Moody’s Talks: KYC Decoded

What if all your data and systems could work together seamlessly, breaking down silos and unlocking endless possibilities? That’s the promise of data interoperability—connecting platforms and datasets to fuel smarter collaboration, sharper insights, and transformative innovation.  In this episode, we welcome Ian Godfrey, Industry Practice Lead at Moody’s, who dives into the technologies, standards, and real-world challenges behind making data truly interoperable, and why it’s a game-changer for businesses in today’s fast-paced, interconnected world.  His conversation with host, Alex Pillow, addresses questions such as: What exactly is data interoperability, and why is it critical for organizations managing diverse systems and formats? How can companies overcome historical challenges, like manual data capture and quality issues, to build more effective interoperable systems? What role does Master Data Management (MDM) play in achieving data interoperability, and is it merely a foundation or the ultimate goal? How are advancements in AI, machine learning, and real-time APIs transforming data interoperability, and what new opportunities or risks do they bring? How can organizations balance the need for seamless data sharing with regulatory compliance and data privacy concerns? For further information, check out the resources below:    Moody’s data interoperability landing pageTo learn more about Moody’s please visit our website or get in touch we would love to hear from you.   

In this episode of KYC Decoded, we’re excited to highlight the newly formed partnership between Moody’s and GBG, a collaboration aimed at further streamlining business onboarding through continued development of smarter identity verification in Moody’s Maxsight™ platform. Joining us is Gus Tomlinson, Managing Director of Identity Fraud at GBG, to discuss the importance of balancing robust verification processes with a seamless customer experience. Key topics include: How identity verification impacts the digital economy Why customer experience is central to successful identity verification Critical questions businesses must address when verifying identities The growing threat of deepfakes and their impact on fraud prevention What’s next in the identity verification landscape For further information, check out the resources below:  Moody's Maxsight™ landing page Recommended novel: Eat Sleep Innovate  Gus’s blog: Tariffs: four steps to future-proof your business in a shifting economyPress releases on Moody’s and GBG partnership To learn more about Moody’s, please visit our website or get in touch; we would love to hear from you. 

With cyberattacks and ransomware on the rise, businesses face mounting pressure to strengthen their defenses—or risk devastating consequences. In this episode of KYC Decoded, host Alex Pillow sits down with Stephen Boyer, Co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Bitsight, to unpack the ever-changing world of cybersecurity and supplier risk management.From headline-grabbing breaches to hidden dangers in vendor networks, Alex and Stephen explore how organizations can leverage smarter strategies and data-driven insights to stay ahead of cyber threats. Tune in as they discuss: The Marks & Spencer cyberattack and its implications The different levels of ransomware attacks The methods hackers use to breach company systems The risks within third-party networks and the concept of fourth-parties The broader impacts of cyberattacks on businesses Effective strategies for mitigating cyber risk For further information, check out the resources below: Moody's Maxsight™ landing pageJ.P. Morgan Chase Open Letter to third party suppliers Moody’s Research Report on cyber security management Bitsight TRACE ResearchTo learn more about Moody’s, please visit our website or get in touch; we would love to hear from you. 

Three years after our 2022 podcast series on Perpetual KYC (pKYC), we’re rebooting the topic to explore how the practice has evolved and where the industry stands today. The pKYC landscape has shifted, with advancements in technology, regulatory expectations, and data integration driving its adoption as a dynamic, real-time approach to customer due diligence. In this episode, Moody’s Industry Practice Leads, Chor Teh and Marisol Lopez Mellado join us for a discussion on questions like: How has pKYC evolved, and what are the key areas driving adoption? Are sectors from insurance to asset management to professional services experiencing similar pKYC trends as financial institutions? What are the main challenges in achieving pKYC?  How can organizations empower financial crime analysts to overcome the learning curve associated with implementing pKYC? How do shareholders and stakeholders benefit from organizations using pKYC practices? How can AI revolutionize pKYC systems to deliver sharper insights, greater efficiency, and stronger operational outcomes? Additional resources: Moody’s pKYC websiteMoody’s pKYC blogs2022 pKYC miniseries: Part 1, Part 2, & Part 3  European Banking AssociationTo learn more about Moody’s, please visit our website or get in touch; we would love to hear from you.

Terrorism is not a static threat—it’s evolving in complexity and reach, demanding new ways of thinking and acting to counter it. Staying ahead means knowing what to look for and equipping the intelligence and security community with the insights needed to act decisively in an unpredictable world. In this third installment of the All-Source miniseries, we’re bringing together two leading voices on counterterrorism: Russ Travers, Retired Senior Intelligence Executive and National Security Official, and Jason Lee, Industry Practice Lead at Moody’s. Together, they’ll help us dig into some of the most pressing questions shaping today’s global security environment: How has terrorism evolved over the decades, and what does this reveal about the future of global security?  What distinguishes foreign terrorism from domestic terrorism, and how do these differences shape the way we approach prevention and response? Should drug trafficking organizations be classified as terrorist groups? Where do terrorist groups operate in less obvious spaces, and what can uncovering these hidden networks teach us about their strategies and vulnerabilities? In an age of overwhelming data, how can intelligence agencies separate actionable insights from noise to stay one step ahead of emerging threats? What advanced tools and capabilities should counterintelligence teams possess to effectively dismantle complex, adaptive networks of terrorism? For further information, check out the resources below:  War on the RocksTerrorism 360°To learn more about Moody’s please visit our website or get in touch we would love to hear from you. 

In a world increasingly defined by rapid information flow, interconnected risks, and complex decision-making, intelligence analysis has never been more critical—or challenging. In this second installment of our All Source miniseries, we are joined by Lieutenant General Guy Swan, U.S. Army (Retired) and President of Swan and Associates, LLC and Jason Lee, Industry Practice Lead at Moody’s who explore how the skills and insights gained from leveraging intelligence in military decision making can be applied to private sector initiatives. Their discussion answers questions like: How can leaders prioritize decisions and address bias when dealing with overwhelming amounts data?What can the military and private sector teach each other about decision-making?How can Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) be leveraged in military and financial contexts?What strategies help organizations manage exponential and interconnected risks to ensure their plans are resilient to real-world challenges?How can AI and technology improve intelligence analysis while maintaining human judgment?Why do cultural differences and diversity of thought matter in intelligence analysis?For further information, check out the resources below: Department of Defense OSINT StrategyDepartment of Homeland Security websiteTo learn more about Moody’s please visit our website or get in touch; we would love to hear from you. 

Could your company be the next target for corporate espionage, where trade secrets and competitive advantages hang in the balance? As corporate spies evolve their methods to outpace defenses, the risks have never been greater.  In this gripping first episode of our All Source series, we’re joined by Michael Orlando, Senior Director of Global Security at Micron Technology, and Jason Lee, Industry Practice Lead at Moody’s, for an eye-opening exploration of the covert world of corporate espionage. Together, they peel back the layers of this hidden threats, diving into critical questions like: Why is corporate espionage a growing risk in today’s interconnected world? What signals might indicate your organization is being targeted? What drives bad actors to exploit companies, and how are their methods becoming more sophisticated? How are tools like OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) being used to investigate and combat espionage? How are governments and regulators tackling this issue?How will emerging technologies like AI reshape the future of corporate intelligence and defense? If you’re interested in learning more, check out the resources below: Federal Bureau of InvestigationThe National Counterintelligence and Security CenterU.S. Department of Defense Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security AgencyTo learn more about Moody’s please visit our website or get in touch; we would love to hear from you. 

Would you rather spend money recovering from a fraud-related attack or building an anti-fraud strategy? Organizations who become victims of fraud often find themselves paying enormous sums of money, managing severe reputational damage, and navigating uncertainties on how to better prepare for the future.In this episode of KYC Decoded we welcome Chen Zamir, fraud strategy advisor and founder of the consultancy Native[risk].  Chen shares his deep expertise on the topic of fraud with host Alex Pillow, covering ideas like:Transforming fraud strategy towards an organization's growth engineHow to discuss anti-fraud return on investmentAnti-fraud performance indicatorsHow senior executives can better engage with their fraud teamsWhat anti-fraud vendors should considerTo learn more from Chen, subscribe to his weekly newsletter, The Saturday Fraud Strategist.Find out how you can transform risk management across your organization with Moody’s Maxsight™ unified risk platform and feel free to get in touch; we would love to hear from you.

Australia recently passed an amended anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) bill that will soon include Tranche 2 entities in its regulatory regime. The result? Approximately 100,000 new entities under its scope. Regulating non-financial entities is not a new undertaking, as we’ve seen in countries like the UK, Singapore, and United Arab Emirates. Crucial to the success of the regime and overall client experience will be how Australian firms adopt the best practices shown by firms in other parts of the world, while ensuring they account for the nuances of their domestic market.In this episode of KYC Decoded, risk advisory lawyer, Jeremy Moller, from Norton Rose Fulbright and Qing Liu, Moody's Senior Director of Compliance & Third Party Risk in Australia, sit down with host Alex Pillow to discuss what the anticipated changes mean for Tranche 2 obliged entities and the future of compliance in Australia.Key topics:Introduction of the Tranche 2 regulationsChallenges and opportunities for firms implementing the reformsInternational comparisons of similar regimes, and opportunities for harmonizing regulationsAdditional resources:Register for Moody’s in-person Sydney event on April 3 – the event features a blend of plenary and breakout sessions led by industry peers and Moody’s financial crime practice lead.Law Council of Australia: AML/CTF Guidance and Vulnerabilities AnalysisLaw Society of New South Wales AML/CTF HubInformation on AUSTRAC’s AML/CTF ReformNorton Rose Fulbright’s Tranche 2 and AML/CTF Reforms HubVisit our website and get in touch to learn more – we would love to hear from you.

We find ourselves 3 years out from the Russia/Ukraine war, and the sanctions climate continues to evolve. From changing global politicians to sanctions regulations and enforcements to evasion tactics, it is imperative compliance professionals stay alive to risks, and the consequences of not doing so.  In this episode of KYC Decoded, we are pleased to welcome Moody’s Industry Practice Lead, Hera Smith, an expert on sanctions and AML. In this brief, informative conversation with host, Alex Pillow, Hera walks us through how sanctions have changed in the past year, the current sanctions ecosystem, and what to look for in 2025. They explore:Why sanctions are such a commonly used geopolitical tacticHow changing political leaders globally can impact sanctions across jurisdictionsThe financial risks of not adhering to sanctions complianceScalable, automated understanding of current export controlsHow corporations and banks have adjusted staffing to keep up with the regulationsWhere organizations should start when beefing up their sanctions risk teamsIf you would like to find out more, please check out the following resources:A new frontier in sanctions awareness and compliance whitepaperAre you ready for reporting on outgoing transfers involving Russian entities?Sanctions crisis management: preparing for potential changeWe also welcome you to visit our website or get in touch to discuss sanctions; we would love to hear from you.