InfoBytes Blog
OCC highlights key risks for federal banking system, says compliance risk elevated due to Covid-19
On June 29, the OCC released its Semiannual Risk Perspective for Spring 2020, which reports on key risk areas that pose a threat to the safety and soundness of national banks and federal savings associations. In particular, the OCC focused this report on the financial impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the federal banking industry, emphasizing that weak economic conditions stemming from the shutdown will stress financial performances in 2020, and that banks should monitor elevated compliance risks that may occur as a result of their responses to the pandemic, including participating in the Paycheck Protection Program as well as forbearance and deferred payment programs. The report highlighted that the surge in consumer demands, government programs, and the modifications to operations due to remote work and the “short timelines for implementing changes placed additional strains on banks already operating in a stressed environment.” However, the report noted that, “[s]ome banks are leveraging innovative technologies and third parties, including fintech firms, to help manage these challenges,” and that “[b]ank risk management programs should maintain effective controls for third-party due diligence and monitoring and other oversight processes, operational errors, heightened cyber security risks, and potential fraud related to stimulus programs.” The report highlighted several areas of concern for banks, including (i) credit risk increases; (ii) interest rate risk, including risks related to the LIBOR cessation; (iii) operational risks related to banks’ Covid-19 response; (iv) heightened cyber risks; and (v) compliance risks related to Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering laws, consumer compliance, and fair lending.