Before engaging a new customer or supplier, most companies review their financial stability. But do you also verify whether these partners are connected to sanctioned individuals or high‑risk entities? A single risky business relationship can lead to cash‑flow issues, regulatory penalties, or lasting reputational damage.
To help companies address these challenges, Coface has added integrated compliance screening to Urba360, made possible through a new partnership with the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG).
Alexander Tame (Senior Channel Partner Manager, LSEG), Giulia Branduardi (Head of Partnerships, Coface), and Felipe Henao Brand (Head of GTM, Coface Business Information) share how this new capability works and why it matters for businesses today.
Why Look Beyond Financial Health?
Why was Compliance Screening added to Urba360?
Felipe HENAO BRAND:Evaluating a business partner requires more than reviewing balance sheets. Organizations must ensure potential partners are not linked to sanctioned individuals, politically exposed persons (PEPs), or entities with hidden ownership structures. Understanding these risks helps companies strengthen regulatory compliance, reduce exposure, accelerate onboarding processes, and make decisions with confidence.
World‑Check One: A Leading KYC & AML Intelligence Database
Alex, what makes LSEG’s World‑Check One so powerful?
Alexander TAME: World‑Check is a globally recognized risk intelligence database used for KYC, AML, counter‑terrorism financing, sanctions screening, anti‑bribery, and corruption compliance. The dataset is built from verified open‑source intelligence and provides structured, high‑quality information on individuals and entities with elevated risk profiles.
It follows strict inclusion criteria aligned with international regulations and can screen customers, suppliers, intermediaries, vessels, UBOs, and more.
As Felipe noted, organizations must identify exposure to sanctioned parties, PEPs, individuals flagged by law‑enforcement bodies, or subjects appearing in adverse media coverage.
Who Should Use This Data?
Who benefits from Compliance Screening insights?
F.H.B.:
Any company operating internationally, or even domestically, can benefit. This applies far beyond traditional import‑export businesses. LSEG’s analytics help uncover hidden ownership links, enabling companies to detect local partners who may pose compliance risks.
Finance directors, CFOs, procurement teams, KYC/AML analysts, risk managers, and treasury departments all gain value. Compliance Screening enhances Urba360’s financial insights with sanctions, PEP, and beneficial‑ownership checks, significantly reducing regulatory and reputational risk.
So this is relevant to mid‑market firms, large enterprises, and any business wanting to ensure its partners aren’t tied to sanctions or PEPs?
F.H.B.: Exactly. It’s about minimizing exposure and risk.
A.T.: Felipe summarized it perfectly. Every company has a supplier network and a sales channel : both are potential entry points for financial crime or regulatory violations.
This data strengthens third‑party risk management and supports more informed decisions before onboarding a new partner.
Conducting a detailed and holistic assessment of relevant risks before engaging a new third party is a critical part of managing any supply chain or distribution network.
World-Check now alongside Coface directly supports that process.
Felipe, how can teams beyond compliance use this data?
F.H.B.: In many small and mid‑sized companies, one person may manage finance, procurement, and compliance tasks.
Tools like World‑Check One centralize these responsibilities, making it easier to oversee both financial and regulatory risks.
A single platform for all assessments increases efficiency and promotes safer business practices.
How Does This Benefit Urba360 Users?
F.H.B.: The key benefit is unified access to both datasets. Coface’s scoring and trade opinions combined with LSEG’s sanctions, PEP, and ownership intelligence.
Users receive a single, actionable risk view that supports:
- Customer onboarding (finance, AML)
- Supplier selection (procurement, risk)
- Payment controls (treasury)
This partnership brings high‑quality compliance and risk‑intelligence data to companies of all sizes, even those that never considered compliance screening before. We’re democratizing risk insights.
Thanks all for your contributions. Any final thoughts?
Alexander TAME: World‑Check may be considered a “negative” database, but in reality it’s a business enabler. It empowers companies to grow confidently by supporting secure, fast, and compliant decision‑making.
It’s a comprehensive tool that supports fast, secure decision-making. It helps businesses grow while staying compliant.
Giulia BRANDUARDI: This partnership opens new opportunities. We’re continuously enriching Urba360 with more content to help our customers.
Felipe HENAO BRAND: This is just the beginning. By connecting best‑in‑class providers, we are simplifying risk management and expanding access to premium intelligence.
The partnership between Coface and LSEG represents a major advancement in business intelligence. With World‑Check One integrated into Coface’s solutions, companies gain robust tools to evaluate partners, mitigate risks, and operate with confidence, whether they’re global enterprises or fast‑growing mid‑size businesses.
With Urba360, everything is centralized: financial analysis, credit opinions, sanctions and PEP screening, and ownership checks. No more switching between platforms.
You save time, reduce risk, and improve decision quality.
