--- title: FICA Q&A Guide for Property Practitioners description: How confident are you that you will pass a FIC inspection? Download our FICA Q&A Guide to test your knowledge. image: https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/hubfs/Artboard%201%20copy%207@2x-1.png --- [![Docfox is now nCino KYC](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/hubfs/nCino-KYC-Top-Web-Banner-HS.png)](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/ncino-kyc-africa-a-vision-to-reinvent-the-future-of-fica-compliance) [![Ncino KYC Africa](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/ncino-theme-2025/images/ci/ncino-logo-color-invert-RGB.png?width=140&name=ncino-logo-color-invert-RGB.png "Ncino KYC Africa")](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/) - [Solutions](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/) - [Client Onboarding](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/customer-onboarding/) - [Watchlist Screening](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/watchlist-screening/) - [Risk Rating](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/risk-rating/) - [Bank Account Verification](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/account-verification/) - [Compliance Services](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/compliance-services/) - 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In order to offer a more comprehensive understanding of these obligations, we have developed a FICA Q&A guide. ### Question: When do you need to start the FICA process? Should this happen when taking a Mandate or signing an Offer to Purchase (OTP)? ### Answer: The buyer should be FICA’d once the OTP is signed and/ or the agent is confident the transaction will go ahead. Onboarding can be initiated when the mandate or offer to purchase has been signed however FICA must be completed before the actual transaction is completed FICA the Buyer when signing an OTP and the Seller when entering into a mandate. [Download full Q&A here](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1gS1bK_FtQYeM8tKC-UH1iAetu2j) ### Question: We have several branches across the country. Are we required to appoint a money laundering reporting officer (MLRO) per branch? ### Answer: You can decide how to best set up the structure of your compliance reporting. You can have this centrally or distributed. Whichever you choose should be documented in your RMCP for clarity. Many businesses we see have a central MLCO and then regional MLROs who are closer to the local business - with the MLCO having full oversight of the MLRO’s. To set this up, the FIC can update your GoAML registration if you contact them on 012 641 6000. [Download full Q&A here](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1gS1bK_FtQYeM8tKC-UH1iAetu2j) ### Question: How can I check if a customer is a DPEP, FPEP or PIP? What methods can be used? ### Answer: nCino KYC has an integrated watchlist screening solution tool that screens your clients for you against DPEP, FPEP and PIP lists that nCino KYC has curated. The other methods outside of having a screening tool, would be manually searching websites and articles, which can be time consuming. [Download full Q&A here](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1gS1bK_FtQYeM8tKC-UH1iAetu2j) ### Question: Why do you need to FICA sellers when they are only listing a property? ### Answer: When a property is listed for sale there is an intention to sell and a mandate created, therefore the FIC recommends that the seller is FICA’d. There is an intention to complete a transaction and FICA allows for the initiation of a transaction however identity verification needs to be conducted before the transaction is completed. [Download full Q&A here](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1gS1bK_FtQYeM8tKC-UH1iAetu2j) ![Hawken McEwan](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/hubfs/Hawken.png) ### About the author: ### Hawken McEwan Hawken has over 25 years' experience in financial crime compliance, regulatory operations, banking operations, risk and change. Specialising in FICA and Anti-Money Laundering, Hawken is an FSCA approved Compliance Officer, FAIS Key Individual and an advisor to BankSETA around AML due diligence and transaction monitoring. He holds a Masters from the University of Edinburgh, a PGCE from the University of Sunderland and is a certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist. ## Related Articles - ### [RMCP Compliance: What Directive 10, 12 and GN 7B Require](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/rmcp-compliance-what-directive-10-12-and-gn-7b-require) ![RMCP Compliance: What Directive 10, 12 and GN 7B Require](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/hubfs/RMCP%20Compliance_%20What%20Directive%2010%2c%2012%20and%20GN%207B%20Require.jpg) - ### [Important FIC Regulatory Updates: Directive 10, Draft Directive 12 & Guidance Note 7B](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/fic-updates-directive-10-draft-directive-12-guidance-note-7b) ![Important FIC Regulatory Updates: Directive 10, Draft Directive 12 & Guidance Note 7B](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/hubfs/Important%20FIC%20Regulatory%20Updates_%20Directive%2010%2c%20Draft%20Directive%2012%20%26%20Guidance%20Note%207B.jpg) - ### [What Are The Key Requirements That Need to be Met in Order to be FICA Compliant?](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/the-key-requirements-that-need-to-be-met-in-order-to-be-fica-compliant) ![What Are The Key Requirements That Need to be Met in Order to be FICA Compliant?](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/hubfs/The%20Key%20Requirements%20That%20Need%20to%20be%20Met%20in%20Order%20to%20be%20FICA%20Compliant.jpg) - ### [What is the Complete list of Accountable Institutions Under FICA?](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/accountable-institutions-under-fica-complete-list-and-compliance-obligations) ![What is the Complete list of Accountable Institutions Under FICA?](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/hubfs/nCino-KYC-Accountable-Institutions-Under-FICA-Complete-List-and-Compliance-Obligations-1.jpg) - ### [Everything You Need to Know About Ultimate Beneficial Owners \[Part 1\]](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-ultimate-beneficial-owners) ![Everything You Need to Know About Ultimate Beneficial Owners \[Part 1\]](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/hubfs/Business%20man%20looking%20through%20a%20filling%20cabinet%20with%20illustrated%20diagram%20of%20UBO%20structure.png) ![nCino Full colour Logo](https://blog.kycafrica.ncino.com/hubfs/nCino%20Full%20colour%20Logo.svg) Subscribe to our newsletter [Subscribe](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1EGe3layITCaXlgtYEX6fSwetu2j) - - - - ### Solutions - [Client Onboarding](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/customer-onboarding/) - [Watchlist](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/watchlist-screening/) - [Risk Rating](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/risk-rating/) - [Bank Account Verification](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/account-verification/) - [Compliance Services](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/compliance-services/) - [Training and Webinars](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/solutions/training-and-webinars/) ### Industries - [nCino for Banks](https://www.ncino.com/) - [High Value Goods Dealers](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/industries/high-value-goods-dealers/) - [Law Firms](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/industries/law-firms/) - [Real Estate Industry](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/industries/real-estate-industry/) - [Stock Brokers](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/industries/stock-brokerage/) - [Forex Traders](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/industries/forex-traders/) - [Financial Service Providers](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/industries/financial-advisors/) - [Credit and Lending](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/industries/credit-and-lending/) - [Motor Vehicle Dealers](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/industries/motor-vehicle-dealers/) - [Other Accountable Institutions](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/industries/other-accountable-institutions/) ### Company - [About](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/about/) - [Press Releases](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/press/) - [Careers](https://www.ncino.com/our-company/careers) - [Contact](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/contact/) - [Partner with us](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/industries/our-partners/) - [FICA FAQ's](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/fica-faqs/) ### Legal & Compliance - [Terms and Conditions](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/terms-and-conditions/) - [Privacy Statement](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/privacy-policy/) - [PAIA Manual](https://kycafrica.ncino.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/nCino-SA-PAIA-Manual-March-2025-2.pdf) - Cookie Settings © 2016 – 2026 nCino. 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