Anti-money-laundering (AML) firm SmartSearch has opened its first office in the USA two months after starting operations there.

SmartSearch has have an office in the western state of Utah. Recruitment is now underway for a team to support the office head Chad Rawlings, with group support from international strategy director Martin Turvey.

The firm has developed a bespoke AML product for that market so US firms using their instant online system, have the same absolute confidence as those in the UK that their AML checks are comprehensive, up-to-date and fully compliant with relevant legislation at all times.

In addition, SmartSearch has developed a fully integrated app to allow checks to be performed ‘on the go’.  As the Covid-19 pandemic remains a significant factor in many US states, the app provides a advantage for SmartSearch compared to manual document checks as they do not need to be handled.

John Dobson, CEO at SmartSearch, said: “We have seen a period of sustained growth since we established SmartSearch nine-years-ago. Our move into the US market comes at the right time for the business and is in line with our global ambitions.

“Having a presence on the ground in the rapidly growing ‘silicon slopes’ area of Utah, home to many well-known and growth technology companies, is really important to us. It gives us a base from which to take our products and services all over the country.

“We’re really pleased to have chosen Chad to head up the operations out there and we’re confident he will build a strong team of talented people around him, to grow SmartSearch and build our profile in the US.

“SmartSearch has built a reputation as being one of the UK’s leading RegTech firms through a combination of cutting-edge technology and friendly, efficient customer service, with a client retention rate of 98%. We want to bring those assets to bear in the US market, while continuing to deliver day-in, day-out for our UK clients.”