SRB Chair Outlines Work Priorities for 2021

In dealing with the challenges posed by pandemic, the SRB approach has been to support banks with operational and financial relief measures, using flexibility in the resolution framework and by continuing to focus on ensuring banks resolvability. If a bank does fail, it means that this can be managed in an orderly way, without disrupting the economy or putting viable banks in danger. One reassuring news is that the banks provided all the required information, with only minor delays, and stayed on track to deliver in line with the SRB "Expectations for Banks" highlighted Ms. König. With a focus on building bank resolvability, the following are the four key priorities, or resolutions, for the year ahead:

• Enhancing resolvability. SRB began the year by publishing its key policies, including the Expectations for Banks, as well as adapting these policies to the changes brought about by the new Banking Package. These policies provide banks with a clear guidance and a phased timeline for becoming fully resolvable. Banks are expected to have built up their capabilities on all aspects by the end of 2023, except where indicated otherwise. Where needed and on a bilateral basis, SRB may agree alternative phase-in dates with individual banks. The Expectations are tailored to each individual bank and its resolution strategy, allowing for flexibility and proportionality. SRB called on banks to do the work needed to achieve resolvability.
• Ensuring ready-to-use resolution tools. Resolution plans are in place for all SRB banks, with the focus now on operationalizing these plans. Most SRB banks have resolution strategies that use bail-in alone or in combination with other tools. SRB will work on deepening banks’ bail-in playbooks, following the publication of a detailed operational guidance on this topic. SRB will also work to detail the plans for banks that use other resolution tools, such as transfer strategies.
• Building up minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL). Momentum on building up MREL needs to be maintained. Banks know their MREL targets and SRB urges them to establish realistic funding plans that do not put off until tomorrow what should be done today.
• Growing the Single Resolution Fund. SRB will also continue to build up the Single Resolution Fund until 2023, when it is expected to be fully funded. SRB is on target for this goal. Late last year, the Eurogroup agreed to implement the backstop to the Single Resolution Fund stepwise in 2022, two years earlier than originally planned. This decision acknowledges that SRB has achieved risk-reduction in the Banking Union and it effectively doubles the amount of firepower of the fund.

Related Link: Update from SRB Chair

Keywords: Europe, EU, Banking, Resolution Planning, MREL, Banking Union, Work Priorities, Resolution Framework, SRF Backstop, Liquidity in Resolution, SRB