Revolut Business Corporate Structure Chart Certification by a UK Solicitor

Are you opening a Revolut Business account and have you been asked to provide a corporate structure chart, ownership chart, cap table or supporting ownership documents?

Ginkgo Advisory can assist.

We provide UK solicitor verification and certification of corporate structure charts for Revolut Business applications where professional certification is required.

We can review both simple and complex ownership structures. These may include UK companies, overseas holding companies, subsidiaries, corporate shareholders, trusts, trustees, partnerships and individual ultimate beneficial owners.

Most importantly, we do not simply add a solicitor’s signature or stamp to an ownership chart.

We carry out the necessary due diligence before we certify it.

Therefore, if Revolut has asked you to provide a certified ownership document or corporate structure chart, you can send us the request, the chart and your supporting corporate documents for review.

Why does Revolut ask for a corporate structure chart?

Revolut needs to understand who owns and controls a business before completing its corporate verification process.

Its published guidance specifically covers verification of a company’s corporate structure, main shareholders and directors. Revolut may also ask an applicant to provide a cap table or share ownership chart.

This becomes particularly important when another company owns the applicant.

For example, a UK company may have:

• a UK parent company;
• an overseas parent company;
• several intermediate holding companies;
• corporate shareholders;
• a trust within the ownership chain;
• several shareholders with different interests; or
• a combination of companies and individuals.

In these situations, a corporate structure chart can show the full ownership chain much more clearly than separate company documents.

What does Revolut require in an ownership chart or cap table?

Revolut’s current UK guidance says that a cap table or share ownership chart should list the current shareholders. This includes both individuals and companies.

It should also show each shareholder’s ownership percentage and voting rights.

Where companies own the applicant directly or indirectly, Revolut says the chart should show the complete shareholding structure. It should extend through the ownership chain to the ultimate beneficial owners and relevant corporate owners of the holding companies.

Therefore, a chart may need to show several ownership levels.

For example:

Individual UBO → Overseas Holding Company → UK Holding Company → UK Applicant Company

Alternatively, it could show:

Trust / Trustee → Holding Company → Parent Company → UK Applicant Company

More complicated structures may contain several ownership branches.

The key point is clarity. Revolut needs to understand how the applicant connects to the people or entities that ultimately own or control it.

Does Revolut require a solicitor-certified corporate structure chart?

Not in every case.

This distinction is important.

Revolut’s current UK cap-table guidance allows certain charts to be signed by a director, company secretary, another legal representative named in the registry, another authorised signatory or a notary.

However, Revolut also explains that it may request certified documents when it cannot verify the relevant corporate information through publicly available sources.

In addition, Revolut requirements can vary according to the applicant’s country and the specific corporate verification request. For example, some of Revolut’s published European requirements expressly recognise external qualified lawyers and solicitors as acceptable certifiers of cap tables.

Therefore, if Revolut has specifically asked you to obtain professional or solicitor certification, send us the exact request.

We can then review what Revolut requires and determine the appropriate form of certification.

Revolut says my corporate structure cannot be verified. Can you help?

Potentially, yes.

Revolut explains that corporate structure verification can require additional documents where the necessary information does not appear in a public source.

It also says corporate documents should identify the relevant directors and shareholders and cover the ownership layers leading to significant beneficial owners.

This can create difficulties for businesses with:

• overseas shareholders;
• privately held parent companies;
• trusts;
• corporate trustees;
• companies from jurisdictions with limited public records;
• several layers of holding companies; or
• differences between public records and the actual ownership structure.

In those circumstances, we can review the available evidence and determine what further documents we need.

What is a Revolut Business corporate structure chart?

A corporate structure chart gives Revolut a visual explanation of the company’s ownership.

It normally starts with the company applying for the Revolut Business account.

From there, the chart moves upwards through each shareholder or holding entity until it reaches the relevant ultimate owners.

Depending on the structure, it may show:

• the Revolut Business applicant;
• direct shareholders;
• corporate shareholders;
• parent companies;
• intermediate holding companies;
• subsidiaries;
• ownership percentages;
• voting rights;
• ultimate beneficial owners;
• trusts;
• trustees;
• corporate trustees; and
• other parties within the ownership chain.

Revolut’s own UK ownership-chart example specifically tells applicants to add as many layers as necessary to show the shareholders and ultimate beneficial owners.

Therefore, a one-page ownership chart can sometimes explain a complicated international group much more efficiently than a collection of separate registry extracts.

Revolut Business accounts with corporate shareholders

Corporate shareholders often make the verification process more detailed.

For example, suppose Company A applies for a Revolut Business account.

Company B owns Company A.

Company C owns Company B.

Finally, two individuals own Company C.

In this situation, identifying Company B alone does not explain the ultimate ownership.

Therefore, Revolut may need information covering Company B, Company C and the individuals at the top of the chain.

Its published guidance expressly states that, where companies directly or indirectly own the applicant, the cap table should show the complete shareholding structure.

This is one of the main situations in which a well-prepared corporate structure chart becomes useful.

Can the Revolut ownership structure include overseas companies?

Yes, subject to Revolut’s eligibility rules and the particular application.

From a solicitor-certification perspective, we can consider structures containing both UK and overseas entities.

For example, an applicant may have holding entities incorporated in:

• Australia;
• Hong Kong;
• Singapore;
• the United States;
• European jurisdictions;
• offshore jurisdictions; or
• several different countries.

The country of incorporation does not, by itself, determine whether we can certify the chart.

Instead, we focus on the evidence.

Some jurisdictions provide detailed public company registers. Others provide limited information.

As a result, we may need different documents for different entities.

What documents may we review?

The exact documents depend on the corporate structure.

For example, we may review:

• Companies House records;
• overseas company registry records;
• company extracts;
• certificates of incorporation;
• registers of members;
• shareholder registers;
• annual returns;
• confirmation statements;
• certificates of incumbency;
• certificates of good standing;
• shareholder information;
• trust documents;
• trustee information;
• documents from registered agents;
• accountant’s records;
• auditor’s records; and
• other reliable evidence of ownership and control.

We do not use the same checklist for every client.

Instead, we identify the ownership chain first. We then determine what evidence we need for each level.

Why does Revolut need information about ultimate beneficial owners?

Financial institutions need to understand who ultimately owns or controls their business customers.

Revolut’s ownership-chart guidance therefore focuses on the ownership chain through to the ultimate beneficial owners.

Its published template asks applicants to show ownership and voting rights and to add as many ownership layers as necessary.

Therefore, simply identifying the immediate parent company may not be enough.

If an overseas company owns the UK applicant, Revolut may also need to understand who owns that overseas company.

The same principle can continue through several holding entities.

Can a trust appear in a Revolut corporate structure chart?

Potentially, yes.

Some corporate groups include trusts within their wider ownership arrangements.

For example, shares may be held by:

• an individual trustee;
• several trustees;
• a corporate trustee;
• a family trust; or
• a discretionary trust.

However, a trust does not operate in exactly the same way as an incorporated company.

Therefore, we need to understand the legal relationship before certifying the way it appears on a structure chart.

We may need appropriate trust or trustee documents.

We may also need evidence showing how shares are held and in what capacity the trustee acts.

Once we understand the arrangement, we can determine whether the chart describes it accurately.

Revolut will separately decide whether the applicant and its ownership structure meet its eligibility and compliance requirements.

Can the structure include companies, trusts and individuals?

Yes.

An ownership structure does not have to consist of only one type of entity.

For example:

Individuals → Trust → Corporate Trustee → Holding Company → UK Company

Another structure might involve:

Individuals + Corporate Shareholder → Overseas Parent → UK Subsidiary

There may also be several separate ownership branches.

We can consider mixed structures involving companies, trusts, trustees, individuals, partnerships and other entities.

However, the evidence must support the relationships shown on the chart.

What if my company has several layers of ownership?

That is exactly where a structure chart can become particularly useful.

Revolut’s own guidance tells applicants with corporate shareholders to show the complete ownership structure rather than only the immediate shareholder.

We review complex structures step by step.

First, we identify the company applying for the Revolut Business account.

Next, we identify its shareholders.

We then move through each additional ownership level.

After that, we identify the ultimate owners and controllers.

Finally, we compare the whole structure with the supporting documents.

This approach allows us to deal with multi-layer and cross-border ownership structures in an organised way.

Can an accountant prepare the Revolut ownership chart?

Yes.

You do not necessarily need a solicitor to create the original chart.

An accountant, auditor, company secretary, corporate services provider or another adviser may already have prepared it.

However, if you ask us to provide solicitor certification, we must carry out our own review.

Therefore, we may ask the person who prepared the chart to provide the source materials they relied on.

These may include:

• company registry searches;
• company extracts;
• shareholder records;
• registers of members;
• business registry information; and
• information supplied by the client.

Direct communication with the accountant can often help.

For example, the accountant may already hold documents for several overseas entities within the structure.

We can review those materials and decide whether we need anything further.

We carry out due diligence before certification

Our certification is not a rubber-stamping service.

Before providing solicitor certification, we need a proper evidential basis.

Therefore, we compare the corporate structure chart with appropriate supporting evidence.

If the evidence supports the chart, we can move towards certification.

However, if information is missing, we ask for it.

Likewise, if we find a difference between the chart and an official corporate record, we investigate that difference before proceeding.

This is particularly important for international structures because different company registries provide different levels of information.

What if public company records do not show the full ownership structure?

This is a common issue.

Public records may identify the immediate shareholder but not the ultimate owners.

Alternatively, the relevant jurisdiction may provide very little shareholder information publicly.

Revolut itself explains that it may ask for certified corporate documents where information cannot be verified through an unpaid public source.

Therefore, additional evidence may become necessary.

Depending on the circumstances, we may request information from:

• the applicant company;
• its directors;
• its shareholders;
• an accountant;
• an auditor;
• a company secretary;
• a lawyer;
• a registered agent;
• a trustee; or
• another professional adviser.

We can then assess the evidence as a whole.

What if the chart and company registry do not match?

We need to resolve the difference before certification.

A mismatch does not always mean that the structure is wrong.

For example, a recent share transfer may not yet appear in a public database.

Alternatively, a registry may not publicly disclose all beneficial ownership information.

Nevertheless, we need an explanation and supporting evidence.

Revolut also advises applicants to ensure that the corporate structure submitted during verification matches the relevant official registry information.

Therefore, checking for inconsistencies before submission can help reduce unnecessary delays.

Revolut cap table vs corporate structure chart: what is the difference?

The terms often overlap in practice, but they can describe slightly different documents.

A cap table usually focuses on shareholders, shareholdings and ownership percentages.

A corporate structure chart often presents the same information visually and may show a wider group structure.

An ownership chart focuses specifically on how ownership passes through different entities to the ultimate owners.

Revolut itself provides both visual and tabular examples for presenting shareholder structures.

Therefore, the format may matter less than whether the document clearly contains the information Revolut has requested.

What should the Revolut corporate structure chart show?

Where relevant, a clear chart should identify:

• the full legal name of each company;
• the applicant company;
• each direct shareholder;
• each relevant indirect shareholder;
• ownership percentages;
• voting rights;
• intermediate holding entities;
• ultimate beneficial owners;
• trusts or trustees, where relevant; and
• the relationship between each ownership level.

The information should also remain consistent with the supporting evidence.

Revolut’s current UK guidance says its cap table should contain current ownership and voting-right information and should be dated within the previous 12 months.

My Revolut Business verification says “Corporate structure requires action”. What should I do?

First, check the request inside your Revolut Business account.

Revolut advises applicants to review the reason shown under the corporate structure section when verification requires further action.

Next, identify exactly what Revolut wants.

For example, the request may relate to:

• shareholders;
• directors;
• ultimate beneficial owners;
• ownership percentages;
• missing ownership layers;
• corporate registry evidence; or
• certified supporting documents.

Do not assume that every request requires solicitor certification.

However, if Revolut specifically asks for certification by a lawyer, solicitor or another professional certifier, send us the request.

We can then review the wording and advise what we need before providing the certification.

What if Revolut asks for certified corporate documents?

You can send us the exact request together with the relevant documents.

We will first determine what Revolut wants certified.

Next, we will check whether we have enough evidence to provide that certification.

Where necessary, we will carry out additional due diligence.

Finally, if the evidence supports the requested certification, we can provide appropriate solicitor certification.

Revolut expressly states that certified documentation may become necessary where corporate information cannot be checked through publicly available sources.

Does solicitor certification guarantee Revolut Business approval?

No.

Revolut makes its own account-opening, eligibility, KYC and AML decisions.

It also explains that application review times can vary according to the complexity of the application and that additional information may be required.

Therefore, solicitor certification does not guarantee account approval.

Instead, our role is to provide a properly supported professional certification where Revolut has requested one and the available evidence allows us to give it.

Documents to send us for Revolut Business structure chart certification

For an initial review, please send us:

1. Revolut’s exact request

Please send the email, message or screenshot showing what Revolut has requested.

This is important because certification requirements may vary between applications.

2. Your current corporate structure chart or cap table

Please send the latest version.

3. Supporting corporate documents

Send the documents that you already have for the entities within the ownership chain.

4. Details of the professional who prepared the chart

If your accountant, auditor, company secretary or corporate adviser prepared it, please provide their details.

We can then review the structure and tell you what further documents we require.

UK solicitor certification for Revolut Business corporate structures

Ginkgo Advisory assists businesses that need solicitor verification or certification of ownership documents for a Revolut Business application.

We can consider structures involving:

• UK companies;
• overseas companies;
• parent companies;
• subsidiaries;
• corporate shareholders;
• multiple holding companies;
• trusts;
• individual trustees;
• corporate trustees;
• partnerships;
• individuals;
• ultimate beneficial owners; and
• multi-jurisdictional ownership structures.

The structure does not need to be simple.

In addition, all entities do not need to come from the same jurisdiction.

However, we need enough reliable evidence to support the certification.

Therefore, our approach remains straightforward:

we verify the relevant corporate ownership information before we certify it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Revolut Business Corporate Structure Certification

Revolut has asked me for a corporate structure chart. Can you certify it?

Potentially, yes. Please send us Revolut’s exact request, your current corporate structure chart and the supporting documents. We will review them and confirm the next steps.

Revolut has asked for a certified ownership chart. Can a UK solicitor help?

Yes, where Revolut accepts solicitor or lawyer certification for the particular request and we have enough supporting evidence to provide the certification.

Does Revolut always require solicitor certification?

No. Revolut’s requirements depend on the application and jurisdiction. Its UK published guidance does not require every cap table to carry a solicitor’s certification. Therefore, please send us the specific request that you have received.

Can you certify a Revolut ownership chart with overseas companies?

Potentially, yes. We can review international ownership chains where suitable evidence is available.

Can the ownership structure contain a trust?

Yes, we can consider structures containing trusts and trustees. However, we may require additional evidence to verify the trust relationship.

Can you verify several layers of corporate ownership?

Yes. We can review multi-layer ownership structures. The available records must support each relevant relationship.

Can my accountant prepare the chart?

Yes. We can review a chart prepared by your accountant or another professional adviser. However, we will conduct our own due diligence before providing solicitor certification.

Can you contact our accountant directly?

Yes. Where appropriate, we can obtain supporting information or documents directly from the accountant or professional adviser who prepared the structure.

What if Revolut cannot verify one of our overseas shareholders?

Send us Revolut’s request and the available corporate documents. We can review the evidence and determine what additional records may be required.

Will certification guarantee that Revolut opens the account?

No. Revolut controls its own onboarding and compliance decisions.

Contact Ginkgo Advisory for Revolut Business Corporate Structure Certification

If Revolut Business has asked you to provide a certified corporate structure chart, ownership chart, cap table or certified evidence of your corporate ownership structure, Ginkgo Advisory can assist.

Please send us:

• Revolut’s exact request;
• your current corporate structure chart or cap table; and
• the supporting corporate documents you already hold.

We will review the ownership chain and identify any further evidence that we need.

Once we have completed the necessary due diligence and have a proper basis for certification, we can provide UK solicitor certification for submission to Revolut, where solicitor certification meets the requirements of the particular request.

Ginkgo Advisory is an independent legal services provider and is not affiliated with, authorised by or endorsed by Revolut. Revolut determines its own eligibility, verification, KYC, AML and account-opening requirements.