Compliance Handbook

CH227140 - How to do a compliance check: information powers: third party notice: bank mandates: specimen letter

Letters sent to banks should be in the form set out below.

To

Name of Bank

[Customer name] has authorised me to approach you for information about [his/her/etc.] financial affairs which you may possess as [his/her/etc.] bankers. I enclose a copy of [his/her/etc.] authority.

The matters on which I would like information are

1. What accounts (whether open or closed) to your knowledge [customer name] has maintained at your bank since [enter date]
2. For what period or periods particulars of the entries in these accounts are still available in the Bank’s ledgers.
3. For what period or periods the paying-in slips, and paid cheques are still available. (If any documents relating to any of these accounts are about to be destroyed, please retain them.)
4. What standing orders or direct debits on these accounts are (or have been) in force.
5. Whether, so far as you can trace from your records, you have at any time

1. 1. bought or sold stocks, shares or other securities on behalf of [customer name]
   2. held any boxes, parcels, valuables or other securities for safe custody
   3. issued any Bankers’ draft
   4. sold foreign currency or travellers’ cheques to [customer name]
   5. transferred any funds out of the United Kingdom on behalf of [customer name]
   6. had any other dealings with [customer name]

6. Whether you have any knowledge of other bank accounts operated by [customer name] 
7. Whether there are any other banking accounts which you have reason to believe may have a bearing on [customer name]’s financial affairs, or to which [he/she/etc.] is or has been a party or, on which [he/she/etc.] is or has been entitled to sign, but about which you cannot give me information without some authority other than the present one.