Simplicity as a feature. Empowerment as a goal.
We help small financial firms adopt AI and modern cloud tools without rebuilding what already works — and without frightening your regulator.
What working with Slaneybridge looks like.
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01Discovery
The Clarity Audit
Most small firms are busy solving the wrong problem. We start with the Clarity Audit - a paid 60–90 minute working session, then a written diagnostic within three business days: what you actually need, the blind spots you haven't seen, what's safe to adopt under your regulator, and the three moves that matter this year. If it turns out you don't need us, the diagnostic says that too.
If you don't need us, the diagnostic says so. -
02Engagement
One thin wedge
We don't ask for a retainer on day one. The Audit ends by naming one specific engagement - an AI-readiness assessment, a modernize-without-rebuild roadmap, technology due diligence on a deal, or a second opinion on a vendor. Fixed fee, fixed scope, two to four weeks. You see exactly how we work on something real before anything ongoing is discussed.
Prove it on something real, first. -
03Partnership
Fractional Architect
Some firms are too small for a full-time chief technology officer and too regulated to wing it. The Fractional Architect is standing monthly advisory: architecture decisions, vendor selection, build-versus-buy calls, input on technology hires, and a quarterly review of the roadmap. Every decision comes with a written rationale — a running decision log your firm owns forever. And when a “can I ask you something” moment arrives, you have someone to ask before the expensive mistake gets made.
A running decision log your firm owns forever.
Six ways we help. No more, no less.
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01
The Clarity Audit
Separates the noise from the needs. Every engagement starts here — a paid working session and a written diagnostic of what you actually need, and what’s safe to adopt under your regulator.
$950 flat · credited against any engagement within 60 days -
02
AI-Readiness Assessment
For regulated firms: what to adopt, what to refuse, and how to stay defensible in front of an examiner. You get a map of the AI use cases that genuinely pay, with guardrails.
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03
Modernize-Without-Rebuild Roadmap
The antidote to the rip-and-replace quote. We work out what to keep, what to wrap, and what to replace — in the right order.
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04
Technology Due Diligence
Someone competent finally looks at the technology before the deal closes. Findings ranked by what they mean for the deal, including the integration cost everyone else guesses.
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05
The Second Opinion
One question, answered honestly: is my vendor, development shop, or consultant telling me the truth? A short written verdict in plain language, plus the questions to send them.
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06
Fractional Architect
The judgment of a chief architect for firms too small for a full-time chief technology officer and too regulated to wing it. Standing monthly advisory — the destination every engagement points toward.
Small regulated financial firms of roughly 10–200 people — banking, payments, and wealth. Community banks and credit unions, registered investment advisors and independent wealth managers, payments software vendors and fintech startups, broker-dealers, fund administrators, and lending shops.
Insurance and insurtech firms. Pure consumer businesses. Healthcare and pharma. And anyone shopping for a cheap build crew rather than judgment.
The Clarity Audit.
Plain conversation.
No sales pitch. A 60–90 minute working session about your firm and what the right next step actually is. Share a few details and we'll reply within one business day with how to book.
- ·$950 flat — credited against any engagement within 60 days
- ·Written diagnostic within three business days
- ·No obligation to engage further