BSA/AML Manual

REPORTS OF FOREIGN FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS

Objective: Assess the bank’s compliance with the BSA regulatory requirements for the reporting of foreign financial accounts.

Regulatory Requirements for Reports of Foreign Financial Accounts

This section outlines the regulatory requirements for banks in 31 CFR Chapter X regarding reports of foreign financial accounts.  Specifically, this section covers:

• 31 CFR 1010.306(c)
• 31 CFR 1010.350
• 31 CFR 1010.420

A United States (U.S.) person¹31 CFR 1010.350(b) defines “United States person” for purposes of this section.  IRS guidance establishes that the term “United States person” includes U.S. citizens; U.S. residents; entities, including but not limited to, corporations, partnerships, or limited liability companies, created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States; and trusts or estates formed under the laws of the United States.   (including a bank) must file a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) if that person has a financial interest in, or signature or other authority over, one or more bank, securities, or other financial accounts²31 CFR 1010.350(c). in a foreign country, and the aggregate maximum value of the accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year.³31 CFR 1010.306(c), 31 CFR 1010.350, and 31 CFR 1010.420.  See also Internal Revenue Service, “IRS FBAR Reference Guide.” A bank may have a financial interest in, or signature or other authority over, accounts maintained or administered for its customers.⁴See 31 CFR 1010.350(e) for the definition of “financial interest” and 31 CFR 1010.350(f) for the definition of “signature or other authority.” It is important to note that the federal tax treatment of an entity does not determine whether the entity has an FBAR filing requirement.  U.S. persons may maintain foreign accounts for a variety of legitimate reasons, including convenience and access.  The FBAR is a tool used by the U.S. government to identify persons who may be using foreign financial accounts to circumvent U.S. law.  Information contained in FBARs can be used to identify or trace funds used for illicit purposes or to identify unreported income maintained or generated abroad.⁵Internal Revenue Service, “IRS FBAR Reference Guide.”

FinCEN’s Filing Instructions further describe FBAR reporting requirements, including instructions for which accounts a bank would be required to report on the FBAR.⁶FinCEN (October 2019), “Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) Electronic Filing Requirements,” Attachment C – Electronic Filing Instructions, pp. 86-88. For example, correspondent or nostro accounts (which are maintained by banks and used solely for bank-to-bank settlements) are not required to be reported.⁷31 CFR 1010.350(c)(4). An officer or employee of a bank need not report signature or other authority over a foreign financial account owned or maintained by the bank if the officer or employee has no financial interest in the account.⁸31 CFR 1010.350(f)(2)(i). However, a bank may be obligated to file an FBAR for customer accounts in which the bank has a financial interest, or over which it has signature or other authority.⁹31 CFR 1010.350(e) for the definition of “financial interest” and 31 CFR 1010.350(f) for the definition of “signature or other authority.”

FBARs must be filed electronically through the BSA E-Filing System, in accordance with FinCEN form instructions, with respect to foreign financial accounts whose aggregate value exceeded $10,000 at any time during the previous calendar year.  Additional information concerning FBAR requirements, including filing due dates and any extensions, can be found on the FinCEN website.¹⁰Filing Information – FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report) 114 and Report Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts.

Examiner Assessment of Compliance with FBAR Requirements

Examiners assess the adequacy of the bank’s policies, procedures, and processes (internal controls) related to the bank’s filing of FBARs.  Specifically, examiners should determine whether these internal controls are designed to mitigate and manage ML/TF and other illicit financial activity risks, and comply with FBAR requirements.  Examiners may review information, such as independent testing or audit reports, to aid in their assessment of the bank’s filing of FBARs. 

Examiners should also consider general internal controls concepts, such as dual controls, segregation of duties, and management approval for certain actions, as they relate to the bank’s process for FBAR filing.  For example, employees who complete FBARs generally should not also be responsible for the decision to file the reports.  Other internal controls may include BSA compliance officer or other senior management approval for staff actions where segregation of duties cannot be achieved.

When assessing internal controls and compliance with FBAR requirements, examiners should keep in mind that the bank may have a limited number of instances of noncompliance with the regulation (such as isolated or technical violations) or minor deviations from the bank’s policies, procedures, and processes without resulting in an overall failure of internal controls.  These instances should be considered in the context of all examination findings and the bank’s risk profile.  Examiners should determine whether the bank’s internal controls for filing FBARs are designed to assure ongoing compliance with the requirements and are commensurate with the bank’s risk profile.  Refer to the Assessing the BSA/AML Compliance Program - BSA/AML Internal Controls section for more information.