Retail Banking CRO Roundtable

The FINMA Risk Monitor 2025 shows that the key risks for Swiss financial institutions remain high and are likely to accentuate further. In view of continued high levels of indebtedness and the growing danger of price corrections in the real estate market, particular focus is on real estate and mortgage risks. Credit risks in corporate and SME lending business also remain relevant, particularly given the macroeconomic challenges.

Furthermore, cyber risks and ICT risks have become more important as the growing systems’ complexity and interlinkage increases operational vulnerability for financial institutions. Other risk categories to which financial institutions are exposed include market risks, liquidity and funding risks. In addition, financial institutions also face continuing challenges in the areas of money laundering, sanctions and outsourcing.

It is therefore not surprising that, as outlined in the EY Banking Barometer 2026 published in January, many banks will focus on “Risk, compliance and regulation”, like in previous years. In fact, of the banks surveyed, 30% indicated that they expect this topic to dominate the financial services industry in the next 6 to 12 months.

This is also reflected in the top ten issues and activities, where “Risk, compliance and regulation” appears four times in addition to “Cybersecurity”, “Financial crime and sanction”, “Risk management – operational risk” as well as “Culture and behavior”.

The EY Banking Barometer 2026  gives an overview of the implications regarding risk management for Swiss banks and can serve as a reference for exchanges with your colleagues on selected topics such as the following:

• Recovery and resolution planning (RRP) – Increased pressure from regulators on RRP for non-systemically important banks
• Credit risks in the mortgage lending business – Lending criteria and exception-to-policy  processes
• Operational resilience, third-party risk management (TPRM) and cyber risks – Interconnection and integration of these risk management disciplines
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Initial application experience and use cases in risk management
• Managed Services – Opportunities and challenges of managed services in risk management
• Nature-related financial risks – Implementation of the new FINMA circular

Additional information:

• This event will be held in German
• Attendance by personal invitation only