Financial services process: controls and operating model transformation

Helping banking, insurance and investment firms simplify complex processes, strengthen controls and create sustainable operating models.

How our team can help

Our approach helps organisations streamline processes, strengthen controls and improve operational performance. We assess current processes, design practical future-state improvements, support implementation and embed sustainable change through effective governance and monitoring.

This enables clients to reduce manual effort, enhance decision-making, improve resilience, and identify opportunities for automation and AI adoption, delivering measurable benefits that are proportionate to the needs of financial services firms.
Forvis Mazars financial services expert speaking with colleague about  financial services process

Our financial services process services

  • Process, controls and operating model transformation services

    Our Process, controls and operating model transformation services help organisations identify whether the root causes of inefficiency, cost, operational risk or control weakness sit within the process, control framework, operating model, data or supporting technology.We combine operational, risk, regulatory and transformation expertise with digital and AI-enabled capabilities to help clients improve performance while maintaining the governance and control expected within a regulated environment.
  • Front-to-back process optimisation

    Many operational challenges arise from processes that have evolved over time rather than being designed end to end. We help organisations understand how critical processes operate across the business, identifying inefficiencies, control gaps and bottlenecks through process analysis, stakeholder engagement, data insights and AI-enabled review. We redesign processes to improve efficiency, accountability, control effectiveness and operational performance. 
  • Control-by-design operating models

    Adding controls to address risk or regulatory issues can increase complexity and duplication over time. We help organisations embed governance, controls and accountability into process and operating model design, reducing reliance on manual checks while maintaining effective oversight. The result is a more efficient operating model with clearer ownership, proportionate controls and stronger accountability.
  • Operating model transformation

    Operational challenges often stem from fragmented responsibilities, complex governance, disconnected technology or unclear decision-making. We assess how people, processes, controls, data and technology work together and help design operating models that simplify governance, strengthen accountability, improve decision-making and create a scalable foundation for growth and digital transformation.
  • Regulatory and risk process transformation

    Financial institutions face increasing expectations across governance, regulatory reporting, operational resilience and risk management. We help organisations strengthen the processes and operating models that support these activities, improving governance, workflow design, accountability, management information and data management. This creates more effective, sustainable and resilient ways of working.
  • Digital, automation and AI transformation

    Digital, automation and AI capabilities are embedded throughout our transformation approach. We use AI-enabled tools to identify inefficiencies, control gaps and opportunities for simplification, helping focus effort on the issues that matter most. We also help clients integrate digital, automation and AI solutions into future-state processes and operating models, improving efficiency, oversight and decision-making while maintaining strong governance and accountability.

Read our case studies

Front-to-Back process optimisation

Client context

A bank was reviewing its payments and billing processes to support continued growth and strengthen operational control. The processes relied heavily on manual intervention, involved multiple teams and lacked consistent ownership and oversight.

Our approach

We mapped the end-to-end workflows, assessed process controls and identified opportunities to simplify activities, clarify accountability and improve control effectiveness. We developed immediate remediation actions alongside longer-term process and digital enhancements.

The outcome

  • Improved understanding of end-to-end processes
  • Identified inefficiencies, control gaps and ownership issues
  • Developed prioritised short and longer-term recommendations
  • Supported implementation planning and digital enablement

Control-by-Design operating model

Client context

A UK private bank was modernising its client onboarding operating model. Ownership, governance and controls were fragmented across Front Office, Operations, Risk and Compliance, creating inefficiencies and increasing operational risk.

Our approach

We mapped the onboarding journey, redesigned the future-state operating model and embedded governance and controls directly into the workflow. Working alongside technology providers, we translated the design into business requirements, user stories and implementation-ready specifications.

The outcome

  • Reduced reliance on manual processes
  • Improved governance and control effectiveness
  • Clarified ownership and accountability
  • Created a sustainable foundation for growth and digital transformation

Regulatory and risk process transformation

Client context

A UK challenger bank was reviewing its regulatory governance and risk management processes as the organisation continued to grow.

Our approach

We assessed governance, management information, ownership and control activities. We identified opportunities to simplify processes, strengthen accountability, improve oversight and make better use of digital tools and automation.

The outcome

  • Enhanced governance arrangements
  • Improved ownership and accountability
  • Strengthened management oversight
  • Developed a prioritised roadmap supporting future growth
Woman looking into distance thinking about  how digital technologies, intelligent automation and artificial intelligence are changing how work can be performed.

Transforming operations for a digital future

Financial institutions operate in an environment of increasing regulatory expectations, rising operational costs, evolving customer demands and accelerating technological change. Many firms rely on processes originally designed for a much smaller or less complex organisation. Teams develop workarounds, controls are added in response to issues and accountability becomes increasingly difficult to manage across operations, finance, risk, compliance and technology.

Digital technologies, intelligent automation and artificial intelligence are also changing how work can be performed. The opportunity is not simply to automate existing activities, but to redesign processes, controls and operating models around new capabilities.
 

 

Ready to transform your operations?

Speak to our team

 

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