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What does a client experience during a Source of Funds request?

Understand what your clients see and are asked to do when they receive a Source of Funds request from your firm.

Written by Ula Moyse-White
Updated over 2 weeks ago

Overview

When your firm sends a Source of Funds request, your client receives a secure link by email. This article explains what the client sees and is asked to do at each stage of the process, so you can set expectations before sending and understand why a client might contact you with questions.


What the client receives

Your client receives an email containing a secure, personalised link to complete the Source of Funds request. They do not need a Legl account or a login. The link takes them directly to their request.

The link is specific to their request and cannot be completed by anyone else.


Step 1: Source of Funds questionnaire

The client will answer a short questionnaire regarding their transaction and sources. They will be asked the following questions:

  • What describes the transaction you need to make? (Property purchase or other)

  • What is the total value of the transaction?

  • How do you intend to fund this transaction?


They will then be asked some follow up questions based on their answers. This is powered by AI and the client will only be asked relevant questions.


Step 2: Adding sources

The client will then need to add each source to the request form. When adding each source, they will need to answer some questions about the source and will have the opportunity to upload any evidence.

ℹ️ Further guidance

For full details on what is captured for each source, see this guide:

What information is captured in a Source of Funds request?


Step 3: Providing bank statement evidence

The client is asked to provide evidence of their bank account activity. They are shown two options:

  • Open banking: the client connects their bank account directly. This provides real-time, verified transaction data and is the richer option for your firm's review. Legl presents this option first.

  • Manual upload: the client uploads a PDF bank statement. If they cannot connect via open banking, or prefer not to, they can use this option instead.


Automated follow-up questions

If the client connects their bank via open banking and Legl detects unusual or high-risk transactions such as large cash deposits, non-GBP transactions, or cryptocurrency activity, the client will automatically receive follow-up questions asking them to explain those transactions.

These questions are sent by Legl on your firm's behalf within the process. The client does not need to contact your firm to answer them. They respond through the same secure link. Their responses are included in the Source of Funds review once submitted.

ℹ️ Important

Automated follow-up questions (SoF Signals) only apply where the client has connected via open banking. Clients who upload a PDF bank statement will not receive these follow-up questions automatically.


After the client submits

Once the client has completed all steps and submitted their request, they will see a confirmation message. They do not need to take any further action unless your firm contacts them directly to request additional information.

Your firm's Source of Funds review is generated automatically once the client submits. Where AI analysis of their bank statement is successful, the results will be included in the review.


Important information

  • The secure link is unique to each client and request. It cannot be transferred or reused.

  • Clients who use open banking may receive automatic follow-up questions for flagged transactions. They do not need to contact your firm to respond to these.

  • If a client uploads a document that is not a bank statement, AI analysis will not be possible. See What to do if a client's bank statement analysis fails.

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