Proof of identity and address

Under the Money Laundering Regulations, in common with all banks and building societies, we are required to verify the identity and address of our customers before we can accept an application to invest.

Customers who live in the United Kingdom

To do this we may make electronic checks using data from a third party, including information from the Electoral Register. They will keep records of the checks whether or not an application proceeds, but these will not be seen by any other companies. We may use scoring methods. We may also ask you to send us documents to confirm your identity and address. If so, we will write to you with a list of the documents needed.

If you provide information about another person as part of the application, you are also confirming that they have appointed you to give their consent to the processing of their personal data. This means that you have told them who we are and that their personal data will be processed, including to check their name and address. This also applies to trust holdings, where both the trustees’ and beneficiaries’ details must be verified, and to investments made under a Power of Attorney.

Purchases for children

Where a purchase is made on behalf of a child, we need to verify the identity and address of the parent or guardian and, if different, the purchaser.  After the child has reached an age where they take responsibility for the investment/account and then asks for a repayment, we will ask for evidence of their identity. We will write with details at the time.

Customers who live outside the United Kingdom (this also applies to customers living in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man)

For all investments by customers who live outside the UK, we need documentary evidence of identity and address. The following documents must be sent for all persons named on the application who live outside the UK:

We are also required to obtain the tax identification number (TIN), where one has been issued, for all persons named on the application who live outside the UK. We also need details of date and place of birth. Please supply these details on a separate sheet of paper.

Please note, we cannot accept your application if it does not include all the documents and details requested above.

* “Certified copy” means a copy certified by an Embassy, Consulate or High Commission of the country of issue or by a lawyer or attorney. The copy must be dated and signed “Original seen”. When copying passports, you do not need to include any blank pages or pages containing visa stamps. For residents of the Channel Islands and Isle of Man only, copies can be certified by a professional person such as a banker, authorised financial intermediary, mortgage broker regulated by the FSA, teacher, doctor, minister of religion or civil servant. The person signing the copy must give their full name, address and occupation.