Who is authorized to access a SAR file after it has been reported?

The correct choice indicates that after a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) has been filed, access to the SAR file is restricted to specific authorized parties, primarily law enforcement agencies and individuals approved by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). This limitation helps maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information and ensures that only individuals with a legitimate need to know, particularly those involved in investigating potential financial crimes, can access the reports.

This confidentiality is crucial because SARs often contain details about suspicious transactions that might indicate money laundering, fraud, or other illicit financial activities. By restricting access, the integrity of the investigation process is upheld, as it prevents unauthorized individuals from potentially interfering with ongoing investigations or from exploiting the information for personal gain.

In contrast, the other choices would allow broader access to SAR files, which could compromise the investigative process and violate privacy norms established by laws governing financial institutions and their reporting obligations.