A stable, well-functioning financial market for allA stable, well-functioning financial market for allNews & Published Material
Here you can find everything that has been published in different news lists on www.fi.se.
2025
Legal Position: Rule interpretation for deposits via digital platforms
An increasing number of banks and other credit institutions are offering savings via digital deposit platforms. This makes them more vulnerable since the deposits volume could decrease rapidly. FI notes in a report that some of the institutions do not sufficiently consider these risks, in part when calculating the liquidity buffer required for such deposits. A legal position specifies how we will interpret the rules.
Household savings in Sweden
Swedes hold a large amount of financial assets, but the distribution of these assets is very uneven. Most Swedes hold a small amount of financial assets, while 5 per cent of the population holds approximately half of all assets. Few have direct savings in shares or funds. Those with large loans can be vulnerable to weakened economic conditions and therefore in general have a greater need for a financial buffer. FI’s data indicates that many mortgagors hold a small amount of assets, at least with the same bank where they have their mortgage.
Anoto Group receives a caution and an administrative fine
Finansinspektionen has decided to issue Anoto Group a caution and an administrative fine of SEK 900,000 for violations of the rules governing the preparation of annual and consolidated accounts.
Swedish Pensions Agency receives a remark
Finansinspektionen (FI) is issuing the Swedish Pensions Agency a remark for deficient risk control of investments in Heimstaden Bostad AB.
Reciprocation of Norwegian systemic risk buffer
Finansinspektionen has reciprocated the Norwegian Ministry of Finance decision to maintain a 4,5 percent systemic risk buffer for exposures in Norway. The decision applies to Swedish institutions exposures in Norway.
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 in the first quarter. The buffer rate of 2 per cent, which was applied starting on 22 June 2023, shall thus continue to apply. The countercyclical buffer guide is calculated at 0 per cent.
How FI reviews money laundering risks in the financial sector in 2025
There is a high risk that the financial system is used by criminals to launder money and commit other crimes. In 2025, the Financial Supervisory Authority (FI) will prioritize its review to sectors and services where the risks of money laundering are elevated.
FI is publishing banks’ effective capital headroom
Starting today, FI will now publish banks’ effective CET 1 capital headroom every quarter. This will show how much of the banks’ buffer is available to cover losses before a bank breaches a regulatory requirement or its Pillar 2 guidance. By publishing this information, FI will make it easier for market participants and other stakeholders to interpret the banks’ capital headroom.
Capital requirements for Swedish banks as of Q4 2024
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 Q4 2024.
FI Analysis No. 48: Share of consumer credit debt registered with Swedish Enforcement Authority increases during economic downturns
In 2020, almost 130,000 individuals had a debt registered with the Swedish Enforcement Authority that was related to consumer credit. Since the end of 2020, the general price level has increased (inflation) by almost 20 per cent. The Riksbank raised the policy rate during the same period, making it significantly more expensive to borrow money. In 2023, just over 160,000 individuals with consumer credit had new debts registered with the Swedish Enforcement Authority, which represents an increase of 23 per cent since 2020. The new debts, measured in SEK, that were related to consumer credit were 51 per cent higher than they were in 2020.
Direct contributions to reserves from shareholders as CET1 capital
European Banking Authority (EBA) has clarified which conditions direct contributions to reserves from shareholders should meet in order to form part of firms’ Common Equity Tier 1 capital (CET1 capital) according to the rules laid down in the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR). According to the CRR a contribution may be classified as CET1 capital if the contribution satisfies certain conditions.
MoU between SRB, ECB, SNDO and FI
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Single Resolution Board (SRB), the European Central Bank (ECB), the Swedish National Debt Office (SNDO) and Finansinspektionen (FI) to strengthen supervision and resolution cooperation.
Executive Director Åsa Larson to leave FI
Åsa Larson will step down from Finansinspektionen and her role as the executive director of Insurance.
Executive Director Per Nordkvist to leave FI
Per Nordkvist will step down from FI and his role as the executive director of Markets.
The TRS 2 system closed on 14 January
The TRS 2 system will be closed for maintenance Tuesday, 14 January 2025.
2024
FI Analysis No. 47: The 2023 Banking Turmoil – Could What Happened in the US and Switzerland Also Happen in Sweden?
During the spring of 2023, one Swiss bank and several US banks failed. Multiple actors in both the US and internationally have analysed the underlying causes. We summarise the findings of these reports as follows: there was a lack of internal governance and control, there were deficiencies in the supervision, and several of the banks were not fully subject to the Basel regulations.
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 in the fourth quarter. The buffer rate of 2 per cent, which was applied starting on 22 June 2023, shall thus continue to apply. The countercyclical buffer guide is calculated at 0 per cent.
Partner Fondkommission receives a remark and an administrative fine
Finansinspektionen is issuing Partner Fondkommissionen AB (Partner) a remark and an administrative fine of SEK 100,000.
Klarna receives a remark and an administrative fine
FI is issuing Klarna Bank AB (Klarna) a remark and an administrative fine of SEK 500 million for violating the anti-money laundering regulations.
FI Supervision 30: The banks can strengthen their sanction screening
FI has tested the effectiveness of 19 banks' automated sanction screening systems. The result shows that the effectiveness of the systems that the banks use could be higher and that there is room for some banks to improve their work in this area.
AI increasingly common in the financial sector, but risk management is lagging behind
The new generative AI technology has spread rapidly and extensively throughout the Swedish financial sector. At the same time, the work to manage the risks accompanying the new technology is lagging behind. These are FI’s findings following a survey of firms’ use of AI.
FI maintains level of systemic risk buffer for major banks
The three major banks – SEB, Handelsbanken and Swedbank – will continue to maintain a systemic risk buffer of 3 per cent at group level. This decision was made following FI’s biennial review of the systemic risk buffer in accordance with the European Capital Requirements Directive.
Updated Q&A on reporting under the Anti-Money Laundering Act
As we approach the starting point for the 2025 periodic reporting under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, a number of new questions have arisen. We have therefore updated our Q&A about this periodic reporting.
TRS 2 system closed 4−5 December
The TRS 2 system will be closed for maintenance Wednesday, 4 December and Thursday, 5 December 2024.
Capital requirements for Swedish banks as of Q3 2024
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 2024.
Stability in the Financial System (2024:2): Improved outlook, but risk of set-backs
The outlook for financial stability has improved somewhat in the past six months. Sweden continues to experience a mild economic downturn, but interest rate cuts are contributing to improved optimism about the future. At the same time, the uncertain global economic and geopolitical situation is leading to heightened risks, in part in the form of cyber attacks. These are the conclusions of FI’s second stability report for the year.
Amal Express shall pay an administrative fine
Amal Express Ekonomisk förening shall pay an administrative fine of SEK 100,000.
FI proposes enhanced preventive work in efforts to prevent investment fraud
An increasing number of consumers are falling victim to investment fraud. In a report to the Government, FI proposes, among other things, enhanced work to prevent investment fraud.
TRS 2 system closed 7 November
The TRS 2 system will be closed for maintenance Thursday, 7 November 2024.
Financial education continues to be important for strengthening consumers
Many people find it difficult to make decisions about their finances. The majority of Swedes understand financial terms but are not knowledgeable about how these concepts impact their own finances. Finansinspektionen (FI) is releasing a report today that evaluates the authority’s work with financial education and identifies a number of areas where deficient financial literacy could impose significant risks on the consumer.
TRS 2 system closed 4−7 October
The TRS 2 system will be closed for maintenance from Friday, 4 October 2024, until Monday, 7 October 2024, due to a change of certificate at ESMA.
Two expert reports on macroprudential policy measures
Amortisation requirements, the LTI ratio, and the LTV cap are macroprudential policy tools that are used in Sweden and many other countries. But what are the potential effects of these borrower-based measures? To answer to this question, Finansinspektionen commissioned two expert reports on the topic.
Nordic Baltic Crisis Simulation Exercise, 2024
To test the preparedness for a potential crisis situation, authorities from the Nordic-Baltic countries responsible for financial stability during this week conducted a financial crisis simulation exercise in the Nordic-Baltic region, involving three fictitious banks with cross-border activities.
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 in the third quarter. The buffer rate of 2 per cent, which was applied starting on 22 June 2023, shall thus continue to apply. The countercyclical buffer guide is calculated at 0 per cent.
AIFMD and CSDR art. 9 reports are moving to FIDAC
Starting with the reference date 2024-09-30 (Q3), the alternative investment fund reporting concerning managers (AIFM), their underlying funds (AIF) and Internalised Settlement Reporting article 9, must be submitted in the FIDAC reporting system.
Capital requirements for Swedish banks as of Q2 2024
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 2024.
Emilia Högquist new head of sustainable finance at FI
Emilia Högquist is FI's new head of sustainable finance. She has worked extensively with sustainable development and comes to FI most recently from a management position at the Ministry of Climate and Enterprise. As the head of sustainable finance she will be FI's spokesperson in sustainability-reated matters.
Decisions regarding reciprocation of macroprudential measures in Denmark, Portugal, Germany and Italy
Finansinspektionen has passed decisions concerning reciprocation of macroprudential measures in Denmark, Portugal, Germany and Italy.
Chief Legal Counsel Eric Leijonram is leaving FI
Eric Leijonram is leaving FI and his role as head legal counsel to become the director general of the Swedish Authority for Privacy Protection.
New members appointed to FI’s Board of Directors
The Government has appointed Martin Flodén and Roine Vestman, both professors in economics at Stockholm University, to FI’s Board of Directors.
Major banks need to rectify deficiencies in the payments infrastructure
FI is ordering Handelsbanken, SEB and Swedbank to rectify deficiencies in the payments infrastructure no later than December 2026. FI has also contacted the supervisory authorities in Denmark and Finland and informed them of the need to take corresponding measures for Danske Bank and Nordea.
Nasdaq Stockholm receives a remark and an administrative fine
Finansinspektionen has decided to issue Nasdaq Stockholm Aktiebolag a remark and an administrative fine of SEK 100 million.
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 in the second quarter. The buffer rate of 2 per cent, which was applied starting on 22 June 2023, shall thus continue to apply. The countercyclical buffer guide is calculated at 0 per cent.
Stefan Lundgren new Board member of FI
The Government has appointed former Auditor General Stefan Lundgren to FI’s Board of Directors.
AIFMD reports will be moved to FIDAC
Starting with the reference date 2024-09-30 (Q3), the alternative investment fund reporting concerning fund managers (AIFM) and their underlying funds (AIF), must be submitted in the FIDAC reporting system.
FI identifies transition risks in banks’ lending portfolios
There are climate-related transition risks in Swedish banks’ lending portfolios. This is the conclusion of an analysis Finansinspektionen (FI) conducted by linking lending to individual firms to emissions data from firms that are included in the EU Emissions Trading System.
Fraud prevention in payment services
Fraud is a major and expanding societal problem that fosters organised crime. FI supervises that payment service providers follow the provisions set out in the Payment Services Act that aim to prevent fraud. Payment service providers do a lot to prevent their payments services from being used for fraud, but this problem is still growing.
Interest rate puts pressure on indebted households
Households continue to be under pressure from both higher interest rates and other costs. This is evident in FI’s mortgage report. The report looks at new mortgagors during the autumn of 2023. We can see that there are fewer mortgagors than in previous years. Home buyers also bought slightly less expensive homes and borrowed slightly less. Total lending to households has stagnated, but despite this household indebtedness continues to be high.
FI intends to extend banks’ risk weights floors for mortgages and commercial real estate lending
Finansinpektionen currently assesses that risks to Swedish mortgages and commercial properties remain and these will not be fully addressed when the EU’s second banking package enters into force on 1 January 2025. Therefore, FI intends to start the process during next year to extend the risk weight floors for mortgages and commercial real estate lending to at least 2027.
FI Analysis 45: High risks in small and mid-sized commercial real estate firms
Many smaller, unlisted commercial real estate (CRE) firms have a high loan-to-value (LTV) ratio and a low interest coverage ratio (ICR). This makes them vulnerable to a scenario with high interest rates and lower earnings. A new FI Analysis concludes that, given such a scenario, smaller CRE firms would constitute the majority of banks’ real estate sector-related credit risks.
Stability in the Financial System (2024:1): A slightly better outlook in an uncertain environment
The outlook for financial stability has improved somewhat, and uncertainty has decreased, but we are still in the middle of a recession. Higher costs for both interest payments and other goods and services are putting pressure on households and firms. The worsened global security situation is also imposing increased demands on the operational resilience in the financial sectorn. These are the conclusions of this year's first stability report.
Capital requirements of Swedish banks as of Q1 2024
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 Q1 2024
FI Analysis No. 44: Most People Have Lost Money Trading Cryptocertificates
More than half of Swedes who traded in cryptocertificates over the past six years have lost money on their investments. This is despite the underlying market increasing by up to 500 percent during the studied period. This is shown in a new analysis by FI that examines Swedes' trading in cryptocertificates.
FI would like the financial market to shift its sustainability work into the next gear
There is a lot of work left to do before the financial market fully contributes to a sustainable economy. For example, firms need to be better at identifying and integrating sustainability risks. One condition for this is that they have the right competence in sustainability-related matters. Firms also are responsible for preventing their operations from being used for criminal purposes. These are several of the conclusions we draw in our sustainability report that is being published today.
Four reasons not to buy cryptoassets
Right now, the media is filled with reporting on cryptoassets, and various investment tips are being shared on social media. Even though regulations for the cryptomarket are under development, it will continue to be very risky for consumers to invest in crypto. We have listed four reasons not to invest in them.
FI notifies foreign supervisory authorities after complaints about misleading advice
FI has been receiving complaints from consumers in Sweden about four foreign investment firms. The foreign supervisory authorities who are responsible for the supervision of these companies have been notified about the complaints.
Firms continue to offer consumers unsuitable products
Expensive and complex products are unsuitable for most consumers. Despite this, firms offer such products on a broad front. This is one of the consumer risks that FI highlights in this year’s consumer protection report.
Daniel Barr: “We must continue to develop the work to combat money laundering”
The criminal economy feeds organised crime and introduces major challenges for society. Both firms and authorities therefore need to do more to reverse the development. The collaboration today between both authorities and firms needs to be developed and deepened. There also needs to be suitable tools to manage the cross-border risks associated with money laundering, particularly for cash-intensive businesses. These were some of the key points from Finansinspektionen’s Director General Daniel Barr as he participated in a panel discussion at Anti-Money Laundering Days 2024 (Penningtvättsdagarna).
Beatrice Ask new chair of the Board of FI
Beatrice Ask has joined and will be the chair of FI’s Board of Directors. The appointment runs until 24 April 2027.
FI prioritizes particularly vulnerable sectors to combat money laundering
Money laundering is a global problem that allows criminals to transact large sums of money without revealing their illegal activities. In order to counteract the risk of money laundering, FI has identified a number of areas where the risks are assessed to be particularly large and that we will have an extra focus on during the year.
