Best tips for risk management
 

Welcome to our risk management Archive. Have fun browsing!

 

(Browse for more articles)

 

Managing Risk in Financial Sector

Risk Management is a hot topic in the the most cost-effective and productive
financial sector especially in the light internal controls.III. Control
of the recent losses of some Activities,Control activities mean the
multinational corporations e.g. collapses structure, policies, and procedures,
of Britain's Barings Bank, WorldCom and which an organization establishes so that
also due to the incident of 9/11. Rapid identified risks do not prevent the
changes in business condition, organization from reaching its
restructuring of organizations to cope objectives.
with ever increasing competition, Policies, procedures, and other items
development of new products, emerging like job descriptions, organizational
markets and increase in cross border charts and supervisory standards, do not,
transactions along with complexity of of course, exist only for internal
transactions has exposed Financial control purposes. These activities are
Institutions to new risks dimensions. basic management
Thus the concept of risk has captured a practices.IV. Information and
growing importance in modern financial Communication, andOrganizations must be
society.By facilitating transactions and able to obtain reliable information to
making credit and other financial determine their risks and communicate
products available, the financial sector policies and other information to those
is a crucial building block for private who need it. Information and
as well as public sector development. In communication, the fourth component of
its broadest definition, it includes internal control, articulates this
everything from banks, stock exchanges, factor.V. MonitoringLife is change;
and insurers, to credit unions, internal controls are no exception.
microfinance institutions and Satisfactory internal controls can become
moneylenders. As an efficient service obsolete through changes in external
provider, the financial sector circumstances. Therefore, after risks are
simultaneously fulfils an important identified, policies and procedures put
function in the overall economy. Various into place, and information on control
types of Financial Institutions actively activities communicated to staff,
working in Financial Sectors include superiors must then implement the fifth
Banks, DFIs, Micro Finance Banks, Leasing component of internal control,
Companies, Modarabas, Assets Management monitoring.Even the best internal control
Company, Mutual Funds, etc.Thus today's plan will be unsuccessful if it is not
operating environment demands systematic followed. Monitoring allows the
and more integrated risk management management to identify whether controls
approach.Risk:Risk by default has tow are being followed before problems occur.
components; uncertainty and exposure. If In the same way, management must review
both are not present, there is no risk. weaknesses identified by audits to
Definition of Risk as per Guidelines on determine whether related internal
Risk Management issued by State Bank of controls need revision.Tools for
Pakistan is, "Financial risk in a banking Monitoring of RiskManagement Information
organization is possibility that the SystemM.I.S or Management Information
outcome of an action or event could bring System is the collection and analysis of
up adverse impacts. Such outcomes could data in order to support management's
either result in a direct loss of decision with respect to the achievement
earnings / capital or may result in of objectives mentioned in the policies
imposition of constraints on bank's and procedures and the control of various
ability to meet its business objectives. risks therein.It is this area i.e. M.I.S,
Such constraints pose a risk as these where I.T can play a vital and effective
could hinder a bank's ability to conduct role as with the help of I.T large
its ongoing business or to take benefit information may be analyzed efficiently
of opportunities to enhance its and with accuracy, so that effective
business."Types of Risks:Risks are decision may be taken by the management
usually defined by the adverse impact on without the loss of any
profitability of several distinct sources time.Asset-Liability Management Committee
of uncertainty. More or less all (ALCO)In most cases, day-to-day risk
financial institutions have to manage the assessment and management is assigned to
following faces of risks:1. Credit Risk a specialized committee, such as an
2. Market Risk Asset-Liability Management Committee
3. Liquidity Risk (ALCO). Duties pertaining to key elements
4. Operational Risk of the risk management process should be
5. Country Risk adequately separated to avoid potential
6. Legal Risks conflicts of interest - in other words, a
7. Compliance Risk financial institution's risk monitoring
8. Reputational RiskBroadly speaking and control functions should be
there are four risks as per Risk sufficiently independent from its
Management Guidelines which surround risk-taking functions. Larger or more
Financial Sector i.e. Credit Risk, Market complex institutions often have a
Risk, Liquidity Risk and Operational designated, independent unit responsible
Risk. These risk are elaborated here for the design and administration of
under:i. Credit RiskThis is the risk balance sheet management, including
incurred in case of a counter-party interest rate risk. Given today's
default. It arises from lending widespread innovation in banking and the
activities, investing activities and from dynamics of markets, banks should
buying and selling financial assets on identify any risks inherent in a new
behalf of others. This risk is associated product or service before it is
with financing transactions introduced, and ensure that these risks
i.e.:a. Default in repayment by the are promptly considered in the assessment
borrower and and management process.Corporate
b. Default in obliging the commitment by Governance PrinciplesCorporate governance
another Financial Institution in case of relates to the manner in which the
syndicated arrangements.It is the most business of the organization is governed,
critical risk in banking and one that including setting corporate objectives
must be managed carefully. It is also the and a institution's risk profile,
risk that requires the most subjective aligning corporate activities and
judgment despite constant efforts to behaviors with the expectation that the
improve and quantify the credit decision management will operate in a safe and
process.ii. Market RiskMarket risk is sound manner, running day-to-day
defined as the volatility of income or operations within an established risk
market value due to fluctuations in profile, while protecting the interests
underlying market factors such as of depositors and other stakeholders. It
currency, interest rates, or credit is defined by a set of relationships
spreads. For commercial banks, the market between the institution's management, its
risk of the stable liquidity investment board, its shareholders, and other
portfolio arises from mismatches between stakeholders.The key elements of sound
the risk profile of the assets and their corporate governance in a bank include:a)
funding. This risk involves interest A well-articulated corporate strategy
rate risk in all of its components: against which the overall success and the
equity risk, exchange risk and commodity contribution of individuals can be
risk.iii. Liquidity RiskThe liquidity measured.b) Setting and enforcing clear
risk is defined as the risk of not being assignment of responsibilities,
able to meet its commitments or not being decision-making authority and
able to unwind or offset a position by an accountabilities that are appropriate for
organization in a timely fashion because the bank's risk profile.c) A strong
it cannot liquidate assets at reasonable financial risk management function
prices when required.iv. Operational (independent of business lines), adequate
RiskThis risk results from inadequacies internal control systems (including
in the conception, organization, or internal and external audit functions),
implementation of procedures for and functional process design with the
recording any events concerning bank's necessary checks and balances.d)
operations in the accounting system Corporate values, codes of conduct and
information systems.Need for Risk other standards of appropriate behavior,
Management and Monitoring:There are a and effective systems used to ensure
number of reasons as to why there is so compliance. This includes special
much emphasis given to Risk Management in monitoring of a bank's risk exposures
Financial Sector now a day. Some of them where conflicts of interest are expected
are listed below: -1. Present structure to appear (e.g., relationships with
of joint stock companies, wherein owners affiliated parties).e) Financial and
are not the mangers, hence risks managerial incentives to act in an
increase; therefore proper tools are appropriate manner offered to the board,
required to achieve the desired results management and employees, including
by covering the risks. compensation, promotion and penalties.
2. The financial sector has come out of (i.e., compensation should be consistent
simple deposit and lending function. with the bank's objectives, performance,
3. The world has become very complex so and ethical values).f) Transparency and
the financial transactions and appropriate information flows internally
instruments. and to the public.Tools mentioned above
4. Increase in the number of cross can be utilized in identifying and
border transactions which caries its own managing different risks in the following
risks. manner:I. Credit RiskIt is managed by
5. Emerging markets setting prudent limits for exposures to
6. Terrorism RemittancesRisk monitoring individual transaction, counterparties
in financial sector is very crucial and and portfolios. Credits limits are set by
an inevitable part of risk management. reference to credit rating established by
Risk Monitoring is important in the Credit Rating Agencies, methodologies
financial sector due to the following established by Regulators and as per
reasons:1. Deals in others' money Board's direction.- Monitoring of per
2. Direct stake of deposit holder. party exposure
3. Much riskier sector than trading and - Monitoring of group exposure
manufacturing. - Monitoring of bank's exposure in
4. Previous / Recent problems faced by contingent liabilities
banks i.e. stuck portfolio that is credit - Bank's exposure in clean facilities
risk. - Analysis of bank's exposure product
5. Bankruptcy of Barings Bank due to wise
short selling / long position that is - Analysis of concentration of bank's
market risk. exposure in various segments of economy
6. Operational risk does not has - Product profitability
immediate impact, but important for reportsII. MarketFinancial Institutions
continuity and progress of organization. should also have an adequate system of
7. Appetite of a financial institution internal controls to oversee the interest
to take risk is related with the capital rate risk management process. A
base of the institute so it caries a huge fundamental component of such a system is
risk of over exposure.Components of Risk a regular, independent review and
Management Frame WorkRisk Management evaluation to ensure the system's
Frame Work has five components. First of effectiveness and, when appropriate, to
all risk is Identified, then it is recommend revisions or
Assessed to classify, seek solution and enhancements.Interest rate risk should be
management, after assessing quick monitored on a consolidated basis,
Response and implementation of solution including the exposure of subsidiaries.
and the last phase is Monitoring of the The institution's board of directors has
risk management progress and Learning ultimate responsibility for the
from this experience that such problem management of interest rate risk. The
never occur again. Whole process is to be board approves the business strategies
well Communicated during the entire that determine the degree of exposure to
process of risk management if it is to be risk and provides guidance on the level
managed efficiently.The International of interest rate risk that is acceptable
Organization for Standardization (ISO) to the institution, on the policies that
has defined risk management as the limit risk exposure, and on the
identification, analysis, evaluation, procedures, lines of authority, and
treatment (control), monitoring, review accountability related to risk
and communication of risk. These management. The board also should
activities can be applied in a systematic systematically review risk, in such a way
or ad hoc manner. The presumption is that as to fully understand the level of risk
systematic application of these exposure and to assess the performance of
activities will result in improved management in monitoring and controlling
decision-making and, most likely, risks in compliance with board policies.
improved outcomes.Structure of Risk Reports to senior management should
ManagementDepending upon the structure provide aggregate information and a
and operations of organization, financial sufficient level of supporting detail to
risk management can be implemented in facilitate a meaningful evaluation of the
different ways. Risk management structure level of risk, the sensitivity of the
defines the different layers of an bank to changing market conditions, and
organization at which risk is identified other relevant factors.The Asset and
and managed. Although there are different Liability Committee (ALCO) plays a key
layers or level at which risk is managed role in the oversight and coordinated
but there are three layers which are management of market risk. ALCOs meet
common to all. i.e.Risk ManagementFor monthly. Investment mandates and risk
managing risk there are certain basic limits are reviewed on a regular basis,
principles which are to be followed by usually annually to ensure that they
every organization:1. Corporate level remain valid.Risk Management and Risk
Policies BudgetsA risk budget establishes the
2. Risk management strategy tolerance of the board or its delegates
3. Well-defined policies and procedures to income or capital loss due to market
by senior management risk over a given horizon, typically one
4. Dissemination, implementation and year because of the accounting cycle.
compliance of policies and procedures (Institutions that are not sensitive to
5. Accountability of individuals heading annual income requirements may have a
various functions/ business lines longer horizon, which would also allow
6. Independent Risk review function for a greater degree of freedom in
7. Contingency plans portfolio management.). Once an annual
8. Tools to monitor risksInstitutions risk budget has been established, a
can reduce some risks simply by system of risk limits needs to be put in
researching them. A bank can reduce its place to guard against actual or
credit risk by getting to know its potential losses exceeding the risk
borrowers. A brokerage firm can reduce budget. There are two types of risk
market risk by being knowledgeable about limits, and both are necessary to
the markets it operates in.Functionally, constrain losses to within the prescribed
there are four aspects of financial risk level (the risk budget).The first type is
management. Success depends uponA. A stop-loss limits, which control
positive corporate culture,No one can cumulative losses from the mark-to-market
manage risk if they are not prepared to of existing positions relative to the
take risk. While individual initiative is benchmark. The second is position limits,
critical, it is the corporate culture which control potential losses that could
which facilitates the process. A positive arise from future adverse changes in
risk culture is one which promotes market prices. Stop-loss limits are set
individual responsibility and is relative to the overall risk budget. The
supportive of risk taking.B. Actively allocation of the risk budget to
observed policies and proceduresUsed different types of risk is as much an art
correctly, procedures are powerful tool as it is a science, and the methodology
of risk management. The purpose of used will depend on the set-up of the
policies and procedures is to empower individual investment process. Some of
people. They specify how people can the questions that affect the risk
accomplish what needs to be done. The allocation include the following:* What
success of policies and procedures are the significant market risks of the
depends critically upon a positive risk portfolio?
culture.C. Effective use of technologyThe * What is the correlation among these
primary role technology plays in risk risks?
management is risk assessment and * How many risk takers are there?
communication. Technology is employed to * How is the risk expected to be used
quantify or otherwise summarize risks as over the course of a year?Compliance with
they are being taken. It then stop-loss limits requires frequent, if
communicates this information to decision not daily, performance measurement.
makers, as appropriate.D. Independence or Performance is the total return of the
risk management professionalsTo get the portfolio less the total return of the
desired outcome from risk management, benchmark. The measurement of performance
risk managers must be independent of risk is a critical statistic for monitoring
taking functions within the organization. the usage of the risk budget and
Enron's experience with risk management compliance with stop-loss limits.
is instructive. The firm maintained a Position limits also are set relative to
risk management function staffed with the overall risk budget, and are subject
capable employees. Lines of reporting to the same considerations discussed
were reasonably independent in theory, above. The function of position limits,
but less so in practice.Internal however, is to constrain potential losses
ControlsPara one on first page of the from future adverse changes in prices or
'Guidelines on Internal Controls' issued yields.III. Liquidity RiskThe Basel
by SBP provides:"Internal Control refers Committee has established certain
to policies, plans and processes as quantitative standards for internal
affected by the Board of Directors and models when they are used in the capital
performed on continuous basis by the adequacy context.a. Allocation of capital
senior management and all levels of into various types of business after
employees within the bank. These internal taking into account the operational risks
controls are used to provide reasonable i.e. disruption of business activity,
assurance regarding the achievement of which has especially increased due to
organizational objectives. The system of excessive EDP usage
internal controls includes financial, b. Allocation of the capital is also
operational and compliance controls."The made amongst various products i.e. long
current official definition of internal term, short term, consumer, corporate
control was developed by the Committee of etc. considering the risks involved in
Sponsoring Organization (COSO) of the each product and its life cycle to avoid
Treadway Commission. In its influential any liquidity crunch for which gap
report, Internal Control - Integrated analysis is made. This is the job of ALCO
Framework, the Commission defines c. For instance Contingent liabilities
internal control as follows:"Internal not more than 10 times of capital,
control is a process, effected by an d. Fund based not more than 6 times of
entity's Board of Directors, management capital
and other personnel, designed to provide e. Capital market operations not more
reasonable assurance regarding the than 1 time of capital
achievement of objectives in the f. However these limits cannot exceed
following the regulations.
categories: Effectiveness and g. Parameters of controls
efficiency of operations. - Regulatory Requirements
 Reliability of financial - Board's directions
reporting. - Prudent practicesFor liquidity
 Compliance with applicable laws management organizations are compelled to
and regulations.This definition reflects hold reserves for unexpected liquidity
certain fundamental demands. The ALCO has responsibility for
concepts: Internal control is a setting and monitoring liquidity risk
process. It is a means to an end, not an limits. These limits are set by
end in itself. Regulatory Bodies and under Board's
 Internal control is effected by directions keeping in mind the market
people. It is not policy manuals and condition and past experience.The Basel
forms, but people at every level of an Accord comprises a definition of
organization. regulatory capital, measures of risk
 Internal control can be exposure, and rules specifying the level
expected to provide only reasonable of capital to be maintained in relation
assurance, not absolute assurance, to an to these risks. It introduced a de facto
entity's management and board.Internal capital adequacy standard, based on the
control should assist and never impede risk-weighted composition of a bank's
management and staff from achieving their assets and off-balance-sheet exposures
objectives. Control must be taken that ensures that an adequate amount of
seriously. A well-designed system of capital and reserves is maintained to
internal control is worse than worthless safeguard solvency. The 1988 Basel Accord
unless it is complied with, since the primarily addressed banking in the sense
assemblance of control will be likely to of deposit taking and lending (commercial
convey a false sense of assurance. banking under US law), so its focus was
Controls are there to be kept, not credit risk.In the early 1990s, the Basel
avoided. For instance, exception reports Committee decided to update the 1988
should be followed up. Senior management accord to include bank capital
should set a good example about control requirements for market risk. This would
compliance. For instance, physical access have implications for non-bank securities
restrictions to secure areas should be firms.Thus, the formula for determining
observed equally by senior management as capital adequacy can be illustrated as
by junior personnel.Components of follows:= Tier I + Tier 2 +
Internal ControlsComponents of internal Tier 3 *- 8%
control also depend upon the structure of .Risk-weighted Assets + (Market Risk
the business unit and nature of its Capital Charge x 12.5)IV. Operational
operation. The COSO Report describes the RiskTo manage this risk documented
internal control process as consisting of policies and procedures are established.
five interrelated components that are In addition, regular training is provided
derived from and integrated with the to ensure that staffs are well aware of
management process. The components are organization's objective, statutory
interrelated, which means that each requirements.- Reporting of major/
component affects and is affected by the unusual/ exceptional transactions with
other four. These five components, which respect to ensuring the compliance of the
are the necessary foundation for an principles of KYC and Anti-money
effective internal control system, laundering measure
include:I. Control Environment,Control - Analysis of system
environment, an intangible factor and the problemsConclusionFor any business to
first of the five components, is the grow and stay in the market management
foundation for all other components of style is a key and Risk management is
internal control, providing discipline basically the management style of
and structure and encompassing both managing the risks.It is so important and
technical competence and ethical that State Bank of Pakistan plans to
commitment.II. Risk replace Prudential Regulations with Risk
Assessments,Organizations exist to management guidelines, which will be
achieve some purpose or goal. Goals, adopted by banks according to their size
because they tend to be broad, are and complexity of operations.Risk is
usually divided into specific targets inherent in every business and every
known as objectives. A risk is anything organization has to manage it according
that endangers the achievement of an to its size and nature of operation
objective. Risk assessments is done to because without it no organization no
determine the relative potential for loss organization can survive in long run.
in programs and functions and to design




www.rmisinfo.com keyword stats [2007-07-20-2007-07-20]



Daily top traffic source : MSN
Most current MSN search phrases:

risk management insurance services

Other search phrases:

risk management information life cycle methodology
banks risk risk management florida
risk management alternatives inc