Webinar: Why Bank Governance Matters Now More than Ever

Why It Matters

Effective bank governance now safeguards financial stability and positions institutions to capture value from digital‑asset innovations, making it a decisive factor for investors, regulators and shareholders.

Key Takeaways

• Geopolitical risk now a core operational concern for banks.
• Boards must integrate geopolitical scenarios into stress‑testing frameworks.
• Digital transformation, AI, and stablecoins introduce new regulatory challenges.
• Sanctions compliance requires risk‑based models and cross‑border coordination.
• Enhanced data collection on operational exposures is essential for resilience.

Summary

The Said Business School webinar brought together co‑directors Amir Amel Zayda and Karen Alexander to argue that bank governance has become a strategic imperative in an era of heightened geopolitical turbulence, rapid digitalisation and evolving regulatory expectations.

They identified three intersecting trends: fragmentation of the global order that amplifies geopolitical risk; a digital transformation wave driven by AI, cybersecurity concerns and the rise of stablecoins and crypto‑assets; and renewed focus on conduct and accountability after high‑profile board failures. The speakers noted that post‑2008 regulatory reforms—higher capital and liquidity buffers—have helped banks weather COVID‑19 and current market volatility, but rising debt levels and asset‑price bubbles mean a single shock could trigger rapid sell‑offs.

Key recommendations included expanding stress‑testing to cover geopolitical scenarios, improving operational‑risk data collection, and establishing cross‑border coordination for subsidiaries. Kiana highlighted the need for risk‑based sanctions models, citing the Sberbank case where EU subsidiaries were frozen despite the parent’s solvency. On the digital front, the new EU Markets in Crypto‑Assets (MiCA) regime, effective 2024, was presented as both a compliance hurdle and a gateway for banks to enter stablecoin and crypto‑service markets.

For board members, the takeaway is clear: governance frameworks must evolve to monitor external political shocks, embed technology risk oversight, and ensure transparent, risk‑weighted sanction compliance. Failure to adapt could expose institutions to liquidity crises, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage, while proactive governance can unlock growth opportunities in the emerging digital‑currency ecosystem.

Original Description

Banks today face mounting pressure from regulatory change, market volatility, technological disruption, and heightened scrutiny from regulators and stakeholders. Strong governance is no longer optional. It is central to resilience, trust, and long-term performance.

You may have missed our recent webinar with Amir Amel-Zadeh and Kern Alexander. They explore the most pressing issues in Bank Governance, including risk oversight, regulatory expectations, cyber and technology risk, and board effectiveness.

Drawing on real-world examples, the session offers practical insight into how boards and senior leaders can strengthen governance in an increasingly complex environment.

You’ll learn:

- The key governance challenges facing banks today

- How boards can improve oversight of risk, capital, and liquidity

- Governance implications of digital transformation and cyber risk

- The capabilities boards and senior leaders need to lead effectively

- How our Oxford Bank Governance Programme enables you to face these challenges

Our Bank Governance Programme equips board members and senior executives with the frameworks, insight, and confidence to govern effectively. Through five days of expert faculty, peer learning, and practical case discussions, the programme helps leaders translate governance principles into real boardroom impact.

This webinar is great for:

- Bank board members and non-executive directors

- Senior executives and governance professionals

- Risk, compliance, and regulatory leaders

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