Understanding the two screening modalities

AML screening platforms typically offer two modes of operation: real-time screening for individual checks during customer onboarding, and batch screening for processing large volumes of records. Choosing the right approach - or the right combination - depends on your business model, transaction volumes, and regulatory requirements.

Real-time screening

Real-time screening checks a customer at the moment of onboarding, before the relationship begins.

When to use real-time checks

Real-time screening via API or dashboard is ideal at the point of customer onboarding, when you need immediate confirmation before proceeding with a transaction. Estate agents screening a buyer before exchange, or law firms checking a new client before engagement, benefit from sub-second response times.

The FATF guidance recommends screening at the point of establishing a business relationship - making real-time checks the default approach for initial CDD.

API integration patterns

Real-time screening integrates into existing workflows through RESTful APIs. FirmScreen's API accepts a name alongside optional identifiers (date of birth, nationality, country), screens one customer or a batch, and reports results and case changes back through signed webhooks. This enables embedding screening directly into CRM systems, client onboarding portals, and case management software.

Batch screening

Batch screening checks many customers in one go, usually your existing book.

Periodic portfolio rescreening

Batch processing is suited for periodic rescreening of existing customer portfolios. TCSPs managing hundreds of entities, or accountancy firms rescreening their client base quarterly, can upload CSV or Excel files and screen thousands of records in a single operation. FirmScreen's batch screening maintains full processing history for audit trail purposes.

List-update-driven rescreening

When sanctions lists are updated - which happens multiple times per week for major lists - batch rescreening ensures your existing customer base is checked against the latest designations. This is distinct from periodic rescreening: it is triggered by list changes rather than a calendar schedule.

Ongoing monitoring: the best of both

Many businesses need both: real-time checks at onboarding plus ongoing monitoring that automatically rescreens enrolled customers when sanctions lists are updated. Research from the Journal of Financial Stability found that ongoing monitoring catches significantly more true positives than point-in-time screening alone.

Recommended approach by sector

  • Law firms: Real-time at engagement + ongoing monitoring for retainer clients
  • TCSPs: Real-time at entity formation + batch rescreening on all managed entities monthly
  • MSBs: Real-time per transaction + ongoing monitoring for repeat customers
  • Insurance: Real-time at policy inception + annual batch rescreening of policyholders

Choosing the right configuration

The optimal screening strategy depends on your risk profile, customer volumes, and regulatory expectations. For most non-financial institutions, a combination of real-time onboarding checks and automated ongoing monitoring provides the strongest compliance posture while keeping operational costs proportionate.