We’ve all heard rumblings about the potential bias-related risks AI can bring when models aren't properly trained or governed with plentiful, high-quality data. But, how many of us have paused to consider flipping this paradigm? Could our own bias on the subject of AI cause us to overlook how consciously-infused AI technologies could remove dangerous biases from our KYC and AML processes? In this thought-provoking conversation, host Alex Pillow discusses the topic with AI and ethics expert, Anna Nicolis, senior manager at Braithwate, who specializes in helping global institutions with risk and compliance challenges. Highlights of this episode include: a look at what the word “bias” really means; the root causes of bias in society and within AI technologies; where AI has potential to help eliminate bias in the compliance lifecycle; and the role humans and data play in governing AI models.

The rapid evolution and adoption of AI technologies raises questions about how it's perceived and used by professionals working in compliance and risk management. In this episode, we explore the findings from a fascinating original global study, conducted by Moody’s Analytics, that uncovers how compliance and risk management professionals see the role of AI in all its forms. Listen along as host, Alex Pillow, and Paul Nola, Partner at Context Consulting, dissect the findings and discuss the implications of those navigating the AI landscape in the world of risk and compliance. Highlights from the episode include: the origins of the study; the importance of AI for compliance professional; significant and surprising findings; the advantages and risks of using AI in compliance; and the challenges of AI regulation.

In a world of tight deadlines, diverse client needs, and ever-changing regulations across jurisdictions, law firms everywhere face countless challenges to stay compliant. That's why we are thrilled to be joined by Maire-Claire Le Houerou, Client Experience Director for Risk and Compliance at the software company Intapp, and Alex Young, Senior Principal Consultant at Intapp in this episode of KYC Decoded. Their deep expertise and vibrant energy on this topic make for a compelling conversation. Here's of what was explored in this episode: How are AML checks conducted when onboarding legal clients? Does generative AI have a role now and in the future to shape compliance programs in the legal industry? What qualities and best practices in a law firm’s culture drive AML forward? What are some of the benefits of high-quality data management software?

Feeling stressed in the workplace is a shared experience for employees in many industries. And while it's normal for jobs to involve stress, concerns about employee burnout occur when stress is persistent and begins to affect the individual at a professional, personal, physical, and/or emotional level. In this episode of KYC Decoded, we focus on the factors that lead to burnout in the compliance profession. What is burnout? What leads to compliance employee burnout? What can leaders do to address the issue? Host Alex Pillow is joined by Lisa Beth Lentini Walker, former compliance officer and current assistant general counsel of Marqeta and CEO and founder of Lumen Worldwide Endeavors, and Jill DeWitt, current Industry Practice Lead at Moody’s Analytics KYC. Their conversation raises awareness of this often overlooked problem in the compliance world.

Every business has a unique story to share about its life-journey. In this third installment of our KYC Origin series, host Alex Pillow is joined by Henry Irish, co-founder of Passfort; and Alex Richter, Head of Passfort. Their discussion explores the SaaS RegTech solution that changed the way anti-financial crime and compliance processes were automated. Listen to find out about the inception of Passfort; adaptation of sophisticated, complex customer onboarding; how the service adds value; why Passfort's acquisition came about; achievements and opportunities for Passfort since acquisition; and the future of the platform.

Curious how the Moody’s Analytics KYC solution originated? Don't miss the incorporation of Kompany into the Moody’s family. The strategic acquisition of Kompany has proven a win-win opportunity. From a business concept sketched on a tennis ball (yes, a tennis ball) to real-time entity verification from government registers across the globe merged with powerful datasets. In this episode, host Alex Pillow is joined by Johanna Konrad, former COO of Kompany, now heading this line at Moody’s Analytics KYC as Managing Director; and Peter Bainbridge-Clayton, co-founder and former CTO of Kompany, who is now Senior Director for software engineering in Moody’s Analytics KYC. This important chapter in the Moody’s Analytics journey highlights: the challenges of creating a scalable data solution when aggregating information from vastly differing jurisdictions; the not-so-simple task of entity verification; building a skilled team to tackle specialized needs; the added benefit of real-time data to keep up with rapidly evolving legislation; digitalizing onboarding processes; and how the powerful integration of Kompany can continue to propel Moody’s Analytics KYC solutions going forward.

The story of how Moody’s Analytics developed its KYC solution is one written by different authors. In our KYC Origins series, host Alex Pillow introduces different characters from strategic acquisitions to tell the tales of how their anti-financial crime and risk management businesses were founded, grew, and then joined the Moody's family. Chapter one: Grid. Rupert de Ruig, senior director at Moody’s Analytics KYC, narrates the events that led to formation of an industry consortium, which evolved into a solution that changed the way risk screening is implemented globally.

Perhaps it goes without saying that customers of financial institutions who are politically exposed persons (PEPs) come with varying degrees of risk. In addition to their elevated political status, which can make them attractive targets for bribery and corruption, there’s also the subsequent institutional risk of reputational damage and fines from getting your dealings with PEPs wrong. Sometimes you might hear someone refer to needing some "PEP screening" as it if it's a simple process, but even the definition of what constitutes a PEP and the regulation surrounding it is far from one-size-fits-all. In this episode, we are very pleased to welcome PEP experts Colleen Dychdala, Head of PEP data and premium content for Moody’s Analytics KYC, along with Eric Almbladh, who built the preeminent PEP database for the Nordic region - Bogard, which was acquired by Moody’s in 2021. Their conversation with host, Alex Pillow, tackles the complexities of PEP risk management programs, including: the many nuances of what constitutes a PEP and its associated level of risk; the distinction between domestic and international PEPs; how the PEP landscape has evolved; where PEP risk mitigation programs go wrong; and how PEP screening can scale beyond initial customer onboarding.

Reflecting on a time you were deceived, did you ever pause first to ask yourself the most rudimentary question: does this make sense? Overlooking this question can lead to bad outcomes for consumers, businesses, and society alike. The art of deception is nothing new, and neither are the subsequent feelings of humiliation and fear victims are left with. Fighting financial crime takes on different forms across various departments, but in this episode of KYC Decoded, we focus on fraud prevention. Joining host Alex Pillow are fraud experts, Greg Richardson, Senior Director of Global Sales at NeuroID, and Kyle Caldwell, Senior Vice President of Fraud Product Management at M&T Bank. Their conversation covers: the many different guises of fraud; how fraudsters steal information; the impact fraud has on institutions, law enforcement, and practitioners; and the critical relationship between highly intelligent fraud specialists, quality data, and advanced technology when fighting sophisticated criminal networks.

As the desire to build an anti-financial crime network grows, the question arises: how can we get our hands on the most comprehensive and accurate data? When it comes to collaborative financial crime fighting and fraud prevention, the concept of data sharing may seem obvious on the surface. However, delicately balancing regulatory complexities and privacy concerns, can require shifting an entire compliance culture paradigm. In this episode of KYC Decoded, we are joined by experts Taavi Tamkivi, founder and CEO of regtech firm, Salv, and Sverker Tornhagen, Moody’s Analytics KYC Financial Crimes Industry Practice Lead. Listen along to a thought-provoking conversation highlighting topics including: risks vs. benefits of data sharing; the technology and infrastructure needed to support effective data sharing; how teams benefit from successful data sharing.