I'm supposed to explain everything upon request and I can't say no. I don't find that reasonable.
About larger sums I don't have a problem with explaining where a certain transaction originated from, but it seems like banks want to trace money from their origin to destination. I don't find this reasonable.
I would expect this to be something that law enforcement would do.
Can you say something about the sums? I (in germany) got my rent money every month from my parents while I was a student. No problem. I withdraw something like 100€ per week for bars, backeries and other small expenses and I never ever had any problems.
It buffles me that so many people are jumping to conclusions although you provided so little context.
If you have a cash inflow of 50k per month and withdrow that much, the bank may think you pay people in cash, avoiding taxes (like on construction sites). Which is totaly legit IMO. But again, you gave almost no context..
I am really curious how this has proven to be an issue for you or if this is just another banks bad crpyto thing?
I think that's their choice. They can make that decision, and it's fine.
Why do you think you are entitled to demand a private enterprise allows you to use their services in any way you see fit without asking you questions?
Want to receive your salary? You need a bank.
Do you need to pay rent? You need a bank.
Do you want to receive social welfare? You need a bank.
As unfortunate as it is, banks have become a dependency for modern day living.
I do not know any jurisdiction in which intentionally avoiding tax is legal.
Also the other bank will also ask about the money received and the receiver will have to explain themselves.
The solution is to use crypto for everything instead of cash. Not realistic for some time based on my experiences.
one may say that this cousin is trying to wash/launder his cash from that drug trafficking, stealing, and by breaking it down to small amounts which he gives you in cash and then you 'venmo'/paypal to him via the banking system (I can give you more cringe-worthy scenarios but I hope you get the spirit on this one).
transfers between family (I assume the very immediate husband-wife that reasonably live together and have a household together). If you exchange €10k per month with various cousins, then sorry - not sorry - that smells fishy.
I don't suppose any bank is triggered by a €20 payment once per month (splitting pizza/drinks). But if you do this daily/regularly and the amounts (even seemingly small) add up to some €k, then again.. sorry - not sorry - that smells fishy.
I remember paying for a business service in the UK some years ago a couple of thousand (GBP) and the guy's bank got triggered because his payments were coming from within UK and this one came from the EU. Now, it is small amount, totally justifiable, but perhaps the guy has told his bank he only does business 'locally' and he's been getting multiple payments from abroad.
Also, banks have literally automated alarm and triggers in place to flag transactions for reviews.
Famous HSBC case comes to mind.
The AMLD is not secret. You can read it here: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A...
The AMLD is not dissimilar to any other anti-money laundering regulation in the World, including the USA, Switzerland and others.
If you have large cash flows, you will be asked by banks to explain the nature of them to ensure they are not illicit. If you are not prepared to explain that, the bank is not under any duty to do business with you, and depending on the nature of your transactions may be required to report them to law enforcement. If you do not answer to law enforcement, they will likely start an investigation to ensure you're not involved in organised crime.
Once your bank or law enforcement are happy you're not involved in organised crime, they'll leave you alone.
That's it.
If you are not involved in organised crime, but not prepared to explain that, yes, law enforcement are going to be interested and banks may not be prepared to do business with you. This has been the case for hundreds of years, it's only now there are more strict guidelines and rules around when suspicions should be raised and reported, and how they should be investigated.
I really don't see what the paranoia here is actually about.