In a move set to reshape the compliance landscape for financial advisers and wealth managers, SmartSearch has announced a strategic partnership with Plannr. This collaboration integrates SmartSearch’s advanced anti-money laundering (AML) and identity verification tools directly into Plannr’s CRM and back-office system, offering a unified platform for compliance and client management.
Integrated AML at the Core of Advisory Workflows
The integration allows financial advisers to perform key compliance checks—such as Know Your Customer (KYC), AML screening, and sanctions monitoring—without ever leaving the Plannr platform. When a new client is onboarded, SmartSearch’s verification systems are triggered automatically, with all results and data synchronized back into the client record in real time.
This two-way integration eliminates the need for manual data entry and reduces the risk of errors, enabling firms to accelerate onboarding while maintaining robust regulatory compliance.
Accuracy Through Triple-Bureau Verification
SmartSearch stands out by using data from all three major UK credit reference agencies—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. This triple-bureau model enhances the reliability of identity checks and significantly lowers the chances of false positives or missed matches.
According to internal benchmarks, over 97 percent of checks are completed successfully within seconds, offering both speed and accuracy without compromising due diligence standards.
Advantages for Financial Advisers and Compliance Teams
This partnership brings tangible benefits to advisory firms and their compliance operations:
- Advisers can initiate and complete AML and KYC checks directly within the client profile, saving time and reducing operational complexity
- Firms gain a complete audit trail of compliance activity, supporting internal oversight and external regulatory reviews
- Real-time data syncing between systems ensures that client records remain consistent, up-to-date, and secure
- Automated compliance processes free up staff to focus on strategic planning and client engagement
Voices from the Partnership
Kerry Cleary, Partnership Director at SmartSearch, described the integration as “a significant leap forward” for firms seeking smarter compliance solutions. She emphasized that embedding AML processes directly into adviser workflows reduces friction and improves compliance consistency.
Gareth Thompson, Chief Technical Architect at Plannr, praised the collaboration as an example of how open API technology can simplify complex financial operations. He noted that the integration was designed to eliminate repetitive tasks and empower advisers to operate more efficiently and compliantly.
A Broader Shift Toward Embedded Compliance
This is one of several integrations Plannr has launched in recent months, reflecting a wider industry trend toward embedding regulatory tools within core business systems. As financial services continue to digitize, embedded compliance ensures that firms remain agile, compliant, and competitive.
For SmartSearch, the partnership reinforces its position as a leading provider of digital compliance solutions, while for Plannr, it enhances the value proposition of its growing platform for modern advisory practices.
Conclusion
The SmartSearch–Plannr integration is more than a technical collaboration—it represents a shift in how compliance is viewed and delivered in the financial advisory sector. By combining powerful verification tools with seamless usability, this partnership helps firms meet regulatory expectations without sacrificing operational speed or client service quality.
