The ask
Tide Bank, a digital business banking platform, was operating with an entirely manual KYC (Know Your Customer) process that created significant operational bottlenecks. Their fraud department had grown substantially just to keep pace with verification demands, while the lack of real-time analytics prevented them from gaining the insights needed to serve their unique customer base effectively. The manual processes were not only resource-intensive but also slowed customer onboarding and limited the bank’s ability to scale.
Tide Bank needed to build an AI-powered solution to automate KYC checks and transform their credit and fraud operations. This required a specialized team capable of building sophisticated machine learning systems using Python, Kafka, and Spark—technology that would need to meet strict financial regulations while delivering results quickly. They needed senior talent who could architect and implement this mission-critical system from the ground up.
The solution
We conducted targeted workshops with Tide Bank’s leadership to define the exact technical profiles required: senior engineers with proven experience in building AI/ML systems for financial services, expertise in real-time data processing, and familiarity with regulatory compliance requirements. Understanding the urgency and regulatory constraints, we focused our search on EU-based talent who could work within strict data protection frameworks while delivering rapid results.
Within a few weeks, we sourced, pre-screened, and presented qualified candidates specializing in Python, Kafka, and Spark. We placed 5 senior data engineers and 2 data QAs who were approved by Tide Bank and ready to start. Our team handled all employment contracts, compliance documentation, and onboarding logistics. We integrated the new team directly into Tide Bank’s development environment, establishing them with full access to systems, tools, and stakeholder communication channels. Throughout the project, we actively managed team performance, facilitated regular check-ins with Tide Bank’s management, and ensured the team maintained alignment with project milestones and quality standards.
The outcome
The team we placed successfully built and deployed Tide Bank’s AI-powered KYC automation platform, dramatically transforming their operations. Manual back-office checks dropped from 74% to below 30%, effectively cutting the workload on Tide Bank’s fraud department by more than half. The reduction in manual processing not only delivered immediate cost savings but also significantly improved the accuracy and speed of KYC verifications.
The machine learning models implemented by our team created a self-learning system that continues to improve over time, providing Tide Bank with a scalable foundation for growth. The faster, more accurate onboarding process enhanced customer experience while positioning Tide Bank to handle increasing volumes without proportionally expanding their fraud department. Our ongoing performance management ensured the team consistently delivered to the highest standards throughout the development and deployment phases, ultimately handing over a production-ready system that met all regulatory requirements.
