UNICORN PRIVATE What is a FinCEN section 311 primary money laundering concern?
In short
Under section 311 of the USA PATRIOT Act, FinCEN can name a bank, country or transaction class a primary money laundering concern.
It can then impose special measures, up to banning US banks from keeping accounts for that party.
You check these names to avoid payments that US banks will block.
What the list contains
The list of section 311 special measures names foreign financial institutions, jurisdictions and classes of transactions, with the measures and their status.
Some findings are proposals and others are final rules: the official page shows the status of each one.
Who must check it
It matters for:
- US banks and financial institutions.
- Companies that pay or get paid through US correspondent banks.
- Payment providers, crypto businesses and finance teams that handle international transfers.
Fines and penalties
We do not show an amount for this list because we have not verified one. The penalties are set by the national law that applies to your company: read the official source and ask your legal advisor.
Live data from our copy of the list
- FinCEN Section 311 and 9714 Special Measures: Entries in the copy we check: 15. Last update: November 4, 2026
Official source
How Unicorn Intelligence checks it
Every name you upload or connect is compared with FinCEN section 311 special measures together with all the other lists, every day. You see the source, the date and how similar the name is, so you can decide quickly.
- Upload a list, connect your CRM or type a name.
- We compare each name with the list, also with spelling variants and transliterations.
- Possible matches show the list, the source, the date and the similarity, and you decide.
Check your clients for free
Upload your contacts and see in a few minutes how many names need a closer look. When you sign up you get a gift of $50 in credit.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 311 finding a sanction?
It is an anti money laundering measure of the US Treasury, not a sanctions designation, but in practice it can cut a party off from the US financial system.
Are there fines?
We do not show an amount because we have not verified one. US law sets the consequences: read the official source.
Why should a non US company care?
If your payments go through US banks, transactions with these parties can be blocked.
The program can make mistakes. The final responsibility for compliance stays with your company. Unicorn Intelligence is an information tool. Decisions and legal obligations, including sanctions compliance, due diligence and tender participation, remain with the customer.