Risk Lessons from the Financial Services Industry
Regulation of financial service companies has long been a catalyst for pro-active risk management. Banks, for example, are obliged to address risk controls and measurement of risk as they ready themselves for Basel II compliance and related capital charge calculations. (The Bank for International Settlements describes the Basel II Framework as a "more comprehensive measure and minimum standard for capital adequacy that national supervisory authorities are now working to implement through domestic rule-making and adoption procedures.")
So results from a recent Deloitte survey of global financial institutions are surprising and a bit worrisome. Interviewing Chief Risk Officers at more than 130 global financial institutions, the "Accelerating Risk Management Practices" report finds that only 47 percent of respondents describe their institution as "extremely or very effective in managing risks associated with business continuity/information technology (IT) security, 43 percent each for operational and vendor risk, and 35 percent for geopolitical risk." This is in contrast to more than 70 percent who report good standing in the areas of market, credit and liquidity risk. The survey results also suggest a need for additional work in the area of credit products and commodity derivatives, including energy.
Noteworthy is the migration of risk issues to the board level, something we think makes sense for pension plans as well. While the Deloitte survey finds that 84 percent of reporting institutions have a Chief Risk Officer in place, little information is available about this role at plan sponsors. (The just released survey, co-sponsored by Pension Governance, LLC and the Society of Actuaries, asks about the existence and responsibilities of a Chief Risk Officer.)
Surveys like this are good reminders that a risk manager's work is never done!
Editor's Notes:
1. Click here to read the March 26, 2007 press release issued by Deloitte.
2. Click here to read an article about the job of Chief Risk Officer entitled "Life in Financial Risk Management: Shrinking Violets Need Not Apply" by Susan M. Mangiero
