Blog

Introduction

In the financial sector, compliance is a moving target. With evolving regulations and a growing need for robust data management and data governance, financial institutions are at a crossroads: adapt or fall behind. This blog delves into why a strong data governance strategy for banks and other financial institutions isn’t just good practice; it’s a necessity for survival and success.

The Rising Tide of Regulations

The financial industry is inundated with a burgeoning array of national and international regulations. From KYC, to privacy, to cybersecurity, the complexity is not just increasing; it’s becoming a significant operational hurdle.

Why Data Governance is No Longer Optional

Data governance for banks and other financial institutions transcends basic data management. It’s about ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and compliance-readiness of your data. With an effective strategy, you’re not just avoiding fines; you’re building a foundation for organizational efficiency and customer trust.

Key Considerations for Effective Data Governance

Data governance consists of the policies, procedures, roles, and responsibilities that ensure that an organization’s data is accurate, timely, and fit for purpose. Below are a few key points to consider for creating strong financial data management and data governance practices in your financial institutions:

1. Standardize Data Practices Across the Enterprise

Consistency in data handling is essential for compliance and operational efficiency. Financial institutions need to standardize data practices to ensure predictability and uniformity across different departments and business units. This standardization not only aids in meeting regulatory requirements but also enhances the effectiveness of automation and analytics tools. The recent challenges faced by institutions like Silicon Valley Bank highlight the risks associated with inconsistent data practices and the importance of a unified approach. 

2. Delegate Responsibility for Data Governance in your Bank or Financial Institution

Clear accountability in data governance is vital. Financial institutions must define specific roles and responsibilities, ensuring that all staff involved with data understand their role in maintaining its integrity. This approach includes comprehensive training and clear delineation. This, however, must coexist well with the fact that a collaborative culture is necessary, one that recognizes data governance is a shared responsibility. Such a strategy is fundamental in building a robust framework that supports regulatory compliance and internal data governance standards.

3. Prepare for Future Regulations

The financial regulatory landscape is dynamic, making it essential for institutions to have flexible data governance frameworks. By anticipating future regulatory changes and adapting their strategies accordingly, institutions can stay ahead of the curve. This proactive stance involves continuous improvement and regular updates to data governance strategies, ensuring they are effective in meeting both current and future compliance needs.

Case Studies

There were several high-profile bank failures in 2023.  Silicon Valley Bank’s challenges were rooted in risk management oversights. While not directly a data governance issue, this case underscores the importance of robust data governance for banks in risk assessment and decision-making processes. Effective data governance could have provided more comprehensive risk analyses, incorporating various data sources to give a more holistic view of the bank’s exposure to market shifts. This would have enabled better decision-making and possibly averted the crisis.

Similar to SVB, Signature Bank’s situation reflects the need for a comprehensive approach to data governance. While specific details about data governance issues at Signature Bank are not as prominent, the overarching lesson for financial institutions is clear: they must have a system in place that not only manages data for compliance but also for operational resilience and risk management. 

Real Benefits Beyond Compliance

Beyond supporting compliance, sound data governance practices deliver benefits across multiple areas for banks and financial institutions, including better customer satisfaction, and reduced cybersecurity and data privacy risk exposure while positioning the institution to innovate.

1. Enhance the Customer Experience

Implementing data governance improves the omnichannel experience for customers. For example, changes made in one channel, like a branch or online, are consistently and accurately updated across all platforms. This integration is crucial for customers who expect real-time updates and seamless interactions, especially through digital and mobile platforms. Enhanced data governance ensures that these customer expectations are met, thereby improving customer satisfaction and loyalty.

2. Maintain a Competitive Advantage

In a financial landscape increasingly disrupted by fintech solutions, traditional financial institutions must leverage data more effectively to stay competitive. Data governance in financial institutions plays a crucial role in this process. It involves standardizing data practices across the organization, ensuring data quality, and enabling the effective use of analytics tools. These practices help financial institutions to make more informed decisions, adapt to market changes, and offer innovative services that match or exceed the offerings of fintech companies.

3. Reduce Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Risks

The average cost of data breaches in the financial sector is staggeringly high. Strong data governance in banks and other financial institutions helps in identifying and protecting high-value data, reducing the likelihood and impact of cybersecurity or data privacy incidents. By accurately mapping and classifying data, financial institutions can focus their recovery strategies post-attack, minimizing the impact. Additionally, clear data policies and easy access to necessary data reduce the chances of employees resorting to insecure workarounds that expose sensitive data.

Assessing Your Strategy

Banks and other financial institutions grappling with data standardization, regulatory compliance, or effective data utilization should consider a data governance overhaul. It’s not merely about managing data but harnessing its power to propel your institution forward. The case studies of SVB and Signature Bank emphasize the need to reassess data governance strategies, focusing on risk exposure analysis, regulatory compliance, and operational resilience.

The Road Ahead

In the ever-changing regulatory environment, data governance is your navigational tool. It ensures you meet today’s requirements while laying the groundwork for future success. The cases of SVB and Signature Bank serve as stark reminders of data governance’s critical role in risk management and regulatory compliance. Adopting a holistic data governance approach is key to navigating the complexities of today’s financial landscape and sustaining long-term resilience and success.  Whether streamlining existing processes or starting from scratch, partnering with data governance experts can transform these challenges into opportunities.

To learn more about how Kenway helps financial institutions navigate the rough terrain of new regulations and data governance, read our case studies here.

If you need help developing a business case for your needs or providing a current state assessment of your Master Data Management (MDM) environment, connect with one of our consultants to learn more.

DATA GOVERNANCE IN BANKING FAQS

• Why is financial data governance important?

Financial data is highly sensitive and heavily regulated. To assess and address risk, protect customer assets and the organization’s financial interests, data must be managed according to a well-defined data governance strategy.

• What is data governance in banking?

Data governance is the collection of policies, procedures, roles, and responsibilities that enable financial institutions to maintain data accuracy, usability, access, quality, and timeliness.