More attention is being brought to the implications of technology (especially automation and AI) on customer experiences in the financial services industry. But, just as importantly, a shift is taking place with compliance, risk, and regulatory reporting teams.
On this episode of The Fintech Show, Mitch Trehan,
Allica Bank, Jourdain Tambo,
Curve, and Andrew Kesbey,
Focusync discuss how compliance teams are finding ways to keep up with the demands of the industry without losing sight of things that matter.
Namely, things like risk, reliable data, and experience.
Watch the full conversation to learn how:
- Compliance teams participate earlier in product development to create solutions while minimizing friction later on.
- Teams use automation and AI to clean, validate and reconcile data across connections between systems.
- Humans still have a very relevant role in an outcomes focused regulatory environment.
Mitch starts by sharing a bit about himself—he’s from Northern Ireland and was in the Air Force before getting into compliance and risk. He mentions that while it wasn’t an obvious choice at first, his drive to protect what’s important leads him to see compliance as a form of defense and talks about the current regulatory scene using two words: growth and flexibility. He points out that both the UK and US governments are encouraging a shift in how regulators think, moving toward supporting economic growth rather than just reducing risk. Recent messages from the UK government push for this mindset in regulatory frameworks.
When it comes to automation, Mitch says we should go back to basics and figure out what really needs to be done. Compliance is about making sure you’re doing what’s right. Before jumping into fancy tools like AI, it’s essential to decide what processes should be automated. He believes automation works best for tracking and analyzing operational data, but it can’t fully replace the human touch, especially where judgment is needed. He stresses that a healthy company culture is important in this.
Jourdain adds that Curve uses data not just for compliance but also to enhance products. He explains that they include compliance from the start in any project, so it doesn’t feel like an afterthought. This teamwork between product and compliance teams helps avoid conflicts and fosters a real partnership. He notes that understanding different regulatory setups—like the stricter rules seen in some European countries compared to the UK’s focus on outcomes—is important. Curve tackles this by having local experts to adapt controls to fit local expectations.
Andrew shares the tech side from
Focusync, explaining how their tools help clients manage regulatory data. He emphasizes the need for accurate and complete data, as sorting through it before taking action minimizes risk and reduces manual work. With good data, clients can create reports for things like asset management and stress testing, and even automate annual accounts.
The chat then shifts to AI in compliance. Andrew talks about how Focusync is using AI for detecting anomalies and uncovering insights from big data without needing to know exactly what to look for. This can lead to better efficiency and new opportunities. Both Andrew and Mitch agree that being open about how algorithms work is crucial. With AI being used in areas like value assessments, avoiding bias in algorithms and keeping users informed is essential for maintaining trust and meeting regulations.
In closing, Mitch emphasizes that companies need to regularly review their compliance frameworks. Fast-moving businesses often forget to check if their controls still work as they grow. A policy that was once set with good intentions may not hold up as things change. He highlights that
Allica Bank’s focus on risk connects with its background in regulatory reporting, which supports managing key risk areas like capital and liquidity.
In short, the conversation offers practical advice and strategic insights—from embedding compliance early in product development to using automation and AI wisely.
The main takeaway? Compliance isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about safeguarding the business, improving processes, and enabling growth in a rapidly changing environment.
