Business ET Letter
What a Business ET Letter Is and when it’s used
Why using a Business ET Letter adds legal clarity
A concise Business ET Letter records intent and consent for electronic dealings and identifies accountable parties, helping satisfy ESIGN and UETA requirements for intent, attribution, and record retention. It reduces ambiguity about who may sign or send documents electronically and supports consistent audit trails and internal controls.
Who typically prepares and relies on a Business ET Letter
Organizations of many sizes use Business ET Letters to centralize electronic authority and to document consent for e-transactions before routine electronic activity begins.
- Small business owners and founders who need documented authorization for outside vendors and banking transactions.
- Finance and accounts payable teams that require named approvers for ACH, wire or electronic invoice approval.
- Corporate legal departments establishing internal signatory rules and documenting delegation for compliance and audit.
Maintain a clear delegation record and update the letter when officers or authorized agents change to avoid disputes or rejected transactions.
Stepwise process to prepare and issue the letter
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01Draft: Populate required fields and clearly state the authority and scope.
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02Review: Have legal or finance confirm scope, limits, and signatory titles.
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03Sign: Obtain signatures from authorized officers using acceptable eSignature or wet-ink per counterparty instructions.
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04Distribute: Send certified copies to banks, vendors, and internal records; retain an audit trail.
Configure an online workflow for issuing a Business ET Letter
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signer Authentication | Email plus optional SMS code or ID check to verify signer identity |
| Signing Order | Define sequential or parallel signing to enforce approval steps |
| Retention Policy | Set automatic archive duration and export formats (PDF/A recommended) |
| Notifications | Enable reminders and completion receipts to all parties |
Where to send and how the Business ET Letter is used
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Internal Records: Place signed copy in corporate minute book and finance records.
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Banking Partners: Provide to banks for ACH, wire, and account authorizations when requested.
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Vendors and Clients: Share with major suppliers and customers to validate who may bind the company.
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Regulators or Advisors: Share with auditors, counsel, or regulators when authority documentation is required.
Technical and platform considerations for eSigning and eSubmission
Choose a platform that supports the file formats, authentication level, and retention rules your counterparties require.
- File Formats: PDF, DOCX, and HTML support are typical; ensure signed output preserves timestamps and audit trail.
- Integrations: Look for connectors to Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 and cloud storage.
- Security: Platform should support TLS in transit and AES-256 at rest with audit logging.
Main legal risks if the Business ET Letter is incorrect or incomplete
Common mistakes to avoid when preparing the letter
- Using an abbreviated or trade name instead of the registered legal entity name.
- Granting open-ended authority without monetary or temporal limits.
- Failing to update the letter after officers or signers change.
- Relying on weak signer authentication when counterparties require stronger verification.
Real-world examples of Business ET Letters in use
Optica Ventures LLC
A venture services firm centralized electronic approval for invoices and cap table filings to reduce processing delays.
- Implemented named signers and effective dates as core controls.
- The company retained signed copies in a secure repository and used documented authority to satisfy bank and investor due diligence requirements, speeding routine transactions.
Martin Properties
A real estate operator used the letter to authorize property managers to execute lease addenda remotely.
- Added property identifiers and scope limits for each manager.
- This reduced in-person signings and clarified which managers could bind agreements within set dollar limits, improving closing times while preserving an auditable trail.
Who can sign a Business ET Letter and what their role implies
Authorized Officer
Typically a CEO, CFO, or other executive with delegated authority. This signer must be identified by title in the letter and have internal corporate authorization to bind the entity for the specified scope of transactions.
Authorized Agent
A designated individual or third-party agent acting under a written power of attorney or corporate resolution. The letter should reference any underlying delegation document and limit the agent’s authority to specific actions or dollar thresholds.
Typical timing and processing expectations
Drafting Window:
Allow 3–7 business days for legal and finance review for standard letters
Approval Turnaround:
Expect 1–3 business days for signers to review and approve electronically
Execution Date:
Effective date should be specified; execution on or after that date is valid
Distribution Time:
Provide signed copies to banks and major vendors within 1 business day
Record Archival:
Archive executed letter immediately in a secure document management system
Frequently asked questions about Business ET Letters
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Can this be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally effective under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states when intent, consent, attribution, and retention are documented.
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Is notarization required?
Not typically for a simple authorization letter, but banks or counterparties may require notarization or RON for certain actions; verify with the recipient.
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How do I update or revoke authority?
Issue a signed amendment or revocation, distribute it to the same recipients, and retain proof of delivery and receipt to avoid disputes.
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What authentication level is recommended?
Use email plus SMS code or an identity check for higher-value actions; stronger KBA or certificate-based methods reduce fraud risk.
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Can an agent sign on behalf of the company?
Yes, if the letter references a valid corporate resolution or power of attorney that grants such authority and is accepted by the receiving party.
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How long should the letter be retained?
Keep the executed letter for the active term plus a minimum of three years; retain longer if industry rules or audits require it.