METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTING INFORMATION RELATING TO SANCTIONS

A method and computing apparatus for distributing information relating to sanctions are provided. The method includes receiving, from a governmental source, first information relating to at least one sanctioned entity, arranging the first information according to a predetermined format, distributing the arranged information to a plurality of financial institutions, providing a user interface displaying the first information, prompting a user to input second information via the user interface, receiving the second information, arranging the second information according to the predetermined format, and distributing the arranged second information to the plurality of financial institutions.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

This technology generally relates to methods and systems for distributing consistent and up-to-date information relating to sanctions.

2. Background Information

One problem encountered by an organization, e.g., a financial institution, is an inability to efficiently and accurately make decisions relating to sanctioned entities. Typically, a sanction list is used by an organization, e.g., a financial institution, in an effort to prevent the organization from doing business with a sanctioned entity, i.e., a criminal entity. Each financial institution has traditionally spent time and money to build its own sanction list from various sources such as, e.g., the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

In many instances, a financial institution often may not have the same sanction list information as other financial institutions, and when financial institutions do business together such discrepancies in sanction list information can cause reconciliation issues. The discrepancies can also cause inaccuracies or inefficiencies in payments, in due diligence activities, in verification of client identities, in client suitability assessments, in client risk assessments, and in Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures.

Currently, there is no global platform on which organizations can share financial crime data between each other. Without such a platform, financial criminals may exploit the lack of cooperation between financial organizations.

In addition, financial institutions may unknowingly do business with sanctioned entities and/or fail to detect fraud, money laundering, sanction evasion, and other financial crimes.

Accordingly, there is a need to efficiently and accurately distribute consistent and up-to-date information relating to sanctions, e.g., by sharing a consistent and updated version of information relating to sanctioned entities and allowing participants to contribute additional information relating to sanctioned entities.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure, through one or more of its various aspects, embodiments, and/or specific features or sub-components, provides, inter alia, various systems, servers, devices, methods, media, programs, and platforms for distributing information relating to sanctions.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for distributing information relating to sanctions is provided. The method is implemented by at least one processor. The method includes: receiving, from a governmental source, first information relating to at least one sanctioned entity; arranging the first information according to a predetermined format; and distributing the arranged first information to a plurality of financial institutions.

The method for distributing information relating to sanctions may further include providing a user interface displaying the first information; prompting a user to input second information that relates to the at least one sanctioned entity via the user interface; receiving the second information; arranging the second information according to the predetermined format; and distributing the arranged second information to the plurality of financial institutions.

In the method for distributing information relating to sanctions, the second information may include information relating to, e.g., at least one image associated with the sanctioned entity, at least one International Bank Account Number (IBAN) associated with the sanctioned entity, a passport number associated with the sanctioned entity, a country of residence of the sanctioned entity, or a combination of such.

In the method for distributing information relating to sanctions, a sanctioned entity may be an individual person, and the first information relating to the sanctioned entity may relate to, e.g., a name, an alias, at least one citizenship, a country of birth, a city of birth, an address, a date of birth of the individual person, or a combination of such.

In the method for distributing information relating to sanctions, a sanctioned entity may be an organization and the first information relating to the at least one sanctioned entity may include at least a name of the organization.

In the method for distributing information relating to sanctions, the arranging the first information may include adding the information to a decentralized distributed ledger.

In the method for distributing information relating to sanctions, the arranging of the first information may include using blockchain technology to arrange the first information.

In the method for distributing information relating to sanctions, the first information may include, e.g., a list of sanctioned entities, a sanction list, a black list of crypto wallets, or a combination of such.

In the method for distributing information relating to sanctions, the governmental source may include, e.g., the United States Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC), the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), or a combination of such.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a computing apparatus for generating a user interface for distributing information relating to sanctions is provided. The computing apparatus includes a processor; a memory; and a communication interface coupled to each of the processor and the memory. The processor is configured to: receive, from a governmental source, first information relating to at least one sanctioned entity; arrange the first information according to a predetermined format; and distribute the arranged first information to a plurality of financial institutions.

The processor may be further configured to: provide a user interface displaying the first information; prompt a user to input second information that relates to the at least one sanctioned entity via the user interface; receive the second information; arrange the second information according to the predetermined format; and distribute the arranged second information to the plurality of financial institutions.

In association with the computing apparatus, the second information may include information relating to, e.g., at least one image associated with the sanctioned entity, at least one International Bank Account Number (IBAN) associated with the sanctioned entity, a passport number associated with the sanctioned entity, a country of residence of the sanctioned entity, or a combination of such.

In association with the computing apparatus, a sanctioned entity may be an individual person and the information relating to the sanctioned entity may include, e.g., a name, an alias, at least one citizenship, a county of birth, a city of birth, an address, a date of birth of the individual person, or a combination of such.

In association with the computing apparatus, a sanctioned entity may be an organization and the first information relating to the at least one sanctioned entity may include at least a name of the organization.

In association with the computing apparatus, the arranging of the first information may include adding the information to a decentralized distributed ledger.

In association with the computing apparatus, the arranging of the first information may include using blockchain technology to arrange the first information.

In association with the computing apparatus, the first information may include, e.g., a list of sanctioned entities, a sanction list, a black list of crypto wallets, or a combination of such.

In association with the computing apparatus, the governmental source may include, e.g., the United States Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC), the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), or a combination of such.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions for generating a user interface for distributing information relating to sanctions is provided. The storage medium includes executable code which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to: receive, from a governmental source, first information relating to at least one sanctioned entity; arrange the first information according to a predetermined format; and distribute the arranged first information to a plurality of financial institutions.

When executed by the processor, the executable code may further cause the processor to: provide a user interface displaying the first information; prompt a user to input second information that relates to the at least one sanctioned entity via the user interface; receive the second information; arrange the second information according to the predetermined format; and distribute the arranged second information to the plurality of financial institutions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described herein, various embodiments provide optimized methods and systems for distributing information relating to sanctions.

Referring toFIG. 2, a schematic of an exemplary network environment200for implementing a method for distributing information relating to sanctions is illustrated. In an exemplary embodiment, the method is executable on any networked computer platform, such as, for example, a personal computer (PC).

The method for distributing information relating to sanctions may be implemented by a Sanction Information Distribution (SID) device202. The SID device202may be the same or similar to the computer system102as described with respect toFIG. 1. The SID device202may store one or more applications that can include executable instructions that, when executed by the SID device202, cause the SID device202to perform actions, such as to transmit, receive, or otherwise process network messages, for example, and to perform other actions described and illustrated below with reference to the figures. The application(s) may be implemented as modules or components of other applications. Further, the application(s) can be implemented as operating system extensions, modules, plugins, or the like.

Even further, the application(s) may be operative in a cloud-based computing environment. The application(s) may be executed within or as virtual machine(s) or virtual server(s) that may be managed in a cloud-based computing environment. Also, the application(s), and even the SID device202itself, may be located in virtual server(s) running in a cloud-based computing environment rather than being tied to one or more specific physical network computing devices. Also, the application(s) may be running in one or more virtual machines (VMs) executing on the SID device202.

Additionally, in one or more embodiments of this technology, virtual machine(s) running on the SID device202may be managed or supervised by a hypervisor.

The communication network(s)210may be the same or similar to the network122as described with respect toFIG. 1, although the SID device202, the server devices204(1)-204(n), and/or the client devices208(1)-208(n) may be coupled together via other topologies. Additionally, the network environment200may include other network devices such as one or more routers and/or switches, for example, which are well known in the art and thus will not be described herein. This technology provides a number of advantages including methods, non-transitory computer readable media, and SID devices that efficiently implement a method for distributing information relating to sanctions.

The SID device202may be a standalone device or integrated with one or more other devices or apparatuses, such as one or more of the server devices204(1)-204(n), for example. In one particular example, the SID device202may include or be hosted by one of the server devices204(1)-204(n), and other arrangements are also possible. Moreover, one or more of the devices of the SID device202may be in a same or a different communication network including one or more public, private, or cloud networks, for example.

The server devices204(1)-204(n) may be hardware or software or may represent a system with multiple servers in a pool, which may include internal or external networks. The server devices204(1)-204(n) hosts the databases206(1)-206(n) that are configured to store data that relates to distributing information relating to sanctions.

The server devices204(1)-204(n) may operate as a plurality of network computing devices within a cluster architecture, a peer-to-peer architecture, virtual machines, or within a cloud architecture, for example. Thus, the technology disclosed herein is not to be construed as being limited to a single environment and other configurations and architectures are also envisaged.

One or more of the devices depicted in the network environment200, such as the SID device202, the server devices204(1)-204(n), or the client devices208(1)-208(n), for example, may be configured to operate as virtual instances on the same physical machine. In other words, one or more of the SID device202, the server devices204(1)-204(n), or the client devices208(1)-208(n) may operate on the same physical device rather than as separate devices communicating through communication network(s)210. Additionally, there may be more or fewer SID devices202, server devices204(1)-204(n), or client devices208(1)-208(n) than illustrated inFIG. 2.

The SID device202is described and shown inFIG. 3as including a Sanction Information Distribution module302, although it may include other rules, policies, modules, databases, or applications, for example. As will be described below, the Sanction Information Distribution module302is configured to implement a method for distributing information relating to sanctions.

An exemplary process300for implementing a mechanism for distributing information relating to sanctions by utilizing the network environment ofFIG. 2is shown as being executed inFIG. 3. Specifically, a first client device208(1) and a second client device208(2) are illustrated as being in communication with SID device202. In this regard, the first client device208(1) and the second client device208(2) may be “clients” of the SID device202and are described herein as such. Nevertheless, it is to be known and understood that the first client device208(1) and/or the second client device208(2) need not necessarily be “clients” of the SID device202, or any entity described in association therewith herein. Any additional or alternative relationship may exist between either or both of the first client device208(1) and the second client device208(2) and the SID device202, or no relationship may exist.

According to an exemplary embodiment, client devices208(1)-208(n) may be embodied by or related to a plurality of user devices. In an exemplary embodiment, a user device of the plurality of user devices may be associated with at least one individual of an organization. In another exemplary embodiment, a user device of the plurality of user devices may be associated with at least one group of individuals of the organization. In yet another exemplary embodiment, a user device of the plurality of user devices may be associated with a location such as, e.g., an organization's headquarters, an organization's corporate office, an organization's retail location, an organization's sales office, an organization's administrative office, an organization's field office, or a home office of an individual of an organization.

In an exemplary embodiment, SID device202is illustrated as being able to access a sanction information database206(1) and a user input information data repository206(2). The Sanction Information Distribution module302may be configured to access these databases for implementing a method for distributing information relating to sanctions.

Upon being started, the Sanction Information Distribution module302executes a process for distributing information relating to sanctions. An exemplary process for distributing information relating to sanctions is generally indicated at flowchart400inFIG. 4.

In the process400ofFIG. 4, at step S402, the Sanction Information Distribution module302receives first information, i.e., information relating to at least one sanctioned entity.

In an exemplary embodiment, the information relating to sanctioned entities may include a list of sanctioned entities or a sanction list. In an exemplary embodiment, the information relating to the sanctioned entity includes a black list of crypto wallets. The information relating to at least one sanctioned entity may be received from an official source.

In an exemplary embodiment, the official source may be a governmental source. The official source may be at least one of the United States Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO); however, the official source may be one of many organizations or governmental sources in the world that is trusted to provide information relating to at least one sanctioned entity.

In an exemplary embodiment, a sanctioned entity is an entity that is generally prohibited or restricted from engaging in trade or financial transactions in a particular jurisdiction. Entities (such as, e.g., financial institutions such as, e.g., a bank or a credit union) may be required to comply with governmental regulations relating to sanctioned entities. An entity may be penalized, e.g., fined, by a government for violating one of such regulations.

In an exemplary embodiment, a sanctioned entity may include a terrorist individual or a terrorist organization. In another exemplary embodiment, a sanctioned entity may include a convicted or suspected narcotics trafficker or may include an organization that is or may be involved in narcotics trafficking.

In an exemplary embodiment, a sanctioned entity may one of an individual person, a country, a company, an organization, or a group of individuals. In an exemplary embodiment, the first information or the information relating to the at least one sanctioned entity may include at least one of a name, an alias, a passport number, a national identification number, a nationality, a citizenship, a role in an organization, a date of birth, a country of birth, a gender, a website, and an address. In another exemplary embodiment, the first information or the information relating to the at least one sanctioned entity may relate to any information that may identify the sanctioned entity.

At step S404, the Sanction Information Distribution module302arranges the first information or the information relating to the sanctioned entities according to a predetermined format.

In an exemplary embodiment, the arranging of the first information or information relating to the at least one sanctioned entity includes adding the first information to a decentralized distributed ledger and/or a transaction ledger. In an exemplary embodiment, the arranging may be performed by using blockchain technology, or by using a consensus algorithm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the arranging of the information relating to the at least one sanctioned entity includes adding the information relating to the at least one sanctioned entity to an immutable record, or to a distributed ledger that exists on a peer-to-peer network. In another embodiment, the arranging may include verifying the information relating to the at least one sanctioned entity by a plurality of peers on the peer-to-peer network. The information that exists on the peer-to-peer network may not be under control by one central authority, and control of the information that exists on the peer-to-peer network may be shared by peers of the peer-to-peer network.

In an exemplary embodiment, any individual or organization can join the peer-to-peer network. Peers of the peer-to-peer network may not be charged a fee to become or maintain a peer in the peer-to-peer network. Further, the peers of the peer-to-peer network may not have management rights.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, there is an administrator of the peer-to-peer network that selectively provides authorization for an individual or organization to become or maintain a peer in the peer-to-peer network. For example, at least one organization, e.g., a financial institution, may be the administrator of the peer-to-peer network. At least one individual or organization may pay a fee to become or maintain a peer in the peer-to-peer network. A peer of the peer-to-peer network may include at least one of an individual, a financial institution, a law enforcement agency, a governmental regulator, a governmental source, and an official source. The law enforcement agency may be at least one of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Interpol. The law enforcement agency may contribute directly to information relating to at least one sanctioned entity.

In an exemplary embodiment, an administrator of the peer-to-peer network provides access control management. The administrator may control which peers are authorized to access, add, change, and/or delete information that exists on the peer-to-peer network.

In an exemplary embodiment, an administrator of the peer-to-peer network may authorize a peer to access all of or a subset of the information that exists on the peer-to-peer network. In an exemplary embodiment, a subset of information existing on the peer-to-peer network may be available publicly. The administrator may limit the amount of information that a peer may access, change, add, and/or delete. The administrator may also be a peer of the peer-to-peer network.

In an exemplary embodiment, the information that exists on the peer-to-peer network is immutable. Peers of the peer-to-peer network may only be able to access existing information or add information to existing information on the peer-to-peer network.

At step S406, the Sanction Information Distribution module302distributes the arranged information relating to the sanctioned entities. In an exemplary embodiment, the information is distributed to a plurality of organizations, including but not limited to financial institutions.

In an exemplary embodiment, the arranged first information is distributed to a financial institution such that the financial institution has access to information relating to sanctioned entities, and therefore the financial institution can use such information to prevent or reduce fraud, money laundering, sanction evasion, and other financial crimes.

In an exemplary embodiment, the distributing of the arranged first information includes distributing the arranged first information to a plurality of nodes in a network. As a result, the distribution may enable a plurality of organizations to access the arranged information via a node of the plurality of nodes in the network.

In an exemplary embodiment, in addition to receiving information relating to sanctioned entities from at least one official source, additional information relating to sanctioned entities may be received from at least one user. Such a user may be related to a peer of the of the peer-to-peer network.

At step S408, the Sanction Information Distribution module302provides a user interface to display the first information or the information relating to the sanctioned entities.

In an exemplary embodiment, the information relating to the at least one sanctioned entity is stored in a decentralized distributed ledger. In this regard, when information regarding at least one sanctioned entity is received, a new block may be added to the decentralized distributed ledger. In an exemplary embodiment, the Sanction Information Distribution module302provides high speed data retrieval while maintaining transactional security.

In an exemplary embodiment, the Sanction Information Distribution module302is configured to retrieve all of the data in the decentralized distributed ledger in a few seconds, in one second, or in a fraction of a second. The Sanction Information Distribution module302may be configured to store a predetermined number of smart contracts, each of which may be included in blocks of the decentralized distributed ledger.

In an exemplary embodiment, a reference smart contract is stored in a predetermined number of first blocks of the decentralized distributed ledger. The reference smart contract may include a list of all addresses that relate to the smart contracts in the decentralized distributed ledger. The reference smart contract may include addresses of sanctioned entities.

Upon accessing the decentralized distributed ledger, the reference smart contract is read first and the transaction time is identified from the reference smart contract. Then content of the decentralized distributed ledger is loaded directly into memory. Accordingly, the information of the decentralized distributed ledger can be retrieved in a few seconds, in one second, or in a fraction of a second.

In an exemplary embodiment, the Sanction Information Distribution module302runs on an application operably coupled to a local cache. The local cache may store information of the decentralized distributed ledger. The local cache may be used to retrieve all of the data in the decentralized distributed ledger in a few milliseconds. In an exemplary embodiment, the local cache is updated each time a new block is added to the decentralized distributed ledger.

At step S410, the Sanction Information Distribution module302prompts a user to input second information via the user interface. In an exemplary embodiment, the second information is information that relates to at least one sanctioned entity that is input by a user. The second information may include any of a picture, an image associated with the at least one sanctioned entity, a compressed image, an International Business Account Number (IBAN), a name, an alias, a passport number, a national identification number, a nationality, a citizenship, a role in an organization, a date of birth, a country of birth, a gender, a website, and/or an address associated with the at least one sanctioned entity. In this aspect, the second information may include any information that is suitable for identifying the sanctioned entity.

At step S412, the Sanction Information Distribution module302receives the second information input via the user interface. In an exemplary embodiment, the receiving of the second information includes a user selecting or entering alphanumeric characters into an input device such as, e.g., a keyboard, keypad, or touchscreen. The receiving of the second information may include using voice recognition technology.

In an exemplary embodiment, the receiving of the second information includes a user using the user interface to select an electronic file, e.g., an image or compressed image associated with the at least one sanctioned entity. For example, the user may click and drag a file from a first portion of a display to a second portion of the display. As another example, the user may click a browse files icon and choose at least one electronic file from a plurality of source files.

In an exemplary embodiment, second information is received from any peer of the peer-to-peer network. Alternatively, second information may only be received from a subset of the peers. For example, the administrator of the peer-to-peer network may control which of the peers are included in the subset. In an exemplary embodiment, the administrator may limit the second information that is received from a peer.

At step S414, the Sanction Information Distribution module302arranges the received second information according to the predetermined format. In an exemplary embodiment, the arranging of the second information includes adding the second information to the decentralized distributed ledger. The arranging may be performed using blockchain technology. The arranging may include adding the second information onto a transaction ledger.

In an exemplary embodiment, when the received second information is an image or picture associated with the at least one sanctioned entity, the arranging of the second information includes compressing the file size of the received image or picture associated with the at least one sanctioned entity. For example, the received image or picture may be compressed to a size equal to or less than a predetermined file size, e.g, a size less than twenty kilobytes, such that the received second information can be added to a distributed sequential transactional database and/or shared over a peer-to-peer network. In an exemplary embodiment, the arranged second information is located in a storage trie of a smart contract that is not immutable and is thus compliant with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

In an exemplary embodiment, the arranging of the second information includes adding the second information to the immutable record and/or the distributed ledger that exists on the peer-to-peer network. In another exemplary embodiment, the arranging of the second information includes verifying the second information by the peers on the peer-to-peer network. Further, the arranging of the second information may include using a consensus algorithm.

At step S416, the Sanction Information Distribution module302distributes the received second information to at least one entity, e.g., a financial institution. In an exemplary embodiment, the second information is distributed to a plurality of organizations, including but not limited to financial institutions. As a result, these organizations may use the second information to prevent or reduce fraud, money laundering, sanction evasion, and other financial crimes.

In an exemplary embodiment, the arranged second information is distributed to the nodes in the network, thereby enabling each organization to access the arranged second information via a corresponding node.

Referring toFIG. 5, a first data flow diagram500is shown. According to an exemplary embodiment, a first official source502operably communicates with a first Decentralized Application (DAPP)506. The first official source502may be the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The first DAPP506may operate on a decentralized peer-to-peer network. The first DAPP506may operably communicate with a second official source504. The second official source may be the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

In an exemplary embodiment, the first DAPP506receives information relating to at least one sanctioned entity (i.e., first information) from at least one of the first official source and the second official source. The information relating to the at least one sanctioned entity may be, for example, in the form of a sanction list. In an exemplary embodiment, the first information received from the first and/or second source is received at the moment the first information is published by the official source; however, the first information may be received before or shortly after the first information is published by the official source. In another exemplary embodiment, the first information is not made public by the official source, e.g, due to security concerns, but the first DAPP506nevertheless receives the first information from the official source.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first DAPP506operably communicates with a first node508. The first DAPP506may synchronize the received first information in real time. The first node508may have at least one of a private storage and a public storage. The public storage of the first node508may include at least one of a transaction trie and a storage trie. The transaction trie may be immutable and the storage trie may not be immutable. A smart contract may be associated with the storage trie. The transaction trie may be associated with a distributed sequential transactional database communicatively connected to a network. The first node508may operably communicate with a second DAPP510. The first node508may operably communicate with a second node518and/or a third node520.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a user interface provided on an input device514prompts a user512to enter the second information. The user512may be related to an organization, and the organization may be, e.g., at least one of a financial institution, a law enforcement agency, a governmental entity/source, and an official source.

In an exemplary embodiment, the user input device514operably communicates with a third DAPP516. For example, the second information received from the user512at the user input device514may be transmitted to the third DAPP516. The third DAPP516may operate on a decentralized peer-to-peer network, and the third DAPP516may operably communicate with the second node518. For example, the second information received from the user input device514at the third DAPP516may be transmitted to the second node518. The second node518may have a private storage and/or a public storage. The public storage of the second node518may include a transaction trie and/or a storage trie. The transaction trie may be immutable and the storage trie may not be immutable. A smart contract may be associated with the storage trie, and the transaction trie may be associated with the distributed sequential transactional database communicatively connected to the network. The second node518may operably communicate with the first node508and/or the third node520.

The third node520may operably communicate with the first node508and/or the second node518. In an exemplary embodiment, the third node520may receive first information via the first node508and/or second information via the second node518. The third node520may have a private storage and/or a public storage. The public storage of the third node520may include a transaction trie and/or a storage trie. The transaction trie may be immutable and the storage trie may not be immutable. smart contract may be associated with the storage trie, and the transaction trie may be associated with the distributed sequential transactional database communicatively connected to the network. The transaction trie of the third node520may include a transaction ledger522. The transaction ledger522may use a blockchain database and/or a blockchain data structure. The storage trie of the third node520may include a Sanction List smart contract524.

Referring toFIG. 6, a screenshot600of a use of interface for prompting a user to provide information regarding a sanctioned entity is shown. In an exemplary embodiment, the user interface is accessible via an Internet browser. In another exemplary embodiment, the user interface is accessible via an application that has been downloaded and/or installed on a computer. In an exemplary embodiment, the user interface includes a list section610and a details section620.

The list section610may include a search field612and/or a first table614. The search field612may prompt a user to enter all or a portion of at least one descriptive attribute of a sanctioned entity. The descriptive attribute may be any of, e.g., a name, an alias, a passport number, a national identification number, a nationality, a citizenship, a role in an organization, a date of birth, a country of birth, a website, and/or any information that is suitable for identifying the sanctioned entity. The entered descriptive attribute of the sanctioned entity may be displayed on the user interface.

In an exemplary embodiment, after information is entered into the search field612, the user interface displays a first table614that includes search results for the information received in the search field612. The first table614may include information that relates to various attributes a sanctioned entity.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, the first table614includes columns for unique identification (ID), first name, last name, alias name, country of birth, city of birth and date of birth. While the information is arranged in columns, the organization of such information is not limited thereto. For example, the information may be arranged in rows, tiles, or any other suitable structure. In an exemplary embodiment, the user interface is configured to display a plurality of attributes, but all attributes need not be visible simultaneously. The user interface may include a means to display alternative and/or additional attributes, e.g., a vertical and/or horizontal scroll bar coupled to the first table614to vertically or horizontally access additional rows, columns, tiles, cells, elements, or attributes of the first table614.

As also illustrated inFIG. 6, the user interface displays the sanctioned entities which relate to the received character string entered into the search field612. The character string “caro qui” was entered in the search field612, and as a result, twelve sanctioned entities that have the last name “CARO QUINTERO” are included in first table614. While twelve sanctioned entities are illustrated inFIG. 6, the number of sanctioned entities is not particularly limited, and there may be zero, one, two, three, or any number of sanctioned entities included in first table614.

According to an exemplary embodiment, information of a sanctioned entity may be displayed in the details section620. The details section620may display at least one of a full name622of the selected sanctioned entity, an image624of the selected sanctioned entity, a first image upload section626, a second image upload section628, a second table630, an entity distribution field632, and a third table634.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second table630includes a field for at least one of a first name, a last name, a previous name, an alias, a citizenship, an additional citizenship, a country of birth, a city of birth, a date of birth, and an address. The third table634may include a field for at least one of politically exposed person, passport number, and country of residence. The entity distribution field may be a field that prompts a user to specify at least one entity that may access any information changed or added to details section620.

In an exemplary embodiment, the details section620is used to view and/or add information relating to the selected sanctioned entity. A user of the user interface may be a due diligence personnel of a financial institution and may use the user interface to search for, find, and view details of a particular individual, company, organization, or group to aid in a decision whether to do business with the particular individual, company, organization, or group.

In an exemplary embodiment, a process of determining whether to do business with a particular individual, company, organization, group, or country on the basis of sanction information is performed without human intervention. For example, the Sanction Information Distribution module302may notify or flag a user of an organization, e.g., a financial institution, when the organization attempts to do business with a sanctioned entity in the database. In this regard, the Sanction Information Distribution module302may notify or flag the organization when the organization should further investigate the sanctioned entity identified in the database.

In an exemplary embodiment, when a user adds or modifies information in the details section620, the user is prompted to save or cancel the added or modified information. As shown inFIG. 6, a save icon636and a cancel icon640may be included in the details section620. When a user saves added or changed information, the saved information may be added to a distributed ledger, and/or may be distributed or made available to the entities or peers of the peer-to-peer network.

In an exemplary embodiment, a user is only able to add information in the details section620, and the user is not able to modify existing information of the list section610and/or the details section620. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, a user is able to add information to either or both of the list section610and the details section620, and the user is also able to change or delete information on either or both of the list section610and the details section620.

Accordingly, with this technology, an optimized process for distributing information relating to sanctions is provided.