What is FINTRAC?

The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) is Canada's financial intelligence unit and anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing supervisor. Its mandate is to facilitate the detection, prevention, and deterrence of money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities while ensuring the protection of personal information under its control.

For FINTRAC to achieve its mandate, regulated entities must implement the legislated requirements and set out specific measures in their compliance programs, including verifying the identity of clients, keeping records, and submitting reports to FINTRAC.

What is the new requirement?

FINTRAC requires merchants to provide the name and address of the beneficiary for each electronic funds transfer (EFT) that they submit for processing of $1,000 or more.

While the regulation requires this information for transactions of $1,000 or more, we highly recommend that you send it for all EFT transactions.

Who is this requirement applicable to?

This requirement is applicable to all FINTRAC registered entities (banks, acquirers, processors, merchants) that process EFT transactions.

Any merchant that is processing EFT transactions of more than $1,000 to a beneficiary - individuals or vendors.

For example: 

•  Payroll
•  Expense reimbursement
•  Invoice payment to a vendor

When do I need to be complaint?

All merchants were required to be compliant and submitting beneficiary information as of December 28, 2023. 

How long will data be retained for?

FINTRAC requires that the data be retained for a minimum of 5 years.

What if we don’t comply?

FINTRAC’s mandate is to facilitate the detection, prevention and deterrence of money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities, while ensuring the protection of personal information under its control.

Failure to comply with FINTRAC’s regulations may result in delayed or rejected EFTs, or suspension of your merchant account. 

How can I provide this information?

There are two ways for you to supply this information for your EFTs.

Option #1: You can submit beneficiary information with your batch uploads using the instructions and template provided here.

Option #2: Through our API: If you upload your batches through a separate software platform, you will need to check with your software provider that they are sending address information with your batch uploads