We hear about artificial intelligence almost every day. It promises to change the way we work, automate the complex, and unlock new insights from data. But in the highly regulated world of private banking, with legacy systems and strict compliance rules, how do you move from promise to practice? That was the challenge facing a well-established Belgian private bank. What began as a small experiment led by two Projective Group experts quickly became something more. Their idea was simple: use a chatbot to interpret COBOL, the programming language that underpins much of the bank’s legacy infrastructure. It wasn’t about launching AI for the sake of it—it was about solving a real business problem. That first proof of concept marked the beginning of the AI Lab, a dedicated space where technology and business value could meet.
Today, the Lab does much more than decode legacy code. It supports compliance teams with KYC and AML processes, enriches customer 360° profiles, and helps migrate decades of archived documents. Despite being staffed by only a limited number of people, it proves that even lean teams can drive real transformation when focusing on the right problems.
Despite being staffed by only a limited number of people, it proves that even lean teams can drive real transformation when focusing on the right problems.
From proof of concept to scalable Impact
The AI Lab was never about building a flashy innovation centre. It was about testing what works. And as the initial use cases gained traction, the scope naturally expanded. Early wins gave the Lab momentum to move into other domains like legal, operations, commercial, etc. and build chatbots and automation tools tailored to specific internal challenges.
One key success was the COBOL chatbot, which supported the migration of legacy systems and became a model for other chatbot deployments. The Lab also played a major role in document automation, helping legal teams process notarial deeds more efficiently, and compliance teams automate repetitive risk checks. As the Lab’s credibility grew, so did its reach. Use cases multiplied, and the technologies were pushed to the edge, at times even hitting capacity limits within Microsoft Azure.
But this evolution wasn’t just technical. It reflected a shift in mindset across the bank. Teams began to see AI not as a future concept, but as a current, useful tool. The Lab became a partner not just to IT but to compliance, legal, and even commercial divisions across the bank.
This evolution wasn’t just technical: It reflected a shift in mindset across the bank. Teams began to see AI not as a future concept, but as a useful tool.
Collaboration as a success factor
One of the most important factors behind the AI Lab’s success was its collaborative approach. From the beginning, the team worked hand-in-hand with business stakeholders, aligning every proof of concept with a real operational need. This was not about building disconnected pilots—it was about building trust and driving adoption.
This was not about building disconnected pilots—it was about building trust and driving adoption.
The Lab also benefited from cross-border collaboration. In particular, support from the UK team brought in valuable regulatory and technical expertise, helping to strengthen the design of KYC and AML-related use cases. This exchange of knowledge ensured that the Lab’s outputs were not only innovative but also aligned with best practices across markets.
Internally, the Lab worked across silos connecting with IT, legal, risk, and compliance to ensure alignment and sponsorship. With every successful delivery, confidence grew. The Lab became known not just for experimentation, but for execution.
Conclusie
What started as a focused initiative to test the value of a chatbot has become a recognised engine of innovation within a well-established Belgian private bank. By combining a pragmatic approach with strong cross-functional collaboration, the AI Lab proved that even a small team can generate meaningful results. It delivered real tools, solved real problems, and created measurable business impact. The Lab’s journey is a reminder that innovation doesn’t have to begin with scale. It can begin with a question, a prototype, and a willingness to collaborate. AI is no longer an experiment but, if used right, can be a trusted driver of change.
The Lab’s journey is a reminder that innovation doesn’t have to begin with scale. It can begin with a question, a prototype, and a willingness to collaborate.
Over Projective Group
Projective Group is opgericht in 2006 en is een toonaangevende change specialist voor de financiële dienstverlening.
We worden binnen de sector erkend als een provider van complete oplossingen, die samenwerkt met klanten in de financiële dienstverlening om oplossingen te bieden die zowel holistisch als pragmatisch zijn. We hebben ons ontwikkeld tot een betrouwbare partner voor bedrijven die willen gedijen en bloeien in een steeds veranderend landschap van financiële dienstverlening.
