CBI Securities Markets Risk Outlook Report 2023
Insights for the Funds Sector
The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) published its third Securities Markets Risk Outlook Report in March 2023. The Report sets out eight key risks and areas of focus, which will inform the CBI’s supervisory engagements this year. The CBI shares its expectations about how firms can effectively identify, mitigate and manage those risks, which contain important signposts for the funds sector.
2022 to 2023 – a changing vista
Recurring themes such as misconduct, sustainability, data, cybersecurity, and technological innovation receive continued attention this year. A distinguishing factor, however, is a sharper focus on the external environment. This is both front and centre in the foreword to the Report and the subject of a new key risk. It is also evident from the Report’s title, which addresses not only ‘a changing landscape’ but the risks associated with the speed of change in the current environment.
Key risks
Key Risks |
Areas of focus |
Key CBI Expectations |
External risk environment |
The Report addresses the impacts of developments such as COVID-19, the Russia/Ukraine war, and rising energy prices. It calls out the risks associated with highly leveraged funds and less liquid funds operating under these conditions and the importance of effective liquidity management practices. |
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Sustainable investing |
There is continued focus on sustainability in the funds sector. Compliance with the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) is essential so that investors can trust in funds labelled as sustainable. The CBI signals the importance of maintaining high standards regarding funds’ sustainability credentials. |
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Delegation and outsourcing |
Delegation and outsourcing is now a standalone key risk with a dedicated sub-section for the funds sector. The CBI re-states that it does not differentiate between delegation and outsourcing, which represent ‘an area of particular focus’ with a ‘credible threat of enforcement’. The CBI identifies the growth in the use of third party fund management companies as another area of continued focus. |
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Digital innovation |
There is a continued focus on the risk to investors posed by technological innovation. Having previously outlined that it is ‘highly unlikely’ to approve proposals for UCITS or Retail Investor Alternative Investment Funds (RIAIFs) investing in crypto assets, the CBI states that its position remains under review to be informed by developments at EU level. |
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Cybersecurity |
The CBI highlights the continued risk of cybersecurity breaches and identifies the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) as an important milestone in strengthening cyber resilience. |
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Data Quality |
The CBI notes continued data quality issues in certain areas, and calls for comprehensive, precise, and consistent data submissions in line with reporting obligations under regulations such as the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD), the European Markets Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR) and the Securities Financing Transactions Regulation (SFTR) which are vital to the CBI fulfilling its supervisory and gatekeeper responsibilities. |
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Market integrity |
The CBI sets out its expectations regarding firms’ market surveillance, reporting and governance arrangements to address the risk of market abuse. |
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Market Conduct Risk Management |
The CBI observes continued deficiencies in firms’ frameworks to address market conduct risk. It identifies hybrid-working as a new area of focus. |
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Supervisory expectations – a call to action
The CBI calls on regulated firms and market participants to ‘recognise and respond’ to the changing market conditions discussed in the Report and adapt their risk management and compliance frameworks accordingly. Regulated firms in the funds sector need to review their risk management and compliance frameworks to take account of the key risks outlined in the Report and amend their frameworks accordingly.
Please contact a member of our Investment Funds team if you need any advice in updating your risk management and compliance frameworks or you have any specific questions on the Report.
The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other advice.
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