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Buyer's guide 8 June 2026 6 min read

Switching AML providers: the exit checklist nobody talks about

Lock-in is a real cost. Here's how to evaluate exit costs before you sign and how to actually leave when the time comes.

By Sophie Maddox

AML providers compete hard on onboarding and quietly on retention. The exit experience is where the relationship reveals itself: how cleanly your data leaves, in what format, and at what cost.

What to negotiate before signing

  • Data export format — CSV is fine; proprietary binary is not.
  • Inclusion of historical CDD evidence files (PDFs, biometric captures), not just metadata.
  • Clear deletion timeline post-exit, with attestation.
  • No 'transition fee' beyond reasonable engineering time.

The actual exit playbook

  • Notify in writing per the contract; archive the acknowledgement.
  • Run a final export and verify the schema before terminating access.
  • Hold retention copies for the seven-year statutory period — your provider's deletion does not change your retention obligation.
  • Update your Part A program to reference the new platform; archive the old one.
Practical next step

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