We spoke to Mark Crymble to learn more about his career journey, the importance of risk management in banking, and the challenges and opportunities facing the sector today.

Tell us about your role at Danske Bank

I’ve enjoyed a varied career in Danske Bank. In my current role, I hold the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) senior manager responsibilities for compliance and financial crime risk – I’m the MLRO (Money Lending Reporting Officer).

Simply put, my team sets the framework for managing regulatory and financial crime risks. This ensures we protect our customers, prevent financial crime, and maintain trust in the bank.

How did your career take shape?

I studied accountancy and economics at Queen’s University, knowing I wanted a career in business where I could use my skills of analytical thinking and problem solving. Accountancy felt like the logical starting point.

After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, I worked at Deloitte in internal and external audit before moving into Risk Management at Danske Bank in 2017. Since then, I’ve held five roles in eight years, gaining experience in compliance, credit, and risk management. Most recently, I led our first line risk function, supporting the wider business in delivering for customers.

Why is Risk important to a bank?

Risk is central to every decision in banking, it’s all about finding the right balance between risk and reward.

As a fundamental part of the local economy, it’s important that we make balanced decisions to support the stability of the market with a long-term focus. At the same time, we must also be willing and able to back our customers in achieving their financial goals.

I’m proud of the bank’s long-standing culture of ‘doing the right thing’. It’s important to us that we can continue to deliver good customer outcomes and prevent financial crimes, benefitting wider society.

What are the biggest challenges facing the Risk function today?

One major challenge is ongoing uncertainty – from the geopolitical landscape to the rapid pace of technological change.

As a risk function, it’s vital we provide stability and confidence to both customers and colleagues. Generative AI (GenAI) and wider technological developments are reshaping industries, making areas like data protection, ethics and fairness for customers more complex. We’re investing in our colleagues to ensure they can manage the risks of tomorrow.

While challenges and problems naturally come to mind when discussing risk, there are also many opportunities for us all to explore and develop in this area, and I find that really exciting.

What skills or qualities are important for success in your role?

Technical and analytical skills are, of course, essential for a role like mine and my experience as a Chartered Accountant has shaped these.

What I find increasingly important is mindset, and that’s not something that’s easily replicated by technology. Being curious, asking the right questions and applying the information you gather to make informed decisions are all critical qualities.

One attribute that people most regularly comment on, which I hadn’t previously considered a ‘skill’, is my ability to stay calm and measured under pressure. In a fast-paced and ever-changing risk landscape, this skill has proved invaluable.

How important is the bank’s relationship with Chartered Accountants Ulster?

Danske Bank values its longstanding relationship with the Ulster Society, which is an important voice for Northern Ireland’s business sector.

The Society’s professional network plays an essential role across Northern Ireland. As a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland, I’ve seen the benefits firsthand and always look forward to connecting with new and familiar faces at events.

Best advice you’ve ever gotten?

My mum always said, “err on the side of mercy” – meaning put yourself in someone else’s shoes, show empathy, and be kind. Whether professionally or personally, this has been great advice and a guiding principle in my life.