The COVID-19 pandemic could be the most serious challenge to financial institutions in nearly a century. As the economic fallout spreads, banks find themselves juggling some big priorities that require concrete steps to reposition now while also recalibrating for the future. They’re working to keep their distribution channels open, despite social distancing advice and supervisory and compliance functions that were never designed for remote work. They’re trying to manage revenue and customer expectations, despite growing pressures from regulators to accommodate lending to consumers and businesses.
And, they need to keep an eye on strategy and brand issues that will define their future, as market forces and customer behaviours potentially change coming out of this crisis.
It’s a tall order. But there are plenty of concrete steps banks can take, right now, to support the communities and customers they serve while balancing medium to long term positioning.
William Mah
Partner, Business Continuity Management Leader, Risk Services, PwC Malaysia
Tel: +60 (12) 337 6681