RegTech Forum 2026 - Panel: Navigating a more fragmented global banking landscape

As geopolitical pressures intensify and regulatory requirements diverge across jurisdictions, global banks face growing challenges in managing cross-border compliance. The Navigating a More Fragmented Global Banking Landscape panel explored how financial institutions can respond to this complexity by building more flexible regulatory infrastructure, strengthening data foundations and balancing global consistency with local requirements.

Regulatory fragmentation is becoming a strategic challenge. Differences in rules, supervisory expectations and national priorities are making cross-border compliance increasingly complex and costly. While perfectly harmonised global standards may be unrealistic, firms can reduce unnecessary divergence by reusing established definitions, standards and reporting approaches wherever possible.

Global consistency should be the starting point, with flexibility for local differences. Shared data models, platforms and processes can reduce duplication and improve efficiency across international operations. However, these systems must also accommodate genuine jurisdiction-specific requirements. A flexible approach allows firms to maintain consistency without overlooking local regulatory obligations.

Effective regulatory reporting starts with strong data architecture. Data must be captured accurately and at sufficient granularity from the outset. Attempting to resolve missing information or inconsistent classifications at the reporting stage can be expensive and difficult. Building robust data foundations early helps firms meet reporting requirements more efficiently and adapt to future changes.

Data should be treated as a strategic business asset. High-quality, well-governed and accessible data supports far more than regulatory compliance. It can strengthen risk management, improve capital planning and inform broader business decisions. Designing data infrastructure around the needs of risk, finance and the wider business can deliver more sustainable outcomes than building separate systems for individual reporting templates.

Proportionality must reflect the realities of different institutions. Global banks and smaller international firms operate with different levels of complexity, resources and technological capability. Regulatory requirements and implementation approaches should account for these differences while maintaining appropriate standards of oversight and risk management.

Technology can accelerate transformation, but strong foundations remain essential. Automation, cloud infrastructure and AI offer opportunities to improve efficiency and shorten transformation timelines. However, technology cannot compensate for weak data quality, fragmented architecture or unclear governance. Firms must first understand the problem they are trying to solve and select tools that address it effectively. Not every process requires AI, and where AI is appropriate, clear accountability and suitable safeguards remain critical.

Data sharing requires careful navigation of geopolitical and legal constraints. As institutions seek to make information more accessible across their operations, differences in data protection laws, national security priorities and cross-border restrictions can create additional challenges. Firms must balance the benefits of data sharing with their obligations around privacy, security and local regulation.

Collaboration between regulators and industry is vital. Sustained dialogue and early engagement can help identify implementation challenges, improve understanding of firms’ operational realities and reduce unnecessary complexity. Closer collaboration can also support regulatory frameworks that keep pace with technological innovation while remaining practical to implement.

Ultimately, navigating regulatory fragmentation requires long-term investment, adaptable infrastructure and a culture that recognises the value of data. Modernising regulatory reporting is not simply a technology project; it requires careful planning, cross-functional collaboration, the right skills and sustained commitment. By combining consistent global foundations with the flexibility to meet local requirements, financial institutions can manage regulatory complexity more effectively and build capabilities that support both compliance and wider business objectives.

Panellists:

• David Covey, Director, Suade (Moderator)
• Lauren Dixon, Chief Data Officer, Financial Conduct Authority
• Giles French, Chief Executive, Association of Foreign Banks
• Tom Morrisey, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs
• Helen Bex-Vigoureux, Global Head Regulatory Change, Standard Chartered

This summary captures key themes from the discussion. Individual contributions have not been attributed to participants, in accordance with the Chatham House Rule.