News & Published Material
2014
FI intends to implement a partial waiver for covered bonds
The European Banking Authority (EBA) has published its opinion regarding the Danish FSA's proposal of a partial waiver from the application of Article 129 (1)(c) of the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR). Finansinspektionen will also implement the partial waiver within its jurisdicition.
Finansinspektionen and financial stability
Financial stability is the ability of the financial system to uphold its core functions in changing economic conditions. Besides resilience of the financial system, FI has been given responsibility for counteracting imbalances on the credit market.
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.
Stability in the financial system 2014
In FI's opinion, resilience in the fi nancial system is currently satisfactory. FI's increased capital requirements have helped improve the resilience of banks. At the same time, the banks' need for market funding makes the fi nancial system vulnerable to shocks.
Decision regarding the countercyclical buffer rate
Finansinspektionen (FI) shall, in accordance with the Capital Buffers Act (2014:966), set a countercyclical buffer guide and a countercyclical buffer rate for each quarter.
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.
Swedish insurance companies assessed in stress test
The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority, EIOPA, has conducted EU-wide stress tests to assess the resilience of European insurance undertakings to adverse market developments. In the Swedish part of the exercise, ten large insurance groups and insurance companies, who account for more than half of the Swedish insurance market, participated.
Victory Life put into liquidation (updated information)
Foreign insurance provider Victory Life has been put into liquidation as of 25 November 2014 by the order of a court of the British Virgin Islands.
Finansinspektionen’s view on the amortisation requirement
Household debt does not represent a risk to financial stability, but it does increase the macroeconomic risks. If designed to be flexible, an amortisation requirement could reduce these risks.
Amortisation by mortgage holders increased since the introduction of individual amortisation plans
New mortgage holders are more likely to amortise after the banks introduced individually tailored amortisation plans as of 1 July 2014. The ongoing debate in the media about amortisation and that the Swedish Bankers’ Association has tightened its recommendations regarding amortisation may also have contributed to the increase in amortisation payments.
Stability risks associated with household indebtedness
FI makes the assessment that the risks associated with household debt have not yet reached alarming levels. However, there are also macroeconomic risks associated with rising household indebtedness.
Measures to counteract household indebtedness – amortisation requirement
FI makes the assessment that an amortisation requirement that is applied in a flexible manner will strengthen in the long run household resilience to shocks. An amortisation requirement will keep house prices down and slow the rate at which debt is growing, and higher amortisation payments will help households reduce their debts and thus their interest expenses.
Swedish banks pass the European stress test
FI has tested the resilience of the major Swedish banks to a sharp deterioration in the economy. The study is part of the extensive stress test of 123 European banks coordinated by EBA.
Enforcement of financial information
Finansinspektionen (FI) is responsible for ensuring that enforcement of periodic financial information is of high, consistent quality.
Skandiabanken: adverse remark issued and administrative fine of SEK 10 million imposed
There have been inadequacies in the investment advice that Skandiabanken Aktiebolag has provided through tied agents. The bank has not complied with the rules applicable for receiving commission nor dealt with conflicts of interest in the correct manner.
Stability in the financial system
Sweden has a large and interlinked financial system that is dominated by four major banks. Several measures have been taken in recent years to strengthen its stability, and Finansinspektionen (FI) finds that resilience in the financial system is currently satisfactory.
Authorisation for a bank merger in Skåne
Finansinspektionen has decided to approve the reorganisation of Sparbanken 1826.
Consumer protection on the financial market
Consumers on the financial market face a series of challenges and problems. For example, many savings products are complex, advice is often poor and information is, in many cases, deficient or difficult to understand.
Reinhold Europe shall pay penalty fee for the failure to publish financial information
By a decision made on May 12th 2014, Finansinspektionen has decided that Reinhold Europe AB (formerly Reinhold Polska AB) shall pay a penalty fee of SEK 1 500 000 for the failure to publish periodic financial information.
The Swedish Mortgage Market 2014
A smoothly functioning credit market is fundamental to the ability of modest-wealth households to purchase a home. However, high indebtedness carries a risk for individual households, and can pose a risk to financial stability. It is therefore important for Finansinspektionen (FI) to monitor developments in household indebtedness.
Supervision of the financial infrastructure works well
Finansinspektionen's and The Riksbank's joint internal audit has assessed the supervision and oversight of the financial infrastructures in Sweden on the basis of the "Principles for financial market infrastructures” (PFMIs) which Finansinspektionen use in its supervision and The Riksbank in its oversight.
Nasdaq OMX Clearing receives authorisation to be a central counterparty
Finansinspektionen grants Nasdaq OMX Clearing authorisation to act as a central counterparty in accordance with the EU’s regulation regarding OTC derivatives, central counterparties and transaction registers (EMIR).
Martin Noréus becomes Deputy Director General
FI is expanding and strengthening its organisation with a new position. As of 1 February, Martin Noréus is Deputy Director General.
FI withdraws the authorisation of Exchange Finans
Finansinspektionen withdraws the authorisation to conduct financing business of Exchange Finans Europe.
FI withdraws the authorisation of Festival International
Finansinspektionen withdraws the authorisation of Festival International to conduct investment services.
2013
Bank interest rates and lending, Q3 2013 (Summary)
In this report, Finansinspektionen (FI) describes the banks' adaptations to higher capital requirements and the effects on households and non-financial firms.
Risks in the financial system 2013
Swedish banks are relatively strong, but they continue to be vulnerable to disruptions on the financial markets, and the development within the Euro zone continues to represent a risk to the Swedish financial system.