Alternate Forms of ID

Question: We're a new bank that just opened in a community with a large Amish population. Many of these people want to open accounts, but have no driver's licenses or social security cards. What can we use for good identification?

Answer: Your CIP should spell out what you will require for primary and secondary identification. For starters, you probably need to purchase a list of "congregations" from one of your local Amish businesses. These lists (our contact says they're about $30) are updated frequently, and will have in them the names and addresses of your local community members. These members will vouch for each other. And though these folks don't have U.S. Government issued identification, you'll find they still receive mail through the U.S. Post Office. Primary would be the list and personal verification. Secondary would be mail to them at their home address.

Copyright © 2005 Bankers' Hotline. Originally appeared in Bankers' Hotline, Vol. 15, No. 2, 4/05