2023-03-06 | 23975Added · Updated
This addendum establishes simplified due diligence requirements for basic banking accounts held by individuals and micro-enterprises, defining strict functionality limitations and transaction thresholds. Accounts are capped at $90,000 in annual credits and withdrawals, restricted to debit cards, online banking, and ACH services, while prohibiting international wire transfers, credit facilities, and overdrafts. Financial institutions must verify customer identity using valid photo identification or alternative documents, record specific personal and business details, and screen against designated persons lists at onboarding, upon list updates, and quarterly. Full customer due diligence is mandatory if transaction limits are exceeded, additional services are requested, or suspicious activity is detected.
CBTT published 6 documents in the last 30 days — get each new one by email the day it lands.
Financial Institutions Supervision Department
Revised March 6, 2023
1 | P a g e
ADDENDUM TO THE CENTRAL BANK’S AML/CFT GUIDELINE A. SDD REQUIREMENTS FOR BASIC BANKING ACCOUNT [INDIVIDUALS] Amount / Threshold / Functionality Limitation Customer Identification Requirement
i. Aggregate of all credits does not exceed
$90,000 annually
ii. Aggregate of all withdrawals and transfers
does not exceed $90,000 annually
iii. Access to debit card, online banking
services and ACH services only.
iv. International wire transfers are prohibited
v. Access to credit or overdraft facilities are
prohibited.
vi. Limited to one account per person either
singularly or jointly
vii. Account opening / maintenance fees are
not applicable to financial inclusion accounts. ATM and other fees attached to services (e.g. domestic transfers, purchase of bank drafts) will be applicable.
i. Obtain one (1) form of valid photo identification of either a passport, national identification card or
drivers permit. In exceptional cases where identity cannot be verified by government issued identification, banks may obtain alternative forms of identification (for example a reference from a credible person). Such alternatives must be kept on file and the reason for the exception must be documented on file.
ii. Record and retain the following in accordance with the record retention requirements of Regulation
31(1)(b):
(a) Full legal name
(b) Date and Place of Birth
(c) Nationality
iii. Record the customer’s complete residential address. Banks may delay verification of address until
additional financial services are requested by the customer or transactional activity rise above the thresholds.)
iv. Nature, purpose of account, source of funds may be inferred and recorded, e.g. For receipt of
pension or social assistance payments and payment of household bills.
v. For migrants who cannot satisfy the above requirement for valid national identification, acceptance
of a government issued residency card may be considered by banks.
vi. The customer must be screened against the lists of designated persons. At a minimum, this should
occur at the on-boarding of the customer; when the designated lists are updated; and on a quarterly basis.
Financial Institutions Supervision Department
Revised March 6, 2023
2 | P a g e
Amount / Threshold / Functionality Limitation Customer Identification Requirement
vii. Risk based transaction monitoring controls must be implemented to ensure that the prescribed
limits are not breached and; that transactions match the initial low risk profile. At a minimum, these accounts should be reviewed annually to determine whether transactional activity is within the established thresholds. Deviations from the established profile, on the basis of risk, should prompt a review of the customer risk rating noting (viii.) and (ix.) below.
viii. Full CDD must be carried out in the following instances and in respect of (a) or (b), the bank should
consider whether the customer continues to qualify for the basic banking account:
(a) the customer crosses the established thresholds; (b) the customer wishes to access additional financial services; or (c) where there is suspicion of money laundering or terrorist financing.
ix. In accordance with Regulation 11(5), where the above noted customer due diligence requirements
cannot be obtained, licensees must determine whether to continue with the relationship and the Compliance Officer shall determine whether a suspicious transaction or activity report should be filed with the FIUTT.
Financial Institutions Supervision Department
Revised March 6, 2023
3 | P a g e
ADDENDUM TO THE CENTRAL BANK’S AML/CFT GUIDELINE B. SDD REQUIREMENTS FOR BASIC BANKING ACCOUNT [MICRO-ENTERPRISES1 ] Amount / Threshold / Functionality Limitation Customer Identification Requirement
i. Aggregate of all credits does not exceed $90,000
annually
ii. Aggregate of all withdrawals and transfers does
not exceed $90,000 annually
iii. Access to debit card, online banking services and
ACH services only
iv. International wire transfers are prohibited
v. Access to credit or overdraft facilities are
prohibited
vi. Limited to one business account per person/sole
trader either singularly or jointly
vii. Account opening / maintenance fees are not
applicable to financial inclusion accounts. ATM and other fees for permissible services (e.g. domestic transfers, purchase of bank drafts) will be applicable. a) Unregistered Sole Traders (Separate accounts must be maintained for personal and business purposes)
i. Record the customer’s:
Full legal name [including the ‘trading as’ name if applicable] Complete residential address Business address [if different from residential address] Date and Place of Birth Nationality Nature of business and purpose of account Source of funds
ii. Obtain one (1) form of valid photo identification of either a passport, national identification card
or drivers permit for each individual to verify physical likeness, signature, date and place of birth. In exceptional cases where identity cannot be verified by government issued identification, banks may obtain alternative forms of identification (for example a reference from a credible person). Such alternatives must be kept on file and the reason for the exception must be documented on file.
iii. Verification of address may be deferred until additional financial services are requested by the
customer or transactional activity rise above the thresholds.
iv. Screen name of customer(s) and name of business against lists of designated persons, at a
minimum, at on-boarding, when the designated lists are updated and on a quarterly basis.
1
For the purpose of this Guidance, micro-enterprise means annual sales up to $90,000.
Financial Institutions Supervision Department
Revised March 6, 2023
4 | P a g e
Amount / Threshold / Functionality Limitation Customer Identification Requirement
v. Risk based transaction monitoring controls must be implemented to ensure that the prescribed
limits are not breached and; that transactions match the initial low risk profile and if not, to prompt a review of the customer risk rating. At a minimum, these accounts should be reviewed annually to determine whether transactional activity is within the established thresholds. Deviations from the established profile, on the basis of risk, should prompt a review of the customer risk rating noting (vi.) and (vii.) below.
vi. Full CDD must be carried out in the following instances and in respect of (a) or (b), the bank should
consider whether the customer continues to qualify for the basic banking account:
a. the customer crosses the established thresholds.; b. the customer wishes to access additional financial services; or
c. where there is suspicion of money laundering or terrorist financing.
vii. In accordance with Regulation 11(5), where satisfactory customer due diligence information
cannot be obtained, licensees must determine whether to continue with the relationship and the Compliance Officer shall determine whether a suspicious transaction or activity report should be filed with the FIUTT. b) For Registered Businesses (Separate accounts must be maintained for personal and business purposes)
i. Record the customer’s:
Full legal name [including their ‘trading as’ name if applicable] Complete residential address Business address [if different from residential address] Nature of business and purpose of account Source of funds
ii. Record for each individual /owner/partner/director/beneficial owner:
Full legal name
Complete residential address
Financial Institutions Supervision Department
Revised March 6, 2023
5 | P a g e
Amount / Threshold / Functionality Limitation Customer Identification Requirement Date and Place of Birth Nationality
iii. Obtain formation documents / regulating powers as applicable:
Business registration certificate;
Certification of incorporation / Continuance / Amendment; Notice of Directors and Notice of Business Address Memorandum and Articles of Association; Partnership agreement
iv. Where applicable, obtain:
Recent Annual Return
NIB Certificate
v. Obtain one (1) form of valid photo identification of either a passport, national identification card
or drivers permit for each individual /owner/partner/director/beneficial owner to verify physical likeness, legal name, signature, nationality, date and place of birth.
vi. Verification of address of natural persons may be deferred until additional financial services are
requested by the customer or transactional activity rise above the thresholds.
vii. Screen names of all individuals and the name of business against lists of designated persons.
viii. Risk based transaction monitoring controls must be implemented to ensure that the prescribed
limits are not breached and; that transactions match the initial low risk profile and if not, to prompt a review of the customer risk rating. At a minimum, these accounts should be reviewed annually to determine whether transactional activity is within the established thresholds. Deviations from the established profile, on the basis of risk, should prompt a review of the customer risk rating noting (ix.) and (x.) below.
Financial Institutions Supervision Department
Revised March 6, 2023
6 | P a g e
Amount / Threshold / Functionality Limitation Customer Identification Requirement
ix. Full CDD must be carried out in the following instances and in respect of (a) or (b), the bank should
consider whether the customer continues to qualify for the basic banking account:
a. the customer crosses the established thresholds; b. the customer wishes to access additional financial services; or
c. where there is suspicion of money laundering or terrorist financing.
x. In accordance with Regulation 11(5), where satisfactory customer due diligence information
cannot be obtained, licensees must determine whether to continue with the relationship and the Compliance Officer shall determine whether a suspicious transaction or activity report should be filed with the FIUTT.
Read the rest free
Source: Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago — original document · Summary generated with machine assistance and reviewed before publication; the authoritative text is the regulator's original document. How RegAlert works