BCBS Meets to Advance Supervisory Initiatives and Basel Implementation

The BCBS newsletter on the benchmark rate reforms clarifies that, under the Basel Framework, amendments to capital instruments pursued solely for implementing benchmark rate reforms will not result in them being treated as new instruments for the purpose of assessing the minimum maturity and call date requirements or affect their eligibility for transitional arrangements of Basel III. BCBS will continue to monitor and assess issues related to benchmark reforms. During the course of this year, banks should expect greater supervisory scrutiny of their preparations and contingency planning. Based on its analysis, BCBS will consider what additional steps may be necessary to ensure a smooth and timely transition to the alternative reference rates, including issuing any further clarifications that may be necessary.

At the meeting, the members discussed progress made by banks in preparing for the transition from the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) to alternative reference rates. In December 2019, BCBS and FSB launched a survey on exposures to LIBOR and the associated supervisory measures. The survey results and a report on remaining challenges to benchmark transition will be provided to G20 finance ministers and Central Bank governors in July. Additionally, BCBS reviewed the implementation status of Basel III across its member jurisdictions and discussed progress on a strategic review initiated last year. BCBS has consulted with members and stakeholders on its future priorities, its structure, and its processes. Members also discussed the feedback received and exchanged initial views on the way forward. BCBS aims to finalize its review in the course of the year. Other key highlights of the meeting are as follows: 

• BCBS discussed the work plan and future deliverables of high-level Task Force on climate-related financial risk. The future deliverables of the taskforce include the development of effective supervisory practices to mitigate climate-related financial risks, along with a set of analytical reports on climate-related financial risks, including a literature review, and reports on the transmission channels of such risks to the banking system and on measurement methodologies.
• BCBS also took stock of members' current initiatives in this area and plans to publish a summary of this stocktake in March. 
• As part of its ongoing Regulatory Consistency Assessment Program, BCBS approved the reports assessing the implementation of the Net Stable Funding Ratio, or NSFR, and Large Exposures standards in Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, and Singapore. These reports will be published next month.
• BCBS agreed to publish, in March, a consultation paper on strengthening the operational resilience of banks and will publish, in due course, a report on member experience in using the countercyclical capital buffer. 
• BCBS discussed the financial stability implications of the coronavirus outbreak for the banking system and exchanged information on the business continuity measures that banks and authorities have put in place. BCBS encourages banks and supervisors to remain vigilant in light of the evolving situation and notes the importance of effective cross-border information-sharing and cooperation when dealing with such shocks.

Related Links

• Press Release
• Newsletter

Keywords: International, Banking, Basel III, Climate Change Risk, ESG, Collateralized Loan Obligations, Benchmark Reforms, LIOR, RCAP, NSFR, Operational Risk, BCBS