A structured, repeatable methodology
Our engagements follow a simple four-step process designed to fit your policies and produce consistent, defensible results.
Understand
We start by understanding your merchant portfolio, risk policies, and objectives. No two portfolios are the same, so we listen before we recommend.
Define
We agree monitoring criteria and review workflows: what to check, how often, which thresholds matter, and how findings should be escalated.
Assess & monitor
Our analysts conduct merchant assessments and ongoing monitoring against the agreed criteria, applying consistent methods across your portfolio.
Deliver
You receive findings, risk ratings, supporting evidence, and recommended actions — written to be used by your review and governance teams.
Principles behind every engagement
Consistency
Structured methodologies mean results are comparable across merchants and over time, not dependent on who ran the review.
Evidence
Every rating is supported by documented observations, so decisions can be explained and defended later.
Clarity
Findings are written for action: clear ratings, plain-language rationale, and specific recommended next steps.
Examples of what we produce
The following illustrate the deliverables we produce. Examples are generic by design and contain no client or merchant data.
Merchant risk profile
A concise summary of a merchant's business activity, assessed risk tier, and key considerations.
Compliance review summary
An overview of how a merchant's activity aligns with the agreed policy and review criteria.
Website assessment report
Findings from a review of the merchant's website and digital presence against your criteria.
Risk-rating rationale
A clear explanation of why a particular risk rating was assigned, with supporting reasoning.
Evidence & observation log
A structured record of observations and supporting evidence gathered during a review.
Monitoring status report
A periodic update on the monitoring status of a merchant or group of merchants.
Escalation recommendation
A structured note recommending escalation, with observations and suggested actions.
Portfolio-level risk overview
A summary view of risk distribution and coverage across a portfolio.
Periodic review report
A scheduled reassessment confirming continued alignment with your policies.
Illustrative distribution shown to demonstrate report format. Figures do not represent any client portfolio.
Designed for internal decisions and audit trails
Our deliverables are structured so your teams can act quickly and evidence their decisions. Formats are adapted to your governance process rather than forced into a fixed template.
- Consistent structure across every report
- Plain-language findings and rationale
- Supporting evidence attached to each observation
- Clear, specific recommended actions
Work with us in the way that suits you
Project-based reviews
A defined scope of merchant reviews or a one-off portfolio assessment.
Ongoing monitoring
A continuous monitoring programme with an agreed cadence and reporting rhythm.
Analyst-led support
Dedicated analyst support to extend your team's capacity for investigations.