News on capital requirements for Swedish banks

2020

FI proposes amended rules and a change in the application of banks’ capital requirements

FI is proposing regulatory amendments and a change in the application of capital requirements for Swedish banks in order to adapt to the EU’s so-called banking package.

Continued grounds for suspension of dividend payments for the rest of the year

Despite positive signals, there is still considerable uncertainty about how the coronavirus pandemic will develop in the next few months in both Sweden and the rest of the world. To ensure the banks’ resilience in a situation that continues to be uncertain, the banks should suspend the payment of dividends to shareholders in 2020. This was the message from Finansinspektionen’s Director General Erik Thedéen at Fastighetsdagen today.

FI comments on COVID-19 and the banks

The spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is having a financial impact on firms and households around the world. There is considerable uncertainty about how much the disease will impact the global economy. This economic uncertainty also affects the financial system.

Increased capital requirements on bank loans for commercial real estate

Finansinspektionen (FI) considers there to be elevated risks in the banks’ lending for commercial real estate. The banks should hold more capital for these exposures, which is why FI is raising the capital requirements.

2019

Clarification on the impact for Swedish banks from revised Basel standards

2019-12-23 | EBA News Stability

In relation to the report published by the European Banking Authority (EBA) in August Finansinspektionen would like to make the following clarification on the impact for Swedish banks of the revised Basel standards. According to Finansinspektionen’s calculation, the increase in tier 1 minimum required capital would be about 30 per cent instead of 53 per cent as shown in the report from the EBA (keeping the assumptions and methodology set by EBA, but taking into account the current Swedish mortgage floor for the current risk-weighted assets).

2018

Opinions from the ESRB and the EBA regarding changed method for application of the risk weight floor for Swedish mortgages

2018-07-04 | ESRB Mortgage EBA

The ESRB and the EBA have submitted their Opinions to the European Council, the European Commission and Finansinspektionen regarding Finansinspektionen's intention to change its method for the application of the current risk weight floor for Swedish mortgages.

Proposal to change method for the application of the risk weight floor for Swedish mortgages

2018-03-28 | Mortgage News Stability

Finansinspektionen (FI) is proposing to change the method it currently uses to apply the current risk weight floor for Swedish mortgages through Pillar 2 by replacing it with a requirement within the framework of Article 458 of CRR. The change is proposed to enter into force on 31 December 2018.

2017

More efficient handling of applications to use the IRB approach for credit risk

Finansinspektionen (FI) is changing its procedure for handling of applications for permission to use the IRB approach for credit risk.

2016

FI’s capital assessment method for securitisation within Pillar 2

In this memorandum, FI describes its view of securitisation and the risks (primarily flowback) that FI sees and that are not taken into consideration in the banks’ current capital requirements.

Calibration of stress test for the capital planning buffer

Finansinspektionen’s stress test method to determine the capital planning buffers for the major banks, credit market companies and securities companies is divided into general overarching methodologies and a specific calibration of risk parameters. The specific calibration of risk parameters can be changed by FI on a year-by-year basis.

FI decides on stress test methodology for determining the capital planning buffer

FI has now decided on the stress test methodology that will be used for determining the capital planning buffer for the largest Swedish bank companies. The methodology, which is described in more detail it in a new memorandum, is based on the proposal that FI published on the 9 May.

FI reiterates its statement from the June 22 on Nordea

FI hereby clarifies that its public statement made on June 22, regarding the internal analysis which was unintendedly published in the media last week, is still valid:

Stress test methodology for assessment of the capital planning buffer

In this memorandum, FI accounts for the stress test methodology that it intends to use to assess the size of the capital planning buffer for the largest firms.

Pillar 2 capital requirements for maturity assumptions

FI intends to introduce a maturity floor of 2.5 years under Pillar 2 for banks authorised to use the advanced IRB approach for exposures to corporates.

FI's supervision of banks' calculations of risk weights for exposures to corporates

FI is implementing a new assessment method to evaluate the banks' calculations of risk weights both in general and for exposures to corporates.

2015

The future structure of banks' capital requirements

At the Financial Stability Council meeting of 15 June, Finansinspektionen presented its views on the future structure of banks' capital requirements.

Swedish banks' systemic importance (O-SII)

FI intends to comply with the European Banking Authority's (EBA) guidelines on criteria to assess other systemically important institutions (O-SIIs).

2014

FI's methods for assessing individual types of risk within Pillar 2

This memorandum describes FI's methods for assessing the capital adequacy requirement within the framework of Pillar 2 for three different types of risk.

Leverage ratio requirement for Swedish banks

Finansinspektionen (Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority – FI) considers that a leverage ratio requirement may serve an important function for establishing financial stability in Sweden as a back-stop, which sets a floor for how low the capital adequacy requirement can fall in relation to the banks' gross assets.