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Percy the Penguin

Knowledge Base

April 18, 2025

7 min. read

What is KYC Software for Banks and Why Does it Matter?

KYC software for banks and its benefits. This software is also crucial for anti-money laundering (AML) efforts.

Key Challenges and Pain Points

Banks face several challenges when implementing KYC software, including:

1. Complexity

KYC regulations are complex and constantly evolving, making it difficult for banks to stay up-to-date. This complexity can lead to account takeover fraud if not properly managed. To mitigate this risk, banks must implement robust access controls and data encryption measures.

2. Cost

Implementing and maintaining KYC software can be costly, especially for smaller banks.

3. Customer Experience

KYC processes can be time-consuming and frustrating for customers, leading to a negative experience. A smooth digital onboarding process can help alleviate this issue. Additionally, banks can use biometric authentication and liveness detection to enhance the customer experience.

4. Data Quality

Poor data quality can lead to inaccurate risk assessments and ineffective monitoring. To address this, banks must implement robust customer identification programs (CIP) and enhanced due diligence (EDD) processes.

How Footprint's Solution Helps

Footprint, a leading provider of KYC software, addresses these challenges by providing:

1. All-in-one onboarding

A comprehensive platform that integrates KYC, AML, and fraud prevention capabilities, streamlining the onboarding process and reducing friction for customers. This includes document verification and other essential features, such as sanction screening and watchlist screening.

2. Real-time risk-based friction adjustment

Dynamic risk assessment and adjustment of customer friction to minimize false positives, powered by Footprint's advanced machine learning algorithms. This helps prevent synthetic identity theft and other types of fraud, such as social engineering attacks.

3. Customizable, embeddable components

Modular architecture that allows for easy integration and customization, enabling banks to tailor the solution to their specific needs. This includes integration with existing KYC APIs and identity verification tools.

4. Continuous AML monitoring

Ongoing monitoring of customer activity to detect and prevent suspicious transactions, leveraging Footprint's expertise in behavioral analytics and AML compliance. This includes monitoring for suspicious activity reports (SARs) and customer due diligence (CDD).

What Sets Footprint Apart

Footprint's unique approach to KYC software sets it apart from competitors:

1. Triple Binding Identity

Footprint verifies the person behind the screen, their device, and their phone number, ensuring a robust and accurate identity verification process. This is especially useful for fintech identity verification and electronic know your customer (eKYC).

2. App Clips and Passkeys

Leveraging native device experiences and strong cryptography, Footprint provides a secure and user-friendly onboarding experience. This includes the use of passkeys and app clips to enhance security and usability.

3. Device Attestation

Footprint utilizes Apple and Google's device attestation frameworks to detect and prevent fraud, raising the cost of fraud for adversaries. This includes the use of geolocation and behavioral biometrics to enhance security.

Best Practices and Recommendations

To get the most out of KYC software, banks should:

1. Choose a solution that integrates with existing systems

Ensure seamless integration with existing infrastructure to minimize disruption. Footprint's modular architecture makes it an ideal choice for banks looking for a flexible solution. Consider using KYC APIs for integration.

2. Implement a risk-based approach

Use a risk-based approach to KYC to minimize false positives and optimize resource allocation. Footprint's dynamic risk assessment and adjustment capabilities make it an excellent choice for banks looking to implement a risk-based approach. This approach can help prevent account takeover and identity theft.

3. Monitor and adjust

Continuously monitor customer activity and adjust risk assessments as needed. Footprint's continuous AML monitoring capabilities enable banks to detect and prevent suspicious transactions in real-time.

4. Prioritize customer experience

Ensure that KYC processes are user-friendly and minimize friction for customers. Footprint's streamlined onboarding process and customizable components make it an excellent choice for banks looking to prioritize customer experience.

Top KYC Providers

Here are the top KYC providers:

1. Footprint

A leading provider of KYC software, offering a comprehensive platform that integrates KYC, AML, and fraud prevention capabilities.

2. Shufti Pro

A provider of identity verification solutions, offering a range of services including document verification and facial recognition.

3. Trulioo

A provider of identity verification solutions, offering a range of services including document verification and AML monitoring.

4. Ondato

A provider of identity verification solutions, offering a range of services including document verification and facial recognition.

5. Fractal ID

A provider of identity verification solutions, offering a range of services including document verification and AML monitoring.
In conclusion, KYC software is a critical tool for banks to prevent financial crime and comply with regulatory requirements. By choosing the right solution and following best practices, banks can effectively manage risk, provide a positive customer experience, and protect their reputation. Footprint's comprehensive platform and unique approach make it an excellent choice for banks looking for a reliable and effective KYC software solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Know Your Customer (KYC) software for banks?

Know Your Customer (KYC) software for banks is a critical tool in the fight against financial crime and money laundering. It enables banks to verify the identity of their customers, assess their risk profile, and monitor their activities to prevent illicit transactions.

What are the key challenges and pain points faced by banks when implementing KYC software?

Banks face several challenges when implementing KYC software, including complexity, cost, customer experience, and data quality. These challenges can lead to difficulties in staying up-to-date with evolving regulations, managing costs, providing a smooth customer experience, and ensuring accurate risk assessments.

How can banks address the complexity of KYC regulations?

Banks can address the complexity of KYC regulations by implementing robust access controls and data encryption measures. This can help mitigate the risk of account takeover fraud and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

What is the importance of customer experience in KYC processes?

Providing a smooth customer experience is crucial in KYC processes. A user-friendly and streamlined onboarding process can help alleviate frustration and minimize friction for customers. Banks can use digital onboarding, biometric authentication, and liveness detection to enhance the customer experience.

How can banks ensure accurate risk assessments and effective monitoring?

Banks can ensure accurate risk assessments and effective monitoring by implementing robust customer identification programs (CIP) and enhanced due diligence (EDD) processes. This can help address issues related to poor data quality and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

What sets Footprint's KYC software solution apart from competitors?

Footprint's KYC software solution is set apart by its unique approach, which includes triple binding identity, app clips and passkeys, and device attestation. This provides a robust and accurate identity verification process, a secure and user-friendly onboarding experience, and effective fraud prevention capabilities.

What are the best practices and recommendations for banks implementing KYC software?

Banks should choose a solution that integrates with existing systems, implement a risk-based approach, continuously monitor customer activity, and prioritize customer experience. By following these best practices, banks can effectively manage risk, provide a positive customer experience, and protect their reputation.

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If you're looking to onboard customers quickly and securely store their sensitive data, we'd love to help. Schedule a call, reach out by email or stay up to date with the latest updates by following us on LinkedIn and X.

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