How it works
From first conversation to final release
Escrow accounts and third-party managed accounts follow the same five steps. Here is what happens at each one, and where your money sits throughout.
- Request a quoteItemised, returned the same dayStep 1
- Onboarding and account openingAll checks clearedStep 2
- Agree the termsRelease conditions agreedStep 3
- £1,250,000.00 heldSegregated and safeguardedIn progress
- Release on satisfaction of conditionsAwaiting the agreed conditionsStep 5
The five steps
One process, whether you need an escrow account or a third-party managed account
Step 1: Request a quote
Tell us about the transaction, the parties, the sums and the timing. We return a fixed, itemised quote, usually on the same day.
- Fixed and itemised
- Free, no obligation
Step 2: Onboarding and account opening
Know-your-business, sanctions and source-of-funds checks run in parallel, so accounts can open the same business day once they clear.
- Checks in parallel
- Same business day
Step 3: Agree the terms
We draft the escrow agreement, or review and mark up yours, and settle the release conditions with every party before a penny moves.
- Our precedents or your draft
- Agreed by every party
Step 4: Funds segregated and safeguarded
Deposits are segregated the moment they arrive, held outside of anyone's balance sheet.
- Sterling at the Bank of England
- Other currencies via JP Morgan
Step 5: Release on satisfaction of conditions
When the agreed conditions are met, or by the agreement of the parties, authorised instructions release the funds precisely and on time.
- Authorised instructions only
- Authorise online, 24/7
Still have a question?
Browse our FAQs and guides, or talk it through with us.
Escrow or TPMA
What changes between the two
The steps are the same. Who the account is for, and who instructs payments from it, is what differs.
GuideEscrow Accounts vs. Third-Party Managed AccountsEscrow account
- Who it is for
- Two or more contracting parties who need a trusted third party to hold funds until agreed conditions are met.
- Who instructs payments
- Released when the agreed conditions are met, or by agreement of the parties.
- Typical uses
- Construction contracts, M&A transactions, aircraft and yacht sales.
Third-party managed account
- Who it is for
- Professionals holding their clients' funds, from lawyers to trustees, brokers and construction consultants.
- Who instructs payments
- Payments made on the account holder's authorised requests, within the agreed rules, or raised by the professional firm on their behalf.
- Typical uses
- Legal fees on account, probate and executor accounts, project bank accounts, interior design FF&E procurement.
Throughout
Where your money sits
Sterling at the Bank of England
All pound sterling sums are held by our banking and technology partners at the Bank of England.
Other currencies via JP Morgan
Our multi-currency services are provided through JP Morgan.
FCA-authorised
DOS & Co. Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Follow every step online
Access your account, view your transactions and documents, give read-only access to your colleagues, advisors and stakeholders, and authorise releases online, 24/7.