KYC (Know Your Customer) Information For Customers Intending To Open Bank Accounts With Us
The objective of obtaining KYC information is to enable the Bank to have positive identification of its customers. This is also in the interest of customers to safeguard their hard earned money.
The KYC guidelines mandate banks to collect from their customers.
- Proof of identity
- Proof of address
Our KYC procedure specifies certain commonly available documents as proof of personal identification and address proof, so as to not cause inconvenience to those intending to open bank accounts in our Bank.
Our Branch officials at the Account Opening Desk will be able to provide guidance regarding the different types of documents acceptable for opening any account.
We request your kind co-operation in providing the required documents for opening new accounts to enable us to adhere to the KYC policy.
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What is KYC?
Know Your Customer - KYC enables banks to know/ understand their customers and their financial dealings to be able to serve them better
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Why does the Bank ask you for proof of your identity and address?
The identification of a customer is a very critical process with a view to protect the customer interests by preventing from fraudsters who may use the name, address and forge signature to undertake illegal business activities, encashment of stolen drafts, cheques, dividend warrants, etc. This also helps to safeguard banks from being unwittingly used for the transfer of deposit of funds derived from criminal activity or for financing terrorism. Identification of customers will also help to control financial frauds, identify money laundering and suspicious activities, and for scrutiny / monitoring of large value cash transactions.
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Are KYC requirements new?
No, KYC requirements have always been in place and Banks have been taking KYC documents in accordance with the guidelines issued by HKMA from time to time.
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Is KYC mandatory?
Yes. It is a regulatory and a legal requirement.
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When does KYC apply?
KYC will be carried out at the following stages:
- Opening a new account
- Opening a subsequent account where documents as per current KYC standards not been submitted while opening the initial account
- When the bank feels it necessary to obtain additional information from existing customers based on conduct of the account
- When there are changes to signatories, mandate holders, beneficial owners etc. KYC will also be carried out in respect of non-account holders approaching the bank for high value one-off transactions.
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Who is your contact point in the Bank for KYC purposes?
Your contact point in the Bank will be the Relationship Manager / the official who opens your account and who is in touch with you for your transactions.
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What is Money Laundering?
Money Laundering refers to conversion of money illegally obtained to make it appear as if it originated from a legitimate source. Money laundering is being employed by launderers worldwide to conceal criminal activity associated with it such as drugs / arms trafficking, terrorism and extortion. All crimes that produce a financial benefit give rise to money laundering.
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What has this got to do with opening bank accounts?
The first step in the laundering process for criminals is to get their money into an account with a Bank, often using a false identity and address. The funds so deposited will be transferred to other accounts locally or abroad or used for buying goods or services. These transactions would appear to be like any legally earned money and becomes difficult to trace it back to its criminal past. Banks under law should not only prevent this, but should stop criminals who wish to use the banking channel to launder the ill-gotten money from illegal / criminal activities.
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How could this affect you as a customer?
A key defense against money laundering is to prevent accounts being opened in false identities. Anyone wishing to open an account will therefore be asked for proof of their identity and address. These documents have to be essentially obtained irrespective of the type of account to be opened and the purpose for which the account is opened for.
The fact that these documents are asked for opening of account does not mean that you are suspected of money laundering. Criminals try to appear to be normal law abiding customers, for example they may try to open a number of accounts using small amounts of money. Hence it is necessary to identify all prospective account holders or customers. Any body including a criminal could falsely use your identity, if these identity documents are not obtained.
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What proof of identity will you need?
The best identification documents are those which are issued by a Government authority, which should have a photograph, address and signature. You may provide one single document which can establish your identify and address or two or more documents. For an individual documents like copy of Hong Kong Identity Card, the Passport, would be sufficient for the purpose of establishing the identity. Similarly, for other entities like firms, companies, trusts, etc., documents like Partnership Deed, Trust Deed, Memorandum & Articles of Association, Certificate of Incorporation, Business Registration Certificate etc. would be applicable. The branch / staff would be able to help you in providing the details of the list of approved documents.
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What will happen if you do not provide the required KYC information / documents to the Bank?
The Bank will be entitled to refuse to open the account (if you are a prospective customer) or discontinue its relationship with you citing non-providing of KYC information / documents (if you are an existing customer).If you however, require reasonable time to furnish certain non-critical documents you can approach the branch.
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If you are a small depositor, would you still have to go through the stringent KYC requirements?
Irrespective of the size of relationship with the Bank, KYC guidelines need to be adhered to.
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Help us to Help You
Please help us to prevent crime, tax evasion and the laundering of the proceeds of such crime or evasion by being patient when staff asks you to provide documents to prove your identity. You can also help prevent crime against yourself and others by maintaining the confidentiality of your account details and identity documents.
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