AFTAs 2020: Most Innovative Third-Party Technology Vendor (Trading, Risk and Compliance)—Acin

UK-based newcomer Acin, a non-financial risk management company launched in 2018, claims a double prize—this new category of most innovative third-party tech vendor in the trading, risk, and compliance arena, and its first WatersTechnology award. 

Acin, which counts 14 Tier-1 banks as clients, has spent the majority of last year fine-tuning its flagship Acin Terminal, a software-as-a-service (SaaS)-based platform that delivers operational and other non-financial risk intelligence to clients in real time. The platform uses defined metadata to map individual firms’ risks and controls, and identify gaps and overlaps. Leveraging barcode-like Advanced Control Identification Numbers (ACINs) for risk and control, it facilitates evaluation of banks’ risk performance and provides actionable data on their risk positions. The product also offers a dynamic dashboard that allows users to visualize their risk and measure it against industry peers.

“By enhancing our solution so that it can be applied consistently throughout organizations—with risk intelligence shared in a timely manner—we are empowering them to ensure efficient and effective operational risk management. This in turn means fewer fines and costs, enhanced operational and reputational security, and [being] one step closer to a safer financial services industry,” says Paul Ford, founder and CEO. 

In September, the vendor secured $12 million in a series A funding led by Fitch Ventures, the equity investment arm of Fitch Group, and Notion Capital, a European investor in SaaS startups. “Over the next year, we will use this funding to continue enhancing our platform with additional inventories of risks and controls, software extensions and integrated benchmarking. Additionally, we will deliver the full rollout of the front-to-back-office solution we are already working on with notable existing clients,” Ford says.  

The firm is currently expanding to other financial services, starting with asset management. Ford says there is also “significant opportunity” for its solution to be applied to insurance and other regulated verticals beyond financial services, such as healthcare.