On May 7, 2026, the OCC released its Spring 2026 edition of the publication Semiannual Risk Perspective. The publication addresses key issues facing banks, focusing on those that pose threats to the safety and soundness of banks and their compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
The Spring 2026 Semiannual Risk Perspective report presents data in two main areas: the special topic and the economic environment and bank performance. Highlights from this edition include:
Credit conditions and refinancing risk in certain segments of commercial real estate lending and private credit markets warrant ongoing monitoring.
Modest increases in past-due loans have been observed in some consumer portfolios. However, OCC-supervised banks have manageable exposures to borrowers with weaker credit profiles.
Balance sheets remain strong, with capital ratios and liquidity high by historical standards.
Cyber threats and fraud remain a concern. Cybercriminal groups targeting the financial sector are increasingly sophisticated, and foreign state-sponsored actors continue to pose a threat. Banks continue to face challenges from both the elevated levels and rising sophistication of fraud and scams.
A sound understanding of the potential benefits and possible risks associated with increasingly advanced AI tools coming onto the market that can assist with cybersecurity functions can be important for cyber risk management.
Geopolitical tensions increase sanctions and money laundering risk, straining bank compliance systems, and may raise the potential for sanctions and Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering violations.
Read the OCC’s press release here.
The full publication can be found here.