The conditions for household finances improved in 2024. As many as 8 out of 10 households chose a variable interest rate, which is a higher share than in previous years. But the economic development is uncertain. Households need to allow for continued high housing and living costs. These are some of the conclusions from this year’s report on the Swedish mortgage market.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Ekonomisk förening shall pay an administrative fine of SEK 100,000.