RUSSIA-RELATED SANCTIONS; PART 2

Navigating the Blocking of the National Settlement Depository (NSD): What it Means for Organizations Operationally

December 5, 2024 10:45am

Madina Israilova
Director, Sanctions Compliance
UBS

Brandon Smith
Director, Americas Head of Sanctions and Anti-Bribery Corruption (ABC)
Barclays

Moderator:

Jason Prince
Partner
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Navigating the blocking of Russia’s National Settlement Depository (NSD) under Russia-related sanctions poses significant operational challenges for organizations, particularly those involved in financial markets, investment, and trade with Russian entities. The NSD is a key component of Russia’s financial infrastructure, acting as the central securities depository for Russian bonds, equities, and other financial instruments. When sanctioned, the operational impact on organizations can be profound, requiring careful navigation and strategic adjustments.

During this panel, we will explore:

  • Conducting a comprehensive review of your organization’s exposure to Russian securities held via the NSD and reallocating assets to non-Russian custodians to mitigate the risk of asset freezes
  • Identifying and establishing alternative clearing and settlement arrangements outside of the NSD to ensure continuity in trade execution and settlement processes
  • Updating your sanctions compliance program to include rigorous screening of all transactions and counterparties for ties to the NSD
  • Continuously tracking and adapting to evolving sanctions regulations related to Russia