In an era of increasing financial complexity and regulatory scrutiny, Know Your Customer (KYC) processes have become more critical than ever.

A highly respected former boss of mine, who was a prominent British Army Intelligence analyst in his past life and an avid mountaineer in his free time, used the term ‘sharp side of the mountain’ to describe the most challenging aspect of a situation.

In our interconnected global economy, where financial crime is increasingly sophisticated, businesses must ensure that they comply with rigorous Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations.

With an increasingly complex and regulated business environment, multinational corporations are now challenged to ensure the integrity and compliance of their expansive supply chains.

Adverse media screening is a critical part of any effective anti-money laundering (AML) program. This process involves screening individuals and entities against negative news articles and other sources of potentially damaging information to identify potential risks and compliance issues. In this article, smartKYC’s COO, Hugo Chamberlain, gives a clear definition of adverse media screening and how it is now essential for effective modern risk management.  

In recent years, adverse media screening has become a critical component of Know Your Customer (KYC) screening processes. If financial institutions want to stay ahead of potential risks and maintain compliance, they must adopt strategic approaches.

Know Your Customer (KYC) processes have traditionally been the backbone of financial institutions’ efforts to prevent money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes. Historically, KYC screening focused primarily on identifying red flags such as suspicious transactions and connections to criminal activities.  

The emergence of Natural Language Processing (NLP) technologies offers a promising solution to revolutionise KYC procedures, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.

Four years ago, we posited in our white paper, Eyes Always Open, published in Money Laundering Bulletin, that best practice guidance on KYC screening would soon include perpetual monitoring of adverse media as opposed to just screening at onboarding and re-screening at intervals.

In the realm of financial services and beyond, ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) has long been a foundational principle.

As 2023 draws to a close, we reflect on the key KYC due diligence trends and challenges affecting the industry, as well as highlighting smartKYC’s company milestones and achievements, including an exciting new product launch and multiple award wins.