The Challenge

A UK-based wealth management firm acquired a portfolio of clients from a retiring adviser as part of a strategic growth plan. While the acquisition provided an opportunity to expand its client base, the firm quickly identified a critical issue: much of the client data inherited as part of the purchase was outdated, incomplete, or unverified.

In many cases:

• Contact details had not been updated for years
• Clients had moved, changed circumstances, or passed away
• Records lacked confirmation that the firm could lawfully and practically engage with the individuals

Under FCA guidelines, the firm needed to be able to clearly identify and contact clients within the portfolio. Without verified data, the value of the acquisition, and the firm’s ability to service those clients compliantly, was at risk.

 

The Risk of Inaction

Failing to qualify the portfolio data presented several serious concerns:

• Regulatory and compliance exposure
  Wealth management firms must be able to demonstrate accurate records and meaningful client contact to meet FCA expectations.
• Reduced portfolio value
  Uncontactable or unverified clients diminish the real value of an acquired portfolio.
• Operational inefficiency
  Internal teams can spend significant time chasing outdated leads with little success.
• Reputational risk
  Poor first contact or incorrect outreach can damage trust before a client relationship has even begun.

The firm required a professional, compliant way to validate the data before progressing client engagement.

 

How Vilcol Helped

Vilcol was instructed to carry out a structured data qualification and tracing exercise across the acquired portfolio.

Working discreetly and methodically, Vilcol:

• Reviewed and assessed the existing client data
• Verified identities and current contact details
• Identified clients who could be lawfully and practically contacted
• Highlighted records requiring further action, such as estate-related matters

Using trusted investigative methods and secure data sources, Vilcol provided clear reporting that separated qualified, contactable clients from those requiring further review.

This enabled the firm to use the verified data confidently, whether for initial client contact or internal portfolio management. While maintaining compliance with regulatory expectations.

 

The Outcome

Following Vilcol’s investigation, the wealth management firm was able to:

• Confirm which clients within the portfolio could be contacted
• Clean and update its client records
• Reduce compliance and regulatory risk
• Focus internal resources on viable, verified client relationships
• Protect and enhance the value of the acquired portfolio

What began as a data risk was transformed into a structured, compliant foundation for future client engagement.

 

Why Wealth Management Firms Choose Vilcol

This case demonstrates how Vilcol supports wealth managers and financial services firms by providing:

• Discreet data qualification and tracing services
• Clear, audit-ready reporting
• An understanding of FCA-driven environments
• Support during acquisitions, mergers, and adviser transitions
• A practical bridge between data uncertainty and compliant action

When client portfolios change hands, Vilcol helps firms establish clarity, confidence, and compliance from day one.