Beneficial Ownership
What is Beneficial Ownership?
In May 2016, the U.S. government passed a new regulation regarding the beneficial ownership of legal entity customers. Beginning May 11, 2018, it will be mandatory for all financial institutions to comply with this regulation by identifying the ultimate beneficial owner(s) and a controlling person of a legal entity customer opening or maintaining an account.
In compliance with this new regulation, PrinsBank will collect beneficial ownership information from legal entity customers starting on May 11, 2018. This means that any time an account is opened or maintained for a legal entity, we will request information that identifies the ultimate beneficial owner(s) and controlling person of the legal entity.
What you need to know about Beneficial Ownership
- The regulation affects all legal entities opening or maintaining accounts at any financial institution.
- Legal entities will need to identify and attest to all ultimate beneficial owner(s) that meet specific requirements as well as a controlling person (e.g., CEO, CFO, COO, Managing Member, General Partner, President, Vice President, etc.)
- PrinsBank will collect information regarding the ultimate beneficial owner(s) and control person of legal entities whether or not they have a personal relationship with the bank.
What information is required:
- Full Name
- Address
- Date of Birth
- Social Security Number
- Government Issued Identification (a color photocopy is required)
This information will need to be collected whether or not the person identified is a PrinsBank customer. This information will also be collected for existing legal entity customers who establish new or maintain accounts at PrinsBank.
While we understand the information requested is personal and sensitive, we need to obtain this information in order to comply with the law. As always, we will treat all information collected with the utmost care. All information will be stored securely and handled with the same standard of privacy that we have always maintained.
Beneficial Ownership FAQ
What is beneficial ownership regulation and why does it matter?
The beneficial ownership regulation is a federal law requiring all financial institutions to identify and verify the identity of the beneficial owners of legal entity customers as well as a controlling person of the legal entity any time an account is opened or maintained. The regulation is aimed at making financial institutions safer for their customers and protecting the country’s financial system
What constitutes a beneficial ownership?
The U.S. government regulation defines “beneficial ownership” as being made up of two roles: (1) those that have an ownership interest in a legal entity and (2) those that control a legal entity.
For those people who have an ownership interest in the legal entity, PrinsBank is required to identify and collect personal information on anyone that meets or exceeds the following ownership thresholds:
Ultimate Beneficial Owners:
A natural person having 25 percent or more of the equity interests of a legal entity.
Control Person:
A person with significant managerial control or influence over a legal entity customer (e.g., Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Managing Member, General Partner, President, Vice President, Treasurer, etc.)
For every legal entity client subject to beneficial ownership, you must identify one control person.
NOTE: It is possible that the control person may also be an ultimate beneficial owner.
Why has PrinsBank been asked to collect this information?
All financial institutions in the U.S., are required to collect beneficial ownership information. The U.S. government implemented the new beneficial ownership regulation to help fight financial crimes. PrinsBank is doing its part in upholding the new regulation to protect the financial system. Compliance with regulations has always been of utmost importance to PrinsBank, and the new beneficial ownership regulation will be treated with the same level of importance.
Is PrinsBank the only bank that is required to collect beneficial ownership information?
No. ALL financial institutions are required to comply with the new beneficial ownership regulation and will be collecting this beneficial ownership information from applicable customers. The regulation is effective as of May 11, 2018.
How will the change impact my existing business accounts?
The change should not impact your existing accounts. However, please be aware that PrinsBank may reach out for beneficial ownership information to update your account file, ensuring necessary compliance for any future financial requests.
What if the people who have been identified as beneficial owners or control persons are not customers of PrinsBank?
You will be required to provide their personal information regardless of customer status. Information about the ultimate beneficial owners and control person must be provided in order to comply with the regulation.
The required identifying information includes:
· Full Name
· Address
· Date of Birth
· Social Security Number
· Government Issued Identification (a color photocopy is required)
· and other information that will help identify those individuals.
What is a certificate of beneficial ownership and why is it necessary?
The Certification of Beneficial Owner(s) is a legally required form that PrinsBank must collect from legal entity customers regarding their ultimate beneficial owners and the control person. By completing the form, you are attesting that the information provided is accurate to the best of your knowledge.
Where will beneficial ownership information be stored?
PrinsBank maintains strict privacy policies and procedures. We will maintain all beneficial ownership information in the same manner as a bank customer. Any customer information, including beneficial ownership information, will not be shared.
Will the information provided for beneficial ownership be used for marketing to prospects?
No. This information will not be used for marketing or prospecting purposes.
I also have personal accounts with PrinsBank. Will the bank also collect beneficial ownership information on those accounts?
No. The Beneficial Ownership regulation only applies to applicable legal entity accounts.