Expanding Beyond Commercial Credit Risk

• In the Risk Management environment of today, the world has expanded beyond just simple credit risk (which we all know is not simple at all).  In order to continue to serve the members of RMA, the local chapters should consider expanding their chapter offerings to address all the areas of risk affecting the industry today. This will include, but is not limited to, the following identified areas of risk arising today:  Retail, Marketing, Operational, Enterprise-wide, etc.
• Another area to improve membership would be to consider all operational areas of the bank. In general, consider serving the professional members as well.

Expanding Risk Management:

1. Look for individuals in your chapter institutions that support these areas of the financial services risk focus. Include, but do not limit your search to, Operational Risk,  Enterprise-wide Risk Management, Market Risk, Retail Risk, and Investment Risk, etc.
   • In some of the larger institutions, risk management is spread across the different lines of business as well, so do not limit yourself to those who handle these topics in just their sector, make sure you include those who handle real estate, corporate finance, middle market lending, and small business lending, investment, and cash management.
   • Smaller institutions may have this function contained and monitored in one area of the bank. It is just a matter of determining the right individual to get involved. The best place to start would be the Chief Risk Officer, Senior Commercial Lender, Chief Credit Officer, or Operations Manager.

2. Establish a committee that would handle these areas of risk so they can develop programs (round tables, panel discussions, general membership meetings, Web seminars, or webcasts)
   • RMA HQ has several Web seminars, classes, products, and speakers that can be a resource to helping develop a programming event.
   • Also, there are numerous speakers on the subject that can be obtained as well.
   • RMA HQ can also help you find a conference call and Web casting service company for this type of delivery.

3. Make sure you have a strong mailing list and understand that it could take repeated calling efforts and strong communication channels (using both email and snail mail) to get the word out about your program offerings.
   • Avenues of promotional delivery are e-mail, mailings, flyers at other events, newsletters, Web site, calling efforts, advertising in paper, etc.
   • Keep the mailing list and contact list of the specific risk management segments updated at all times—solicit help from the current board members to help identify the right people.

Events addressing other areas of the financial services industry and serving
your professional members:

In the world today, financial services industries are looking for all types of training vehicles and programs and an affiliation that can address many of their needs. The chapter can expand its offering to include other areas/needs of the bank or to address other training needs that may reach beyond just risk management altogether. They can provide training that speaks to their professional members as well.

• Look at the soft skills-set needed to survive and deliver quality product, such as leadership, selling, and relationship management courses or programs.
• Offer classes or programs that will meet certification requirements not only for the RMA CRC, but for accountants, lawyers, financial analysts, treasury management, and trust certifications.
  • Seek out the trade organizations that are responsible for approving the certification credits and see what information is necessary in order to get your offerings qualified.
  • Make sure you advertise that the classes or events offer credits.
• Establish a committee for lenders so they can develop programs more suited to soft skills.
• Establish a committee that serves the treasury management, wealth management, and retail areas of financial services.
• Cosponsor events with any of these Certification Associations or professional firms and that will help increase awareness, increase attendance, and the success of the chapter event.
• The programs can be from one hour up to half-day day in length. Make sure you choose the time of day that best suits the group so that attendance levels will be acceptable.