Choosing a compliance solution involves more than just selecting a screening engine. You must also determine where the data will be processed, how the solution will integrate with the information system, under what conditions support will be available, and how regulatory changes will be addressed.
These questions arise, in particular, in the context of measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing (AML-CFT), when a company uses RegTech to automate some of its controls.
Does this mean we should systematically favor a French RegTech solution? No. The provider’s country of origin is just one criterion among many and does not determine the quality of the platform, the scope of the data coverage, or the ability to operate on an international scale.
However, it can have tangible consequences for certain aspects of the project: data location, proximity to support services, knowledge of the French regulatory environment, or the structure of the relationship with the software vendor.
For AP Solutions IO, this distinction is essential. We are a French software vendor, but we believe that the choice of a compliance solution must first and foremost be based on verifiable criteria tailored to each organization’s specific framework.
| Criterion | French publisher | International Publisher | What to Check |
| Location of the Accommodation | Varies depending on the offer | Varies depending on the offer | Actual Location and Contractual Commitment |
| Language of the medium | Often available in French | Depends on the organization | Languages, Hours, and Support Terms |
| French Regulations | Possible proximity to the market | Can be integrated into a multi-country approach | Process and Timeframe for Review |
| Documentation | To be verified | To be verified | Traceability and Truly Recoverable Components |
| International Coverage | Depends on the data sources | Depends on the data sources | Standards and Suppliers Used |
| Project Contact | Depends on the organization | Depends on the organization | Availability and Level of Expertise |
| Multi-country capability | To be verified | To be verified | Countries, languages, and regulations actually covered |
Should you choose a French RegTech provider for your compliance needs AML-CFT ?
A French RegTech company can offer real operational benefits, particularly when an organization operates primarily in France or wishes to prioritize certain hosting and support conditions. However, the country where the company is headquartered is not the only factor to consider when evaluating a solution.
The RegTech sector is distinct from the FinTech and LegalTech sectors, as we explain in our article on the differences between FinTech, LegalTech, and RegTech.
The criteria on which the publisher's country of origin can be based
Geographical and regulatory proximity can facilitate certain aspects of business: understanding the market, access to French-speaking contacts, or familiarity with the practices of licensed professionals in France. However, these advantages must be verified in practice.
A French software provider does not necessarily host its data in France. Similarly, an international software provider may have French teams, offer French-language support, and respond quickly to changes in national regulations.
With AP Solutions IO, we have chosen hosting in France, tools available in multiple languages, and an architecture designed to address the compliance challenges faced by regulated institutions and companies. These features stem from our specific operating model, not solely from our nationality.
Criteria that do not depend on nationality
The quality of the engine, its ability to minimize false positives, its level of explainability, and the depth of the data used are, above all, technological and contractual criteria.
Nationality alone does not, therefore, allow us to conclude that a publisher has better international reach or a more effective platform.
The comparison should focus on what the solution actually does and what it enables compliance teams to demonstrate.
Can an international publisher host data in France?
Yes. An international hosting provider may offer hosting in France or elsewhere in Europe, depending on its infrastructure and the contractual options available.
So the right question isn't "Where is the publisher's headquarters?", but rather, where is the data used by the solution actually stored and processed?
Check the entire processing chain
The location must be evaluated in light of any subcontractors, the infrastructure used, and the conditions under which data might be transferred.
This review is particularly important for financial institutions that fall within the scope of DORA, the European regulation on digital operational resilience, which has been in effect since January 17, 2025.
In particular, DORA requires the relevant financial entities to maintain a register of information detailing their contractual agreements regarding the use of ICT services provided by third-party service providers. A SaaS compliance solution may therefore be included in this mapping if it constitutes an ICT service used by an entity subject to the regulation.
However, this does not mean that hosting must take place in France. The issue concerns managing risks related to the service provider, the service provided, the subcontracting chain, and the location where data is processed.
For AP Solutions IO, the choice is clear: our data is hosted in France, which aligns with our commitment to maintaining an infrastructure that is consistent with our security and data control commitments.
What the contract must make it possible to verify
There are several points that need to be considered:
- the location of storage and processing;
- any subcontractors;
- audit and oversight procedures;
- the conditions for data reversibility and restoration;
- the security commitments applicable to the service.
These factors must be evaluated based on each supplier’s contractual and technical documents, and not inferred from the supplier’s nationality.
Is French-language support a genuine selection criterion?
Yes, when it meets users' actual needs.
A compliance team that uses a screening solution on a daily basis may need a point of contact who can quickly understand a configuration issue, an alert, or an integration question.
Language is important, but it alone is not enough to gauge the quality of the medium.
Beyond Language
In particular, the following should be examined:
- availability schedules;
- the level of expertise of the first point of contact;
- the incident management process;
- the escalation procedures;
- the language of the documentation;
- any contractual commitments regarding response times.
A French-speaking support service with limited availability will not necessarily be more suitable than an international organization with a well-structured local team.
AP Solutions IO offers support in French and English. Our tools are also available in French, English, and Spanish, which allows us to support organizations whose teams do not all speak the same language.
How should French regulations be taken into account?
AML-CFT 's regulations are based on a European and national framework, supplemented by regulations, guidelines, and positions issued by the relevant authorities.
In France,the ACPR is responsible, among other things, for supervising the banking and insurance sectors. Tracfin, the French financial intelligence unit, receives and analyzes suspicious activity reports submitted by the relevant regulated professionals.
For a publisher, the challenge is therefore to be able to adapt its tools as requirements or practices change, without forcing the client to systematically undertake a major technical project.
To learn more about the ACPR’s role and oversight, check out our dedicated guide.
Nationality does not guarantee how quickly updates are made
An international group may have legal or product teams dedicated to France. Conversely, the fact that a French publisher is involved does not, in and of itself, guarantee an immediate update.
So the real question is: How does the publisher manage its market monitoring, product development, and the rollout of updates?
With AP Solutions IO, we provide ongoing regulatory monitoring and regularly update our SaaS solutions, without requiring customers to maintain an installed version of the tool themselves.
What does not depend on the publisher's nationality
Certain key criteria must remain completely separate from geographic origin.
Data Coverage
A screening solution must rely on sources that are appropriate for the checks being performed: sanctions, asset freezes, politically exposed persons, Beneficial Owners, or AML data, depending on its scope. Coverage therefore depends on the quality of the databases and the selected providers.
AP Solutions IO works with Dow Jones and Acuris/ION Analytics, among others, to enrich the data used by its solutions. These partnerships enable our French RegTech company to expand its reach beyond the domestic market.
In other words, a French RegTech company can certainly draw on data with global reach.
Engine Performance and Tuning
The quality of a search engine is measured, in particular, by its ability to handle spelling variations, homonyms, transliterations, and additional information that can be used to confirm or rule out a match.
AP Solutions IO is powered by a detection and mitigation engine that can be configured based on more than 90 criteria. Our technology and Glass Box Augmented Intelligence also aim to make results traceable and explainable, so that teams can understand the factors that led to an alert.
The ability to work internationally
A group with operations in several countries must verify the solution's compatibility with:
- the applicable sanctions regimes;
- the languages used by the teams;
- data formats;
- the volumes to be processed;
- the organization of the information system.
Certain major international publishers naturally have extensive experience with these environments. But this is not an automatic advantage: the scope of what is actually offered must be weighed against the group’s needs.
How should a company with operations in multiple countries make this decision?
Before comparing software vendors, asking these four questions can help you better define your needs.
What is the actual scope of this issue?
We need to identify the entities, portfolios, clients, third parties, or transactions that will actually be covered by the program.
An international group does not necessarily need a tool that is deployed in exactly the same way across all its subsidiaries.
What requirements must be met?
The system must take into account not only the regulations applicable to each entity but also the group's internal policies.
How should the solution be integrated?
A centralized solution, access via a portal, or direct integration via API do not result in the same project.
AP Solutions IO offers web interfaces and native APIs, as well as a SaaS solution. Our open architecture and no-code configuration allow us toadapt the system to the tools already used by teams, without limiting the choice to a choice between French and international vendors.
In which languages do the teams work?
This issue has direct operational implications. A technically effective solution that is poorly suited to users is likely to be underutilized.
Why Choose AP Solutions IO as a French RegTech Provider?
AP Solutions IO is a French RegTech company based in Paris, founded by experts with over fifteen years of experience in AML and AML-CFT compliance tools.
Our positioning is not based solely on our presence in France. It combines hosting in France, SaaS architecture and APIs, trilingual tools, international data, and Glass Box technology that is explainable and traceable.
Our suite includes AP Scan for screening sensitive individuals, AP Scoring for assessing risk levels, AP Monitoring for monitoring operations, and AP Filter for screening against international sanctions and embargoes. It is this combination that should be evaluated against an organization’s needs.
Choosing a French RegTech company only makes sense if its features truly meet the requirements of your compliance framework. You can contact us to see how our solutions align with your architecture, your transaction volumes, and the scope of your entities.
