What is the typical retention period under the Bank Secrecy Act for financial records?

The Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) establishes a framework for the retention of financial records, which is crucial for compliance and for meeting the requirements of regulatory agencies. The typical retention period for financial records under the BSA is indeed 5 years. This duration aligns with the time frame during which financial institutions must be prepared to provide records for audits and investigations, especially concerning suspicious activity reports (SARs) and currency transaction reports (CTRs).

Records such as transaction logs and internal reviews must be kept for this designated period to assist with any potential inquiries from law enforcement or regulatory agencies. Maintaining these records for 5 years ensures that institutions can effectively respond to investigations and comply with reporting obligations, fostering transparency and accountability within the financial system. This retention period is designed to balance regulatory requirements with the operational needs of financial institutions.