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- Blockbuster Earnings, AI Impacts on Finance, Barrage of Fines
Blockbuster Earnings, AI Impacts on Finance, Barrage of Fines
Hello everyone! We are back with the Risk Queue. There has already been a great deal of risk news in 2025, so let’s get you caught up.
-Enjoy, Naeem, CEO & Founder - Risk On Q
PICKS:
Headline - Catching Up on Bank Earnings
AI - Banking Jobs At Risk
Regulatory - Barrage of Fines
Risk Headlines
Key Points:
Major Wall Street banks have demonstrated exceptional performance in Q4 2024, with JPMorgan Chase leading the pack with a 50% profit increase to $14bn, driven by substantial growth in investment banking and trading revenues.
Wall Street's major banks are demonstrating remarkable resilience and growth through strong profit performance and renewed dealmaking activity, signaling a broader market recovery despite ongoing macroeconomic challenges.
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U.K. Delays Basel Banking Reforms on U.S. Uncertainty - source ft.com
Key Points:
The UK's delay of Basel 3.1 implementation to 2027 signals growing regulatory divergence with the US, where potential deregulation under Trump could create an uneven playing field. While the PRA indicates minimal capital impact for UK banks, the postponement reflects broader concerns about international competitiveness and regulatory arbitrage. The situation warrants close monitoring for strategic implications and competitive positioning.
A.I. Risk / Technology Risk
What Companies Succeeding With AI Do Differently - source hbr.org
Key Points:
The research highlights a critical inflection point in AI adoption where early leaders are creating self-reinforcing advantages through superior execution capabilities. The shortened ROI timeline suggests reduced implementation risk but heightened competitive pressure. The emphasis on data quality and management particularly impacts banks, which must leverage their existing data advantages while modernizing infrastructure.
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How AI is Reshaping 200,000 Banking Jobs - source forbes.com
Key Points:
Major financial institutions face unprecedented workforce transformation with AI projected to eliminate 200,000 jobs while driving a 12-17% increase in pre-tax profits by 2027. The impact will disproportionately affect back-office and entry-level positions, requiring significant reskilling initiatives and strategic workforce planning to maintain competitive advantage.
Regulatory News - Fines, Losses, & Rules
Wave of Enforcement Actions for Major Financial Institutions from the SEC, FED, DOJ, & OCC - source government agencies
Key Points:
A wave of regulatory enforcement actions against major financial institutions signals intensifying supervision and compliance expectations, with fines exceeding $400M collectively. The actions span sales practices, AML compliance, consumer protection, and disclosure requirements, suggesting broad regulatory focus on conduct risk and compliance culture.
Multiple major regulatory actions against top financial institutions
Significant fines ($230M AmEx, $106M Vanguard, $60M Wells/Merrill)
Widespread compliance failures across industry
Record SEC enforcement activity in Q1 FY2025
Systemic BSA/AML issues (BofA, LPL)
Institution | Fine Amount | Key Violations | Regulatory Agency |
American Express | $230M | Sales practices | DOJ/Fed |
Vanguard | $106M | Disclosure failures | SEC/States |
Wells/Merrill | $60M | Cash sweep compliance | SEC |
LPL | $18M | AML violations | SEC |
Risk Data to Geek Out On
What would you like to see in this section? Let me know your suggestions and we will work on getting them included.
Email: [email protected]
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Thank you for reading,
Naeem
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