The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, has published its first risk monitoring report of 2025, setting out the key risk drivers currently facing EU financial markets. ESMA finds that overall risks in EU securities markets are high, and market participants should be wary of potential market corrections. Continue reading…

by Daniel Vaknine

When employees in NGOs feel embarrassed speaking up within, it raises the risk enormously that any misconduct or unethical practice will be revealed publicly and lead to irreparable damage to the organisation’s reputation and cause. With the new enactment of whistleblower protection legislation, having a trusted whistleblower system in place within your NGO or charity is vital. Not only does this protect your organisation from scandal, but it also provides another layer of safeguard for employees and volunteers, particularly valuable in such value-based cultures. Continue reading…

Using AI technology in anti-money laundering (AML) processes has become critical for financial institutions as they work to comply with regulations and combat financial crime. Even so, a new AML technology study from data and AI leader SAS, featuring contributions from SAS Partner KPMG, finds that interest in AI continues to outpace its full implementation. Based on a global survey of 850 members of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), the study reveals:

Adoption of AI and machine learning (ML) remains modest. Only 18% of survey respondents report having AI/ML solutions in production. Another 18% are piloting AI/ML solutions, while 25% plan to implement AI/ML in the next 12-18 months; 40% have no current plans to adopt AI/ML. Interest in generative AI technology is robust but seemingly cautious. Nearly half of respondents say they are currently piloting GenAI (10%) or are in the discovery phase (35%) – no small amount for an emerging technology. Still, that leaves 55% with no plans to adopt GenAI.

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Europol has released its  2025 serious and organised crime threat assessment, which discusses how Russia and other state actors are driving an increase in politically motivated cyber-attacks and sabotage of infrastructure and public institutions in the EU. In connection with this release, Andy Norton, European Cyber Risk Officer at Armis, shares his views on cyberwarfare no longer being about one-off attacks – but instead a continuous, hybrid assault designed to erode trust and destabilise nations over time. Continue reading…

The European Central Bank (ECB) has on 13 March launched a pilot project to facilitate research access to data it collects from the financial sector. The initiative aims to promote independent research, enhance cross-country economic analysis and promote a deeper understanding of financial dynamics within the euro area. Eligible researchers will be granted access to anonymised data on balance sheets and interest rates offered by individual banks in the euro area. Continue reading…

Ahead of the World Consumer Rights Day on 15 March, the Commission has published  the 2025 Consumer Conditions Scoreboard, which shows that 68% of European consumers feel confident about the safety of the products that they buy, with 70% trusting that their consumer rights are respected by traders. However, data from the Scoreboard also shows that online risks for consumers persist, including scams, fake reviews, and misleading advertising practices. Continue reading…

by Tamas Kadar

In an age of omnipresent online transactions, fraud is growing alarmingly. Consumers reported1 losing over $10 billion to fraud last year, marking a 14% increase from the previous year. This figure underscores a critical misconception: many still view fraud as a singular event – a one-time act that can be easily detected and prevented. Continue reading…

Following the news of PSR’s closure and its upcoming merge with the FCA, Andrew Moseley, Head of Solution Consulting Europe at ACI Worldwide, gave some comments on the matter.  Continue reading…

Having navigated the coronavirus pandemic’s disruption, the banking industry faces a new era of volatility and uncertainty. Soaring interest rate and liquidity risks have toppled eight banks since 2023. Credit risk looms large amidst geopolitical tensions and the squeeze of inflation. Regulatory change and complexity abound. To effectively confront the mounting challenges, a global risk management survey from FT Longitude and data and AI leader SAS reveals that:

75% of banks intend to increase investment in risk technology infrastructure (up from 51% in 2021). 64% plan to augment spending on third-party software (vs. 43% in 2021).

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