The latest edition of the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA)’s consumer information series “Let’s talk about money” (“Reden wir über Geld”) addresses the issue of financial sanctions. Even if financial sanctions predominantly relate to government and economic players, under certain circumstances they may also have an impact on consumers – such as in the case of securities of sanctioned companies, if transactions are delayed, or where banks conduct checks required by law.
From 1 January 2026 the FMA has assumed responsibility for the monitoring and enforcement of EU financial sanctions. In the future, the FMA will combine the supervision of Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing and financial sanctions, and will thereby be in an even better position to contribute towards ensuring Austrian is a clean financial centre. As a result, it is the comprehensive supervisory instance in the area of the integrity of the Austrian financial market, which ultimately benefits everyone – from financial institutions, consumers and the economy as a whole.
Financial sanctions explained
The new edition provides answers to questions like:
- What are financial sanctions,
- Where can public lists of sanctions can be found,
- What is an “Asset Freeze”,
- and how consumers may be confronted by them in everyday life.
The current edition of “Let’s talk about money” can be found in English, along with all past editions on the website https://redenwiruebergeld.fma.gv.at/en. Follow “Reden wir über Geld” on Instagram too at @redenwiruebergeld. @redenwiruebergeld.
Information about EU sanctions can also be found on the “EU Sanctions Map” at: www.sanctionsmap.eu and on the FMA website: www.fma.gv.at → Supervision → Cross-sectoral topics → Financial sanctions
Journalists may address further enquiries to
Boris Gröndahl (FMA Media Spokesperson)
Telephone: +43/(1)249/59-6010
Mobile: +43 676 8824 9995
E-Mail: [email protected]