The Italian DTAs

Today the Wall Street Journal reported on an alleged loophole in EU bank capital rules. The loophole pertains to deferred tax assets (DTAs), a regulatory area where tax rules and accounting rules meet. Apparently some countries exploit a DTA loophole: Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece. Uh oh, these countries, the usual suspects. There is something really wrong here.… Read More The Italian DTAs

Jay! EBA publishes the 2014 EU-banks stress test methodology

The European Banking Authority (EBA) released today its methodology and macroeconomic scenarios for the 2014 EU-wide stress test. While the extensive process of banks’ balance sheet repair is already underway, the test, designed to assess banks’ resilience to hypothetical external shocks, will identify remaining vulnerabilities in the EU banking sector and will provide a high… Read More Jay! EBA publishes the 2014 EU-banks stress test methodology

The European Bank Asset Quality Review, an inconvenience, but for whom?

Reuters reported  on a leaking source from the European Banking Authority who mentioned that Europe has set itself a “completely illusionary” timetable for the next round of bank health checks. An interesting Catch 22 thus ensues: adhering to a strict timetable would lead to cutting corners, thus endangering the reputations of European bank supervisors. Not-adhering… Read More The European Bank Asset Quality Review, an inconvenience, but for whom?