How to Use openthebox to Prepare for a Client Meeting

Whether you’re meeting with an existing client or a new prospect, openthebox enables banking professionals to prepare quickly and effectively. The platform aggregates real-time business and financial data from official sources, giving you fast access to reliable insights that support informed conversations.

1. Start with a Direct Search

Use the search bar at the top of the openthebox interface to enter a company name or an individual entrepreneur’s name. This will take you to the relevant Company Profile or Person Profile, depending on your search.

Tip: Use the full legal name or enterprise number for the most accurate results.

2. Get a High-Level Overview

Once you're on the profile page:

• You’ll see a summary overview with key information such as the company type, status, address, and incorporation date.

• Below this, important sections like Mandates, Shareholdership, Financials, and Publications are shown in preview.

This is your quick-read snapshot before diving deeper.

3. Explore Detailed Tabs for In-Depth Information

At the top of each profile, you'll find tabs that organize additional insights:

• Mandates: View a list of current and historical director or board positions linked to the company or person.

• Shareholders: Understand the ownership structure. This is essential when assessing group exposures or beneficial ownership.

• Financials: Dive into annual reports, key figures, and balance sheets—helpful for credit analysis or risk assessment.

• Spiderweb: Visualize company linkages and relationships across the business ecosystem.

• News: Browse relevant articles from De Tijd for media sentiment or recent developments.

Use these tabs to support compliance and relationship management workflows.

4. Real-Time Source Integration

openthebox pulls data from trusted, real-time sources, ensuring you're always working with up-to-date information:

• Crossroads Bank for Enterprises – Legal and structural data

• Official Gazette / Moniteur Belge – Official publications and legal filings

• National Bank of Belgium – Financial reporting data

• De Tijd – Business news and coverage

These sources are continuously updated, so you don’t need to manually cross-check information from different government platforms.

Banking-Specific Use Cases

Bankers use openthebox for:

• KYC (Know Your Customer) checks

• Mapping business networks for a first, quick risk assessment

• Identifying owners to meet regulatory requirements

• Monitoring financial health to anticipate conversation topics or risks

Best Practices

• Bookmark client profiles ahead of the meeting for quick access.

• Use the Spiderweb view to understand indirect relationships that could affect group risk.

• Export data when preparing internal briefing documents or loan applications.

Need More Help?

If you have further questions about using openthebox in a financial services context, contact us through our contact form or chat.