Risk management is not a brand-new concept. It has long been a part of banking regulations like the OCC’s. Regulators, however, see the proliferation of businesses collaborating with and utilizing the services of Financial Technology (FinTech) companies as a real game-changer in terms of risk.
The regulatory requirements for risk management are becoming more stringent for financial institutions using third parties in general, but they are especially severe for those using FinTechs as third parties.
FinTech companies are frequently “disruptors” with a start-up mentality and a pioneering attitude. To increase revenue, cut costs, and broaden their clientele, today’s financial institutions regularly collaborate with FinTechs. Regulators are constantly monitoring FI-FinTech collaborations because FinTechs might carry much higher risk.
Impact of Emerging Technologies on FinTech Risk Management
Risk management is seeing a rise in emerging technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence. Proactive and efficient risk management can be made possible by these instruments, which can improve corporate risk intelligence.
Predictive risk intelligence is another way that AI may improve FinTech risk monitoring. Artificial intelligence (AI) may foresee possible risks by evaluating past data and trends, enabling businesses to take proactive measures to mitigate them. AI systems, for example, can spot patterns that point to the possibility of fraud or a cyberattack, allowing businesses to act quickly to reduce the risk.
However, blockchain is a robust instrument for financial risk intelligence since it provides security and transparency. Its decentralized and unchangeable nature can help to reduce fraud and improve data privacy. Smart contracts, which automate compliance and lower the possibility of human error, can also be made more comfortable by blockchain.
The stakes are enormous, but with proper risk management, FinTech companies can overcome these obstacles and continue to develop. After all, the goal is not to avoid risk, which is impossible in any company, but rather to understand and manage it effectively. The capacity of FinTech to mix rapid innovation with best practices in risk management is critical to its future success.
Risks in the FinTech Industry
The first step to risk management is being aware of the possible traps. Let’s examine the risks that are inherent in the FinTech sector.
1. Regulatory compliance
Numerous FinTech companies were caught breaking the law and had to pay high fines for it. FinTech companies that work with banks or other financial institutions may also be subject to fines or regulatory penalties. These legal issues have an impact on the business’s revenue stream as well as client confidence.
2. Cybersecurity
With the world becoming more interconnected, cybersecurity is becoming a significant worry. Because of their emphasis on digital technology, FinTech companies present an appealing target for cybercriminals.
For example, a big FinTech company might experience a data breach that causes serious harm to its finances and reputation. The possible effects go beyond companies and impact consumers’ financial security and confidence.
3. Third-party vendors
Third-party providers add risk even though they frequently assist FinTech operations. A system failure at a payment processor, for instance, could cause a FinTech company’s operations to be disrupted, leading to customer unhappiness and perhaps revenue loss for both the FinTech and their banking customers.
4. Data Privacy
Data privacy is an important issue. Any improper management or unauthorized access might have consequences because FinTech companies handle sensitive financial data. For example, a privacy infringement might cause legal consequences and harm the company’s image.
5. Adoption of technology
The quick rate of technological adoption in FinTech entails risks. Companies that hurry to incorporate the latest technologies may ignore possible weaknesses or fail to integrate new systems successfully. The consequences can range from operational disruptions to data breaches.
FinTech Risk Management Strategies
Despite its tendency toward innovation and disruption, the FinTech business is not without its share of risks. The methods for controlling these risks must also change as they do. We’ll go into more detail about the main approaches for managing and monitoring FinTech risk.
1. Wisely inclusion of technologies
Technology innovation is vital to the FinTech sector. On the other hand, if new technologies are adopted quickly, they may create additional risks if not handled appropriately. Therefore, a key component of risk management is the strategic utilization of technology. It implies taking time to implement the newest technologies and doing a thorough strategic risk assessment before moving forward. Potential security flaws, technological compatibility with current systems, and possible effects on user experience would require evaluation in such an analysis. Companies must ensure they have the expertise to manage and maintain new technologies.
2. Robust security measures
Because FinTech is digital, cybersecurity is still a significant worry. Businesses should spend money on robust security measures to protect their operations and customer data.
It covers a variety of security measures, including frequent penetration testing to find and fix security flaws, robust encryption mechanisms to safeguard data both in transit and at rest, and secure coding practices to prevent application vulnerabilities.
3. Third-party management
Many FinTech software development companies rely on outside vendors to support their operations. These other parties could, however, pose extra risks if not managed with skill.
Companies should perform extensive due diligence to fully grasp the risks before onboarding a new provider. It could entail evaluating the vendor’s security procedures, financial stability, and compliance with pertinent laws.
4. Building a compliance culture
Adherence to financial regulations poses a noteworthy obstacle in the rapidly evolving FinTech industry. Companies that want to stay on the right side of the law must cultivate a culture of compliance since rules are changing. It takes more than just knowing the laws as they are now to do this.
Businesses must keep up with impending regulatory changes and be aware of how they may affect their day-to-day operations. Regular training is necessary to ensure that every staff is informed of their compliance duties. Additionally, open lines of communication may guarantee that compliance is ingrained across the entire company and is not just the duty of one department.
5. Keep a record
FinTech companies need to standardize the workflows and processes that underpin their operation, much like banks do. It covers comprehensive and officially recorded policies, guidelines, and procedures.
Robust risk management procedures must be in place at the bank and at any FinTech partner that the sponsor Bank’s regulators may require. In other words, you will need to have application and support systems that are securely designed, as well as risk, compliance, information security, and business resiliency programs that are approved, documented, and put into action.
Wrapping Up
Any business must have an effective risk management strategy, but this is especially true for the FinTech sector, where risks can be severe and even fatal. Identifying possible risks, formulating mitigation plans, and routinely assessing and revising those methods are all necessary to establish a culture of risk management and preparedness.
It also entails making certain that every employee is trained to recognize and report possible hazards as well as comprehend the significance of risk management.
