The European Commission’s proposal to accelerate the reduction of non-performing loans

This week the EC presented concrete steps to tackle non-performing loans, see this page. Ouch One and Ouch Two Two reasons why this is an interesting proposal. First, it forces banks to deduct any provisioning shortfalls directly from Common Equity Tier 1. Ouch! Second, the proposal amends the CRR, which is a Regulation. And we… Read More The European Commission’s proposal to accelerate the reduction of non-performing loans

March 15, 2018March 15, 2018 @cetier1

No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy

In March 2009, the International Accounting Standards Board started an ambitious plan to make accounting for banks easier to understand. In no less than 97 pages, the IABS laid out its plan to reduce complexity in the reporting of financial instruments.* At the time, the IASB did the right thing. The standard in force was too complex.… Read More No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy

January 29, 2018 @cetier1

ECB goes soft on capital requirement harmonisation

The ECB just published their plans to harmonise Options and Discretions in the CCR available to Euro-zone banks. Initially, the ECB set promising expectations. It had identified a whopping 160 Options and Discretions, many of which were meant to be chopped. See this interview with a very confident Ignazio Angeloni some weeks ago. But the… Read More ECB goes soft on capital requirement harmonisation

November 12, 2015 @cetier1

Good luck harmonising European bank capital!

Following up on my post of some days ago on Europe’s efforts to harmonise bank capital, it dawned upon me that this harmonisation plan will probably not go well. Today, Danièle Nouy confirmed there will be a consultation on ECB’s efforts to harmonise Options and National Discretions (ONDs) in the CRR. Consultation, consultation, consultation. Mind… Read More Good luck harmonising European bank capital!

October 20, 2015 @cetier1

The language of Capital and Equity

Frances Coppola this week posted on her blog an explanation of Capital, liquidity and the countercyclical buffer, in plain English. Frances posted because of Caroline Binham’s use of language in a Financial Times article. Caroline, according to Frances, is wrong. So wrong even that she takes it out on Caroline, blaming her for not being… Read More The language of Capital and Equity

October 3, 2015 @cetier1

Greek Banks and Article 92 CRR

Silvia Merler published a great post on the solvency of Greek banks. Though she focuses on CET1 ratios, I just realised that Article 92 of the CRR requires this: 1. Subject to Articles 93 and 94, institutions shall at all times satisfy the following own funds requirements: (a) a Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio… Read More Greek Banks and Article 92 CRR

July 14, 2015 @cetier1

Basel’s damning report about EU’s definition of bank capital

Here is the Basel III RCAP report. On first sight, it looks bad: “In view of this, the prudential regulatory framework in the EU and the nine Member States was evaluated to be materially non-compliant with the minimum standards prescribed under the Basel framework.” However, how bad is it? Having skimmed trough the report with… Read More Basel’s damning report about EU’s definition of bank capital

December 6, 2014 @cetier1

Bank of America, nothing complex, it’s noblesse oblige!

What surprised me this week about the capital calculation cock-up of Bank of America Meryll Linch were the reactions of the press. The financial press responded to this gaffe by highlighting the difficulties of calculating capital. Reuters, for example wrote: “The announcement illustrates how difficult it is to determine appropriate capital levels for the biggest banks.” Capital… Read More Bank of America, nothing complex, it’s noblesse oblige!

May 2, 2014 @cetier1

EBA advises Europe to overturn Basel III rule on unrealized gains

Among the many publications that the EBA posted on its website last week, the Technical advice to the Commission (EC) on the treatment of unrealized gains deserves attention. Not only because of its content, but also because of the clarity, depth, and breadth of covering the issue of unrealized gains. Here is the context: EBA’s advice… Read More EBA advises Europe to overturn Basel III rule on unrealized gains

December 29, 2013 @cetier1

BOE Announces its Position on Capital under CRR IV

Last week BOE’s Prudential Regulation Authority presented its Statement on Strengthening capital standards; which provides clarity on bank capital rules after the consultation of August last year. It was about time, given that the new capital rules under CRR IV enter into force in about one month from now. With a 7% CET1 requirement, the BOE presents a… Read More BOE Announces its Position on Capital under CRR IV

December 2, 2013 @cetier1

Capital Issues

The ambitious attempt to clarify the World of Regulatory Bank Capital

Category: Basel III prudential filters