The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) Semiannual Risk Perspective Report highlights how the Covid-19 Pandemic has elevated operational risks for banks as they are challenged with the implementation of new processes/procedures, business continuity plans and a steep increase in cyber fraud and risk.
OCC Report states that Compliance Risk is increasing
The Report states that Bank employees working remotely coupled with reduced operations and an ever-changing customer service dynamic have compromised a Bank’s ability to:
- Fully and accurately implement bank policies to fulfill Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requirements.
- Fulfill fair lending and consumer protection requirements.
- Properly underwrite and open new accounts.
- Monitor customer activity.
- Communicate with customers.
- Meet Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) reporting requirements.
- Respond to increased fraud and cyber risk.
- Respond to high call volumes.
- Train staff that has been reassigned to implement new practices and procedures.
- Properly manage past due loans and provisions for loan losses.
The OCC recognizes that pandemic response measures and programs may affect timely compliance with bank BSA programs and OFAC-administered sanctions obligations
Examples provided by the Report are on-boarding processes, customer due diligence updates, suspicious activity alert investigations, and blocking reports. The OCC encourages Banks to “monitor information provided by law enforcement agencies and international anti-money laundering standard-setting organizations regarding the ways that criminals are adapting scams and money laundering techniques to exploit vulnerabilities created by the pandemic”.
Banks should implement appropriate risk-based adjustments to their BSA systems
Based on COVID-19-related circumstances, Banks ought to keep Examiners updated on potential BSA and sanctions compliance issues. This includes delays with meeting regulatory reporting requirements. If there are “temporary waivers”, a tracking and management system needs to be implemented so that a Bank can readjust its systems after the operating environment has returned to normal.
The Covid-19 Pandemic and the accompanying reduction in economic activity has been a rationale for Banks to re-analyze their budgets for compliance training and education. Not considering the risk-associated dangers resulting from compliance cost-cutting could be a serious mistake. Cutting compliance costs, may pose a significant risk to a Bank’s ability to manage financial regulatory oversight.
Given the current uncertain and volatile environment, a Bank’s risk assessment process is critical to an effective well-designed compliance program. Banks ought to reinforce and update all compliance efforts, policies, and procedures. Employee training and regular tested continuing education to mitigate risks is imperative.
Do you have a Corporate Governance Compliance Expert?
©
