OSFI Sets Domestic Stability Buffer Level at 2.25%
OSFI has set the Domestic Stability Buffer, or DSB, at 2.25% of total risk-weighted assets, with effect from April 30, 2020. The buffer is applicable to domestic systemically important banks (D-SIBs) and is calculated as specified under the Capital Adequacy Requirements (CAR) Guideline. As of December 2019, six federally regulated financial institutions have been designated as D-SIBs—namely, Bank of Montreal, Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, National Bank of Canada, Royal Bank of Canada, and Toronto-Dominion Bank.
This reflects the view of OSFI that key vulnerabilities to D-SIBs in Canada remain elevated and show signs of increasing in some cases. In addition, global vulnerabilities related to ongoing trade tensions and rising leverage are growing, which could increase the chance of a spillover of external risks into the Canadian financial system. The specific vulnerabilities covered by the buffer continue to include:
- Canadian consumer indebtedness
- Asset imbalances in the Canadian market
- Canadian institutional indebtedness
Against a backdrop of accommodative low interest rates and stable economic conditions, it is prudent to build additional resilience against potential shocks to the financial system. An effective capital regime ensures that banks are holding adequate capital to protect against risks to the financial system, while encouraging them to use their buffers during times of stress to avoid asset-sales or drastic reductions in lending. This announcement is consistent with recent statements from FSB, which caution that “given rising global vulnerabilities, authorities should continue to assess whether existing buffers are adequate to support resilience, taking into account their domestic conditions and cyclical position.”
OSFI reviews and sets the level of the Domestic Stability Buffer on a semi-annual basis (June and December), based on its ongoing monitoring of federally regulated financial institutions as well as system-wide and sectoral developments. D-SIBs must publicly disclose the level of the Domestic Stability Buffer and include a brief narrative on the buffer. Disclosures are expected quarterly and when OSFI publicly announces decisions to change the buffer level. Breaches of the buffer by an individual bank will require public disclosure pursuant to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
Related Links
Keywords: Americas, Canada, Banking, Domestic Stability Buffer, D-SIBs, Systemic Risk, Capital Adequacy Requirements, Financial Stability, Basel III, OSFI
Featured Experts
María Cañamero
Skilled market researcher; growth strategist; successful go-to-market campaign developer
Blake Coules
Across 35 years in banking, Blake has gained deep insights into the inner working of this sector. Over the last two decades, Blake has been an Operating Committee member, leading teams and executing strategies in Credit and Enterprise Risk as well as Line of Business. His focus over this time has been primarily Commercial/Corporate with particular emphasis on CRE. Blake has spent most of his career with large and mid-size banks. Blake joined Moody’s Analytics in 2021 after leading the transformation of the credit approval and reporting process at a $25 billion bank.
Nicolas Degruson
Works with financial institutions, regulatory experts, business analysts, product managers, and software engineers to drive regulatory solutions across the globe.
Previous Article
US Agencies Update Rule on Derivative Contracts Exposure CalculationRelated Articles
BSP Tackles Aspects of Lending and Islamic, Open & Sustainable Finance
The Central Bank of the Philippines (BSP) issued communications covering developments related to online lending platforms, open finance framework and roadmap, and on the expected regulations in the area sustainable finance.
US Agencies Issue Regulatory Updates, FDIC Launches Tech Sprint
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FED) published the final rule that amends Regulation I to reduce the quarterly reporting burden for member banks by automating the application process for adjusting their subscriptions to the Federal Reserve Bank capital stock, except in the context of mergers.
EBA Issues Guide on Bank Resolvability, Consults on Transferability
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published its assessment of risks through the quarterly Risk Dashboard and the results of the Autumn edition of the Risk Assessment Questionnaire (RAQ).
MFSA Publishes CRD5 Updates and Supervisory Priorities for 2022
The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) updated the guidelines on supervisory reporting requirements under the reporting framework 3.0.
HKMA Extends Repayment for Trade Facilities, Consults on Crypto-Assets
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) published a circular, along with the reporting form and instructions, for self-assessment, by authorized institutions, of compliance with the Code of Banking Practice 2021.
FCA Registers Securitization Repositories; PRA Issues 2022 Priorities
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) decided to register European DataWarehouse Ltd and SecRep Limited as securitization repositories under the UK Securitization Regulation, with effect from January 17, 2022.
EC Regulation Sets Out Methods for Measuring K-Factors Under IFR
The European Commission (EC) published the Delegated Regulation 2022/25, which supplements the Investment Firms Regulation (IFR or Regulation 2019/2033) with respect to the regulatory technical standards specifying the methods for measuring the K-factors referred to in Article 15 of the IFR.
BIS Studies How Platform Models Impact Financial Stability & Inclusion
The Bank of International Settlements (BIS) published a paper that assesses the ways in which platform-based business models can affect financial inclusion, competition, financial stability and consumer protection.
CBE Issues Additional Measures to Ease Disruptions from Pandemic
The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) published a circular with instructions on emergency liquidity assistance to banks that are unable to meet their liquidity requirements.
ESAs Publish List of Financial Conglomerates for 2021
The European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) published the list of identified financial conglomerates for 2021.
