We supervise the financial marketsDue to the coronavirus pandemic, the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has published a consumer guide with tips that target insurance customers.
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published guidelines on 2 April on the criteria that must be fulfilled in order for measures taken to be viewed as general moratoria. FI considers exemptions from amortisation requirements for mortgages and payment reliefs for small and mid-sized firms in accordance with the Swedish National Debt Office’s loan guarantees to be measures that can be viewed as general moratoria under the guidelines.
FI’s Board of Directors has decided that the proposal communicated on 2 April will go into effect as of today. This means that banks will now be able to grant both new and existing mortgagors exemption from the requirement on amortisation. The exemption gives mortgagors greater financial manoeuvrability in these uncertain times during the spread of COVID-19.
The spread of the coronavirus has introduced considerable challenges for society as a whole, and even the financial system. We find ourselves in an exceptional situation, and uncertainty is widespread. These extraordinary circumstances demand appropriate application of existing regulations, including rules for forbearance and assessment of a significant increase in credit risk.
FI is publishing a Q&A on new rules that will go into effect on 14 September.
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 is proposing changes to Finansinspektionen’s regulations (FFFS 2016:16) regarding amortisation of loans collateralised by residential property. The regulations cover mortgages granted by credit institutions, i.e. banks and credit market companies.
A feasibility study conducted by Finansinspektionen in collaboration with Mälardalen University has determined that it is possible to teach preschool children about money and finances. Small children are happy to talk about money, but preschool teachers are not experienced in talking to them about personal finances.
On Thursday, 11 May, it is once again time for FI’s Consumer Protection Day. Director General Erik Thedéen and Executive Director Malin Omberg will present FI’s work with consumer protection on the financial market. The agenda includes a discussion surrounding over-indebtedness and the measures available to counteract such a development. The moderator is Willy Silberstein. Please note that the programme will be held in Swedish.
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.
