Aml-Cft Policy 2019
Aml-Cft Policy 2019
Aml-Cft Policy 2019
AML/CFT Policy
November, 2019
Table of Contents
Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………….…………. 1
Abbreviations…………………………………………………………………………….……... 2
Chapter 1 : Background on AML/CFT......................................................................................... 3
Chapter 2 : Risk Based Customer Due Diligence (RBCDD)....................................................... 17
Chapter 3 : Customer Identification............................................................................................. 21
Chapter 4 : Assignment of Risk Profile......................................................................................... 31
Chapter 5 : Monitoring of Customers........................................................................................... 35
Chapter 6 : Monitoring of Transactions....................................................................................... 37
Chapter 7 : Wire Transfer.............................................................................................................. 39
Chapter 8 : Correspondent Banking.............................................................................................. 41
Chapter 9 : Record Keeping............................................................................................................ 43
Chapter 10 : Threshold Transaction Reporting............................................................................. 44
Chapter 11 : Suspicious Transaction Report.................................................................................. 46
Chapter 12 : Reporting...................................................................................................................... 55
Chapter 13 : Roles and Responsibilities.......................................................................................... 58
Chapter 14 : Miscellaneous............................................................................................................... 63
Appendices
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Abbreviations
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Chapter 1:
Background on AML/CFT
1 Introduction
This Policy shall be known as the “AML/CFT Policy, 2019” and shall come into force from the
date of approval of the Board of Citizen’s Bank International Limited. The policy has laid down
appropriate framework for effective compliance to prevailing Asset (Money) Laundering
Prevention Act 2064, (second amendment), Assets (Money) Laundering Prevention Rules, 2073
and Directives issued by Financial Information Unit (FIU) and Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) from
time to time.
The main guiding principles of this policy are mentioned below;
a) To do business only with clients whose status and identity are fully known to the bank.
b) To determine and record the identity, background and business of all clients.
c) To regularly monitor the relationship in order to identify unusual or suspicious activity to be
able to take appropriate action, if required.
This policy is applied to all staffs, bank functions and structures (including departments and
branches) and majority owned subsidiaries of Citizen’s Bank International Limited located
within as well as outside Nepal. If any department, branch or business unit of the Bank is unable,
to apply the standards set by this policy, such activities or transactions are not tolerated by bank.
Money Laundering is any method to change the identity of illegally possessed money so that it
appears to have originated from a legitimate source. In other words, it is a process by which
“dirty money” is made to look clean. The money earned from drug trafficking, tax evasion,
extortion, smuggling etc. are examples of dirty money. Money Laundering is a major concern to
the governments and regulatory authorities all over the world. It has been recognized as a major
social problem and crime by the governments around the world. Financial institutions are the
medium for channeling the illegally or criminally earned money into the financial system. The
simplest way to clean the illegally earned money is to bring-in such money to the financial
system through different means such as deposits of cash, traveler’s cheques, drafts, electronic
transfers and other financial instruments.
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Financing of Terrorism is a financial support, as the solicitation, collection or provisions of
funds with the intention that they may be used to support terrorist acts or organizations.
According to the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism,
“Involvement in any form, either directly or indirectly, unlawfully and willingly, providing or
collecting funds with the intention that it could be used or in the knowledge that to be used in
any act intended to cause death or serious bodily injury to a civilian not taking any active part in
the hostilities in a situation of armed conflict.” Funds may collect from both legal and illicit
sources. The primary goal of individuals or entities involved in the financing of terrorism is
therefore not necessarily to conceal the sources of the money but to conceal both the financing
and the nature of the financed activity.
Operational risk: This is the risk of direct or indirect loss from faulty or failed internal processes,
management and systems. In today's competitive environment, operational excellence is critical
for competitive advantage. If AML policy is faulty or poorly implemented, then operational
resources are wasted, there is an increased chance of being used by criminals for illegal
purposes, time and money is then spent on legal and investigative actions and the business can be
viewed as operationally unsound.
Compliance Risk: Risk of loss due to failure of compliance with key regulations governing the
Bank’s operations.
Legal risk: Risk of loss due to any of the above risk or combination thereof resulting into the
failure to comply with the Laws and having a negative legal impact on the Bank. The specific
types of negative legal impacts could arise by way of fines, confiscation of illegal proceeds,
criminal liability etc.
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Financial risk: Risk of loss due to any of the above risks or combination thereof resulting into the
negative financial impact on the Bank.
2.1 Placement
Placement is the physical disposal of cash proceeds derived from illegal activity could be done
through:
− Depositing of large amount of cash in numerous small amounts.
− Setting up a cash business as a cover for banking large amount of money.
− Investing in shares and other investment products and
− Mingling of illegal cash with deposits from legitimate business e.g. car and antiques dealers.
2.2 Layering
Layering is the practice of separation of illegal money from its original source by creating
complex layers of financial transactions designated to disguise the audit trail and provide
anonymity. The purpose is to confuse the audit trail and break the link from the original crime.
The examples are as follows:
− A Company passes money through its accounts under cover of bogus invoices, merely to
generate additional transactions.
− A customer raises a loan on the security of a deposit (from illegal business) in another bank to
help break the connection with illegal funds.
− A customer incurs large credit card debts from an account.
2.3 Integration
Integration schemes place the launched funds back into the economy so that they re-enter the
financial system appearing to be legitimate business funds. It is a scheme to move illegal money
into the legitimate economy so that no one would suspect its origins.
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3 Regulation in Nepal
In order to combat AML/CFT, laws and regulations have been formulated and implemented in
various countries. In Nepal, there is stringent licensing and registration criteria of the Central
Bank (Nepal Rastra Bank) for the Banks, Financial Institutions and other institutions dealing in
financial transactions. Moreover, Bank and Financial Institutions Act 2073 of Nepal have
specified the qualification of Promoters, Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Financial
Institutions. As per the Central bank policy, for instance, the legitimate source of funds to invest
as a promoter in financial institutions must be declared. There is an independent Financial
Information Unit (FIU) established under Asset (Money) Laundering Prevention Act 2008 in
Rastra Bank for collection, analysis and dissemination of information relating to the offence on
AML/CFT.
Central Bank so far has formulated and implemented following acts, rules and directives to curb
AML/CFT practices in Nepal.
a) Asset (Money) Laundering Prevention Act 2064 BS
b) Asset (Money) Laundering Prevention Rule 2073 BS
c) Directives on AML/CFT (NRB Directives # 19, amendment Ashad 2074 BS)
Major obligations of the Financial Institutions as defined in the said rules are as below:
a) Maintain record of the transaction and other details of the customers as prescribed by the
Financial Information Unit,
b) Update customer risk profile of the existing customer as prescribed by the Financial
Information Unit and maintain the record in electronic form upto 5 years and provided to FIU
unit immediately in case of demanded by FIU unit.
c) Maintain a separate confidential record of the suspicious transaction duly signed by the
concerned compliance officer and the chief of the office,
d) Conduct risk based customer due diligence. Enhanced due diligence for high risk customer.
e) Investigate and inquire any transaction which appears to be suspicious or transacted with the
motive of asset laundering or so laundered or there are reasonable grounds for suspicion,
f) Designate a high ranking managerial level official as a compliance officer and provide the
Financial Information Unit with the name, address and contact number of the compliance
officer,
g) Monitoring of transactions exceptions above Threshold Transaction Limit.
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h) Formulate internal responsibility and work division.
i) Conduct Risk Based customer due diligence system evaluation and its process.
j) Formulate diligence of Risk based system for Identification, maintenance and Monitoring.
k) Formulate System for diligence of unusual and Suspicious Transaction.
l) Maintenance of System for diligence of work, Completion as prescribed under point no 6
Kha of Asset (Money) Laundering Prevention Act 2064 BS Offence of Money Laundering.
(Special Management regarding Blocked of Assets)
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− Offence under existing law on cooperative institution,
− Offence under existing law on forest,
− Offence under existing law against corruption,
− Offence under existing law on bank and financial institution,
− Offence under existing law on banking offences and penalty,
− Offence under existing law on ancient monument conservation,
− Offence under existing law of piracy of products (illegal production of duplicates and illegal
copyrights),
− Offence under existing law of tax (direct and indirect),
− Offence under existing law of market manipulation and insider trading in stock and
commodities market,
− Offence under existing law of election,
− Offence under existing law of telecommunication, advertisements
− Offence under existing law of black marketing, consumer protection,
− Offence under existing law of transportation business, education, health, foreign employment
fraud,
− Offence under existing law of sole proprietorship, partnership, company or institutions,
− Offence under existing law of land, housing and assets
− Offence under existing law of citizenship and passport,
− Offence under any other law or treaty which Nepal is a party to, as designated by the
Government in Gazette.
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− Hague Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft, 1970,
− Montreal Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil
Aviation, 1971,
− Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crime Against Internationally Protected
Persons Including Diplomatic Agents, 1973,
− International convention Against th Taking of Hostages, 1979,
− SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism, 1987,
− International Convention for the Suppression of the financing of Terrorism,1999
− Any Convention against Terrorist Activities which Nepal is a party to.
3.4 Bank and Financial Institutions Act 2006 of Nepal stipulates the provisions relating to
recovery from or confiscation of deposits in the following case:
In case any business or transaction is conducted by pledging as collateral or security the amount
deposited with a Bank or Financial Institution, or in case amounts are deposited with a Bank or
Financial Institution with misappropriated funds belonging to the government or any institution
fully owned by Nepal Government, or with funds obtained by committing any action which is
deemed to be an offence under current law, or with funds collected through any activity relating
to terrorism or organized crime, the concerned deposit may be confiscated or such collateral or
security or misappropriated or other funds may be recovered from the deposit according to
current law.
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b) To ensure full compliance by the Bank with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements
pertaining to money laundering and financing of terrorism, and
a) Individuals involved in Asset (Money) Laundering is charged twice amount fine of the
laundered amount and 2 to 10 years of imprisonment.
b) Individuals who involves in master planning of Asset (Money) Laundering are charged with
full punishment as stated in above and individual involved in other act are charged with half
of punishment as stated in above.
c) Individual involved in financing in terrorist activities are charged with five times of
laundered amount, if laundered amount is disclosed else if not disclosed fine amount could
be maximum of Rs. 1 Crore and also 3 to 20 years of imprisonment depending the fault act.
d) Individuals using legal power for money laundering and financing in terrorist activities are
charged with punishment as stated in above.
e) In case of individuals, employees are not identified then the head of the department of that
period shall attract legal and disciplinary action.
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f) Employees found involving in money laundering and financing in terrorist activities shall
attract 10% addition punishment with prevailing all above punishment.
g) Employees not maintaining secrecy and leaking the secrecy are liable to one month to 3
months of imprisonment or maximum Rs. 1 lakh or both punishments could be charged.
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terrorism or if customer / applicant / beneficiary refuses or fails to submit required
information/ documents.
e) Raise awareness through periodic and regular trainings on money laundering and financing
of terrorism among employees covering what money laundering and financing of terrorism is
the methods of recognizing suspicious transactions, the regulatory requirements and the
procedures and controls adopted by the Bank to control / prevent money laundering and
financing of terrorism and other relevant matters.
f) Support regulatory body and law enforcement agencies in their efforts to combat the use of
the financial system for the laundering of the proceeds of crime or the movement of funds for
criminal purposes.
g) Take all reasonable steps to verify the identity of customers, including the beneficial owners
and established procedures to retain adequate records.
h) The Bank will also exercise due diligence in establishing correspondent relationships with
local / foreign banks.
i) Install adequate system of checks and internal control to prevent the money laundering and
the financing of terrorism, and
j) Treat the issues pertaining to the money laundering and financing of terrorism as “Zero
Tolerance Issues” and take action as a high priority issue.
First line of defense: Business units and departments shall function as a first line of defense to
prevent ML/FT risks. Business shall promote AML/CFT principles while doing business.
Businesses shall own and manage the ML/FT risks arising from the business. Persons involved
in business functions must ensure that appropriate controls are in place and operating effectively.
Business units shall make an appropriate risk assessment before introducing any product or
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service and implement required mitigations. It shall be the responsibility of AML/CFT Unit to
assist business units/departments in this process.
Second line of defense: AML/CFT Unit shall function as a second line of defense to prevent
ML/FT risks in the bank. The AML/CFT Unit shall monitor overall legal, regulatory and internal
compliance of policies, procedures and guidelines. It shall also provide businesses with
regulatory compliance expertise and guidance, set standards and trainings for businesses to
manage and oversee ML/FT risks.
Third line of defense: This shall be performed by internal audit. The internal audit shall review
the activities of the first two lines of defense with the purpose to ensure that legislation,
regulations and internal policies are processed effectively.
The bank shall adopt Risk Based Approach (RBA) in managing its ML/FT risks and assess
potential ML/FT risks and implement measures and controls commensurate with the identified
risk. The bank shall strengthen, make priorities and perform its activities to manage higher risks
first and ensure that greatest risks receive the highest attention. RBA shall be adopted in all
activities that are performed to prevent ML/FT risks in the bank.
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6.4 Cooperation to regulatory body and law enforcement agencies
Co-operate with any lawful request for information made by regulatory body / enforcement
agencies their investigations into money laundering and financing of terrorism. Support
regulatory body / enforcement agencies in their efforts to combat the use of the financial system
for the laundering of the proceeds of crime or the movement of funds for criminal purposes.
Similarly, bank shall ensure that all the instructions and letters received from various
enforcement agencies shall be enacted upon the stipulated time.
As per provision of ALPA, information shall not be disclosed even in judicial proceedings that
discloses or may disclose the introduction of official or staff
ALPA has allowed NRB to fine up to one million rupees fine to the bank if tipping off is done.
Similarly, the bank is to take departmental action to its staff as per staff by law.
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b) No any staff of the bank (including board members) shall, by any means, be involved in
money laundering or terrorist financing directly or indirectly, in part or in whole, unlawfully
and willingly.
c) No any staff of the bank (including board members) shall, by any means, support to money
laundering or terrorist financing directly or indirectly, in part or in whole, unlawfully and
willingly.
d) No any staff of the bank (including board members) shall inform / share / talk / disclose /
warn, by any means, to any unauthorized persons about the bank’s policies and procedures
relating ML/FT risk management.
e) No any staff of the bank (including board members) shall inform/share/talk/disclose/warn, by
any means, to any unauthorized persons about bank’s consideration as suspicious or any
investigation initiated by bank or other competent authorities regarding any of its customers
or other parties.
f) No any staffs of the Bank (including board members) shall tip off or inform/ share / disclose /
warn, by any means, to any of the Bank’s customer.
g) Concerned staff shall provide access to offices or furnish information requested by
authorized persons of the bank entrusted with responsibility of legal and regulatory
compliances.
h) Concerned staffs shall extend full cooperation to the legal and regulating bodies during their
investigation in relation to ML/FT activities.
i) No staff (including board members) shall provide customer or any third party, at the
customers’ request, with incomplete or otherwise misleading documents or information in
connection with the customer’s accounts and transactions.
6.7 Speaking Up
The speaking up mechanism instigated in the Bank such that any staff member who suspects that
the Bank’s code of conduct, prudent practice, and ethical standard is being/has been
compromised contemplating or facilitating any act of ML/FT are allowed to escalate the case to
senior management.
No criminal, civil, disciplinary or administrative action or sanction shall be taken against the
bank or any of their official or staff who in good faith submit reports or provide report,
document, information, notice or records in accordance with the provisions of ALPA, rules and
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directives as a breach of secrecy provision under prevailing laws or contractual, administrative or
regulatory liability.
Risk Based Approach: The bank shall adopt a risk based approach while conducting training
programs. The bank shall aim, strengthen, priorities, and conduct trainings in line with the result
of bank’s risk assessment as well as emerging ML/FT risks identified by the bank.
Education and Training programs: The bank shall conduct educational and training programs
relating to ML/FT risks and their management as its regular activity. It shall be the bank’s policy
to provide basic awareness training to staffs, senior executives and shareholders holding more
than 2% shares. Such programs may include seminars, workshops, discussions, trainings etc. The
bank shall conduct such programs on a regular basis. All education and training programs shall
be conducted as per the guideline framed under this policy.
Adequacy and effectiveness: The Compliance Officer shall determine the adequacy and
effectiveness of the programs.
Record Retention: The bank shall maintain the record of all education and training programs
conducted by the bank. Such record is kept in a way that it is capable of disclosing name, date,
major issues discussed/covered, participants, etc.
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Chapter 2:
Risk Based Customer Due Diligence
1 Policy
Adherence to RBCDD policy is essential for the safety and ethical standards of the Bank’s
operation. The bank is committed to preventing itself from being used for AML/CFT purposes.
The bank is always ready to extend cooperation to regulators, prosecutors, and other Government
authorities to stop its banking channel from being used for illicit financial activities.
2 Process
Branch Managers / Customer Relationship Officers or other designated staff are responsible for
interviewing the prospective customer and obtain sufficient information on the reputation of the
client, legitimacy of the business and nature and source of activity expected in the account.
Operation in Charge or designated staff in Branches shall verify and retain copies of required
documents of any individual or any legal entity for future reference.
Business relationship should never be established until the identity of the potential customer is
satisfactorily established. If a potential customer refuses to provide the requested information,
the relationship should not be established. Likewise, if the requested follow-up information is not
forthcoming, any relationship already begun should be terminated. Branch Managers/ Customer
Relationship Officers or designated staff should not approve/recommend new accounts unless
proper identity of the account holder is established as per the parameters set out in this manual.
3 Courteous Conduct
The purpose of AML/CFT Policy is to establish the identity of the prospective customer and to
verify the source of large funds. Accordingly, the KYC interview should be conducted in a very
polite manner and it should not amount to a detective investigation.
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It must be recognized that trade and commerce in Nepal is still largely cash based and
undocumented. Every cash transaction or inability to provide supporting documents should not
automatically lead to suspicion. In case of doubt, the advice of Compliance Officer should be
obtained before making a decision.
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Chapter 3:
Customer Identification
1 Customer
It is essential to establish the true identity of the customers and be assured that the customers are
not involved in any kind of money laundering and terrorist activities. Some of the key
information that the bank requires to collect includes;
a) Information regarding the family member’s
b) Full customer identification evidence
c) The reason for the relationship recorded with sufficient detail to provide an understanding of
the purpose of the account and the nature of the customer’s business or employment.
d) An indication of the anticipated volume and type of activity to be conducted through account.
e) Bank’s understanding of the source of funds routed through the account
f) Recording of the underlying source of wealth in case of High Net Worth accounts.
g) One on whose behalf the account is maintained i.e. beneficial owner
h) Beneficiaries of transactions conducted by professional intermediaries, such as Stock
Brokers, Chartered Accountants, and Solicitors etc. as permitted under the law.
Any person or entity connected with a financial transaction which can pose significant
reputational or other risks to the bank. For instance,
− Person involved in transaction through wire transfer.
− Person who transacts above Rs 1 million in a single transaction or series of transactions
through wire transfer or similar mechanism in a day.
− Person who exchanges FCY equivalent to above Rs 5 lakhs in single transaction or series
of transactions in a day.
The bank shall take all reasonable steps to verify the identity of customers, including the
beneficial owners of corporate entities and individuals as well, and the principles behind
customers who are acting as agents. The Bank will take all reasonable steps to ensure that
“Customer Due Diligence” information is collected and kept up-to-date and that identification
information is updated when changes come to the Bank’s notice regarding the parties involved in
a relationship.
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The bank has established procedures to retain adequate records of identification, account opening
and transactions, Identification, account opening records and transaction records shall be retained
for minimum five years after a relationship has ended. Records relating to internal and external
suspicious transactions reports should also be retained for a minimum of five years.
2 Beneficial Owners
Beneficial Owner means a natural person who, directly or indirectly, owns or controls or directs
or influences a customer, an account, or the person on whose behalf a transaction is conducted,
or exercises effective control over a legal person or legal arrangement or remains as an ultimate
beneficiary or owner of such activities.
a) Maintain mechanism for Identification of real Owner, transaction monitoring, inquiry from
other Customers, publicly available information, information obtained from regulatory
authority & Business database.
b) Review the completely filled up KYC form and CDD form. If any customer having
beneficial owner, the bank should identify beneficial owner / Obtaining authority letter for
their agents and verify necessary information from different sources.
c) Maintain the details of customers/beneficial owner in an electronic means whose details can
be generated and reported any time.
d) Obtain the necessary documents of customers from other appropriate and reliable medium
except in cases where the customer presents himself physically.
e) Branches/Departments should gather sufficient information from a new customer and check
for publicly available information (i.e. analysis of social sites, Database of involvement in
Business) in order to establish whether or not the customer is among a HPP.
f) Only the documents submitted along with KYC forms or CDD obtained from domestic or
international inter-mediatory can be relied in following conditions.
− Listed public limited companies in Nepal
− Listed companies of foreign countries that have complied/implemented the international
standards on sound and effective AML/CFT Policies domestically or internationally.
− Not fallen on FATF, Asia/Pacific Group on Money laundering (APG), IMF, World Bank,
List of terrorist maintained by home ministry and UN Sanctioned List.
− Upon bank’s own risk and confirmation.
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g) While verifying KYC / CDD form of other legal persons, obtain details of each ultimate
controller, natural persons or owner of limited liability companies or firms:
− of persons holding 10% or more shares or voting power.
− Person controlling the legal entity or exercising controlling rights over such entity. For
e.g. BOD members, trusty and beneficiary of a trust.
− of managerial people
− (in case of Guthi)- BOD member, trusty and beneficiary of trust
(h) Determining the indirect interest/ownership in shares (while calculating 10% above):
− Proportionate share holding, partnership or beneficiary of a company in another
company, limited liability partnership or corporations and trust (Guthi)
− Of person/group of persons/members of single family controlling the entity (family
members include Spouse, son, daughter, parents (including step mother), grandparents,
brother, sister and grandchild)
(i) Adoption of additional measures such as verification in website, etc for any customer from
countries deficient or non-applying or inadequately applying AML/CFT measures.
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b) Complex ownership and control structures involving many layers of ownership, sometimes in
the name of other legal persons and sometimes using a chain of ownership that is spread
across several jurisdictions.
c) Use of close associates or relatives by PEPs and HPPs to conduct their transactions.
d) Use of power of attorney of individual account by other than intermediate family members.
e) Use of legal persons as directors.
f) Trust and other legal arrangements, which enable a separation of legal ownership and
beneficial ownership of assets.
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5 Non Face to Face Customers (NF2F)
Non face-to-face customers (NF2F) are those who on boarded and service provided through
without face to face contact and interview i.e. via electronic medium. The nature of NF2F
customers and transactions are as follows;
a) Account opening through online account opening system
b) Cross border correspondent banking
c) Fund transfer through remittance, swift or wire transfer
d) Transaction through Internet Banking, automatic teller machine, Mobile Banking, credit card
e) Transaction through instruction / request by internet
It is recognized that electronic transactions and services are convenient. Customers may use the
internet or alternative means because of their convenience or because they wish to avoid face-to-
face contact. The unregulated nature of the Internet is attractive to criminals, opening up
alternative possibilities for money laundering. The impersonal and borderless nature of electronic
banking combined with the speed of the transaction inevitably creates difficulty in customer
identification and verification.
The bank has paid special attention to any money laundering patterns that may arise from NF2F
customers and transactions that favor anonymity and be used to facilitate money laundering, and
bank must take appropriate measures to treat with such patterns. The bank has restrained online
account opening allowing full immediate operation of the account in a way which would
dispense with or bypass normal identification procedures. Initial application forms could be
completed on-line and then followed up with appropriate identification checks.
This policy addresses non face-to-face customers and their transactions which have an inherent
ML/FT risk. Identification of NF2F customer shall be performed as per the SOP framed under
this policy.
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b) Dealers in vehicles
c) Money Service Business
d) Casinos
e) Jewelers and Bullions
f) Auditors and Accountants
g) Antique Dealers
h) Import and Export Trade Business
i) Lawyers and Notaries and other independent legal professionals
j) Trust and Company Service Providers
7 Customer Acceptance
The following customer acceptance indicating the criteria for acceptance of customers shall be
followed in the bank. The bank will take all reasonable steps to verify the identity of customers,
including the beneficial owners of corporate entities, and the principals behind customers who
are acting as agents. The bank shall accept customer strictly in accordance with the said policy:
a) The bank will not accept any person/entities as its customer if the customer and beneficial
owner of the customer cannot be identified verified and thus bank is unable to have
customer’s risk profiling as required by the Act, Rules and Directive
b) No account should be opened in anonymous or fictitious name. Branch will collect accurate
& full name of clients and preserve documents in conformity with it. Branch will prepare
proper KYC of the clients.
c) Clearly defined in terms of the source of fund, the nature of business activity, location of
customer and his clients, mode of payments, volume of turnover, service offered and social
status. Categorization customers into different risk grades.
d) Identify the person who ultimately controls a natural person or legal entity. This
identification always will be a highly context-dependent, de-facto judgment; beneficial
ownership cannot be reduced to a legal definition.
e) Circumstances, in which a customer is permitted to act on behalf of another person/entity,
should be clearly spelt out in conformity with the established law and practices of financial
service as there could be occasions when an account is operated by a mandate holder.
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f) Identify the customer falling under Politically Exposed Persons, High Positioned Persons,
High Net Worth, Designated Non-Financial Business Group, belonging to highly corrupted
countries or originated from the countries known to be high risk, conducting non face to face
transactions.
g) Checking in sanction screening before establishing relationship with customer to ensure that;
− Individuals and entities do not fall in sanction list
− Entities are not shell bank or companies
− Political Exposed Persons
− Link to highly corrupt or high risk countries
h) The status of a customer may change as relation with a customer progresses. The transaction
pattern, volume of a customer’s account may also change. With times an ordinary customer
can turn into a risky one. To address this issue, customer acceptance policy should include
measures to monitor customer’s activities throughout the business relation.
i) The customer is accepted only after complete KYC information or details and document
required for account opening is provided by customer.
8 Documentation Guideline
a) Clear record of identity of a person should be maintained while establishing any kind of
business relationship with such person or while transacting the amount above the threshold,
either in a single transaction or in series of transactions as prescribed by Rastra Bank from
time to time by publishing a notice.
b) While identifying the customer as per Sub-Section (1), the person establishing business
relationship or having transactions with the bank should submit the following documents.
The Documents should be verifiable with originals, clear and understood able.
(Refer Operation Manual for detail of documents to be received while opening an account)
− In case of a natural person, his/her name, family surname, copy of citizenship or passport
including other necessary documents that substantiate his/her permanent residential
address and profession or business.
Nepal Government's permanent employees can operate accounts on submission of Government
Identity card.
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− In case of the person or firm except those provided in Clause (a), copy of the document
certifying incorporation, establishment or registration of the institution, documents that
mention name, surname, address, profession, business of board of directors and executive
director or proprietor of firm or partners of partnership firm,
− In case of accounts of corporate customers, audited financial report shall be required at
the time of account opening and such audited documents shall be demanded upon risk
assessment for further update.
− In case of any person/firm/company applying for loan facility from bank, declaration of
multiple banking.
− In case of business relation or transactions to be established or made on behalf of
someone else, documents relating to principal's identity, address including power of
attorney clarifying the business of the principal,
− Name, surname, address of close relative, person or institution benefiting from business
transaction,
− In case of transactions made through negotiable instruments, name, surname and address
of the issuer and payee of such instrument,
− Other documents as prescribed by the Financial Information Unit from time to time.
(c) A separate record of documents and transactions of each customer, pursuant to Sub-Section
(b), including date and nature of transactions, type of account and code number should be
maintained.
(d) Use of introducers should carefully assess whether the introducers are “fit and proper” and
are exercising the necessary due diligence in accordance with the standards set out in this
paper. The ultimate responsibility for knowing customers always lies with the bank. Should
use the following criteria to determine whether an introducer can be relied upon:
− it must comply with the minimum customer due diligence practices identified in this
policy;
− the customer due diligence procedures of the introducer should be as rigorous as those
which the bank would have conducted itself for the customer;
− the bank must satisfy itself as to the reliability of the systems put in place by the
introducer to verify the identity of the customer;
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− the bank must reach agreement with the introducer that it will be permitted to verify the
due diligence undertaken by the introducer at any stage; and
− All relevant identification data and other documentation pertaining to the customer's
identity should be immediately submitted by the introducer to the bank, who must
carefully review the documentation provided. Such information must be available for
review by the supervisor and the financial intelligence unit or equivalent enforcement
agency, where appropriate legal authority has been obtained.
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(l) Acceptances and documentation of collateral that do not corroborate with the actual
economic situation or documentation of fictitious collateral for credit granted on trust;
(m) Payable through Accounts;
(n) Providing Downstream Correspondent Banking;
(o) Maintain relationship with shell entities or other entities or individuals which deal with shell
bank or shell entities.
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Chapter 4:
Assignment of Risk Profile
j) The bank shall follow risk based approach in conducting customer’s due diligence as shown
below:
− Enhanced Customer Due Diligence (ECDD) - for high risk customers
− Customer Due Diligence (CDD) - for medium risk customers
− Simplified Customer Due Diligence (CDD) - for low risk customers
f) Obtain Multiple Banking Declaration from the customer while availing credit facilities to the
customers.
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g) Collect documents as per assigned risks including of controller or beneficiary.
h) Ascertain objective of relation with banks.
i) Obtain detail of source of income in case of high risk customer.
1.1 Enhanced Customer Due Diligence (ECDD) for High Risk Customers
Following customers are generally at high risk that may involve in investment or financing to
AML & CFT purposes: -
a) High Positioned Persons (HPPs)
b) Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs)
c) Non Face to Face Customers (NF2F)
d) High Net Worth Customers (HNW)
e) Designated Non-Financial Business & Persons (DNFBPs)
f) Any persons/institution related to country not fully or partially adopting international
standard of anti-money laundering and terrorist activities.
g) Persons whose transactions suggest that they might be intended for an illegal purpose, or the
economic purpose of which is not discernible.
h) Legal entities transacting on cash only (like Travel Agent, Hotel, Restaurant & Petrol Pump)
or transacting through new technology only.
i) Possible to use corporate vehicle for private property.
j) Complex corporate structure with no clear objective.
k) Company with nominee or bearer shareholders.
l) Massive or unduly intended cash transactions without reasons.
m) Accounts opened by professional intermediaries (the client account opened by a professional
intermediary on behalf of a single client or 'pooled' accounts managed by professional
intermediaries on behalf of entities like mutual funds, pension funds or other types of funds.)
n) Customers who conducts transaction from electronic medium by systematically important
and unusually suspicious.
o) Customers being convicted in any offence or involving moral turpitude from a court.
Branch should conduct ECDD for high risk customers and obtain approval from Chief Operation
Officer (COO) or his immediate supervisior for opening such high risk customers. ECDD should
justify of Source of Property as well as Source of Fund and limit of the Transactions. Photocopy
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of Citizenship of living family members (in Case of minor-identification document) must be
obtained of those Customers whose ECDD has to be conducted.
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by the level of risk associated with the relationship. Any information on change in the ownership
and/or change in persons controlling a relationship or any other worthy / requiring information
shall be taken as a trigger to update CDD information. While updating KYC information and
Documents, only changed information / documents are to be obtained instead of whole
documents.
Further, in line with the clause no 8.2 of NRB Unified Directive no 19 related KYC information
and documents including ECDD of customer including beneficial owners shall be reviewed and
updated of KYC information and details to be immediately updated upon trigger of below
events:
a) At least on annual basis for high risk customers
b) Within two years for medium risk customers
c) Within three years for low risk customers
d) Any deviations in the declared transactions
e) Where Bank’s feel suspicious on any information or details provided by the customers.
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Chapter 5:
Monitoring of Customers
35
f) While opening the new account, Branch manager should review and authenticate the
completely filled up KYC form independently with trustworthy source and maintain such
documents.
g) All branches should update the KYC form (prescribed in this guideline) for all the accounts
within the time frame given by the Senior Management.
h) Must obtain proper identification documents of the customers/originator get filled up CDD
form and verify the authenticity every time in following situations.
• Customer request for establishing business relations with the bank.
• Carrying out series of transactions below the threshold.
• Money transfer through wire /swift / TT.
• There is a suspicion of money laundering or terrorist financing.
• If there is doubt on previously submitted identification document.
i) Suspension of relationship with the Bank
In case of an account already opened where a branch has not been able to apply appropriate
CDD measures due to non-furnishing of information and/or non-co-operation by the
customer, the branch should consider closing the account or terminating the banking business
relationship after issuing due notice to the customer explaining the reasons for taking such a
decision. Further, decision in such cases should be taken by the branch head only, after
taking into consideration all the relevant facts. Such transactions should be reported to FIU,
through Compliance Department Head Office, as suspicious transaction. Concerned Officer
should regularly obtain and monitor the list of Terrorist person or group of person or entity
from the website of Home Ministry.
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Chapter 6:
Monitoring of Transactions
Ongoing monitoring of transactions done by the customer or real owner/beneficiary from the
point view of their legacy/genuineness is an essential element of effective RBCDD procedures.
a) Cash Deposits of Rs 10 lacks and more from a single customer
• Branch should ensure that KYC form is properly updated
• Conduct Enhanced CDD
• Obtain self-declaration of source of income from the customers
• Customer’s declaration mentioning that the money is not received from terrorism, drug
and weapons smuggling, human trafficking, and such organized crime is also acceptable.
c) Transactions that involve large amounts of cash inconsistent with the normal and expected
activity of the customer should particularly attract the attention of the Branch. Very high
account turnover inconsistent with the size of the balance maintained may indicate that funds
are being washed through the account. Branches should report transaction as suspicious when
there are reasonable and sufficient grounds for creating suspicion irrespective of the
transaction threshold (1 million) to Compliance department.
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d) Such transactions being of suspicious nature should be reported to the FIU immediately
through Compliance Department.
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Chapter 7:
Wire Transfer
Wire transfer is a quick method for transferring funds between banks. Wire transactions may be
within the national boundaries of a country or from one country to another. As wire transfers do
not involve actual movement of currency, they are considered as a rapid and secure method for
transferring high value amount from one location to another. It has been the most preferred route
for transfer of funds across the globe. Following procedures should be observed while executing
a wire transfer transaction. In case the wire transfer requesting customer (originator of
transaction) could not provide the said details, such transactions should be considered as
suspicious transactions and reported to FIU accordingly.
a) In case of any inward/outward remittance, must obtain and verify truthiness of information
about the originator:
− Name of originator,
− Account number of originator (if not, then any unique reference number),
− Originator identification number and address. (if not, date of birth, date of place or
Citizenship number)
− Name and Account Number of the beneficiary or if not Account Number, Unique
Reference Number.
b) For any inward/outward remittance of Rs 75,000/- or above, must obtain information
regarding beneficiary: Name of beneficiary, Account number of beneficiary (if not, then any
unique reference number which identifies the beneficiary).
c) In case of domestic wire transfer, any of following document should be obtained.
− Information accompanying all domestic wire transfers must include complete originator
information or payment instruction, or
− Account number of originator (if not, then any unique reference number) or payment
instruction. In case of requirement from Head office or FIU, branch should be able to
provide detail of such wire transfer immediately.
d) In case of cross-border wire transfer,
− Transaction must be accompanied by accurate and meaningful originator information.
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− Where several individual transfers from a single originator are processed in a batch file
for transmission to beneficiaries in another country, they may be exempted from
including full originator information, provided they include the originator’s account
number or unique reference number.
− Suspicious nature transactions should not be allowed for batch processing for wire
transfer.
− Details of transaction provided by originator if found to be associated with local wire
transfer, details of originator must be documented and if such transaction are received
frequently from same originator and does not match with KYC documents shall be
reported to FIU as Suspicious transaction.
e) Continuous monitoring of compliance/non-compliance of AML/CFT provisions by
Remittance Agents shall be done and Detail of remittance agencies of the bank shall be
updated in the Bank’s website regularly.
f) While issuing card or acquiring off-US card, and while transferring fund through cards, the
detail of card holder should be maintained.
g) Inward remittance without complete detail of sender/originator shall not be paid to the
beneficiary. Bank should inquire for complete details and/or Exemption of Details from the
originating bank. If the originating bank does not provide complete details of sender, such
transactions must be rejected or suspended and shall also be reported to FIU as suspicious.
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Chapter 8:
Correspondent Banking
Correspondent banking is the provision of banking services by one bank (the “correspondent
bank”) to another bank (the “respondent bank”). Used by banks throughout the world,
correspondent accounts enable banks to conduct business and provide services that the banks do
not offer directly. Correspondent accounts that merit particular care involve the provision of
services in jurisdictions where the respondent banks have no physical presence. However, if
banks fail to apply an appropriate level of due diligence to such accounts, they expose
themselves to the range of risks i.e may find themselves holding and/or transmitting money
linked to corruption, fraud or other illegal activity.
Bank should gather sufficient information about the respondent banks to understand fully the
nature of the respondent’s business. Factors to consider include:
a) Information about the respondent bank’s management, nature of business, major business
activities, where they are located and its money-laundering prevention and detection efforts;
b) The purpose of the account; the identity of any third party entities that will use the
correspondent banking services; and the condition of bank regulation and supervision in the
respondent’s country.
c) Banks should only establish correspondent relationships with foreign banks that are
effectively supervised by the relevant authorities. For their part, respondent banks should
have effective customer acceptance and KYC policies.
d) In this regard, bank shall pay special attention at the time of establishing the correspondent
relationships such as Registration documents, Operating License, Completed AML
questionnaire, Wolfsburg questionnaire, List of Board of Directors & Management Profile,
Ownership Structure, AML Policy & Procedure, US Patriot Act Certification etc.
e) In particular, banks should refuse to enter into or continue a correspondent banking
relationship with a bank incorporated in a jurisdiction in which it has no physical presence
and which is unaffiliated with a regulated financial group (i.e. shell banks).
f) Banks should pay particular attention when continuing relationships with respondent banks
located in jurisdictions that have poor KYC standards or have been identified as being “non-
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cooperative” in the fight against anti-money laundering and if found to be non-compliance of
AML-CFT measures, then the relationship must be terminated.
g) Banks should establish that their respondent banks have due diligence standards as set out in
this paper, and employ enhanced due diligence procedures with respect to transactions
carried out through the correspondent accounts.
h) Banks should be particularly alert to the risk that correspondent accounts might be used
directly by third parties to transact business on their own behalf (e.g. payable-through
accounts). Such arrangements give rise to most of the same considerations applicable to
introduced business and should be treated accordingly.
i) Approval must be taken with Chief Executive Officer before establishing correspondence
banking relations.
1 Resubmission Policy
Once a transaction is rejected by Bank due to sanctions / money laundering / terrorist financing
concerns, concerned department / branch shall maintain the record of such rejected transactions
and shall not accept the same resubmitted after stripping off information. Stripping off is the
deliberate act of changing or removing material information from payments or instructions,
making it difficult to identify payments or to connect them to sanctioned parties, individuals or
countries. Bank monitors such transactions though are very rare and less in number. Moreover,
the branch shall maintain record of the transactions rejected by correspondent bank and report to
Compliance Department. The branch needs to recheck the said transaction before resubmitting
such transactions.
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Chapter 9:
Record Keeping
Records of all transactions with customers and beneficial owners, STR and TTR should be
retained for at least five years from the date of transaction unless any longer period
recommended by regulatory authority. This provision applies whether the account has been
closed. Retention may be in the form of original documents, discs, tape or microfilm.
In situations where the records relate to ongoing investigations or transactions that have been the
subject of disclosure, they should be retained till conclusion of the investigation subject to
minimum retention period of five years.
Detail of all transactions should be retained in such a way that these could be evidence in case of
court case. Transaction records should contain at least following: -
a) Customer Name (including beneficiaries) and address
b) Transaction’s nature and date
c) Transaction currency and denomination.
d) Account number involved and its type.
e) Record of identification e.g. Copies or records of official identification documents like
passports, identity cards, driving licenses or similar documents), account files and business
correspondence.
The information collected from the customer should be treated as confidential and details thereof
are not to be divulged for cross selling or any other like purposes. Staffs should, therefore, ensure
that information sought from the customer is relevant to the perceived risk, is not intrusive, and
is in conformity with the NRB guidelines issued in this regard. If any information to be provided
to court as evidence, approval from Chief Executive Officer should be obtained.
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Chapter 10:
Threshold Transaction Reporting
44
2 In case of TTR following Guidelines has to be followed
a) AML/CFT Unit should file threshold transaction reports to FIU within 15 days from the date
of transaction.
b) AML/CFT Unit should enter threshold transaction report in the go-AML.
c) Branches should make its customer declare the source of funds in case the transaction
exceeds the prescribed threshold.
d) Branches should justify the nature of transactions and the source of fund of transactions in
case transaction exceeds the prescribed threshold.
e) Branches should obtain and verify the supporting documents related to TTR only when it is
necessary to justify the transaction and retain these supporting documents along with the
CDD.
Special Act is implemented by the government to establish any entity like EPF, CIT, BEEMA
SANSTHA, MAN, ICAN, ETC.
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Chapter 11:
Suspicious Transaction Report
This section is intended to highlight situations that may suggest that money laundering is taking
place. The customer shall clarify the economic background and purpose of any transaction of
which the form or amount appear unusual.
Suspicious Transaction arises from the suspicion created by a specific transaction, which creates
the knowledge or belief that the transaction may relate to the legitimization of proceeds from
ML/FT activities. Suspicious Activity arises from suspicion relating to general behavior of the
customer in question which creates the knowledge or belief that they may be involved in ML/FT
activities out of which revenue might be generated.
The goal of STRs filings is to help the Financial Information Unit (FIU) identify individual
groups and organizations involved in fraud, terrorist financing, money laundering, and other
crimes. FIU requires an STR to be filed by a financial Institution when the financial institution
suspects insider abuse by an employee, violations of law or more that involve potential money
laundering or violation of existing AML/CFT law, or when a financial institution knows that a
customer is operating as an unlicensed money services business.
It is important to note that not all suspicious transactions suggest that a money laundering
activity is taking place. However, a combination of such situations may be indicative that money
laundering activity is taking place. It is employees’ responsibility to ensure that all transactions
are handled with due diligence. If it is believed or have a ‘gut-feeling’ that a money laundering
activity is taking place, without confronting the customer, matter should be immediately reported
to the Operation in Charge / Branch Manager further reporting to AML/CFT Unit at Head Office
by submitting the “Suspicious Action / Transaction Report”.
46
administrative action shall be taken against any staff who in good faith submit suspicious
transaction report and bank should protect such staffs from any negative consequences that may
arise in process of such reporting.
Compliance Department should communicate the issue to the related branches where the
customer account has been maintained. Branches are responsible for carrying out the Due
Diligence Work on the Customer account:
• Verify the KYC Documents and Beneficial Owner
• Review and verify the nature and amount of the transaction (if TTR threshold is crossed,
branches should also follow the TTR Procedures outlined in this Policy) and determine if
there are any inconsistencies in the account activities. Also verify the sources of fund.
• The Branch Manager will investigate and determine whether there is a real suspicion, if
necessary the Branch Manager may take necessary feedbacks regarding the suspicious
activities and then report the same to the Compliance Department Head Office.
• Compliance Department Head Office should report such suspicious activities to FIU within 3
days, as required by Section 7”dha” of Assets (Money) Laundering Prevention Act 2013.
• If determined dirty or illegal money, Compliance Department will inform the concerned
Government Authorities and also can block the accounts. The Chief Compliance Officer of
the bank should be informed about the suspicious transactions and the actions that have been
taken before reporting to concerned Government Authority.
While conducting the CDD of the customer for determining whether the transaction is suspicious
or not, Branches should also consider the following provisions:
• Specified by Assets (Money) Laundering and Prevention Act 2008 and / or as per this act
published in gazette by the government as earning from criminal or related to criminal
activity.
• Specified by Assets (Money) Laundering and Prevention Act 2008 as terrorist, terrorism, or
related to terrorism.
• Suspicious transaction as specified by FIU directives and illustrated in this policy.
There are different indicators to detect suspicious transactions. Bank should install or develop
and implement the system to detect STR. In order to make the detection and filing of STRs
47
expedient for the purpose of preventing money laundering and controlling terrorist financing,
below mentioned guidelines has been made and issued which are as follows;
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4. The purchase of several insurance products in cash in a short period of time or at the
same time with premium payment entirely in a large amount and followed by policy
surrender prior to due date.
5. The purchase of securities by cash, transfer, or checks under other person’s name.
b) Economically irrational transactions
1. Transactions having no conformity with the initial purpose of account opening.
2. Transactions having no relationship with the business of the relevant customer.
3. Transaction amount and frequency are different from that of normally conducted by the
customer
c) Fund transfers
1. Fund transfers to and from high-risk offshore financial centers without any clear business
purposes.
2. Receipts of fund transfers in several phases and once accumulated the funds are
subsequently transferred entirely to other account.
3. Receipts and transfers of funds at the same or approximately the same amount and
conducted in a relatively short period (pass-by).
4. Receipts/payments of funds made by using more than one (1) account, either in the same
name or a different one.
5. Fund transfers using the account of reporting entities' employee in an unusual amount.
6. If multiple inward or outward remittance transaction is conducted with the person from
the country or region where terrorist organizations operate.
d) Behaviors of the Customer
1. Unreasonable behaviors of the relevant customer when conducting a transaction
(nervous, rushed, unconfident, etc.).
2. Unusual curiosity about internal system, control and reporting.
3. Customer/prospective customer gives false information with respect to his/her identity,
sources of income or businesses.
4. Customer/prospective customer uses identification document that is unreliable or alleged
as fake such as different signature or photo.
49
5. Customer/prospective customer is unwilling or refusing to provide information
/documents requested by the officials of the relevant reporting entity without any clear
reasons.
6. Customer or his/her legal representative tries to persuade the officials of the relevant
reporting entity in one way or another not to report his/her transaction as a Suspicious
Financial Transaction.
7. Customer opens account for a short period.
8. Customer is unwilling to provide right information or immediately terminating business
relationship or closing his/her account at the time the officials of the relevant reporting
entity request information with respect to his/her transaction.
9. If anyone, for no apparent reason, often comes for transaction at pick hour or only in
crowd.
10. If anyone tries to maintain close relation unnecessarily or unnaturally with the
employees.
11. If anyone automatically unnecessarily clarifies or tries to clarify legality of amount or
transaction.
12. If customer-conducting transaction looks confused, nervous, hurried, or wants to remain
reserved at the time of transaction.
e) Miscellaneous grounds for suspicion
1. If it is evident that any one is earning wealth (including cash) by evading tax, custom
duty, land revenue, electricity bill, and water bill, phone bill and any other revenue or
government fees.
2. If anyone lives unusual lifestyle compared to his/her economic strength,
profession/business.
3. If unreasonable economic growth or economic strength is evident.
4. If no information about the source of income is disclosed or stated or information about
the source of income is not satisfactory.
5. If any act or transaction is not found reasonable or is found to have been conducted with
irrelevant party or where the transaction has no justifiable purpose.
6. If it is evident that repeated transactions below threshold amount fixed by the FIU for
reporting purpose take place.
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7. If any transaction is related to any person being investigated against or wanted by Police,
CIAA, Tax, Revenue Investigation or any other crime investigating agencies in relation
to any crime.
8. If reporting institution suspects any transaction relating to the customer against whom the
regulatory authorities including Nepal Rastra Bank, Insurance Board, Securities Board,
Stock Exchange, Company Registrar, Registrar of Cooperative, Bar Council, Institute of
Chartered Accountant of Nepal, etc., have initiated proceedings.
9. If there is suspicion on the transaction due to the fact that the customer is blacklisted by
Credit Information Bureau or the reporting institution itself has placed the concerned
customer in a high-risk customer category.
10. The transaction of the customer, where it is known or is evident that any investigation or
proceeding has been or is being taken by competent law enforcement or regulatory
institution of foreign state.
11. If it is evident that the asset is earned from any offence against or abuse of children,
women or destitute or any other individual.
12. If it is evident that the asset is earned from extortion, coercive donation collection or from
any forcible means to compel one to pay amount or asset.
13. If it is evident that the asset is earned from offence of smuggling, illegal profession, trade
and business, theft, bribery, robbery, piracy, illegal production, misuse or illegal
transportation of goods.
14. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offence relating to arms and ammunition
under the prevailing law.
15. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offences under the prevailing foreign
exchange regulation laws.
16. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offence of murder, theft, fraud, forgery of
documents, counterfeiting, trafficking of human beings, abduction and hostage taking
under the relevant prevailing laws.
17. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offences under the prevailing narcotics
control laws.
18. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offences under the prevailing national park
and wildlife conservation laws
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19. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offences under the prevailing human
trafficking and transportation control laws.
20. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offences under the prevailing cooperatives
laws.
21. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offences under the prevailing forestry
laws.
22. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offences under the prevailing corruption
control laws.
23. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offences under the prevailing bank and
financial institution laws.
24. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offences under the prevailing banking
offense and punishment laws.
25. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offences under the prevailing ancient
monuments conservation laws.
26. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offences under the prevailing consumer
protection, black market control and competition laws.
27. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offences under the prevailing company,
commerce, supply, transport business laws.
28. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offences under the prevailing education,
health, drugs, and environment laws.
29. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offences under the prevailing foreign
employment laws.
30. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offences under the prevailing lottery,
gambling and charity laws.
31. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offences under the prevailing insider
trading, fake transaction, securities and insurance laws.
32. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offences under the prevailing negotiable
instrument laws.
33. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offences under the prevailing election
laws.
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34. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offences under the prevailing intellectual
and industrial property laws.
35. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offences under the prevailing
communication, transmission, and advertisement laws.
36. If it is evident that the asset is earned from the offences under the prevailing land, house
and property laws.
37. If it is found that the asset is earned by the offences under the prevailing immigration,
citizenship and passport laws.
38. If it is found that the asset is earned by the offences under the prevailing non-
governmental organization laws.
39. Transaction of individual or organization declared to be involved in terrorist or criminal
activities by the Government of Nepal or individual or organization listed as terrorist or
criminal by United Nation through various resolution or transaction of those directly or
indirectly assisting terrorism, terrorist activities, terrorist organization, organized crime,
drug offences and any other offences.
40. If transaction seems to be reported based on the news or commentary published in
national or international news media about any individual or organization.
41. If it is evident that the transaction is related to any person who is involved in suspicious
transaction, likely to promote money laundering, terrorist or any other criminal activities
or the transaction that appears to be unnatural or suspicious in any manner.
42. If same address or telephone number/mobile number is provided for different unrelated
customers.
43. If such transaction comes under suspicion on the basis of the ground provided by
regulator or concerned authority
44. If it is found suspicious on the basis of any other reason or assisting or advising above
mentioned activities.
45. If any customer shows unnecessary interest in suspicious transaction or makes
unnecessary and unnatural queries about the internal management of such transaction.
46. If there is cross transaction between customers who are not related with each other or
any individual transmits or receives amount from unrelated person or business
institution's account.
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47. If unnaturally huge amount is transferred to the name or account of any foreign citizen,
tourist, student, visitor, worker or a person recently migrated to Nepal from the country
or region where terrorist organizations operate
48. If there is suspicion that any transaction is aiding criminal activities or receiving amount
from such activities.
49. If cash is handled unnatural binding or packaging during transaction.
50. If with no apparent reason there are multiple transactions with the people living in the
country where AML/CFT regime is poor.
51. If unrelated third party is unnaturally, unnecessarily involved or is more active in
transaction.
52. If anyone tries to complete transaction by paying more without any reason.
53. If person sending money cannot provide even general information about the recipient of
money.
54. If there is unnatural inflow or outflow in the name of the firm, company, organization or
person involved in such organizations which are not regulated or where no system of
economic inspection is developed.
55. If there is repeated transfer of money to and from the name of foreign individual or the
individual living outside Nepal.
56. If anyone transfers or receives amount differently from the way of his professional
objective or transfers or receives from different place.
57. If there are multiple claims for the amount received from one person.
58. If anyone repeatedly receives multiple amount from different places.
59. If anyone uses different channels to transfer the amount ignoring the usual way.
60. If anyone denies providing identity of the transferor though there are sufficient grounds
for him to know such identity.
61. If anyone attempts to transfer or receive amount in a suspicious manner.
62. If a small capital holder tries to transfer or receive unreasonably huge amount.
63. If unable to complete Customer Due Diligence review situation arises
64. Any other transaction the reporting institution finds the grounds for suspicious
transaction reporting as per the prevailing law.
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Chapter 12:
Reporting
In order to perform effective management of AML/FT risks, board level AML Committee of the
Bank shall provide governance and oversight of the adequacy and effectiveness of management
of ML/FT risks. They will also ensure that AML/CFT programs are aligned with relevant legal
and regulatory requirement and AML/CFT strategy is optimally aligned with international best
practices.
The AML/CFT management of the bank shall be carried out on the structure as depicted in
following Organogram.
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1 Compliance Officer
Compliance Officer (of managerial level) is appointed for implementation of this policy in the
bank. Name, Designation, Address, Qualification, contact number, email address of the
AML/CFT Compliance Officer shall be informed to FIU for correspondence. The Compliance
Officer will also be responsible to ensure proper reporting to FIU.
2 AML/CFT Unit
The Bank has created AML/CFT Unit under Compliance Officer with necessary staffs as per
requirement. The AML/CFT Unit will look after the overall compliance of AML/CFT policies
and procedures, with direct reporting to Chief Risk Officer and AML Committee. Following
tasks should be performed by AML/CFT Unit.
a) The AML/CFT Unit shall prepare quarterly report on the compliance of AML/CFT
Act/Rules/directives issued by Nepal Rastra Bank and report to AML Committee. Such
report shall be submitted to NRB on yearly basis.
b) The AML/CFT Unit will prepare Offsite Data Collection Form issued by NRB and report to
Bank Supervision Department of NRB on half yearly basis within Magh End and Shrawan
End respectively.
c) The AML/CFT Unit will prepare Bank Self-Assessment Questionnaire form issued by NRB
and reports to Bank Supervision department of NRB on yearly basis within Shrawan end.
d) AML/CFT Unit shall submit the Risk Assessment Evaluation Report to Financial
Information Unit (FIU), NRB within 15 days of each quarter ending in the prescribed in NRB
directive no 19 annexure 19.4
e) AML/CFT Unit shall submit STR and TTR to FIU as per prescribed in Chapter 10 and
Chapter 11.
f) Prepare report on status of implementation of ALPA, AML rules, NRB directives in bank
and submit to AML Committee on quarterly basis.
g) Prepare report on AML/CFT risk management, status on AML/CFT monitoring system,
CDD/ECDD status and submit to AML Committee.
h) Any other reporting to FIU should be responded by AML/CFT Unit as soon as possible.
i) Risk profile shall be evaluated considering influencing factors such as geographical,
occupational, professional, sectoral, customer type, product or service type, nature of
56
transaction, and distribution medium, etc. Risk identified by the government or regulatory
shall also be considered. Such Risk Evaluation should be reported to NRB on yearly basis.
3 Branch
In case of Branches, the Operation in-Charge is the focal point for AML/CFT compliance of this
policy and reporting to Compliance Officer. Branches, if observed any suspicious activity from
any customer, should report to AML/CFT Unit immediately.
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Chapter 13:
Roles and Responsibilities
58
• Review on AML/CFT related remarks by Internal Audit Report, External Audit Report
and NRB inspection Report and corrective measures to be taken in policy and procedural
documents of the bank.
g) The detail information regarding the analysis of ML/FT risk regarding induction of new
services, Procurement of IT system, Wire Transfer, e-banking and mobile banking (including
QR code), fund transfer from mobile wallet and other transactions through online and its
improvement in policy and procedure of bank.
h) To recommend the Board on risk management on ML/FT on regard the consequence of
national and international level AML/CFT news and incidents.
i) To initiate and manage knowledge sharing programs on AML/CFT to Implementing Officer,
Shareholder holding 2% or more shares of bank, Board of Directors, Management Team and
staffs related to AML/CFT.
j) To review and recommend periodic review of AML/CFT policy of the bank to the board.
k) To ensure the proper functioning of AML/CFT system, risk management of ML/FT risk,
suspicious action or transaction monitoring and necessary reporting to regulator and
discourse the outcome to the board.
l) To discourse on a regular basis on reports submitted to FIU and NRB according to provision
mentioned in Assets (Money) Laundering Prevention Act, 2064 section 44 Ka on regarding
prevention on money laundering and financing terrorism.
59
c) Provide information about suspicious or other necessary transaction to the FIU through letter
or electronic means of communication like fax, email,
d) Provide information about transaction of the branch offices to the FIU in a regular basis.
e) Work as a link, counsel and guide for bank management and staffs on AML/CFT.
f) Create environment and get resources for AML/CFT compliance by proper counseling to the
top management.
g) Ensure good coordination between operations and top management.
h) Designate or make such management that all offices/branches work in coordination and
comply their responsibilities.
i) Ensure that KYC/CDD properly conducted, risk well managed.
j) Ensure that reporting is properly made.
k) Ensure that staffs are well aware and trained on AML/CFT and most particularly on CDD,
Risk management and STR detection.
l) Save institution from any type of regulator and other actions.
m) Contribute to the national AML/CFT compliance and objectives therein.
n) Other functions delivered by the FIU.
o) Reporting of TTR/STR to related branches for conducting Enhanced CDD.
p) For implementation of act, regulation and directive regarding to AML/CFT, Compliance
Officer can demand any information/documents to concerned departments. In case of denial,
Compliance Officer has the right to recommend to the Bank departmental actions and such
report to be presented to FIU.
b) Responsible to reasonably assure that staffs under their control have required knowledge and
are not involved in any money laundering and terrorist financing activities.
61
10 Roles and Responsibilities of Individual Employees
a) It shall be the responsibility of every individual employee of the bank to remain vigilant to
the possibility of money laundering / terrorist financing risks through use of bank’s products
and services.
b) Any staffs who come to know about the involvement of bank’s staff or any of its customers
in money laundering or terrorist activities must report to the higher management of the bank
following standard procedure framed under this policy and shall be mandatory role of all
staffs of the bank.
c) All the staffs of the bank shall adhere code of conduct relating to prevention of money
laundering and combating financing terrorism as specified in the clause no 2.4 of this policy.
62
Chapter 14:
Miscellaneous
Compliance Department should ensure proper implementation of this policy, review the
compliance and submit review report to AML Committee and Chief Executive Officer within
first quarter of every fiscal year. Such report shall be discussed in BOD meeting.
The provisions, policies and procedures outlined in this AML/CFT, if contradicted with the
Directives issued by Nepal Rastra Bank and the Government of Nepal will automatically be
amended to the extent of the contradiction and the latter shall prevail.
Banks and Financial Institutions shall have to analyze and update the risk associated with
AML/CFT and shall review/amend the policy and procedure where found necessary within first
quarter of each fiscal year and shall update/maintain for record.
Except specified otherwise in this document, any amendments/ cancellation or revision in this
policy shall be at the sole discretion of the Board. Any amendment in the laws / rules /
regulations / NRB Directives / Circulars affecting provisions under this policy shall have
automatic effect amending such provisions under this Policy.
63
APPENDIX -1
Family Members
SN Relation Name& Surname Citizenship No. Issuing Office Date of issue
1 Spouse
2 Father
3 Mother
4 Grandfather
5 Grandmother
6 Son 1
7 Son 2
8 Daughter 1
9 Daughter 2
10 Daughter in Law
(son's wife)
11 Father in Law
(of married women)
64
Occupation/Business
SN Name of Firm/Company/Office Address Web Site Post Expected Annual Income
1
2
3
4
Are you civil servant /high position /politician /relatives of politician? 󠄀 Yes 󠄀 No
Expected Monthly Turnover: 󠄀 Less than 5 Lakhs 󠄀 Less than 50 Lakhs 󠄀 More than 50 Lakhs
Expected Monthly No. of Transaction: 󠄀 Less than 15 󠄀 Less than 25 󠄀More than 25
Purpose of Account: 󠄀 Remittance 󠄀 Savings 󠄀 Business 󠄀 Others
Source of Fund: 󠄀 Salary 󠄀 Remittance 󠄀 Investment 󠄀Sale of Asset 󠄀 Rental Income
󠄀 Business 󠄀 Borrowings 󠄀Loan Repayment 󠄀 Others (Please Specify)
Punished or charged for any criminal activities in the past? 󠄀 Yes 󠄀 No
I/ we hereby declare that all the information and documents provided to the bank are true &
correct.
Right Left
Thumb Impression
65
Bank’s 󠄀Use 󠄀Only
While opening deposit account of the client the following information and documents in
accordance with the nature of the customer must be obtained which is as per KYC Policy
of NRB. However, interview may also be taken, whenever necessary.
Personal Accounts
1. Full Name,surname & sex
2. Date of Birth & Nationality
3. Permanent Address (District,Municipality/VDC,Ward No., Tole/Village,House
No.,Telephone No.,Mobile No.,Email Address)
4. Present Address (District,Municipality/VDC,Ward No.,Tole/Village,House
No.,Telephone No.,Mobile No.,Email Address)
5. Certified documents Details as per below at least one:
i) Citizenship (Citizenship No.,Issued District, Issued Date)
ii) Passport (Passport No., Issuing District, Issue Date, Last Date)
iii) VoterID (ID No.,Issuing office, Issue Date)
iv) Driving License (License No., Issuing office, Issued date, Expiry date.)
6. In case of Minor Account
66
i)Birth Certificate or Minor Identity(Certificate no., Issuing Office, Issued date.)
ii)Citizenship, Passport, Voter ID, Driving License of Guardian or Patron(Number,
issuing office, Issued Date, Last Date)
7. In case of citizenship not taken of Nepalese Citizen
i) Recommendation letter from VDC, Municipality, Sub Metropolitan or Metropolitan
(Reference No. /Chalani No., Issuing office, Issued date.)
8. Permanent Account Number (If available or as per other directives)
9. Full name of parents or at least Father or Mother name
10. Occupation (Name of organization, address, contact no. position, annual income,
wages etc.)
11. Photocopy of Citizenship or Passport or Permanent Account Number ID or Employee
ID (staff of government, public and organized institution; Staff, Teacher or Professor
of School or University funded by Nepal Government)
12. Recent PP size Photograph
13. Other necessary documents specified by Bank.
14. Thumb Impression is required in KYC and Bio-Metric may also be obtained.
Notes:
➢ Interview of customer might also be taken by the Branch Manager, if felt needed
➢ In case of customers not having details of house No., telephone no., mobile no., e-
mail address, passport, occupation/business, PAN etc., the same will not be
mandatory. However, customer must self declare that such details are not available
with him/her.
➢ Photocopy of citizenship of living family members must be obtained whose
Enhanced CDD has to be conducted. In case of Minor Accounts, when Minor
becomes Major he/she can operate the account by providing the necessary documents
as required.
➢ In case of Refugees, photocopy of identity card issued by government or any other
authorized body must be submitted instead of citizenship.
➢ Risk Categorization of all the accounts opened is to be done as per the AML / CFT
Policy of the Bank and NRB Circulars.
➢ Upon assessment of risk profile of the customer, bank can take any additional
documents, if deemed necessary.
67
APPENDIX -2
Account Holder'sName:
68
Management {BOD Member and Chief Executive)
S.N Full Name & Post Permanent Present Citizenship No./ Phone/
Address Address Issuing Office Mobile
No.
Income Tax Clearance of Last Fiscal Year 󠄀 Yes 󠄀 No Specify the FY.
Corporate Seal
Authorized Signatory
Date:
69
Location map
I/ we hereby declare that all the information and documents provided to the bank are true &
correct.
Company Seal
While opening deposit account of the client the following information and documents in
accordance with the nature of the customer must be obtained which is as per KYC Policy
of NRB. However, interview may also be taken, whenever necessary.
70
7. Working Area
8. No of branches and location of main branches
9. Estimated Annual Turnover
10. Detail of Proprietor, partners and Account Operators (Position, Name, Surname,
Name of Husband/Wife,Father, Grandfather, Permanent Address, PresentAddress,
and TelephoneNo., Mobile No., E-mail address)
11. Photocopy of Citizenship Certificate / Passport / Voter’s 󠄀 ID 󠄀 / Driving License
certificate and PP size photo of Proprietor, Partners and Account Operators.
12. Audited Financials of previous Fiscal Year. For firms not requiring audit, financial
statement as prepared by concerned Organization.
13. Partnership Agreement/ Deed
14. If partnership, delegation of authority to carry economic and administrative
transactions.
15. Tax clearance certificate or deposited voucher of previous fiscal year
16. Other necessary documents specified by Bank.
Company Accounts
1. Name of the company
2. Registered Address of the Firm (District, Municipality / VDC, Ward No.,
Tole/Village, House No., Telephone No., Fax No.)
3. Changed address of firm in case of change in registered address
4. Registration Certificate (Registration No., Registering office, Registered Date)
5. Permanent Account Number (PAN)
6. Nature of Business
7. Working Area
8. No of branches and location of main branches
9. Estimated Annual Turnover
10. Detail of Directors, Chief Executive and Account Operators (Position, Name,
Surname, Name of Husband/Wife, Father, Grandfather, Permanent Address, Present
Address, Telephone No., Mobile No., E-mail address)
11. Photocopy of Citizenship Certificate / Passport 󠄀/ 󠄀Voter’s 󠄀ID 󠄀/ 󠄀Driving 󠄀License 󠄀 󠄀and
PP size photo of Directors, Chief Executive and Account Operators.
12. Audited Financials of the previous Fiscal Year Compulsory at the time of account
opening and can demanded on requirement thereafter for analysis of risk of the
customer.
13. If subsidiary of Foreign Company, name and address of the Foreign Company
14. Certificate of Incorporation and Memorandum of Association and Articles of
Association of the company
15. Board Decision and Mandate for the opening of account and its operation
16. Mandate / Power of Attorney for Financial Transaction given to Chief Executive or
Other Official by the Board of Directors.
17. Tax clearance certificate or deposited voucher of previous Fiscal Year compulsorily
required at the time of account opening and thus can be demanded if felt necessary
based on risk analysis of the customer.
18. Other necessary documents specified by the Bank.
Note:
71
Detail of Registration Certificate is not necessary for the company established under the
special Act.
Accounts of Cooperatives
1. Name of Organization
2. Registered Address (District, Municipality / VDC, Ward No., Tole / Village, House
No., Telephone No., Fax No., E-mail Address, Web Address)
3. Changed address in case of change in registered address
4. Registration Certificate (Registration No., Registering Office, Registered Date)
5. Permanent Account Number (PAN), Certificate for tax purpose provided by
Government Office or similar to that certificate number.
6. Nature of Business
7. Work Area
8. No. of branches and location of main branches
9. Estimated Annual Turnover
10. Details of Directors, Chief Executive and Account Operators (Position, Name,
Surname, Name of Husband/Wife, Father, Grandfather, Permanent Address, Present
Address, Telephone No., Mobile No., e-mail address)
11. Photocopy of Citizenship Certificate / Passport 󠄀/ 󠄀Voter’s 󠄀ID 󠄀/ 󠄀Driving 󠄀License 󠄀 󠄀and
PP size photo of Directors, Chief Executive and Account Operators.
12. Audited Financials for the previous Fiscal Year
13. Constitution / By-Laws
14. Board decision for the opening of account and its operation and Power of Attorney for
Financial Transactions.
15. Tax clearance certificate or deposited voucher of previous fiscal year.
72
16. Other necessary documents specified by Bank.
73
11. Photocopy of Citizenship Certificate / Passport 󠄀/ 󠄀Voter’s 󠄀ID 󠄀/ 󠄀Driving 󠄀License 󠄀 and
PP size photo of Chief Executive and Account Operators.
12. Audited Financials for the previous Fiscal Year.
13. Tax deposited voucher of previous fiscal year.
14. Certified certificate copy approval of organization.
15. Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association.
16. Board / Management Committee decision for the opening of account and its operation
and Power of Attorney for Financial Transactions
17. Other necessary documents specified by Bank.
Account of Foreigners
1. Full Name, Surname
2. Foreign 󠄀Country’s 󠄀Address 󠄀(Permanent 󠄀and 󠄀Temporary) 󠄀
3. Nepal’s 󠄀Address
4. Name of Spouse, Father, Grandfather
5. Passport / Visa:
Passport 󠄀No. 󠄀……………………...… 󠄀Issuing 󠄀Country…………...................., 󠄀
Issue 󠄀Date 󠄀…………………………. Visa 󠄀Expiry 󠄀Date 󠄀……………………...
6. Copy of valid Visa (Not Expired)
7. Valid Copy of Passport
74
8. Certified copy of valid passport.
9. Reference letter from current employer (if the person is working in any organization)
10. Reference Letter, (Certificate Number of Citizen, Date, Issuing Office, Place) from
Indian Embassy for Indian Citizens not having Passport
11. In case of refugee identity number, issuing date, ending date & issued place should be
taken provided by related Government or International Office.
12. Other necessary documents specified by Bank.
Note:
➢ Interview of customer might also be taken by the Branch Manager, if felt necessary
➢ If the beneficial owner of an account is another person, firm, company, organization
then detailed information regarding the same is to be taken from customer.
➢ In case of Nepal Government or Offices / Institutions under Nepal Government,
Institutions established under Special Law, Licensed Financial Institutions by NRB,
United Nations or its offices and Special Institutions, International Institutions and
Foreign Embassies and Insurance Companies, issued public shares upon the approval
of Insurance Board, account can be opened by filling up personal details of account
operators only.
➢ For opening of accounts, the bank shall obtain tax receipts, audited financial statement
of previous years.
➢ For account opening of Upabhokta Samiti, obtain the approval of respective
concerned Government/local Authorities so that each of the account operators are
liable for the transactions. Apart from, obtain necessary documents on behalf of
account operators and other members.
76
APPENDIX – 3
Date:
Account Holder's Name: Account Opened Date:
Monthly Turnover: Less Than 5 Lakhs Less Than 10 Lakhs Above 10 Lakhs
As per the points mentioned above, recommended categorization of account: High Risk Medium Risk
Low Risk
Yes No
77
NOTE:
➢ Bank Shall manage for completing form of uneducated customers
➢ Bank itself can fill the detail provided by the citizenship.
➢ Bank Shall maintain proper record of account Opened under this arrangement.
➢ In respect of transactions remains doubtful and unnatural, up-to-date record has to be
maintained of such accounts (all types of deposit accounts and personal accounts in
the books of the bank).
78
APPENDIX - 4
79
c.
5 Date of A/C opening
6 Other account(s) member(Related a.
Parties)
b.
c.
D a. Transaction details(Account wise):
Accoun Year Total Trans. Total Dr. Total Total Cr. Closing
t No. No Amount Trans No. Amount Balance
Total
up to
now
Please fill the transaction from opening to present date, Total of Dr. & Cr. (No. &
Amount) exclude returned cheques/reverse entries/any other correcting items.
b. Details of Top 10 deposits(Last One Year)
S.No Date Cheque/Voucher Depositor Amount Remarks
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
c. Details of Top 10 Withdrawals(Last One Year)
S.No Date Cheque/Voucher Payee Amount Remarks
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
c. Possible Linkage
Details if Yes: -
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………….
Signature (Compliance Officer or authorized Officer):
Name : Fax:
Designation :
Phone: Email:-
81
APPENDIX - 5
FIs Name and Credit Facilities Outstanding 󠄀as 󠄀on…….. Overdue, if any
1………….Bank
Working Capital Loan
Term Loan
Other Loans
Non fund based facilities
2………….Bank
Working Capital Loan
Term Loan
Other Loans
Non fund based facilities
2………….Bank
Working Capital Loan
Term Loan
Other Loans
Non fund based facilities
TOTAL
I/We declare that the above furnished information is true and correct. In case of false, we
will be liable for any legal action.
-----------------------------------
Authorised Signatory
Name
Office seal.
82
APPENDIX – 6
----------------------------------------
Signature of Compliance Officer
Name:
Designation:
Phone:
Email:
Fax:
Date:
83
APPENDIX -7
………. 󠄀BRANCH
----------------------------------------
Signature of Compliance Officer
Name:
Designation:
Phone:
Email:
Fax:
Date:
84
APPENDIX -8
85
APPENDIX -9
86