Viewpoint: The shifting frontlines of business conduct risk

Over two decades of working in risk management, I have seen risks shift in waves, but never as quickly, or as consequentially, as they are today. Only by understanding the new and emerging risk landscape can leaders act and make the best decisions – for peace of mind and performance. That’s exactly why RepRisk, in collaboration with Oxford Economics, commissioned The Business Conduct Risk Intelligence Report 2026.

Drawing on the global perspectives of more than 500 C-suite leaders in risk, compliance, investment, and data, the research provides a timely view into how banks, asset managers and owners, and other financial institutions are navigating an increasingly fragile and complex risk environment.

As you will see, the top material risks are changing. What stood out to me is how emerging risks including AI conduct issues and the pressures of the global energy transition are now front of mind. Commercial performance depends on how companies identify and address these and other risks, such as data privacy, misleading communications and greenwashing, and biodiversity. And while executives now perceive human rights and modern slavery, as well as corruption and bribery, as less important than in previous years, it would be a grave mistake to assume the implications would be any less damaging. Taking your eye off the ball can mean losing key clients and investors, heightened regulatory scrutiny, and reputational damage that can take years to repair – all resulting in multi-million USD bottom-line costs that can be avoided.

Encouragingly, the research also shows that business conduct risk data is perceived as an essential value creator for businesses, and especially when integrated into broader operational workflows. As risks intensify, unlocking the full value of business conduct data is now a strategic priority for additional investment. Leading organizations recognize that waiting until after a risk incident occurs only raises long-term costs and are instead committed to forward-looking investments to stay competitive and build resilience.

I hope that this first report offers a valuable contribution for companies who are committed to strengthening their risk management in a rapidly changing world.