Risk & Resilience

As the global economy continues to navigate the aftershocks of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the global trade war, Norway's financial system remains relatively stable but not without challenges. Despite moderate growth over the past two years, the Norwegian economy is confronting mounting uncertainties. Inflation and interest rate hikes have presented significant challenges, while high household debt and property price imbalances continue to pose risks to the financial sector.

In a recent discussion with a trusted colleague, Stefan, the Head of Risk and Governance at a major UK retail company, I was reminded of an essential lesson in governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC). This conversation, held one evening in Mayfair, focused not just on the tools and platforms available today, but on the true value of GRC, and why too many organizations miss the point. If you're looking for a deeper dive into the ROI-focused conversation that sparked this reflection, I recommend reading my article GRC Value: It’s More Than Just ROI, which explores the need to look beyond mere efficiency and towards strategic objectives.

As political measures in the U.S. continue to evolve, with tariffs and a weakening dollar dominating the news cycle, Danish credit institutions are facing heightened credit risks. This trend was discussed extensively by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority (DFSA) in a series of consultations with the largest credit institutions in Denmark in April 2025. These developments have led to increased uncertainty, especially in sectors dependent on export markets, and have prompted a reassessment of impairment needs across various portfolios.

ASIC Commissioner, Kate O'Rourke, recently took center stage at the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) Conference, where she shared her insights on how ASIC is helping Australia’s financial sector navigate the growing importance of climate-related financial disclosures. While O'Rourke emphasized that these regulatory changes are big, she also clarified they are an opportunity for businesses to take charge of climate risk and show the market they’re ready for the future.

Compyl, a provider of unified Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) solutions, has recently announced it has raised $12 million in a Series A funding round. The round was led by Venture Guides, with participation from existing investors including Contour Venture Partners, Armory Square Ventures, nvp capital, Alpine Meridian Ventures, Brooklyn Bridge Ventures, and Zelkova Ventures.

The world of lending is on the brink of a dramatic transformation, driven by the relentless march of technology. The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) has painted a vivid picture of what the sector might look like in 2035, offering a glimpse into a future where loans are just a click away, powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and open finance.

At the 15th European Financial Congress, Jacek Jastrzębski, Chairman of the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF), delivered a powerful speech that not only analyzed the geopolitical uncertainty facing financial markets but also charted a bold path forward for Poland’s financial sector. His remarks mixed concern with optimism, focusing on the challenges and opportunities presented by an increasingly unpredictable world.