The Future of Compliance: What’s Not Going to Change in the Next 10 Years?
When asked about the future, Jeff Bezos once posed an unconventional yet profound question—instead of asking what will change in the next 10 years, ask what won’t change.
For compliance professionals, this is a critical perspective. In a world driven by regulatory shifts, emerging risks, and evolving financial crime methodologies, it’s easy to focus on new challenges, new technology, and new threats. But the real key to long-term success in compliance lies in understanding what remains constant.
So, what won’t change in the compliance industry over the next decade?
1. The Need for Highly Skilled Compliance Professionals
Regulatory landscapes may evolve, artificial intelligence may enhance detection capabilities, and financial crime typologies may shift—but one thing is certain: the need for skilled, knowledgeable, and ethical compliance professionals will not disappear.
Technology can automate processes, but it cannot replace human judgment, strategic thinking, or ethical decision-making. The most advanced AI models still require oversight, interpretation, and continuous validation. Regulators demand accountability, which means financial institutions will continue to rely on expert compliance leaders who understand the complexities of risk, fraud, and financial crime.
Organizations that fail to invest in upskilling and retaining compliance professionals will face increased regulatory scrutiny, higher financial crime exposure, and reputational damage. Education, training, and professional development must remain at the core of every compliance strategy.
2. The Importance of Thorough Risk Assessments
The tools we use for risk assessments will evolve, but the need for robust, well-structured risk assessments will never change. Whether it’s AML, sanctions, fraud, or cybersecurity, a strong risk framework is fundamental to an organization’s ability to prevent financial crime and meet regulatory expectations.
Compliance teams will still need to:
? Understand their organization’s unique risk exposure (geographies, clients, transactions).
? Continuously reassess risk models as new threats emerge.
? Ensure that controls are proportionate, effective, and enforceable.
? Challenge existing processes to avoid blind spots and complacency.
Financial crime is a dynamic battlefield, but risk fundamentals remain the same—identify, assess, mitigate, and monitor. Organizations that cut corners in risk assessments today will be the enforcement cases of tomorrow.
3. Regulatory Scrutiny and Accountability Will Only Increase
Regulatory landscapes will shift, but the demand for compliance transparency and accountability is only going in one direction—up.
Regulators will not relax expectations.
? Financial institutions will always need to demonstrate that their compliance programs are proactive, not reactive.
? The burden of proof will always be on the institution to show they are mitigating risks effectively.
? Personal accountability will continue to increase, with compliance officers and executives held responsible for failures.
The compliance function can never be just a box-ticking exercise. The expectation will always be that organizations take compliance seriously—not just to avoid penalties, but because it is essential for trust, reputation, and business sustainability.
4. The Criminal Mindset: Financial Crime Will Continue to Exist
Criminals adapt, technology evolves, and fraud methods become more sophisticated—but financial crime itself will never go away.
As long as there is money to be laundered, fraud to be committed, and loopholes to be exploited, criminals will continue to find ways to manipulate financial systems.
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What does this mean for compliance?
? Reactive approaches won’t work. Compliance teams must be proactive, staying ahead of typologies rather than responding after damage is done.
? A risk-based approach remains critical. Institutions must understand who they are dealing with, where risks lie, and how to strengthen defenses against bad actors.
? Collaboration and intelligence-sharing will be essential. Criminal networks operate across borders—compliance teams must do the same, leveraging data, industry insights, and technology to detect risks faster.
5. Consumer and Business Expectations for Trust Will Remain High
In an era where financial integrity is paramount, businesses and consumers alike will continue to expect and demand strong compliance measures.
Customers will still want:
? Protection from fraud and scams.
? Confidence that their money is safe.
? Assurance that the companies they trust are ethical and transparent.
Likewise, businesses will still need:
? A compliance culture that fosters ethical decision-making.
? Efficient risk management processes that don’t create friction for customers.
? To demonstrate regulatory compliance to maintain banking and business partnerships.
A company’s commitment to compliance will always be a competitive advantage. Trust is difficult to build but easy to lose, and organizations that prioritize strong compliance frameworks will continue to lead.
Final Thoughts: The Future is Built on What Stays the Same
The next decade will bring new threats, new technology, and new regulatory challenges, but these five fundamental truths will not change.
? The need for highly skilled compliance professionals
? The importance of thorough risk assessments
? Regulatory scrutiny and accountability will only increase
? Financial crime will continue to exist
? Consumer and business expectations for trust will remain high
For compliance professionals, the focus should not be on chasing every short-term trend, but on mastering the fundamentals that stand the test of time. The organizations that succeed will be those that invest in expertise, prioritize risk management, and remain committed to building a culture of compliance.
#Compliance #RiskManagement #FinancialCrime #RegulatoryCompliance #AML #ComplianceEducation
Experienced Compliance Expert | AML, CTF, Fraud, Sanctions, Financial Security
2 周"The organizations that succeed will be those that invest in expertise, prioritize risk management, and remain committed to building a culture of compliance." Totally agree. As you said, those who see the essence and the core will prevail not those that just follow trends.
AML Regulatory Manager at Solicitors Regulation Authority
2 周Oonagh van den Berg (Lady) ???? I totally agree, there is a distinct focus on what may change. It is definitely important to keep an eye on what won't change too. If I may, I'll like to add a couple of points to your well curates list. 1. Training - the need for continuous training will only increase as criminals will most likely find more sophisticated ways to do what they do. This sits well in the invest in people category. 2. I'll bolster the risk assessment point by adding the importance of communication. And to an extent training, which is key to ensuring people are confident to speak up when something 'appears off for whatever reason'. There is a saying that risk is what's left when you think you have thought of everything. Communication channels are important to share information in all directions. Great article by the way.
Co-founder I Director I Chief Compliance Officer I MLRO I [email protected] GRC/CRM for Financial Services, globally, through affordable & cutting edge technology via the platform and consultancy services
3 周The same things that haven’t changed in the last 1000 years……..the financial system, irrespective of regulation and politics is, in real terms, no better place, than the start of the financial system
Oonagh van den Berg (Lady) ???? very informative! Thank you for sharing ????
I save companies from evil cyber villains | Advocate for kindness in tech | The hype person YOU need in your life | High ENERGY speaker!!! | Avid beard grower
3 周Oonagh van den Berg (Lady) ?????Your posts are like a backflipping unicycle!!!!!! TRULY an EPIC balancing act of AWESOMENESS, ENERGY, and pure inspirational AMAZINGNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!! ???????????????????????