Recent news

We list here recent news from the banking sector.

2018

FI Supervision 9: Banks’ work on information and cyber security

2018-12-07 | Fintech Reports Bank

Several banks are working to develop and enhance their information and cyber security. Some have not yet fully adapted their work to the changed conditions introduced by increased digitalisation and an increased level of cyber threats. FI expects that the banks will continue to focus on developing their information- and cyber security abilities, and keep managing and monitoring their information and cyber risks.

FI Analysis 14: Reference rates are changing

2018-11-29 | BMR Reports Markets

Reference rates are important since they are used in many financial contracts, and it is therefore crucial that they are fair, transparent and accurately reflect the underlying market.

Erik Thedéen: Household Debt and the Role of Macroprudential Policy

Thedéen discussed the impact of high household debt on financial stability and sustainable economic growth as well as the role of macroprudential policy at the 7th FIN-FSA conference on EU Regulation and Supervision.

Higher interest rates test resilience

2018-11-27 | News Stability Consumer

Low interest rates have contributed to high risk-taking, rising asset prices and increasing debt. Higher interest rates in the next few years could reduce risk-taking and thus dampen the build-up of risk. However, unexpectedly large interest rate fluctuations and uncertain global developments could also test the financial sector’s resilience. These are some of the conclusions Finansinspektionen (FI) draws in this year’s second report on the stability in the financial system. The report will be presented at a press conference today.

Stability in the Financial System (2018:2)

The economy continues to be strong, both in Sweden and globally, but it is now showing signs of a slow-down. Interest rates have been low for a long period of time, which has led to high risk-taking and rising asset prices. As a result, the risks in the financial system are elevated. The resilience in the Swedish financial system is satisfactory in general but continued high growth in debt fuelled by lending and investments related to residential property and commercial real estate require monitoring.

Capital requirements of Swedish banks as of Q3 2018

Finansinspektionen publishes the capital requirements of the largest Swedish banks and credit institutions that belong to supervisory categories 1 and 2 as of the end of Q3 2018.

Biennial Review of the Systemic Risk Buffer

As outlined in the capital requirements directive, FI must review the systemicrisk buffer on an biennial basis. FI has reviewed the arguments originally setout to support a SRB buffer level of 3 % at consolidated level for the major banking groups and finds the arguments to still hold today for the three remaining major banking groups, following Nordea’s re-domicile.

Work with sustainability is progressing – but there is still much to be done

FI is publishing today three reports on sustainability. The reports show that the work with sustainability is progressing on several fronts and that the industry’s own initiatives, where relevant, are working. But there is still a lot of work left to be done. FI is also publishing a follow-up report for the Government on FI's work with sustainability-related matters in 2018.

FI Supervision 7: Sustainability perspective in lending to corporates – a follow-up review

The banks give greater consideration to sustainability aspects in their lending to corporates. However, FI sees a need for more transparency and comparability in the area of sustainability.

Finansinspektionen’s work in 2018 to contribute to sustainable development

FI has conducted a number of supervision activities related to sustainability at the same time as the organisation has been partly restructured and received additional resources. During the year, FI's work has focused on integrating sustainability-related matters into its ongoing supervision, a project that will continue and be intensified.