Risk Management Magazine (1/3/2019)
As every risk ­manager knows, the world is as fraught with risk as ever. This becomes even more apparent as natural disasters, cyberattacks, corporate malfeasance and political and economic uncertainty make headlines and create new business concerns. The following review of some of the notable risk events of 2018 can both remind us where we have been and provide insight into the challenges and opportunities we could face in the years to come.

Reuters (1/3/2019)
The chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) said she is not concerned that volatility in the markets post a threat to the U.S. banking system, saying the country's lenders are well captalized. The FDIC is reviewing the CAMELS rating system used to assess the health of the nation's banks, this after U.S. stocks posted a loss in 2018 for the first time in a decade.

New York Times (1/4/2019)
Marriott International said the biggest hacking of personal information in history was not quite as big as feared, but conceded its Starwood brand did not encrypt passport numbers for nearly 5 million guests. When the attacked was revealed at the end of November, it was said that information of up to 500 million guests may have been at risk.

The Wall Street Journal (1/4/2019)
Neglecting investments in human capital can dramatically weaken a country's competitiveness in the future. According to a new report from the World Bank, The Human Capital Project, demand is increasing for workers who are good at complex problem-solving, interact well with clients and colleagues, and able to adapt to new tools and technologies.

Bloomberg (1/4/2019)
The rising threat of a no-deal Brexit has many companies rushing to prepare for potential customs checks. Companies from around the world have made appeals to logistics firms for help when they face moving goods between the UK and the European Union, while British Prime Minister Theresa May is trying to extending the free movement of goods with a proposed exit agreement.

Insurance Business (1/3/2019)
Business email hacks are on the rise. It's a relatively simple scheme with an equally simple risk mitigation solution, but many businesses still fall prey. Organizations are particularly vulnerable to email attacks during the holiday season and the tax season.

The Hill (1/3/2019)
Outbreaks related to foodborne illnesses happened with striking regularity in 2018, including several tied to romaine lettuce and ground beef. The the issue is bigger than that; according to the World Health Organization, almost 1 in 10 people falls ill each year and 420,000 die worldwide from eating contaminated food.

Harvard Business Review (1/3/2019)
While there's a tendency to want leaders to be encouraging and optimistic, the trend in the last decade or so has been an increasing number of leaders better known for a style that is more vitriolic, punitive and negative. So why do we empower and endorse naysayers in positions of leadership and influence?

Risk managers in the US and Canada use the RIMS Benchmark Survey as a key reference guide when making decisions about their risk management program. The Survey captures information on the state of the insurance marketplace and is Independent, fact-based and unbiased. Be counted! Contribute your data and you'll receive a FREE copy of the 2019 results. The 2018 Survey collected data from 15,000+ insurance programs and represented more than $2.9 billion in premium. The Survey will help you understand which markets lead specific coverages, increase your perspective with loss data by industry to see frequency and severity, and explain insurance market conditions.

We invite you to join your fellow members from around the world at RIMS 2019 Annual Conference & Exhibition in Boston from April 28 – May 1. RIMS 2019 is set to deliver a diverse range of educational sessions facilitated by risk management innovators, disrupters and practitioners. Session tracks fall into categories ranging from Career Development and Claims Management to Cyber and Technology Risk and more. Gain the knowledge and professional connections you need to help advance your career.