Wolters Kluwer Urges Banks to Explore Benefits of Holistic GFRC Strategy in New White Paper

MINNEAPOLIS--()--Banks that adopt a Governance, Finance, Risk and Compliance (GFRC) approach to their business are able to operate more cohesively by reinforcing the connective tissue that binds critical functions together. That’s according to a new white paper from Wolters Kluwer that shows how GFRC encompasses all sources of risk, financial and non-financial alike, providing a foundation for processing and interpreting data in a more holistic way.

Even during normal conditions, the traditional Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) approach can encourage thinking that’s two dimensional and overly dependent on extrapolating long-running trends into the future. This is plainly inadequate post-financial crisis, in an age when banks encounter so many risks, notes the white paper, titled “GFRC: Bringing Critical Functions Together for a More Comprehensive Picture.”

The paper outlines the many benefits of such a model, including how it can facilitate best practice approaches to new regulatory standards.

A comprehensive, forward-looking GFRC management model is, Wolters Kluwer argues, more than good compliance, it’s good business. Treating a bank like a single organism headed toward the future permits it to operate more efficiently by reducing the duplication of effort that results from different business segments carrying out the same tasks. It also increases a firm’s ability to spot and respond to changes in the marketplace faster and in a more targeted, effective manner.

But even the best management framework requires the right support systems to work effectively. Firms moving to a GFRC model must, therefore, refresh the way they think about technological infrastructure, the white paper adds.

“Firms adopting a GFRC approach need technology that can store massive amounts of historical and current data—data sets that are often so large and complex that traditional processing methods are inadequate,” says Richard Reeves, vice president of Strategy for OneSumX at Wolters Kluwer. “Banks need to overhaul antiquated organizational structures and technology if they are to benefit from a GFRC model. Failing to recognize that means losing ground to more nimble, progressive rivals and running afoul of regulators who are demanding that banks handle increasing amounts of interrelated data and display ever greater foresight.”

About Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk & Compliance
Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) is a division of Wolters Kluwer which provides legal, finance, risk and compliance professionals and small business owners with a broad spectrum of solutions, services and expertise needed to help manage myriad governance, risk and compliance needs in dynamic markets and regulatory environments.

Wolters Kluwer is a global information services company that provides information, software, and services to professionals in four main areas: law, tax, finance and healthcare. The company reported 2014 annual revenues of €3.7 billion. The group serves customers in over 170 countries, and employs 19,000 people worldwide. Wolters Kluwer is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. Its shares are quoted on Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices.

For more information about our products and organization, visit www.wolterskluwer.com, follow @Wolters_Kluwer on Twitter, like us on Facebook, follow us on LinkedIn, or follow WoltersKluwerComms on YouTube.

Forward-looking Statements
This report contains forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by words such as "expect", "should", "could", "shall" and similar expressions. Wolters Kluwer cautions that such forward-looking statements are qualified by certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from what is contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors which could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, general economic conditions; conditions in the markets in which Wolters Kluwer is engaged; behavior of customers, suppliers, and competitors; technological developments; the implementation and execution of new ICT systems or outsourcing; and legal, tax, and regulatory rules affecting Wolters Kluwer's businesses, as well as risks related to mergers, acquisitions, and divestments. In addition, financial risks such as currency movements, interest rate fluctuations, liquidity, and credit risks could influence future results. The foregoing list of factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Wolters Kluwer disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contacts

Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk & Compliance
Paul Lyon, +44 20 3197 6586
Director of International Corporate Communications
Paul.lyon@wolterskluwer.com
On Twitter: @PaulLyon_WK
or
Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
David Feider, +1 612-852-7966
Manager, Corporate Communications
David.feider@wolterskluwer.com
On Twitter: @davidafeider

Release Summary

Wolters Kluwer has released a white paper on Governance, Risk, Finance & Compliance that argues the benefits of bringing critical business functions together.

Contacts

Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk & Compliance
Paul Lyon, +44 20 3197 6586
Director of International Corporate Communications
Paul.lyon@wolterskluwer.com
On Twitter: @PaulLyon_WK
or
Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
David Feider, +1 612-852-7966
Manager, Corporate Communications
David.feider@wolterskluwer.com
On Twitter: @davidafeider