JMR Infotech Upgrades Abay Bank’s Financial Crime Compliance with Real-Time Screening

Ethiopia’s Abay Bank has successfully upgraded its financial crime and compliance infrastructure through a partnership with JMR Infotech. By integrating Oracle’s advanced analytical applications directly into its core banking system, the bank can now automate screening and due diligence at the point of onboarding, a critical move for maintaining security across its massive 1,000-branch network.

What was announced

The implementation marks a significant technical shift for Abay Bank, moving from OFSAA version 8.0.8 to 8.1.2.10. This upgrade specifically targets the embedding of Know Your Customer (KYC) checks and transaction filtering directly into the bank’s Oracle FLEXCUBE core banking workflows. For a financial institution processing more than 200,000 transactions daily, this real-time integration is designed to prevent compliance bottlenecks during the onboarding of its 5.5 million customers.

Beyond the core screening functions, the project covers a comprehensive suite of capabilities including anti-money laundering (AML) protocols and compliance analytics. JMR Infotech managed the migration of existing business data, alerts, and investigation histories to ensure that the bank’s compliance teams maintained continuity throughout the transition. The upgrade also introduces enhanced batch automation and data extraction processes, which are intended to improve the overall efficiency of the bank’s anti-money laundering operations.

By centralizing these functions, Abay Bank can apply consistent transaction controls across its entire network of over 1,000 branches, ensuring that due diligence is performed at the start of every customer relationship rather than as a reactive measure. The platform supports the full lifecycle of financial crime management, from initial screening to case management and investigation.

The companies involved

Abay Bank is a significant player in the Ethiopian financial landscape, operating an extensive physical network that exceeds 1,000 branches. The bank has been actively modernizing its digital infrastructure to serve its growing base of 5.5 million customers, focusing on both domestic accessibility and international payment capabilities. Its reliance on Oracle’s FLEXCUBE for core banking positions it within a global ecosystem of tier-one banking technology users.

JMR Infotech, the partner responsible for the delivery of this upgrade, is a global provider of banking technology and digital transformation solutions. The firm specializes in the implementation and optimization of the Oracle Financial Services suite, particularly in the realms of enterprise risk and analytics. JMR Infotech has established a market presence by managing complex migrations and integrations for financial institutions seeking to modernize their legacy systems without interrupting daily operations. The company’s expertise spans across core banking, digital channels, and specialized compliance platforms, making it a frequent collaborator for banks in emerging markets that are scaling their digital footprints while facing increasingly stringent regulatory requirements.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has previously tracked the digital expansion of both organizations as they navigate the evolving fintech landscape. In August 2026, we reported on how Abay Bank Launches Pre-Paid Visa Card to Drive Global Digital Payments in Ethiopia, a move that signaled the bank’s intent to bridge the gap between local banking and international commerce. Meanwhile, JMR Infotech’s broader strategic focus was highlighted in our coverage of their industry engagements. We noted that JMR Infotech to Showcase AI-Native Banking and Embedded Finance Solutions at WFIS 2026 Philippines, demonstrating the company’s push toward integrating artificial intelligence and embedded finance into its core service offerings for global financial institutions.

What this means

This announcement highlights a broader industry shift toward "compliance by design," where regulatory checks are no longer siloed back-office functions but are instead woven into the fabric of core banking. As African financial markets face heightened international scrutiny regarding AML and KYC standards, the pressure is on regional banks to prove they can scale without compromising security. By embedding these controls into the onboarding process, Abay Bank is addressing a common vulnerability where rapid growth outpaces manual oversight. For the wider sector, this move raises the bar for core banking providers, suggesting that standalone compliance modules are becoming less attractive than deeply integrated, real-time analytical ecosystems.