Bates Group
Bates Group is a financial services consulting firm providing compliance, litigation, regulatory, and data analytics services to broker-dealers, RIAs, banks, fintechs, MSBs, and insurance carriers. With 175+ experts and proprietary frameworks, the firm has served regulated financial clients for over 40 years.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersPortland, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Bates Group does
Bates Group is a privately held financial services consulting firm headquartered in Lake Oswego/Portland, Oregon, that has served broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, private funds, banks, money services businesses, fintechs, and insurance carriers for over 40 years. The firm is organized around four core practice areas — BD-RIA Compliance, Data Analytics, Litigation and Regulatory, and Fintech and Banking — and is led by Co-Chief Executive Officers Alex Russell and Rhonda Davis. Its customer base spans regulated financial institutions facing SEC, FINRA, BSA/AML/OFAC, and state regulatory obligations, plus in-house and outside counsel requiring expert witness testimony and litigation consulting. The firm lists 175+ consultants spanning 250+ specialized areas and bills on engagement-based pricing with multi-year contracts.
The firm's core technology consists of proprietary data analytics software centered on "The Bates Report" / Bates Standard Analysis framework, which has been refined over 30+ years and is described as accepted in virtually every major litigation and arbitration forum. Additional proprietary capabilities include an alert evaluation and replication environment for trade surveillance, market abuse detection platforms covering spoofing, layering, wash trades, insider trading, and pump-and-dump schemes, and SOC 2 Type 2 audited infrastructure. Specialized sub-products include Big Data Analytics, Asset Tracing using SAS/Python/PowerBI, Economic Damages quantification, Share Class Disputes Analysis, Market Manipulation Detection, and the Arbitrator Evaluator online tool. In October 2021, Bates acquired CorCom LLC (Spartanburg, SC) to extend its AML compliance, money transmitter licensing, and cryptocurrency/digital asset capabilities.
Bates Group generates revenue through engagement-based professional services including compliance consulting, litigation support, expert witness testimony, data analytics, and regulatory advisory, billed on customized project or retainer terms. The firm does not publicly disclose pricing or revenue. Its go-to-market is sales-led and reputation-driven, with demand generation through content marketing (News & Insights, the annual U.S. Economic and Capital Markets Chartbook), participation in SIFMA AML and NSCP Compliance Labs industry events, an expert search portal, and direct engagement via website inquiry. Geographic presence includes Oregon (headquarters), South Carolina (CorCom), Missouri (St. Louis director), and active East Coast market development. No external institutional investors or funding rounds are evidenced; the company appears to be founder/management-owned with no public listing or secondary transaction history beyond the 2021 CorCom acquisition.
Bates Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bates Group
- Legal name
- Bates Group LLC
- Website
- https://batesgroup.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Bates Group is a financial services consulting firm providing compliance, litigation, regulatory, and data analytics services to broker-dealers, RIAs, banks, fintechs, MSBs, and insurance carriers. With 175+ experts and proprietary frameworks, the firm has served regulated financial clients for over 40 years.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bates Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Financial Services Consulting
- NAICS
- Management Consulting Services (54161)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AML/KYC, Investor Onboarding & Compliance Services (FSAAAMAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Regulatory Reporting & Recordkeeping (AML/CTF) (FSAMAMAG)
Keywords
Where Bates Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Portland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Bates Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Professional Services Consulting: Bates Group generates revenue through engagement-based professional services including compliance consulting, litigation support, expert witness testimony, data analytics, and regulatory advisory services. Services are billed on a project or retainer basis, typical of professional services firms.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Engagement-based professional services with customized pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Bates Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bates Group is a financial services consulting firm that delivers compliance, litigation, regulatory, and data analytics services to broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, banks, fintechs, money services businesses, insurance carriers, and legal counsel. Its work spans BSA/AML/OFAC program development, KYC/CDD/EDD design, transaction monitoring optimization, regulatory exam support, CCO outsourcing, securities litigation consulting, expert witness testimony, economic damages analysis, market manipulation detection, and state money transmitter licensing. Services are delivered by a nationwide roster of 175+ consultants and former regulators using proprietary analytical frameworks including The Bates Standard Analysis and SOC 2-audited data infrastructure.
Product overview
Bates Group is a financial services consulting firm offering end-to-end compliance, litigation, regulatory, and data analytics solutions. The portfolio consists of four core practice areas—BD-RIA Compliance, Data Analytics, Litigation and Regulatory, and Fintech and Banking—supported by specialized sub-products and services including BSA/AML/OFAC Compliance, KYC/CIP/CDD/EDD programs, Transaction Monitoring, Technology and Systems Reviews, State Licensing, Economic Damages, Big Data Analytics, Market Manipulation Detection, Insurance Litigation, Arbitrator Evaluator™, Investment Account Analysis (The Bates Report), Share Class Disputes Analysis, and Asset Tracing. In October 2021, Bates Group acquired CorCom LLC, an AML compliance firm, to strengthen its offerings in AML compliance for fintech, cryptocurrency, and banking sectors. The firm leverages proprietary software and technology for data analytics, market abuse detection, and regulatory compliance services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 95% client satisfaction rate
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Bates Group
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Bates Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Bates Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- CorCom LLCcoreBates Group acquired CorCom LLC, an AML compliance firm based in Spartanburg, SC, in October 2021. The acquisition enhances Bates's offerings in AML compliance for fintech, cryptocurrency, and banking sectors across the U.S. This acquisition brought key personnel including Matt Summers (formerly COO at CorCom) who now serves as Managing Director at Bates Group, strengthening the firm's money services business and licensing expertise.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Bates Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Promontory Financial Group: Direct peer founded in 2001, acquired by IBM in 2014. Provides similar regulatory compliance, risk management, and AML advisory services to banks, broker-dealers, and fintechs. Highly comparable in practice area mix and client base.
- Kroll: Global risk and financial advisory firm offering expert services, investigations, and regulatory compliance consulting. Comparable in expert witness, AML, and forensic accounting offerings serving financial institutions and law firms.
- FTI Consulting: Public global consulting firm with a dedicated Financial Services practice covering regulatory compliance, litigation support, and forensic accounting. Closest large-cap public comparable for Bates's mix of expert witness and regulatory advisory work.
- Alvarez & Marsal: Global professional services firm with deep expertise in financial services consulting, regulatory advisory, and disputes. Overlaps directly with Bates's litigation consulting and forensic accounting services.
- Berkeley Research Group: Expert-driven consulting firm providing expert witness, economic analysis, and regulatory consulting to financial institutions and law firms. Directly comparable in expert testimony and financial services disputes work.
- Cornerstone Research: Specialist economic and financial consulting firm focused on litigation support and expert testimony in securities and financial services matters. Strong overlap in arbitration and expert witness practice.
- Analysis Group: Private economics and financial consulting firm providing expert testimony and analytical support in securities litigation and financial services disputes. Comparable in expert-driven, project-based service model.
- ACA Compliance Group: Specialized consulting firm providing AML, regulatory compliance, and investment adviser oversight services. Directly comparable in core BD-RIA and AML compliance offerings.
- Guidepost Solutions: Consulting firm providing compliance, investigations, and expert witness services to financial institutions and law firms. Overlaps in regulatory consulting and litigation support for financial services clients.
Broad incumbents
- Guidehouse: Large consulting firm (spun out from PwC) with a Financial Services practice covering regulatory compliance, AML, risk management, and forensic services. Operates at broader scale with deeper technology resources but offers overlapping capability sets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Bates Group social profiles
Digital presenceBates Group compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Bates Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bates Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles20 records
Bates Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Bates Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bates Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Bates Group
What does Bates Group do?
Bates Group is a financial services consulting firm that delivers compliance, litigation, regulatory, and data analytics services to broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, banks, fintechs, money services businesses, insurance carriers, and legal counsel. Its work spans BSA/AML/OFAC program development, KYC/CDD/EDD design, transaction monitoring optimization, regulatory exam support, CCO outsourcing, securities litigation consulting, expert witness testimony, economic damages analysis, market manipulation detection, and state money transmitter licensing. Services are delivered by a nationwide roster of 175+ consultants and former regulators using proprietary analytical frameworks including The Bates Standard Analysis and SOC 2-audited data infrastructure.
Is Bates Group a public or private company?
Bates Group is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Bates Group founded?
Bates Group was founded in 1984. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Bates Group based?
Bates Group is headquartered in Portland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Bates Group make money?
One revenue line is on record: professional Services Consulting.
Who are Bates Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Promontory Financial Group, Kroll, FTI Consulting, Alvarez & Marsal, Berkeley Research Group, Cornerstone Research, Analysis Group, ACA Compliance Group and Guidepost Solutions. Guidehouse is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Bates Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bates Group.
What industry is Bates Group in?
Bates Group's product category is Financial Services Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAAAMAE, AML/KYC, Investor Onboarding & Compliance Services, with a secondary code of FSAMAMAG, Regulatory Reporting & Recordkeeping (AML/CTF). Its NAICS code is 54161 and its SIC code is 8742.