Starting April 23, 2025, U.S. Money Services Businesses (MSBs) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) financial institutions have introduced a new mandatory requirement for all legal entities conducting international wire transfers: an active company website. This move comes as part of a broader effort to combat financial crime, particularly money laundering schemes that have exploited loopholes in corporate registration and international banking systems.
The Rise of “Shell” Companies and the Need for Stricter Controls
In recent years, regulators noticed a significant surge in the number of companies set up with the primary purpose of funneling illicit funds across borders. These companies often existed only on paper — without real business activities, operations, or employees. Their sole function was to open business bank accounts, make or receive international transfers, and obscure the true origin and ownership of funds.
Many of these shell companies were remarkably convincing at first glance, armed with official registration documents, tax numbers, and sometimes even virtual offices. However, when probed deeper, they lacked any legitimate signs of commercial activity — no real services, no products, and no verifiable business presence.
To counter this, financial institutions have started demanding tangible evidence of business operations. And one of the simplest, yet effective, forms of proof is an operational company website.
Why a Website?
An active website acts as a digital storefront — a verifiable sign that a company is offering services or products and engaging with customers. A properly maintained website can showcase:
- Information about the company’s services or products
- Team members and contact information
- Client testimonials or case studies
- Legal disclosures and terms of service
- Evidence of regular updates, news, or business activities
This online presence makes it considerably harder for bad actors to create a believable façade for non-existent businesses. If a company cannot even demonstrate a basic website, it raises immediate red flags about the legitimacy of its operations.
What Financial Institutions Are Now Asking For
As of April 23, businesses sending or receiving international transfers must provide:
- The company’s official website URL
- Verification that the website is active, meaning it must be accessible and display information consistent with the company’s registered activities.
- Consistency across documents — the information on the website (such as company name, address, and services) must match the details provided in corporate registration records and bank application forms.
Institutions may conduct random checks to ensure the site is operational and genuinely represents the business. Some banks and payment processors have even started using automated software to crawl company websites to validate activity.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
If a company cannot provide a legitimate website, it risks:
- Transfer delays — funds could be frozen while additional checks are performed.
- Transfer denials — banks can refuse to process transactions without sufficient proof of business activity.
- Account closure — repeated failure to meet compliance standards could result in account termination and potential inclusion in “high-risk” client lists.
Implications for Legitimate Businesses
While this new requirement is largely aimed at combating financial crime, it also places an additional burden on small businesses and startups that may not yet have invested in a professional online presence.
For legitimate companies, especially those operating internationally, having a website is no longer just a marketing tool — it has become a vital compliance necessity.
Companies are encouraged to not only set up a website but to maintain it with up-to-date, relevant content that accurately reflects their activities. Having no website or a poorly maintained one could now jeopardize their ability to move money across borders.
This latest compliance requirement reflects a growing trend: financial institutions are under increasing pressure from regulators to verify the authenticity of their business clients. A company’s digital footprint — starting with its website — is now a key factor in establishing trust.
For businesses that have not yet prioritized their online presence, the message is clear: Build a credible website or risk being cut off from the global financial system.
