The Financial Stability Council

The Financial Stability Council is a forum for representatives from the Government, FI, the Swedish National Debt Office and the Riksbank to regularly discuss matters pertaining to financial stability, the need for measures to counteract the build-up of financial imbalances and, in the event of a financial crisis, the need for measures to address such a situation.

2021

Erik Thedéen: Crypto-assets today and in the future

” Ultimately, this is about energy efficiency. Energy is a scarce resource, and as a society, we have invested heavily in energy-efficiency improvements across all sectors. We need to consider a similar technology shift for crypto-assets.”

FI extends the risk weight floor for Swedish mortgage exposures

FI has decided to extend the risk weight floor by two years, from 31 December 2021 to 30 December 2023.

FI leaves the countercyclical buffer rate unchanged

In accordance with its assessment in the most recent stability report, FI is leaving the countercyclical buffer rate unchanged. The buffer rate of 0 per cent, which was applied starting on 16 March 2020, shall thus continue to apply. The countercyclical buffer guide is set at 0 per cent.

European Commission approves extension of the risk weight floor for Swedish mortgages

2021-12-06 | ESRB Mortgage EBA

The European Commission has announced that it does not intend to object to FI's intention to extend the current risk weight floor for Swedish mortgages. This means that FI may implement the measure.

Capital requirements of Swedish banks as of Q3 2021

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 2021.

Resilience is needed as the risks in the commercial real estate sector increase

The economic recovery has been stronger than expected this year, in part due to strong support measures during the pandemic. At the same time, risks are building up, writes Finansinspektionen (FI) in its second stability report of the year. The report is being presented today by Director General Erik Thedéen and Chief Economist Henrik Braconier at a press conference.

Stability in the Financial System (2021:2)

Sweden’s economy has largely recovered and there is good access to financing in the financial system. The Riksbank should therefore begin the phase-out of asset purchasing to avoid further increase of risk-taking. Amongst others, FI sees growing risks within the commercial real estate companies.

IMF to assess financial stability in Sweden

2021-11-19 | News Stability Markets

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will conduct a review of the financial sector and the work of the authorities on financial stability, a so-called FSAP (Financial Sector Assessment Program) in 2022. FSAPs are conducted regularly for countries with systemically important financial markets. In its report, the IMF will highlight any flaws and risks in the system and propose measures to deal with them.

FI raises the countercyclical buffer rate to 1 per cent

Finansinspektionen (FI) has decided to raise the countercyclical buffer rate to 1 per cent. The new buffer rate will be applied as of 29 September 2022. Until then, the buffer rate will remain at 0 per cent.

FI notifies the EU regarding extension of the existing risk weight floor for Swedish Mortgages

Finansinspektionen has notified the Commission and the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB) that it intends to adopt a decision to extend the current risk weight floor for Swedish Mortgages for a period of two years, in accordance with Article 458 of the CRR.

FI intends to raise the countercyclical buffer rate to 1 per cent

Finansinspektionen (FI) intends to raise the countercyclical buffer rate to 1 per cent in Q3 2021.

FI wants the EU to comply with Basel III

During the autumn, the European Commission will publish a proposal for updated capital adequacy rules for banks within the EU. Finansinspektionen (FI) now urges the EU Commission to stick to the Basel III agreement.

Karin Lundberg: Finansinspektionen’s view on capital and distributions

Karin Lundberg, Executive Director of Banking, talked about Finansinspektionen’s view on capital and distributions in a speech at the  UBS Annual Nordic Financial Services Conference.

Capital requirements of Swedish banks as of Q2 2021

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 Q2 2021.

Mortgages must be amortised again

The rules on amortisation go into effect as normal again after 31 August. The temporary exemption that Finansinspektionen (FI) introduced due to the exceptional uncertainty in the economy during the spring of 2020 is now ending. This means that households with high loan-to-value and debt-to-income ratios must amortise their mortgages.

FI will not extend its recommendation regarding dividends

Uncertainty is decreasing, and the economy is continuing to recover. Therefore, the recommendation regarding restrictions on dividends will not be extended. The recommendation ends on 30 September 2021.

Updated Pillar 2 method for assessing flowback risk associated with securitisation

FI has updated its method for assessing flowback risks associated with securitisation for individual banks. The aim is to decide, where applicable, on an additional own funds requirement under Pillar 2 for flowback risks associated with securitisation. This enables us to safeguard that a bank is sufficiently covering the flowback risks to which it is exposed.

Overall assessment of macroprudential measures

Since 2010, FI has implemented a number of macroprudential measures aimed at increasing the resilience in the financial system and subduing the risks associated with high and rising household debt. These measures include tightening the capital requirements on banks and introducing a mortgage cap and two amortisation requirements. In this report, we present an overall assessment of these measures, with a focus on the measures that, via lenders, place restrictions on households’ mortgage borrowing.

Macroprudential measures subdue household loans

2021-06-30 | Mortgage News Stability

The mortgage cap and amortisation requirements have had intended effect and subdued household debt. They are slowing a scenario where new mortgagors borrow more, taking larger loans in relation to the value of the home or their income. These are the conclusions of Finansinspektionen’s (FI) evaluation of the macroprudential measures implemented in Sweden.

FI Analys No 34: Temporary amortisation exemption led to new mortgagors borrowing

The temporary amortisation exemption resulted in new mortgagors borrowing almost 4 per cent more and buying homes that were approximately 1 per cent more expensive, concludes a new FI Analysis.