Top risks and controls for Corporate Banking

From the Doorstep International risk register, curated by Ahmer Nehal. Last updated 17 Oct 2026.

The Corporate Banking register lists 40 key risks and 106 best-practice controls across 7 units: Capital Markets, Credit and Risk Management, Investment Banking, Relationship Management, Syndicated Lending, Trade Finance, Treasury and Cash Management. Use it to identify risks, benchmark your existing controls or start a risk and control self-assessment (RCSA).

Get the RCSA workbook Run it in the software

A crucial part of a bank's job is corporate banking, which entails giving large, sophisticated organisations financial services.

The identification, analysis, and evaluation of potential risks related to offering financial services to corporate clients is a crucial component of corporate banking.

Banks can identify potential risks that could have an impact on their financial stability, credibility, and reputation by conducting a risk assessment.

Banks can decide whether to offer credit, set lending limits, and choose the best terms and conditions for lending to business clients by completing risk assessments.

Capital Markets: key risks and controls

Charged with giving corporate clients access to the capital markets, including underwriting, debt and equity financing, and financial advising services.

Risk	What can go wrong	Best-practice controls
Balancing profitability with risk	The capital markets team must balance the need for profitability with the need to manage risk effectively. This can be challenging when dealing with markets or instruments that are highly profitable but also carry significant risk.	Establishing a clear risk appetite statement can help the team identify which markets or instruments are acceptable and which are not. This statement should be aligned with the organization's overall risk tolerance. Conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify potential risks associated with each market or instrument. This will help the team make informed decisions about which risks to take and which to avoid. Regularly monitor the risks associated with each market or instrument to ensure that they remain within the team's risk appetite.
Building relationships with clients	The capital markets team must build and maintain strong relationships with clients to ensure that they continue to do business with the bank. This requires strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as an ability to understand and meet client needs.	Regular Client Engagement and Communication: Implement a structured program to regularly engage with clients, such as regular check-ins, client surveys, and client events. This will help build and maintain strong relationships by demonstrating the bank's commitment to understanding and meeting client needs. Relationship Management Training: Provide comprehensive training to the capital markets team on effective communication, interpersonal skills, and relationship-building techniques. This will enhance their ability to establish and maintain strong client relationships, ultimately mitigating the risk of clients seeking services elsewhere.
Keeping up with market developments	The capital markets team must stay up-to-date with market developments and trends to ensure that they are able to provide relevant and effective financial services to their clients.	The capital markets team should establish clear risk management policies and procedures that identify, assess, and manage risks associated with highly profitable markets or instruments. This should include setting risk limits and ensuring that these limits are adhered to. The capital markets team should receive adequate training and education on risk management techniques and strategies to ensure that they are able to identify and mitigate risks effectively. The capital markets team should diversify their portfolio to reduce the concentration of risk in any one market or instrument.
Managing data	The capital markets team must manage large amounts of data related to financial instruments and markets. This requires a strong understanding of data management principles and tools.	Implement a comprehensive data governance framework: Establishing a data governance framework is essential to ensure effective management of data related to financial instruments and markets. This framework should include clear policies, procedures, and guidelines for data management, including data quality standards, data classification, data ownership, and data lifecycle management. Deploy robust data management tools: Utilize advanced data management tools and technologies to facilitate efficient data handling, processing, and analysis. These tools should support data integration, data cleansing, data transformation, and data security features. Automation and data validation mechanisms can help maintain data accuracy and integrity.
Managing regulatory compliance	The capital markets team must ensure that their activities comply with applicable laws and regulations, including those related to market manipulation, insider trading, and disclosure requirements.	Implement robust internal controls and policies: Establishing comprehensive internal controls and policies that clearly define acceptable behavior, monitor activities, and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations is crucial. This includes having a code of conduct, trading restrictions, and regular compliance training for employees. Conduct regular audits and assessments: Regularly auditing and assessing the capital markets team's activities can help identify any potential non-compliance issues. This includes independent audits of trading activities, monitoring of communications and transactions, and reviewing compliance with disclosure requirements.
Managing risk	The capital markets team must manage risk effectively to ensure that the bank's exposure to market, credit, and liquidity risk is within acceptable levels. This can be challenging when dealing with complex financial instruments and markets that are volatile or have limited liquidity.	Robust Risk Management Framework: Implementing a comprehensive risk management framework that includes regular risk assessments, monitoring, and reporting mechanisms. This framework should involve establishing risk appetite and tolerance levels, as well as clear risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans. Diversification and Hedging Strategies: Employing diversification and hedging strategies to mitigate market, credit, and liquidity risk. Diversification involves spreading investments across different asset classes, regions, and instruments to reduce concentration risk. Hedging strategies, such as using derivatives or insurance products, can help mitigate specific risks associated with volatile or illiquid markets.
Meeting client needs	The capital markets team must understand and meet the needs of their clients, which can be diverse and complex. This requires a deep understanding of the client's business and financial objectives, as well as a strong knowledge of financial markets and instruments.	Robust Client Due Diligence Process: Implement a thorough due diligence process to assess and understand the diverse and complex needs of clients. This involves gathering comprehensive information about the client's business, financial objectives, risk tolerance, and regulatory requirements. Conducting background checks and verifying the client's identity and reputation are essential components of this control. Continuous Education and Training: Establish a comprehensive training program for the capital markets team to enhance their understanding of financial markets, instruments, and client management. Provide regular updates on industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging risks. Foster a culture of continuous learning and knowledge-sharing to ensure the team stays abreast of the latest developments.

Credit and Risk Management: key risks and controls

In charge of determining the credit risk posed by corporate clients and making sure that loans and other credit facilities are arranged to reduce bank risk.

Risk	What can go wrong	Best-practice controls
Assessing Creditworthiness	One of the key challenges for the credit risk team is to evaluate the creditworthiness of corporate borrowers. This involves analyzing financial statements, industry trends, management experience, and various risk factors that may affect the borrower's ability to repay the loan.	Robust Credit Risk Assessment Framework: Implementing a comprehensive credit risk assessment framework that incorporates sophisticated financial analysis models, industry research, and risk factor identification is crucial. This framework should include thorough evaluation of financial statements, industry trends, management experience, and other relevant factors impacting creditworthiness. Effective Risk Management Policies and Procedures: Establishing and adhering to robust risk management policies and procedures is essential. This includes setting clear guidelines for credit underwriting, loan approval processes, risk tolerance levels, and periodic loan reviews. Regular monitoring and reporting of borrower credit quality should also be implemented.
Balancing Risk and Reward	The credit risk team must balance the risk and reward of lending to corporate clients. While the bank seeks to maximize its profits, it must also ensure that it is not taking on too much risk by lending to clients who may not be able to repay the loan.	Robust Credit Risk Assessment: Implementing a thorough and comprehensive credit risk assessment process is crucial. This includes evaluating the financial health and creditworthiness of corporate clients by analyzing their financial statements, credit histories, industry trends, and risk ratings. Strict Credit Limit and Exposure Monitoring: Setting and regularly reviewing credit limits for corporate clients helps in managing risk exposure. Monitoring credit utilization, outstanding balances, and exposure limits allows for timely identification of potential overexposure and helps in taking proactive measures to mitigate risks.
Identifying Emerging Risks	Credit risk teams must identify emerging risks that could affect their portfolio, such as changes in market conditions, new industry trends, or geopolitical risks. This requires ongoing monitoring and analysis of various data sources to stay informed about potential risks.	Establish a robust risk monitoring and analysis framework: Implement a comprehensive system that continuously monitors and analyzes various data sources to identify emerging risks promptly. This framework should include automated alerts, real-time data feeds, and regular risk assessments. Enhance data collection and analysis capabilities: Invest in advanced data collection methods and analytical tools to ensure a comprehensive and accurate assessment of emerging risks. This may include leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to process large volumes of data and identify patterns and trends.
Keeping up with Changing Regulations	Credit risk teams must stay up-to-date with changing regulations and compliance requirements, such as those related to the Basel Accords or local regulatory bodies. They must ensure that their credit policies are in compliance with these regulations, which can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.	Automation and technology solutions: Implementing automated systems and technology solutions can significantly reduce the time and resources required to stay updated with changing regulations. These solutions can streamline compliance processes, automate reporting, and ensure that credit policies align with regulatory requirements. Regular training and education: Provide ongoing training and education programs for credit risk teams to enhance their knowledge and understanding of changing regulations and compliance requirements. This will enable them to effectively interpret and apply these regulations in their credit policies, reducing the likelihood of non-compliance issues.
Maintaining Effective Communication	Effective communication between the credit risk team and other departments is essential for managing risks. The credit risk team must work closely with loan officers, underwriters, and other departments to ensure that everyone understands the risks associated with each loan and to make informed decisions about lending.	The credit risk team should hold regular meetings with loan officers, underwriters, and other departments to discuss risk management strategies and ensure that everyone is aware of the risks associated with each loan. Establish clear communication protocols, such as who is responsible for communicating what information and when. This can help to ensure that important information is not missed or miscommunicated. Standardize the reporting format to be used by all departments to report risks associated with each loan.
Managing Diversified Portfolios	The credit risk team must manage a diverse portfolio of loans to corporate clients with varying levels of risk. This requires an understanding of the risk profile of each borrower and monitoring of the portfolio's performance to identify early signs of distress.	Establish a robust credit risk management framework that outlines policies, procedures, and guidelines for lending to corporate clients. Implement a credit scoring system that assesses the creditworthiness of borrowers and determines the risk profile of each borrower. Conduct a thorough due diligence process on prospective borrowers before approving loans. This process should include reviewing the borrower's financial statements, credit history, and business operations. Establish a risk monitoring system to track the performance of the loan portfolio and identify early signs of distress.

Investment Banking: key risks and controls

Liable for supplying corporate clients a variety of investment banking services, such as debt and equity underwriting, mergers and acquisitions, and initial public offerings (IPOs).

Risk	What can go wrong	Best-practice controls
Client Relationship Management	Investment banking relies heavily on building and maintaining strong client relationships. The investment banking team must be able to develop and nurture these relationships to ensure that clients continue to choose the bank for their investment banking needs.	Diversify the client base. This means that the investment bank should not rely on a few key clients, but instead have a wide range of clients. This will reduce the risk of losing business if one or a few clients decide to go elsewhere. A good reputation in the industry can help attract new clients and retain existing ones. This can be achieved by providing high-quality services and maintaining ethical standards. Rather than just looking for short-term profits, investment bankers should aim to build long-term relationships with their clients. This involves understanding the clients' needs and providing them
Competition	Investment banking is a highly competitive industry, and the investment banking team must be able to differentiate themselves from their competitors and offer innovative solutions to their clients.	Talent Acquisition and Development: Building a team of skilled and innovative professionals is crucial to differentiate an investment banking firm. Effective recruitment strategies and continuous investment in professional development programs can attract and retain top talent, ensuring the ability to offer innovative solutions. Research and Market Analysis: In-depth research and market analysis provide a competitive edge by identifying emerging trends, investment opportunities, and potential risks. By staying ahead of the curve and offering well-informed insights, investment banking teams can differentiate themselves and provide valuable solutions to clients.
Deal Execution	Investment banking deals can be complex, and the investment banking team must be able to manage the deal execution process effectively. This includes managing timelines, coordinating with various parties involved in the deal, and resolving any issues that arise during the deal process.	Establish clear project timelines and milestones for each deal, and regularly review progress against them. Use project management tools and software to monitor and manage the deal execution process, including identifying potential bottlenecks or issues that may arise. Assign clear responsibilities and roles to each team member involved in the deal, and regularly communicate updates and progress to ensure everyone is aligned. Establish clear communication protocols with clients, stakeholders, and other parties involved in the deal to ensure all parties are informed and aligned throughout the process.
Managing Risk	Investment banking involves significant risk, and the investment banking team must carefully manage risk to avoid significant losses. This includes conducting thorough due diligence on potential investments and monitoring market conditions and performance closely.	Conducting thorough due diligence on potential investments: This control involves conducting comprehensive research and analysis before making investment decisions. It helps identify and assess potential risks associated with investments, enabling the investment banking team to make informed choices and avoid significant losses. Monitoring market conditions and performance closely: Regular monitoring of market conditions and investment performance is crucial for risk management. By closely tracking market trends, economic indicators, and the performance of investments, the investment banking team can identify emerging risks or unfavorable market conditions promptly. This allows them to take proactive measures to mitigate potential losses.
Market Volatility	Investment banking is subject to market fluctuations, and the investment banking team must be prepared to adapt to changes in market conditions that could impact their business.	Diversification of Investments: By spreading investments across different asset classes, sectors, and geographic regions, investment banks can reduce their exposure to market fluctuations. This helps mitigate the risk of significant losses in case of adverse market conditions. Risk Management and Hedging Strategies: Implementing robust risk management practices and utilizing hedging strategies can help investment banks mitigate the impact of market fluctuations. This involves identifying, measuring, and monitoring various risks, such as market risk, credit risk, and liquidity risk, and taking proactive measures to mitigate them.
Regulatory Compliance	Investment banking is heavily regulated, and the investment banking team must stay up-to-date with regulatory changes and ensure that they comply with all applicable laws and regulations.	Regulatory Compliance Training: Implement a comprehensive training program to educate the investment banking team about relevant laws and regulations. This includes regular updates on changes and requirements to ensure awareness and understanding among team members. Robust Monitoring and Internal Controls: Establish rigorous monitoring processes and internal controls to identify and address any potential compliance issues promptly. This involves monitoring activities, transactions, and communications within the investment banking team to detect and prevent non-compliant behavior.
Talent Management	The investment banking team must attract and retain top talent to ensure that they have the skills and expertise necessary to deliver value to clients. This requires a focus on training and development, as well as creating a positive work culture that encourages collaboration and innovation.	Comprehensive Training and Development Programs: Implementing robust training and development programs will equip the investment banking team with the necessary skills and expertise to deliver value to clients. This can include both technical and soft skills training, mentorship opportunities, and ongoing learning initiatives. Competitive Compensation and Benefits: Offering competitive compensation packages and attractive benefits will help attract and retain top talent in the investment banking industry. This includes providing competitive salaries, performance-based incentives, health and wellness benefits, retirement plans, and other perks that align with industry standards.

Relationship Management: key risks and controls

In charge of creating and maintaining relationships with business clients. They collaborate closely with clients to comprehend their banking requirements and create unique solutions to satisfy those requirements.

Risk	What can go wrong	Best-practice controls
Adapting to changing market conditions	The banking industry is constantly evolving, and the relationship management team must adapt to changing market conditions and new competitors. This may involve developing new products and services, repositioning the bank in the market, or exploring new business models.	Continuous Market Research and Analysis: By actively monitoring and analyzing market conditions and competitors, the relationship management team can identify emerging trends, market shifts, and potential threats. This enables them to adapt their strategies and offerings accordingly, staying ahead of competitors and minimizing risks associated with changing market conditions. Robust Product Development and Innovation Process: Implementing a structured and agile approach to developing new products and services allows banks to respond quickly to evolving customer needs and market demands. By regularly reviewing and updating their offerings, banks can stay competitive, attract new customers, and mitigate the risk of being overshadowed by new entrants or disruptive technologies.
Balancing risk and reward	The relationship management team must balance the need to generate revenue and grow the business with the need to manage risk. This can be challenging, as certain business opportunities may carry greater risk than others.	Risk Assessment and Prioritization: Implement a comprehensive risk assessment process that identifies and evaluates potential risks associated with different business opportunities. Prioritize these risks based on their potential impact on the business and the likelihood of occurrence. This will help the relationship management team make informed decisions and allocate resources effectively. Risk Mitigation Strategies and Policies: Develop and enforce risk mitigation strategies and policies that align with the organization's risk appetite and objectives. These should include guidelines on acceptable risk levels for different types of business opportunities, as well as controls and safeguards to minimize and manage risks effectively. Regularly review and update these strategies and policies to adapt to changing business environments.
Building and maintaining strong client relationships	Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients is critical to the success of the relationship management team. This involves understanding the needs of each client, providing personalized service, and developing trust and rapport over time.	Develop a standardized process for client onboarding that includes collecting and analyzing client data to understand their unique needs and preferences. Assign a dedicated relationship manager to each client, who will serve as the primary point of contact and responsible for ensuring that the client's needs are met. Conduct regular check-ins with clients to gauge their satisfaction with services, identify any issues, and address concerns in a timely manner. Establish a communication protocol that defines the frequency, mode, and content of communication with clients, including email, phone, or in-person meetings.
Managing client expectations	Clients may have high expectations for the services and products they receive from the bank. The relationship management team must manage these expectations and ensure that the bank is meeting or exceeding them. This can involve setting realistic goals and communicating clearly with clients about what the bank can and cannot provide.	Establish clear communication channels with clients to manage their expectations, and ensure that relationship managers communicate realistic goals to clients about what the bank can and cannot provide. Develop standardized processes and procedures for managing client expectations, which should be regularly reviewed and updated. Provide training and support to relationship managers to help them effectively manage client expectations and provide exceptional customer service. Set achievable goals and benchmarks for service delivery, and regularly monitor and evaluate performance against these standards.
Navigating complex regulatory requirements	The corporate banking group is subject to a complex regulatory environment, and the relationship management team must ensure that all client activities are compliant with relevant laws and regulations.	Robust Compliance Policies and Procedures: Implementing comprehensive compliance policies and procedures that clearly outline the regulatory requirements and obligations for the relationship management team. This includes procedures for client onboarding, transaction monitoring, and reporting suspicious activities. Ongoing Training and Education: Providing regular and tailored training programs to enhance the understanding of relevant laws and regulations among the relationship management team. This includes training on compliance best practices, changes in regulations, and specific compliance risks associated with client activities.

Syndicated Lending: key risks and controls

It is their responsibility to arrange and syndicate sizable loans to corporate clients, usually for acquisitions and mergers, leveraged buyouts, and other strategic deals.

Risk	What can go wrong	Best-practice controls
Coordinating with other banks	Syndicated loans involve multiple banks lending to a single borrower, and the syndicated lending team must coordinate with these banks to ensure that the loan is structured and managed appropriately.	Effective Loan Structuring and Documentation: Implementing standardized and comprehensive loan structuring processes, along with clear documentation, helps ensure that the syndicated loan is well-defined, minimizing ambiguity and potential disputes among the participating banks. Robust Communication and Information Sharing: Establishing effective channels of communication and information sharing among the syndicated lending team and participating banks is crucial. This facilitates coordination and enables timely decision-making, reducing the risk of misalignment or misunderstandings.
Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements	The syndicated lending team must ensure that all syndicated loan activities are compliant with relevant laws and regulations. This can be challenging, as different jurisdictions may have different requirements.	Establish a robust compliance framework: Implementing a comprehensive compliance framework is essential to mitigate the risk of non-compliance with relevant laws and regulations. This framework should include policies, procedures, and controls that address jurisdiction-specific requirements and ensure adherence to applicable laws throughout the syndicated loan process. Conduct regular training and awareness programs: Educating the syndicated lending team about relevant laws and regulations is crucial to mitigate compliance risk. Regular training sessions should be conducted to enhance their understanding of jurisdiction-specific requirements and equip them with the necessary knowledge to identify and address compliance issues effectively.
Identifying and evaluating potential borrowers	The syndicated lending team must identify potential borrowers and evaluate their creditworthiness. This involves analyzing financial statements, assessing risk, and determining whether the borrower is a good fit for the bank's lending portfolio.	Establish clear and comprehensive lending policies and procedures that outline the criteria for evaluating creditworthiness and the steps involved in the lending process. Implement a system for analyzing financial statements that includes standardized methods for calculating key financial ratios, such as debt-to-equity and interest coverage ratios. Require borrowers to provide detailed financial information, such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, as well as other relevant information such as business plans and industry analysis. Develop a risk assessment framework that considers factors such as the borrower's financial strength, credit history and industry trends.
Managing syndication risk	Syndicated loans carry a higher level of risk than other types of loans, as the bank is sharing the risk with other lenders. The syndicated lending team must manage this risk by carefully structuring the loan and ensuring that all parties are aware of their obligations.	Thorough Due Diligence: Conducting comprehensive due diligence on the borrower and other lenders involved in the syndicated loan helps identify potential risks and assess their creditworthiness. This includes evaluating their financial health, track record, industry dynamics, and legal obligations. Robust Loan Structuring: Carefully structuring the syndicated loan is crucial to manage risk effectively. This involves defining clear terms and conditions, determining appropriate collateral or guarantees, establishing repayment schedules, and incorporating risk-mitigating mechanisms such as covenants or restrictions.
Negotiating loan terms	The syndicated lending team must negotiate loan terms with the borrower and other lenders. This involves balancing the needs of all parties and ensuring that the terms are fair and equitable.	Establish clear policies and procedures for loan negotiation that ensure all parties involved are treated fairly and equitably. Use a standardized loan agreement template that includes predefined terms and conditions to avoid negotiations on non-standard clauses. Assign an independent review team to assess loan terms and make sure they meet the organization's standards for fairness and equity. Implement a robust due diligence process to ensure that all parties involved have a clear understanding of the borrower's creditworthiness and financial stability. Assign a legal team to review and negotiate loan agreements to ensure that they are legally sound and fair.

Trade Finance: key risks and controls

Responsible for offering corporate clients trade finance services such as export/import financing, trade finance loans, and letters of credit.

Risk	What can go wrong	Best-practice controls
Managing credit risk	Trade finance transactions involve a high level of credit risk, as the bank is extending credit to a borrower in a foreign country. The trade finance team must manage this risk by carefully evaluating the creditworthiness of the borrower and ensuring that appropriate safeguards are in place.	Creditworthiness evaluation: Implement a thorough and robust process to evaluate the creditworthiness of borrowers in foreign countries. This should include comprehensive analysis of financial statements, credit ratings, and business history. Regular updates and monitoring of the borrower's financial position are crucial to assess ongoing credit risk. Safeguarding measures: Establish and enforce appropriate safeguards to mitigate credit risk in trade finance transactions. These measures may include collateral requirements, letters of credit, guarantees, or insurance policies. By securing the transaction with these safeguards, the bank reduces its exposure to potential credit losses.
Managing operational risk	Trade finance transactions also involve operational risk, such as errors in documentation or failure to deliver goods. The trade finance team must manage this risk by establishing robust operational procedures and monitoring transactions closely.	Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for trade finance transactions, including clear guidelines for documentation requirements, transaction processing, and delivery of goods. Ensure that all trade finance team members are properly trained on the SOPs and have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. Implement a system of checks and balances to ensure that all trade finance transactions are accurately documented and processed, and that goods are delivered as expected. Establish a review process to identify and correct any errors or discrepancies in trade finance transactions, and take corrective action as necessary.
Managing relationships with clients	The trade finance team must build and maintain strong relationships with clients to ensure a steady flow of business. This involves understanding the needs of each client and providing personalized service.	Implement a customer relationship management (CRM) system: A CRM system allows the trade finance team to track and manage client interactions, ensuring that their needs are understood and addressed effectively. It helps in maintaining a centralized database of client information, communication history, and preferences, enabling personalized service and building strong client relationships. Develop a customer feedback mechanism: Establishing a feedback mechanism, such as surveys or regular client meetings, allows the trade finance team to gather insights and understand client needs and satisfaction levels. By actively seeking and acting upon client feedback, the team can continuously improve their services and address any concerns promptly, thereby strengthening relationships.
Navigating geopolitical risks	Trade finance transactions can be affected by geopolitical risks, such as changes in government policy or instability in certain regions. The trade finance team must stay alert to these risks and take appropriate measures to manage them.	Conduct thorough due diligence before engaging in any trade finance transaction. Monitor geopolitical developments and changes in government policies in relevant regions. Maintain a robust risk management framework that incorporates geopolitical risks. Implement measures to diversify and spread risks across different geographic regions and counterparties. Work closely with reputable financial institutions and trusted partners with established relationships in relevant regions. Have contingency plans in place to address disruptions to trade finance transactions in case of geopolitical risks. Consider incorporating political risk insurance into trade finance arrangements.
Staying up-to-date with changing regulations	The trade finance industry is subject to a complex regulatory environment, and the trade finance team must stay up-to-date with all relevant laws and regulations to ensure compliance.	Establishing a robust regulatory compliance program: This includes creating policies, procedures, and controls to ensure adherence to relevant laws and regulations. It involves regular monitoring, risk assessments, and training programs to keep the trade finance team updated on the regulatory environment. Implementing an automated compliance monitoring system: Deploying a technology-driven solution can help streamline compliance processes, monitor transactions, and flag potential violations. Automated systems can provide real-time alerts and generate reports, enabling the trade finance team to promptly address any compliance issues.

Treasury and Cash Management: key risks and controls

Accountable for offering corporate clients services for managing cash balances, executing payments, and providing solutions for liquidity management.

Risk	What can go wrong	Best-practice controls
Adapting to changing technology	The banking industry is undergoing rapid technological change, and the treasury and cash management team must stay up-to-date with new technology and adapt their services to meet changing client needs.	Continuous Training and Skill Development: Ensure that the treasury and cash management team receives regular training on new technologies and industry trends. This will help them stay up-to-date and adapt their services to changing client needs effectively. Robust Technology Infrastructure: Invest in a reliable and scalable technology infrastructure that can support the evolving needs of the banking industry. This includes adopting modern treasury management systems, cloud-based solutions, and cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive financial data.
Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients	The treasury and cash management team must build and maintain strong relationships with clients to ensure a steady flow of business. This involves understanding the needs of each client and providing personalized service.	Regular client engagement and communication: Establishing and maintaining regular communication with clients is crucial for understanding their needs and providing personalized service. Regular engagement helps build strong relationships, ensuring a steady flow of business. Customer relationship management (CRM) system: Implementing a CRM system can centralize client information, preferences, and interactions. This tool enables the treasury and cash management team to track client needs, preferences, and communication history, facilitating personalized service and effective relationship management.
Ensuring compliance with regulations	The treasury and cash management team must ensure that all treasury and cash management activities are compliant with relevant laws and regulations.	Develop and maintain policies and procedures that outline the legal and regulatory requirements for treasury and cash management activities. Assign clear roles and responsibilities for compliance monitoring and reporting.
Managing liquidity	The treasury and cash management team must manage liquidity for clients, ensuring that they have the necessary funds to meet their financial obligations. This involves managing cash flows, investing excess cash, and arranging short-term financing as needed.	Develop a comprehensive liquidity management policy that outlines the treasury and cash management team's responsibilities, procedures, and guidelines for managing cash flows, investing excess cash, and arranging short-term financing. Establish clear lines of communication and reporting between the treasury and cash management team and senior management to ensure that any issues related to liquidity management are promptly addressed. Implement a robust cash flow forecasting process that enables the treasury and cash management team to accurately predict future cash inflows and outflows. Diversify the investment portfolio to minimize exposure to any one type of investment or issuer.
Mitigating risk	The treasury and cash management team must help clients mitigate financial risk, such as interest rate risk and currency risk, by providing appropriate hedging products.	Hedging Strategies: Implementing effective hedging strategies is the most effective control to mitigate interest rate risk and currency risk. This involves using financial instruments such as derivatives (e.g., interest rate swaps, currency forwards) to offset potential losses due to adverse interest rate or currency fluctuations. Risk Assessment and Monitoring: Regularly assessing and monitoring the interest rate risk and currency risk exposure is crucial. This control involves analyzing market conditions, evaluating potential risks, and identifying the appropriate hedging products to offer to clients based on their risk profiles and needs.

This register is a starting point for risk identification and benchmarking against international practice. Adapt the risks and controls to your institution's size, products, jurisdiction and regulatory requirements.

Get the Corporate Banking register as an RCSA workbook

A spreadsheet-ready CSV with every risk and control on this page, plus blank columns for control owner, inherent likelihood and impact, control design, operating effectiveness, residual rating and actions. We confirm your email with a 6-digit code, then email you the download link.

Frequently asked questions

What are the key risks in Corporate Banking?

The main risk areas covered are Capital Markets, Credit and Risk Management, Investment Banking, Relationship Management, Syndicated Lending, Trade Finance, Treasury and Cash Management. Each unit lists its key risks with a short explanation and the best-practice controls that mitigate them.

How do I use this register for a risk and control self-assessment?

Select the risks that apply to your units, map the listed controls to the controls you actually operate, rate inherent risk and control effectiveness, then agree actions for gaps. The free RCSA workbook on this page has the columns ready.

Put these controls to work this month

Start on the cloud risk management software within 24 hours, or ask for training or advice tailored to your institution.

Request a software demo Ask a question