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Articles / fintech / What Happens When the Customer You Rejected Was Real

What Happens When the Customer You Rejected Was Real

Jun 10, 2026 · Source: pymnts.com · Topic:  fintech
Internal KYC Review Cost
$26
Average cost spent by internal teams for each KYC review.
Internal KYB Review Cost
$51
Average cost spent by internal teams for each KYB review.
Onboarding Delay Rate
53%
Percentage of firms using internal teams that report onboarding delays.

§ 01 Executive Snapshot

  • What: New data reveals that digital identity verification may be sacrificing business growth by focusing excessively on fraud prevention.
  • Who: Financial institutions, FinTechs, digital platforms, and firms like Trulioo.
  • Why it matters: Understanding the balance between risk reduction and customer onboarding efficiency is crucial for long-term growth and revenue.

§ 02 Key Developments

  • 43% of firms managing KYC/KYB in-house report excessive false positives, incorrectly flagging legitimate customers as suspicious.
  • 56% of these firms also report rising transaction decline rates.
  • 62% state that excessive verification checks create significant customer friction.
  • 53% of firms using internal teams experience onboarding delays compared to only 31% for those using external providers.
  • 81% of firms relying on third-party verification report that their identity systems hinder market entry.

§ 03 Strategic Context

  • The focus on fraud prevention in identity verification has historically overshadowed the need for customer onboarding efficiency and conversion metrics.
  • As competition intensifies in sectors like banking and digital commerce, the financial impact of customer attrition due to verification hurdles is becoming increasingly significant.

§ 04 Strategic Implications

  • Immediate implications include potential revenue loss from legitimate customers abandoning applications due to excessive verification hurdles.
  • Long-term implications suggest firms that balance risk management with customer onboarding efficiency could achieve greater financial returns.

§ 05 Risks & Constraints

  • Potential risk includes the challenge of managing false positives and onboarding delays that could deter customer acquisition efforts.
  • Another risk is the limitations imposed by external providers, which may restrict geographic expansion and market entry.

§ 06 Watchlist / Forward Signals

  • Organizations should monitor their conversion metrics and onboarding speed to gauge improvements in customer acquisition.
  • Future developments in identity verification strategies that prioritize customer experience alongside fraud prevention will signal success or failure in this area.
§ 07

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main issue with digital identity verification?

The main issue is that it may be sacrificing business growth by focusing excessively on fraud prevention.

Why do firms experience onboarding delays?

Firms using internal teams experience onboarding delays due to excessive verification checks, with 53% reporting this issue compared to only 31% for those using external providers.

How does excessive verification affect customer acquisition?

Excessive verification can lead to potential revenue loss as legitimate customers may abandon applications due to the hurdles.

Who is impacted by the challenges in identity verification?

Financial institutions, FinTechs, digital platforms, and firms like Trulioo are impacted by these challenges.

§ 08

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