Which of the following stages is suggested by OFAC for screening accounts?

The correct answer, which suggests screening accounts upon account opening, aligns with the guidelines set forth by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). This proactive approach is crucial as it helps financial institutions identify potential risks associated with new clients before they begin transactions. By conducting a thorough screening at this early stage, institutions can ensure that they are not inadvertently facilitating transactions involving individuals or entities that may be subject to sanctions, thus maintaining compliance with federal regulations.

Screening accounts upon opening is a vital component of an institution's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) measures. It allows for the establishment of a baseline for due diligence, enabling institutions to make informed decisions about accepting customers. Additionally, early screening is more effective in minimizing potential legal and reputational risks associated with dealings with sanctioned parties.

In contrast, screening at the point of account closure, employee termination, or upon receiving customer complaints does not provide the same level of preventive strength. Those stages tend to be reactive rather than proactive, potentially allowing compliance risks to materialize before they are addressed. Hence, screening upon account opening is a best practice for ensuring a robust compliance program from the outset.