Can a bank close my account without evidence?

07.12.2025 18:05 • Question

I read that a bank has the right to terminate relations with a client and close an account if it considers the risk unacceptably high due to suspicious financial transactions or inconsistency of fund sources. But what if I am sure that all my operations are legal and transparent, and the bank does not provide me with any specific evidence or explanations – can I, as a client, somehow influence the bank's decision or appeal it so that my account is not closed unilaterally?

1 Answers

Lorina Fedan

Answer provided 08.12.2025 16:05

Banks may lawfully unilaterally terminate a banking services agreement and close a client's accounts. 1. Violation of the requirements of the Law on Financial Monitoring. The bank may terminate relations if the client: refused to undergo identification or verification; failed to provide documents to establish the economic substance of operations; provided knowingly false or forged documents; failed to confirm the source of funds; conducts operations that show signs of fictitiousness or are related to money laundering. 2. Suspicious financial operations. The volume, nature, or frequency of operations does not correspond to the activity profile; there are signs of capital withdrawal schemes or conversion of non-cash funds into cash; operations with persons from "risky" jurisdictions have been identified; attempts to finance terrorism or other illegal actions have been noted (and the bank may interpret the concept of "other illegal actions" at its own discretion). 3. The client or their counterparties falling under sanctions. If the bank's client: has been included in the sanction lists of Ukraine, the European Union, or the USA; is associated with aggressor states (including Russia and Belarus); is recognized as a participant in terrorist or extremist organizations. 4. The bank's decision regarding its own commercial policy. According to Article 1060 of the Civil Code of Ukraine, a bank account agreement is public, but the bank may refuse it if: it is stipulated by the agreement (and any comprehensive banking services agreement initially provides for the possibility of its unilateral termination by the bank); the client's activities violate the bank's policy or reputational principles; the client abuses their rights; the service has become economically inexpedient for the bank. 5. Violation of the terms of the agreement. If the client: systematically violates the terms of service; uses the account for purposes other than intended; does not respond to official bank requests — the bank has the right to unilaterally terminate the agreement.

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