New Amendments Introduced for Banks’ Remote Identification Methods

The Regulation Amending the Regulation on Remote Identification Methods to be Used by Banks and Establishment of Contractual Relations in Electronic Environment (Regulation) is published in the Official Gazette dated 25.05.2023 and numbered 32201. The Regulation will enter into force on 01.06.2023. The amendments are summarized below:

• For the remote identification of disabled customers, banks will consider the general principles and procedures regarding the availability of banking services as outlined in the Regulation on Accessibility of Banking Services.
• The disabled customers can get third-party’s support during video calls if needed. In this case, the customer representative will create photographs and/or screenshots showing the third person who will provide the support as well as images of the relevant identity card.
• For the remote identification of legal entities, their real person representatives are remotely identified and the representatives’ authority to represent the legal entity is verified.
• The representation authority of the person is verified by comparing the information provided by the relevant person with the current information obtained from MERSIS and/or Trade Registry Gazette. If deemed necessary, the customer representative may take a copy of the signature circular of the person.
• If the person is already a customer of the same bank and the identity of the person is determined by logging in to any of the internet banking or mobile banking distribution channels, the obligation to verify the identity information stored in the identity card chip using near field communication (NFC) is deemed to be fulfilled.
• The Regulation also defines the real beneficiary and stipulates that necessary measures shall be taken to reveal the real beneficiary during the identification process of the legal entity.