Frequently Asked
Questions

Yes. Uninova International Bank is incorporated in the Union of Comoros (Anjouan Autonomous Island) and regulated by AOFA — the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority. The Bank operates under international banking legislation applicable to offshore financial institutions within this jurisdiction.

AOFA-regulated institutions are required to maintain compliance standards covering anti-money laundering (AML), know-your-customer (KYC) procedures, and responsible banking practices. Our regulatory status ensures a structured and accountable operating framework for all client relationships.

Uninova International Bank does not operate as a traditional retail bank. Our model is structured around international clients — individuals and businesses engaged in cross-border financial activity who require a more specialised banking relationship than what mainstream retail institutions typically offer.

Our services are designed for clients who value compliance-led onboarding, multi-currency functionality, trade finance access, and responsive relationship management rather than high-street banking conveniences such as debit card networks or branch access.

Our services are open to a range of client profiles, subject to compliance review and alignment with our operating framework:

• International businesses and corporate entities engaged in cross-border trade
• Project owners and developers requiring trade finance or payment assurance
• Professional intermediaries acting on behalf of qualifying clients
• High-net-worth individuals with structured international financial requirements
• Import/export traders requiring Letters of Credit or Bank Guarantees

All applicants are subject to full KYC/AML due diligence. Onboarding is selective — we work with clients whose profile, documentation, and activity align with our compliance standards.

We offer the following account types, each structured around international banking needs:

• Global Bank Account — multi-currency accounts for individuals and businesses with cross-border activity
• Corporate Account — structured for registered companies, trading entities, and international businesses
• Personal Account — for qualifying high-net-worth individuals with international financial requirements
• Escrow Account — for structured transactions requiring a neutral holding arrangement

All accounts include online banking access and are supported by a dedicated relationship team.

Our accounts are structured to support multi-currency operations, allowing clients engaged in international trade and business to manage cross-border transactions effectively. Supported currency options are confirmed during the onboarding process based on your specific operational needs and jurisdiction.

For currency-specific requirements or forex-related services, please include these details in your enquiry so our team can advise on the most appropriate account structure.

Minimum balance and deposit requirements vary depending on the account type and service being requested. As a structured international bank, our account relationships are designed for meaningful financial activity rather than minimal nominal balances.

Specific thresholds will be communicated during the initial enquiry and assessment process. Clients are encouraged to share their expected transaction volumes and account purpose so our team can confirm the appropriate account structure and any applicable requirements.

Yes. All account holders are provided with secure online banking access, allowing you to manage your account, initiate transactions, view statements, and communicate with the Bank through a protected digital interface.

As an internationally oriented institution, our digital banking infrastructure is central to our service model — supporting clients across different time zones without requiring physical branch visits.

A Bank Guarantee (BG) is a formal financial commitment issued by a bank on behalf of a client, assuring a third party (the beneficiary) that the bank will meet specified obligations if the client fails to do so. It acts as a safety net in commercial and contractual arrangements.

Bank Guarantees are commonly used in:

• Construction and infrastructure contracts (performance guarantees)
• Tender submissions (bid bonds)
• Trade transactions requiring payment assurance
• Lease and property agreements
• Government and public sector contract obligations

The Bank Guarantee does not require the client to transfer funds upfront — it is a contingent instrument activated only if the underlying obligation is not fulfilled.

We support a range of Bank Guarantee types based on client requirements:

• Performance Guarantee — ensures contractual obligations are fulfilled by the principal
• Bid Bond / Tender Guarantee — supports tender submissions and secures commitment
• Advance Payment Guarantee — protects the beneficiary when an advance is made before services are rendered
• Financial Guarantee — covers financial obligations such as loan repayments or lease commitments
• Payment Guarantee — assures payment to the beneficiary upon fulfilment of agreed conditions

The appropriate type is determined during the enquiry and assessment stage based on your transaction structure.

Issuance timelines depend on several factors including the completeness of documentation submitted, the complexity and value of the underlying transaction, the jurisdiction of the beneficiary, and compliance review requirements.

In general, once all required documentation has been received and verified, the process typically takes between several business days and a few weeks. Incomplete documentation or additional compliance queries may extend the timeline. Clients are advised to engage as early as possible to allow sufficient processing time ahead of any contractual deadlines.

Yes. Bank Guarantees are widely recognised and used in international commerce, infrastructure development, and cross-border contractual arrangements. As an internationally oriented institution, our Bank Guarantees are structured to support global transactions and are issued in accordance with internationally accepted standards.

Acceptance by the receiving counterparty or institution is ultimately subject to their internal policies and the laws of the relevant jurisdiction. We recommend confirming acceptability with your counterparty before proceeding.

Yes. Bank Guarantees are structured financial instruments typically issued for larger commercial or contractual transactions. Minimum value thresholds apply and will be confirmed during the initial enquiry review based on the nature of the transaction and the specific instrument required.

Clients are encouraged to provide full transaction details — including the required guarantee value, currency, beneficiary details, and purpose — so our team can confirm eligibility and applicable terms.

A Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) is a bank-issued guarantee of payment that serves as a backstop or secondary assurance mechanism. Unlike a commercial Letter of Credit — which is the primary payment method — an SBLC is only drawn upon if the applicant defaults on an agreed obligation.

SBLCs are commonly used in:

• International trade transactions where payment security is required
• Project finance arrangements and construction contracts
• Leasing, licensing, and long-term service agreements
• Credit enhancement for financing structures
• Commodity trading and energy sector transactions

While both instruments provide financial assurance to a beneficiary, there are key structural and functional differences:

• Governed by different rules — SBLCs are typically governed by UCP 600 or ISP98 (internationally recognised frameworks), while BGs may be governed by local banking law or ICC rules
• Primary use — SBLCs are primarily a payment backup mechanism; BGs are more broadly used for performance, contractual, and financial obligations
• Geographic acceptance — SBLCs are often preferred in US and international markets; BGs are more commonly used in European, Middle Eastern, and Asian jurisdictions
• Documentation trigger — SBLCs typically require only a written demand and a compliance statement; BGs may require more detailed proof of default

The most suitable instrument depends on the nature of your transaction, the requirements of the beneficiary, and the governing jurisdiction.

An SBLC is appropriate when you need to demonstrate creditworthiness or provide a payment guarantee to a counterparty without committing liquidity upfront. Common scenarios include:

• Your trading partner requires assurance of payment before shipping goods
• A lender requires credit enhancement before extending a facility
• A landlord or lessor requires security before entering a long-term agreement
• A project owner requires financial assurance from a contractor or supplier
• You are monetising an existing SBLC or using it as collateral in a structured finance arrangement

SBLC monetisation and collateral-based financing are specialist areas that fall within the scope of our extended services. Monetisation involves leveraging the face value of an SBLC to obtain a credit facility or loan from a third-party lender.

These arrangements are complex and subject to the issuing bank's terms, the monetising institution's criteria, and full compliance review. If you have an existing SBLC you wish to monetise, or require an SBLC for use in a structured finance arrangement, please include full details in your enquiry so our team can assess the appropriate pathway.

A Letter of Credit (LC) is a bank instrument that guarantees payment to a seller (beneficiary) on behalf of a buyer (applicant), provided that the seller presents the required documents — such as shipping documents, commercial invoices, and certificates of origin — that comply with the terms of the LC.

The process typically works as follows:

• The buyer and seller agree on LC terms as part of their trade contract
• The buyer applies for an LC through their bank (the issuing bank)
• The LC is transmitted to the seller's bank (the advising or confirming bank)
• The seller ships goods and presents compliant documents to their bank
• Upon verification, payment is released to the seller

This mechanism protects both parties — the seller receives guaranteed payment, and the buyer receives the agreed goods or services before funds are released.

Yes, in most international trade contexts. Direct payment carries significant counterparty risk — the buyer may not pay after receiving goods, or the seller may not deliver after receiving payment. An LC eliminates this risk by introducing the bank as an independent guarantor of the transaction.

Payment under an LC is document-based rather than trust-based. This means the bank pays only when compliant documents are presented, providing a structured and enforceable framework that is particularly valuable in cross-border transactions where parties may not have an established relationship.

We support a range of LC structures depending on the requirements of the transaction:

• Irrevocable LC — cannot be amended or cancelled without the consent of all parties; the most common and secure form
• Confirmed LC — adds a second bank's guarantee, providing additional security to the beneficiary
• At Sight LC — payment is made immediately upon presentation of compliant documents
• Usance / Deferred Payment LC — payment is made at a specified future date, offering the buyer a credit period
• Revolving LC — automatically reinstates after each utilisation, suitable for recurring trade relationships

The specific documents required under an LC are defined in its terms and vary by transaction. Commonly required documents include:

• Commercial invoice matching LC terms
• Bill of Lading or airway bill (proof of shipment)
• Packing list
• Certificate of Origin
• Insurance certificate (where applicable)
• Inspection certificate (for certain commodity or quality-sensitive trades)

Strict compliance with the document requirements is essential — discrepancies can delay or prevent payment. Our team can advise on appropriate LC terms during the structuring phase.

The application process begins with a confidential enquiry submitted through our website contact form or directly by email to info@uninovabank.com. We recommend including the following details in your initial enquiry:

• Your name, company name, and contact details
• The specific service you require (e.g. BG, SBLC, LC, account opening)
• The purpose and value of the transaction
• Jurisdiction of the counterparty or beneficiary
• Your preferred timeline

Our team will review your enquiry and respond with a suitability assessment, required documentation list, and the next steps. All communications are handled with strict confidentiality.

Documentation requirements vary by client type and the service being requested. As a general guide:

• For individuals: Valid government-issued photo ID, proof of address (dated within 3 months), and details of the intended account use or transaction
• For corporate entities: Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum & Articles of Association, Register of Directors and Shareholders, proof of registered address, and relevant financial statements
• For trade finance instruments: Transaction contracts or term sheets, counterparty details, description of the underlying transaction, and any existing correspondence with the beneficiary

A full document checklist will be provided following your initial enquiry review.

Onboarding timelines depend on the client profile, the service requested, and the completeness of documentation provided. Once all required documents have been submitted and verified, the process typically progresses as follows:

• Initial review: 2–5 business days following receipt of your enquiry
• Compliance and KYC review: Variable depending on complexity; straightforward cases may complete within 1–2 weeks
• Account activation or instrument issuance: Confirmed upon successful completion of all compliance checks

Delays typically arise from incomplete documentation or additional compliance queries. Submitting comprehensive information from the outset significantly reduces processing time.

Yes. Structured financial instruments such as Bank Guarantees, SBLCs, and Letters of Credit are typically issued for commercially significant transaction values. Minimum thresholds apply and vary by instrument type and transaction structure.

Specific minimum values will be confirmed during the enquiry assessment stage. We encourage clients to provide complete transaction details — including the required instrument value, currency, purpose, and timeline — so our team can confirm eligibility and applicable terms promptly.

Yes. We work with professional intermediaries, brokers, and consultants who act on behalf of qualifying clients. Intermediaries are required to disclose their role and are subject to the same compliance and KYC requirements as direct clients.

We expect all intermediaries to operate transparently, represent their clients' interests accurately, and ensure that the underlying client is eligible for the service being requested. Enquiries submitted on behalf of third parties should clearly identify both the intermediary and the end client.

Yes. All client information, enquiry details, and documentation submitted to Uninova International Bank are treated with strict confidentiality. We do not share client information with third parties except where required by our regulatory obligations or applicable law.

Our confidentiality practices are aligned with international banking standards and the requirements of our AOFA regulatory framework. Clients can also refer to our Privacy Policy for full details on how personal and corporate data is handled, stored, and protected.

Yes. All client relationships and transactions are subject to comprehensive Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures. These checks are a mandatory component of our onboarding process and ongoing client management.

Our AML and KYC framework includes:

• Identity verification of all individuals and beneficial owners
• Screening against international sanctions and PEP (Politically Exposed Person) lists
• Source of funds and source of wealth assessment
• Ongoing transaction monitoring
• Periodic review of client profiles

Full details of our AML policy are available on our AML Policy page.

In line with our compliance framework and risk appetite, we do not accept clients or transactions involving:

• Sanctioned individuals, entities, or jurisdictions
• Activities that are illegal in the client's home jurisdiction or the jurisdiction of the counterparty
• Shell companies without identifiable beneficial ownership
• Anonymous or bearer-share structures
• Transactions with no clear commercial purpose or economic rationale
• High-risk industries as defined under our internal risk policy

Our onboarding process is designed to identify and decline clients or transactions that fall outside our acceptable risk parameters, regardless of the stated commercial purpose.

Client data submitted to Uninova International Bank is stored securely and accessed only by authorised personnel for the purposes of service delivery and compliance. We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal and corporate data against unauthorised access, loss, or misuse.

Our data handling practices are governed by our Privacy Policy, which outlines retention periods, data subject rights, and the limited circumstances under which data may be shared with third parties. If you have specific data protection queries, please contact our compliance team at compliance@uninovabank.com.

For all compliance-related enquiries — including AML/KYC questions, data protection requests, and regulatory correspondence — please contact our compliance team directly:

• Email: compliance@uninovabank.com
• General enquiries: info@uninovabank.com
• Phone: +269 3 616 370

You can also visit our Compliance page for information on our regulatory framework, AML policy, and privacy practices.