New Capital Requirements for Banks Take Effect
In an effort to strengthen the financial system, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision has introduced new capital requirements for banks under its revised framework, known as Basel III. The changes aim to ensure that banks have sufficient capital to withstand economic downturns and maintain stability in the financial system.
Revised Capital Framework
Under Basel III, Tier 1 capital is now defined as consisting of:
- Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital
- Additional Tier 1 (AT1) capital
The distinction between higher- and lower-quality subordinated capital has been eliminated, and capital must meet more stringent qualitative criteria to qualify for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital.
Key Changes
The new framework eliminates short-term subordinated capital as an eligible form of capital, citing its inadequacy during the financial crisis. Instead, banks are required to hold a minimum amount of CET1 capital, which is considered the highest-quality form of capital.
Minimum Capital Requirements
The Basel III framework sets minimum capital requirements for banks, including:
- 4.5% Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital
- 6.0% Tier 1 capital (CET1 + AT1)
- 8.0% Total Capital (Tier 1 + Tier 2)
Additional Requirements
Banks will also be required to meet additional capital buffer requirements, including:
- Capital Conservation Buffer: 2.5%
- Countercyclical Capital Buffer: can range from 0% to 2.5%
- Systemic Risk Buffer: at least 1%
New Leverage Ratio Requirement
The framework introduces a new Leverage Ratio requirement, which aims to prevent excessive leverage by banks. The ratio requires banks to hold a minimum amount of Tier 1 capital relative to their total on- and off-balance sheet exposures.
Enhanced Liquidity Requirements
The Basel III framework includes enhanced liquidity requirements, including:
- Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR): ensures that banks have sufficient liquid assets to meet their payment obligations during times of stress.
- Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR): aims to ensure that banks have sufficient stable funding to maintain their operations.
New Market Risk Coverage Rules
The framework introduces new market risk coverage rules, which are designed to strengthen banks’ risk management practices. The changes include:
- Stricter rules for specific holdings in the trading book
- Increased capital charges for over-the-counter transactions
Implementation Timeline
The Basel III framework is expected to be phased in over the coming years, with some provisions taking effect as early as 2016.