How banks are responding to regulatory change and embracing new technology

Introduction 

The financial sector is under growing pressure. New regulations are being introduced. Data demands are rising. Technology is evolving fast. 

At a recent panel event hosted by Suade Labs and Amazon Web Services (AWS), speakers from Deutsche Bank, Standard Chartered, and Suade shared their views on how banks are adapting. 

This article breaks down the key themes discussed on the night—from regulation and resilience to the role of data and digital innovation. 

Regulation is moving faster than ever 

Since the 2008 financial crisis, global regulatory frameworks have expanded rapidly. Financial institutions are expected to meet higher standards—across more regions, and in shorter timeframes. 

As Dawd Haque from Deutsche Bank explained, regulations don’t just grow—they evolve. Many of the early frameworks have already gone through multiple rewrites. 

To stay compliant, banks must constantly assess their obligations, adapt systems, and build internal capacity to respond. 

Data quality is a barrier 

One of the biggest challenges raised by the panel was data. 

Each regulatory regime defines its requirements differently. This creates inconsistencies in how key terms—such as "retail exposure" or "mortgage lending"—are interpreted across jurisdictions. 

Andrew Head from Standard Chartered noted that this issue isn’t about technology—it’s about ownership. Without clear data lineage and a single source of truth, automation can only go so far. 

Bad data, he emphasised, leads to poor decision-making and increases risk. 

Rethinking the reporting model 

Could regulators ease the pressure by pulling data directly from banks, instead of relying on manually submitted templates? 

It’s an appealing idea. But it raises important questions about data preparation, control, and security. 

As Oliver Margetts from Suade put it: 

“Whether you push or pull the data, it still needs to be clean. You can't automate insight if the inputs aren't reliable.” 

The panel agreed that such a model would require large-scale infrastructure investment from both industry and regulators. 

Technology and long-term planning 

Modernising core infrastructure isn’t just about staying compliant. It’s also about future-proofing operations. 

The panel stressed the need for long-term thinking. This means building flexible systems, adopting cloud technologies, and embracing automation where it makes sense. 

But they were also clear: tools alone don’t solve problems. A strong data strategy, backed by clear governance, is essential. 

AI is powerful—but risky when based on incomplete or inconsistent information. 

Operational resilience is under the spotlight 

With frameworks like DORA now enforceable, banks must demonstrate that their systems—and their partners—are resilient. 

It’s no longer just about avoiding outages. It’s about proving you can recover quickly and maintain services even if third-party providers face issues. 

Resilience, the panel agreed, is not just technical. It includes people, processes, and planning. 

Future risks to watch 

As the discussion came to a close, the panelists reflected on the risks that will shape the next five years: 

• Growing complexity across global regulations 
• The danger of poor-quality data in AI 
• Over-reliance on manual systems 
• Environmental and geopolitical instability 
• The risk of deregulation leading to future crises 

Success, they noted, lies in finding the right balance between control and innovation. 

Conclusion 

Banks are being asked to do more—with less time, more complexity, and higher stakes. 

The panel made it clear that progress is possible. With better data, smarter systems, and a long-term approach to regulation and resilience, financial institutions can meet today’s demands—and prepare for tomorrow’s. 

How Suade can help

Suade provides end-to-end automation of regulatory reporting for financial institutions, ensuring compliance with evolving global standards. Our platform streamlines reporting, reduces manual processes, and enhances data accuracy. 

With increasing regulatory demands such as Basel III, PRA, and EBA requirements, banks need a scalable solution that eliminates inefficiencies and strengthens risk control. Suade delivers a seamless, automated approach to compliance, trusted by financial institutions worldwide. 

Book a demo to see how Suade can transform your regulatory reporting and keep your organisation ahead of regulatory change.