What do they do?
The Financial Sanctions Implementation Unit helps Bermuda implement and enforce targeted financial sanctions. It provides guidance and current sanctions information, receives compliance reports, supports licensing, and works with public- and private-sector partners to prevent funds and economic resources from reaching designated persons and entities.
Take the right next step
Financial sanctions apply to every person and legal entity operating in Bermuda, and to territory persons wherever they are.
PATI statements
What the rules mean for you
Financial sanctions are used to support international peace and security. They can restrict access to funds, economic resources, financial markets and services.
Always check current legislation.
Guidance explains the FSIU’s approach but does not replace legal advice. Sanctions measures can change.
Who must comply?
All individuals and legal entities within or undertaking activities in Bermuda, plus territory persons, Bermuda ships and aircraft worldwide.
Who is designated?
Check the UK Sanctions List, OFSI consolidated information and the Bermuda list before acting.
If you identify a match
Freeze funds and economic resources immediately, do not make them available and report to the FSIU.
Exceptions and licences
Some activities are exempt. Others may proceed only when the FSIU has issued a licence under the applicable regime.
From the FSIU FAQs
Common questions
These summaries help you find the right topic. Read the full guidance and applicable legislation before making a decision.
I have a designated person as a customer – what should I do?
You must freeze (i.e. refrain from dealing with) their assets and report details of the assets to the FSIU using the Compliance Reporting Form.
We are a firm of lawyers acting for a designated person. Do we need a licence?
The provision of legal services does not require a licence. However, the payment of legal fees using frozen funds held on behalf of a designated person does require a licence because this involves dealing with funds that are required to be treated as frozen.
What is the position if a policy holder names a designated person as a beneficiary?
Sanctions prohibit the payment of funds to, or for the benefit of, designated persons. This would, without a licence, prevent the payment of benefits due under a policy to a beneficiary who is a designated person.
Can I make payments to a designated person?
It may be possible to make payments due under contracts, agreements or obligations, which were concluded or arose prior to the date the person was designated. All such payments must be made into a frozen account. This can take place without the requirement of a licence by the FSIU because this is automatically acceptable under the legislation.
Before making such payments you should take steps to establish the facts, and in particular that the account is frozen as required by the sanctions legislation. Primarily you must seek confirmation from the account-holding institution that the account is indeed frozen. All other payments to a designated person require a licence from the FSIU.