Uncover sanctions exposure hidden in ownership structures
ArgusComply traces direct and indirect ownership, screens entities across the ownership chain, and applies the applicable sanctions ownership and control rules to identify exposure that name-based screening can miss.
A clean name screen does not eliminate sanctions risk
An entity may never appear on a sanctions list and still be subject to restrictions because of who owns or controls it. The sanctioned owner can sit several corporate layers above the customer, out of reach of a screen run on the customer name alone.
The problem
OFAC's 50 Percent Rule, and the UK and EU ownership and control tests, each have to be applied to the structure to determine exposure. Teams need the sanctioned party, the ownership path, the rule applied, and supporting evidence to document how the decision was reached.
With ArgusComply
ArgusComply traces ownership, screens the full chain, and applies the relevant ownership and control rules — with the evidence behind every finding in one case.
How sanctioned ownership screening works. Screen, trace, evaluate, monitor
Check for direct exposure
Start with the customer, counterparty, or organization being assessed and check for direct sanctions exposure.
Sanctioned ownership screening built for financial institutions
Trace direct and indirect ownership
Map ownership relationships across parent companies, subsidiaries, shareholders, and intermediate entities to understand who ultimately sits behind the customer or counterparty.
Screen the ownership chain
Screen entities and individuals across the ownership structure against 675+ global sanctions and restricted-party lists to identify sanctioned owners that may create downstream exposure.
Apply ownership and control rules
Evaluate ownership structures against applicable sanctions frameworks, including OFAC's 50 Percent Rule and relevant UK and EU requirements — accounting for direct and indirect ownership, aggregated interests, and control relationships.
Explain the sanctions exposure
Show the sanctioned party, ownership path, relevant relationship, and supporting evidence behind the finding, so analysts can understand why an unlisted entity has been surfaced for review.
Strengthen ownership-based sanctions compliance
Identify exposure beyond listed entities
Detect sanctions risk created through direct or indirect ownership even when the customer or counterparty does not appear on a sanctions list.
Reduce manual ownership research
Bring corporate ownership relationships and sanctions information together so analysts spend less time reconstructing ownership structures across separate sources.
Apply sanctions rules consistently
Evaluate ownership structures using the relevant regulatory logic rather than relying on manual interpretation for every case.
Keep decisions audit-ready
Maintain the ownership analysis, sanctions findings, supporting evidence, reviewer actions, and decision history in a traceable case record.
Look beyond the name on the sanctions screen
See how ArgusComply can help your compliance team trace ownership structures, identify hidden sanctions exposure, and investigate affected customer and counterparty relationships.