Maximizing the value of CLM transformation

Across the financial services industry, corporate banks are investing heavily in Client Lifecycle Management (CLM) transformation to accelerate onboarding, improve compliance, and deliver better client experiences. Yet, many institutions find that despite implementing new platforms and processes, they continue to struggle with onboarding delays, manual document checks, and fragmented data. The anticipated return on investment often remains elusive.

This is not just a matter of underperforming software; it points to deeper structural issues within the compliance and data management ecosystem. And at the heart of the solution lies the creation and use of a trusted, reusable Corporate Digital Identity (CDI).

Why CLM software alone is not enough

Transformation is not optional, it is expected. From regulatory pressures to customer demands for faster onboarding and frictionless digital experiences, banks are being challenged to overhaul their CLM programs to deliver more value, faster.

But while investment in CLM platforms has surged, many institutions are finding that Return On Investment (ROI) remains elusive. Why? Because even the most sophisticated CLM software often leaves critical gaps unaddressed, particularly in areas like data capture, verification, and compliance automation. The result is a disconnect between digital ambition and operational reality.

Enter CDI. A technology that is quietly redefining what’s possible in the CLM space.

CDI goes beyond surface-level automation to tackle the root of inefficiency: fragmented, manual, and error-prone data processes that stall onboarding and introduce compliance risk. By centralizing and digitizing the creation, validation, and reuse of corporate entity data, CDI enables banks to move faster, reduce risk, and free up valuable resources.

The limitations of traditional CLM

At its core, CLM software provides a structured way to manage the end-to-end relationship with a client. From onboarding to ongoing KYC and risk reviews. But even the most advanced systems still rely on manual processes for collecting documents, verifying entity information, and engaging with third-party data sources.

This “last mile” of CLM, the handoffs between systems, teams, and external data providers, is where delays mount, accuracy suffers, and ROI slows.

According to recent findings from our Chartis Research, operational time savings of up to 32% are achievable from the end-to-end onboarding process when automation is applied. Yet few banks are consistently realizing these gains.

CDI as the missing link

What is needed is a way to embed verified, reusable entity data into the heart of CLM workflows. Automating the creation of high-quality client profiles from the start and maintaining them throughout the lifecycle. That’s where CDI comes in.

Unlike standalone tools or narrow-point solutions, CDI offers a digital blueprint of a corporate entity. Integrating public, and private data sources to create a single, continuously updated reuseable profile. This profile can then be leveraged at every stage, from onboarding to refresh and remediation, eliminating the duplication that has long plagued CLM programs.

But perhaps, most importantly, CDI enables a “capture once, use many” model. Reducing repetitive outreach, improving decision-making, and accelerating time-to-service.

Beyond efficiency: Compliance and confidence

Speed alone is not enough. CDI also strengthens compliance by introducing auditable, verified data from authoritative sources in real-time. Relationship Managers and compliance teams gain visibility into KYC status and data lineage, making it easier to demonstrate control and respond to regulatory inquiries.

Moreover, CDI supports the journey toward Perpetual KYC (pKYC), where continuous monitoring replaces static, periodic reviews. A model that promises greater agility, lower cost, and reduced risk.

Future-proofing digital transformation

As banks continue to invest in CLM, the need for sustainable, scalable automation is clear. CDI offers a way to modernize without starting from scratch. Enhancing existing CLM infrastructure, streamlining data workflows, and improving integration via a single API layer that orchestrates connectivity between systems and data providers.

Rather than delaying transformation to resolve data challenges later, forward-looking banks are now embedding CDI early to show rapid wins, secure stakeholder buy-in and build momentum for broader change.

A strategic imperative

CDI is not just a tactical enhancement. It is a strategic enabler for banks looking to future-proof their CLM operations. It allows institutions to move faster, meet compliance demands with confidence, and deliver better client experiences. All while accelerating ROI from existing technology investments.