For more than two decades, Nasdaq Verafin has been at the forefront of innovation in the fight against financial crime. From day one, we recognized the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and made it a cornerstone of our strategy. Today, as the industry navigates the complexities of adopting advanced technologies, Nasdaq Verafin stands out as a trusted partner—experienced, proven, and deeply committed to helping financial institutions responsibly embrace AI with confidence.
A Legacy of AI Innovation
Our journey began with Bayesian belief networks, which powered early detection models by mapping relationships between suspicious behaviors and risk indicators. This approach allowed us to identify patterns in transaction data that traditional rules-based systems missed — helping institutions uncover hidden connections in fraud and money laundering cases.
As financial crime evolved in scope and complexity, Nasdaq Verafin refined and expanded our technology to be more responsive. We introduced Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to streamline repetitive compliance tasks, such as data gathering and report generation. This freed analysts from manual work and accelerated investigations, setting the stage for more sophisticated automation.
Next came Machine Learning (ML), which enabled adaptive risk scoring and anomaly detection. ML models learned from historical cases to improve accuracy over time, reducing false positives and helping institutions focus on truly suspicious activity. These innovations were not theoretical — they were embedded in workflows, delivering measurable improvements in efficiency and compliance.
A significant milestone in our AI journey was the launch of Entity Research Copilot, leveraging multiple automation technologies, including generative AI (GenAI). With the powerful combination of targeted AI-based analytics, consortium data, and robust visual investigation tools, the Entity Research Copilot improved investigator efficiency with up to 90% reduction in alert review time. This technology brought intelligence into everyday workflows, allowing investigators to focus only on the targeted results of the Entity Research Co-Pilot, rather than preforming their own internet research.
This innovation marked a turning point: AI was no longer just a detection tool; it became a collaborative partner, helping institutions work smarter and faster. Our Entity Research Copilot demonstrated our commitment to practical, embedded AI—solutions that could integrate seamlessly into compliance operations without adding complexity. This paved the way for the next evolution: Agentic AI.
The Next Era: Agentic AI
Building on this foundation, we introduced an Agentic AI Workforce in July 2025, a breakthrough in financial crime prevention. Unlike traditional AI tools that operate in isolation, Agentic AI functions as an embedded workforce — AI “analysts” integrated directly into the platform. This eliminates the need for third-party integrations and ensures seamless adoption.
Agentic AI doesn’t just assist; it can act independently. AI analysts can review cases, make recommendations, and execute tasks autonomously, dramatically reducing manual effort. For institutions, this means faster investigations, fewer backlogs, and more time for strategic work.
Case Study: Transforming Enhanced Due Diligence
A recent example of Nasdaq Verafin’s AI innovation is the release of its Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) Analyst, currently available in beta to a select group of financial institutions. Financial organizations face overwhelming workloads, with reviews of high-risk customers taking anywhere from three to eight hours per case. With Nasdaq Verafin’s Agentic EDD Analyst, review times have dropped to 30–60 minutes, unlocking extraordinary efficiencies.
As one institution involved in the beta rollout shared:
Review of our 1,361 high-risk customers was conducted by 1.5 staffers; some reviews were taking up to 6 hours, and they had a massive backlog. However, now that these reviews are reduced to 30–60 minutes, they’re able to create major efficiencies. Those individuals dedicated to completing reviews now have time to do other things, which will help fill staffing gaps in other areas.
The savings are notable—not just in time but in operational flexibility. By reducing caseloads, institutions can deploy staff to higher-value tasks, strengthening their overall compliance posture.
The Digital Sanctions Analyst, another Agentic AI Workforce digital worker released by Nasdaq Verafin, delivers similar benefits, streamlining processes that once consumed significant manual effort. Together, these solutions demonstrate how Nasdaq Verafin’s Agentic AI Workforce is redefining efficiency for financial crime teams.
AI Benefits Institutions of All Sizes
AI isn’t just for large organizations. Whether it’s a global bank optimizing team efficiency or a smaller institution seeking to expand capabilities without adding headcount, Nasdaq Verafin’s solutions scale to meet the needs of the financial institution. Our expertise ensures that implementing AI is not disruptive but a seamless enhancement to existing operations.
What sets Nasdaq Verafin apart is the ability to embed AI into the core of workflows. Unlike solutions that require complex integrations, Nasdaq Verafin’s Agentic AI Workforce operates within our financial crime management platform, reducing friction and accelerating adoption. This approach means investigative teams spend less time on manual tasks and more time investigating crime — a critical advantage in today’s resource-constrained environment.
Trust Matters
Implementing AI in a highly regulated environment is complex. Nasdaq Verafin understands these challenges and makes adoption as seamless as possible. Decades of experience combined with cutting-edge technology ensures we are the partner that institutions can rely on—not just to deploy AI, but to do so responsibly and effectively.
About the Author:
FOUAD HASSOUNEH
VP – Product Management, Nasdaq Verafin
Since joining Nasdaq Verafin in 2013, Fouad has excelled in a wide range of roles. In his current role as VP – Product Management, Fouad is responsible for defining the product vision, strategy, and roadmap. He helps Nasdaq Verafin deliver solutions that leverage artificial intelligence to effectively detect money laundering, while helping institutions maintain compliance. Working in close collaboration with Nasdaq Verafin colleagues, customers and senior stakeholders, Fouad applies his extensive knowledge of the AML/CFT and fraud landscapes to guide innovations and enhancements to product management and analytics. Fouad is passionate about creating value for customers and society by combating financial crime with cutting-edge technology.
