Founded in 1914, The Risk Management Association (RMA), is a not-for-profit, member-driven professional association, whose sole purpose is to advance the use of sound risk principles in the financial services industry. RMA promotes an enterprise approach to risk management that focuses on credit risk, market risk, and operational risk.
Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, RMA has approximately 3,000 institutional members that include banks of all sizes as well as non-bank financial institutions. They are represented in the association by 18,000 risk management professionals who are chapter members in financial centers throughout North America, Europe, and Asia/Pacific.
RMA's strong relationship with members and regulators helps us develop new risk management techniques and innovative products. Our education and training programs are geared to risk management professionals at every stage of their careers. Over 70% of RMA's revenue is derived from providing products and services to members.
Because RMA does not lobby, it has been able to take a leadership role in providing industry input to regulators as they reform the Basel Capital Accord, first instituted in 1988. In so doing, RMA has provided the Basel Committee with a significant body of research outlining the process for estimating economic capital.
With the support of our members, RMA develops leading-edge risk management products, services, and studies, some of which are listed below.
RMA/Wharton Advanced Risk Management Program
The Risk Management Association (RMA), Wharton Executive Education, and The Wharton Financial Institutions Center have partnered to create the first advanced program on risk management for executives. The program meets a critical need in the industry to integrate risk management with financial management and strategy. Institutions nominate those executives on track to lead or oversee divisional or enterprise-wide risk management functions.
eMentor®
eMentor is RMA's Web-based, comprehensive knowledge management tool for the financial services industry. Continually updated with new information, eMentor is the first integrated source of information on credit and lending processes, concepts, and practices. eMentor also provides invaluable information about specific industries.
Annual Statement Studies® / eStatement StudiesSM
RMA’s Annual Statement Studies is the only source of comparative data that comes directly from the financial statements of small and medium-size business customers of RMA’s member institutions. You’ll find everything you’ve come to rely on in the two-volume set (Financial Ratio Benchmarks and Industry Default Probabilities and Cash Flow Measures) along with the added ease and flexibility of 24/7 online access with eStatement Studies.
RMA-Credit Risk Certification
The Risk Management Association is proud to offer our Credit Risk Certification Exam. Successful candidates will receive the RMA-Credit Risk Certified (RMA-CRC) designation and be recognized as "Best in Class" for their exemplary commitment to the field and achievement in passing this challenging examination. To take the RMA-CRC examination, you must have at least three years' experience as a credit professional.
Diagnostic Assessment of Lending Skills & Knowledge
The Diagnostic Assessment is specifically designed to assess the skill levels of your commercial lending and credit personnel. The assessment will help you determine what training, if any, is required to bring personnel up to prescribed levels of knowledge. It develops an efficient and effective use of your training resources and contributes to your bank’s profitability and productivity by targeting limited training dollars in the most needed areas.
The RMA Journal ®
The official magazine of RMA, The Journal helps you manage your business responsibilities while staying abreast of industry changes and trends by providing thought-provoking and informative articles from industry leaders in two convenient formats: print and online. Ten times a year, our members and subscribers count on The RMA Journal for practical ideas that can help them improve their bottom line.
RMA Conferences and Forums
RMA organizes at least seven issue-specific conferences each year in addition to our Risk Management Conference (each autumn) and the Chapter Leaders Conference (each June). Recognized industry leaders and commentators address the conferences, offering insights into current trends and best practices. Many conferences, such as the annual Risk Management Conference, also offer programs in specialized tracks geared to specific interests. View a complete schedule of RMA's conferences and forums.
RMA Roundtables
Each year, RMA holds more than 50 roundtables in North America, Europe, and Asia, allowing senior executives to discuss a wide range of industry issues. These events bring together small groups of senior bankers who have common interests in a particular issue.
Benchmarking Studies
With the participation of members, RMA performs studies that help institutions better identify, assess, and manage risks. We then develop commercial and consumer risk data for information and decision products that are available only to study participants.
RMA Leadership
To stay at the forefront of thought leadership in the financial services industry, RMA has assembled a prestigious group of volunteer directors from throughout the industry.
Join RMA Today
On a local, national, and international level, RMA members get an edge on their competition by networking with their peers at courses, events, and chapter meetings. They also stay informed about the industry through The RMA Journal and the RMA Web site, www.rmahq.org.