Executive Board
The Executive Board (ExBo) is responsible for governance, (the implementation of) risk policy, overall governance structure and key personnel decisions within de Volksbank. The ExBo ensures an organisational structure that supports effective decision-making, accountability, and transparency, while safeguarding robust risk management. Several major transformation initiatives are underway to realise the new strategic plan 2021–2025, aimed at creating a simpler, more customer-oriented, flexible organisation with an agile way of working.
Within the ExBo, a Chief Risk Officer (CRO) has been appointed with primary responsibility for risk management, including its development and implementation. The CRO also oversees various business risks and formulates the risk appetite in the bank-wide Risk Appetite Statement, translating this into concrete risk controls. The CRO operates independently from the business and has no commercial responsibilities. The risk policy takes into account strategic, financial and non-financial risks.
Strategic risks currently include business risk, organisational risk, sustainability risk and the overarching reputation risk. Examples of financial risks are credit and liquidity risk. Non-financial risks include operational risk, compliance risk, and model risk. Since the CRO is a member of the ExBo, the bank’s moderate risk profile is embedded in all material decisions. In carrying out the risk control function, the bank also considers systemic risks – that is, the risks arising from disruptions in the financial system. Such risks can have serious consequences not only for the system itself but also for the real economy. Systemic risk is included in the stress tests that our bank performs regularly.
De Volksbank also has a Continuing Education (PE) programme for ExBo members, aimed at maintaining, expanding and deepening their expertise. The programme covers both financial and non-financial topics, including corporate governance, customer duty of care, integrity, behaviour and culture, risk management, financial reporting, audit, and developments within the bank and financial sector.
The programme is designed for both the ExBo as a collective and its individual members. Where needed, members further enhance their expertise based on their position and existing knowledge. New members of the ExBo and SB also follow a tailored onboarding process, including the OPEN introduction programme that every Volksbank employee participates in.