Compliance for Fintech Investors
Risk management and value creation for investors
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Conduct due diligence:
Is the business model fundamentally sound?
Does management understand its compliance risks?
Does the firm have the licences it needs?
What regulatory developments might impact the business?
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Stay compliant:
Often not as easy as it sounds…!
Manage regulatory change efficiently
Build and maintain a culture of compliance and risk management
Hire, train and retain a high performing risk and compliance team
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Support business growth:
New licences and permissions as needed
Design new products to be compliant + minimise friction in the customer experience
Enhance risk and compliance capabilities without commensurate increase in costs
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Prepare for due diligence:
Strengthen board governance
Resolve any outstanding regulatory issues
Tighten up financial controls and reporting
Controls costs and focus on EBITDA
Compliance for fintech investors and portfolio companies - top questions and answers
Q: Why is compliance crucial for investors in the fintech sector?
A: Ensuring that portfolio companies adhere to regulatory standards mitigates the risks of fines, legal issues, and reputational damage.
Braithwate provides comprehensive compliance support, conducting due diligence to identify regulatory risks and ensuring ongoing compliance through outsourced and fractional compliance services and RegTech solutions.
Q: How can investors assess a fintech company's compliance status during due diligence?
A: Investors need to evaluate the firm's regulatory adherence, licensing status, and risk management practices.
Braithwate offers due diligence services, including regulatory landscape analysis, license assessment, and operational compliance reviews, providing investors with insights into a company's compliance status.
Q: What challenges do fintech companies face in maintaining compliance as they grow?
A: Growing fintech firms encounter complexities in managing regulatory changes, maintaining compliance culture, and scaling compliance capabilities. A poorly designed compliance model can result in compliance costs ballooning as the business grows.
Braithwate supports business growth by facilitating new license acquisitions, designing compliant products, and enhancing compliance capabilities without excessive costs, aiding fintech firms in navigating compliance challenges.
Q: How can investors ensure strong ongoing compliance and risk management in their fintech portfolio investments?
A: Investors need mechanisms to monitor compliance, manage risks, and adapt to regulatory changes effectively. The unintended consequences of regulatory change can have a material impact on investment performance.
Braithwate offers outsourced compliance functions or modular support, including compliance oversight, horizon scanning for regulatory developments, compliance assurance, and enterprise risk management.
Q: What technology solutions can streamline compliance operations for fintech companies?
A: Technology solutions are essential for automating compliance tasks, improving efficiency, and reducing risks.
Braithwate provides technology solutions like the Braithwate Compliance Cloud, automated AML/KYC screening, and compliance eLearning platforms, helping fintech companies streamline compliance operations and reduce manual efforts.
Q: How can investors ensure their portfolio companies comply with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles and regulations?
A: ESG considerations are critical for sustainable investments, influencing reputation, and long-term value.
Braithwate helps Fintechs to assess ESG practices, evaluate ESG risks, and offers recommendations, givibg investors confidence that their investments align with ESG principles and enhance their sustainability credentials.
Q: What specialized compliance support do fintech companies need during the authorization process?
A: Fintech firms require specialized advice to navigate complex authorization processes and interpret regulatory requirements accurately.
Braithwate guides fintech firms through authorization processes, implements pragmatic risk and compliance frameworks, and continues to provide operational support post-authorization. We have a strong track record of success, especially with innovative and unusual business models.
Q: How can investors ensure compliance with market-specific regulations when expanding globally?
A: Global expansion necessitates understanding and complying with diverse regulatory frameworks across jurisdictions.
Braithwate reviews applicable regulations, designs controls, and provides compliance roadmaps tailored to specific markets, helping investors navigate regulatory complexities during global expansions.
Q: What role does technology play in enhancing compliance training for fintech companies?
A: Technology enables efficient and scalable compliance training, ensuring employees understand regulatory requirements.
Braithwate offers a compliance eLearning platform with over 200 courses covering various regulatory topics, empowering fintech companies to deliver high-quality compliance training to their employees.
Q: How can investors mitigate compliance risks associated with emerging technologies like AI?
A: Emerging technologies like AI pose unique compliance and ethical risks that require careful assessment and management.
Braithwate conducts AI risk assessments, evaluates operational and ethical risks, and offers recommendations to mitigate compliance risks associated with AI usage, ensuring responsible deployment of emerging technologies.
Q: What measures can investors take to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations?
A: Compliance with AML regulations is crucial for preventing financial crimes and maintaining regulatory compliance.
Braithwate offers automated AML/KYC screening solutions, facilitating efficient onboarding checks and ongoing client monitoring, helping investors comply with AML regulations effectively.
Q: How can investors ensure compliance with data protection regulations in the fintech sector?
A: Data protection regulations safeguard customer data and are essential for maintaining trust and regulatory compliance.
Braithwate offers technology solutions like the Braithwate Compliance Cloud, which helps fintech companies manage data protection compliance effectively, reducing risks of data breaches and regulatory penalties.
Q: What support do fintech companies need in managing operational resilience?
A: Operational resilience ensures business continuity and minimizes disruptions, necessitating robust risk management practices. With the increasing move to cloud-based services and complex value chains, there is an increased regulatory focus on operational resilience. Some of the rules can be difficult to apply as a start-up or a Fintech with an innovative business model.
Braithwate provides specialized advice on interpreting and implementing operational resilience rules, helping fintech companies enhance their operational resilience and mitigate disruptions effectively. We pride ourselves on developing pragmatic and proportionate solutions.
Q: How can investors ensure compliance with conduct of business rules in the fintech sector?
A: Compliance with conduct of business rules is essential for protecting consumer interests and maintaining market integrity.
Braithwate offers compliance advisory services, ensuring fintech companies adhere to conduct of business rules and protect consumer interests effectively.
Q: What support do fintech companies need in managing regulatory filings and reporting?
A: Timely and accurate regulatory filings and reporting are crucial for maintaining regulatory compliance and transparency.
Braithwate offers regulatory reporting and filing services, ensuring fintech companies submit key regulatory filings accurately and on time, reducing risks of non-compliance and penalties.
Q: How can investors ensure compliance with personal account dealing regulations in the fintech sector?
A: Compliance with personal account dealing regulations prevents conflicts of interest and maintains regulatory compliance.
Braithwate offers core compliance services, managing personal account dealing regulations, and other regulatory requirements, helping fintech companies prevent conflicts of interest and maintain regulatory compliance.
Q: What role does compliance play in ensuring ethical AI usage in the fintech sector?
A: Compliance ensures ethical AI usage, mitigating risks of bias, discrimination, and regulatory non-compliance.
Braithwate conducts AI risk assessments and offers recommendations for ethical AI usage, helping fintech companies deploy AI responsibly and maintain regulatory compliance.
Q: How can investors ensure compliance with regulations while launching and scaling regulated businesses?
A: Compliance is integral to launching and scaling regulated businesses, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements and maintaining market trust.
Braithwate helps investors navigate regulatory complexities, providing compliance support tailored to the needs of launching and scaling regulated businesses, ensuring regulatory compliance and business success.
Investing in financial services requires a strong focus on compliance across the investment lifecycle
Braithwate provides risk management and regulatory compliance support to help investors throughout the deal lifecycle.
Learn more about how Braithwate supports Fintech investors across the deal lifecycle:
As part of Compliance-as-a-Service, we offer the following capabilities (click to expand each box):
Investment due diligence services
When considering an investment, it’s critical to consider whether the firm has a handle on compliance: