Report
At calQrisk, we understand the complex risk landscape that credit unions navigate daily. Our Credit Union Risk Advisory Service (RAS) is designed to support Risk Management Officers and compliance professionals by delivering timely, relevant, and practical risk insights. In this mid-year update, we reflect on the key highlights and achievements from the first half of 2025.
What's New: Recent Risk Assessment Guides
In the past six months, we've published new risk assessments and guides shaped directly by subscriber feedback and emerging regulatory changes. Each guide provides practical tools and controls to help credit unions identify and manage risks effectively.
Our recent publications have covered areas including:
- Regulatory compliance updates and their practical implications
- Emerging operational risks in the financial services sector
- Technology and cybersecurity risk management
- Third-party and outsourcing risk considerations
- Climate-related and environmental risk assessment
These guides are designed to be immediately actionable, providing credit unions with clear frameworks for assessing and mitigating risks in these critical areas.
Coffee Mornings: Peer-Led Insights
Our popular virtual Coffee Mornings have become a mainstay for sharing sector-specific challenges and best practices. Led by subscribers themselves, these sessions create a valuable forum for collaboration and shared learning.
The Coffee Morning format encourages open discussion of real-world challenges in a supportive environment. Participants benefit from hearing how their peers have addressed similar issues, and the collective wisdom of the group often leads to innovative solutions. Topics have ranged from practical implementation of regulatory requirements to strategies for managing emerging risks.
Growing Network Impact
As of June 2025, 65 credit unions across the network benefit from the calQrisk Risk Advisory Service. This growing community is shaping how we deliver support, ensuring our guidance remains relevant, responsive, and results-focused.
The network effect means that credit unions benefit not only from our expertise but also from the collective experience of other institutions facing similar challenges. This collaborative approach to risk management strengthens the entire sector.
What's Hot? Top Risk Topics
With credit unions increasingly exploring new services and expanding their offerings, we've seen a noticeable uptick in related risk queries. This trend reflects sector innovation and evolving member expectations.
Credit unions are responding to member needs by developing new products and services, embracing technology, and finding innovative ways to serve their communities. Each of these initiatives brings its own risk profile, and our advisory service helps credit unions navigate these waters safely.
Risk Categories: Operational Risk Leads the Way
Operational risk remains the most discussed category amongst credit unions participating in the Risk Advisory Service. Governance, credit, and market risks also feature prominently, but the emphasis on operational resilience is clear and consistent across the network.
This focus on operational risk reflects several factors:
- The increasing complexity of credit union operations
- Growing reliance on technology and third-party service providers
- Heightened regulatory expectations for operational resilience
- Recognition that operational failures can have significant consequences
Credit unions are taking a proactive approach to operational risk management, recognising that strong operational foundations are essential for sustainable growth and member service.
Looking Ahead
As we move through the second half of 2025, we remain committed to supporting credit unions with practical, relevant risk guidance. We'll continue to develop new resources based on subscriber feedback, monitor emerging risks, and facilitate knowledge-sharing through our Coffee Morning sessions and other forums.
The risk landscape continues to evolve, and credit unions that stay informed and proactive in their risk management approach will be best positioned to serve their members effectively and sustainably.
For more information about our Credit Union Risk Advisory Service, please contact us at riskadvisory@calqrisk.com.
Published on
August 6, 2025
