Proof of identity and updated customer information

As a bank, we are required to obtain updated information from our customers to confirm the customer’s identity. This is done, among other things, by requesting copies of valid identification documents.

The bank must assess whether the documentation, data and information provided by the customer is sufficient to confirm the customer’s identity.

DNB processes personal data in order to fulfil its obligations in accordance with laws, regulations or government decisions. As a bank, we are required by the Norwegian authorities to obtain updated information from our customers to confirm the customer’s identity.

The personal data you share is safe with us. DNB has implemented security measures to secure your personal data. We are continually working to ensure that your personal data is protected against loss, destruction, corruption or unauthorised access.

Even though we trust our customers and expect the proof of identity we receive to be authentic, we are obliged by the Norwegian authorities to obtain proof of identity from our customers that can confirm the customer’s identity.

Since DNB lacks a valid copy of your proof of identity, your debit card from DNB will not be accepted as valid proof of identity until we have received other confirmation of your identity. This is not because DNB believes that you are not who you say you are, but as a bank we are required by the authorities to be able to show other documentation (not issued by DNB) that confirms your identity.

To verify your identity we therefore need valid proof of identity such as your passport or bank card (with photo) from another bank that has already confirmed your identity.

As a bank, we are obliged to store copies of our customers’ passports or other valid proof of identity. We must be able to document that we know our customers, and we must have documentation showing that we have confirmed customers’ identity.

Therefore, we cannot offer services to customers who have not provided identification in line with the requirements of the Money Laundering Act.

All banks are obliged to have good knowledge of all their customers. This applies to both private and corporate customers. We need to know what our new and existing customers will use their customer relationship for, and which services the customer wants to use. As part of this, among other things, we may need to obtain information about income, debt, whether you will be carrying out foreign transactions or the extent of cash deposits.

As a bank, we need to assess whether the customer relationship has a legitimate and natural purpose. We do not want to suspect anyone, but good knowledge about our customers helps prevent our customers’ accounts from being misused for money laundering, terrorist financing or other financial crime. 

The bank may also have an obligation to ask customers about the reason for transactions that deviate from the customer in question’s usual transaction pattern. This does not mean that we suspect anything is wrong, but as a bank we are obliged to monitor our customers. For example, this means we may occasionally have to ask about unusual transactions. Often, the explanation is entirely natural. For example, our customers may have inherited money or sold property. If so, we will often ask for documentation, since the legal requirement is for us to document that we have monitored the customer’s use of the bank. 

Why is my bank asking if I am a politically exposed person (PEP) or a close associate of a politically exposed person?

As a bank, we are required to pay extra attention to people with senior roles or positions, often referred to as politically exposed people (PEP). This is because people who hold high-ranking political office or other similar positions internationally are considered to be a high-risk group when it comes to money laundering. The same applies to people who are close family members or known employees (“close associates”) of a PEP. The reason for this is that people in such roles may be in a position where corruption may occur. It is therefore a legal requirement to investigate whether customers are politically exposed persons or are family members of such a person.

In principle, the fact that you are a PEP has no say on whether you’ll be able to set up a customer relationship, but we are required by law to carry out enhanced checks when establishing and monitoring such customer relationships.