Halister News

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control places sanctions on Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi, a syndicate of the Japanese Yakuza criminal network, department says in e-mailed statement.

• OFAC designated 2 entities and 3 individuals, including the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi and key executive members -- Kunio Inoue, Osamu Teraoka, and Takashi Ikeda -- along with its core clan, the Yamaken-gumi
• Treasury: “The Yakuza has relationships with criminal affiliates in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, where it uses front companies in legitimate industries, including construction, real estate, and finance, to launder money and hide illicit proceeds”
• In the U.S., the Yakuza criminal syndicate has been involved in drug trafficking and money laundering: Treasury

--RANDY WOODS

(Bloomberg) -- MNI Chicago Business Barometer seen at 56.8 in Dec. vs. 57.6 in Nov. (forecast range 54 to 58.8); tracks sentiment of purchasing managers in manufacturing, construction and services.

• November reading was highest since January 2015

(Bloomberg) -- The central bank requires financial institutions to report cash deposits or withdrawals of more than 50,000 yuan, down from 200,000 yuan earlier, according to revised rules posted on PBOC website.

• PBOC requires banks to report cross-border transfers of 200,000 yuan and up or foreign-currency of $10,000 and up
• PBOC seeks to prevent money laundering and financing for terrorism
• New rules effective July 1
• Link to Statement:Link