A reconciliation backlog, rising compliance risks, and mounting operational costs. This was the daily reality for a mid-tier European bank managing thousands of transactions across disparate systems - until a strategic shift helped them turn reconciliation from a resource drain into a competitive advantage.
This bank reconciliation case study sheds light on how a reconciliation transformation led to greater accuracy, faster reporting, and significant financial savings. For bank executives and reconciliation specialists, it’s a practical blueprint for navigating legacy challenges through smart automation.
Like many institutions of its size, the bank’s reconciliation operations were reliant on fragmented spreadsheets and disconnected workflows. The internal finance and risk teams were stretched thin, with analysts dedicating upwards of 40 hours per week to chasing mismatches and documenting exceptions by hand.
Some of the consistent issues they faced included:
Despite their diligence, the process was prone to human error - and the costs were adding up. Not just in labour, but in missed insights and regulatory strain.
While reconciliation is often seen as a necessary accounting function, it’s far more than that. For banks, effective reconciliation forms the bedrock of:
With pressure mounting from auditors and a pending regulatory review on the horizon, leadership recognised the need for a sustainable solution. Something scalable, compliant, and intelligent.
The bank partnered with Validat to transform its reconciliation operations using an intelligent automation platform purpose-built for financial services. The decision wasn’t just about fixing a broken process - it was about future-proofing operations.
Key objectives included:
Explore how Validat’s Banking & Reconciliation tools are built to address exactly these challenges.
The six-month transformation yielded striking outcomes across the board:
MetricBefore ValidatAfter ImplementationReconciliation Time (monthly average)80 hours22 hoursTime to Monthly Close12–14 days5–6 daysAudit Findings on Exceptions11%2%Monthly Operational Cost£9,200£2,800
With real-time reconciliation capabilities, the bank regained control over its financial visibility - and unlocked over £75,000 in annual savings.
The key to this bank’s success wasn’t just software - it was a clear alignment between process, people, and platform.
“It wasn’t about plugging in a new tool. We redefined what reconciliation could be - accurate, auditable, and automatic.”
- Head of Financial Operations
Here’s what made the difference:
The collaboration between finance, operations, and compliance was pivotal - and built a foundation for continued optimisation.
If your institution is still grappling with slow, manual reconciliation cycles, you’re not alone. But the risks and inefficiencies compound over time.
This bank reconciliation case study illustrates a broader truth: operational clarity is no longer a “nice to have”. It’s essential for:
What exactly does a reconciliation platform do?
It automates the process of comparing internal ledger entries with bank statements, highlighting mismatches and managing exceptions within a centralised system. This reduces time spent on manual matching and enhances compliance.
Why is reconciliation particularly important for banks?
Because of their regulatory responsibilities, banks must demonstrate full financial accuracy, often under tight deadlines. Reconciliation ensures financial integrity and helps avoid regulatory penalties or audit failures.
Can a platform like Validat handle multi-currency and multi-jurisdictional data?
Yes. Validat’s platform is designed to work across different currencies, formats, and compliance frameworks, supporting banks that operate in diverse markets.
How does automation reduce costs?
By significantly decreasing the manual hours spent on data entry, exception handling, and audit preparation. It also lowers error rates, which can otherwise result in financial restatements or compliance penalties.
How quickly can my team get up and running?
Most Validat clients are live within 6 to 10 weeks. This includes discovery, data mapping, user onboarding, and live system deployment.
The journey to reconciliation efficiency doesn't start with software - it starts with a commitment to clarity. For this bank, that commitment paid dividends in time, cost, and compliance readiness.
If you're ready to explore what an intelligent, scalable solution could look like in your organisation, book a demo and see how Validat can help your finance function thrive.
