Suspicious Activity Reports (SAR)
As of April 1, 2013, financial institutions must use the Bank Secrecy Act BSA E-Filing System in order to submit Suspicious Activity Reports.
A financial institution is required to file a suspicious activity report no later than 30 calendar days after the date of initial detection of facts that may constitute a basis for filing a suspicious activity report. If no suspect was identified on the date of detection of the incident requiring the filing, a financial institution may delay filing a suspicious activity report for an additional 30 calendar days to identify a suspect. In no case shall reporting be delayed more than 60 calendar days after the date of initial detection of a reportable transaction.
Under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), financial institutions are required to assist U.S. government agencies in detecting and preventing money laundering, and:
Keep records of cash purchases of negotiable instruments;
File reports of cash transactions exceeding $10,000 (daily aggregate amount); and
Report suspicious activity that might signal criminal activity (e.g., money laundering, tax evasion).
An amendment to the BSA incorporates provisions of the USA Patriot Act , which requires every bank to adopt a customer identification program as part of its BSA compliance program.
Learn More
Visit the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) .
Read the OCC's implementing regulations at 12 CFR 21.11 and 12 CFR 21.21 .
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Complete Suspicious Activities Report (SAR)
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