QUESTIONS & ANSWERS - General Information about the MSB Registrant Search Web page

PDF Download : MSBRegistrationWebSiteFAQ.pdf

How quickly will registrant information appear on the MSB Registrant Search Web page?

FinCEN will update the MSB Registrant Search Web page weekly. MSBs will be added to the Web page within approximately two weeks of electronically filing their Registration of Money Services Businesses (RMSB) (Form 107). In contrast, a paper version of the RMSB Form 107 will require approximately 60 days for processing and posting to the MSB Registrant Search Web page. MSBs are strongly encouraged to use FinCEN's BSA E-Filing System to file their registration.

FinCEN will not provide registration confirmation via the Regulatory Helpline or the E-Filing Help Desk.

Why are two (2) dates being provided on the Web page?

The authorized signature date field corresponds to the date provided in Part VII, Authorized Signature on the RMSB form. If the registrant failed to complete this field, then the field may be blank on the MSB Registrant Search Web page. The received date field corresponds to the date that the RMSB form was received via the BSA E-Filing System or when a paper form was received by the IRS Enterprise Computing Center-Detroit (ECC-D).

Entities must renew their registration every two years, and, once a year, FinCEN will delete from the MSB Registrant Search Web page any entities that did not renew their MSB registration by their renewal deadline. Entities that continue to engage in activities which would require them to be registered with FinCEN, but have been deleted from the MSB Registrant Search Web page for non-renewal, should renew their registration immediately. MSBs are strongly encouraged to use FinCEN's BSA E-Filing System to renew their registration.

Can I conduct a search for all foreign-located entities?

Yes. In the Foreign Location search field in the MSB Registrant Search Web page, select "All Foreign" from the drop-down menu. This will produce a list of all entities with a foreign address.

Can I search for MSBs by prepaid access services offered?

Yes. Two additional options to search by MSB activity have been added in the MSB Activities drop-down menu in the MSB Registrant Search Web page. "Provider of prepaid access" and/or "seller of prepaid access" may now be selected from the MSB Activities drop-down menu and will produce a list of all MSBs where the registrant has indicated that they engage in such business.

Why might a United States based entity (with a U.S. address) have box "d" (Part IV, Money Services and Product Information) checked?

If a United States based entity conducts business in any foreign country, a registrant may select box "d" to indicate such activity. For example, a United States based money transmitter that transmits funds to a foreign country might have box "d" checked.