"The AML landscape is dynamic, with regulations and compliance expectations changing quickly. Real estate teams must ask themselves whether their current onboarding processes are equipped to handle these challenges."
- Tim Barnett - Credas
2030 will arrive sooner than we think, and judging by the rapid pace of technological and regulatory change, the anti-money laundering (AML) sector will look very different by then. AML regulations are evolving rapidly, putting the real estate sector under increasing pressure to ensure its onboarding processes remain compliant and efficient.
With regulators scrutinising onboarding practices more closely than ever, organisations that fail to meet the required standards face significant risks, both financial and reputational. The past five years alone have seen massive shifts in regulation, enforcement, and technology – think Bitcoin, deepfakes and DeepSeek, for example– so what will the next five bring? The stakes have never been higher, and organisations must adapt, or risk being left behind.
At the same time, the rise in sophisticated financial crime highlights the need for robust AML measures, particularly during the customer onboarding stage. However, outdated processes or ineffective tools can leave organisations vulnerable, resulting in unnecessary delays and missed opportunities.
Deepfakes and synthetic identities are making it harder than ever to distinguish between genuine and fraudulent applicants, while cryptocurrency and other decentralised finance tools are creating new channels for illicit transactions. The question is no longer whether fraudsters will exploit weak onboarding systems, but when.
So, how can real estate teams future-proof their onboarding processes while maintaining compliance with evolving AML standards?
Ensure your onboarding solution is equipped
The AML landscape is dynamic, with regulations and compliance expectations changing quickly. Real estate teams must ask themselves whether their current onboarding processes are equipped to handle these challenges. Outdated systems that rely heavily on manual processes not only slow down operations but also increase the likelihood of errors that can lead to compliance breaches.
To address this, organisations should assess their current systems against emerging AML standards. For instance, is digital ID verification integrated into your onboarding process? Digital identity solutions offer a faster, more secure way to verify customers while reducing the risk of fraud. With the UK government pushing for wider adoption of digital IDs, businesses that fail to integrate these technologies will fall behind.
Are they flexible enough to incorporate new regulatory changes? Can they adapt to the growing demand for secure, efficient and customer-friendly onboarding experiences? Implementing a forward-thinking approach now can save significant time, resources and risk in the future.
How technology can help to avoid delayed sales
Delayed transactions can frustrate clients and harm an organisation’s reputation. Real estate transactions often involve high-value assets, so lengthy onboarding processes caused by inefficient compliance checks can lead to missed opportunities and client dissatisfaction. In a market where speed is everything, competitors with more efficient AML processes will secure deals faster.
Technology has become a game-changer in addressing these issues. Automated verification tools, real-time AML checks, and advanced analytics speed up the onboarding process and ensure a higher level of accuracy. By embracing technology, real estate teams can reduce bottlenecks, streamline workflows, and enhance client experience.
Additionally, using machine learning and artificial intelligence allows for proactively identifying potential compliance risks, enabling organisations to address them before they escalate. AI-driven risk scoring can instantly flag anomalies, preventing high-risk clients from slipping through the cracks. As we approach 2030, integrating these technologies into onboarding workflows will no longer be optional. It will be a necessity.
Developing a scalable and adaptive compliance framework to stay ahead
The complexity of AML compliance will continue to grow as regulators introduce more stringent measures. Organisations must move beyond reactive compliance strategies and focus on building frameworks that are both scalable and adaptive.
A scalable framework ensures that your compliance processes can expand as your organisation grows without compromising efficiency. This might involve integrating cloud-based platforms that allow for seamless updates and the ability to handle increased transaction volumes. Adaptability is equally critical. It ensures that your organisation can respond quickly to regulatory changes without overhauling its entire onboarding process.
To achieve this, compliance teams should prioritise regular training and audits to ensure staff are equipped with the latest knowledge and tools. The past 18 months alone have seen major developments in financial crime tactics. Are your teams trained to spot deep fake-generated identities? Do they understand the risks of crypto-based laundering schemes? Staying ahead requires more than just software; it demands continuous education and proactive monitoring.
Partnering with compliance experts and technology providers can also offer insights into best practices, ensuring that your onboarding framework remains resilient against emerging threats.
Looking ahead to 2030
As the real estate sector approaches 2030, organisations with the right strategies and technologies can not only meet evolving regulatory requirements but also position themselves as leaders in their field.
Future-proofing your onboarding process is not just about avoiding penalties. It is about building trust, enhancing client relationships and staying competitive in a rapidly changing market. AML standards are shifting faster than ever; what seems cutting-edge today may be outdated in 18
months. Real estate teams that embrace digital ID, AI-driven compliance, and scalable frameworks will have the agility to keep pace with both regulation and risk. The time to act is now, as 2030 will be here sooner than we think.
