Sony Bank's Commitment to Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing

In recent years, preventing money laundering and taking measures against terrorism funding has become increasingly important as a result of a global rise in organized crimes such as illicit drug dealings.

In order to comply with the "Guidelines for Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism" announced by the Financial Services Agency in February 2018, Sony Bank customers are required to confirm the purpose of a given transaction, provide personal information or submit various verification documents in addition to the information required under laws and regulations such as the "Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds" in (1) and (2).

  • Customers who apply for a new account with Sony Bank
  • Customers who already have an account with Sony Bank, depending on the nature and circumstances of a given transaction

In accordance with SONY BANK GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS, please note that all or some transactions may be restricted if you fail to respond appropriately to our request for information or verification documents.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.

SONY BANK GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Periodic Confirmation of the Purpose of the Transaction

Sony Bank periodically verifies customer information and the purpose of use of their account for customers who have an account with us.

Customers will be required to confirm their customer information, such as the purpose of transactions, by mail.
Please review and confirm the "Confirmation of Purpose of Transaction" form with the required information and return to us using the enclosed return envelope.
If there are any changes in your name, address, mobile phone number, or email address, please update your information via "Updating Customer Information" page after signing in to our English online banking.

Updating Customer Information

Inquiries

Inquiries for the "Confirmation of Purpose of Transaction"

Verification at the Time of Transactions

Before each transaction, Sony Bank shall confirm that you are the one performing the transaction, your occupation, and the purpose of the transaction.
To open an account, you are required to submit identity verification documents that show your name, address and date of birth as specified by Sony Bank. Without the submission of such documents, you will not be able to open an account and perform other transactions.
The Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds prohibits you from misrepresenting your identity such as by using another person's identity verification documents when opening an account.

To: The Customer Who is an Important Politically Exposed Person in a Foreign Government, etc.

If a customer falls under the category of an important politically exposed person (PEP) in a foreign government, etc., strict verification at the time of transactions is required. For those existing customers and /or new customers, please report your PEP status to our English help desk.

Scope of the head of a foreign country and persons at an important position in the foreign government, central bank or other similar organization, as well as those who were in these positions before

  • Those in posts equivalent to the Prime Minister or other ministers of state and senior vice-ministers in Japan
  • Those in posts equivalent to the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, or President or Vice-President of the House of Councilors
  • Those in posts equivalent to judges at the Supreme Court in Japan
  • Those in posts equivalent to ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, special ambassador, representative of the government or plenipotentiary
  • Those in posts equivalent to the Chief of Staff (Joint Staff), Deputy Chief of Staff (Joint Staff), Chief of Staff (Ground Self-Defense Force), Deputy Chief of Staff (Ground Self-Defense Force), Chief of Staff (Maritime Self-Defense Force), Deputy Chief of Staff (Maritime Self-Defense Force), Chief of Staff (Air Self-Defense Force), Deputy Chief of Staff (Air Self-Defense Force) in Japan
  • Officers of the central bank
  • Officers of a corporation which requires resolution or approval of the Diet for budget

Scope of family members
Spouse (including those who have not registered marriage but are substantially in similar situations as married people), parents, children, and siblings as well as parents and children of the spouse other than above

Important Notes on the Remittance of Foreign Currency

When using our foreign currency remittance service, Sony Bank will conduct a verification process based on the details and circumstances of the remittance after you register or make a remittance.
In some cases, it may take a few days to process the remittance due to requesting additional information on the details of the remittance, or depending on the results of the verification process, we may not be able to process your request. Please allow sufficient time for these procedures to be completed.

Presentation of your Residence Card

If you are a residence cardholder, we will check your residence details such as period of stay and status of residence when you open a new account. Customers who already have an account with us may also be asked to confirm their period of stay and status of residence depending on the nature and circumstances of a given transaction. When you extend your period of stay or change your status of residence, please present your new residence card to Sony Bank.
If you leave Japan permanently you must cancel your Sony Bank account.