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Hello Soda

60 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 3 years ago -

A selection of podcasts and audio blogs relating to KYC (Know Your Customer), AML (Anti-money Laundering) and Identity Verification.

Business Education kyc identity verification aml know your customer hello soda anti-money laundering customer onboarding
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Episodes

Reducing Due Diligence from Weeks to Minutes

May 06, 2021 09:00 - 6 minutes - 1.91 MB

The regulated sector is diverse and institutions must keep pace with developing rules and regulations in order to remain compliant. As such, creating a smooth onboarding process which is both robust and efficient is no mean feat. The challenge for businesses is to continue to meet evolving requirements without adding friction and delays, which lead to customer frustration and drop-offs. When onboarding, financial institutions need to know who their prospective customers are before engaging...

What’s Next for AML?

April 29, 2021 09:00 - 6 minutes - 1.81 MB

The global AML landscape is diverse and financial institutions must keep pace with rules and regulations in order to remain compliant. But regulations are constantly evolving and businesses must also be prepared to move swiftly, adopt new standards, and protect themselves from scrutiny.

Is It Time to Ditch Passwords Once and for All?

April 27, 2021 09:00 - 5 minutes - 1.53 MB

Speed and security have become of paramount importance for any business dealing with customer data. Customers want to be able to access their accounts and services as soon as possible, but they expect their information to remain safe and secure from criminals. This substantiates the argument for multi-factor authentication and negates the security of the opposite. Passwords are still an authentication method of choice for some businesses, but the time has come to ditch them once and for all.

Creating a Winning Identity Verification Experience for Operators

April 22, 2021 09:00 - 5 minutes - 1.67 MB

In the gaming industry, creating a smooth onboarding process which is both robust and efficient is no mean feat, especially with increasingly strict KYC & AML laws. But, there are ways you can employ smarter methods of identity verification to win more ‘good’ customers and have them using your services as soon as possible…

The Future of Identity in Gaming

April 20, 2021 13:00 - 5 minutes - 1.65 MB

The gaming landscape has changed dramatically over the past 12 months with more traditional players having to opt for online services. Moving further into the digital space means gaming and gambling is now done in real-time. However, the identity verification KYC steps that take place to onboard a new customer, for many operators, are not.

Which is the Most Secure Authentication Method for Your Business?

April 13, 2021 09:00 - 3 minutes - 1.11 MB

The more efficient your methods of onboarding customers, the faster your business will experience growth, but speed is only one aspect of authentication. To ensure your processes are safe, compliant and only allow ‘good’ customers through, security is paramount. But which is the right method for your business?

The Difference Between Fakes, Forgeries and Counterfeits

April 06, 2021 09:00 - 5 minutes - 1.46 MB

Whether a document is a fake, forgery or counterfeit, none of them should be used to verify a customer’s identity. Here, we will explore the difference between the terms and what they mean in practice when referring to falsified identity documents.

Solving KYC Challenges for FinTech Startups

March 30, 2021 09:00 - 5 minutes - 1.61 MB

Knowing your ideal customer is one of the most fundamental aspects of starting any business, but for those in the financial sector, it’s a regulatory requirement.

Crypto Casinos: A Gateway to The World of Crypto

March 25, 2021 10:00 - 5 minutes - 1.58 MB

Things move quickly in the world of cryptocurrency and the value of assets like Bitcoin have recently risen to their highest price in years. When markets continually experience price hikes of the like we’ve seen recently, investors can feel they have missed the boat and the bubble will inevitably burst… But there is a way of gaining access to the party without paying today’s high prices.

Reducing The Risk of Underage Gambling

March 23, 2021 10:00 - 4 minutes - 1.34 MB

The UK gambling landscape is constantly evolving with the addition of new forms of gaming and ways to access them. But there are areas where regulation is lagging behind the development of the industry and worryingly, these represent a gateway to vulnerable members of society.

Reducing Onboarding Costs in Cryptocurrency

March 18, 2021 10:00 - 6 minutes - 1.83 MB

Customer acquisition costs are among the most valuable metrics for all businesses and keeping them low is paramount to overall profit margins. So in an increasingly competitive crypto space, onboarding customers as quickly and efficiently as possible while reducing acquisition costs is key to survival.

Would Identity Verification Make Social Media Safer?

March 16, 2021 00:00 - 5 minutes - 1.63 MB

As people have become even more connected online, social media usage has continued to rise and play a wider role in our everyday lives. When used right, social media is an incredible form of communication and can be a force for good. But, the relative anonymity it offers users is subject to growing criticism as some people hide behind pseudo-accounts and launch abuse at others. Is it time for wider identity verification on social media?

Money Laundering Around the World

March 11, 2021 00:00 - 7 minutes - 2.06 MB

Fraudulent activity is on the rise globally and criminals are continually developing new ways to attack businesses and customers.  2020 had a massive impact on the way we live our daily lives with an accelerated adoption and use of digital technology, but it’s also had an impact on how exposed we can be to fraudsters. In this shifting landscape, organisations need to keep on top of the risk of financial crimes such as fraud, money laundering and terrorist financing, and deal with breaches ...

Deepfakes: The Most Serious Threat in AI Crime

March 09, 2021 00:00 - 5 minutes - 1.57 MB

Artificial intelligence technologies have become increasingly integral to the world we live in. AI technology is now routinely used in autonomous vehicles, medical diagnosis, and proving mathematical theorems. The promises of artificial intelligence are great, but so is the potential for the technology to be used for criminal activity. Here, we explore the most serious threats in AI crime.

How PEPs & Sanctions Checks Prevent Money Laundering

March 04, 2021 00:00 - 7 minutes - 2.19 MB

Fraudulent activity is on the rise globally and criminals are continually developing new ways to attack businesses and customers. Millions of people are affected by fraud every year and it is estimated that in 2019, criminals made $4.2 trillion from fraudulent activity worldwide. In this shifting landscape, organisations need to keep on top of their exposure to the risk of financial crimes such as fraud, money laundering and terrorist financing, ensuring they’re up to the job of protecting ...

Physical to Digital: The Changing Retail Landscape

March 02, 2021 00:00 - 6 minutes - 1.89 MB

Today’s retail landscape is almost unrecognisable to any in living memory. While high street stores up and down the country have been forced to close their doors, it’s never been so important for businesses to provide a first-class digital experience. Along with advances in AI and alternative data, the pandemic has accelerated the adoption and use of digital technology which has had a massive impact on the way we live our daily lives; people are becoming more connected with the use of digit...

Infamous Fraudsters Series: Ross Ulbricht

February 25, 2021 10:00 - 5 minutes - 1.58 MB

The landscape of fraud is constantly evolving as criminals continually develop new ways to attack businesses and customers, but fraud has always taken place… In this series we will be profiling some of the most notorious fraudsters of all time, their crimes, and how they got away with them for so long. The first subject in our series of infamous fraudsters is a contentious one; Ross Ulbricht is currently serving a life sentence in prison which many believe does not warrant his crime.

How Much Is Your Onboarding Process Costing Your Business?

February 23, 2021 10:00 - 5 minutes - 1.47 MB

The initial interactions a new customer has with your business set the tone for the entire relationship; the likelihood of a customer sticking with you (and recommending you to others) increases with the level of emphasis you put on creating an excellent onboarding process. That’s why it’s important to make sure your onboarding process is robust, efficient and compliant and your customers can begin using your products as quickly as possible, with minimal drop-offs.

KYC for Estate Agents

February 18, 2021 10:00 - 4 minutes - 1.42 MB

Though the full scale of money laundering in the UK property market is unknown, illicit activities have been steadily increasing for some time now. As such, anti-money laundering regulations in the sector have been updated a number of times over recent years and it is important that estate agencies comply with the evolving rules to avoid hefty fines & sanctions.

How Much Is Your Data Worth on the Dark Web?

February 16, 2021 10:00 - 5 minutes - 1.6 MB

Much of what you’ll find on the dark web gives it its shadowy reputation; the majority of dark websites are used for criminal activities, primarily drugs and finance. Shopping for illicit material is very different to popping down to your local high-street. Besides the illegality, there isn’t a typical price list for stolen credentials and the like. How much something is worth depends entirely on the value to the buyer, but how much would your information be worth on the dark web?

What is Money Laundering?

February 11, 2021 10:00 - 6 minutes - 1.79 MB

The financial landscape is one that is constantly evolving to keep pace with new regulations and threats. We detailed recently how we’ve seen swathes of people convert from their traditional high-street bank account to an online-only bank account in the last 12 months. But this evolution affects all aspects of the landscape, including an increased risk to financial institutions – and money laundering is no exception.

The Identity Verification Capabilities of NFC

February 09, 2021 10:00 - 6 minutes - 1.77 MB

Near-field communication (NFC) capabilities have permeated our everyday lives, almost without us even realising. More and more people are using smarter, more convenient technology to communicate, verify and transact. With the lines of physical and digital identity becoming increasingly blurred, it’s more important than ever to safeguard your personal and your customers’ information. Although some feel the nature of this technology may increase the exposure of the user’s identity, here we e...

How We Verify Any ID Document in the World

February 04, 2021 10:00 - 5 minutes - 1.46 MB

Growing numbers of businesses and industries are becoming subject to identity verification before onboarding their customers. Global businesses with customers all over the world can be required to process thousands of different identification documents as their customers look to use their products and services.  But, the challenge when handling this many forms of identification is to ensure your processes remain robust and efficient with minimal disruption to the user journey.

The Importance of KYC in Cryptocurrency

February 02, 2021 10:00 - 4 minutes - 1.41 MB

Things move quickly in the world of cryptocurrency and the value of assets like Bitcoin have recently risen to their highest price in years. When markets experience price hikes of the like we’ve seen recently, savvy investors want instant access to the party. But, how can you ensure your potential customers are up and running on your platform as quickly and efficiently as possible?

Hello Soda meets... Andrew Lindley

February 01, 2021 17:00 - 39 minutes - 26.9 MB

Welcome to the Hello Soda meets… Podcast series, where we discuss a range of industry issues including KYC, AML and Identity Verification, with a number of well-known industry professionals. In episode 2, we explore the start-ups in gaming with Andrew Lindley, Chief Operating Officer at Sportech. Andrew provides some fantastic insight into how he has seen the sector change and where he sees it evolving. Enjoy!

How to Reduce Merchant Chargebacks

January 28, 2021 10:00 - 5 minutes - 1.53 MB

It is estimated that 2.14 billion people now buy products or services online, 27.43% of the global population, but increased demand provides increased risk and challenges. With the lack of human interaction we all now experience, businesses need to be prepared to deal with these challenges. One area fraudsters are increasingly targeting is merchant chargebacks and any business accepting payments needs to ensure their processes are up to task.

How to Keep Millennials Happy in Gaming

January 26, 2021 10:00 - 9 minutes - 2.62 MB

Despite wider economic struggles, one industry that continues to perform well is the gaming sector.  With more time to kill and when your console of choice is something you keep with you at all times, it’s easy to see why 2020 had such a positive impact on a market with such a low barrier to entry. But, how can operators ensure they ride the crest of this wave, not swept aside in an increasingly competitive market? One key demographic may hold the key…

Is It Time to Refresh Your Customer Personas?

January 21, 2021 10:00 - 4 minutes - 1.3 MB

Technological innovation is changing the way we live our daily lives, transforming the digital landscape at an exponential rate. While it, and the wider world continues to evolve, consumer needs and intent evolve in sync. Companies regularly evolve and update their services and product offering to keep up with the times, but how often do they refresh their customer personas?

How to Target Your Key Audience

January 19, 2021 10:00 - 4 minutes - 1.28 MB

Given the current economic state and the amount of competition businesses face, having a well-defined target audience is more important than ever; no one can afford to target everyone.  Small businesses can effectively compete with large companies by targeting their niche market. But, how do you define the people most likely to buy your products or services?

The Benefits and Challenges of Online Age Verification

January 14, 2021 10:00 - 6 minutes - 1.9 MB

It is estimated that 2.14 billion people now buy products or services online, 27.43% of the global population. Technological advancement has ensured growing numbers of businesses realise the necessity of, not just being online, but providing a first-class digital experience. The e-commerce landscape has been revolutionised in recent years and with features like next-day shipping, secure payment methods and virtual changing rooms, shoppers feel much more confident in making online purchases....

Building Trust in Mobile Banking

January 12, 2021 10:00 - 7 minutes - 2.08 MB

Today’s financial landscape is very different to that of yesteryear. Countless new business practices, regulations, and compliance procedures have emerged, while technological innovation has rapidly changed business models and operational processes. Adding the development of remote solutions and growing numbers of businesses are realising the necessity of, not just being online but providing a first-class digital experience. But how do banks ensure customers feel their information is safe ...

The Changing Landscape of Identity Fraud

January 07, 2021 10:00 - 5 minutes - 1.72 MB

The world is changing. Advances in AI and alternative data have accelerated the adoption and use of digital technology and growing numbers of businesses are realising the necessity of, not just being online but providing a first-class digital experience. We almost take this new world for granted; from video conferencing and saving all of our information on the cloud, to startup brands having instant access to their customers – globally, people are becoming more connected with the use of dig...

Can Digital Identity Verification Save the Sharing Economy?

January 05, 2021 10:00 - 6 minutes - 4.6 MB

Sharing economy platforms had permeated almost every aspect of consumer lives well before COVID-19, but the pandemic, as well as advances in AI and alternative data, have helped further accelerate the adoption and use of these technologies. But how do platforms such as Uber and Deliveroo ensure supply meets demand? Here, we will explore how digital identity verification can help the sharing economy.

Hello Soda meets... Dimitris Litsikakis

January 01, 2021 17:00 - 12 minutes - 8.62 MB

Welcome to the Hello Soda meets… Podcast series, where we discuss a range of industry issues including KYC, AML and Identity Verification, with a number of well-known industry professionals. In episode 1, we explore the future of fintech with Dimitris Litsikakis, Global Head of FinTech at deVere Group. Dimitris provides some fantastic insight into how he has seen the sector change and where he sees it evolving. Enjoy!

What Is a PEP?

December 22, 2020 10:00 - 6 minutes - 4.52 MB

In order to remain compliant, companies worldwide need to perform verification checks on their customers. One of these necessary checks involves making sure customers are not at risk of political exposure or under any sanctions. But, who constitutes a PEP? Here, we will explore just that; how these checks are carried out and what they aim to do.

Best Practices for Implementing AI in Banking

December 17, 2020 10:00 - 7 minutes - 4.98 MB

Artificial intelligence technologies are increasingly integral to the world we live in and many large financial institutions have already started using AI.  The promises of AI are great, but understanding the considerations needed to build and implement AI within an organisation is challenging. Here, we explore how one would go about implementing AI in banking.

The Future of Onboarding for High Street Banks

December 15, 2020 10:00 - 8 minutes - 5.61 MB

According to a 2020 survey conducted by Bankrate, the average adult uses the same primary bank account for just over 14 years. In these days of new account and switching bonuses, this stat seems incredible, but for financial institutions it means that winning new clients is more important than ever. But, are customers really as loyal as this suggests? A number of factors have made the financial landscape more competitive over recent years, here we will explore the future of onboarding for ...

How Remote Onboarding Has Grown FinTechs

December 10, 2020 10:00 - 7 minutes - 4.98 MB

The shift to digital was taking place well before COVID-19, but the pandemic, as well as advances in AI and alternative data, have helped accelerate the adoption and use of digital technology. Growing numbers of businesses are realising the necessity of, not just being online, but providing a first-class digital experience. We almost take this new world for granted; from video conferencing and saving all of our information on the cloud, to startup brands having instant access to their custo...

How Anonymous Is Cryptocurrency?

December 08, 2020 10:00 - 5 minutes - 3.9 MB

In the early days, it was commonly thought that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin were a safe haven for criminals because they were untraceable and entirely anonymous. However, as organisations and the public gained a better understanding of blockchain technology, it became apparent that Bitcoin’s public transaction ledger was, in-fact, a gold mine of information for authorities. But the question still remains, how anonymous is cryptocurrency?

Are You Doing Enough for Responsible Gaming?

December 03, 2020 17:00 - 7 minutes - 5.27 MB

Responsible gambling measures have improved significantly in recent years. Gambling operators have played a massive part in improving player protection through increased awareness and better responsible gaming tools, but could they be doing more?

How Online Gambling Is Being ‘Gamed’ by Fraudsters

December 01, 2020 10:00 - 7 minutes - 2.1 MB

Search interest in online gambling hit an all-time high in the UK this year as people were confined to their homes, but when activity increases, so too does the risk of online fraud. Here, we explore how online gaming sites are being ‘gamed’ by fraudsters and what can be done about it.

AML & KYC: What Is the Difference?

November 26, 2020 10:00 - 6 minutes - 1.87 MB

The global regulatory landscape is diverse and financial institutions must keep pace with developing rules in order to remain compliant. Given the proximity of terms like ‘AML’ and ‘KYC’ and the fact that they are often used interchangeably, it can be difficult to understand how they differ in a regulatory context. In this post, we look to explore the function of these terms and how they relate to each other.

The World’s Unbanked Population

November 24, 2020 10:00 - 9 minutes - 2.6 MB

Currently, there are two billion people worldwide who cannot access financial services because their data is not held on ‘traditional’ sources. There is a clear disparity between these ‘unbanked’ populations and those whose data is held online through the use of the internet and smart devices… Recently, we explored how FinTech solutions are beginning to create more inclusive financial services, but what is the current state of play around the world?

The Biggest Threats to Banks

November 19, 2020 16:00 - 9 minutes - 2.67 MB

Today’s financial landscape is very different to that of yesteryear. Countless new business practices, regulations and compliance procedures have emerged, while technological innovation has rapidly changed business models and operational processes.

Black Friday: Make Sure You Can Handle the Demand

November 17, 2020 10:00 - 5 minutes - 1.48 MB

As the festive season approaches, the retail landscape this year is very different to almost any in living memory. Black Friday signals the busiest shopping weekend of the year, and while high street stores up and down the country have been forced to close their doors, it’s never been so important for businesses to provide a first-class digital experience.

What Affects the Value of Cryptocurrency?

November 12, 2020 10:00 - 8 minutes - 2.38 MB

Cryptocurrency has long been a volatile market, with rises and falls of 40% or more in a matter of days not uncommon. But, with volatility comes opportunity and some savvy investors have capitalised on massive gains over the years. The value of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have recently risen to their highest price in years, but what drives these price changes?

How Can FinTechs Engage Millennials & Generation Z?

November 10, 2020 10:00 - 9 minutes - 2.82 MB

It is estimated that together, Millennials & Generation Z make up 74% of the global workforce. For the financial services industry, this makes it paramount to engage them, but much of what defines these generations also determines the way in which businesses have to behave in order to interact with them.

The Most Common Mistakes When Onboarding New Gaming Players

November 05, 2020 10:00 - 5 minutes - 1.66 MB

The initial interactions a new customer has with your business set the tone for the entire relationship; the likelihood of a customer sticking with you (and recommending you to others) increases with the level of emphasis you put on creating an excellent onboarding process. That’s why it’s important to make sure your onboarding process is robust, efficient and compliant and your customers can begin using your products as quickly as possible, with minimal drop-offs. Here, we explore some of ...

How Smarter ID Verification Can Win More Customers

November 03, 2020 10:00 - 7 minutes - 2.13 MB

In the gaming industry, creating a smooth onboarding process which is both robust and efficient is no mean feat, especially with increasingly strict KYC & AML laws. But, there are ways you can employ smarter methods of identity verification to win more ‘good’ customers and have them using your services as soon as possible…

How Alternative Data Can Create an Inclusive Financial World

October 29, 2020 10:00 - 6 minutes - 1.89 MB

The use of alternative data has the potential to put previously ‘invisible’ individuals on the map, unlocking opportunities for financial inclusion and economic growth. Exponential amounts of data are being created online every single day, but is it being used to its true potential?  Here, we explore how alternative data can really be used to create a more inclusive financial world.

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