Banks undertaking Risk and Control Self -Assessment (RCSA) transformation initiatives can benefit from a centralized approach to address risk challenges.
Emerging risks related to digital technologies put added pressure on line managers in terms of risk management, while new regulatory demands have increased costs for risk and control functions.
An RCSA program with functions centralized in a Center of Excellence (COE) model can help address these challenges while supporting the organization’s strategic objectives. Continuous RCSA initiatives can be scheduled throughout the year to reduce disruptions and the COE framework can concentrate the experience and specialization needed to manage such risks.
The insights and standardized reporting from the COE can help improve the organization’s ability to make risk-weighted decisions and to set priorities while helping to reduce operational losses. Issues can be identified and remediated sooner and a risk mind set can be fostered throughout the organization.
New challenges facing financial institutions call for improvements to RCSA processes. These include:
Reinforcement of risk “first line of defense” control responsibility. Line managers are now charged with identifying, owning and managing risks and with implementing corrective actions.
Emerging risks tied to changes in operating models. Organizations are experimenting with and adopting new digital operating models with their own set of risks.
Operational risk costs. New regulatory demands have led to higher costs for risk, controls and compliance staff.
Need for profitable growth. Institutions searching for new avenues to profitable growth are finding it difficult to identify and measure the true costs of operational risk.
In light of these and other challenges, financial institutions are looking for better ways to manage operational risk and help reduce unexpected losses.
1. Thomson Reuters Annual Cost of Compliance Survey Shows Regulatory Fatigue, Resource Challenges and Personal Liability to Increase Throughout 2015,” Thomson Reuters, May 13, 2015. Access at: http://thomsonreuters.com/en/press-releases/2015/05/cost-of-compliance-survey-shows-regulatory-fatigue-resource-challenges-personal-liability-to-increase.html
RCSA Center of Excellence can help banks and financial institutions manage operational risks and control costs in a number of ways:
Through centralized RCSA responsibilities in a COE model, assessments and remediation measures can be delivered on a continuous basis, reducing capacity restraints on key businesses.
Centralization of RCSA execution helps the organization determine if it has the talent needed to manage emerging risks in areas such as cyber risk and social media.
The COE helps reduce costs by shifting some activities offshore and lowering audit costs.
Standardized RCSA reporting supports better decision-making and prioritization.
While costs can be lowered, operational losses can also be reduced as operational risk issues are identified and remediated.
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Authors
Fred Kim
Managing Director, Accenture Finance & Risk Services, North America Banking Industry lead
Fred works with global and large regional banks to transform their risk management and lending capabilities. His extensive experience in credit risk, operational risk, and regulatory compliance helps executives and their firms become high-performance businesses.
Jonathan Narveson
Managing Director, Accenture Finance & Risk Services, North America Operational Risk Management Capability lead
Jon works with major financial services institutions to develop risk-based strategies, controls and risk mitigation programs to manage high impact and emerging risks and issues. He specializes in risk identification, assessment, measurement, and reporting.
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