Skip to Main Navigation Skip to Main Content Skip to Secondary Navigation Skip to Footer Content
  • Locations & ATMs
    Offices
    • New England
    • New York
    • San Francisco Bay Area
    • Greater Los Angeles Area
    • Florida
    ATMs

    ATMs are available at most Boston Private offices. We are also part of the SUM Network.

    Find an ATM

  • Contact Us
  • Help & Support
    • Private Clients
    • Business Clients
    • Corporate Clients
Boston Private Logo Boston Private Logo
  • Who We Are
    Who We Are
    • Values
    • Our Approach
    • Commitment to the Community
    • Financial Strength
    • Newsroom
    • People
    • Board of Directors
    • Management Team
    • Professional Directory
    • Careers

    Featured Expertise

    Venture & Private Equity

    Nonprofit

    Community Investment

    Law Firms

    • Personal
    • Online and Mobile Access
    • No Link
    • Private Banking
    • No Link
    • Lending
    • Residential Lending
    • Private Lending
    • No Link
    • Wealth Management
    • Wealth Planning
    • Investment Management
    • Trust Services
    • Family Office
    • Executive Services
    • Business
    • Online and Mobile Access
    • No Link
    • Business Banking
    • Cash Management
    • No Link
    • Asset Management
    • No Link
    • Commercial Lending
    • No Link
    • Retirement Plan Advisory
    • No Link
    • Executive Services
    • Personal
    • Individuals and Families
    • Private Practice Professionals
    • Executives
    • Business Owners
    • Business
    • Nonprofits
    • Privately Held Businesses
    • Professional Service Firms
    • Venture and Private Equity

    WHAT OUR CLIENTS THINK.

    Our approach to building trusted relationships is what sets us apart.

    Client Stories

  • Our Thinking
    Our Thinking
    • The Vault
    • Economic Perspectives
    • Financial Planning
    • Information Security & Fraud
    • Managing Taxes
    • Market Commentary
    • Optimizing Operations
    • Trust & Estate Planning
    Series
    • Business Toolkit
    • Washington Policy
    • Engaging Aging Parents
    • Raising Financially Responsible Children
    • Q4 2019 Economic & Market Perspective

    The WHY of Wealth®

    Everyone has a different reason, a different why.

    Watch the Stories

    • Private Clients
    • Business Clients
    • Corporate Clients
  • Contact Us
  • Help & Support
  • Locations & ATMs
    Offices
    • New England
    • New York
    • San Francisco Bay Area
    • Greater Los Angeles Area
    • Florida
    ATMs

    ATMs are available at most Boston Private offices. We are also part of the SUM Network.

    Find an ATM

  • Contact Us
  • Help & Support
    • Private Clients
    • Business Clients
    • Corporate Clients
  • Login
  • Digital Banking
  • Wealth Management
  • Secure Mail
Locations
Menu
Resource Library
  • Help & Support
  • Resource Library
  • Important Updates
  • Security & Fraud Prevention
  • Contact Us

Resources for

  • All
  • Private Clients
  • Business Clients
  • Corporate Clients

Topics

  • All
  • Digital Banking
  • Cash Management & Payments
  • Account Security
  • General

Understanding Beneficial Ownership Certification

5/2/2018
Download Form

Overview

To help fight financial crime and terrorist financing, the U.S. Government passed a new regulation making it mandatory for financial institutions to collect information on beneficial owners of legal entity clients. This regulation was enacted to provide greater transparency into company structures where the people behind the structure may be hidden, and to better protect the U.S. financial system.

Boston Private, along with all other financial institutions, is required comply with this new regulation and will collect beneficial ownership information, via the completion of a certification form, for all accounts opened on behalf of a business on or after May 9, 2018. 

This means that any time you open an account for a business on or after that date, Boston Private may ask you to provide or update the name, address, date of birth and identification number for the beneficial owners of the business.  

While we understand that the information collected may be personal in nature, it is necessary to comply with federal regulations.  We protect our clients’ information with all of the safeguards you have come to expect and will never share any confidential information collected under this regulation with outside parties unless required by law.

Boston Private will make every effort to guide you through the new process efficiently and effectively.  


1.  What is a beneficial owner?

A “beneficial owner” is:
  • any individual who, directly or indirectly, has 25% or more ownership interest in a legal entity; up to 4 individuals per entity 

    and
     
  • an individual with significant responsibility to control, manage or direct the legal entity (such as a CEO, Managing Direction or General Partner). This individual may also be referred to as a control person.  


2. What information must be provided on beneficial owners?

When opening an account on behalf of a business, you will be asked to complete a certification form providing ownership information and certifying that the information provided is correct to the best of your knowledge.  

For each business, Boston Private is required to obtain the name, address, date of birth and SSN (or passport number for foreign persons) for each individual with 25% or more ownership interest and one control person.  

Boston Private may also ask to see a copy of a driver’s license or other identifying document for each beneficial owner listed on this form. 

For all foreign/non-US persons, Boston Private requires a scanned, color copy of the identification.


3.  What types of businesses are impacted by this new requirement?

This new requirement generally applies to businesses such as corporations, limited liability companies, general partnerships and any other business or entity that files a public incorporation, registration, declaration, or similar document with a Secretary of State or similar office.
 

4. Are there any types of businesses that are not impacted?

This new requirement generally does not apply to the businesses listed below. However, there may be circumstances where the certification form needs to be completed. 
  • sole proprietorships
  • US or state governmental entities
  • companies publicly traded on an US exchange
  • registered public accounting firms
  • state regulated insurance companies 
  • unincorporated associations 
  • personal trusts 


5. What if my business is owned by another company? Who is the beneficial owner?

This new requirement requires Boston Private to collect information on the ultimate beneficial owners of the business in order to open an account on behalf of the business. An ultimate beneficial owner is the natural person(s) who exercises ultimate ownership and control over the company structure. Hence, if your business is owned by another company, the ultimate beneficial owners are the natural person(s) with 25% or more ownership interest in the parent company as well as a natural person with the with significant responsibility to control, manage or direct the parent company. 

In the example below, both Allan and Betty are beneficial owners because they indirectly have 25% or more ownership interest in the client company and their information. Carl and Diane are not considered beneficial owners because they do not meet the 25% threshold. Additionally, a control person (such a CEO or General Manager) must be provided.  

6. What if my company is owned by a trust? Who is the beneficial owner?

If a trust, directly or indirectly, has 25% or more ownership interest in your company, the trustee is the beneficial owner. Where there are multiple trustees or co-trustees, the name, address, date of birth and identification number of at least one trustee must be provided. 

In the example below, both Allan and Betty are beneficial owners because they are both equal trustees of The ABC Family Trust, which has more than 25% ownership interest in the client company. Carl are Diane are also beneficial owners because they both have 25% indirect ownership of the client company through Company B. Remember, all individuals who, directly or indirectly, have 25% or more ownership interest in your company must be listed on the form and provide their information. Additionally, a control person (such a CEO or General Manager) must be provided.  

7. What if my company is owned by a trust and the trustee is not a natural person?​

If a trust, directly or indirectly, has 25% or more ownership interest in your company and the trustee is another legal entity such as a law firm, bank or trust company, and there is no natural person as a co-trustee, then the legal entity may be listed as the beneficial owner.  The name, address, and identification number of the legal entity of the trustee must be provided, and Boston Private may request additional documentation. If however there are multiple trustees or co-trustees, one of which is a natural person, then the information for that person as beneficial owner must be provided. A legal entity’s information as trustee may be provided only where a natural person does not exist for purposes of beneficial ownership. 

In the example below, the information for the corporate trustee (XYZ  Trust Company), Carl and Diane must be provided as beneficial owners. Additionally, a control person (such a CEO or General Manager) must be provided.   

8. If a beneficial owner or control person is not a Boston Private client or authorized signer, do I still need to provide their information?
 
Yes, the information must be collected even in situations where owners and control persons have no relationship with Boston Private. 
 

9. Since the certification form requires information that is sensitive in nature, can I provide it directly to my Account Officer or in person? 
 
Of course. While we require the certification form to be completed, if you are more comfortable providing the information in person, please reach out to your Account Officer to arrange to complete the certification form in person. 
 

10. Will this new requirement affect my existing accounts?
 
This new regulation should not affect your existing accounts. However, there may be circumstances where the certification may need to be completed in order to update your records.  
 

11. I also have personal accounts at Boston Private. Will this new requirement affect those accounts?
 
No. This requirement is only for business accounts.
 

12. How is the beneficial ownership information going to be stored? 
 
Information provided on the certification form will be stored in Boston Private’s system of records and is subject to all privacy policies and procedures to ensure client confidentiality. 
 

13. Will Boston Private contact beneficial owners to offer them banking products or establish a client relationship? 
 
No, the information you provide will not be used for solicitation or prospecting. 

 

 


If you have additional questions , please contact your relationship manager or advisor. 

Search our Professional Directory | Send a Help Request

 

    Filed Under: General, Beneficial Ownership, Business Banking, Online Banking Update
Download Form

Caution: External Link

You are leaving the Boston Private website. By clicking "Continue" below, you will enter a website created, operated, and maintained by a private business or organization. Boston Private provides this link as a service to our website visitors. We are not responsible for the content, views, or privacy policies of this site. We take no responsibility for any products or services offered by this site, nor do we endorse or sponsor the information it contains. 

Continue Cancel - Stay on BostonPrivate.com

  • Home
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • About Us
  • Commitment to the Community
  • Financial Strength
  • Newsroom
  • Investor Relations
  • BPFH (NASDAQ)
  • Career Opportunities
  • Values
  • People
  • Help & Support
  • Contact Us
  • Send Feedback
  • Fraud and Account Security
  • Stay informed with our newsletter
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Financial Hardship Assistance for Homeowners
  • Login
  • Digital Banking
  • Wealth Management
  • Secure Mail
  • Our Privacy Practices
  • Consumer Privacy Notices
  • Manage Privacy Preferences
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Subscribe to our newsletter

Equal Housing Logo Member FDIC Logo SUM Logo
Back to top
Private Banking and Trust services are offered through Boston Private Bank & Trust Company, a Massachusetts Chartered Trust Company. Wealth Management services are offered through Boston Private Wealth LLC, a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Registered Investment Adviser. Boston Private Wealth LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Boston Private Bank & Trust Company.
Boston Private Bank & Trust Company, its parent, its subsidiaries, and their staff, do not provide tax, accounting or legal advice. You should consult with your legal or tax advisor prior to taking any action relating to the subject matter contained on this website.
Investments are not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency, are not guaranteed by Boston Private Bank & Trust Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates or parent company, may lose value, and are not a Bank deposit.
The information and materials contained on this site or in any communication containing a link to this site are not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution would be contrary to law or regulation or which would subject Boston Private Bank & Trust Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates to any registration requirement within such jurisdiction or country. The information and materials contained on this site are not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase of stock, any other security or any financial instrument of Boston Private Bank & Trust Company or any other issuer or company.
© 2019 All Rights Reserved.