In this episode of Smarter Payments by Corpay, host Brennan Robison, Director of Corporate Communications at Corpay, speaks with Azba Habib, Corpay’s Chief Compliance Officer, about the complexities of regulatory change management and how compliance can be leveraged as a competitive advantage.

Azba shares insights from her 20-year career in fintech, emphasizing that regulatory management is not just a piece of the puzzle—it is the puzzle. She outlines three key pillars of compliance: foresight (anticipating regulatory changes), translation (turning complex regulations into actionable steps), and execution (implementing changes effectively while aligning with business goals).

The conversation explores the challenges of operating in a fast-changing and fragmented regulatory landscape, including managing jurisdictional differences, maintaining strong banking and network relationships, and ensuring local expertise to navigate regional regulatory expectations. Azba also discusses the strategic importance of building robust compliance frameworks and how a well-executed compliance program can enhance a company’s reputation, foster trust with partners, and even create new revenue opportunities.

Key takeaways from the discussion include:

• Think globally, hire locally – Understanding local regulatory nuances is essential.
• Invest in a strong regulatory framework – A scalable system ensures smoother adaptation to ongoing changes.
• View compliance as a business asset – When done right, compliance strengthens relationships, attracts customers, and differentiates a company in the market.