S3 | E13: 2025 Top Emerging Risks: Preparing for the Unpredictable

In this episode of the Risk Intel Podcast, host and SRA Watchtower CEO Edward Vincent invited CFO/CRO Shawn Ryan on to the show to discuss the top emerging risks facing financial institutions today. Their discussion, enriched by insights from the NC State University ERM Initiative "13th Annual Executive Perspectives on Top Risks Survey," sheds light on critical areas that demand attention from risk leaders.

Listen to the full episode below or review the summarized breakdown of these emerging risks.

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Balancing Innovation with Risk

By the minute, AI is revolutionizing financial services and how we do business, offering both opportunities and challenges to consider. Institutions that harness AI can achieve significant operational efficiencies, but must also navigate the associated risks. The recent NC State University ERM Initiative survey included the following key AI related risk:

• ‍Emergence of new risks from implementing AI: Concerns about unforeseen risks arising from AI adoption.​
• ‍Bias in decision-making models: Ensuring AI systems operate fairly and transparently is crucial.​
• ‍Third-party risks: Dependence on external AI solutions can introduce vulnerabilities.​

As Shawn noted, financial institutions face a conundrum: “You’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t.” Avoiding AI may result in falling behind competitors, while improper implementation can lead to significant ethical and operational challenges. Learn more about getting started with AI in this podcast episode, where CRO Joel Castaneda outlines his usage and provides tips on getting starting responsibly.

✅ Pro Tip: Shawn recommended developing comprehensive AI governance policies and ensure alignment with evolving regulatory expectations.

Note: All images in this blog were generated using AI

2. Cybersecurity Threats – Strengthening Defenses in a Digital Age

Cyber threats are escalating in complexity and frequency, posing substantial risks to financial institutions. Some of the current cybersecurity concerns include:

• ‍Cyber threats: Ranked as the second-highest risk in the survey, underscoring the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures.​
• ‍Deep fakes and phishing campaigns*: Advanced tactics are being used to deceive and infiltrate systems.​
• ‍Regulatory expectations: Staying abreast of and compliant with evolving cybersecurity regulations is imperative.​

Ed emphasized that cybersecurity is a non-negotiable aspect of enterprise risk management (ERM). Institutions must maintain strong internal controls and stay updated on regulatory expectations.

✅ Pro Tip: Shawn recommoned investing in top-tier cybersecurity talent, cutting-edge tools, and establish multi-layered defense mechanisms.

3. Talent Risk – Navigating Workforce Challenges

Attracting and retaining skilled talent is a persistent challenge, especially as the demand for specialized skills grows.

Talent-related challenges include:

• ‍Ability to attract, develop, and retain top talent*: Identified as a top-three risk in the survey, reflecting widespread concern across industries.​
• ‍Evolving work models: Remote and hybrid arrangements necessitate new strategies for engagement and culture-building.​
• ‍Competitive labor market*: High demand for niche skills intensifies competition among employers.

The discussion highlighted that people are the cornerstone of effective risk management. Without the right talent, even the best strategies and technologies may falter.

✅ Pro Tip: Broaden recruitment efforts beyond traditional geographic boundaries and foster a culture that attracts and retains top talent.

4. Macroeconomic Uncertainty – Preparing for External Shocks

External economic factors can significantly impact financial institutions, necessitating proactive risk management. Institutions must recognize that we may be entering a contraction phase, making proactive scenario planning essential for resilience. Some of the major macroeconomic risk factors from the survey include:

• ‍Economic conditions, including inflationary pressures: The survey indicates this as the top risk, highlighting concerns about economic instability.​
• ‍Interest rate volatility: Fluctuations can affect profitability and strategic planning.​
• ‍Global geopolitical instability: Events abroad can have cascading effects on domestic markets.​

✅ Pro Tip: Utilize economic indicators and modeling tools to assess potential impacts on your institution and develop contingency plans.

5. Regulatory Change – Staying Ahead in a Shifting Landscape

Regulatory environments are in constant flux, presenting challenges for compliance and strategic planning. Shawn cautioned that “if you get loose in one administration, you could find yourself in trouble when the next one comes in.” So it's best to always stay vigilant and proactive when it comes to risk management, here are some key considerations included in the survey around managing regulatory change:

• ‍Heightened regulatory change, uncertainty, and scrutiny: Ranked as a significant risk in the survey, emphasizing the need for vigilance.​
• ‍Policy shifts: Changes in administration can lead to rapid regulatory adjustments.​
• ‍Compliance costs: Adapting to new regulations may require substantial investment.​

✅ Pro Tip: Shawn encouraged listeners to maintain consistent compliance practices and engage with industry groups to stay informed about potential regulatory changes.

Final Thoughts: Embedding Risk Awareness into Organizational Culture

The episode concludes with a call to action for financial leaders: cultivate a pervasive culture of risk awareness. Emerging risks are continually evolving, and institutions must integrate risk management into daily operations. This approach should be supported by continuous monitoring, scenario planning, and leveraging appropriate technologies.

As Shawn stated, “It’s not about avoiding risk—it’s about managing it.”

At SRA Watchtower, the team practices what they preach—using the Watchtower platform internally to continuously monitor, assess, and manage enterprise risk. This enables the leadership team and board to spend more time discussing insights and action plans rather than manually collecting and compiling data. By integrating more timely risk data, scenario planning tools, and clear visualizations for reporting, Watchtower empowers institutions to make proactive, informed decisions—a crucial advantage in today’s dynamic risk environment.

*Source: NC State University ERM Initiative "13th Annual Executive Perspectives on Top Risks Survey"

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