Introducers

The introducer is the entity that introduced a relationship, there can be zero or more introducers per relationship. These appear as part of the relationship review checklist along with their introducer risk assessment. The introducer entities can be updated and/or reviewed directly through the checklist.

"The introducer risk assessment is an add-on to the CRA where a customer is introduced to a relevant person by a person who provides elements of the CDD. This is to address the potentially increased ML/FT risk of accepting customers introduced by a third party (introducer) that provides elements of their CDD."

The Handbook 2023 Section 2.1.10


Anatomy

The introducer entity(s) can be linked immediately on creation of the relationship. Any changes to it will be reflected in new relationship reviews. It appears checked in the relationship review checklist if the ID&V of the entity is complete in alignment to the organisation's identity policy, and the entity has a completed introducer risk assessment.


Relevant Legislation/Guidance

The Code 2021 - 9 Introduced business

(1) This paragraph applies where a customer is introduced to a relevant person by a person who provides elements of the customer due diligence (the “introducer”).

(2) The relevant person must comply with —

(a) this paragraph; and

(b) paragraph 8 or 11 (whichever is applicable).

(3) The relevant person must carry out a customer risk assessment in accordance with paragraph 6 and sub-paragraph (4).

(4) The risk assessment must include and take into account —

(a) a risk assessment of the introducer;

(b) whether the introducer has met the customer;

(c) whether any elements of customer due diligence provided by the introducer have been obtained by the introducer — (i) directly from the customer; or (ii) from any third parties; and

(d) if sub-paragraph (4)(c)(ii) applies, indicate — (i) how many third parties were involved in the process; (ii) who those third parties were; (iii) whether any of those third parties have met the customer; (iv) whether any third party is a trusted person; and (v) whether in the case of any third parties located outside of the Island, they are located in a List C jurisdiction.

(5) If the risk assessment indicates higher risk, the relevant person must undertake enhanced customer due diligence on the customer in accordance with paragraph 15 including, taking reasonable measures to establish the source of wealth of the customer and any beneficial owner of the customer.

(6) If more than one third party located outside of the Island is involved in the process, as specified in sub-paragraph (4), sub-paragraph (7) applies.

(7) Without limiting paragraph 8 or 11 (whichever is applicable), the relevant person must verify the identity of the customer using reliable, independent source documents, data or information obtained, either —

(a) directly from the customer;

(b) from the introducer, but only if the introducer has obtained such evidence of verification of identity — (i) directly from the customer; (ii) directly from a third party who has met the customer; or (b) directly from a third party who has met the customer.

(8) The relevant person must be satisfied that —

(a) any elements of customer due diligence information provided by the introducer conform to the requirements of this Code;

(b) any document, data or information used to verify the identity of the customer conform to the requirements of this Code; and

(c) there is no reason to doubt the veracity of the documents, data or information produced to verify the identity of the customer.

(9) If the relevant person cannot be satisfied as to the identity of the customer in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Code —

(a) the business relationship or occasional transaction must proceed no further;

(b) the relevant person must consider terminating that business relationship; and

(c) the relevant person must consider making an internal disclosure.

(10) For the purposes of this paragraph, a third party “involved in the process” does not include a third party in the same group as —

(a) the relevant person; or

(b) the introducer, provided that the third party is a trusted person.

(11) For the avoidance of doubt, if further elements of customer due diligence other than evidence of verification of identity are obtained by the relevant person under sub-paragraph (7) then this should be reflected in the customer risk assessment carried out in accordance with paragraph 6 and sub-paragraph (4).

Also refer to The Handbook 2023 section 2.2.10

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