CRO Support

SUMMARY
A leading international bank required targeted support for its Risk function to address European Central Bank (ECB) supervisory expectations more effectively. The focus was on assisting the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) and Risk team in delivering a range of ongoing projects, with particular attention to the Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP) and Internal Liquidity Adequacy Assessment Process (ILAAP). 

Avantage Reply provided an experienced consultant to work as part of the Risk team, offering hands-on assistance, subject-matter expertise, and project delivery support. This approach ensured the Bank could enhance its risk management frameworks in line with ECB expectations and deliver on critical regulatory commitments. 

CUSTOMER GOALS
The Bank aimed to strengthen its risk management frameworks and practices to better meet ECB supervisory expectations. Specifically, it sought to improve the quality and consistency of its ICAAP and ILAAP submissions while ensuring effective project delivery across a portfolio of risk initiatives. By embedding external expertise, the Bank sought to reinforce its Risk team’s capacity to deliver on regulatory priorities and maintain strong, proactive supervisory relationships. 

CHALLENGES
The Bank faced the complex task of managing multiple risk-related projects in parallel while meeting demanding regulatory timelines and expectations. The ECB places significant emphasis on the quality and embeddedness of ICAAP and ILAAP frameworks, requiring clear, credible, and well-documented assessments of capital and liquidity adequacy. This demanded a strong internal governance approach, close cross-functional coordination, and the ability to address evolving supervisory priorities. The CRO and Risk team needed additional expert capacity to maintain momentum on these critical deliverables without compromising on quality or regulatory compliance. 

SOLUTION
Avantage Reply deployed experienced consultants to work as part of the Bank’s Risk team, providing direct support to the CRO and staff across a range of ongoing risk projects. The consultants offered targeted assistance on ICAAP and ILAAP workstreams, including reviewing methodologies, enhancing documentation, and supporting the articulation of risk management approaches in line with ECB expectations. Beyond ICAAP and ILAAP, Avantage Reply supported the delivery of broader risk initiatives by contributing subject-matter expertise, helping manage regulatory interactions, and reinforcing internal project governance. This integrated support enabled the Bank to strengthen its risk management capabilities, address ECB expectations proactively, and ensure timely delivery of key regulatory commitments.

CUSTOMER DESCRIPTION
One of the largest banks in the world, deemed as Systemically Important Financial Institution (SIFI).