OCBC has introduced its agentic AI platform, HELIOS, to streamline the onboarding process for wealthy clients, reducing the time to open private banking accounts to 15 business days. This is a significant improvement from the industry median of six weeks. The platform, part of OCBC’s Next Frontier strategy, automates the collection and verification of customer data, completing much of the Know-Your-Customer (KYC) process before relationship managers engage with clients.
HELIOS’ intelligence-gathering capabilities allow for a more thorough and efficient due diligence process, maintaining high compliance standards. The platform also generates high-quality leads for relationship managers, a first for a bank in Southeast Asia. This initiative aligns with the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s goal to reduce account opening timelines to within one month by the end of 2026.
The rollout of HELIOS is underway in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai, with completion expected by the third quarter of 2026. It will also extend to OCBC’s Premier Private Client segment by year-end. Loretta Yuen, OCBC’s Head of Group Legal and Compliance, highlighted the platform’s ability to identify potential concerns earlier and assess financial crime risks more holistically. Jason Moo, CEO of Bank of Singapore, noted that HELIOS provides a competitive edge by combining risk intelligence with business growth.
Beyond onboarding, HELIOS will support ongoing customer monitoring, enhancing risk management and compliance reviews. This development is part of OCBC’s broader investment in AI, digital, and data-driven growth, with plans to spend over $1b annually for the next three years.
