IMF Reports Examine Banking Sector Developments in WAEMU Region

The staff report highlighted that significant efforts were made to meet new banking solvency requirements but pockets of weaknesses remain in the sector. In the banking sector, important reforms were implemented in 2018, most notably the move to Basel II/III prudential standards (with a five-year phasing period), new bank accounting rules, banking supervision based on a risk-sensitive consolidated approach to groups, and steps to implement the new resolution framework for the Banking Commission (the regional banking supervisory authority). The move to the new prudential regulation aligned to Basel II/III and new bank accounting standards proceeded smoothly in 2018. Furthermore, the regional central bank (BCEAO) has run more demanding stress-tests exercises to assess the resilience of the sector in the last two years. In terms of performance, banks were able to sustain strong credit growth in 2018, estimated at 8%, though at a slightly less strong pace than in 2017, possibly reflecting adjustments to new prudential rules.

The capital base of the banking sector increased significantly, with the ratio of capital to risk-weighted assets (CAR) at 10.0% under Basel II/III at the end of June 2018 (which is above the 8.625% required by the end of 2018). Banks will have to continue to increase capital to meet the 11.5% CAR targeted at the end of 2022. The banking sector remains subject to concentration, credit, and liquidity risks. A quarter of the banks do not meet the new and tighter applicable norm for division of risks. NPLs remained high, at 12.9% of total loans at the end of June 2018, although they have been declining and provisioning covers two-third of the loans. Despite gradual deleveraging, bank reliance on BCEAO refinancing was still equivalent to about 40% of the sovereign bond exposure at the end of 2018 and this reflects the structural liquidity deficit in the banking system. The report further notes that the new prudential regime and its associated risk-based supervision framework should allow for stronger bank balance sheets through proactive supervision; this should reduce segmentation where detrimental, foster confidence in the banking sector, and allow it to better finance private sector-led growth. 

In the context of the implementation of resolution framework, weak banks should be rapidly restructured, as the Banking Commission now has the powers to require needed adjustments. The weak banks will need to raise more capital by mobilizing additional shareholder resources, reducing the distribution of dividends, and/or streamlining their asset portfolios. The supervisor should ensure that bank concentration risks are gradually reduced, as prudential norms are tightened—with individual risk limits reduced from 75% of bank equity under Basel I to 25% in 2022 under Basel II/III. Banks have started to address NPLs, which declined in the first half of 2018, despite more stringent classification and provisioning rules. Likewise, the forthcoming calibration of liquidity ratios under Basel II/III should contribute to improving structural liquidity. The Banking Commission has also started to assess cross-border groups on a consolidated basis and to review bank behavior based on specific risk patterns. The IMF staff recommends that supervision of banking groups should be further improved through the Colleges of Supervisors and the preparation of recovery plans.

Related Links

• Staff Report
• Selected Issues Report

Keywords: Middle East and Africa, West Africa, WAEMU, Banking, Capital Adequacy, NPLs, Resolution Framework, Basel III, Basel, Stress Testing, IMF