Geopolitical risk tops finance threat list for fourth straight year

Geopolitical tensions and trade disputes remain the foremost threat to global finance in 2026, marking the fourth consecutive year they have topped the list in the DTCC's annual Systemic Risk Barometer survey, with 78% of respondents ranking them among their top five concerns, reports Security Brief New Zealand.

According to the survey of industry professionals, cyber risk follows closely as the second-largest threat, cited by 63% of participants, who highlighted persistent dangers of attacks on financial infrastructure and potential operational contagion. The survey also reveals growing unease about the sector's accelerating adoption of artificial intelligence and fintech, with 41% of respondents identifying cybersecurity and data protection vulnerabilities as their primary AI-related worry, and 38% concerned about AI-generated misinformation influencing decisions. Additionally, a notable preparedness gap exists for quantum computing risks, with only 29% of firms actively planning for its cybersecurity implications.

DTCC Group Chief Risk Officer Tim Cuddihy emphasized that uncertainty across economic, geopolitical, and technological domains underscores the need for enhanced industry-wide communication and collaboration to strengthen systemic resilience.