Which authority must be contacted if a borrower appears on the OFAC watch list?

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is the correct authority to contact if a borrower appears on the OFAC watch list. OFAC is a division of the U.S. Department of the Treasury and is responsible for enforcing economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals. The watch list includes individuals and entities that are subject to sanctions, and financial institutions, including mortgage lenders, must comply with these regulations.

If a borrower is identified on the OFAC list, it's critical for the lender to report this information to OFAC and take appropriate actions as required by law, which may include freezing the transaction or not proceeding with the loan. Ensuring compliance with OFAC regulations helps prevent funding of activities that could be detrimental to national security or foreign policy interests.