Serena Fioravanti

In the run-up to the Leaders in Finance CRO Risk Event on 29 October in Amsterdam, we spoke with Serena Fioravanti, Chief Risk Officer (CRO) at ABN AMRO. We discussed what is top of mind for her, the opportunities data and AI bring to Risk Management, the dilemmas banks face as technology and geopolitics converge, and why the role of the CRO is evolving so rapidly.

Could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us about your role at ABN AMRO?
Now for two years, I am member of the Executive Board & Chief Risk Officer of ABN AMRO Bank. Before this, I worked in the Swiss banking industry for over 25 years, in the field of Risk Management, treasury, corporate finance and balance sheet management. Together with my husband, we have two daughters and live between Zurich and Amsterdam. But as I am originally Italian, as a family we spend also a lot of time in Italy.

What do you see as the biggest risks you are currently facing as CRO?
That is really the million-dollar question. The environment is changing rapidly due to geopolitics, market uncertainty, and events that have shifted market conditions. Hence, there is a strong focus on taking Credit Risk in a controlled and responsible way for both the bank and our clients. Moreover, as I am responsible for the Risk and Compliance processes in the bank, I spend a lot of time on our gatekeeper’s role in the financial system. Maintaining client integrity, ensuring a good working relationship with the regulators, and identifying potential high risk among our clients is key. In addition, and in no specific order, there is the whole area of IT, cyber, and operational resilience. The speed of IT developments, driven by AI but not only by AI, has been enormous. How do we deal with third parties, the supply chain and vendors? How do we embed AI in our bank, and how do we control all of that?
But next to the key risks that are on the CRO agenda, I would like to emphasize that the Risk Function enables profitable growth. We are here for our clients, to make things happen in the best way for them.

How do you see technology and data improving Risk Management?
Data is a huge opportunity for Risk Management. I believe in a CRO function that is data-driven and employs technology for efficiency, but also for effectiveness. If we are smart about it, the CRO function should be one of the super users in banking. Moreover, in my view this is the biggest opportunity to improve control in banks and how we look at Risk Management.

From a technology perspective, which choices will banks need to make to remain resilient and trusted in the years ahead?
There might not be a single choice. What matters is maintaining the ability to change and evolve. Banks need to understand dependencies and retain the ability to adapt to (geopolitical) circumstances e.g. being prepared for many types of events. The role of the CRO is to understand these scenarios in depth, through technical capability and content-driven discussions, and keep looking forward through multiple lenses. But most importantly, as CRO you make decisions in partnership, in a calculated and controlled way, while preserving the ability to course correct.

At the CRO Risk Event on 29 October, you will be interviewed by Twan Huys in the session “The New Risk Landscape: Where Technology and Geopolitics Collide.” What do you hope participants will take away?
First and foremost, a mindset. To be successful as a company, whether in banking, insurance or anywhere in the broad world of finance, you need to be open, forward looking and collaborative, while also being extremely disciplined and execution-driven. As leaders in finance, we have a duty to create an ecosystem that is resilient and sustainable. Moreover, I would also like people to understand that the CRO has an important role to play in creating long-term value within banking, also from a technological and geopolitical point of view.

Serena Fioravanti is Chief Risk Officer at ABN AMRO. She will be interviewed by Twan Huys at the Leaders in Finance CRO Risk Event on 29 October 2026 in Amsterdam.