Key Takeaways
- • 82% of 210 surveyed restructuring professionals expect AI to significantly improve efficiency and decision-making, according to new CSC research.
- • Respondents see the clearest AI applications in information gathering, KYC mapping, communications, administration, and monitoring.
- • 80% value governance services at the early stage of a restructuring, but only 24% involve those providers at that point.
- • Clarifying roles and responsibilities and administering cross-border SPVs are the joint top execution challenges, each cited by 43% of respondents.
- • 83% rate integrated governance, SPV administration and trust and agency capabilities in one place as important.
Summary
More than eight in ten (82%) restructuring professionals expect AI to significantly improve efficiency and decision-making, according to new research from CSC, a provider of global business administration and compliance solutions. The survey covered 210 professionals globally across banking and financial services, restructuring and turnaround consulting, legal services, and private credit. The findings are detailed in CSC's guide, The Restructuring Execution Gap, which argues that operational readiness, alongside experienced human judgment, will remain critical to successful execution.
Respondents see the clearest potential for AI in information gathering, KYC mapping, communications, administration, and monitoring, where it could reduce friction and accelerate processes rather than replace professional expertise. Execution risk, however, is spread across several interconnected operational challenges. Clarifying roles and responsibilities and administering SPVs or restructuring vehicles across jurisdictions are each cited by 43% of respondents. Managing cross-border complexity and time zones follows at 42%, while 39% point to the speed of onboarding or appointment, including AML/KYC.
The research also identifies a timing gap. While 80% consider governance services very or quite valuable at the early stage, only 24% say those services were first involved at that point. The same pattern appears for SPV and entity services (67% versus 25%) and corporate trust and agency services (56% versus 15%). Sean Foronjy, director, Corporate Trust and Agency at CSC, said technology works best when it complements experienced professional judgment. Jordina Walker, head of Restructuring and Special Situations EMEA at CSC, said that once parties decide on a course of action, they want to move quickly, so the question becomes how fast the necessary entities, appointments, documentation and support can be put in place.
Demand for integrated restructuring support is strong. Some 83% of respondents rate the ability to provide governance and director services, SPV administration, and trust and agency capabilities in one place as important, while 77% say the same about demonstrated restructuring and distressed-situation experience.
Respondents see the clearest potential for AI in information gathering, KYC mapping, communications, administration, and monitoring, where it could reduce friction and accelerate processes rather than replace professional expertise. Execution risk, however, is spread across several interconnected operational challenges. Clarifying roles and responsibilities and administering SPVs or restructuring vehicles across jurisdictions are each cited by 43% of respondents. Managing cross-border complexity and time zones follows at 42%, while 39% point to the speed of onboarding or appointment, including AML/KYC.
The research also identifies a timing gap. While 80% consider governance services very or quite valuable at the early stage, only 24% say those services were first involved at that point. The same pattern appears for SPV and entity services (67% versus 25%) and corporate trust and agency services (56% versus 15%). Sean Foronjy, director, Corporate Trust and Agency at CSC, said technology works best when it complements experienced professional judgment. Jordina Walker, head of Restructuring and Special Situations EMEA at CSC, said that once parties decide on a course of action, they want to move quickly, so the question becomes how fast the necessary entities, appointments, documentation and support can be put in place.
Demand for integrated restructuring support is strong. Some 83% of respondents rate the ability to provide governance and director services, SPV administration, and trust and agency capabilities in one place as important, while 77% say the same about demonstrated restructuring and distressed-situation experience.
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