Proven Results
Real Client Outcomes — Not Just Promises
Every case study below represents a real engagement with measurable outcomes. We share these so you can see exactly how we work — and what results to expect.
- 120+ FCA Applications
- 94% Success Rate
- 15+ Corridors
SPI Authorisation
UK → Bangladesh
SPI Licence Approved in 4 Months — UK to Bangladesh Remittance
The Challenge
A London-based remittance business serving the Bangladeshi diaspora had been operating under HMRC MSB registration for three years. They wanted to upgrade to an FCA Small Payment Institution (SPI) licence to expand their service offering and process higher transaction volumes. Two previous attempts with other consultants had failed — one application was returned by the FCA for insufficient AML documentation, and another was abandoned mid-process.
Our Approach
We conducted a full regulatory gap analysis, rebuilt their AML/CTF framework from scratch, developed a robust business plan with financial projections, and prepared all key individual assessments. Our team managed all FCA correspondence and responded to two Requests for Information within 48 hours each.
The Outcome
FCA SPI registration was granted in just 4 months from submission — significantly faster than the 6-month industry average. The client has since processed over £12 million in transactions with zero compliance findings.
4 months
Application to Approval
2 (resolved in 48hrs)
RFIs Received
£12m+
Transactions Since
Zero
Compliance Findings
HMRC Investigation
UK → Nigeria
HMRC AML Visit — Zero Findings Outcome for Nigerian MSB
The Challenge
An HMRC-registered MSB specialising in UK-to-Nigeria money transfers received a formal notice of an AML supervision visit with just two weeks' notice. The business owner had limited compliance documentation — policies were outdated, staff training records were incomplete, and transaction monitoring was largely manual. They contacted us in a state of near-panic, worried about potential enforcement action.
Our Approach
We deployed an emergency compliance team that arrived on-site within 48 hours. Over 10 intensive days, we rewrote all AML policies, conducted the firm-wide risk assessment, updated CDD procedures for the Nigeria corridor, delivered staff AML training to all 8 employees, organised transaction monitoring records, and prepared the MLRO for the HMRC interview. We also represented the client during the visit itself.
The Outcome
The HMRC visit concluded with zero adverse findings and zero enforcement actions. The inspector specifically commended the quality of the risk assessment and training documentation. The client has since passed two further annual HMRC reviews without any issues.
10 days
Time to Prepare
Zero
Adverse Findings
8
Staff Trained
2
Subsequent Reviews Passed
Licence Acquisition
API Purchase
Failed FCA Application → Successful API Licence Acquisition in 8 Weeks
The Challenge
A fintech startup needed to launch payment services urgently to meet investor deadlines. Their direct FCA API application had been under review for 14 months with no progress — multiple RFIs remained unresolved and the FCA was considering withdrawing the application. With investors losing patience, the founders explored acquiring an existing API licence instead.
Our Approach
We identified a suitable licensed API business through our licence marketplace network, conducted full regulatory and financial due diligence, negotiated the purchase terms, and managed the entire FCA Change in Control (CIC) application. Simultaneously, we rebuilt the AML/CTF framework for the new ownership structure and opened safeguarding accounts with a tier-1 bank.
The Outcome
The acquisition completed in 8 weeks — compared to an estimated 12+ months for the original application to be resolved. The startup launched payment services on schedule, met investor milestones, and has since processed over £30 million in transactions.
8 weeks
Acquisition Timeline
12+ months
Time Saved vs New App
£30m+
Transactions Processed
Yes ✓
Investor Deadline Met
AML Remediation
UK → Pakistan / India
AML Remediation — 3,000 Historic CDD Records Cleared in 6 Weeks
The Challenge
A well-established remittance business operating across the Pakistan and India corridors discovered significant CDD backlogs during an internal review. Over 3,000 customer records had incomplete or outdated due diligence — representing a serious regulatory risk ahead of their upcoming HMRC annual review.
Our Approach
We deployed a dedicated remediation team of 4 compliance analysts who worked systematically through the backlog. We developed a risk-based prioritisation framework, focusing first on high-risk corridor customers, then PEPs and sanctions matches, before completing the standard risk population. Each record was reviewed, updated, and documented to JMLSG standards.
The Outcome
All 3,000 records were remediated within 6 weeks, well ahead of the HMRC review date. The subsequent HMRC visit confirmed full compliance. The client subsequently engaged us for ongoing monthly CDD monitoring to prevent future backlogs.
3,000+
Records Remediated
6 weeks
Completion Time
Full Compliance
HMRC Review Result
4
Analysts Deployed
EMI Authorisation
Multi-Corridor
AEMI Licence Granted — Multi-Corridor E-Money Institution
The Challenge
A technology-driven financial services company wanted to obtain an Authorised E-Money Institution (AEMI) licence to offer multi-currency wallets, prepaid cards, and international money transfers. The complexity of the application — covering multiple product lines and 6 remittance corridors — had deterred previous consultants from taking on the engagement.
Our Approach
We developed a comprehensive 200+ page FCA application covering the full product suite, built a multi-layered AML framework covering each corridor's specific risks, prepared detailed financial projections demonstrating capital adequacy at £350,000, and coached all key individuals through the FCA interview process. We managed 5 rounds of FCA queries over the 14-month application period.
The Outcome
The AEMI licence was granted with all requested permissions. The client launched across all 6 corridors simultaneously, onboarded 15,000 customers in the first year, and has maintained full regulatory compliance throughout.
200+
Application Pages
5
FCA Query Rounds
6
Corridors Launched
15,000
Year-1 Customers
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