A stable, well-functioning financial market for allA stable, well-functioning financial market for allRecent news
We list here recent news from the banking sector.
2018
FI Supervision 9: Banks’ work on information and cyber security
Several banks are working to develop and enhance their information and cyber security. Some have not yet fully adapted their work to the changed conditions introduced by increased digitalisation and an increased level of cyber threats. FI expects that the banks will continue to focus on developing their information- and cyber security abilities, and keep managing and monitoring their information and cyber risks.
FI Analysis 14: Reference rates are changing
Reference rates are important since they are used in many financial contracts, and it is therefore crucial that they are fair, transparent and accurately reflect the underlying market.
Erik Thedéen: Household Debt and the Role of Macroprudential Policy
Thedéen discussed the impact of high household debt on financial stability and sustainable economic growth as well as the role of macroprudential policy at the 7th FIN-FSA conference on EU Regulation and Supervision.
Higher interest rates test resilience
Low interest rates have contributed to high risk-taking, rising asset prices and increasing debt. Higher interest rates in the next few years could reduce risk-taking and thus dampen the build-up of risk. However, unexpectedly large interest rate fluctuations and uncertain global developments could also test the financial sector’s resilience. These are some of the conclusions Finansinspektionen (FI) draws in this year’s second report on the stability in the financial system. The report will be presented at a press conference today.
Stability in the Financial System (2018:2)
The economy continues to be strong, both in Sweden and globally, but it is now showing signs of a slow-down. Interest rates have been low for a long period of time, which has led to high risk-taking and rising asset prices. As a result, the risks in the financial system are elevated. The resilience in the Swedish financial system is satisfactory in general but continued high growth in debt fuelled by lending and investments related to residential property and commercial real estate require monitoring.
Capital requirements of Swedish banks as of Q3 2018
Finansinspektionen publishes the capital requirements of the largest Swedish banks and credit institutions that belong to supervisory categories 1 and 2 as of the end of Q3 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.
Work with sustainability is progressing – but there is still much to be done
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 Supervision 7: Sustainability perspective in lending to corporates – a follow-up review
The banks give greater consideration to sustainability aspects in their lending to corporates. However, FI sees a need for more transparency and comparability in the area of sustainability.
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.
Major Swedish banks show resilience in EU stress test
The major Swedish banks are resilient and have the ability to withstand a sharp deterioration in the market, according to the stress test conducted by the European Banking Authority (EBA).
Decision regarding the countercyclical buffer rate
Finansinspektionen (FI) decided on 31 October not to change the countercyclical buffer rate. The buffer rate of 2.5 per cent, which will be applied as of 19 September 2019, shall thus continue to apply. The countercyclical buffer guide is set at 0.41 per cent.
The Network for Greening the Financial System has published its first report
The members of the international Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) acknowledge in their first report that climate-related risks are a source of financial risk. The Network therefore clarifies that it is within the mandates of central banks and supervisors to ensure the financial system is resilient to climate-related risks.
Erik Thedéen: Will the banks withstand the next crisis – what role will capital requirements play?
Discussing how the banks will withstand the next crisis is undoubtedly asuitable topic in October 2018, which marks exactly ten years since the mostdifficult phase of the financial crisis.
FI raises the countercyclical buffer rate
FI has decided to raise the buffer rate from 2.0 to 2.5 per cent. The reason for this change is that the systemic risks have increased.
Erik Thedéen: On the Agenda: The Swedish FSA’s mandate and current challenges
The procyclical nature of the financial sector tends to amplify cycles and may turn a severe downturn into a financial crisis. One of FI’s tasks is to mitigate this pro-cyclicality.
Erik Thedéen: Higher countercyclical capital buffer?
A speech given by Erik Thedéen, FI's Director General, at the UBS Annual Nordic Financial Services Conference in Stockholm today.
Authorisation to execute merger plan for Nordea
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.
Capital requirements of Swedish banks as of the second quarter 2018
Finansinspektionen publishes the capital requirements of the largest Swedish banks and credit institutions that belong to the supervisory categories 1 and 2 as of the end of the second quarter 2018.
Changed method for the application of the risk weight floor for Swedish mortgages
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.
FI grants Nordea authorisation to move to Finland
Finansinspektionen (FI) grants Nordea Bank AB authorisation to execute its merger plan and thus move the bank’s head office to Finland.
European Commission’s decision regarding the risk weight floor for Swedish mortgages
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.
Proposal to change Finansinspektionenʼs Regulations (FFFS 2014:33) regarding the countercyclical buffer rate
Finansinspektionen proposes to raise the countercyclical buffer rate to 2,5 percent. The rate is currently at 2 percent. The change will be effective from the 19 September 2019.
FI open to raising the countercyclical buffer rate in September
The next occasion on which FI will decide on the countercyclical buffer rate is in September. FI's Director General has decided that the preparatory work for the decision shall focus on enabling an increase in the rate to 2.5 per cent if such is deemed necessary. The countercyclical buffer is currently 2.0 per cent.
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.
Opinions from the ESRB and the EBA regarding changed method for application of the risk weight floor for Swedish mortgages
The ESRB and the EBA have submitted their Opinions to the European Council, the European Commission and Finansinspektionen regarding Finansinspektionen's intention to change its method for the application of the current risk weight floor for Swedish mortgages.
Consequences of Brexit for the Swedish financial market
Brexit will become a reality when the UK leaves the EU on 29 March 2019. This will change conditions for cross-border trade in financial services to and from the UK. FI describes in this report its analysis of a number of significant economic and legal aspects related to Brexit.
Swedish loans for consumption
Most loans for consumption are small and have a high effective interest rate and a short maturity. Households with large loans represent the largest share of new lending, though, and the large loan segment is growing the fastest. Households with high income have the largest loans. Borrowers with mortgages normally have larger consumption loans than borrowers without mortgages. These are some of the results from FI’s mapping of consumption loans, Swedish Consumption Loans 2018.
Stability in the Financial System
The Swedish economy continues to be strong, and resilience in the financial system is satisfactory. However, a long period of low interest rates and strong growth has resulted in an elevated risk appetite, high asset prices and high debt globally, among Swedish households and on the commercial real estate market. The high level of indebtedness makes the financial sector more sensitive to shocks, and, if necessary, FI will take additional measures to strengthen the resilience.
Risks can build up when the economy is strong
The Swedish economy continues to be strong, and resilience in the financial system is satisfactory. However, a long period of low interest rates and strong growth has resulted in an elevated risk appetite, high asset prices and high debt. This makes the financial sector more sensitive to shocks, writes Finansinspektionen (FI) in the first Stability Report of the year, which is being presented today.
