AML Remediation Program FAQs
What is the AML Act?
The AML Act is the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009. You can read the AML Act online here. The AML Act requires New Zealand financial institutions (and certain other entities) to have a greater understanding of their customer relationships, and as part of this we’re required to confirm the identity of some of our customers.
Why do you need my ID?
We’re committed to protecting all of our customers and part of this is the requirement from the AML Act to have evidence of customers’ identities on file. If we don’t have evidence of your AML compliant identification, we may ask you for it as part of this process. Check out our Customer Identification Guide.
I’ve already given you my ID, can you use that?
Customer ID is required for a number of reasons, which means we may need to ask you for your ID more than once. To ensure the Bank continues to comply with the AML Act, we’re required to sight some customers’ ID again in order to keep operating your accounts with us.
I don’t have any of the mentioned forms of ID.
If you don’t have any of the required forms of identification, call us on 0800 554 554 or pop in to your local branch for assistance and we will work through options with you.
Can you accept a copy of my ID via email?
To ensure the security of you, our customers, we follow the Amended Identity Verification Code of Practice 2013, which outlines how we verify our customers’ identities to ensure you are AML compliant.
To meet the requirements of the code, we are unable to accept copies of original ID via email. Your original ID needs to be sighted in person, with you present, in any Co‑operative Bank Branch. If you are unable to make it in to a branch, you can use our Trusted Referee process. Check out our Guide to the Trusted Referee Process for more information on how this process works.
If I can’t come into a branch, can someone else bring my ID in?
No, we need to see you in person with your original ID document. If this is not possible, you can use the Trusted Referee Process. Check out our Guide to the Trusted Referee Process for more information on how this process works.
I can’t provide my ID because I’m not near a branch/I’m overseas.
If you can’t bring your ID in to a Co-op Branch, you can use the Trusted Referee Process. Check out our Guide to the Trusted Referee Process for more information on how this process works.
What is the Trusted Referee Process?
The Trusted Referee Process allows us to confirm your identity without you bringing the original document in to a branch, by you posting us a copy of your ID that has been certified by a Trusted Referee. Using the Trusted Referee Process is a good option if there is no branch near you, or you aren’t physically able to bring your ID in to a branch. The Trusted Referee sights your original ID and certifies a copy of it on behalf of the Bank.
Check out our Guide to the Trusted Referee Process for more information on how this process works.
What must a Trusted Referee do/certify?
Check out our Guide to the Trusted Referee Process for more information on how this process works.
How do you find a Trusted Referee?
There are a number of options for Trusted Referees who can certify your identification, many of whom provide their service free of charge, including Justices of the Peace. For more information on who can act as a Trusted Referee, read our Trusted Referee Process Guide. For help finding a Justice of the Peace near you, visit the Justice of the Peace website.
Will you pay for me to see a lawyer to certify my identification?
No. There are also a number of other options for Trusted Referees that can certify your identification, many of whom provide their service free of charge, including Justices of the Peace. For more information on who can act as a Trusted Referee, read our Trusted Referee Process Guide. For help finding a Justice of the Peace near you, visit the Justice of the Peace website.
Why does a Trusted Referee have to have certified my identification in the last 3 months?
This timeframe is dictated by the Amended Identity Verification Code of Practice 2013 which The Co‑operative Bank follows to meet its legislative obligations.
Why does this affect the other party on my joint account but not me, or vice versa?
This may affect only you, or only the other party on your joint account. If we already have your AML compliant ID on file, or the other party on your joint account’s AML Compliant ID on file, we don’t need to see it.
What if I’ve changed my name?
The name on your accounts with The Co‑operative Bank needs to match the name on your identification. If you’ve changed your name, we need you to provide additional documentation.
You can provide one of the following, by bringing the original document into a Co-op branch or by posting an original copy certified by a Trusted Referee:
Married individuals may use their maiden name or married name and may elect to swap whenever they choose. Evidence of the names can be obtained from the marriage certificate.