Surfing: To Stay the Course and Keep Motivated

I have just returned from my summer break to find London in a tense atmosphere. A major underground strike, a government reshuffle, and the national debt dominating conversations everywhere. Across the channel, my own country is paralysed by a complete standstill following the fall – and almost immediate replacement – of the government. And all of this plays out against a global geopolitical backdrop that remains uncertain and difficult.

How can we maintain morale and motivation in such conditions – when running a business, leading teams, and trying to rally resources around ambitious technological projects?

This summer, I spent a lot of time surfing. Out there on the waves, I found lessons that feel just as relevant in leadership as they do in sports:

1. Nurture the Desire:
In surfing, it all starts with wanting to do it. You weigh the pros and cons, accept the effort required, and commit to the challenge for the joy of the ride. Leadership is no different: you need a vision you believe in, the conviction to pursue it, and the ability to share it in a way that inspires others – without losing flexibility or falling into dogma.

2. Prepare and Know Your Terrain:
In surfing, preparation is vital: the right equipment, a board that is ready, and most importantly, a spot and weather conditions that match your abilities. Knowing your terrain helps you decide where to paddle, where to catch the waves, and how to reach the right position. In business, this is strategy: defining the path to your vision, choosing the resources to mobilise, and timing your moves with both ambition and realism.

3. Paddle Out Against the Waves:
From the shore, paddling out looks easy. In reality, it is the hardest part. You need to judge the right moment, find your entry point, push against the current, and face waves that catch you off guard – all while conserving your energy for when it counts. In business, this is execution: bringing strategy to life, mobilising talent, and navigating both tailwinds and headwinds – competition, surprises, setbacks – while staying on course.

4. Wait for the Right Wave:
Reaching the line-up is only the beginning. Then comes patience: scanning the swell, reading its rhythm, anticipating other surfers’ moves, and managing frustration while staying focused. When the right wave comes, you must be ready – position, paddle, commit, and stand up at the right moment. In business, the rhythm is the same: after preparation and persistence – building partnerships, supporting your team, facing rejection – you wait for the opportunity that aligns. And when it arrives, you seize it with full commitment.

5. Enjoy the Ride, Then Go Again:
The thrill of surfing is in the ride. Carving left or right, balancing speed and control, sometimes falling, sometimes not – but always learning. Business has the same joy. When momentum comes, celebrate it, savour it, and keep your balance. And then – start again.

Surfing taught me that leadership, like the ocean, demands resilience, patience, and the ability to read and ride the waves. The conditions are never perfect. But with preparation, vision, and persistence, there are always new waves to catch.

What waves are you riding this season?

Digitalisation is the new era: Are industries keeping up to transform corporate client onboarding?

In a world where digital touchpoints define the client journey, onboarding remains the first true test of innovation.

Opening a personal account with a neo bank has been revolutionised with the smartphone and all we need is our passport, proof of address and the camera on our phone. Based on this input, various checks are carried out in the background and 10 minutes later you can start using your account and a digital bank card.

How different this is for corporate onboarding; papers are sent via email, post and sometimes still even fax, endless requests for clarification leading it to take on average 4-5 weeks before the ok is given. It is a far cry from the retail sector account opening.

Equally, technologies like AI are undermining the traditional ways of manual checking documentation and fake data such as a complete set of fake company structures and documentation can be created in no time undermining the trust in documents[1].

Change is nevertheless on its way due to technological advancements e.g. AI, cloud computing, API’s, detection and zero trust document technology, OCR (Optical Character Recognition and LLM (Large Language Models).

Regulators also pinch in and are pushing for change and moving towards perpetual compliance. The enhanced EU AMLR regulation – aiming to harmonize compliance obligations for banks, crypto-asset service providers, real estate agents, legal professionals, and other obliged entities, Regulation 2024/1624[2] – is just around the corner with implementation by July 2027. Whereas the EU Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA, the first centralised EU authority for direct EU wide supervision of AML/CFT compliance) has just set up a shop in Frankfurt.

Market expectations are shifting, and the need for speed to benefit from market opportunities in investment management, industry trading and corporate banking, to name a few, should not be upheld by paper based processes.

Last but not least, the consistent increase in the cost of AML/CFT compliance can only be mitigated if we address the current outdated way of working.

To move away from the manual checks of documents, we need to shift to a technology driven verification of corporate data and information (not stale documents), to create real-time insights in corporate structures, activities, decision makers and (ultimate) beneficiaries.

The road to change is mired with obstacles of legacy infrastructure, risk averse organisations, current over engineered processes (to be replaced instead of replicated), interoperability of systems and platforms while remaining within the boundaries of legislation like GDPR.

At Reseo, we understand these challenges and we believe that digital onboarding is not just a process but a client experience differentiator whereby the Reseo modular, technology driven, secure and client centric e-ID is a digital wallet that can be shared with any counterparty on the platform. To transform corporate client onboarding, we blend technology and investor-centric services, ensuring continued financial trust while future-proofing the industries for the digital generation. AML/KYC is just our starting point.

 

[1] Xavier Hamori, KYC in 2025: The Collapse of Document Trust, June 1, 2025

[2] Europa.eu. (2024). Regulation – EU – 2024/1624 – EN – EUR-Lex. [online] Available at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1624/oj/eng.

Speed Matters: How Fintech Empowers Smarter, Faster, Client-Centric Investment

In today’s interconnected digital world, a client’s journey is far from linear. It is a continual shifting of experience influenced by emerging technology, changing expectations, and the current market. The investment management industry is no exception; it is undergoing a significant transformation driven by technology and clients’ evolving demands, particularly corporate and institutional ones. Fintech has also moved from a complementary function to an integral part of the business strategy. Firms that understand how to leverage fintech innovations well are better positioned to meet their clients’ needs and, therefore, more likely to survive in an ever-changing competitive landscape.

Here’s why it matters:

• Client Expectations Are Redefining the Experience

Corporate clients now expect the same level of digital sophistication they benefit from in consumer technology, such as real-time reporting, mobile access, AI-generated insights, and frictionless digital onboarding. For investment managers, keeping up to date on the fintech landscape is essential to meeting client expectations for improved processes and smarter, faster, and more intuitive services. If firms allow technology to fall behind, there’s a great risk of not meeting client expectations, client retention, and overall performance.

• Efficiency through Technology: A Strategic Advantage

Embracing technology can distinguish businesses in today’s market. By using automation, AI, and data integration, companies can streamline operations and manage complex portfolios more effectively. Early implementation of these tools usually results in improved scalability, reduced expenses, and more responsiveness, freeing teams to concentrate on critical strategic initiatives and relationship-building. In the end, tech-driven efficiency lets companies realise their actual capacity.

• Data Is the New Alpha

Fintech is revolutionising investment decision-making using alternative data sources, advanced analytics, and machine learning algorithms. Those companies making the most of this data are making better sense and more accurate predictions, allowing them to create customised solutions for their clients. Those who do not keep pace are doing so at their own risk and will lose out on the competitive insights that data science has to provide.

• Tech Enhances Every Touchpoint of the Client Experience

Technology is now critical to enhancing the client experience in today’s high-speed financial environment.

Clients desire:

  •  Immediate access to portfolio data. Customised, intuitive dashboards providing actionable insights.
  • Self-service portals for easy access to documents and report generation. By implementing fintech solutions with these features, investment managers can create a seamless experience that empowers clients to make confident decisions.

• Regulatory Tech (RegTech) Enhances Compliance and Trust

Regulatory complexity is growing, driven by evolving financial regulations and geopolitical forces like sanctions, cross-border restrictions, and AML updates. Fintech products like RegTech platforms allow companies to stay compliant in real time, reduce risk, and build clients’ trust. Embracing early will enable companies to avoid costly compliance mistakes and offer clients confidence in their governance frameworks.

• Time is critical for successful onboarding and compliance

One bottleneck for most corporate clients is the AML/KYC procedure, which can take 2–3 weeks or more. This can mean a missed opportunity or delayed entry into investment prospects in fast-evolving markets. Fintech solutions like digital identity verification, biometric onboarding, and machine learning-driven AML surveillance can reduce onboarding from weeks to days. By embracing such technologies, companies improve operational efficiency and demonstrate to clients that their time is valued. In short, technology speeds up trust.

The client journey is essential for business success. As technology evolves, client expectations shift. Corporate investment management is no longer just about returns; clients demand speed, insight, transparency, and a superior experience. Remaining one step ahead of fintech trends allows firms to onboard clients effectively, provide personalised service, and build trust through data transparency. In today’s competitive era, innovation and responsiveness-oriented companies will reign supreme in a world where seconds matter.

Here at Reseo, an AI-based corporate business data wallet at the centre of global AML/KYC, we focus on delivering Structured, Perpetual, Auditable, and technology-verified corporate business data. We are proud to be shaping the future of regulatory technology. Our AI-driven solutions for compliance automation, risk management, and due diligence help investors and financial institutions stay ahead of regulatory demands while enhancing transparency and trust. By empowering clients with smarter, faster, and more secure decision-making tools, we are redefining what it means to be truly client-centric in today’s fintech-driven environment.

Champions League: When the collective wins

The Paris-Saint-Germain (PSG) team brilliantly won the Champions League on Saturday night, at the end of a match that was breathtaking, but above all remarkable for the determined, go-getter and collective spirit that the team displayed. We saw a team often concentrated in the middle of the opponent’s field; strategic in its approach; generous in collective passes; and united in its desire to score goals. Moreover, for those who were able to watch this match, the few individual attempts to score goals alone ended in failure, only to be taken back by the collective. The result is there: 5-0 for PSG. No comment.

That said, comments from media abounded after this victory, not only on the quality of the team’s game; on the philosophy of coach Luis Enrique, who for the past two years has favoured collective play rather than favouring individual, star-like performance; but also, on the financial support – admittedly staggering, but truly committed – of the club’s owner.

All this brings us back to our experience at Reseo, where we are developing a solution to help digitalise the AML-KYC process in investment funds, with a view to improve customer experience and risk management, in an extremely strategic area for the industry. Every day, we meet players who share the same vision as us, but who occupy different positions than ours in the AML-KYC operational chessboard: Distribution platforms; onboarding platforms; transfer agents; data providers; open-source platforms; consultants; lawyers; and many more.

As we progress, we are amazed by the talent of these various players we meet in the field of AML-KYC. We are convinced that the different players that we are will benefit from playing as a collective, collaborating, developing a common strategy in the service of our vision and our industry, rather than playing individually in our own corner.

This is the spirit of the collaboration we have developed with Multifonds since last year; And this is also the spirit of other ongoing conversations we have been having in the industry over the past few months. Result: Constructive meetings; innovative solutions that benefit our joint customers and the industry; and investors and VC firms who are convinced of the strength of the collective work we are undertaking.

Who would have thought that a football match would inspire an article on the digitalisation of AML-KYC in the investment funds industry? Certainly not PSG when they took to the pitch in Munich on Saturday night. But just like that, all the roads lead to Rome.

Tech: Employees growth and adaptability in the workplace

In today’s era, technology is an essential part of everyone’s daily life. Especially since COVID-19 came by and introduced hybrid and remote working. Many employees have the opportunity to grow in companies because they have personalised goals and targets that they want to achieve. Companies have required resources that can be beneficial, which are mainly online. However, many employees have the initiative to grow outside by using online learning free platforms, amongst other things, that are available for them.

It is important that everyone adapts to the new trends in tech, as there are many new innovative technologies coming out. For example, AI and ChatGPT have benefits to help staff grow and expand their learning abilities, even though there might be some controversial aspects.

Many people fear that tech such as AI is taking over people’s jobs. A study carried out by the CNBC SurveyMonkey Workforce survey shows that 60% of people who use AI daily are scared of how much this could impact them by losing their jobs. With approximately 300 million jobs that could be affected globally, because of the vast growth of new innovative technology in the markets (Kelly, 2024).[i] However, technology can be very beneficial; let’s explore how.

Upscaling learning skills and well-being:

The development and growth of employees play a great part in the involvement of technology. With all the different online platforms, employees have a great advantage in learning more than expected. Webinars, courses, modules, free e-learning, ebooks and many more are resources available for employees to obtain and adapt in the workplace.

Whilst an employee achieves their goals, it is also important that they monitor their well-being. This is another area where technology can help employees while prospering. This is based on their productivity and innovation, especially while working on big projects, to adapt their work and well-being efficiently, where special platforms help them balance stress and work.

Communication and collaboration:

In today’s workplace, we have a greater frequency of working remotely and a hybrid environment by using Teams, Zoom and other communication platforms, allowing it to be easier to communicate all over the world. For example, Reseo, where everyone is located in other locations. Through emails, meetings, staff have the opportunity to strengthen their relationships with their teams by allowing flexible hours for both parties, which can potentially foster collaboration.

Whilst this happens, a lot of knowledge and experience is shared amongst everyone, making it easier to adapt to different environments when working on projects. Microsoft 365 allows the workflow among employees to be easier, faster and more efficient, allowing staff to adapt to new ways of working.

Automatic processes and making decisions:

At Reseo, this is one of the areas that is most used at work. With workflows like CRMS systems, it is easier to monitor, record and analyse data. They can detect data that we might need. Where it’s more detailed and automated, to create other materials such as reports or charts from the data detected and imputed. Making it easier for staff to make decisions smartly and faster due to the help that these systems provide

Overall, technology and digitalisation are important for the daily use of employees to understand, learn, monitor and enable when working.

 

 

[i] Kelly, J. (2024a). Workers Who Use Artificial Intelligence Are More Likely To Fear That AI May Replace Them. [online] Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2024/01/08/workers-who-use-artificial-intelligence-are-more-likely-to-fear-that-ai-may-replace-them/.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digital Metamorphosis: Rethinking Tech Adoption in the Fund Industry

We co-organised an invite-only roundtable breakfast in Dublin on April 1st, with Next Gate Tech and AlgoMe Consulting. We brought together industry leaders from Dublin to discuss “Digital Metamorphosis: Rethinking Tech Adaptation in the Fund Industry”. Guests were able to engage and interact with different moderators; connect, network and catch-up; debate and give their opinions about the market problems and solutions; and share their insight.

Well, run event and insightful round table discussion and a lot of laughs”; “the format was thought-provoking and insightful, anyone whom I spoke certainly enjoyed it; ”found the session really interesting and the format worked really well,” are amongst the feedback we received from participants.

Click here and sign up to access the full PDF version of the insight we gathered during this event.

Cost of AML KYC processing: Changing the paradigm 

Costs of processing AML KYC are spiralling out of control, and a straightforward digitalisation of existing operations is no longer sufficient to tame these costs. A change of paradigm is now required. That is our belief at Reseo.

In today’s world, it is hard to keep abreast with the changing technology landscape in the investment management industry, let alone the regulation that aims to ensure that technology is not having negative impacts on the investor.

AI is portrayed as the holy grail and at the forefront of every technological development, whereas the EU is issuing a myriad of regulations to ensure the technology is used ethically, which benefits the interest of the consumer and takes into account the privacy of data of individuals.

Some of the regulations already in force or are coming into force in this area are the AI Act (Nov-‘26), Cyber Resilience Act (Dec ‘27), Financial Data Access Regulation (FIDA, Jul ‘25), European Data Act (Sept ’25) and the recently enforce DORA (Jan ’25).

It all can give a feeling that whenever a new technology is being deployed to either improve products, increase client services or save costs, additional costs are incurred to comply with new or changed regulations.

AML KYC cost

The above is definitely applicable to complying with AML KYC regulations. The investment management industry being used for Money Laundering / Terrorist Financing (MLTF) is getting even more sophisticated and could undermine the trust, which is paramount, in the industry. The projected total cost of financial crime across financial institutions worldwide is $274.1 billion, which is an increase of $60 billion in only two years. On top of that fines reached a whopping peak of $12 billion In 2021[1].

Against this sophistication of MLTF stands the still “paper” based process of gathering data to combat MLTF combined with recording the assessment through workflow driven files and data depositories, making for a high risk and costly compliance with regulation.

Digitalisation has been focussing on existing workflows and has not necessarily addressed the inherent inefficiencies of those workflows, whereas the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) are a further spoke in the wheel. This limits the exchange of data, causing the industry to continue to duplicate data exchange, verification and approval.

A rethink is due

We are all used to travelling the globe and handing over our passports at the border (sometimes with a visa obtained through the internet) to get access to the country we want to visit. Access to multiple countries with only one border check is possible through agreements like Schengen. Yes, participation and collaboration of all stakeholders is paramount and necessary and proven possible.

If the EU can achieve this why would the investment management industry not be able to get this done as well ie create something similar for getting easy access to financial services and investing.

Automating or digitalising is already an inefficient process, and workflows do not sufficiently address the spiralling costs, the fast changing environment and the increasing risk posed by sophisticated MLTF. A rethink is due.

At Reseo we think this is possible and to that end, we have created the e-ID, a go anywhere digital corporate passport. No endless requesting and sending around the documents and data that need to be verified, they are all captured and kept up to date in one corporate e-ID, verified by the e-ID Owner, confirmed by Reseo and approved by the e-ID User.

Taking out duplication, using state of the art AI, creating transparency for all participants, making compliance perpetual, reducing materially the cost and keeping or even heightening the trust in the industry and all its stakeholders.

A worthwhile cause to change the paradigm.

 

 

[1] LexisNexis: True cost of financial crime compliance global study, 2023

Yalta is not a fatality in AML/KYC processing

There have been several moments in financial history where key decisions were made by dominant players, leaving smaller or less powerful participants feeling sidelined, similar to how smaller European nations felt after the Yalta conferences held at the end of World War II.

Bretton Woods in 1944, or more recently the Greek bailout in 2010 are other examples that come to mind. At Bretton Woods, the U.S. and the U.K. dominated discussions about the post-war financial system, leading to the creation of the IMF and the World Bank, as well as the establishment of the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency.

Smaller countries had limited influence in shaping the system, and many felt they were expected to accept the rules set by the major powers. In the Greek bailout, Greece and other indebted southern European countries (Portugal, Spain, Italy) found themselves subjected to strict austerity measures imposed by the “Troika”—the European Commission, the European Central Bank, and the IMF. While these policies were presented as necessary financial discipline, many Greeks felt that they had little say in the negotiations. Germany, in particular, was dictating terms that prioritised financial stability over social and economic hardship.

At Reseo, we sometimes wonder whether the same feeling of powerlessness is present in many financial services institutions that handle AML/KYC verification processes. This feeling prevents them from fully digitalising these processes, and improving efficiency, risk mitigation and the experience of client service. We think that this sentiment, which we would call the Yalta-syndrome, is not a fatality because we have seen many innovative solutions brought to the industry to help automate and digitalise parts of the AML/KYC processes.

Reseo, operating as a go-anywhere digital corporate e-ID, is one of these solutions, next to various onboarding solutions adopted by many institutions. Equally, workflow management tools are utilised in the industry and AI and machine learning are plentiful. So, what is missing, causing many financial services companies to feel left behind?

In our view, the missing part is the ability to look at all these solutions in a holistic way, by implementing them in a collaborative and connected fashion rather than as individual solutions that are operating independently. Is this due to a tradition and culture of competitiveness, or a fixation on their own efficiency with losing sight of the bigger picture of the efficiency of the market and client services as a whole? Maybe, but seeing that the AML/KYC processing is still painfully inefficient and costly, there are reasons to believe that this paradigm no longer works. So, what then?

As an industry, we probably have to move from a position where we expect an omnipotent solution to address all issues attached to processing (for example procurement of AML KYC documents and data; verification and maintenance; risk assessment and reporting; and so forth, notwithstanding the quality of client service), to the recognition that bringing several solutions to work together can be addressing the processing inefficiency for all. We believe that the benefits of doing so far outweigh the cost of inertia.

For example, when we launched Reseo, we first designed our technology solution with a focus on fund investors and administrators alike, vastly improving their onboarding experience and efficiency. We then developed with Multifonds an API model that creates the possibility to interoperate with other technology solutions. As a next step, we have enhanced our model by collaborating with business processing providers aiming to further reduce duplication in the market. Is our approach unique? Maybe not, but it serves as an example of the change paradigm that the industry requires.

As we progress on our journey, we are certain that we will cross paths with other like-minded industry players, who are equally motivated to pull minds and resources together to get things done. Because the Yalta-syndrome is not a fatality.

Let’s continue our digital Vendée Globe in 2025

Charlie Dalin is the winner of this year’s Vendée Globe, the two-month non-stop around the world yacht race that finished last week. Commenting on the experience upon his arrival in the port of Les Sables-d’Olonnes, France, Dalin paid homage to Jean Le Cam, one of his competitors, who stepped out of the race momentarily to rescue a stranded sailor, at the risk of losing precious time and lead in the competition. The rules of the Vendée Globe allow and foster such gestures of collaboration, by giving time back to those competitors who go out of their way to help others in distress.

Reflecting on Le Cam’s gesture, we are reminded of the immense support we received in 2024 to develop Reseo and bring our solution forward on the road of AML/KYC digitalisation. Clients, peers in the industry, team members, investors, directors, regulators, system providers, IT and AI experts, academics, journalists, industry bodies, neighbours, friends and family, and yes, competitors and many more went out of their way to lend support to Reseo’s adventure. For that, we are immensely grateful.  As in the Vendée Globe, everyone has enjoyed and gained from their experience with Reseo.

May this continue in 2025. Collaboration, communication, interoperability, connection. These are the mantras Reseo thrives on, and we believe are the bedrock to digitalising the industry. As we sail through a complex and, in many aspects, uncharted world this year, we wish we will be a Le Cam to one another.

Happy New Year,

The Reseo team

Why graduates should join startups and engage in industry activities

As a new graduate in the corporate world, sometimes it may be scary as you’re not used to that environment. However, for your benefit it will give you the ability to grow professionally and personally. It’s one of the most competitive industries when you start applying for jobs as a graduate. Companies require you to have experience but do not allow you to show that you are capable of doing the work even though you have little experience. So, if you have the opportunity to work in a start-up company, I advise you to take it, it will give you:

  1. A new set of skills
  2. Knowledge
  3. Insights and visuals
  4. Opportunities and beneficial advantages for the future

Start-ups such as Reseo have a unique and different way of displaying how the corporate world works. It gives you a different perspective and knowledge of your industry. You will get the full picture of how a business is run daily which is beneficial for you to understand the company’s culture, leadership and much more. It’s a fast paced environment which will help and allow you to grow as you are required to work with many responsibilities simultaneously. This helps you develop various skills such as time management, problem solving, and critical thinking.

1. A new set of skills 

One of the skills that you will have to put into practice is adaptability, which will help you learn and comprehend why it’s important to step out of your comfort zone. When you step out of your comfort zone, it allows you to see your role grow and why you add value to the company. Some other skills that you will develop are networking, making connections, innovation, and confidence especially if you get involved in industry events. Networking and making connections will help you build your reputation, and confidence and prepare you for future opportunities that come across to you. Dealing with new start-ups requires you to be creative and innovative as you bring new ideas to the company and also to the development of your role.

2. Knowledge

Knowledge is a key factor for you to understand and learn when you’re being trained. When working in a start-up, you must ask as many questions as you need to understand. As the business is growing and developing everyone is involved a bit in all of the tasks in the company. Your input and ideas are very useful because of the different perspectives you bring. Engaging in activities and events such as conferences will give you rich and valuable content for you to learn and understand why a business needs to follow a certain business model.

3. Insights and visuals

I got the opportunity to attend some key industry players in the investment industry such as the Irish Funds, ALFI, and the FCA. Attending industry events is important if you’re starting in a senior role because you get a wide variety of panel discussions and speakers. It gives you valuable visuals as you get to see and feel why and how people act/speak and dress a certain way. It provides you with key insights such as trends, challenges, solutions, and new emerging ideas in the industry.

4. Opportunities and benefits

Overall, learning and getting involved by getting out of your comfort zone can also give you beneficial opportunities for the future. It’s important that you build strong relationships with your peers and connections as they are already experts in their area. This may lead to mentoring, advice, career growth/job opportunities, support and guidance in your professional aspirations and journey. All these opportunities prepare you for the upcoming challenges you may come across in your development and growth. It also will be beneficial for your personal growth.

In conclusion, starting from a start-up and attending industry events will benefit you and teach you all you need to know when you enter an international corporation. What do you think?

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