Introducing the ISSA Sanctions Survey

ISSA is excited to announce the publication of our first Sanctions Survey tailored for the Securities Services industry. This comprehensive survey is designed for organizations to compare their own sanctions management practices against relevant peers. The benchmark survey provides insights into sanctions management across Securities Services organizations globally.

Why is the Sanctions Survey needed?

Sanctions management is complex and rapidly evolving, requiring security services organizations to manage exposure amidst increasing geopolitical challenges, targeted sanctions regimes, and external scrutiny.

Considering increasingly complex sanctions regulations, sophisticated multinational targets, evolving circumvention strategies and how Securities Services organizations have been directly impacted by recent sanctions measures, there is a clear benefit in having a unified industry perspective on sanctions management best practices.

This survey aims to deliver a comprehensive analysis of current best practices and identify actionable opportunities for enhancement, thereby strengthening the effectiveness of sanctions management in the Securities Services sector.

Who should participate in the Sanctions Survey?

The Sanctions Survey is designed for Securities Services organizations, including those providing clearing, securities settlement, securities safekeeping, asset servicing and funds distribution globally.

Participating organizations will be able to evaluate the maturity and efficiency of their sanctions management practices and those of their counterparties and gain valuable insights to further reduce their sanctions risks.

What topics will be covered in the Security Services Sanctions Survey?

The benchmark is tailored to the business model and complexity of Security Services organizations and covers the key elements of a sanctions programme, including:

• Efficiency & effectiveness indicators such as alert volumes, case handling times, and false positive ratios
• Technology and analytics deployment across the Financial Crime space
• Top priorities and ongoing initiatives to enhance sanctions management
• Organizational setup including roles and responsibilities between the first and second lines of defense, use of centres of excellence, level of offshoring and outsourcing

How can my organization participate?

• Interested parties should confirm their interest in participating by email to miriam.breil@issanet.org and will receive further instructions from the Sanctions Survey team

Please note that:

• The Survey will remain open until Friday 21 March 2025
• Organizations can cover all questions or choose those which are relevant to you or are prepared to respond to
• All information collected for this Survey will be aggregated and anonymized such that no institutions will be identifiable based on responses submitted
• Results will be available in April 2025

We hope that you will take the time to participate in this important survey and look forward to hearing from you shortly. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact karen.zeeb@issanet.org