Financial institutions are increasingly outsourcing various business functions. Given the growing regulatory and compliance landscape, maintaining an efficient vendor management program is essential for any financial institution engaged in outsourcing risk. Having numerous vendors in your operations can complicate your vendor management program, especially if your financial institution is unclear about who is responsible for each vendor. In a vendor management program, the individual accountable for each vendor is often referred to as a ‘Vendor Owner.’ This person works within your financial institution to manage the daily relationship with the vendor, encompassing communication, contract oversight, performance monitoring, risk assessment, and resolution of issues. Essentially, they take ownership of the vendor relationship to ensure it meets the company’s needs.

The vendor owner is often a representative from the business unit that predominantly uses the vendor’s services. This person has extensive knowledge of the necessary product or service and is well-equipped to manage performance effectively. While this isn’t universally true, most financial institutions typically identify their vendor owners this way. In Strunk’s Vendor Manager software, your financial team can designate a vendor owner for each vendor, as well as assign responsibility for other activities such as contract management, risk assessment, and performance monitoring. An effective vendor management program must assign responsibilities and track them efficiently, which Strunk’s Vendor Manager software facilitates. It also provides reporting features to ensure tasks are completed on time and not overdue. Your financial institution can also categorize vendors in Strunk’s Vendor Manager software by defining vendor types, ensuring that each business unit understands which vendors they are responsible for. You can establish your own naming system in this customizable field. Identifying the business unit of your vendors and determining the vendor owner for each will enhance the organization and efficiency of your vendor management program.