(a)
(1)
(A) Money laundering and related financial crimes frequently appear to be concentrated in particular geographic areas, financial systems, industry sectors, or financial institutions.
(B) While the Secretary has the responsibility to act with regard to Federal offenses which are being committed in a particular locality or are directed at a single institution, because modern financial systems and institutions are interconnected to a degree which was not possible until recently, money laundering and other related financial crimes are likely to have local, State, national, and international effects wherever they are committed.
(2)
(A) a comprehensive approach to the problem of such crime in such area can be developed, in cooperation with State and local law enforcement agencies, which utilizes the authority of the Secretary to prevent such activity; or
(B) such area can be targeted for law enforcement action.
(b)
(c)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(A) a written request for the designation of any area as a high-risk money laundering and related financial crimes area; or
(B) a written request for funding under section 5351 for a specific prevention or enforcement initiative, or to determine the extent of financial criminal activity, in an area.
(d)
(1) The population of the area.
(2) The number of bank and nonbank financial institution transactions which originate in such area or involve institutions located in such area.
(3) The number of stock or commodities transactions which originate in such area or involve institutions located in such area.
(4) Whether the area is a key transportation hub with any international ports or airports or an extensive highway system.
(5) Whether the area is an international center for banking or commerce.
(6) The extent to which financial crimes and financial crime-related activities in such area are having a harmful impact in other areas of the country.
(7) The number or nature of requests for information or analytical assistance which—
(A) are made to the analytical component of the Department of the Treasury; and
(B) originate from law enforcement or regulatory authorities located in such area or involve institutions or businesses located in such area or residents of such area.
(8) The volume or nature of suspicious activity reports originating in the area.
(9) The volume or nature of currency transaction reports or reports of cross-border movements of currency or monetary instruments originating in, or transported through, the area.
(10) Whether, and how often, the area has been the subject of a geographical targeting order.
(11) Observed changes in trends and patterns of money laundering activity.
(12) Unusual patterns, anomalies, growth, or other changes in the volume or nature of core economic statistics or indicators.
(13) Statistics or indicators of unusual or unexplained volumes of cash transactions.
(14) Unusual patterns, anomalies, or changes in the volume or nature of transactions conducted through financial institutions operating within or outside the United States.
(15) The extent to which State and local governments and State and local law enforcement agencies have committed resources to respond to the financial crime problem in the area and the degree to which the commitment of such resources reflects a determination by such government and agencies to address the problem aggressively.
(16) The extent to which a significant increase in the allocation of Federal resources to combat financial crimes in such area is necessary to provide an adequate State and local response to financial crimes and financial crime-related activities in such area.
(Added Pub. L. 105–310, §2(a), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2944.)
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