To ensure compliance with all applicable financial regulations, CSG Forte adheres to FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) requirements, including:
Customer Due Diligence (CDD)
Know Your Business (KYB)
Know Your Customer (KYC)
As part of the underwriting and onboarding process for new merchants, CSG Forte may request additional information or documentation. These requests help verify business legitimacy, assess financial stability, and ensure the safety of the payments ecosystem.
When Are Documents Requested?
Document requests may be triggered by:
Automated identity or business verification tools failing to validate key merchant information
Discrepancies or inconsistencies in the submitted application
High processing volumes or large transactions
The need to confirm legitimacy of initial processing activity once a merchant account is active
These checks support risk assessment, ensure regulatory compliance, and allow CSG Forte to onboard only qualified and sustainable merchants.
Possible Documentation Requests
While the exact documentation required may vary based on the merchant's business model, processing volume, or risk profile, CSG Forte may request one or more of the following documents:
Identity & Address Verification
Government-issued Identification (Driver’s License, Passport)
✅ Required for all Canadian applications
Copy of Social Security Card
Utility Bill or Lease Agreement – Must reflect the business’s physical address
Phone Bill for the Merchant Location
Business Verification & Legitimacy
Marketing Materials – Including brochures, sales decks, or web pages
Business Formation Documents – Examples:
Articles of Incorporation
Certificate of Formation
Corporate Bylaws or Declaration
Partnership Deed
Valid Secretary of State Filing – To confirm business registration status
Non-Profit Entity Registration – Where applicable
Validation of Not-for-Profit or Tax-Exempt Status
Banking & Tax Information
Bank Verification Documents:
Recent bank statements
Bank verification form
Bank letter
Voided check (to validate routing and account numbers)
W-9 Form – For U.S.-based tax reporting
Tax Returns – Especially required if audited financial statements are unavailable
Financial and Processing Records
Financial Statements – Depending on merchant volume (see below)
Merchant Processing Statements – From current or previous processors, if applicable
Service & Authorization Documentation
Consumer Service Contracts or Agreements – Showing terms of service with customers
Proof of Authorization (POA) Forms – To verify consumer consent for recurring or high-value payments
Additional Requirements for High-Volume Merchants
For merchants with:
Individual transaction amounts ≥ $250,000, or
Monthly processing volumes ≥ $2 million
The following financial documentation is required:
Audited Financial Statements for the two most recent fiscal years
Must include:
Income Statement (Profit & Loss)
Balance Sheet
Statement of Cash Flows
Notes to the financials (if available)
Two most recent months of bank statements for the account associated with the application
If audited financials are not available, merchants must submit:
Unaudited Financial Statements (same fiscal period), AND
Tax Returns for the corresponding fiscal years
If no financial statements are prepared, merchants can be evaluated based on:
Tax returns for the two most recent tax periods, AND
Two most recent months of bank statements