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The CAPTA List is a U.S. sanctions tool. CAPTA stands for Correspondent Account or Payable-Through Account Sanctions. The list names foreign banks that face limits on their access to the U.S. financial system. If you screen customers or bank partners, the capta list should be part of your checks. It sits alongside other lists you already watch.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) keeps this list. OFAC is part of the U.S. Treasury. The CAPTA List is not the same as the SDN List. It is a separate, more targeted measure. This guide explains what it does and how it affects your trade compliance work.
What the CAPTA List does
The CAPTA List restricts one thing. It stops U.S. banks from opening or keeping certain accounts for a listed foreign financial institution. Those accounts are correspondent accounts and payable-through accounts. Both let a foreign bank move money through the U.S. system.
A correspondent account is an account one bank holds for another bank. It lets the foreign bank make payments in U.S. dollars. A payable-through account works in a similar way. It lets the foreign bank’s own customers use the U.S. account. When a bank lands on the CAPTA List, U.S. banks must close or refuse these accounts.
The listing can also set conditions instead of a full ban. OFAC may allow the account but bar certain transactions. The exact terms appear in the listing itself. You should always read the specific entry.
How CAPTA differs from a full block
This is the key point. The CAPTA List is a non-SDN list. It is less severe than a full block. A CAPTA listing targets one channel, which is U.S. bank account access. It does not freeze all of the bank’s property.
Compare that with the OFAC SDN List. An SDN listing blocks the party fully. U.S. persons must freeze their assets. They must stop almost all dealings with them. The CAPTA List is narrower. It aims at the money pipeline, not the whole relationship.
| Feature | CAPTA List | SDN List |
|---|---|---|
| Who is listed | Foreign financial institutions | People, firms, banks, vessels |
| Main effect | Limits U.S. correspondent and payable-through accounts | Full asset freeze and dealing ban |
| Severity | Targeted, non-SDN | Full block |
| Property frozen | No | Yes |
Who is on the list
The CAPTA List holds foreign financial institutions. These are banks and similar firms based outside the United States. OFAC adds them under specific sanctions programs and legal authorities. The reason for each listing varies. It links back to the program that put the bank there.
Each entry shows the details you need. These often include the following:
- The name of the listed institution.
- Known aliases and address details.
- The legal authority for the listing.
- The exact restriction that applies.
Read the restriction line with care. Two banks on the same list can face different terms. One may lose all U.S. account access. Another may only face limits on certain transactions.
Why the CAPTA List matters for your business
You may not be a bank. You can still feel the effect. If your foreign bank partner is listed, your U.S. dollar payments can stall. A U.S. bank in the chain may refuse to process the funds. That delays trade and creates risk.
This is why the list belongs in your denied party screening process. Screening is not only about customers and suppliers. It also covers the banks and agents in your deals. A missed listing can freeze a payment you were counting on.
Banks and financial firms
U.S. banks carry the direct legal duty. They must not open or keep barred accounts. They face penalties if they get it wrong. So they screen their foreign bank relationships against the CAPTA List with care.
Exporters and importers
Your risk is more indirect. You want your payments to clear. Check the banks named in your letters of credit and wire instructions. A listed bank in that chain can hold up your money.
How to check the CAPTA List
OFAC publishes the CAPTA List on the Treasury website. You can view it there for free. Many firms also fold it into a wider screening step. A good workflow looks like this:
- List every party and bank in the transaction.
- Screen each one against OFAC lists, including CAPTA.
- Read the exact restriction on any match.
- Keep a record of the check and the result.
- Repeat the screen when parties or banks change.
OFAC also offers a combined search tool that covers several of its lists at once. It helps you scan more than one list in a single step. For broader U.S. export screening, many firms also use the Consolidated Screening List. Keep good notes so you can show your work. A clear audit trail protects you in a review.
Do not skip the 50 percent rule when you assess ownership. A listed party can control other firms through shares. Those firms can carry the same risk even without their own listing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CAPTA List the same as the SDN List?
No. They are separate OFAC lists. The SDN List blocks a party in full and freezes assets. The CAPTA List only limits U.S. correspondent and payable-through accounts. It is a non-SDN, more targeted measure.
Who has to comply with the CAPTA List?
U.S. banks carry the main legal duty. They must not open or keep the barred accounts for listed foreign banks. Exporters and importers should still check it. A listed bank in your payment chain can stall your funds.
Where can I find the current CAPTA List?
OFAC publishes it on the U.S. Treasury website. It is free to view. Always work from the official source, since listings change. You can also screen it through OFAC’s combined search tool.
Key Takeaways
The CAPTA List is a focused OFAC tool. It limits U.S. bank account access for listed foreign banks. It is less severe than a full SDN block, since it does not freeze all property. Even so, it can stall your dollar payments if a listed bank sits in your chain. Make it part of your denied party screening routine, keep clear records, and read each restriction closely. If you want help building a screening process that covers these lists, contact our team.