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Can’t bank on digital KYC; AI growth engine for Cognizant
The Economic Times· 2025-12-12 01:30
Group 1: Banking Industry Changes - High street lenders are reverting to mandatory physical meetings for account openings due to rising identity fraud and mule account challenges [2][16][18] - This shift aims to foster closer relationships with customers, enhancing account profitability through face-to-face interactions [2][18] - The move represents a significant reversal from previous investments in digital onboarding processes, which utilized Aadhaar and video KYC [6][18] Group 2: Cognizant's AI Growth Strategy - Cognizant is entering a "breakaway" growth phase driven by AI, focusing on generative and agentic AI capabilities [8][18] - The company anticipates improved demand for technology services by 2026 as clients recalibrate their spending towards AI [8][18] - Cognizant plans to pursue a secondary listing in the Indian public market to connect with new investors [10][18] Group 3: Harness Funding and Growth Plans - Harness has secured $240 million in funding, positioning itself for cash flow positivity and aiming for $250 million in annualized recurring revenue by 2025 [12][13][18] - The company is aggressively hiring in India, with plans to increase its workforce to 600-700 employees by the end of 2025 [15][18] - Harness's valuation reached $5.5 billion following the funding round, indicating strong investor confidence [15][18] Group 4: Honasa Consumer's Expansion - Honasa Consumer has acquired a 95% stake in BTM Ventures for Rs 195 crore, entering the men's grooming market [16][18] - The company plans to acquire the remaining stake next year, indicating a strategic expansion in its product offerings [16][18]