KYB Screening
KYB screening
Quick answer. KYB screening is the repeatable check: confirm the entity in the state file, screen names against sanctions lists, and read adverse media as news. Each result keeps its own label. A clear state status does not clear a sanctions question.
Official office
Office of Foreign Assets Control
Steps
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Pull the current state status
Do not reuse last year’s PDF without saying it is last year’s.
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Screen the legal name and owners
OFAC tool, threshold written in the file, identifiers compared.
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Read adverse media separately
Cite the article. Do not tag it “SDN.”
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Escalate ownership
If your policy includes the 50 percent rule, gather ownership facts. The state search will not compute them.
Three results, three labels
AML screening for a business often means this stack plus whatever your policy adds for PEPs. The state file answers “does this LLC exist.” OFAC answers “is this name on a list today.” Adverse media answers “what have credible outlets reported.” Mixing those sentences produces false comfort.
Refresh matters. A screening dated last year does not describe today’s SDN file or today’s status. Write the date next to each source. If the legal name changed, screen both strings.
Common mistakes
- One green badge for three questions.
- Calling news a sanctions list.
- Skipping owner names you already have.
- No review date.
Questions
What is KYB screening?
A repeatable review of entity records, sanctions, and any media or PEP checks your policy names.
Does a good standing certificate clear sanctions?
No. Good standing is a state status. Sanctions are a Treasury question.
What is business verification in screening?
The entity-record half: legal name, number, status, date. Screening adds the lists and the write-up.