Important Memos and Decisions

We publish here the important memos and decisions that can be assumed to be of particular interest for the general public.

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.

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.

Authorisation to execute merger plan for Nordea

2018-08-24 | Memos & decisions Bank

Finansinspektionen grants Nordea Bank AB authorisationto execute the merger plan prepared with its subsidiary, Nordea Bank Abp, under which Nordea Bank AB is absorbed by NordeaBank Abp.

Changed method for the application of the risk weight floor for Swedish mortgages

2018-08-23 | ESRB Mortgage EBA

FI’s Board of Directors decides to change the method used to apply the current risk weight floor for Swedish mortgages through Pillar 2 by replacing it with a corresponding requirement under Article 458 of the Capital Requirements Regulation. The change will enter into force on 31 December 2018.

European Commission’s decision regarding the risk weight floor for Swedish mortgages

2018-08-14 | ESRB Mortgage EBA

The European Commission has decided not to propose to the European Council a rejection of Finansinspektionen’s proposal to change the method for the application of the current risk weight floor for Swedish mortgages. This means that the measure may be implemented in Sweden.

Preconditions for newcomers to the mortgage market

Sweden’s traditional bank-based model for granting and financing mortgage loans is challenged by new firms with alternative financing models.

EU notification regarding changed method for the application of the risk weight floor for Swedish mortgages

2018-05-25 | ESRB Mortgage EBA

Finansinspektionen has notified the European Parliament, the EU Council, the European Commission, the ESRB and EBA on the intended measure to change the method for the application of the risk weight floor for Swedish mortgages under Article 458 of the CRR.

2017

FI’s Pillar 2 capital assessment method for systemic risk associated with securitisation

Finansinspektionen considers it to be necessary to implement a back-stop within Pillar 2 to limit effects on the total credit supply from systemically critical securitisation. FI is publishing today a method that it intends to use during its capital requirements assessment.

A framework for consumer protection (summary)

Finansinspektionen (FI) works to ensure that the financial system is stable and characterised by high confidence. It should also have well-functioning markets that meet the needs for financial services while at the same time ensuring a high level of protection for consumers. This requires stable financial firms, clear information for consumers and consideration for consumers' needs and circumstances when developing and selling products.

FI’s view on automated investment advice

2017-02-22 | News Consumer Markets

It is likely that automated services will play a greater role on the financial market. Finansinspektionen (FI) views an online market with simplified investment advice as a step in the right direction in terms of achieving an independent market for investment advice that reaches a wide number of consumers.

2016

Biennial Review of the Systemic Risk Buffer

As outlined in the capital requirements directive, FI must review the systemic risk buffer on an biennial basis. FI has reviewed the arguments originally set out to support a SRB buffer level of 3% at consolidated level for the four major banking groups and finds the arguments to still hold today.

New methods for banks' risk weights and capital requirements decided

FI has formally adopted the supervisory methods which will be used in the supervision of the banks' internal models for corporate exposures. The banks should now assume that at least every fifth year is a downturn year in probability of default calculations.

Authorisation for Nordea to execute its merger plans

2016-05-17 | Memos & decisions Bank

Nordea Bank AB has applied for authorisation to execute three merger plans. The mergers refer to the absorption of three wholly-owned subsidiaries that conduct banking and securities business respectively in Denmark, Finland and Norway.

2015

Driving forces behind household indebtedness

In this report, Finansinspektionen, Sveriges Riksbank and the Swedish National Debt Office present a general description of the driving forces behind the rise in household indebtedness. A central conclusion in the report is that indebtedness is largely linked to developments on the housing market.

FI publishes methods for assessing capital requirements for three important risk types

Finansinspektionen (FI) establishes methods for assessing Pillar 2 capital requirements for three types of risk: credit-related concentration risk, interest rate risk in the banking book and pension risk.

2014

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.

Capital requirements for Swedish banks

Finansinspektionen presents positions to ensure that the Swedish banking system stands more robustly equipped to withstand future financial crises.

Authorisation for a bank merger in Skåne

2014-05-16 | Memos & decisions Bank

Finansinspektionen has decided to approve the reorganisation of Sparbanken 1826.

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).

2013

Decision to implement a risk weight floor for mortgages

FI is implementing a risk weight floor of 15 per cent for Swedish mortgages. The floor will be implemented as a supervisory measure within Pillar 2.

Implementation of the European supervisory authorities’ guidelines and recommendations

2013-02-18 | EIOPA ESMA EBA

Finansinspektionen finds that guidelines from the European supervisory authorities addressed to competent authorities or financial market participants are equivalent to Swedish general guidelines.