Governance · KYC / AML

Compliance-Led International Banking

Uninova International Bank operates with a risk-based compliance framework designed to support transparent cross-border banking relationships. This page provides a clear overview of our onboarding expectations, the type of information we request, and how we manage AML / CTF controls to protect clients, counterparties, and the integrity of the financial system.

Risk-Based Onboarding KYC / KYB AML / CTF Controls Sanctions Screening Source of Funds Review Ongoing Monitoring Regulated by AOFA
Compliance Overview Risk-Based
Clear expectations. Documented controls.

We apply proportionate due diligence based on client type, jurisdiction, activity, and product risk. Where required, enhanced due diligence (EDD) is applied.

Identity & Ownership KYC / KYB, beneficial owners, controllers, and signatories verification.
Transaction Transparency Purpose of account, expected activity, counterparties, and rationale.
Ongoing Monitoring Risk reviews, sanctions screening, and activity monitoring across the relationship.
Data Protection Documents handled with confidentiality and used for compliance purposes.
AML / CTF Framework
Risk-Based Due Diligence
Ongoing Monitoring
Selective Onboarding
Transparency

How We Approach Compliance

Compliance is not a checkbox — it is the foundation of safe, sustainable international banking. Our framework is built around risk assessment, identification and verification (KYC / KYB), sanctions screening, purpose-of-account review, source-of-funds and source-of-wealth assessment where required, and ongoing monitoring across the relationship.

We aim to make expectations clear for clients and intermediaries. Below you will find a structured guide to onboarding steps, the information we request, and common reasons applications are delayed or declined.

Process

Onboarding Process

We follow a structured onboarding flow to ensure suitability and compliance alignment from the beginning. Timelines can vary depending on jurisdiction, complexity, and document completeness.

01
Initial Inquiry Client provides a short summary: jurisdiction, client type (personal or corporate), intended services, and purpose of account.
02
Pre-Check & Eligibility We perform a preliminary risk fit review including jurisdiction, industry, and expected activity, and confirm whether onboarding can proceed.
03
Documentation Request We provide a checklist tailored to the client profile: KYC / KYB, UBO documents, corporate records, and supporting evidence.
04
Verification & Screening Identity and corporate verification, sanctions / PEP screening, adverse media checks, and ownership / control assessment.
05
Risk Assessment Risk scoring is applied considering jurisdiction, activity, product use, and expected transaction patterns. Enhanced due diligence may apply.
06
Account Setup & Activation Upon approval, the relationship is activated, account details are issued, and online banking access is provided.
To reduce delays, ensure documents are clear, current, consistent, and supported by real-world evidence of activity.

Common Delay Reasons

Most onboarding delays are avoidable. These are the most frequent issues we see:

  • Missing beneficial owner information or unclear ownership structure.
  • Documents are expired, cropped, unreadable, or inconsistent.
  • Purpose of account is vague or does not match the client profile.
  • Source of funds cannot be evidenced or is inconsistent with declared activity.
  • High-risk jurisdiction, industry, or transaction pattern requiring enhanced due diligence.
Complete Checklist Submit all requested documents at once where possible to reduce back-and-forth.
Clear Rationale Explain why the account is needed and how it will be used, with real examples.
KYC / KYB

What We Request and Why

We request information to verify identity, legal existence, ownership and control, and suitability for the requested services. The exact checklist may differ depending on client type, jurisdiction, and expected activity.

Individuals (KYC)

Typical items for personal clients and signatories:

  • Valid identification such as passport or national ID, as applicable.
  • Proof of address, recent and clearly showing name and address.
  • Contact details and brief profile of occupation or business activity.
  • Purpose of account and expected transaction activity.
  • Source of funds evidence where applicable.

These documents help us confirm identity, residency, and whether the activity profile is consistent with the intended account use.

Companies (KYB)

Typical items for corporate clients:

  • Certificate of incorporation or registration extract.
  • Memorandum and Articles or equivalent constitutional documents.
  • Register of directors and shareholders or equivalent evidence.
  • UBO documentation for beneficial owners and controllers.
  • Business profile, website, contracts or invoices as relevant, and activity summary.
  • Proof of address for the entity and for signatories or UBOs.

These documents establish legal existence, governance, and ownership and control structures for risk assessment.

UBO, Controllers & Signatories

We identify ultimate beneficial owners and individuals who control or manage the entity. We also verify authorized signatories. For joint or multi-signatory structures, documentation is requested for each relevant person.

  • Identity documents and proof of address for each UBO, controller, or signatory.
  • Ownership chart showing entities and ownership percentages.
  • Board resolution or authorization for corporate account opening where applicable.

Document Quality Standards

To prevent delays, documents should be:

  • Clear and readable, not blurred, cropped, or obscured.
  • Current and unexpired.
  • Consistent, with names, dates, and addresses matching across documents.
  • Submitted in full, including all pages where applicable.

If translations are needed, we may request a translated copy depending on jurisdiction and document language.

Please do not send full identity documents via public website forms. We will provide the appropriate submission method during onboarding.
Risk Management

Risk Assessment & Ongoing Monitoring

We apply a risk-based framework. This means we tailor due diligence and monitoring intensity to the actual risk of the relationship, considering jurisdiction, customer type, product use, expected volumes, counterparties, and industry or activity.

A
Sanctions & PEP Screening We screen relevant parties against applicable sanctions and PEP lists, and review adverse media indicators.
B
Expected Activity Profile We document expected flows including purpose, geographies, currencies, counterparties, transaction size, and frequency to identify anomalies later.
C
Ongoing Reviews We may request periodic updates to ensure information remains current and that account use is consistent with the approved profile.
D
Alerts & Escalation Unusual patterns may trigger questions, additional documentation, or temporary restrictions until clarity is obtained.
Maintaining accurate account information helps prevent disruptions. Please inform us when ownership, directors, addresses, or activity materially changes.

Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)

EDD may be required for higher-risk scenarios. This can include additional supporting information and approvals. Examples include, on a non-exhaustive basis:

  • Higher-risk jurisdictions or complex multi-layer ownership structures.
  • Industries with elevated AML exposure depending on activity.
  • Unusual transaction size relative to profile or unclear counterparties.
  • PEP exposure or meaningful adverse media indicators.

Where EDD applies, we will explain the requested information clearly and keep the process as practical as possible.

Legitimacy

Source of Funds & Purpose of Account

International banking requires clarity on the origin of funds and the reason for account use. We request evidence that supports legitimacy and aligns with the declared business or personal activity.

What “Source of Funds” Means

Source of funds refers to where the specific funds used in the account come from, such as business revenue, salary, investments, or sale proceeds. It is assessed relative to your declared activity and the intended account purpose.

  • Business: invoices, contracts, bank statements, tax filings, as relevant.
  • Personal: salary slips, employment letters, investment statements, sale agreements, as relevant.
  • Where needed: explanation of counterparties and transaction rationale.

Purpose & Expected Activity

We document how the account will be used so that legitimate activity is not interrupted by avoidable compliance alerts.

  • Expected monthly volume and typical transaction size.
  • Primary jurisdictions and currencies used.
  • Types of counterparties such as clients, suppliers, and partners.
  • Why Uninova is the appropriate banking relationship for your needs.
Providing a clear activity narrative up front reduces compliance questions later and supports smoother international operations.
Boundaries

Restricted & Unsupported Activities

To maintain regulatory alignment and the integrity of our financial relationships, certain activities may be restricted or unsupported. This section is provided for transparency and to save time during pre-check reviews.

High-Risk or Illicit Activity Indicators
We may decline or exit relationships where there are indicators of illicit activity, misrepresentation, or lack of transparency.
  • Inconsistent or unverifiable source of funds.
  • False or misleading information provided during onboarding.
  • Opaque ownership or control without a reasonable explanation.
  • Unusual flows with unclear rationale or counterparties.
Sanctions / Prohibited Counterparties
Transactions involving sanctioned parties, jurisdictions, or prohibited counterparties are not supported. Where appropriate, screening and review processes will be applied.
Restricted Industries
Some industries may require enhanced review or may not be supported depending on risk. If your activity is sensitive, please disclose it early. This helps us guide you properly during the pre-check stage.
Third-Party / Pass-Through Accounts
Accounts that are used primarily to move funds on behalf of unrelated third parties, without clear underlying economic rationale, may be restricted and subject to enhanced due diligence.
If you are unsure whether your activity fits our profile, email a short summary to info@uninovabank.com.

Practical Tips for Faster Approval

These small improvements can make a big difference:

  • Provide an ownership chart, even a simple one, for corporate structures.
  • Explain your transaction flows with examples: who pays you, who you pay, and why.
  • Ensure IDs and addresses are current and consistent.
  • Share evidence of real activity such as contracts, invoices, or website, where applicable.
  • Be transparent about jurisdictions and counterparties.

Our goal is to support legitimate clients smoothly while maintaining a robust compliance posture.

Inquiries

Compliance Questions & Reporting

For compliance-related inquiries, clarifications during onboarding, or to raise concerns, please contact info@uninovabank.com.

When to Contact Compliance

  • Clarification on documentation requirements.
  • Ownership changes or updates to directors and signatories.
  • Major changes to expected transaction activity.
  • Questions related to jurisdictions, counterparties, or transaction flows.

Important Note

This page is an informational overview and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements may change based on regulation, risk, and product scope. During onboarding, the bank will provide the exact checklist applicable to your profile.

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