Identity, ownership and compliance checks explained

Verification & Compliance Support

Verify the person or business behind an application, relationship or transaction. This service helps organisations understand identity, ownership, legitimacy, sanctions exposure and reputation before they proceed.

What we can check

What this service may cover.

The review is tailored to your risk setting and record-keeping needs. It may include:

Identity and business verification

Verify a person or business using public records, specialist data and relevant official sources.

Ownership and control

Identify the people who ultimately own or control a company, trust or other business structure.

Sanctions and public-role screening

Check official sanctions lists and politically exposed person indicators.

Company and director context

Review registration, directorships, financial health, insolvency, litigation and other available records.

Reputation and adverse media

Review relevant news, regulatory actions, public sources and other information that may affect trust or risk.

Monitoring and clear reporting

Provide a concise risk summary, source references and optional updates for agreed changes.

Who it is for

When better information changes the decision.

We support organisations, advisers and private clients managing important relationships, transactions or commitments.

  • Financial institutions and technology finance businesses that need checks for clients, accounts or suppliers.
  • Professional services and corporate advisers reviewing clients, counterparties or acquisition targets.
  • Legal and compliance teams assessing ownership, sanctions, reputation or complex business structures.
  • Investors and private clients wanting to understand the people and risks behind an investment.

International reach

Global records. Clear local context.

Compliance and ownership questions often cross borders. We can review relevant company records, property information, official sanctions lists and media in 200 countries and 150+ languages, where available.

What to expect: International sources vary by country, language and record type. We explain what can be checked before work begins and identify limits in the final report.

What you receive

  • A verification report covering identity, ownership, business legitimacy, sanctions and reputation indicators.
  • A plain-English risk summary and practical questions to resolve.
  • Source records and notes that can support internal reviews or audit files.
  • A summary of limitations, unavailable records or information that needs further confirmation.
  • Optional monitoring for sanctions, ownership, adverse media or other agreed changes.
Request a tailored proposal

Questions answered

Clear answers before you decide.

Clear answers to common questions about this service.

What do KYC and KYB mean?

Know Your Customer, or KYC, is a process for checking a customer. Know Your Business, or KYB, is the equivalent process for checking a business.

What do AML and CTF mean?

Anti-money laundering, or AML, and counter-terrorism financing, or CTF, refer to rules designed to manage financial-crime risk.

Does this replace our own compliance program?

No. The service provides research and verification support. Clients remain responsible for their own policies, reporting and decisions.

Related services

Some matters need more than one service. For matters that span multiple services, we will tailor them into one focused approach.

Confidential enquiries

Start with the decision that needs support.

Contact The Ninth Lens