On January 5, 2017, the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency released its Semiannual Risk Perspective for Fall 2016, which highlights key risks facing national banks and federal savings associations. The report highlighted that strategic risk remains high as banks make changes to their business models and adopt innovative products. The OCC also noted that banks continue to ease underwriting practices to boost loan volume and to respond to competition from bank and nonbank lenders in commercial, commercial real estate and auto lending, according to the report. The credit risk associated with such practices is increasing due to increased risk layering, rising loan policy exceptions and weaker covenant protection. The report cited operational risk as another key risk, particularly cybersecurity threats, increased reliance on third-party relationships and the need for sound governance over sales practices. The report is based on data received from national banks and federal saving associations through June 30, 2016.
The report is available at: https://occ.gov/publications/publications-by-type/other-publications-reports/semiannual-risk-perspective/semiannual-risk-perspective-fall-2016.pdf.
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