Shine, a France-based fintech doing business under the Ageras division, is enhancing financial services for small businesses and self-employed workers across Europe. The Fintech has teamed up with Regtech Fourthline to streamline operations.
Focused on delivering accounting software, business banking, and administrative tools, Shine has been addressing the different needs of its clients.
As a payments institution, Shine reportedly operates under the applicable regulatory standards, ensuring compliance while striving to tailor its product offerings for the domestic French market.
In 2023, Shine partnered with Fourthline, a European Regtech focused on AI-driven identity verification, to build a platform that tackles local compliance and regulatory challenges specific to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
This collaboration marks a significant step in enhancing SME banking access in France.
Shine’s mission is to simplify financial management for its users, offering a blend of banking and administrative solutions.
However, operating as a payment institution in France—one of Europe’s most regulated markets—requires security and compliance measures.
French SMEs face distinct challenges, including navigating complex Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements.
To address these, Shine sought a partner with expertise in local regulations and advanced technology to streamline onboarding and ensure compliance without sacrificing user experience.
Fourthline, with its track record in digital identity verification, emerged as the suitable collaborator.
Since August 2023, Fourthline has powered Shine’s KYC processes, enabling the fintech to onboard all new clients efficiently.
Fourthline’s platform leverages AI to automate identity document checks, biometric analysis, and sanctions list screenings, achieving a fraud prevention rate of 60% with accuracy.
This partnership has allowed Shine to meet France’s regulatory guidelines while accelerating access to banking services for SMEs and freelancers.
By integrating Fourthline’s single API solution, Shine says that it ensures compliance with local standards, reduces onboarding friction, and enhances security—critical factors for small businesses relying on fast, reliable financial tools.
Shine, acquired by Ageras back in 2021 and reportedly backed by Société Générale, continues to work on improving its domestic product, while Fourthline, established in France in 2023 under Country Manager Pierre Matta, strengthens its pan-European business operations.
Together, they’re focused on addressing today’s needs. They’re building what they claim is a scalable, compliant foundation for SME banking in France.