KYB ("Know Your Business") is the regulated process of verifying a corporate counterparty before transacting with it. Confirms legal existence, beneficial ownership, sanctions exposure, and adverse media. Required across EU and UK financial services under AMLD5/6 and the UK Money Laundering Regulations.

How is KYB different from KYC?

KYC verifies an individual; KYB verifies a company. KYB always implies KYC of the ultimate beneficial owners and key officers behind the company, but it adds entity-specific checks (registry existence, group structure, shareholder graph, sector licensing).

Is KYB legally required?

In the EU under the 5th and 6th AML directives, yes — for any obliged entity (banks, payment institutions, EMIs, crypto-asset service providers, accountants, lawyers, real-estate agents). In the UK under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 (as amended). In the US under the Customer Due Diligence rule (31 CFR 1010.230).

How much does KYB cost to implement?

It depends on the model you choose. Full-service KYB/identity platforms typically price per check and do not publish rate cards, so the figure comes from a sales conversation. API-led data providers usually sell an annual contract, also on quote. With Prometiam the registry and sanctions legs are published and flat — €9.99–€29.99/month — with a free tier of 1,000 calls/month. In either model the compliance-officer time and process design are usually the dominant cost.

How long does a KYB check take?

API-driven verification (registry + sanctions) returns in under a second. The full process — including UBO collection, document review, and approval — typically takes 24–72 hours for a straightforward EU SME and longer for offshore-structured groups.

¿Qué es el KYB (Know Your Business)?

KYB — Know Your Business — es el proceso de verificar que una empresa existe legalmente, está registrada y no está controlada por partes sancionadas o de alto riesgo antes de operar con ella. Es el equivalente, a nivel de empresa, del KYC (Know Your Customer, que verifica a personas físicas), y una obligación legal para los sujetos obligados bajo la normativa de prevención del blanqueo de capitales.

KYB frente a KYC

El KYC verifica a una persona física (documento de identidad, prueba de vida, cribado PEP/sanciones). El KYB verifica a una entidad jurídica: su inscripción registral, forma jurídica, domicilio social, administradores y apoderados, titulares reales (UBO) y exposición a sanciones — y luego cribea a las personas que hay detrás.

Los 5 pasos de verificación KYB

Confirmar que la empresa existe y está activa en un registro oficial (BORME, Companies House, BODACC/Sirene, CRO, KRS).
Verificar razón social, número de registro, forma jurídica y domicilio social.
Identificar administradores, apoderados y titulares reales (UBO / registro PSC del Reino Unido).
Cribar a la empresa y a las personas que la controlan contra listas de sanciones y control de exportaciones.
Monitorizar de forma continua los cambios: disolución, concurso, nuevas sanciones, cambios de titularidad.

El KYB en la normativa europea

En España la obligación parte de la Ley 10/2010 de prevención del blanqueo de capitales y de la financiación del terrorismo, que designa a los sujetos obligados (entidades financieras, notarios, asesores, agentes inmobiliarios) y supervisa el SEPBLAC. A partir del 10 de julio de 2027, el Reglamento europeo de prevención del blanqueo (AMLR) unifica en un solo reglamento la verificación de titularidad real, el cribado de sanciones y PEP y la monitorización continua, bajo la supervisión de la autoridad AMLA en Fráncfort.

Cómo ayuda Prometiam

Prometiam es la capa de datos y cribado UE + Reino Unido para KYB: verificación en el registro oficial de España, Francia, Reino Unido, Irlanda, Polonia y Noruega, titularidad real del Reino Unido (registro PSC) y cribado de sanciones y control de exportaciones de EE. UU. (44.000+ entidades) — una sola API REST, una sola clave, precios transparentes, plan gratuito. No ofrece verificación de identidad de personas físicas ni datos de prensa adversa; el cribado PEP está en beta y limitado a España (sin familiares ni allegados).

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Frequently asked questions

What is KYB?: KYB ("Know Your Business") is the regulated process of verifying a corporate counterparty before transacting with it. Confirms legal existence, beneficial ownership, sanctions exposure, and adverse media. Required across EU and UK financial services under AMLD5/6 and the UK Money Laundering Regulations.
How is KYB different from KYC?: KYC verifies an individual; KYB verifies a company. KYB always implies KYC of the ultimate beneficial owners and key officers behind the company, but it adds entity-specific checks (registry existence, group structure, shareholder graph, sector licensing).
Is KYB legally required?: In the EU under the 5th and 6th AML directives, yes — for any obliged entity (banks, payment institutions, EMIs, crypto-asset service providers, accountants, lawyers, real-estate agents). In the UK under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 (as amended). In the US under the Customer Due Diligence rule (31 CFR 1010.230).
How much does KYB cost to implement?: It depends on the model you choose. Full-service KYB/identity platforms typically price per check and do not publish rate cards, so the figure comes from a sales conversation. API-led data providers usually sell an annual contract, also on quote. With Prometiam the registry and sanctions legs are published and flat — €9.99–€29.99/month — with a free tier of 1,000 calls/month. In either model the compliance-officer time and process design are usually the dominant cost.
How long does a KYB check take?: API-driven verification (registry + sanctions) returns in under a second. The full process — including UBO collection, document review, and approval — typically takes 24–72 hours for a straightforward EU SME and longer for offshore-structured groups.