This page explains what we mean by "sanctioned countries" on our account opening forms, lists the jurisdictions currently affected by comprehensive or significant international sanctions, and outlines related restrictions on card and payment processing.
We assess every application individually. This page covers sanctions exposure specifically it is not a complete statement of our account eligibility criteria.
PROHIBITED JURISDICTIONS - NO RELATIONSHIP PERMITTED
These jurisdictions are subject to comprehensive sanctions under one or more of the OFAC, UN, EU, and UK (HMT) regimes. We do not open accounts or process transactions with a direct or indirect connection to these countries.
| Belarus | Russia |
| Iran | Syria |
| North Korea |
RESTRICTED JURISDICTIONS - ENHANCED REVIEW REQUIRED
These jurisdictions are subject to targeted or sectoral sanctions for example, measures aimed at specific industries, government bodies, or regions, rather than a full embargo. Any relationship with a connection to these countries is subject to enhanced due diligence and may be declined.
| Afghanistan | Libya |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Mali |
| Central African Republic | Myanmar |
| Congo, Democratic Republic of the | Nicaragua |
| Cuba1 | Somalia |
| Ethiopia | South Sudan |
| Guinea | Sudan |
| Guinea-Bissau | Ukraine2 |
| Haiti | Venezuela |
| Iraq | Yemen |
| Lebanon | Zimbabwe |
1. Cuba is also subject to a broad, longstanding US trade embargo. Any relationship, transaction, or business with a nexus to the United States involving Cuba is generally prohibited regardless of this classification.
2. This entry refers specifically to the regions of Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, which are subject to sanctions measures relating to their occupation by the Russian Federation ? not to Ukraine as a whole.
CARD & PAYMENT PROCESSING
Separately from the account eligibility rules above Butterfield is also unable to process card transactions, purchases or cash advances originating in certain countries, due to travel and trade sanctions and economic embargoes imposed by the United States and the European Union. Butterfield must comply with international banking regulations that preclude us from facilitating payments to, or accepting business from, persons or businesses in these jurisdictions. We regret any inconvenience this may cause.
These restrictions currently apply to the same jurisdictions listed under Prohibited and Restricted above. If you're traveling to one of those countries, your Butterfield card will not work there for purchases or cash advances.
IMPORTANT NOTES
This list reflects jurisdictions currently named under the international sanctions regimes referenced above. It is provided for general guidance and does not capture every factor we consider when assessing a customer relationship or card transaction we apply a broader, risk-based review to all applications and transactions, and may request additional information, restrict, or decline a relationship or transaction for reasons not reflected on this page. Card processing availability may also be subject to additional restrictions imposed by card networks or correspondent banks.
Sanctions regimes change frequently and without notice. We review this page regularly, but it may not reflect designations made very recently. Inclusion or omission of a country here should not be relied upon as a guarantee of account eligibility, and this page does not constitute legal advice.
If you have questions about how this applies to your situation, please contact our onboarding team before submitting an application.
OFFICIAL SANCTIONS SOURCES
We base the lists above on the following primary sources. We'd encourage you to check them directly for the most current designations.
| Source | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| OFAC – US Treasury | Sanctions programs, country information, and the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list | View source |
| United Nations Security Council | UN Security Council Consolidated List of sanctions designations | View source |
| European Union | EU Sanctions Map of restrictive measures by country | View source |
| UK Sanctions List (HM Treasury / FCDO) | The single source for all current UK sanctions designations | View source |