I have written previously about Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and its potential impact on the financial services industry and more specifically on the finance and risk functions within the institutions. Most financial services firms have started exploring how to benefit from RPA – using software to mimic the actions a human would perform on a PC, then scaling up these actions as needed – and many have already automated a number of the repetitive, rules-based processes that are the typical starting points for RPA. Some firms that have implemented these tools have already seen dramatic reductions in average handling and/or cycle times. Across the industry, companies have been looking for ways to help address high variable costs and stagnant productivity growth against market challenges. The proliferation of new regulations – as well as firms' own initiatives to improve compliance and reduce risk – have driven up the demand for and market cost of finance and risk talent.