When onboarding customers, it is crucial for companies to comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements. Two important components of these compliance measures are Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD).

CDD vs EDD: While both processes involve assessing customer risk, they differ in their level of scrutiny and the situations in which they are applied. Understanding the distinctions between CDD and EDD is essential to ensuring comprehensive compliance.

Customer Due Diligence (CDD)

Customer Due Diligence (CDD) is a fundamental part of KYC processes that helps businesses assess the level of risk associated with their customers. It involves collecting and verifying personal information about prospective and current customers to ensure their identities and backgrounds are legitimate.

What is Customer Due Diligence?

Customer Due Diligence is the process of evaluating customer risk by verifying their identity and assessing their potential involvement in money laundering or other financial crimes. The goal is to prevent illegal activities such as fraud, money laundering, and terrorist financing.

How Does Customer Due Diligence Work?

The process of conducting Customer Due Diligence typically involves the following steps:

1. Identity Verification: Collecting personal information from the customer, such as their name, date of birth, address, and identification documents like a driver’s license or passport.
2. Documentary Verification: Verifying the collected information by comparing it against reliable and valid sources, such as government-issued identification databases or credit bureaus.
3. Screening for Adverse Media: Conducting screenings to identify any negative news or media coverage about the customer that may indicate potential involvement in illegal activities.
4. Sanctions and Watchlist Screening: Checking if the customer is listed on any sanctions or watchlists that would suggest their association with sanctioned entities or politically exposed persons (PEPs).
5. Assessing Customer Risk: Developing a risk profile for each customer based on their identity, background, and the nature of their relationships with the business. This helps determine the appropriate level of ongoing monitoring required.

By implementing robust CDD processes, businesses can mitigate the risk of engaging with customers involved in illicit activities and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)

Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) is an additional layer of scrutiny applied to customers or transactions that are deemed to carry a higher risk. It is typically conducted when standard CDD processes are insufficient to adequately assess the level of risk associated with a particular customer or transaction.

What is Enhanced Due Diligence?

Enhanced Due Diligence is a more extensive and thorough investigation conducted on customers or transactions that are considered high-risk. It involves collecting additional information and performing enhanced verification procedures to gain a deeper understanding of the associated risks.

When is Enhanced Due Diligence Needed?

Enhanced Due Diligence is necessary in situations where there are elevated risks of money laundering, fraud, or other financial crimes. Some common scenarios that may trigger the need for EDD include:

• Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs): When dealing with individuals who hold prominent public positions or have connections to high-ranking government officials, there is an increased risk of corruption and money laundering.
• High-Risk Countries: Transactions involving individuals or entities from countries with a higher risk of money laundering or terrorist financing require enhanced scrutiny.
• Unusual Transaction Patterns: Transactions that deviate from the established patterns of a customer’s behavior or industry norms may indicate potential illicit activities.
• Adverse Media or Negative Reputation: If a customer or their business has been associated with negative news or has a reputation for engaging in illegal activities, EDD is necessary to mitigate risks.

The specific EDD procedures may vary depending on the industry, jurisdiction, and risk factors associated with the customer or transaction. However, some common practices include:

• In-depth Identity Verification: Conducting more stringent identity verification procedures, such as requesting additional identification documents or performing biometric checks.
• Source of Funds Verification: Verifying the origin of the customer’s funds to ensure they are not derived from illegal activities.
• Continuous Monitoring: Implementing ongoing monitoring processes to detect and report any suspicious activities or changes in the customer’s risk profile.

By applying EDD measures, businesses can gain a deeper understanding of their high-risk customers and transactions, effectively mitigating the potential risks associated with them.

CDD vs EDD: A Comprehensive Approach

It is important to note that CDD and EDD are not mutually exclusive. They work together to create a comprehensive approach to customer risk assessment and compliance. While CDD focuses on standard verification procedures for all customers, EDD provides an additional layer of scrutiny for high-risk individuals or transactions.

By implementing both CDD and EDD processes, businesses can ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, mitigate risks associated with money laundering and fraud, and protect their reputation. It is crucial for organizations to develop tailored risk-based approaches that align with their specific industry, jurisdiction, and customer profiles.

Conclusion

Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) are essential components of Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance measures. CDD involves verifying the identity and background of customers to assess their level of risk, while EDD provides enhanced scrutiny for high-risk individuals or transactions. By implementing robust CDD and EDD processes, businesses can mitigate the risk of engaging with customers involved in illicit activities, comply with regulatory requirements, and safeguard their operations and reputation.