What Are the Top Operational Risks for Banks?

From the ever-present threat of fraud, both internal and external, to the sophisticated cybersecurity risk, banks today, have numerous weak spots. This may be primarily due to the fact that financial entities are trying to stay on par with the ever-evolving digital landscape and this dynamic environment is relatively unexplored. Operational risk has been an independent risk category for just 2 decades now and the shifting sands of the virtual space does banks no favors.

Inherently, managing operational risks as a bank is a herculean undertaking. Some of the common roadblocks include:

• Complexity, due to the involvement of several, diverse risk types
• Uncertainty between the role of operational-risk functions and oversight groups

All these are present in today’s environment and the integration of digitization only opens doors to more vulnerabilities. Even though improved access to data and better analytics has and can be leveraged to improve operational risk management, some of these risks might just be here to stay.

The operational risks can emerge from mistakes of employees, failed internal controls, wrongly implemented controls, frauds, failed processes, disrupted third party operations or internal operations. For greater insight, here are the top operational risks in banking.

Third-party risk

It is quite common for today’s financial institutions to rely on third-party providers for a range of services. These may be employed to better the experience customers enjoy or add to the arsenal of features on offer, but with these advancements comes serious risks. Banking institutes have to vet these providers to ensure that their vulnerabilities don’t spill over to the main enterprise.

Going one step further, total responsibility is usually that of the contractor as they are the ones that face the reputational damage that follows a breach. This means, controlling third-party risks also involves evaluating the risks associated with any vendors used by the third-party provider in question. This highlights the sheer complexity of managing operational risks in the banking sector.

Internal and external fraud

These are a form of operational risk that stems from a number of vulnerabilities and poses a threat to the entities’ financial condition, both current and projected. Fraud can arise from either:

• Failed or inadequate internal systems or controls
• Human misconduct or error
• External events

Fraud is mostly intentional, and is carried over long periods of time, sometimes even years. The losses incurred due to these crimes is difficult to determine mainly because it doesn’t stop at knowing the direct financial losses. Other factors such as the loss of productivity, investigation expenses, both cost and time, legal and compliance costs, and loss of reputation also get added into the mix for an even greater capital loss. But, thanks to the new technology, primarily machine learning, there is a way to mitigate such losses.

As per data published by McKinsey & Company, a North American bank was able to identify such risks and get ahead of them before it was too late. This bank used advanced-analytics models to monitor behavior and know its risk exposure from its retail salesforce. This method unearthed unwanted anomalies from the 20,000 employees it gathered data from.

Digital transformation risk

With the pressure to go digital and keep up with the convenience and simplicity of service offered in the market, banking entities have their work cut out for them. This also applies to FinTech firms looking to give their customers the easiest and quickest experience. But this transformation to the digital sphere isn’t one without security concerns. This type of undertaking has several risks involved, including:

• Compliance risks
• Product risks
• Strategic risks
• IT risks
• Business risks
• Cultural risks

Cyber risk

With digitization now taking its place as a mainstay in most sectors, it is no surprise that it comes with its own set of risks. Even despite the proactive risk management protocols or cybersecurity controls in place, phishing, ransomware and other such risks are still a threat. In fact, these risks have become more effective and occur more frequently. Data suggests that such attacks have tripled in the last 10 years and will continue to do so for as long as there is a reliance on digital finance services.

To make matters worse for financial institutions, antagonistic governments are known to orchestrate hostile activity around the financial services sector. Crippling these systems causes widespread disruptions and the losses are huge. A report from Accenture and the Ponemon Institute titled, ‘Unlocking the Value of Improved Cybersecurity Protection’suggests that cyber risks, and the subsequent attacks that follow, are the highest in the banking industry and can amount to a whopping $18.3 million yearly, per company.

Technology and IT Failures

Technology and IT Failures: Reliance on complex technological systems exposes banks to the risk of system failures, software glitches, or hardware malfunctions. These failures can disrupt services, lead to operational downtime, and result in customer dissatisfaction. Banks need to ensure robust IT governance, redundancy systems, and disaster recovery plans to mitigate this risk.

Data privacy and management risk

Data privacy and its security is of key importance to the banking sector and it is also a facet that has been closely followed in the news. Part of the reasons for this being the 2020 California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). However, when it comes to data privacy, the problem lies with data management. Considering that most banking entities have their data siloed, there is a gap created between this data and governance processes. This is a base-level vulnerability as AI-enabled systems face crucial data shortages that undermine its function.

Compliance and Regulatory Risks

Evolving regulations and compliance requirements are a constant challenge for banks. Non-compliance can lead to hefty fines, legal issues, and reputational damage. Banks must invest in comprehensive compliance programs, keep abreast of changing regulations, and cultivate a culture of regulatory adherence across all levels of the organization.

Operational Resilience

Compliance can become an operational risk when it is not effectively managed within an organization. Operational risk, in the context of banks and financial institutions, encompasses the risk of losses resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, systems, people, or external events. Compliance-related operational risks typically arise from a failure to meet regulatory requirements and legal obligations.

Human Error and Insider Threats

Employees, intentionally or unintentionally, can pose significant risks. Insider threats and human errors, if not adequately addressed, can lead to data breaches, financial losses, or operational disruptions. Banks must implement security awareness training and employ advanced user monitoring to detect and prevent such incidents.

What Are the Measures Banks Can Take to Manage Operational Risks?

To effectively manage and mitigate these risks, banks can employ several key strategies:

Comprehensive Risk Assessment: Begin by identifying and assessing operational risks across all areas of the bank. This includes technology, processes, human resources, and external factors. Regularly review and update this assessment to stay ahead of emerging risks.

Strong Governance and Oversight: Establish a clear governance structure with roles and responsibilities for operational risk management. The board of directors and senior management should provide oversight and set the tone for a strong risk management culture.

Operational Risk Policies and Procedures: Develop well-defined operational risk policies and procedures. These should cover risk identification, measurement, monitoring, and reporting. Ensure that all employees understand and adhere to these policies.

Risk Mitigation and Control Measures: Implement controls and measures to mitigate identified risks. This includes process improvements, technology upgrades, security enhancements, and operational safeguards. Continuously monitor these controls for effectiveness.

Technology and Cybersecurity: Invest in robust cybersecurity measures to protect against cyber threats, data breaches, and system failures. Regularly update and patch software and maintain firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption to prevent attacks.

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: Develop and test disaster recovery and business continuity plans to ensure that critical operations can continue in the event of disruptions, including natural disasters, system failures, or other unforeseen events.

Vendor and Third-Party Risk Management: Perform due diligence on third-party service providers and establish contracts that include provisions for risk management. Continuously monitor the performance and security practices of third parties.

Employee Training and Awareness: Educate employees about operational risks, including cybersecurity best practices and compliance requirements. Encourage a culture of risk awareness and reporting.

Key Risk Indicators (KRIs): Establish KRIs that act as early warning signals for potential operational issues. These indicators can help banks proactively address risks before they escalate.

Incident Response Plan: Develop a well-defined incident response plan that outlines the steps to take when an operational risk event occurs. Ensure that employees know how to report incidents and that the plan is regularly tested and updated.

Risk Reporting and Communication: Establish a clear system for reporting and communicating operational risk issues within the organization. Ensure that incidents are reported promptly and accurately to relevant stakeholders.

Regulatory Compliance: Stay informed about changing regulations and ensure that the bank’s operations align with regulatory requirements. Periodically review and update compliance programs to remain in good standing with regulators.

Ongoing Monitoring and Review: Regularly monitor and review the effectiveness of your operational risk management efforts. Conduct internal and external audits, and use the findings to make necessary adjustments.

Operational Risk Culture: Foster a culture of operational risk awareness and accountability throughout the organization. Encourage employees to take ownership of their role in mitigating risks.

By implementing these strategies, banks can better manage and mitigate operational risks, thereby safeguarding their stability and protecting the interests of their customers and stakeholders.

While banking entities have every incentive to minimize operational risks, this is difficult to sustain. If neglected, banks risk more than just the loss of capital. In some cases, customers lose their trust in the entity and this hurts banks by restricting business or future deposits.

Incorporating operational risk management into the overall enterprise risk management framework is a systematic process and is one that must have its own tools and organization. This is where an all-in-one solution like that from VComply offers value. The platform provides a GRC suite that offers effective risk management frameworks and controls, while revolutionizing management of regulatory compliance. This tool enables seamless digital collaboration and gives you real-time risk management solutions.