Knowing our customers makes us a reliable partner
We have a legal obligation to identify our customers. We handle the information we receive with strict confidentiality.
Knowing and identifying the customer – why are we asking?
As a financial institution Mandatum Life has a legal obligation to identify and know its customers. In addition to up-to-date personal information we need to know the customer’s financial position and the origin of their assets. Insurance companies must also have sufficient information on their customers’ operations, financially and politically influential positions, what services they use and for what purpose. In addition, Mandatum Life needs to know to which country the customer is paying taxes.
These obligations are based on legislation intended to, among other things, prevent money laundering, the terrorism financing and financial crimes. By identifying and knowing our customers, we can be a reliable partner to our customers.
We ask our customers for information at the beginning of the customer relationship and regularly throughout it. All of the information provided will be kept confidential according to the insurance secret. Read more about how customer information is handled at Mandatum Life here.
Customer information letter – what’s it about?
- Why: We are updating obligatory customer information. To collect that information we will be sending letters during November and December.
- How: The easiest way to submit your information is by logging in to our Web Service using your Finnish banking codes at the address www.mandatumlife.fi. Alternatively, you can print up and fill in a form that can be found here » and send it to the return address stated on the form. In this case, be sure to also attach a copy of a document proving your identity, such as a passport, driving license or identification card. If you received a form with the letter please follow the instructions in the letter.
- When: We ask you to provide your information during November and December. The exact date can be found in the letter sent to you.
Why are you asking for my personal information such as my place of birth or nationality?
Insurance companies are always obligated to know their customers. We ask many kinds of questions in order to be able to serve you better, but by practicing customer due diligence, we are also fulfilling our legal obligations. We are obligated to ask, for example, the customer’s name, place of birth, national identity number, address and other contact details.
What significance does political influence have?
Mandatum Life is also under obligation to determine whether its customer is a politically exposed person. Finland’s anti-money laundering legislation will be amended in June 2017. Following the amendment, persons in significant positions in Finland will also be considered politically exposed. A person is considered a politically exposed person if he/she is:
- a head of state, minister, member of parliament or member of a governing body of a political party
- a member of the highest court, constitutional court, court of auditors, other similar legal body or the highest decision-making body in charge of controlling public finances
- an officer who is at least a general in the military
- a member of the administrative, executive or supervisory body of a company that is wholly owned by the state or member of the executive board of a central bank
- head or board member of an international entity
- an ambassador or chargé d’affaires
The person is politically exposed if he/she holds or has held a significant public position within one year. Such a person’s inner circle (e.g. spouse, children, parents, business partners) are also considered politically exposed. This does not, however, mean that we ask for our customers’ political opinions.
Why do I need to provide a copy of my driving licence or passport?
We confirm the customer’s identity more and more often during the customer relationship in various service situations. This allows us to ensure that the information provided by the customer is handled appropriately and securely, without it falling into the hands of third parties.
The customer’s identity is confirmed using an official identity document.
The customer’s identity is confirmed through an official identity card. We accept the following identity documents:
- Passport
- Identification card granted by the Finnish Police
- Driving licence granted after 1 October 1990
The identification card must be intact and in force.
You can also take care of matters securely by logging in to our Web Service using your Finnish banking codes at the address www.mandatumlife.fi. The Web Service enables you to send messages to us on the “Messages” page or update your details on the “My account” page. If your information needs to be updated, a short customer information form will open up when you log in. You can continue onto our Web Service once you fill in the form.
I received a letter concerning customer information and taxation (FATCA and CRS), what do I need to do?
If you received a letter from Mandatum Life or Kaleva concerning customer information and your country of taxation, please fill in the attached form (or alternatively one of the forms below) and return it to us. You can also provide the information by logging in to our Web Service with your banking codes and filling in the customer information form that opens up.
If we do not receive the requested information or if we cannot rule out your tax obligation abroad based on other information, we are obligated to report on this to the Finnish Tax Administration.
Client |
IRS form |
IRS’s instructions |
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Persons who are not US taxpayers |
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Organisations which are not US taxpayers |
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Persons and Institutions that are taxpayers in the US |
Why do I need to give my country of taxation (FATCA and CRS)?
It is Mandatum Life’s obligation to determine the customer’s tax domicile. This obligation is based on the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and the OECD’s Common Reporting Standard (CRS). The objective of FATCA is to prevent the tax evasion of persons who are liable to pay tax in the United States. The objective of CRS is to implement the automatic exchange of tax information worldwide.
FATCA – tax obligation in the United States
Finland and the United States have agreed on an exchange of information related to United States FATCA legislation. According to the agreement, financial institutions such as banks, mutual fund companies, investment service companies and life insurance companies must identify their US customers and report on their US customers’ investments to the United States’ Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The reporting takes place through the Finnish Tax Administration. FATCA was included in Finland’s legislation in 2015.
US persons mean, among other things, persons living in the US, US citizens (also those with dual citizenship), persons with a permanent residence permit and companies registered in the United States. In addition a US person may be a company that is owned by a US person.
Common Reporting Standard (CRS) and DAC II
The Common Reporting Standard (CRS) is an exchange of information model developed by the OECD, stemming from the need to create an international exchange of information standard based on FATCA, and related instructions. In October 2014, Finland signed an agreement concerning the exchange of information according to CRS, together with 50 other states. Altogether some 100 countries are committed to initiating CRS information exchange.
DAC II is a European Union directive through which the exchange of information according to CRS is implemented between EU member states.
Where can I find more information?
If you have any questions concerning FATCA, read the Q&A or contact Mandatum Life’s customer services p. 0200 31100.
Mandatum Life cannot provide tax advice relating to FATCA and CRS. If you have any questions concerning taxation, please contact a tax advisor or look for information on the Tax Administration’s website at www.vero.fi (use FATCA or CRS as the search term) or on the IRS’s website at www.irs.gov.
What is FATCA?
Who are considered to be US persons?
What impact does FATCA have?
Is Mandatum Life the only financial sector institution that does this?
Another financial institution contacted me. Why is it asking for different documents than Mandatum Life?
What does Mandatum Life need to do to fulfil its obligations concerning FATCA?
Does FATCA take the place of other US tax laws?
What information does Mandatum Life report to tax authorities?
What impact does FATCA have on individual persons?
I am not a US person. How does this affect me?
What impact does FATCA have on companies and institutions?
What documents do I need to submit?
Will Mandatum Life supply all of the necessary forms?
What will Mandatum Life do if I do not supply the information required by FATCA?
Why do Mandatum Life’s forms contain non-FATCA-related questions, for example the origin of the assets?
What is the tax identification number and do I have to provide it?
I own a flat in the United States, am I thus liable to pay tax in the US?
Which form should I submit, Mandatum Life’s form or a W-form?
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