Pub. 19 2024-2025 Issue 5

AUGUST Real Estate Lending Compliance Conference August 26-27Lincoln, NE NBA Fraud Summit August 27Lincoln, NE SEPTEMBER Fall Agribusiness Conference September 4-5Lincoln, NE Train the Bank Trainer Conference September 9-10Lincoln, NE Advanced Agricultural Lending School September 10-12Manhattan, KS Essential Teller and Frontline Excellence Seminar September 17Virtual Fall IRA Essentials Workshop September 22-23Virtual Nebraska Fall Tour & […]

In the evolving world of financial crime, few developments have emerged as swiftly and alarmingly as the risk of deepfakes. Deepfakes are pieces of synthetic media, generally in the form of video, audio or images, that are digitally created using AI to replicate a person’s appearance, voice or even supporting identification documentation. AI allows fraudsters to produce incredibly convincing impersonations for the purpose of identity fraud, social engineering and bypassing identity verification systems. AI-driven deepfakes have ushered in a new era of fraud, making it easier than ever for bad actors to impersonate individuals and manipulate financial systems. The implications of deepfakes pose a unique threat to identity verification and fraud detection, requiring banks to modernize their control environments to keep pace.

You already know what your vocal customers think. Those who love you tell their friends about you. Those who are frustrated with you tell you so, giving you the chance to fix the problem.

Building a cybersecurity-focused culture means integrating security into everyday workplace behavior. This involves setting strong and clear expectations through policies, providing ongoing (not just once-a-year) and role-appropriate training, and ensuring employees understand and apply their responsibilities through regular testing. When employees know what’s expected, receive training to meet those expectations, and have opportunities to practice and be evaluated, security becomes part of how they work, not just a checkbox. Testing results can also be tracked to measure improvement over time. Doing these things consistently helps create an environment where employees feel personally responsible for safeguarding customer information and the business.

We are halfway through 2025, and while there have been several significant developments — from the escalation of geopolitical tensions abroad to economic uncertainty at home — there’s a positive message I want to send to bankers: Our agenda is moving forward.