Bankloch

Despite enormous investments in Anti-Money Laundering (AML) detection - from advanced monitoring systems to large compliance teams - money laundering remains alarmingly persistent. Criminals stay several steps ahead, while financial institutions find themselves trapped in a game of "compliance theatre". AML detection is inherently difficult: money launderers are agile, adaptive, and operate across borders and institutions. But the real challenge lies not just in complexity - it’s in the misaligned incentives and checkbox mentality that dominate the system. Financial institutions are required to: Implement a predefined set of   detection rules   (which are often public knowledge among criminals) File   Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs)   when certain patterns or thresholds are triggered The cost of AML is staggering compared to its measurable benefits. For example, in the Netherlands, it’s estimated that around 20% of bank employees - roughly 13,000 people - are enga...

  Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending   DFS 2025 , the annual Belgian Fintech conference hosted by Fintech Belgium. As always, the event brought together thought leaders and innovators to explore how financial services are evolving in tandem with the latest technologies. The sessions were packed with insights, and a few powerful trends stood out. AI   was at the heart of nearly every pitch and panel. It’s becoming a fundamental engine for internal efficiency and next-level customer service: Automation via AI   is expanding into areas like KYC, AML, insurance claims, credit origination and many others, thanks to its ability to transform unstructured data into actionable intelligence. Personalized services   are reaching more customers. With AI chatbots, AI investment-advisors and AI-driven recommendation engines, financial institutions can now offer tailored product recommendations, investment advice and other services once reserved for high-net-worth c...