In this episode of The Third Party Risk Institute Podcast, we’re joined by James Gellert, CEO of RapidRatings, to explore how financial health analysis can act as a predictive signal for third-party risk and why it’s more critical than ever in today’s complex vendor ecosystems.

James brings decades of experience in finance, technology, and analytics, and under his leadership, RapidRatings has become a global benchmark in evaluating financial health using objective, statement-based ratings. This conversation dives into how financial data, when analyzed rigorously and presented clearly, empowers risk, procurement, and compliance teams to make proactive, informed decisions, not just reactive ones.

With third parties spanning thousands of vendors, fintechs, and non-vendor entities like utilities and payment platforms, organizations need scalable ways to flag degradation early, understand downstream impact, and prioritize engagement. James shares how their analytics are used across industries to identify resilience, assess M&A impacts, and evaluate young or private vendors, especially when traditional due diligence doesn’t offer enough visibility.

What we cover in this episode:

• How financial health ratings provide predictive, not just historical, insights
• The value of segmenting vendors by criticalit,y not just spend
• Portfolio-level risk views to avoid aggregation blind spots
• Using financial data to surface early warnings of operational or cybersecurity risks
• The interplay between financial health, innovation, and third-party performance
• How companies can obtain financial disclosure from small or private vendors
• Mitigating concentration risk across critical and non-vendor third parties

You’ll walk away with practical guidance on:

• When and how to assess financial health across the third-party lifecycle
• How to build collaboration between business units and risk functions
• Why integrating financial ratings with cybersecurity and ESG assessments matters
• How financial health underpins resilience, agility, and innovation
• The hidden costs of overlooking financially weak partners and what to do about it

This episode is perfect for:

• Third-party risk professionals and vendor managers
• Procurement and sourcing leaders
• Enterprise risk, compliance, and audit professionals
• Cybersecurity and operational resilience teams
• Anyone responsible for managing extended enterprise risk at scale

🎧 Enjoying the podcast?
Explore more resources, expert insights, and certification programs at www.thirdpartyriskinstitute.com

📱 Follow us on LinkedIn for real-world conversations and industry trends: Third Party Risk Institute Ltd.

📬 Have a question or topic you'd like us to cover?
Email us at: info@thirdpartyriskinstitute.com

In this episode of The Third Party Risk Institute Podcast, we dive into the major shifts in regulatory expectations, ESG obligations, and cybersecurity threats that are reshaping Third Party Risk Management (TPRM) in 2025.

From the tightening grip of global regulators to the growing complexity of ESG due diligence and the rise of AI risks this episode offers a comprehensive look at what risk leaders need to prepare for now.

What we cover in this episode:

• How DORA, FINRA, and new U.S. privacy laws are raising the bar on third-party oversight
• Why ESG is no longer optional and what it means for your vendors and contracts
• The impact of AI and emerging tech on data privacy, due diligence, and risk scoring
• Which new expectations are hitting procurement, compliance, and cybersecurity teams hardest
• How to future-proof your TPRM program through governance, automation, and centralized tools

You’ll walk away with practical insights on:

• Mapping vendor risk across global regulations
• Setting up effective ESG and privacy controls
• Embedding real-time cyber monitoring and AI oversight
• Building a resilient TPRM function that meets 2025’s complexity head-on

This episode is ideal for:

• Risk and Compliance Leaders
• Procurement & Sourcing Professionals
• ESG, Audit, and Privacy Officers
• Cybersecurity and GRC Teams
• Third Party Risk Analysts & Program Owners

Want more?
Explore our training programs, assessments, and resources designed for professionals advancing their third-party risk capabilities at Third Party Risk Institute Ltd.

🎧 Enjoying the podcast?
Explore more resources, expert insights, and certification programs at www.thirdpartyriskinstitute.com

📱 Follow us on LinkedIn for real-world conversations and industry trends: Third Party Risk Institute Ltd.

📬 Have a question or topic you'd like us to cover?
Email us at: info@thirdpartyriskinstitute.com

In this episode of The Third Party Risk Institute Podcast, we sit down with Vishal Thakkar, Chief Risk Officer at the Options Clearing Corporation (OCC), to explore what it takes to manage third-party risk at the world's largest equity derivatives clearing organization, designated as a Systemically Important Financial Market Utility (SIFMU). Given OCC's profound interconnectedness within the financial ecosystem, their approach to risk management sets a benchmark for market integrity and stability.

With over 20 years of experience leading risk, regulatory compliance, operational management, cybersecurity, and internal audit functions across various organizations, Vishal shares a behind-the-scenes view of how OCC safeguards market integrity by delivering reliable clearing and settlement services for millions of transactions globally. Drawing from his unique vantage point, having worked in all three lines of defence, Vishal provides invaluable insights into building resilient risk programs and navigating complex regulatory expectations.

What we cover in this episode:

• OCC’s lifecycle-based third-party risk management (TPRM) framework
• Defining the “extended enterprise” to include non-vendor critical entities
• Using scenario analysis to test operational resilience
• Aligning the three lines of defence in risk governance
• Rationalizing controls for efficiency
• Board engagement on outsourcing and cloud strategy

You’ll walk away with practical guidance on:

• How to identify “crown jewel” third parties
• Strategies to scale TPRM without losing control
• Applying standards like NIST CSF, ISO, and Interagency Guidance
• How OCC prepares for regulatory reviews and evolves its risk posture

This episode is perfect for:

• Chief Risk Officers and other risk management professionals.

• Internal auditors and compliance officers.

• Cybersecurity leaders and professionals.

• Business leaders and operational managers responsible for critical third-party relationships.

• Anyone dedicated to building robust risk management frameworks and operational resilience in financial services, critical infrastructure, or other highly regulated industries.

🎧 Enjoying the podcast?
Explore more resources, expert insights, and certification programs at www.thirdpartyriskinstitute.com

📱 Follow us on LinkedIn for real-world conversations and industry trends: Third Party Risk Institute Ltd.

📬 Have a question or topic you'd like us to cover?
Email us at: info@thirdpartyriskinstitute.com