BUSINESS
SOLUTIONS:
Regulatory
Bank Account
opening
Need a New Bank Account?
WHAT SERVICES CAN YOU EXPECT
FROM BANKS ?
- Multicurrency accounts: AED, GBP, USD, EUR, CHF, CNY, SAR, OMR
- SWIFT
- IBAN
- SEPA & Faster Payment (subject to terms)
- Online platform
- Live FX
- Sub-accounts
- ATM Cards
- Cash deposits (subject to terms)
- Dedicated Personal Banker
WHY CHOOSE PRO LEGAL
Our certified compliance experts analyse what paperwork you must prepare to present the business in an acceptable manner. We will inform you of any documents, policies or procedures that are either missing or not up to standard. Once those items are resolved we are able to continue our work and commence with our vast network of banks in order to find a good fit for your business.
We will then guide you through the application process to ensure that you have all your documentation in order to ensure the likelihood of you achieving a successful outcome.
REQUIREMENTS TO OPEN ACCOUNTS
Detailed Business Plan
36 month financial forecast
Anti-Money Laundering Framework
Enterprise Business Risk Assessment
UBO ownership structure + fit and proper evidence
Copies of regulatory licenses and relevant trade permissions
Copies of commercial agreements
Evidence of certified training
Biometric scanning
Interview (which we will co-ordinate and help you prepare for) Etc.
Banks are required to undertake a risk assessment went on boarding a client. Experience is what works most in favour of any company or individual who commences with the process. Banks will most likely reject any application which comes unprepared and where the applicant is improper.
Applicants must ensure that they have a robust anti-money laundering program which is relevant to their business model.
Being able to demonstrate a comprehensive resume acts as evidence that you know your business, have the right management team, have a good grasp of regulatory understanding and essential policies and procedures to combat the threat of money laundering, terrorist financing and financial fraud.
Banks expect all individuals to be up-to-date in their AML learning and expect to receive copies of training that is relevant. Training certificates helps to also satisfy the bank the bank that your employees know the companies policies and procedures which are outlined within the AML framework.
Unfortunately due to the heightened environment and the current market climate affecting all businesses, ML and counterterrorist financing are factors that affect almost all commercial businesses these days.
Finally a full review must be performed by a qualified specialist and they will sift through every item and aspect of your business outlining any deficiencies and give you the opportunity to address them before making a formal submission to the Bank.
Compliance is also at the forefront of improving your odds to satisfy the Bank. Therefore it is essential that you prepare comprehensive supporting documents that evidence your business:
Implements a money laundering and terrorist financing risk assessment (at least on an annual basis)
Implements systems, policies, controls and procedures to address money laundering and terrorist financing risks and meet the regulatory requirements
Applies your policies, procedures and controls across your company or group structure
Provides training to staff
Complies with new customer due diligence, enhanced due diligence and simplify due diligence requirements
Complies with requirements relating to PEPs
Ensures your record keeping and data protection, policies and procedures meet the requirements of the regulations
Complies with new obligations related to record keeping, GDPR and the provision of information about beneficial ownerships of your clients
Ultimately there are a number of variables that could affect the final outcome of your application and these are often solely at the discretion of the Bank.
There are some red flags where applications could be automatically declined, these include senior management, executives or UBOs who have:
A criminal history or linked, or related to, an OFAC/SDN individual.
Very adverse financial history.
Direct PEPs status (or very close relationship).
Adverse media history.
There are some red flags where applications could be automatically declined, these include senior management, executives or UBOs who have:
Your customers
Geographic areas where your business operates
Your products and services
Your transactions (incoming & outgoing)
Your delivery channels