What are some good resources to use that references a list of high risk countries? I've been told that the U.S. Dept of State would be a good starting point, however, I am having trouble locating the appropriate link once on the website... Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Go to Google and type in "INCSR 2006", that will take you straight to the State Department reports.
You can also look at the IMF's reports on Offshore Financial Centers and Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index. (Although some prefer the World Bank's Governance Index.)

http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/regulations/t11facbk.pdf

This is a great resource issued by OFAC itself. Has the countries as well as what to do with transactions involving these countries and reporting requirements.

Compiled from the Examination Manual:

Countries subject to sanctions on the OFAC web site at:
http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/sanctions/

Countries identified by the Secretary of State as supporting international terrorism. See “Country Reports on Terrorism.”
http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/crt/

Jurisdictions of “primary money laundering concern:”
http://www.fincen.gov/reg_section311.html

Jurisdictions identified as non cooperative by FATF: http://www.fatf-gafi.org/

Countries and jurisdictions identified in the annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report as jurisdictions of primary concern: http://www.state.gov/p/inl/rls/nrcrpt/

Offshore Financial Centers: http://www.imf.org/external/ns/cs.aspx?id=55

Is there an update list?

I also found this link, however, most of the links in the article do not work.

https://www.bankersonline.com/articles/107144

http://www.fatf-gafi.org/publications/high-riskandnon-cooperativejurisdictions/?hf=10&b=0&s=desc(fatf_releasedate)

I've always found this helpful. The only thing is that as the score on this table goes down, the risk goes up. Once you get used to looking at that way, it it becomes more useful.

https://www.knowyourcountry.com/country-ratings-table

Historically, usually around February/March, the U.S. Dept of State would publish their annual "International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) which included a simple table of "Countries and Jurisdictions" of primary/moderate/other money laundering concern. Last table published was in 2016. The 2017 INCSR didn't include the table.

I've followed up with the US State Dept on this. Will let you know if/how they respond.

Thanks Guys! how accurate is "know your country.com"? Seems like a reasonable methodology, however, always easier to rely on federal lists or websites. any due diligence done on this website? Thanks in advance

Looks like it is an independant source that compiles data from other sources and then ranks them based on the criteria listed on the site. I wouldn't have a problem using that.

I've never had a regulator or auditor question my use of the Know Your Country website.

Appreciate the help!!!

Historically, usually around February/March, the U.S. Dept of State would publish their annual "International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) which included a simple table of "Countries and Jurisdictions" of primary/moderate/other money laundering concern. Last table published was in 2016. The 2017 INCSR didn't include the table.

I've followed up with the US State Dept on this. Will let you know if/how they respond.

UPDATE: I spoke with rep from State Dept today who advised that "during their cycle leading up to the 2017 publication of the INCSR they determined that the three gradations of money laundering concern (primary, moderate, other) were not mandated by the statute, and they will no longer provide the three-tiered table." Darn....

There may be more demand for a list like this in the future. The proposed changes to the SAR include the addition of even more text boxes, one of which is:

38p Transaction(s) involving Foreign high risk jurisdiction

My gut reaction was: High risk according to whom?