JAIIB PPB Module A Chapter 2 (Part 2): KYC, AML, FATF & Account Types Made
If you are preparing for JAIIB 2026. Then JAIIB PPB Module A Chapter 2 is one section you simply cannot afford to skim. This is the part of Principles &.
Practices of Banking where compliance topics like KYC. AML, FATF, UNSC sanctions and correspondent banking come together. Examiners love this chapter.
So do real-world bankers. Because these rules decide whether an account is opened, frozen, or reported.
This guide rewrites and expands the full Part 2 of the chapter for 2026. We keep every factual point from the live class. Add the missing structure.
Tables, and FAQs a senior editor would expect. By the end. You will understand the why behind each rule, not just the definition.
Key Takeaways (read this first)
- KYC is the foundation. AML and CFT are built on top of it.
- Banks must screen customers against UNSC sanctions lists. UAPA notifications before opening accounts.
- FATF sets global anti-money-laundering standards and flags high-risk jurisdictions.
- A Risk-Based Approach (RBA) decides how much due diligence each customer needs.
- Special accounts — joint, minor, illiterate, blind — have their own operating rules.
Why JAIIB PPB Module A Chapter 2 Matters So Much
Banking is a trust business. Every rupee that moves through a bank must be traceable and clean. That is the whole point of compliance.
This chapter teaches you how banks know their customer. Spot dirty money, and stay on the right side of the law. For the exam.
Expect direct questions on definitions. Scenario-based questions on what a bank should do. For your career.
This is the rulebook you will actually use at the branch.
Master it once. And you build a base that helps in later subjects too. Including Accounting & Financial Management and the legal modules.
KYC: Know Your Customer Explained
Know Your Customer (KYC) is the process banks use to verify the identity. Address of every customer. It stops fake accounts, fraud, and the misuse of the banking system.
KYC rests on four pillars that you should remember for the exam:
- Customer Acceptance Policy (CAP) — rules on who can and cannot be onboarded.
- Customer Identification Procedure (CIP) — verifying identity using Officially Valid Documents (OVDs).
- Customer Due Diligence (CDD) — understanding the customer and the nature of activity.
- Ongoing Monitoring — watching transactions through the life of the account.
For exact OVD lists and periodic-updation timelines. Always confirm on the latest official IIBF notification and RBI Master Direction. Since these are revised from time to time.
What Counts as an Officially Valid Document?
Common OVDs include the passport. Driving licence. Aadhaar (with consent).
Voter ID, and a job card issued under NREGA, among others. The bank uses these to satisfy itself about identity and address. Keep this concept clear; the exact accepted list can change.
AML and CFT: Stopping Dirty Money
Anti-Money Laundering (AML). Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) are the goals KYC serves. Money laundering hides the illegal origin of funds. Terror financing channels money toward unlawful activity.
In India. The backbone law is the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Banks are reporting entities under it. That means they must file specific reports with the Financial Intelligence Unit. India (FIU-IND).
The key reports to remember are:
- CTR — Cash Transaction Report, for large cash movements.
- STR — Suspicious Transaction Report, for anything that looks odd.
- CCR — Counterfeit Currency Report.
- NTR — Non-Profit Organisation Transaction Report.
For the exact monetary thresholds and filing deadlines. Confirm on the latest official IIBF notification. The framework matters more than memorising figures that can be updated.
International Banking Compliance: UNSC Sanctions and Restricted Accounts
Banking does not stop at borders, and neither does crime. So banks must respect global sanctions.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) maintains sanctions lists. Banks cannot open or operate accounts for entities or individuals listed under regimes such as ISIL (Daesh). Al-Qaeda, and the Taliban.
In India. Names notified under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Circulated to banks must be screened at onboarding. If a customer matches a listed name. Account opening is restricted and the matter is escalated as required.
Exam tip: Sanctions screening is not optional and not risk-based. It is a hard stop. A listed entity cannot be onboarded. Regardless of how attractive the business looks.
FATF and High-Risk Jurisdictions
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is the global standard-setter for AML. CFT. It issues 40 Recommendations that countries are expected to follow.
FATF also publishes lists of countries with weak controls. You will hear two phrases:
- Grey list — jurisdictions under increased monitoring.
- Black list — high-risk jurisdictions calling for counter-measures.
FATF reviews these lists periodically through the year. When money comes from a high-risk country. The bank applies Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD). A classic exam example is a transaction routed from a flagged jurisdiction. Which triggers extra scrutiny before it clears.
The Risk-Based Approach (RBA) in Banking
Banks cannot treat every customer the same way. That would waste effort and miss real threats. So they use a Risk-Based Approach (RBA).
Under RBA. Each customer is placed in a risk category. And the level of due diligence matches that risk.
| Risk Level | Typical Customer Example | Due Diligence Applied |
|---|---|---|
| Low | Salaried individual, small savings account | Simplified / standard CDD |
| Medium | Self-employed, mid-size business | Standard CDD with periodic review |
| High | PEPs, cash-intensive or cross-border clients | Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) |
Note: a Politically Exposed Person (PEP) is generally treated as higher risk. Of the potential for misuse of position.
Correspondent Banking Risks
Correspondent banking is when one bank provides services to another bank. Often across countries. It lets a domestic bank serve customers globally without a branch everywhere.
The catch is risk. The correspondent bank may not directly know the underlying customers. This creates a gap that money launderers try to exploit. Especially through nested relationships and shell banks.
To control this, banks:
- Perform due diligence on the respondent bank.
- Avoid relationships with shell banks that have no physical presence.
- Understand the respondent's AML controls before transacting.
Transaction Monitoring and Red Flags
KYC at onboarding is only the start. Banks must monitor transactions continuously to catch suspicious activity early.
Watch for these common red flags in the exam. On the job:
- Cash deposits split into small amounts to dodge thresholds. Known as structuring or smurfing.
- Activity that does not match the customer's stated profile or income.
- Sudden, large inflows followed by quick outflows.
- Frequent transfers to or from high-risk jurisdictions.
- Reluctance to provide identity or source-of-funds details.
When a red flag appears. The bank investigates and, if warranted, files an STR with FIU-IND. Importantly. The account holder is not tipped off that a report has been filed.
Fraud Prevention and Modern Detection
Financial crime keeps evolving, so detection must keep pace. Banks now combine human judgement with technology.
Artificial intelligence (AI). Machine learning (ML) help by scanning huge transaction volumes for patterns a human might miss. They score transactions, reduce false alerts, and flag genuine anomalies for review.
Other practical safeguards include strong authentication. Staff training, whistle-blower channels, and regular audits. Together they form a layered defence against fraud and laundering.
Special Types of Accounts You Must Know
Part 2 of this chapter also covers how banks open. Operate special accounts. These rules are favourites for one-mark questions.
| Account Type | Key Operating Rule |
|---|---|
| Joint account | Operated per mandate: either-or-survivor, jointly, or former-or-survivor. |
| Minor's account | Opened by a guardian. A minor of sufficient age may operate within limits set by the bank. |
| Illiterate person | Thumb impression and photograph taken. Withdrawals usually require the person to attend with verification. |
| Blind / visually impaired | Cannot be denied accounts or services. Banks provide all facilities with proper safeguards. |
For exact age limits and operating thresholds. Confirm on the latest official IIBF notification and bank policy. As these can differ.
How to Study This Chapter the Smart Way
This chapter is concept-heavy. A clear plan beats blind reading. Follow this simple routine.
- Build the skeleton first. Learn the four KYC pillars and the report types before details.
- Link rules to reasons. Ask why each rule exists; meaning sticks better than rote.
- Use scenarios. Practise "what should the bank do?" questions, not just definitions.
- Make a one-page sheet. KYC, AML reports, FATF lists, RBA, account types — all on one page.
- Test under time. Attempt mock tests regularly and review every wrong answer.
Pair this routine with our free guides to reinforce weak spots between study sessions.
Common Mistakes JAIIB Aspirants Make
Avoid these traps that cost easy marks:
- Confusing KYC with AML. KYC is the process; AML is the objective.
- Treating sanctions as risk-based. Sanctions are a hard stop, not a judgement call.
- Memorising old figures. Thresholds and timelines change; learn the framework and verify numbers.
- Ignoring account-type rules. Minor, illiterate, and blind accounts return often in exams.
- Skipping red flags. Scenario questions reward those who recognise structuring and profile mismatch.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between KYC and AML in JAIIB PPB Module A Chapter 2?
KYC is the identity-verification and due-diligence process for customers. AML is the broader objective of stopping money laundering. KYC is one of the main tools that helps a bank achieve AML. CFT goals.
What does FATF do and why does it matter for banks?
FATF sets global anti-money-laundering and counter-terror-financing standards through its recommendations. It also lists high-risk jurisdictions. Banks apply enhanced due diligence to transactions linked to those flagged countries.
Can a bank open an account for someone on a UNSC sanctions list?
No. Banks must screen customers against UNSC and UAPA-notified lists. If a customer matches. Account opening is restricted. The case is escalated as per the prescribed procedure.
What is a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR)?
An STR is a report a bank files with FIU-IND when a transaction appears unusual or potentially linked to crime. The customer is not informed that an STR has been filed.
Are the figures in this chapter fixed for the exam?
Frameworks are stable, but specific thresholds, timelines, and document lists can change. Always confirm the latest numbers on the official IIBF notification. The current RBI Master Direction.
Conclusion: Turn Compliance Into Confidence
Compliance can feel dry at first. But once you see it as a connected system — KYC feeds AML. AML follows FATF.
RBA decides effort. And monitoring catches the rest. It becomes one of the easiest scoring areas in JAIIB PPB Module A Chapter 2.
Learn the structure, understand the reasons, and practise scenario questions. Do that. And this chapter will lift your score. Sharpen your skills as a future banker.
You have got this. Revise smart, stay consistent, and walk into JAIIB 2026 with confidence.
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