Dear Sir,

Banks have been advised vide our circular RPCD.AML.BC.No.80/07.40.00/ 2004-05 dated February 18, 2005 that the adoption of customer acceptance policy and its implementation should not result in denial of banking services to general public, especially to those, who are financially or socially disadvantaged. It was also clarified to the banks that a risk-based approach has been followed in the KYC guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank to avoid disproportionate cost to banks and a burdensome regime for the customers. Banks were accordingly advised that customer identification means identifying the customer and verifying his/her identity by using reliable, independent source documents, data or information to their satisfaction.

2. It was further clarified to banks that 'being satisfied' means that the bank must be able to satisfy the competent authorities that due diligence was observed based on the risk profile of the customer in compliance with the extant guidelines in place. An indicative list of the nature and type of documents/ information that may be relied upon for customer identification was also given in Annex-II to the aforesaid circular. It has been brought to our notice that Annex-II, which was clearly termed as an indicative list, is being treated by some banks as an exhaustive list as a result of which a section of public is being denied access to banking services. Banks are, therefore, advised to take a review of their extant internal instructions in this regard.

3. It is clarified that permanent correct address, referred to in Annex-II to our said circular, means the address at which a person usually resides and can be taken as the address as mentioned in a utility bill or any other document accepted by the bank for verification of the address of the customer. It has been observed that some close relatives, e.g. wife, son, daughter and parents etc. who live with their husband, father/mother and son, as the case may be, are finding it difficult to open account in some banks as the utility bills required for address verification are not in their name. It is clarified that, in such cases, banks can obtain an identity document and a utility bill of the relative with whom the prospective customer is living along with a declaration from the relative that the said person (prospective customer) wanting to open an account is a relative and is staying with him/her. Banks can use any supplementary evidence such as a letter received through post for further verification of the address. While issuing operational instructions to the branches on the subject, banks should keep in mind the spirit of instructions issued by the Reserve Bank and avoid undue hardships to individuals who are, otherwise, classified as low risk customers.

4. The instructions contained in paragraph 4 of the guidelines enclosed with the circular dated February 18, 2005 also require banks to put in place a system of periodical review of risk categorisation of accounts and the need for applying enhanced due diligence measures in case of higher risk perception on a customer. Banks are further advised that such review of risk categorisation of customers should be carried out at a periodicity of not less than once in six months. Banks should also introduce a system of periodical updation of customer identification data (including photograph/s) after the account is opened. The periodicity of such updation should not be less than once in five years in case of low risk category customers and not less than once in two years in case of high and medium risk categories.

5. Combating financing of terrorism

6. It may be appreciated that KYC norms/AML standards/CFT measures have been prescribed to ensure that criminals are not allowed to misuse the banking channels. It would, therefore, be necessary that adequate screening mechanism is put in place by banks as an integral part of their recruitment/hiring process of personnel.

7. These guidelines are issued under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (As Applicable To Co-operative Societies) and any contravention thereof may attract penalties under the relevant provisions of the Act.

Yours faithfully,

(C.S.Murthy)
Chief General Manager-in-Charge