Scotiabank: Video Conference for Identity Verification
As of today (April 3) some solicitors are receiving Scotiabank instructions that clearly state they must meet with their clients face to face.
Others are receiving a notice, Solicitor-Closed Mortgages Video Conference for Identity Verification During COVID-19 along with their instructions.
If both the lawyer and borrowing clients prefer to sign documents via video conferencing, then Scotiabank will accept these signed documents, provided that the steps below are followed.
You must view one of the identification documents listed in Appendix A of our solicitor requisition and a second document that contains the customer’s name and address. This document can be another document listed in Appendix A (containing the customer’s name and address) or a property tax bill, utility bill, account statement from another financial institution showing the full account number or similar. You cannot use a provincial health card for identification purposes where prohibited by legislation.
When verifying identity, copies of the identification documents to be used must also be provided to you before the video conference appointment. Viewing such documents through the video conference alone is not sufficient.
If you determine that using a video conference to sign mortgage documents is permitted under the laws of your jurisdiction and your professional obligations, this process must allow you to complete all of the requirements set out in our solicitor requisition (subject to the advice above regarding identity verification).
Read the full Scotiabank Notice here
NOTE: This update is provided for information purposes only and is not practice guidance. If you have any questions please contact the mortgage lender directly.
We are aiming to build a comprehensive list of lender-related resources to add to our COVID-19 solicitor's page. If you have any updates from a mortgage lender, please submit it using the form below.