a suspicious transaction pursuant to this section or any other authority, may not notify any person involved in the transaction that the transaction has been reported.”

Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 107–56, §351(a), reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Any financial institution that makes a disclosure of any possible violation of law or regulation or a disclosure pursuant to this subsection or any other authority, and any director, officer, employee, or agent of such institution, shall not be liable to any person under any law or regulation of the United States or any constitution, law, or regulation of any State or political subdivision thereof, for such disclosure or for any failure to notify the person involved in the transaction or any other person of such disclosure.”

Subsec. (g)(4)(B). Pub. L. 107–56, §358(b), substituted “, supervisory agency, or United States intelligence agency for use in the conduct of intelligence or counterintelligence activities, including analysis, to protect against international terrorism” for “or supervisory agency”.

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 107–56, §352(a), reenacted heading without change and amended text of subsec. (h) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

“(1) In general.—In order to guard against money laundering through financial institutions, the Secretary may require financial institutions to carry out anti-money laundering programs, including at a minimum

“(A) the development of internal policies, procedures, and controls,

“(B) the designation of a compliance officer,

“(C) an ongoing employee training program, and

“(D) an independent audit function to test programs.

“(2) Regulations.—The Secretary may prescribe minimum standards for programs established under paragraph (1).”

Subsec. (h)(3). Pub. L. 107–56, §325, as amended by Pub. L. 108–458, §6202(h), added par. (3).

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 107–56, §312(a), added subsec. (i).

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 107–56, §313(a), added subsec. (j).

Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 107–56, §319(b), added subsec. (k).

Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 107–56, §359(c), added subsec. (l) relating to applicability of rules.

Pub. L. 107–56, §326(a), added subsec. (l) relating to identification and verification of accountholders.

1994—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 103–325, §410(a), added par. (5). Former par. (5) redesignated (6).

Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 103–325, §410(b), inserted “under this paragraph or paragraph (5)” after “revoke an exemption” in penultimate sentence.

Pub. L. 103–325, §410(a)(2), redesignated par. (5) as (6).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 103–322, §330017(b)(1), and Pub. L. 103–325, §413(b)(1), amended directory language of Pub. L. 102–550, §1517(b), identically. See 1992 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (g)(4). Pub. L. 103–325, §403(a), added par. (4).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 103–322, §330017(b)(1), and Pub. L. 103–325, §413(b)(1), amended directory language of Pub. L. 102–550, §1517(b), identically. See 1992 Amendment note below.

1992—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 102–550, §1504(d)(1), substituted “supervising agency and the United States Postal Service” for “supervising agency or the Postal Inspection Service and the Postal Service”.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 102–550, §1513, inserted before semicolon “or to guard against money laundering”.

Subsecs. (g), (h). Pub. L. 102–550, §1517(b), as amended by Pub. L. 103–322, §330017(b)(1), and Pub. L. 103–325, §413(b)(1), added subsecs. (g) and (h).

1988—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 100–690, §6469(c), inserted “or the Postal Inspection Service” after “appropriate supervising agency”.

Pub. L. 100–690, §6185(e), inserted “and the Postal Service” after “appropriate supervising agency”.

1986—Pub. L. 99–570, §1356(c)(2), substituted “Compliance, exemptions, and summons authority” for “Compliance and exemptions” in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–570, §1356(a)(1)–(5), designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), added subsec. heading, inserted “except as provided in subsection (b)(2),” in par. (1), added pars. (3) and (4), and redesignated former par. (3) as (5).

Subsecs. (b) to (e). Pub. L. 99–570, §1356(a)(6), added subsecs. (b) to (e).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 99–570, §1356(b), added subsec. (f).

Effective Date of 2004 Amendment

Amendment by sections 6202(h) and 6203(c), (d) of Pub. L. 108–458 effective as if included in Pub. L. 107–56, as of the date of enactment of such Act, and no amendment made by Pub. L. 107–56 that is inconsistent with such amendment to be deemed to have taken effect, see section 6205 of Pub. L. 108–458, set out as a note under section 1828 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

Effective Date of 2003 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 108–159 subject to joint regulations establishing effective dates as prescribed by Federal Reserve Board and Federal Trade Commission, except as otherwise provided, see section 3 of Pub. L. 108–159, set out as a note under section 1681 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.

Effective Date of 2001 Amendment

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §312(b)(2), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 306, provided that: “Section 5318(i) of title 31, United States Code, as added by this section, shall take effect 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 26, 2001], whether or not final regulations are issued under paragraph (1) [set out below], and the failure to issue such regulations shall in no way affect the enforceability of this section [amending this section and enacting provisions set out as a note below] or the amendments made by this section. Section 5318(i) of title 31, United States Code, as added by this section, shall apply with respect to accounts covered by that section 5318(i), that are opened before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act.”

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §313(b), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 307, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect at the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 26, 2001].”

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §352(b), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 322, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect at the end of the 180-day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 26, 2001].”

Amendment by section 358(b) of Pub. L. 107–56 applicable with respect to reports filed or records maintained on, before, or after Oct. 26, 2001, see section 358(h) of Pub. L. 107–56, set out as a note under section 1829b of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Section 330017(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–322 and section 413(b)(1) of Pub. L. 103–325 provided that the identical amendments made by those sections are effective Oct. 28, 1992.

Regulations

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §312(b)(1), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 305, provided that: “Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 26, 2001], the Secretary [of the Treasury], in consultation with the appropriate Federal functional regulators (as defined in section 509 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act [15 U.S.C. 6809]) of the affected financial institutions, shall further delineate, by regulation, the due diligence policies, procedures, and controls required under section 5318(i)(1) of title 31, United States Code, as added by this section.”

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §352(c), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 322, provided that: “Before the end of the 180-day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 26, 2001], the Secretary [of the Treasury] shall prescribe regulations that consider the extent to which the requirements imposed under this section [amending this section and enacting provisions set out as a note above] are commensurate with the size, location, and activities of the financial institutions to which such regulations apply.”

Grace Period

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §319(c), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 314, provided that: “Financial institutions shall have 60 days from the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 26, 2001] to comply with the provisions of section 5318(k) of title 31, United States Code, as added by this section.”

“Federal Functional Regulator” Includes Commodity Futures Trading Commission

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §321(c), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 315, provided that: “For purposes of this Act [probably should be “title”, see Short Title of 2001 Amendment note set out under section 5301 of this title] and any amendment made by this Act to any other provision of law, the term ‘Federal functional regulator’ includes the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.”

Reporting of Suspicious Activities by Securities Brokers and Dealers; Investment Company Study

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §356(a), (b), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 324, provided that:

“(a) Deadline for Suspicious Activity Reporting Requirements for Registered Brokers and Dealers.—The Secretary [of the Treasury], after consultation with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, shall publish proposed regulations in the Federal Register before January 1, 2002, requiring brokers and dealers registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.] to submit suspicious activity reports under section 5318(g) of title 31, United States Code. Such regulations shall be published in final form not later than July 1, 2002.

“(b) Suspicious Activity Reporting Requirements For Futures Commission Merchants, Commodity Trading Advisors, and Commodity Pool Operators.—The Secretary, in consultation with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, may prescribe regulations requiring futures commission merchants, commodity trading advisors, and commodity pool operators registered under the Commodity Exchange Act [7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.] to submit suspicious activity reports under section 5318(g) of title 31, United States Code.”

Reports

Section 403(b) of Pub. L. 103–325 provided that:

“(1) Reports required.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall submit an annual report to the Congress at the times required under paragraph (2) on the number of suspicious transactions reported to the officer or agency designated under section 5318(g)(4)(A) of title 31, United States Code, during the period covered by the report and the disposition of such reports.

“(2) Time for submitting reports.—The 1st report required under paragraph (1) shall be filed before the end of the 1-year period beginning on the date of enactment of the Money Laundering Suppression Act of 1994 [Sept. 23, 1994] and each subsequent report shall be filed within 90 days after the end of each of the 5 calendar years which begin after such date of enactment.”

Designation Required To Be Made Expeditiously

Section 403(c) of Pub. L. 103–325 provided that: “The initial designation of an officer or agency of the United States pursuant to the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall be made before the end of the 180-day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [Sept. 23, 1994].”

Improvement of Identification of Money Laundering Schemes

Section 404 of Pub. L. 103–325 provided that:

“(a) Enhanced Training, Examinations, and Referrals by Banking Agencies.—Before the end of the 6-month period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [Sept. 23, 1994], each appropriate Federal banking agency shall, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and other appropriate law enforcement agencies—

“(1) review and enhance training and examination procedures to improve the identification of money laundering schemes involving depository institutions; and

“(2) review and enhance procedures for referring cases to any appropriate law enforcement agency.

“(b) Improved Reporting of Criminal Schemes by Law Enforcement Agencies.—The Secretary of the Treasury and each appropriate law enforcement agency shall provide, on a regular basis, information regarding money laundering schemes and activities involving depository institutions to each appropriate Federal banking agency in order to enhance each agency's ability to examine for and identify money laundering activity.

“(c) Report to Congress.—The Financial Institutions Examination Council shall submit a report on the progress made in carrying out subsection (a) and the usefulness of information received pursuant to subsection (b) to the Congress by the end of the 1-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act.

“(d) Definition.—For purposes of this section, the term ‘appropriate Federal banking agency’ has the same meaning as in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act [12 U.S.C. 1813].”

1 See References in Text note below.

2 See References in Text note below.

§5318A. Special measures for jurisdictions, financial institutions, international transactions, or types of accounts of primary money laundering concern

(a) International Counter-Money Laundering Requirements.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary of the Treasury may require domestic financial institutions and domestic financial agencies to take 1 or more of the special measures described in subsection (b) if the Secretary finds that reasonable grounds exist for concluding that a jurisdiction outside of the United States, 1 or more financial institutions operating outside of the United States, 1 or more classes of transactions within, or involving, a jurisdiction outside of the United States, or 1 or more types of accounts is of primary money laundering concern, in accordance with subsection (c).

(2) Form of requirement.—The special measures described in—

(A) subsection (b) may be imposed in such sequence or combination as the Secretary shall determine;

(B) paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (b) may be imposed by regulation, order, or otherwise as permitted by law; and

(C) subsection (b)(5) may be imposed only by regulation.


(3) Duration of orders; rulemaking.—Any order by which a special measure described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (b) is imposed (other than an order described in section 5326)—

(A) shall be issued together with a notice of proposed rulemaking relating to the imposition of such special measure; and

(B) may not remain in effect for more than 120 days, except pursuant to a rule promulgated on or before the end of the 120-day period beginning on the date of issuance of such order.


(4) Process for selecting special measures.—In selecting which special measure or measures to take under this subsection, the Secretary of the Treasury—

(A) shall consult with the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, any other appropriate Federal banking agency (as defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act) 1 the Secretary of State, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the National Credit Union Administration Board, and in the sole discretion of the Secretary, such other agencies and interested parties as the Secretary may find to be appropriate; and

(B) shall consider—

(i) whether similar action has been or is being taken by other nations or multilateral groups;

(ii) whether the imposition of any particular special measure would create a significant competitive disadvantage, including any undue cost or burden associated with compliance, for financial institutions organized or licensed in the United States;

(iii) the extent to which the action or the timing of the action would have a significant adverse systemic impact on the international payment, clearance, and settlement system, or on legitimate business activities involving the particular jurisdiction, institution, class of transactions, or type of account; and

(iv) the effect of the action on United States national security and foreign policy.


(5) No limitation on other authority.—This section shall not be construed as superseding or otherwise restricting any other authority granted to the Secretary, or to any other agency, by this subchapter or otherwise.


(b) Special Measures.—The special measures referred to in subsection (a), with respect to a jurisdiction outside of the United States, financial institution operating outside of the United States, class of transaction within, or involving, a jurisdiction outside of the United States, or 1 or more types of accounts are as follows:

(1) Recordkeeping and reporting of certain financial transactions.—

(A) In general.—The Secretary of the Treasury may require any domestic financial institution or domestic financial agency to maintain records, file reports, or both, concerning the aggregate amount of transactions, or concerning each transaction, with respect to a jurisdiction outside of the United States, 1 or more financial institutions operating outside of the United States, 1 or more classes of transactions within, or involving, a jurisdiction outside of the United States, or 1 or more types of accounts if the Secretary finds any such jurisdiction, institution, class of transactions, or type of account to be of primary money laundering concern.

(B) Form of records and reports.—Such records and reports shall be made and retained at such time, in such manner, and for such period of time, as the Secretary shall determine, and shall include such information as the Secretary may determine, including—

(i) the identity and address of the participants in a transaction or relationship, including the identity of the originator of any funds transfer;

(ii) the legal capacity in which a participant in any transaction is acting;

(iii) the identity of the beneficial owner of the funds involved in any transaction, in accordance with such procedures as the Secretary determines to be reasonable and practicable to obtain and retain the information; and

(iv) a description of any transaction.


(2) Information relating to beneficial ownership.—In addition to any other requirement under any other provision of law, the Secretary may require any domestic financial institution or domestic financial agency to take such steps as the Secretary may determine to be reasonable and practicable to obtain and retain information concerning the beneficial ownership of any account opened or maintained in the United States by a foreign person (other than a foreign entity whose shares are subject to public reporting requirements or are listed and traded on a regulated exchange or trading market), or a representative of such a foreign person, that involves a jurisdiction outside of the United States, 1 or more financial institutions operating outside of the United States, 1 or more classes of transactions within, or involving, a jurisdiction outside of the United States, or 1 or more types of accounts if the Secretary finds any such jurisdiction, institution, or transaction or type of account to be of primary money laundering concern.

(3) Information relating to certain payable-through accounts.—If the Secretary finds a jurisdiction outside of the United States, 1 or more financial institutions operating outside of the United States, or 1 or more classes of transactions within, or involving, a jurisdiction outside of the United States to be of primary money laundering concern, the Secretary may require any domestic financial institution or domestic financial agency that opens or maintains a payable-through account in the United States for a foreign financial institution involving any such jurisdiction or any such financial institution operating outside of the United States, or a payable through account through which any such transaction may be conducted, as a condition of opening or maintaining such account—

(A) to identify each customer (and representative of such customer) of such financial institution who is permitted to use, or whose transactions are routed through, such payable-through account; and

(B) to obtain, with respect to each such customer (and each such representative), information that is substantially comparable to that which the depository institution obtains in the ordinary course of business with respect to its customers residing in the United States.


(4) Information relating to certain correspondent accounts.—If the Secretary finds a jurisdiction outside of the United States, 1 or more financial institutions operating outside of the United States, or 1 or more classes of transactions within, or involving, a jurisdiction outside of the United States to be of primary money laundering concern, the Secretary may require any domestic financial institution or domestic financial agency that opens or maintains a correspondent account in the United States for a foreign financial institution involving any such jurisdiction or any such financial institution operating outside of the United States, or a correspondent account through which any such transaction may be conducted, as a condition of opening or maintaining such account—

(A) to identify each customer (and representative of such customer) of any such financial institution who is permitted to use, or whose transactions are routed through, such correspondent account; and

(B) to obtain, with respect to each such customer (and each such representative), information that is substantially comparable to that which the depository institution obtains in the ordinary course of business with respect to its customers residing in the United States.


(5) Prohibitions or conditions on opening or maintaining certain correspondent or payable-through accounts.—If the Secretary finds a jurisdiction outside of the United States, 1 or more financial institutions operating outside of the United States, or 1 or more classes of transactions within, or involving, a jurisdiction outside of the United States to be of primary money laundering concern, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, may prohibit, or impose conditions upon, the opening or maintaining in the United States of a correspondent account or payable-through account by any domestic financial institution or domestic financial agency for or on behalf of a foreign banking institution, if such correspondent account or payable-through account involves any such jurisdiction or institution, or if any such transaction may be conducted through such correspondent account or payable-through account.


(c) Consultations and Information To Be Considered in Finding Jurisdictions, Institutions, Types of Accounts, or Transactions To Be of Primary Money Laundering Concern.—

(1) In general.—In making a finding that reasonable grounds exist for concluding that a jurisdiction outside of the United States, 1 or more financial institutions operating outside of the United States, 1 or more classes of transactions within, or involving, a jurisdiction outside of the United States, or 1 or more types of accounts is of primary money laundering concern so as to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to take 1 or more of the special measures described in subsection (b), the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General.

(2) Additional considerations.—In making a finding described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider in addition such information as the Secretary determines to be relevant, including the following potentially relevant factors:

(A) Jurisdictional factors.—In the case of a particular jurisdiction—

(i) evidence that organized criminal groups, international terrorists, or entities involved in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or missiles have transacted business in that jurisdiction;

(ii) the extent to which that jurisdiction or financial institutions operating in that jurisdiction offer bank secrecy or special regulatory advantages to nonresidents or nondomiciliaries of that jurisdiction;

(iii) the substance and quality of administration of the bank supervisory and counter-money laundering laws of that jurisdiction;

(iv) the relationship between the volume of financial transactions occurring in that jurisdiction and the size of the economy of the jurisdiction;

(v) the extent to which that jurisdiction is characterized as an offshore banking or secrecy haven by credible international organizations or multilateral expert groups;

(vi) whether the United States has a mutual legal assistance treaty with that jurisdiction, and the experience of United States law enforcement officials and regulatory officials in obtaining information about transactions originating in or routed through or to such jurisdiction; and

(vii) the extent to which that jurisdiction is characterized by high levels of official or institutional corruption.


(B) Institutional factors.—In the case of a decision to apply 1 or more of the special measures described in subsection (b) only to a financial institution or institutions, or to a transaction or class of transactions, or to a type of account, or to all 3, within or involving a particular jurisdiction—

(i) the extent to which such financial institutions, transactions, or types of accounts are used to facilitate or promote money laundering in or through the jurisdiction, including any money laundering activity by organized criminal groups, international terrorists, or entities involved in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or missiles;

(ii) the extent to which such institutions, transactions, or types of accounts are used for legitimate business purposes in the jurisdiction; and

(iii) the extent to which such action is sufficient to ensure, with respect to transactions involving the jurisdiction and institutions operating in the jurisdiction, that the purposes of this subchapter continue to be fulfilled, and to guard against international money laundering and other financial crimes.


(d) Notification of Special Measures Invoked by the Secretary.—Not later than 10 days after the date of any action taken by the Secretary of the Treasury under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall notify, in writing, the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate of any such action.

(e) Definitions.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, for purposes of this section and subsections (i) and (j) of section 5318, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) Bank definitions.—The following definitions shall apply with respect to a bank:

(A) Account.—The term “account”—

(i) means a formal banking or business relationship established to provide regular services, dealings, and other financial transactions; and

(ii) includes a demand deposit, savings deposit, or other transaction or asset account and a credit account or other extension of credit.


(B) Correspondent account.—The term “correspondent account” means an account established to receive deposits from, make payments on behalf of a foreign financial institution, or handle other financial transactions related to such institution.

(C) Payable-through account.—The term “payable-through account” means an account, including a transaction account (as defined in section 19(b)(1)(C) of the Federal Reserve Act), opened at a depository institution by a foreign financial institution by means of which the foreign financial institution permits its customers to engage, either directly or through a subaccount, in banking activities usual in connection with the business of banking in the United States.


(2) Definitions applicable to institutions other than banks.—With respect to any financial institution other than a bank, the Secretary shall, after consultation with the appropriate Federal functional regulators (as defined in section 509 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act), define by regulation the term “account”, and shall include within the meaning of that term, to the extent, if any, that the Secretary deems appropriate, arrangements similar to payable-through and correspondent accounts.

(3) Regulatory definition of beneficial ownership.—The Secretary shall promulgate regulations defining beneficial ownership of an account for purposes of this section and subsections (i) and (j) of section 5318. Such regulations shall address issues related to an individual's authority to fund, direct, or manage the account (including, without limitation, the power to direct payments into or out of the account), and an individual's material interest in the income or corpus of the account, and shall ensure that the identification of individuals under this section or subsection (i) or (j) of section 5318 does not extend to any individual whose beneficial interest in the income or corpus of the account is immaterial.

(4) Other terms.—The Secretary may, by regulation, further define the terms in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), and define other terms for the purposes of this section, as the Secretary deems appropriate.


(f) Classified Information.—In any judicial review of a finding of the existence of a primary money laundering concern, or of the requirement for 1 or more special measures with respect to a primary money laundering concern, made under this section, if the designation or imposition, or both, were based on classified information (as defined in section 1(a) of the Classified Information Procedures Act (18 U.S.C. App.),2 such information may be submitted by the Secretary to the reviewing court ex parte and in camera. This subsection does not confer or imply any right to judicial review of any finding made or any requirement imposed under this section.

(Added Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §311(a), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 298; amended Pub. L. 108–177, title III, §376, Dec. 13, 2003, 117 Stat. 2630; Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, §6203(e), (f), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3747; Pub. L. 109–293, title V, §501, Sept. 30, 2006, 120 Stat. 1350.)

References in Text

Section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(4)(A), is classified to section 1813 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

Section 19(b)(1)(C) of the Federal Reserve Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(C), is classified to section 461(b)(1)(C) of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

Section 509 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(2), is classified to section 6809 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.

Section 1(a) of the Classified Information Procedures Act, referred to in subsec. (f), is section 1(a) of Pub. L. 96–456, which is set out in the Appendix to Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

Amendments

2006—Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(i). Pub. L. 109–293, §501(1), substituted “or entities involved in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or missiles” for “or both,”.

Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(i). Pub. L. 109–293, §501(2), inserted “, including any money laundering activity by organized criminal groups, international terrorists, or entities involved in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or missiles” before semicolon at end.

2004—Pub. L. 108–458, §6203(e), amended section catchline generally. Prior to amendment, catchline read as follows: “Special measures for jurisdictions, financial institutions, or international transactions of primary money laundering concern”.

Subsec. (a)(4)(A). Pub. L. 108–458, §6203(f)(1), substituted “(as defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act)” for “, as defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act,”.

Subsec. (a)(4)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 108–458, §6203(f)(2), substituted “class of transactions, or type of account” for “or class of transactions”.

Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 108–458, §6203(f)(3), substituted “class of transactions, or type of account to be” for “or class of transactions to be”.

Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 108–458, §6203(f)(4), inserted “or subsection (i) or (j) of section 5318” after “identification of individuals under this section”.

2003—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 108–177 added subsec. (f).

Effective Date of 2004 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 108–458 effective as if included in Pub. L. 107–56, as of the date of enactment of such Act, and no amendment made by Pub. L. 107–56 that is inconsistent with such amendment to be deemed to have taken effect, see section 6205 of Pub. L. 108–458, set out as a note under section 1828 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

“Federal Functional Regulator” Includes Commodity Futures Trading Commission

For purposes of Pub. L. 107–56 and any amendment by Pub. L. 107–56, the term “Federal functional regulator” includes the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, see section 321(c) of Pub. L. 107–56, set out as a note under section 5318 of this title.

1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.

2 So in original. A second closing parenthesis probably should precede the comma.

§5319. Availability of reports

The Secretary of the Treasury shall make information in a report filed under this subchapter available to an agency, including any State financial institutions supervisory agency, United States intelligence agency or self-regulatory organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, upon request of the head of the agency or organization. The report shall be available for a purpose that is consistent with this subchapter. The Secretary may only require reports on the use of such information by any State financial institutions supervisory agency for other than supervisory purposes or by United States intelligence agencies. However, a report and records of reports are exempt from disclosure under section 552 of title 5, and may not be disclosed under any State, local, tribal, or territorial “freedom of information”, “open government”, or similar law.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 999; Pub. L. 102–550, title XV, §1506, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4055; Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §358(c), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 326; Pub. L. 112–74, div. C, title I, §119, Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 891.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
5319 31:1052(j). Oct. 26, 1970, Pub. L. 91–508, §§203(j), 212, 84 Stat. 1120, 1121.
  31:1061.

The words “upon such conditions and pursuant to such procedures as he may by regulation prescribe” and “set forth” in 31:1061, and the word “specifically” in 31:1052(j), are omitted as surplus.

Amendments

2011—Pub. L. 112–74 inserted “, and may not be disclosed under any State, local, tribal, or territorial ‘freedom of information’, ‘open government’, or similar law” after “section 552 of title 5”.

2001—Pub. L. 107–56 reenacted section catchline without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Secretary of the Treasury shall make information in a report filed under section 5313, 5314, or 5316 of this title available to an agency, including any State financial institutions supervisory agency, on request of the head of the agency. The report shall be available for a purpose consistent with those sections or a regulation prescribed under those sections. The Secretary may only require reports on the use of such information by any State financial institutions supervisory agency for other than supervisory purposes. However, a report and records of reports are exempt from disclosure under section 552 of title 5.”

1992—Pub. L. 102–550 substituted “to an agency, including any State financial institutions supervisory agency,” for “to an agency” in first sentence and inserted after second sentence “The Secretary may only require reports on the use of such information by any State financial institutions supervisory agency for other than supervisory purposes.”

Effective Date of 2001 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–56 applicable with respect to reports filed or records maintained on, before, or after Oct. 26, 2001, see section 358(h) of Pub. L. 107–56, set out as a note under section 1829b of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

§5320. Injunctions

When the Secretary of the Treasury believes a person has violated, is violating, or will violate this subchapter or a regulation prescribed or order issued under this subchapter, the Secretary may bring a civil action in the appropriate district court of the United States or appropriate United States court of a territory or possession of the United States to enjoin the violation or to enforce compliance with the subchapter, regulation, or order. An injunction or temporary restraining order shall be issued without bond.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 999.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
5320 31:1057. Oct. 26, 1970, Pub. L. 91–508, §208, 84 Stat. 1120.
  31:1143(b)(words before last comma). Sept. 21, 1973, Pub. L. 93–110, §203(b)(words before last comma), 87 Stat. 353.

The words “has violated, is violating, or will violate this subchapter” are substituted for “has engaged, is engaged, or is about to engage in any acts or practices constituting a violation of the provisions of this chapter” in 31:1057 and “failed to submit a report required under any rule or regulation issued under this subchapter or has violated any rule or regulation issued hereunder” in 31:1143(b)(words before last comma) to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “or a regulation prescribed” are added because of the restatement. The words “in his discretion” are omitted as surplus. The word “civil” is added because of rule 2 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.). The word “possession” is substituted for “other place subject to the jurisdiction” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The words “or to enforce compliance with the subchapter, regulation, or order” are substituted for 31:1057(last sentence) and the words “a mandatory injunction commanding such person to comply with such rule or regulation” in 31:1143(b)(words before last comma) to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “and upon a proper showing . . . permanent or” are omitted as surplus.

§5321. Civil penalties

(a)(1) A domestic financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business, and a partner, director, officer, or employee of a domestic financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business, willfully violating this subchapter or a regulation prescribed or order issued under this subchapter (except sections 5314 and 5315 of this title or a regulation prescribed under sections 5314 and 5315), or willfully violating a regulation prescribed under section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or section 123 of Public Law 91–508, is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than the greater of the amount (not to exceed $100,000) involved in the transaction (if any) or $25,000. For a violation of section 5318(a)(2) of this title or a regulation prescribed under section 5318(a)(2), a separate violation occurs for each day the violation continues and at each office, branch, or place of business at which a violation occurs or continues.

(2) The Secretary of the Treasury may impose an additional civil penalty on a person not filing a report, or filing a report containing a material omission or misstatement, under section 5316 of this title or a regulation prescribed under section 5316. A civil penalty under this paragraph may not be more than the amount of the monetary instrument for which the report was required. A civil penalty under this paragraph is reduced by an amount forfeited under section 5317(b) of this title.

(3) A person not filing a report under a regulation prescribed under section 5315 of this title or not complying with an injunction under section 5320 of this title enjoining a violation of, or enforcing compliance with, section 5315 or a regulation prescribed under section 5315, is liable to the Government for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000.

(4) Structured Transaction Violation.—

(A) Penalty authorized.—The Secretary of the Treasury may impose a civil money penalty on any person who violates any provision of section 5324.

(B) Maximum amount limitation.—The amount of any civil money penalty imposed under subparagraph (A) shall not exceed the amount of the coins and currency (or such other monetary instruments as the Secretary may prescribe) involved in the transaction with respect to which such penalty is imposed.

(C) Coordination with forfeiture provision.—The amount of any civil money penalty imposed by the Secretary under subparagraph (A) shall be reduced by the amount of any forfeiture to the United States in connection with the transaction with respect to which such penalty is imposed.


(5) Foreign financial agency transaction violation.—

(A) Penalty authorized.—The Secretary of the Treasury may impose a civil money penalty on any person who violates, or causes any violation of, any provision of section 5314.

(B) Amount of penalty.—

(i) In general.—Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the amount of any civil penalty imposed under subparagraph (A) shall not exceed $10,000.

(ii) Reasonable cause exception.—No penalty shall be imposed under subparagraph (A) with respect to any violation if—

(I) such violation was due to reasonable cause, and

(II) the amount of the transaction or the balance in the account at the time of the transaction was properly reported.


(C) Willful violations.—In the case of any person willfully violating, or willfully causing any violation of, any provision of section 5314—

(i) the maximum penalty under subparagraph (B)(i) shall be increased to the greater of—

(I) $100,000, or

(II) 50 percent of the amount determined under subparagraph (D), and


(ii) subparagraph (B)(ii) shall not apply.


(D) Amount.—The amount determined under this subparagraph is—

(i) in the case of a violation involving a transaction, the amount of the transaction, or

(ii) in the case of a violation involving a failure to report the existence of an account or any identifying information required to be provided with respect to an account, the balance in the account at the time of the violation.


(6) Negligence.—

(A) In general.—The Secretary of the Treasury may impose a civil money penalty of not more than $500 on any financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business which negligently violates any provision of this subchapter or any regulation prescribed under this subchapter.

(B) Pattern of negligent activity.—If any financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business engages in a pattern of negligent violations of any provision of this subchapter or any regulation prescribed under this subchapter, the Secretary of the Treasury may, in addition to any penalty imposed under subparagraph (A) with respect to any such violation, impose a civil money penalty of not more than $50,000 on the financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business.


(7) Penalties for international counter money laundering violations.—The Secretary may impose a civil money penalty in an amount equal to not less than 2 times the amount of the transaction, but not more than $1,000,000, on any financial institution or agency that violates any provision of subsection (i) or (j) of section 5318 or any special measures imposed under section 5318A.

(b) Time Limitations for Assessments and Commencement of Civil Actions.—

(1) Assessments.—The Secretary of the Treasury may assess a civil penalty under subsection (a) at any time before the end of the 6-year period beginning on the date of the transaction with respect to which the penalty is assessed.

(2) Civil actions.—The Secretary may commence a civil action to recover a civil penalty assessed under subsection (a) at any time before the end of the 2-year period beginning on the later of—

(A) the date the penalty was assessed; or

(B) the date any judgment becomes final in any criminal action under section 5322 in connection with the same transaction with respect to which the penalty is assessed.


(c) The Secretary may remit any part of a forfeiture under subsection (c) or (d) 1 of section 5317 of this title or civil penalty under subsection (a)(2) of this section.

(d) Criminal Penalty Not Exclusive of Civil Penalty.—A civil money penalty may be imposed under subsection (a) with respect to any violation of this subchapter notwithstanding the fact that a criminal penalty is imposed with respect to the same violation.

(e) Delegation of Assessment Authority to Banking Agencies.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall delegate, in accordance with section 5318(a)(1) and subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary may impose in accordance with paragraph (3), any authority of the Secretary to assess a civil money penalty under this section on depository institutions (as defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act) to the appropriate Federal banking agencies (as defined in such section 3).

(2) Authority of agencies.—Subject to any term or condition imposed by the Secretary of the Treasury under paragraph (3), the provisions of this section shall apply to an appropriate Federal banking agency to which is delegated any authority of the Secretary under this section in the same manner such provisions apply to the Secretary.

(3) Terms and conditions.—

(A) In general.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe by regulation the terms and conditions which shall apply to any delegation under paragraph (1).

(B) Maximum dollar amount.—The terms and conditions authorized under subparagraph (A) may include, in the Secretary's sole discretion, a limitation on the amount of any civil penalty which may be assessed by an appropriate Federal banking agency pursuant to a delegation under paragraph (1).

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 999; Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §901(a), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2135; Pub. L. 99–570, title I, §§1356(c)(1), 1357(a)–(f), (h), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–24—3207–26; Pub. L. 100–690, title VI, §6185(g)(2), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4357; Pub. L. 102–550, title XV, §§1511(b), 1525(b), 1535(a)(2), 1561(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4057, 4065, 4066, 4071; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330017(a)(1), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2149; Pub. L. 103–325, title IV, §§406, 411(b), 413(a)(1), Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2247, 2253, 2254; Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title II, §2223(3), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–415; Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §§353(a), 363(a), 365(c)(2)(B)(i), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 322, 332, 335; Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, §821(a), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1586.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
5321(a)(1) 31:1054(b)(last sentence related to civil penalties). Oct. 26, 1970, Pub. L. 91–508, §§205(b)(last sentence related to civil penalties), 207, 233, 234, 84 Stat. 1120, 1123.
  31:1056(a).
5321(a)(2) 31:1103.
5321(a)(3) 31:1143(a), (b)(words after last comma). Sept. 21, 1973, Pub. L. 93–110, §203(a), (b)(words after last comma), 87 Stat. 353.
5321(b) 31:1056(b).
5321(c) 31:1104.

In subsection (a)(1), the words “or a regulation prescribed under this subchapter” are added because of the restatement. The words “(except section 5315 of this title or a regulation prescribed under section 5315)” are added because 31:1141–1143 was not enacted as a part of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act that is restated in this subchapter. The words “is liable to the United States Government for” are substituted for “the Secretary may assess upon” in 31:1056(a) for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The words “the purposes of both civil and criminal penalties for” in 31:1054(b)(last sentence)(related to civil penalties) are omitted, and the words “or a regulation prescribed under section 5318(2)” are added, because of the restatement. The words “the violation continues” are added for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. The word “separate” before “office” is omitted as surplus.

In subsection (a)(2), the word “impose” is substituted for “assess” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. The word “additional” is substituted for 31:1103 (last sentence words before last comma) to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “or a regulation prescribed under section 5316” are added because of the restatement. The words “amount of this”, “to be filed”, and “actually” are omitted as surplus.

Subsection (a)(3) is substituted for 31:1143(a) and (b)(words after last comma) for clarity and consistency and because of the restatement.

In subsection (b), the words “in the discretion of”, “in the name of the United States”, and “of any person” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (c), the words “in his discretion” and “upon such terms and conditions as he deems reasonable and just” are omitted as surplus. The word “civil” is added for clarity.

References in Text

Sections 3 and 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (e)(1), are classified to sections 1813 and 1829b, respectively, of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

Section 123 of Public Law 91–508, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is classified to section 1953 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

Amendments

2004—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 108–357 amended heading and text of par. (5) generally, inserting provisions changing the penalties for violating section 5314 of this title and providing a reasonable cause exception.

2001—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 107–56, §§353(a), 365(c)(2)(B)(i), inserted “or nonfinancial trade or business” after “financial institution” in two places, “or order issued” after “subchapter or a regulation prescribed”, and “, or willfully violating a regulation prescribed under section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or section 123 of Public Law 91–508,” after “sections 5314 and 5315)”.

Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 107–56, §365(c)(2)(B)(i), inserted “or nonfinancial trade or business” after “financial institution” wherever appearing.

Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 107–56, §363(a), added par. (7).

1996—Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 104–208 struck out par. (7) which read as follows:

“(7) Financial institution identification violations.—

“(A) Penalty authorized.—The Secretary may impose a civil money penalty on any person who willfully violates any provision of section 5327 or any regulation prescribed under such section.

“(B) Maximum amount limitation.—The amount of any civil money penalty imposed under subparagraph (A) shall not exceed $10,000 per day for each day during which a report remains unfiled or a report containing a material omission or misstatement of fact remains uncorrected.”

1994—Subsec. (a)(4)(A). Pub. L. 103–325, §411(b), struck out “willfully” before “violates”.

Subsec. (a)(5)(A). Pub. L. 103–322, §330017(a)(1) and Pub. L. 103–325, §413(a)(1), amended subpar. (A) identically, inserting “any violation of” after “causing”.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 103–325, §406, added subsec. (e).

1992—Subsec. (a)(4)(C). Pub. L. 102–550, §1525(b), struck out “under section 5317(d)” after “forfeiture to the United States”.

Subsec. (a)(5)(A). Pub. L. 102–550, §1535(a)(2), inserted “or any person willfully causing” after “willfully violates”.

Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 102–550, §1561(a), amended par. (6) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (6) read as follows: “Negligence.—The Secretary of the Treasury may impose a civil money penalty of not more than $500 on any financial institution which negligently violates any provision of this subchapter or any regulation prescribed under this subchapter.”

Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 102–550, §1511(b), added par. (7).

1988—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 100–690 inserted “(if any)” after “transaction”.

1986—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 99–570, §§1356(c)(1), 1357(b), substituted “sections 5314 and 5315” for “section 5315” in two places, substituted “5318(a)(2)” for “5318(2)” in two places, and substituted “the greater of the amount (not to exceed $100,000) involved in the transaction or $25,000” for “$10,000”.

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 99–570, §1357(a), added par. (4).

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 99–570, §1357(c), added par. (5).

Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 99–570, §1357(d), added par. (6).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–570, §1357(e), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: “The Secretary may bring a civil action to recover a civil penalty under subsection (a)(1) or (2) of this section that has not been paid.”

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99–570, §1357(h), substituted “subsection (c) or (d) of section 5317” for “section 5317(b)”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 99–570, §1357(f), added subsec. (d).

1984—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 98–473 substituted “$10,000” for “$1,000”.

Effective Date of 2004 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, §821(b), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1586, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to violations occurring after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 22, 2004].”

Effective Date of 1992 Amendment

Section 1561(b) of Pub. L. 102–550 provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to violations committed after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 28, 1992].”

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by section 1357(a) of Pub. L. 99–570, applicable with respect to violations committed after the end of the 3-month period beginning Oct. 27, 1986, see section 1364(b) of Pub. L. 99–570, set out as a note under section 5317 of this title.

Section 1364(c) of Pub. L. 99–570 provided that: “The amendments made by section 1357 (other than subsection (a) of such section) [amending sections 5321 and 5322 of this title] shall apply with respect to violations committed after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 27, 1986].”

1 So in original. Section 5317 does not contain a subsec. (d).

§5322. Criminal penalties

(a) A person willfully violating this subchapter or a regulation prescribed or order issued under this subchapter (except section 5315 or 5324 of this title or a regulation prescribed under section 5315 or 5324), or willfully violating a regulation prescribed under section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or section 123 of Public Law 91–508, shall be fined not more than $250,000, or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both.

(b) A person willfully violating this subchapter or a regulation prescribed or order issued under this subchapter (except section 5315 or 5324 of this title or a regulation prescribed under section 5315 or 5324), or willfully violating a regulation prescribed under section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or section 123 of Public Law 91–508, while violating another law of the United States or as part of a pattern of any illegal activity involving more than $100,000 in a 12-month period, shall be fined not more than $500,000, imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both.

(c) For a violation of section 5318(a)(2) of this title or a regulation prescribed under section 5318(a)(2), a separate violation occurs for each day the violation continues and at each office, branch, or place of business at which a violation occurs or continues.

(d) A financial institution or agency that violates any provision of subsection (i) or (j) of section 5318, or any special measures imposed under section 5318A, or any regulation prescribed under subsection (i) or (j) of section 5318 or section 5318A, shall be fined in an amount equal to not less than 2 times the amount of the transaction, but not more than $1,000,000.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1000; Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §901(b), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2135; Pub. L. 99–570, title I, §§1356(c)(1), 1357(g), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–24, 3207–26; Pub. L. 102–550, title XV, §1504(d)(2), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4055; Pub. L. 103–325, title IV, §411(c)(1), Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2253; Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §§353(b), 363(b), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 323, 332.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
5322(a) 31:1058. Oct. 26, 1970, Pub. L. 91–508, §§205(b)(last sentence related to criminal penalties), 209, 210, 84 Stat. 1120, 1121.
5322(b) 31:1059.
5322(c) 31:1054(b)(last sentence related to criminal penalties).

In subsections (a) and (b), the words “(except section 5315 of this title or a regulation prescribed under section 5315)” are added because 31:1141–1143 was not enacted as part of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act that is restated in the subchapter.

In subsection (a), the word “prescribed” is added for consistency.

In subsection (b), the words “or a regulation prescribed under this subchapter” are added because of the restatement. The words “committed” and “the commission of” are omitted as surplus. The words “United States” are substituted for “Federal” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.

In subsection (c), the words “the purposes of both civil and criminal penalties for” are omitted because of the restatement. The word “separate” before “office” is omitted as surplus.

References in Text

Section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b), is classified to section 1829b of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

Section 123 of Public Law 91–508, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b), is classified to section 1953 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

Amendments

2001—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107–56, §353(b)(1), inserted “or order issued” after “willfully violating this subchapter or a regulation prescribed” and “, or willfully violating a regulation prescribed under section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or section 123 of Public Law 91–508,” after “under section 5315 or 5324)”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 107–56, §353(b)(2), inserted “or order issued” after “willfully violating this subchapter or a regulation prescribed” and “or willfully violating a regulation prescribed under section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or section 123 of Public Law 91–508,” after “under section 5315 or 5324),”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 107–56, §363(b), added subsec. (d).

1994—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 103–325 inserted “or 5324” after “section 5315” wherever appearing.

1992—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–550 substituted “imprisoned for” for “imprisonment”.

1986—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–570, §1357(g), substituted “any illegal activity involving” for “illegal activity involving transactions of” and “10 years” for “5 years”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99–570, §1356(c)(1), substituted “5318(a)(2)” for “5318(2)” in two places.

1984—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 98–473, which directed the substitution of “$250,000, or imprisonment not more than five years, or both” for “$1,000, or imprisonment not more than one year, or both”, was executed by substituting the quoted wording for “$1,000, imprisoned for not more than one year, or both” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by section 1357(g) of Pub. L. 99–570 applicable with respect to violations committed after Oct. 27, 1986, see section 1364(c) of Pub. L. 99–570, set out as a note under section 5321 of this title.

§5323. Rewards for informants

(a) The Secretary may pay a reward to an individual who provides original information which leads to a recovery of a criminal fine, civil penalty, or forfeiture, which exceeds $50,000, for a violation of this chapter.

(b) The Secretary shall determine the amount of a reward under this section. The Secretary may not award more than 25 per centum of the net amount of the fine, penalty, or forfeiture collected or $150,000, whichever is less.

(c) An officer or employee of the United States, a State, or a local government who provides information described in subsection (a) in the performance of official duties is not eligible for a reward under this section.

(d) There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

(Added Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §901(e), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2135.)

§5324. Structuring transactions to evade reporting requirement prohibited

(a) Domestic Coin and Currency Transactions Involving Financial Institutions.—No person shall, for the purpose of evading the reporting requirements of section 5313(a) or 5325 or any regulation prescribed under any such section, the reporting or recordkeeping requirements imposed by any order issued under section 5326, or the recordkeeping requirements imposed by any regulation prescribed under section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or section 123 of Public Law 91–508—

(1) cause or attempt to cause a domestic financial institution to fail to file a report required under section 5313(a) or 5325 or any regulation prescribed under any such section, to file a report or to maintain a record required by an order issued under section 5326, or to maintain a record required pursuant to any regulation prescribed under section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or section 123 of Public Law 91–508;

(2) cause or attempt to cause a domestic financial institution to file a report required under section 5313(a) or 5325 or any regulation prescribed under any such section, to file a report or to maintain a record required by any order issued under section 5326, or to maintain a record required pursuant to any regulation prescribed under section 5326, or to maintain a record required pursuant to any regulation prescribed under section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or section 123 of Public Law 91–508, that contains a material omission or misstatement of fact; or

(3) structure or assist in structuring, or attempt to structure or assist in structuring, any transaction with one or more domestic financial institutions.


(b) Domestic Coin and Currency Transactions Involving Nonfinancial Trades or Businesses.—No person shall, for the purpose of evading the report requirements of section 5331 or any regulation prescribed under such section—

(1) cause or attempt to cause a nonfinancial trade or business to fail to file a report required under section 5331 or any regulation prescribed under such section;

(2) cause or attempt to cause a nonfinancial trade or business to file a report required under section 5331 or any regulation prescribed under such section that contains a material omission or misstatement of fact; or

(3) structure or assist in structuring, or attempt to structure or assist in structuring, any transaction with 1 or more nonfinancial trades or businesses.


(c) International Monetary Instrument Transactions.—No person shall, for the purpose of evading the reporting requirements of section 5316—

(1) fail to file a report required by section 5316, or cause or attempt to cause a person to fail to file such a report;

(2) file or cause or attempt to cause a person to file a report required under section 5316 that contains a material omission or misstatement of fact; or

(3) structure or assist in structuring, or attempt to structure or assist in structuring, any importation or exportation of monetary instruments.


(d) Criminal Penalty.—

(1) In general.—Whoever violates this section shall be fined in accordance with title 18, United States Code, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both.

(2) Enhanced penalty for aggravated cases.—Whoever violates this section while violating another law of the United States or as part of a pattern of any illegal activity involving more than $100,000 in a 12-month period shall be fined twice the amount provided in subsection (b)(3) or (c)(3) (as the case may be) of section 3571 of title 18, United States Code, imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both.

(Added Pub. L. 99–570, title I, §1354(a), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–22; amended Pub. L. 102–550, title XV, §§1517(a), 1525(a), 1535(a)(1), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4059, 4064, 4066; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330017(a)(2), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2149; Pub. L. 103–325, title IV, §§411(a), 413(a)(2), Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2253, 2254; Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §§353(c), 365(b)(1), (2)(A), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 323, 334, 335; Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, §6203(g), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3747.)

References in Text

Section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is classified to section 1829b of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

Section 123 of Public Law 91–508, referred to in subsec. (a), is classified to section 1953 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

Amendments

2004—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 108–458 substituted “5331” for “5333” wherever appearing.

2001—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107–56, §§353(c)(1), (2), 365(b)(2)(A), inserted “Involving Financial Institutions” after “Transactions” in heading, and in introductory provisions, inserted comma after “No person shall” and substituted “section, the reporting or recordkeeping requirements imposed by any order issued under section 5326, or the recordkeeping requirements imposed by any regulation prescribed under section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or section 123 of Public Law 91–508—” for “section—”.

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 107–56, §353(c)(3), inserted “, to file a report or to maintain a record required by an order issued under section 5326, or to maintain a record required pursuant to any regulation prescribed under section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or section 123 of Public Law 91–508” before semicolon at end.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 107–56, §353(c)(4), inserted “, to file a report or to maintain a record required by any order issued under section 5326, or to maintain a record required pursuant to any regulation prescribed under section 5326, or to maintain a record required pursuant to any regulation prescribed under section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or section 123 of Public Law 91–508,” after “regulation prescribed under any such section”.

Subsecs. (b) to (d). Pub. L. 107–56, §365(b)(1), added subsec. (b) and redesignated former subsecs. (b) and (c) as (c) and (d), respectively.

1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–322, §330017(a)(2) and Pub. L. 103–325, §413(a)(2), amended subsec. (a), introductory provisions, identically, substituting “section 5313(a) or 5325 or any regulation prescribed under any such section” for “section 5313(a), section 5325, or the regulations issued thereunder or section 5325 or regulations prescribed under such section 5325” and striking out “with respect to such transaction” before dash.

Subsec. (a)(1), (2). Pub. L. 103–322, §330017(a)(2)(A) and Pub. L. 103–325, §413(a)(2)(A), amended pars. (1) and (2) identically, substituting “section 5313(a) or 5325 or any regulation prescribed under any such section” for “section 5313(a), section 5325, or the regulations issued thereunder or section 5325 or regulations prescribed under such section 5325”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–325, §411(a), added subsec. (c).

1992—Pub. L. 102–550, §1525(a)(1), designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b).

Pub. L. 102–550, §§1517(a), 1535(a)(1), inserted the following duplicative provisions “or section 5325 or regulations prescribed under such section 5325” and “, section 5325, or the regulations issued thereunder” after “section 5313(a)” wherever appearing.

Effective Date of 2004 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 108–458 effective as if included in Pub. L. 107–56, as of the date of enactment of such Act, and no amendment made by Pub. L. 107–56 that is inconsistent with such amendment to be deemed to have taken effect, see section 6205 of Pub. L. 108–458, set out as a note under section 1828 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

Effective Date

Section 1364(a) of Pub. L. 99–570 provided that: “The amendment made by section 1354 [enacting this section] shall apply with respect to transactions for the payment, receipt, or transfer of United States coins or currency or other monetary instruments completed after the end of the 3-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 27, 1986].”

§5325. Identification required to purchase certain monetary instruments

(a) In General.—No financial institution may issue or sell a bank check, cashier's check, traveler's check, or money order to any individual in connection with a transaction or group of such contemporaneous transactions which involves United States coins or currency (or such other monetary instruments as the Secretary may prescribe) in amounts or denominations of $3,000 or more unless—

(1) the individual has a transaction account with such financial institution and the financial institution—

(A) verifies that fact through a signature card or other information maintained by such institution in connection with the account of such individual; and

(B) records the method of verification in accordance with regulations which the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe; or


(2) the individual furnishes the financial institution with such forms of identification as the Secretary of the Treasury may require in regulations which the Secretary shall prescribe and the financial institution verifies and records such information in accordance with regulations which such Secretary shall prescribe.


(b) Report to Secretary Upon Request.—Any information required to be recorded by any financial institution under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) shall be reported by such institution to the Secretary of the Treasury at the request of such Secretary.

(c) Transaction Account Defined.—For purposes of this section, the term “transaction account” has the meaning given to such term in section 19(b)(1)(C) of the Federal Reserve Act.

(Added Pub. L. 100–690, title VI, §6185(b), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4355.)

References in Text

Section 19(b)(1)(C) of the Federal Reserve Act, referred to in subsec. (c), is classified to section 461(b)(1)(C) of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

§5326. Records of certain domestic coin and currency transactions

(a) In General.—If the Secretary of the Treasury finds, upon the Secretary's own initiative or at the request of an appropriate Federal or State law enforcement official, that reasonable grounds exist for concluding that additional recordkeeping and reporting requirements are necessary to carry out the purposes of this subtitle and prevent evasions thereof, the Secretary may issue an order requiring any domestic financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business or group of domestic financial institutions or nonfinancial trades or businesses in a geographic area—

(1) to obtain such information as the Secretary may describe in such order concerning—

(A) any transaction in which such financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business is involved for the payment, receipt, or transfer of United States coins or currency (or such other monetary instruments as the Secretary may describe in such order) the total amounts or denominations of which are equal to or greater than an amount which the Secretary may prescribe; and

(B) any other person participating in such transaction;


(2) to maintain a record of such information for such period of time as the Secretary may require; and

(3) to file a report with respect to any transaction described in paragraph (1)(A) in the manner and to the extent specified in the order.


(b) Authority To Order Depository Institutions To Obtain Reports From Customers.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary of the Treasury may, by regulation or order, require any depository institution (as defined in section 3(c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act)—

(A) to request any financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business (other than a depository institution) which engages in any reportable transaction with the depository institution to provide the depository institution with a copy of any report filed by the financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business under this subtitle with respect to any prior transaction (between such financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business and any other person) which involved any portion of the coins or currency (or monetary instruments) which are involved in the reportable transaction with the depository institution; and

(B) if no copy of any report described in subparagraph (A) is received by the depository institution in connection with any reportable transaction to which such subparagraph applies, to submit (in addition to any report required under this subtitle with respect to the reportable transaction) a written notice to the Secretary that the financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business failed to provide any copy of such report.


(2) Reportable transaction defined.—For purposes of this subsection, the term “reportable transaction” means any transaction involving coins or currency (or such other monetary instruments as the Secretary may describe in the regulation or order) the total amounts or denominations of which are equal to or greater than an amount which the Secretary may prescribe.


(c) Nondisclosure of Orders.—No financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business or officer, director, employee or agent of a financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business subject to an order under this section may disclose the existence of, or terms of, the order to any person except as prescribed by the Secretary.

(d) Maximum Effective Period for Order.—No order issued under subsection (a) shall be effective for more than 180 days unless renewed pursuant to the requirements of subsection (a).

(Added Pub. L. 100–690, title VI, §6185(c), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4355; amended Pub. L. 102–550, title XV, §§1514, 1562, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4058, 4072; Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §§353(d), 365(c)(2)(B), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 323, 335.)

References in Text

Section 3(c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is classified to section 1813(c) of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

Amendments

2001—Subsec.(a). Pub. L. 107–56, §365(c)(2)(B), inserted “or nonfinancial trade or business” after “financial institution” and “or nonfinancial trades or businesses” for “financial institutions” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 107–56, §365(c)(2)(B)(i), inserted “or nonfinancial trade or business” after “financial institution”.

Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 107–56, §365(c)(2)(B)(i), inserted “or nonfinancial trade or business” after “financial institution” wherever appearing.

Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 107–56, §365(c)(2)(B)(i), inserted “or nonfinancial trade or business” after “financial institution”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 107–56, §365(c)(2)(B)(i), inserted “or nonfinancial trade or business” after “financial institution” in two places.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 107–56, §353(d), substituted “more than 180 days” for “more than 60 days”.

1992—Subsecs. (b) to (d). Pub. L. 102–550 added subsecs. (b) and (c) and redesignated former subsec. (b) as (d).

[§5327. Repealed. Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title II, §2223(1), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–415]

Section, added Pub. L. 102–550, title XV, §1511(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4056, required Secretary to prescribe regulations requiring depository institutions to identify and report on financial institution customers.

§5328. Whistleblower protections

(a) Prohibition Against Discrimination.—No financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business may discharge or otherwise discriminate against any employee with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the employee (or any person acting pursuant to the request of the employee) provided information to the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, or any Federal supervisory agency regarding a possible violation of any provision of this subchapter or section 1956, 1957, or 1960 of title 18, or any regulation under any such provision, by the financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business or any director, officer, or employee of the financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business.

(b) Enforcement.—Any employee or former employee who believes that such employee has been discharged or discriminated against in violation of subsection (a) may file a civil action in the appropriate United States district court before the end of the 2-year period beginning on the date of such discharge or discrimination.

(c) Remedies.—If the district court determines that a violation has occurred, the court may order the financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business which committed the violation to—

(1) reinstate the employee to the employee's former position;

(2) pay compensatory damages; or

(3) take other appropriate actions to remedy any past discrimination.


(d) Limitation.—The protections of this section shall not apply to any employee who—

(1) deliberately causes or participates in the alleged violation of law or regulation; or

(2) knowingly or recklessly provides substantially false information to the Secretary, the Attorney General, or any Federal supervisory agency.


(e) Coordination With Other Provisions of Law.—This section shall not apply with respect to any financial institution or nonfinancial trade or business which is subject to section 33 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, section 213 of the Federal Credit Union Act, or section 21A(q) 1 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act (as added by section 251(c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991).

(Added Pub. L. 102–550, title XV, §1563(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4072; amended Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §365(c)(2)(B)(i), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 335.)

References in Text

Section 33 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, referred to in subsec. (e), is classified to section 1831j of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

Section 213 of the Federal Credit Union Act, referred to in subsec. (e), is classified to section 1790b of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

Section 21A(q) of the Home Owners’ Loan Act, referred to in subsec. (e), probably means section 21A(q) of the Federal Home Loan Bank Act, which was classified to former section 1441a(q) of Title 12, Banks and Banking, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 111–203, title III, §364(b), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1555.

Amendments

2001—Subsecs. (a), (c), (e). Pub. L. 107–56 inserted “or nonfinancial trade or business” after “financial institution” wherever appearing.

1 See References in Text note below.

§5329. Staff commentaries

The Secretary shall—

(1) publish all written rulings interpreting this subchapter; and

(2) annually issue a staff commentary on the regulations issued under this subchapter.

(Added Pub. L. 103–325, title III, §311(a), Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2221.)

§5330. Registration of money transmitting businesses

(a) Registration With Secretary of the Treasury Required.—

(1) In general.—Any person who owns or controls a money transmitting business shall register the business (whether or not the business is licensed as a money transmitting business in any State) with the Secretary of the Treasury not later than the end of the 180-day period beginning on the later of—

(A) the date of enactment of the Money Laundering Suppression Act of 1994; or

(B) the date on which the business is established.


(2) Form and manner of registration.—Subject to the requirements of subsection (b), the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe, by regulation, the form and manner for registering a money transmitting business pursuant to paragraph (1).

(3) Businesses remain subject to state law.—This section shall not be construed as superseding any requirement of State law relating to money transmitting businesses operating in such State.

(4) False and incomplete information.—The filing of false or materially incomplete information in connection with the registration of a money transmitting business shall be considered as a failure to comply with the requirements of this subchapter.


(b) Contents of Registration.—The registration of a money transmitting business under subsection (a) shall include the following information:

(1) The name and location of the business.

(2) The name and address of each person who—

(A) owns or controls the business;

(B) is a director or officer of the business; or

(C) otherwise participates in the conduct of the affairs of the business.


(3) The name and address of any depository institution at which the business maintains a transaction account (as defined in section 19(b)(1)(C) of the Federal Reserve Act).

(4) An estimate of the volume of business in the coming year (which shall be reported annually to the Secretary).

(5) Such other information as the Secretary of the Treasury may require.


(c) Agents of Money Transmitting Businesses.—

(1) Maintenance of lists of agents of money transmitting businesses.—Pursuant to regulations which the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe, each money transmitting business shall—

(A) maintain a list containing the names and addresses of all persons authorized to act as an agent for such business in connection with activities described in subsection (d)(1)(A) and such other information about such agents as the Secretary may require; and

(B) make the list and other information available on request to any appropriate law enforcement agency.


(2) Treatment of agent as money transmitting business.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe regulations establishing, on the basis of such criteria as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, a threshold point for treating an agent of a money transmitting business as a money transmitting business for purposes of this section.


(d) Definitions.—For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) Money transmitting business.—The term “money transmitting business” means any business other than the United States Postal Service which—

(A) provides check cashing, currency exchange, or money transmitting or remittance services, or issues or redeems money orders, travelers’ checks, and other similar instruments or any other person who engages as a business in the transmission of funds, including any person who engages as a business in an informal money transfer system or any network of people who engage as a business in facilitating the transfer of money domestically or internationally outside of the conventional financial institutions system;; 1

(B) is required to file reports under section 5313; and

(C) is not a depository institution (as defined in section 5313(g)).


(2) Money transmitting service.—The term “money transmitting service” includes accepting currency or funds denominated in the currency of any country and transmitting the currency or funds, or the value of the currency or funds, by any means through a financial agency or institution, a Federal reserve bank or other facility of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or an electronic funds transfer network.


(e) Civil Penalty for Failure To Comply With Registration Requirements.—

(1) In general.—Any person who fails to comply with any requirement of this section or any regulation prescribed under this section shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty of $5,000 for each such violation.

(2) Continuing violation.—Each day a violation described in paragraph (1) continues shall constitute a separate violation for purposes of such paragraph.

(3) Assessments.—Any penalty imposed under this subsection shall be assessed and collected by the Secretary of the Treasury in the manner provided in section 5321 and any such assessment shall be subject to the provisions of such section.

(Added Pub. L. 103–325, title IV, §408(b), Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2250; amended Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §359(b), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 328.)

References in Text

The date of enactment of the Money Laundering Suppression Act of 1994, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A), is the date of enactment of title IV of Pub. L. 103–325, which was approved Sept. 23, 1994.

Section 19(b)(1)(C) of the Federal Reserve Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), is classified to section 461(b)(1)(C) of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

Amendments

2001—Subsec. (d)(1)(A). Pub. L. 107–56 inserted before semicolon “or any other person who engages as a business in the transmission of funds, including any person who engages as a business in an informal money transfer system or any network of people who engage as a business in facilitating the transfer of money domestically or internationally outside of the conventional financial institutions system;”.

Findings and Purposes

Section 408(a) of Pub. L. 103–325 provided that:

“(1) Findings.—The Congress hereby finds the following:

“(A) Money transmitting businesses are subject to the recordkeeping and reporting requirements of subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 31, United States Code.

“(B) Money transmitting businesses are largely unregulated businesses and are frequently used in sophisticated schemes to—

“(i) transfer large amounts of money which are the proceeds of unlawful enterprises; and

“(ii) evade the requirements of such subchapter II, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.], and other laws of the United States.

“(C) Information on the identity of money transmitting businesses and the names of the persons who own or control, or are officers or employees of, a money transmitting business would have a high degree of usefulness in criminal, tax, or regulatory investigations and proceedings.

“(2) Purpose.—It is the purpose of this section [enacting this section and amending section 1960 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure] to establish a registration requirement for businesses engaged in providing check cashing, currency exchange, or money transmitting or remittance services, or issuing or redeeming money orders, travelers’ checks, and other similar instruments to assist the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, and other supervisory and law enforcement agencies to effectively enforce the criminal, tax, and regulatory laws and prevent such money transmitting businesses from engaging in illegal activities.”

1 So in original.

§5331. Reports relating to coins and currency received in nonfinancial trade or business

(a) Coin and Currency Receipts of More Than $10,000.—Any person—

(1)(A) who is engaged in a trade or business, and

(B) who, in the course of such trade or business, receives more than $10,000 in coins or currency in 1 transaction (or 2 or more related transactions), or

(2) who is required to file a report under section 6050I(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,


shall file a report described in subsection (b) with respect to such transaction (or related transactions) with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may, by regulation, prescribe.

(b) Form and Manner of Reports.—A report is described in this subsection if such report—

(1) is in such form as the Secretary may prescribe;

(2) contains—

(A) the name and address, and such other identification information as the Secretary may require, of the person from whom the coins or currency was received;

(B) the amount of coins or currency received;

(C) the date and nature of the transaction; and

(D) such other information, including the identification of the person filing the report, as the Secretary may prescribe.


(c) Exceptions.—

(1) Amounts received by financial institutions.—Subsection (a) shall not apply to amounts received in a transaction reported under section 5313 and regulations prescribed under such section.

(2) Transactions occurring outside the united states.—Except to the extent provided in regulations prescribed by the Secretary, subsection (a) shall not apply to any transaction if the entire transaction occurs outside the United States.


(d) Currency Includes Foreign Currency and Certain Monetary Instruments.—

(1) In general.—For purposes of this section, the term “currency” includes—

(A) foreign currency; and

(B) to the extent provided in regulations prescribed by the Secretary, any monetary instrument (whether or not in bearer form) with a face amount of not more than $10,000.


(2) Scope of application.—Paragraph (1)(B) shall not apply to any check drawn on the account of the writer in a financial institution referred to in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), (J), (K), (R), or (S) of section 5312(a)(2).

(Added Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §365(a), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 333; amended Pub. L. 112–74, div. C, title I, §120, Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 891.)

References in Text

Section 6050I(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), is classified to section 6050I of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Amendments

2011—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–74 redesignated pars. (1) and (2) as subpars. (A) and (B), respectively, of par. (1), substituted “, and” for “; and” in subpar. (A), inserted “or” at end of subpar. (B), and added par. (2).

Regulations

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §365(e), formerly §365(f), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 335, renumbered §365(e) by Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, §6202(n)(2), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3746, provided that: “Regulations which the Secretary [of the Treasury] determines are necessary to implement this section [enacting this section and amending sections 5312, 5317, 5318, 5321, 5324, 5326, and 5328 of this title] shall be published in final form before the end of the 6-month period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 26, 2001].”

§5332. Bulk cash smuggling into or out of the United States

(a) Criminal Offense.—

(1) In general.—Whoever, with the intent to evade a currency reporting requirement under section 5316, knowingly conceals more than $10,000 in currency or other monetary instruments on the person of such individual or in any conveyance, article of luggage, merchandise, or other container, and transports or transfers or attempts to transport or transfer such currency or monetary instruments from a place within the United States to a place outside of the United States, or from a place outside the United States to a place within the United States, shall be guilty of a currency smuggling offense and subject to punishment pursuant to subsection (b).

(2) Concealment on person.—For purposes of this section, the concealment of currency on the person of any individual includes concealment in any article of clothing worn by the individual or in any luggage, backpack, or other container worn or carried by such individual.


(b) Penalty.—

(1) Term of imprisonment.—A person convicted of a currency smuggling offense under subsection (a), or a conspiracy to commit such offense, shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years.

(2) Forfeiture.—In addition, the court, in imposing sentence under paragraph (1), shall order that the defendant forfeit to the United States, any property, real or personal, involved in the offense, and any property traceable to such property.

(3) Procedure.—The seizure, restraint, and forfeiture of property under this section shall be governed by section 413 of the Controlled Substances Act.

(4) Personal money judgment.—If the property subject to forfeiture under paragraph (2) is unavailable, and the defendant has insufficient substitute property that may be forfeited pursuant to section 413(p) of the Controlled Substances Act, the court shall enter a personal money judgment against the defendant for the amount that would be subject to forfeiture.


(c) Civil Forfeiture.—

(1) In general.—Any property involved in a violation of subsection (a), or a conspiracy to commit such violation, and any property traceable to such violation or conspiracy, may be seized and forfeited to the United States.

(2) Procedure.—The seizure and forfeiture shall be governed by the procedures governing civil forfeitures in money laundering cases pursuant to section 981(a)(1)(A) of title 18, United States Code.

(3) Treatment of certain property as involved in the offense.—For purposes of this subsection and subsection (b), any currency or other monetary instrument that is concealed or intended to be concealed in violation of subsection (a) or a conspiracy to commit such violation, any article, container, or conveyance used, or intended to be used, to conceal or transport the currency or other monetary instrument, and any other property used, or intended to be used, to facilitate the offense, shall be considered property involved in the offense.

(Added Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §371(c), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 337; amended Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, §6203(h), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3747.)

References in Text

Section 413 of the Controlled Substances Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), (4), is classified to section 853 of Title 21, Food and Drugs.

Codification

Another section 371(c) of Pub. L. 107–56 amended the table of sections at the beginning of this chapter.

Amendments

2004—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 108–458, §6203(h)(1), struck out “, subject to subsection (d) of this section” before period at end.

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 108–458, §6203(h)(2), struck out “, subject to subsection (d) of this section,” after “may be seized and”.

Effective Date of 2004 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 108–458 effective as if included in Pub. L. 107–56, as of the date of enactment of such Act, and no amendment made by Pub. L. 107–56 that is inconsistent with such amendment to be deemed to have taken effect, see section 6205 of Pub. L. 108–458, set out as a note under section 1828 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

Bulk Cash Smuggling Into or Out of the United States

Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §371(a), (b), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 336, 337, provided that:

“(a) Findings.—The Congress finds the following:

“(1) Effective enforcement of the currency reporting requirements of subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 31, United States Code, and the regulations prescribed under such subchapter, has forced drug dealers and other criminals engaged in cash-based businesses to avoid using traditional financial institutions.

“(2) In their effort to avoid using traditional financial institutions, drug dealers and other criminals are forced to move large quantities of currency in bulk form to and through the airports, border crossings, and other ports of entry where the currency can be smuggled out of the United States and placed in a foreign financial institution or sold on the black market.

“(3) The transportation and smuggling of cash in bulk form may now be the most common form of money laundering, and the movement of large sums of cash is one of the most reliable warning signs of drug trafficking, terrorism, money laundering, racketeering, tax evasion and similar crimes.

“(4) The intentional transportation into or out of the United States of large amounts of currency or monetary instruments, in a manner designed to circumvent the mandatory reporting provisions of subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 31, United States Code,, [sic] is the equivalent of, and creates the same harm as, the smuggling of goods.

“(5) The arrest and prosecution of bulk cash smugglers are important parts of law enforcement's effort to stop the laundering of criminal proceeds, but the couriers who attempt to smuggle the cash out of the United States are typically low-level employees of large criminal organizations, and thus are easily replaced. Accordingly, only the confiscation of the smuggled bulk cash can effectively break the cycle of criminal activity of which the laundering of the bulk cash is a critical part.

“(6) The current penalties for violations of the currency reporting requirements are insufficient to provide a deterrent to the laundering of criminal proceeds. In particular, in cases where the only criminal violation under current law is a reporting offense, the law does not adequately provide for the confiscation of smuggled currency. In contrast, if the smuggling of bulk cash were itself an offense, the cash could be confiscated as the corpus delicti of the smuggling offense.

“(b) Purposes.—The purposes of this section [enacting this section] are—

“(1) to make the act of smuggling bulk cash itself a criminal offense;

“(2) to authorize forfeiture of any cash or instruments of the smuggling offense; and

“(3) to emphasize the seriousness of the act of bulk cash smuggling.”

SUBCHAPTER III—MONEY LAUNDERING AND RELATED FINANCIAL CRIMES

§5340. Definitions

For purposes of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) Department of the treasury law enforcement organizations.—The term “Department of the Treasury law enforcement organizations” has the meaning given to such term in section 9703(p)(1).

(2) Money laundering and related financial crime.—The term “money laundering and related financial crime”—

(A) means the movement of illicit cash or cash equivalent proceeds into, out of, or through the United States, or into, out of, or through United States financial institutions, as defined in section 5312 of title 31, United States Code; or

(B) has the meaning given that term (or the term used for an equivalent offense) under State and local criminal statutes pertaining to the movement of illicit cash or cash equivalent proceeds.


(3) Secretary.—The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Treasury.

(4) Attorney general.—The term “Attorney General” means the Attorney General of the United States.

(Added Pub. L. 105–310, §2(a), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2941.)

Part 1—National Money Laundering and Related Financial Crimes Strategy

§5341. National money laundering and related financial crimes strategy

(a) Development and Transmittal to Congress.—

(1) Development.—The President, acting through the Secretary and in consultation with the Attorney General, shall develop a national strategy for combating money laundering and related financial crimes.

(2) Transmittal to congress.—By August 1 of 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2007, the President shall submit a national strategy developed in accordance with paragraph (1) to the Congress.

(3) Separate presentation of classified material.—Any part of the strategy that involves information which is properly classified under criteria established by Executive Order shall be submitted to the Congress separately in classified form.


(b) Development of Strategy.—The national strategy for combating money laundering and related financial crimes shall address any area the President, acting through the Secretary and in consultation with the Attorney General, considers appropriate, including the following:

(1) Goals, objectives, and priorities.—Comprehensive, research-based goals, objectives, and priorities for reducing money laundering and related financial crime in the United States.

(2) Prevention.—Coordination of regulatory and other efforts to prevent the exploitation of financial systems in the United States for money laundering and related financial crimes, including a requirement that the Secretary shall—

(A) regularly review enforcement efforts under this subchapter and other provisions of law and, when appropriate, modify existing regulations or prescribe new regulations for purposes of preventing such criminal activity; and

(B) coordinate prevention efforts and other enforcement action with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, other Federal banking agencies, the National Credit Union Administration Board, and such other Federal agencies as the Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General, determines to be appropriate.


(3) Detection and prosecution initiatives.—A description of operational initiatives to improve detection and prosecution of money laundering and related financial crimes and the seizure and forfeiture of proceeds and instrumentalities derived from such crimes.

(4) Enhancement of the role of the private financial sector in prevention.—The enhancement of partnerships between the private financial sector and law enforcement agencies with regard to the prevention and detection of money laundering and related financial crimes, including providing incentives to strengthen internal controls and to adopt on an industrywide basis more effective policies.

(5) Enhancement of intergovernmental cooperation.—The enhancement of—

(A) cooperative efforts between the Federal Government and State and local officials, including State and local prosecutors and other law enforcement officials; and

(B) cooperative efforts among the several States and between State and local officials, including State and local prosecutors and other law enforcement officials,


for financial crimes control which could be utilized or should be encouraged.

(6) Project and budget priorities.—A 3-year projection for program and budget priorities and achievable projects for reductions in financial crimes.

(7) Assessment of funding.—A complete assessment of how the proposed budget is intended to implement the strategy and whether the funding levels contained in the proposed budget are sufficient to implement the strategy.

(8) Designated areas.—A description of geographical areas designated as “high-risk money laundering and related financial crime areas” in accordance with, but not limited to, section 5342.

(9) Persons consulted.—Persons or officers consulted by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (d).

(10) Data regarding trends in money laundering and related financial crimes.—The need for additional information necessary for the purpose of developing and analyzing data in order to ascertain financial crime trends.

(11) Improved communications systems.—A plan for enhancing the compatibility of automated information and facilitating access of the Federal Government and State and local governments to timely, accurate, and complete information.

(12) Data regarding funding of terrorism.—Data concerning money laundering efforts related to the funding of acts of international terrorism, and efforts directed at the prevention, detection, and prosecution of such funding.


(c) Effectiveness Report.—At the time each national strategy for combating financial crimes is transmitted by the President to the Congress (other than the first transmission of any such strategy) pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit a report containing an evaluation of the effectiveness of policies to combat money laundering and related financial crimes.

(d) Consultations.—In addition to the consultations required under this section with the Attorney General, in developing the national strategy for combating money laundering and related financial crimes, the Secretary shall consult with—

(1) the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and other Federal banking agencies and the National Credit Union Administration Board;

(2) State and local officials, including State and local prosecutors;

(3) the Securities and Exchange Commission;

(4) the Commodities and Futures Trading Commission;

(5) the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, with respect to money laundering and related financial crimes involving the proceeds of drug trafficking;

(6) the Chief of the United States Postal Inspection Service;

(7) to the extent appropriate, State and local officials responsible for financial institution and financial market regulation;

(8) any other State or local government authority, to the extent appropriate;

(9) any other Federal Government authority or instrumentality, to the extent appropriate; and

(10) representatives of the private financial services sector, to the extent appropriate.

(Added Pub. L. 105–310, §2(a), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2942; amended Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §354, Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 323; Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, §6102(a), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3744.)

Amendments

2004—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 108–458 substituted “August 1” for “February 1” and “2003, 2005, and 2007,” for “and 2003,”.

2001—Subsec. (b)(12). Pub. L. 107–56 added par. (12).

§5342. High-risk money laundering and related financial crime areas

(a) Findings and Purpose.—

(1) Findings.—The Congress finds the following:

(A) Money laundering and related financial crimes frequently appear to be concentrated in particular geographic areas, financial systems, industry sectors, or financial institutions.

(B) While the Secretary has the responsibility to act with regard to Federal offenses which are being committed in a particular locality or are directed at a single institution, because modern financial systems and institutions are interconnected to a degree which was not possible until recently, money laundering and other related financial crimes are likely to have local, State, national, and international effects wherever they are committed.


(2) Purpose and objective.—It is the purpose of this section to provide a mechanism for designating any area where money laundering or a related financial crime appears to be occurring at a higher than average rate such that—

(A) a comprehensive approach to the problem of such crime in such area can be developed, in cooperation with State and local law enforcement agencies, which utilizes the authority of the Secretary to prevent such activity; or

(B) such area can be targeted for law enforcement action.


(b) Element of National Strategy.—The designation of certain areas as areas in which money laundering and related financial crimes are extensive or present a substantial risk shall be an element of the national strategy developed pursuant to section 5341(b).

(c) Designation of Areas.—

(1) Designation by secretary.—The Secretary, after taking into consideration the factors specified in subsection (d), shall designate any geographical area, industry, sector, or institution in the United States in which money laundering and related financial crimes are extensive or present a substantial risk as a “high-risk money laundering and related financial crimes area”.

(2) Case-by-case determination in consultation with the attorney general.—In addition to the factors specified in subsection (d), any designation of any area under paragraph (1) shall be made on the basis of a determination by the Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General, that the particular area, industry, sector, or institution is being victimized by, or is particularly vulnerable to, money laundering and related financial crimes.

(3) Specific initiatives.—Any head of a department, bureau, or law enforcement agency, including any State or local prosecutor, involved in the detection, prevention, and suppression of money laundering and related financial crimes and any State or local official or prosecutor may submit—

(A) a written request for the designation of any area as a high-risk money laundering and related financial crimes area; or

(B) a written request for funding under section 5351 for a specific prevention or enforcement initiative, or to determine the extent of financial criminal activity, in an area.


(d) Factors.—In considering the designation of any area as a high-risk money laundering and related financial crimes area, the Secretary shall, to the extent appropriate and in consultation with the Attorney General, take into account the following factors:

(1) The population of the area.

(2) The number of bank and nonbank financial institution transactions which originate in such area or involve institutions located in such area.

(3) The number of stock or commodities transactions which originate in such area or involve institutions located in such area.

(4) Whether the area is a key transportation hub with any international ports or airports or an extensive highway system.

(5) Whether the area is an international center for banking or commerce.

(6) The extent to which financial crimes and financial crime-related activities in such area are having a harmful impact in other areas of the country.

(7) The number or nature of requests for information or analytical assistance which—

(A) are made to the analytical component of the Department of the Treasury; and

(B) originate from law enforcement or regulatory authorities located in such area or involve institutions or businesses located in such area or residents of such area.


(8) The volume or nature of suspicious activity reports originating in the area.

(9) The volume or nature of currency transaction reports or reports of cross-border movements of currency or monetary instruments originating in, or transported through, the area.

(10) Whether, and how often, the area has been the subject of a geographical targeting order.

(11) Observed changes in trends and patterns of money laundering activity.

(12) Unusual patterns, anomalies, growth, or other changes in the volume or nature of core economic statistics or indicators.

(13) Statistics or indicators of unusual or unexplained volumes of cash transactions.

(14) Unusual patterns, anomalies, or changes in the volume or nature of transactions conducted through financial institutions operating within or outside the United States.

(15) The extent to which State and local governments and State and local law enforcement agencies have committed resources to respond to the financial crime problem in the area and the degree to which the commitment of such resources reflects a determination by such government and agencies to address the problem aggressively.

(16) The extent to which a significant increase in the allocation of Federal resources to combat financial crimes in such area is necessary to provide an adequate State and local response to financial crimes and financial crime-related activities in such area.

(Added Pub. L. 105–310, §2(a), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2944.)

Report and Recommendations

Pub. L. 105–310, §2(c), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2949, provided that: “Before the end of the 5-year period beginning on the date the first national strategy for combating money laundering and related financial crimes is submitted to the Congress pursuant to section 5341(a)(1) of title 31, United States Code (as added by section 2(a) of this Act), the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall submit a report to the Committee on Banking and Financial Services [now Committee on Financial Services] and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate on the effectiveness of and the need for the designation of areas, under section 5342 of title 31, United States Code (as added by such section 2(a)), as high-risk money laundering and related financial crime areas, together with recommendations for such legislation as the Secretary and the Attorney General may determine to be appropriate to carry out the purposes of such section.”

Part 2—Financial Crime-Free Communities Support Program

§5351. Establishment of financial crime-free communities support program

(a) Establishment.—The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall establish a program to support local law enforcement efforts in the development and implementation of a program for the detection, prevention, and suppression of money laundering and related financial crimes.

(b) Program.—In carrying out the program, the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall—

(1) make and track grants to grant recipients;

(2) provide for technical assistance and training, data collection, and dissemination of information on state-of-the-art practices that the Secretary determines to be effective in detecting, preventing, and suppressing money laundering and related financial crimes; and

(3) provide for the general administration of the program.


(c) Administration.—The Secretary shall appoint an administrator to carry out the program.

(d) Contracting.—The Secretary may employ any necessary staff and may enter into contracts or agreements with Federal and State law enforcement agencies to delegate authority for the execution of grants and for such other activities necessary to carry out this chapter.

(Added Pub. L. 105–310, §2(a), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2946.)

§5352. Program authorization

(a) Grant Eligibility.—To be eligible to receive an initial grant or a renewal grant under this part, a State or local law enforcement agency or prosecutor shall meet each of the following criteria:

(1) Application.—The State or local law enforcement agency or prosecutor shall submit an application to the Secretary in accordance with section 5353(a)(2).

(2) Accountability.—The State or local law enforcement agency or prosecutor shall—

(A) establish a system to measure and report outcomes—

(i) consistent with common indicators and evaluation protocols established by the Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General; and

(ii) approved by the Secretary;


(B) conduct biennial surveys (or incorporate local surveys in existence at the time of the evaluation) to measure the progress and effectiveness of the coalition; and

(C) provide assurances that the entity conducting an evaluation under this paragraph, or from which the applicant receives information, has experience in gathering data related to money laundering and related financial crimes.


(b) Grant Amounts.—

(1) Grants.—

(A) In general.—Subject to subparagraph (D), for a fiscal year, the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Attorney General, may grant to an eligible applicant under this section for that fiscal year, an amount determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Attorney General, to be appropriate.

(B) Suspension of grants.—If such grant recipient fails to continue to meet the criteria specified in subsection (a), the Secretary may suspend the grant, after providing written notice to the grant recipient and an opportunity to appeal.

(C) Renewal grants.—Subject to subparagraph (D), the Secretary may award a renewal grant to a grant recipient under this subparagraph for each fiscal year following the fiscal year for which an initial grant is awarded.

(D) Limitation.—The amount of a grant award under this paragraph may not exceed $750,000 for a fiscal year.


(2) Grant awards.—

(A) In general.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary may, with respect to a community, make a grant to one eligible applicant that represents that community.

(B) Exception.—The Secretary may make a grant to more than one eligible applicant that represent 1 a community if—

(i) the eligible coalitions demonstrate that the coalitions are collaborating with one another; and

(ii) each of the coalitions has independently met the requirements set forth in subsection (a).


(c) Condition Relating to Proceeds of Asset Forfeitures.—

(1) In general.—No grant may be made or renewed under this part to any State or local law enforcement agency or prosecutor unless the agency or prosecutor agrees to donate to the Secretary of the Treasury for the program established under this part any amount received by such agency or prosecutor (after the grant is made) pursuant to any criminal or civil forfeiture under chapter 46 of title 18, United States Code, or any similar provision of State law.

(2) Scope of application.—Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any amount received by a State or local law enforcement agency or prosecutor pursuant to any criminal or civil forfeiture referred to in such paragraph in excess of the aggregate amount of grants received by such agency or prosecutor under this part.


(d) Rolling Grant Application Periods.—In establishing the program under this part, the Secretary shall take such action as may be necessary to ensure, to the extent practicable, that—

(1) applications for grants under this part may be filed at any time during a fiscal year; and

(2) some portion of the funds appropriated under this part for any such fiscal year will remain available for grant applications filed later in the fiscal year.

(Added Pub. L. 105–310, §2(a), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2946.)

1 So in original. Probably should be “represents”.

§5353. Information collection and dissemination with respect to grant recipients

(a) Applicant and Grantee Information.—

(1) Application process.—The Secretary shall issue requests for proposal, as necessary, regarding, with respect to the grants awarded under section 5352, the application process, grant renewal, and suspension or withholding of renewal grants. Each application under this paragraph shall be in writing and shall be subject to review by the Secretary.

(2) Reporting.—The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable and in a manner consistent with applicable law, minimize reporting requirements by a grant recipient and expedite any application for a renewal grant made under this part.


(b) Activities of Secretary.—The Secretary may—

(1) evaluate the utility of specific initiatives relating to the purposes of the program;

(2) conduct an evaluation of the program; and

(3) disseminate information described in this subsection to—

(A) eligible State local law enforcement agencies or prosecutors; and

(B) the general public.

(Added Pub. L. 105–310, §2(a), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2948.)

§5354. Grants for fighting money laundering and related financial crimes

(a) In General.—After the end of the 1-year period beginning on the date the first national strategy for combating money laundering and related financial crimes is submitted to the Congress in accordance with section 5341, and subject to subsection (b), the Secretary may review, select, and award grants for State or local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to provide funding necessary to investigate and prosecute money laundering and related financial crimes in high-risk money laundering and related financial crime areas.

(b) Special Preference.—Special preference shall be given to applications submitted to the Secretary which demonstrate collaborative efforts of two or more State and local law enforcement agencies or prosecutors who have a history of Federal, State, and local cooperative law enforcement and prosecutorial efforts in responding to such criminal activity.

(Added Pub. L. 105–310, §2(a), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2948.)

§5355. Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated the following amounts for the following fiscal years to carry out the purposes of this subchapter:

 
For fiscal year:The amount authorized is:
1999  $5,000,000.
2000  $7,500,000.
2001  $10,000,000.
2002  $12,500,000.
2003  $15,000,000.
2004  $15,000,000.
2005  $15,000,000.

(Added Pub. L. 105–310, §2(a), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2948; amended Pub. L. 108–458, title VI, §6102(b), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3745.)

Amendments

2004—Pub. L. 108–458 in table inserted items specifying amounts authorized for fiscal years 2004 and 2005.

SUBCHAPTER IV—PROHIBITION ON FUNDING OF UNLAWFUL INTERNET GAMBLING

§5361. Congressional findings and purpose

(a) Findings.—Congress finds the following:

(1) Internet gambling is primarily funded through personal use of payment system instruments, credit cards, and wire transfers.

(2) The National Gambling Impact Study Commission in 1999 recommended the passage of legislation to prohibit wire transfers to Internet gambling sites or the banks which represent such sites.

(3) Internet gambling is a growing cause of debt collection problems for insured depository institutions and the consumer credit industry.

(4) New mechanisms for enforcing gambling laws on the Internet are necessary because traditional law enforcement mechanisms are often inadequate for enforcing gambling prohibitions or regulations on the Internet, especially where such gambling crosses State or national borders.


(b) Rule of Construction.—No provision of this subchapter shall be construed as altering, limiting, or extending any Federal or State law or Tribal-State compact prohibiting, permitting, or regulating gambling within the United States.

(Added Pub. L. 109–347, title VIII, §802(a), Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 1952.)

Internet Gambling In or Through Foreign Jurisdictions

Pub. L. 109–347, title VIII, §803, Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 1962, provided that:

“(a) In General.—In deliberations between the United States Government and any foreign country on money laundering, corruption, and crime issues, the United States Government should—

“(1) encourage cooperation by foreign governments and relevant international fora in identifying whether Internet gambling operations are being used for money laundering, corruption, or other crimes;

“(2) advance policies that promote the cooperation of foreign governments, through information sharing or other measures, in the enforcement of this Act [probably means title VIII of Pub. L. 109–347, which enacted this subchapter, see Short Title of 2006 Amendment note set out under section 5301 of this title]; and

“(3) encourage the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering, in its annual report on money laundering typologies, to study the extent to which Internet gambling operations are being used for money laundering purposes.

“(b) Report Required.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall submit an annual report to the Congress on any deliberations between the United States and other countries on issues relating to Internet gambling.”

§5362. Definitions

In this subchapter:

(1) Bet or wager.—The term “bet or wager”—

(A) means the staking or risking by any person of something of value upon the outcome of a contest of others, a sporting event, or a game subject to chance, upon an agreement or understanding that the person or another person will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome;

(B) includes the purchase of a chance or opportunity to win a lottery or other prize (which opportunity to win is predominantly subject to chance);

(C) includes any scheme of a type described in section 3702 of title 28;

(D) includes any instructions or information pertaining to the establishment or movement of funds by the bettor or customer in, to, or from an account with the business of betting or wagering; and

(E) does not include—

(i) any activity governed by the securities laws (as that term is defined in section 3(a)(47) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 1 for the purchase or sale of securities (as that term is defined in section 3(a)(10) of that Act);

(ii) any transaction conducted on or subject to the rules of a registered entity or exempt board of trade under the Commodity Exchange Act;

(iii) any over-the-counter derivative instrument;

(iv) any other transaction that—

(I) is excluded or exempt from regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act; or

(II) is exempt from State gaming or bucket shop laws under section 12(e) of the Commodity Exchange Act or section 28(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;


(v) any contract of indemnity or guarantee;

(vi) any contract for insurance;

(vii) any deposit or other transaction with an insured depository institution;

(viii) participation in any game or contest in which participants do not stake or risk anything of value other than—

(I) personal efforts of the participants in playing the game or contest or obtaining access to the Internet; or

(II) points or credits that the sponsor of the game or contest provides to participants free of charge and that can be used or redeemed only for participation in games or contests offered by the sponsor; or


(ix) participation in any fantasy or simulation sports game or educational game or contest in which (if the game or contest involves a team or teams) no fantasy or simulation sports team is based on the current membership of an actual team that is a member of an amateur or professional sports organization (as those terms are defined in section 3701 of title 28) and that meets the following conditions:

(I) All prizes and awards offered to winning participants are established and made known to the participants in advance of the game or contest and their value is not determined by the number of participants or the amount of any fees paid by those participants.

(II) All winning outcomes reflect the relative knowledge and skill of the participants and are determined predominantly by accumulated statistical results of the performance of individuals (athletes in the case of sports events) in multiple real-world sporting or other events.

(III) No winning outcome is based—

(aa) on the score, point-spread, or any performance or performances of any single real-world team or any combination of such teams; or

(bb) solely on any single performance of an individual athlete in any single real-world sporting or other event.


(2) Business of betting or wagering.—The term “business of betting or wagering” does not include the activities of a financial transaction provider, or any interactive computer service or telecommunications service.

(3) Designated payment system.—The term “designated payment system” means any system utilized by a financial transaction provider that the Secretary and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in consultation with the Attorney General, jointly determine, by regulation or order, could be utilized in connection with, or to facilitate, any restricted transaction.

(4) Financial transaction provider.—The term “financial transaction provider” means a creditor, credit card issuer, financial institution, operator of a terminal at which an electronic fund transfer may be initiated, money transmitting business, or international, national, regional, or local payment network utilized to effect a credit transaction, electronic fund transfer, stored value product transaction, or money transmitting service, or a participant in such network, or other participant in a designated payment system.

(5) Internet.—The term “Internet” means the international computer network of interoperable packet switched data networks.

(6) Interactive computer service.—The term “interactive computer service” has the meaning given the term in section 230(f) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 230(f)).

(7) Restricted transaction.—The term “restricted transaction” means any transaction or transmittal involving any credit, funds, instrument, or proceeds described in any paragraph of section 5363 which the recipient is prohibited from accepting under section 5363.

(8) Secretary.—The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Treasury.

(9) State.—The term “State” means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, or any commonwealth, territory, or other possession of the United States.

(10) Unlawful internet gambling.—

(A) In general.—The term “unlawful Internet gambling” means to place, receive, or otherwise knowingly transmit a bet or wager by any means which involves the use, at least in part, of the Internet where such bet or wager is unlawful under any applicable Federal or State law in the State or Tribal lands in which the bet or wager is initiated, received, or otherwise made.

(B) Intrastate transactions.—The term “unlawful Internet gambling” does not include placing, receiving, or otherwise transmitting a bet or wager where—

(i) the bet or wager is initiated and received or otherwise made exclusively within a single State;

(ii) the bet or wager and the method by which the bet or wager is initiated and received or otherwise made is expressly authorized by and placed in accordance with the laws of such State, and the State law or regulations include—

(I) age and location verification requirements reasonably designed to block access to minors and persons located out of such State; and

(II) appropriate data security standards to prevent unauthorized access by any person whose age and current location has not been verified in accordance with such State's law or regulations; and


(iii) the bet or wager does not violate any provision of—

(I) the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 (15 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.);

(II) chapter 178 of title 28 (commonly known as the “Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act”);

(III) the Gambling Devices Transportation Act (15 U.S.C. 1171 et seq.); or

(IV) the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.).


(C) Intratribal transactions.—The term “unlawful Internet gambling” does not include placing, receiving, or otherwise transmitting a bet or wager where—

(i) the bet or wager is initiated and received or otherwise made exclusively—

(I) within the Indian lands of a single Indian tribe (as such terms are defined under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act); or

(II) between the Indian lands of 2 or more Indian tribes to the extent that intertribal gaming is authorized by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act;


(ii) the bet or wager and the method by which the bet or wager is initiated and received or otherwise made is expressly authorized by and complies with the requirements of—

(I) the applicable tribal ordinance or resolution approved by the Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission; and

(II) with respect to class III gaming, the applicable Tribal-State Compact;


(iii) the applicable tribal ordinance or resolution or Tribal-State Compact includes—

(I) age and location verification requirements reasonably designed to block access to minors and persons located out of the applicable Tribal lands; and

(II) appropriate data security standards to prevent unauthorized access by any person whose age and current location has not been verified in accordance with the applicable tribal ordinance or resolution or Tribal-State Compact; and


(iv) the bet or wager does not violate any provision of—

(I) the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 (15 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.);

(II) chapter 178 of title 28 (commonly known as the “Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act”);

(III) the Gambling Devices Transportation Act (15 U.S.C. 1171 et seq.); or

(IV) the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.).


(D) Interstate horseracing.—

(i) In general.—The term “unlawful Internet gambling” shall not include any activity that is allowed under the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 (15 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.).

(ii) Rule of construction regarding preemption.—Nothing in this subchapter may be construed to preempt any State law prohibiting gambling.

(iii) Sense of congress.—It is the sense of Congress that this subchapter shall not change which activities related to horse racing may or may not be allowed under Federal law. This subparagraph is intended to address concerns that this subchapter could have the effect of changing the existing relationship between the Interstate Horseracing Act and other Federal statutes in effect on the date of the enactment of this subchapter. This subchapter is not intended to change that relationship. This subchapter is not intended to resolve any existing disagreements over how to interpret the relationship between the Interstate Horseracing Act and other Federal statutes.


(E) Intermediate routing.—The intermediate routing of electronic data shall not determine the location or locations in which a bet or wager is initiated, received, or otherwise made.


(11) Other terms.—

(A) Credit; creditor; credit card; and card issuer.—The terms “credit”, “creditor”, “credit card”, and “card issuer” have the meanings given the terms in section 103 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1602).

(B) Electronic fund transfer.—The term “electronic fund transfer”—

(i) has the meaning given the term in section 903 of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (15 U.S.C. 1693a), except that the term includes transfers that would otherwise be excluded under section 903(6)(E) of that Act; and

(ii) includes any fund transfer covered by Article 4A of the Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect in any State.


(C) Financial institution.—The term “financial institution” has the meaning given the term in section 903 of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, except that such term does not include a casino, sports book, or other business at or through which bets or wagers may be placed or received.

(D) Insured depository institution.—The term “insured depository institution”—

(i) has the meaning given the term in section 3(c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813(c)); and

(ii) includes an insured credit union (as defined in section 101 of the Federal Credit Union Act).


(E) Money transmitting business and money transmitting service.—The terms “money transmitting business” and “money transmitting service” have the meanings given the terms in section 5330(d) (determined without regard to any regulations prescribed by the Secretary thereunder).

(Added Pub. L. 109–347, title VIII, §802(a), Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 1953.)

References in Text

Sections 3(a)(47) and 28(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, referred to in par. (1)(E)(i), (iv)(II), are classified to sections 78c(a)(47) and 78bb(a), respectively, of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.

The Commodity Exchange Act, referred to in par. (1)(E)(ii), (iv)(II), is act Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, 42 Stat. 998, which is classified generally to chapter 1 (§1 et seq.) of Title 7, Agriculture. Section 12(e) of the Act is classified to section 16(e) of Title 7. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1 of Title 7 and Tables.

The Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978, referred to in par. (10)(B)(iii)(I), (C)(iv)(I), (D)(i), (iii), is Pub. L. 95–515, Oct. 25, 1978, 92 Stat. 1811, which is classified generally to chapter 57 (§3001 et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 3001 of Title 15 and Tables.

The Gambling Devices Transportation Act, referred to in par. (10)(B)(iii)(III), (C)(iv)(III), is act Jan. 2, 1951, ch. 1194, 64 Stat. 1134, which is classified generally to chapter 24 (§1171 et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1171 of Title 15 and Tables.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, referred to in par. (10)(B)(iii)(IV), (C)(i), (iv)(IV), is Pub. L. 100–497, Oct. 17, 1988, 102 Stat. 2467, which is classified principally to chapter 29 (§2701 et seq.) of Title 25, Indians. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2701 of Title 25 and Tables.

The date of the enactment of this subchapter, referred to in par. (10)(D)(iii), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 109–347, which was approved Oct. 13, 2006.

Section 101 of the Federal Credit Union Act, referred to in par. (11)(D)(ii), is classified to section 1752 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a closing parenthesis.

§5363. Prohibition on acceptance of any financial instrument for unlawful Internet gambling

No person engaged in the business of betting or wagering may knowingly accept, in connection with the participation of another person in unlawful Internet gambling—

(1) credit, or the proceeds of credit, extended to or on behalf of such other person (including credit extended through the use of a credit card);

(2) an electronic fund transfer, or funds transmitted by or through a money transmitting business, or the proceeds of an electronic fund transfer or money transmitting service, from or on behalf of such other person;

(3) any check, draft, or similar instrument which is drawn by or on behalf of such other person and is drawn on or payable at or through any financial institution; or

(4) the proceeds of any other form of financial transaction, as the Secretary and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System may jointly prescribe by regulation, which involves a financial institution as a payor or financial intermediary on behalf of or for the benefit of such other person.

(Added Pub. L. 109–347, title VIII, §802(a), Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 1957.)

§5364. Policies and procedures to identify and prevent restricted transactions

(a) Regulations.—Before the end of the 270-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this subchapter, the Secretary and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall prescribe regulations (which the Secretary and the Board jointly determine to be appropriate) requiring each designated payment system, and all participants therein, to identify and block or otherwise prevent or prohibit restricted transactions through the establishment of policies and procedures reasonably designed to identify and block or otherwise prevent or prohibit the acceptance of restricted transactions in any of the following ways:

(1) The establishment of policies and procedures that—

(A) allow the payment system and any person involved in the payment system to identify restricted transactions by means of codes in authorization messages or by other means; and

(B) block restricted transactions identified as a result of the policies and procedures developed pursuant to subparagraph (A).


(2) The establishment of policies and procedures that prevent or prohibit the acceptance of the products or services of the payment system in connection with a restricted transaction.


(b) Requirements for Policies and Procedures.—In prescribing regulations under subsection (a), the Secretary and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall—

(1) identify types of policies and procedures, including nonexclusive examples, which would be deemed, as applicable, to be reasonably designed to identify and block or otherwise prevent or prohibit the acceptance of the products or services with respect to each type of restricted transaction;

(2) to the extent practical, permit any participant in a payment system to choose among alternative means of identifying and blocking, or otherwise preventing or prohibiting the acceptance of the products or services of the payment system or participant in connection with, restricted transactions;

(3) exempt certain restricted transactions or designated payment systems from any requirement imposed under such regulations, if the Secretary and the Board jointly find that it is not reasonably practical to identify and block, or otherwise prevent or prohibit the acceptance of, such transactions; and

(4) ensure that transactions in connection with any activity excluded from the definition of unlawful internet gambling in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D)(i) of section 5362(10) are not blocked or otherwise prevented or prohibited by the prescribed regulations.


(c) Compliance With Payment System Policies and Procedures.—A financial transaction provider shall be considered to be in compliance with the regulations prescribed under subsection (a) if—

(1) such person relies on and complies with the policies and procedures of a designated payment system of which it is a member or participant to—

(A) identify and block restricted transactions; or

(B) otherwise prevent or prohibit the acceptance of the products or services of the payment system, member, or participant in connection with restricted transactions; and


(2) such policies and procedures of the designated payment system comply with the requirements of regulations prescribed under subsection (a).


(d) No Liability for Blocking or Refusing To Honor Restricted Transactions.—A person that identifies and blocks a transaction, prevents or prohibits the acceptance of its products or services in connection with a transaction, or otherwise refuses to honor a transaction—

(1) that is a restricted transaction;

(2) that such person reasonably believes to be a restricted transaction; or

(3) as a designated payment system or a member of a designated payment system in reliance on the policies and procedures of the payment system, in an effort to comply with regulations prescribed under subsection (a),


shall not be liable to any party for such action.

(e) Regulatory Enforcement.—The requirements under this section shall be enforced exclusively by—

(1) the Federal functional regulators, with respect to the designated payment systems and financial transaction providers subject to the respective jurisdiction of such regulators under section 505(a) of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and section 5g of the Commodities Exchange Act; and

(2) the Federal Trade Commission, with respect to designated payment systems and financial transaction providers not otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of any Federal functional regulators (including the Commission) as described in paragraph (1).

(Added Pub. L. 109–347, title VIII, §802(a), Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 1958.)

References in Text

The date of the enactment of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 109–347, which was approved Oct. 13, 2006.

Section 505(a) of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(1), is classified to section 6805(a) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.

Section 5g of the Commodities Exchange Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(1), is classified to section 7b–2 of Title 7, Agriculture.

§5365. Civil remedies

(a) Jurisdiction.—In addition to any other remedy under current law, the district courts of the United States shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction to prevent and restrain restricted transactions by issuing appropriate orders in accordance with this section, regardless of whether a prosecution has been initiated under this subchapter.

(b) Proceedings.—

(1) Institution by federal government.—

(A) In general.—The United States, acting through the Attorney General, may institute proceedings under this section to prevent or restrain a restricted transaction.

(B) Relief.—Upon application of the United States under this paragraph, the district court may enter a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, or an injunction against any person to prevent or restrain a restricted transaction, in accordance with rule 65 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.


(2) Institution by state attorney general.—

(A) In general.—The attorney general (or other appropriate State official) of a State in which a restricted transaction allegedly has been or will be initiated, received, or otherwise made may institute proceedings under this section to prevent or restrain the violation or threatened violation.

(B) Relief.—Upon application of the attorney general (or other appropriate State official) of an affected State under this paragraph, the district court may enter a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, or an injunction against any person to prevent or restrain a restricted transaction, in accordance with rule 65 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.


(3) Indian lands.—

(A) In general.—Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), for a restricted transaction that allegedly has been or will be initiated, received, or otherwise made on Indian lands (as that term is defined in section 4 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act)—

(i) the United States shall have the enforcement authority provided under paragraph (1); and

(ii) the enforcement authorities specified in an applicable Tribal-State Compact negotiated under section 11 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. 2710) shall be carried out in accordance with that compact.


(B) Rule of construction.—No provision of this section shall be construed as altering, superseding, or otherwise affecting the application of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.


(c) Limitation Relating to Interactive Computer Services.—

(1) In general.—Relief granted under this section against an interactive computer service shall—

(A) be limited to the removal of, or disabling of access to, an online site violating section 5363, or a hypertext link to an online site violating such section, that resides on a computer server that such service controls or operates, except that the limitation in this subparagraph shall not apply if the service is subject to liability under this section under section 5367;

(B) be available only after notice to the interactive computer service and an opportunity for the service to appear are provided;

(C) not impose any obligation on an interactive computer service to monitor its service or to affirmatively seek facts indicating activity violating this subchapter;

(D) specify the interactive computer service to which it applies; and

(E) specifically identify the location of the online site or hypertext link to be removed or access to which is to be disabled.


(2) Coordination with other law.—An interactive computer service that does not violate this subchapter shall not be liable under section 1084(d) of title 18, except that the limitation in this paragraph shall not apply if an interactive computer service has actual knowledge and control of bets and wagers and—

(A) operates, manages, supervises, or directs an Internet website at which unlawful bets or wagers may be placed, received, or otherwise made or at which unlawful bets or wagers are offered to be placed, received, or otherwise made; or

(B) owns or controls, or is owned or controlled by, any person who operates, manages, supervises, or directs an Internet website at which unlawful bets or wagers may be placed, received, or otherwise made, or at which unlawful bets or wagers are offered to be placed, received, or otherwise made.


(d) Limitation on Injunctions Against Regulated Persons.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, and subject to section 5367, no provision of this subchapter shall be construed as authorizing the Attorney General of the United States, or the attorney general (or other appropriate State official) of any State to institute proceedings to prevent or restrain a restricted transaction against any financial transaction provider, to the extent that the person is acting as a financial transaction provider.

(Added Pub. L. 109–347, title VIII, §802(a), Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 1959.)

References in Text

Rule 65 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(B), (2)(B), is set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), is Pub. L. 100–497, Oct. 17, 1988, 102 Stat. 2467, which is classified principally to chapter 29 (§2701 et seq.) of Title 25, Indians. Section 4 of the Act is classsified to section 2703 of Title 25. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2701 of Title 25 and Tables.

§5366. Criminal penalties

(a) In General.—Any person who violates section 5363 shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both.

(b) Permanent Injunction.—Upon conviction of a person under this section, the court may enter a permanent injunction enjoining such person from placing, receiving, or otherwise making bets or wagers or sending, receiving, or inviting information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers.

(Added Pub. L. 109–347, title VIII, §802(a), Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 1961.)

§5367. Circumventions prohibited

Notwithstanding section 5362(2), a financial transaction provider, or any interactive computer service or telecommunications service, may be liable under this subchapter if such person has actual knowledge and control of bets and wagers, and—

(1) operates, manages, supervises, or directs an Internet website at which unlawful bets or wagers may be placed, received, or otherwise made, or at which unlawful bets or wagers are offered to be placed, received, or otherwise made; or

(2) owns or controls, or is owned or controlled by, any person who operates, manages, supervises, or directs an Internet website at which unlawful bets or wagers may be placed, received, or otherwise made, or at which unlawful bets or wagers are offered to be placed, received, or otherwise made.

(Added Pub. L. 109–347, title VIII, §802(a), Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 1961.)