ECB Publishes Results of Financial Stability Review in May 2019
ECB published results of the financial stability review in May 2019. The financial stability review assesses developments relevant for financial stability, including identifying and prioritizing the main sources of systemic risk and vulnerabilities for the euro area financial system. This review contains three special features related to macro-prudential policy, climate change, and contagion risks. The review highlights that bank profitability prospects are subdued, given the slow progress in addressing structural issues.
In addition to its usual overview of current developments relevant for euro area financial stability, this review includes three special features aimed at deepening the financial stability analysis of ECB and broadening the basis for macro-prudential policymaking. The first special feature assesses financial stability risks stemming from climate change, with focus on examining the exposure of financial institutions to climate-risk-sensitive assets. The second special feature sets out new ways to model the risk of contagion spreading through the euro area banking sector, while the third feature considers how macro-prudential policy responses might take account of changes in macroeconomic conditions. By providing a financial system-wide assessment of risks and vulnerabilities, the review provides key input to the macro-prudential policy analysis of ECB.
The review highlights that bank profitability is expected to remain low in the euro area. However, capital adequacy of euro area banks remains strong, implying widespread resilience to plausible adverse scenarios. To return to sustainable profitability, euro area banks need to tackle a number of structural challenges—such as low cost-efficiency, limited revenue diversification, and still high stocks of legacy assets in some countries. Additionally, the review reports on continued high risk-taking in the non-bank and fund sector. There are signs that more funds are increasing their leverage and their exposure to higher-yielding assets with commensurately higher credit risk. The global leveraged loan sector, which has grown significantly in recent years, is susceptible to weaker corporate earnings. The review sets out how this sector could pose risks to financial stability, particularly given uncertainties about ultimate exposures to the riskiest parts of collateralized loan obligations.
Related Links
Keywords: Europe, EU, Banking, Securities, Financial Stability Review, Macro-Prudential Policy, Capital Adequacy, Systemic Risk, ECB
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
EBA Single Rulebook Q&A: Fifth Update for March 2019Related Articles
BIS Report Notes Existing Gaps in Climate Risk Data at Central Banks
A Consultative Group on Risk Management (CGRM) at the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) published a report that examines incorporation of climate risks into the international reserve management framework.
EBA Publishes Multiple Regulatory Updates for Regulated Entities
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published the final guidelines on liquidity requirements exemption for investment firms, updated version of its 5.2 filing rules document for supervisory reporting, and Single Rulebook Question and Answer (Q&A) updates in July 2022.
APRA Consults on Prudential Standard for Operational Risk
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) is seeking comments, until October 21, 2022, on the introduction of CPS 230, which is the new cross-industry prudential standard on operational risk management.
EC Amends Rule on Securitizations; ESRB Updates Reciprocation Measures
The European Commission published a Delegated Regulation 2022/1301 on the information to be provided in accordance with the simple, transparent, and standardized (STS) notification requirements for on-balance-sheet synthetic securitizations.
APRA Announces Revisions to Capital Framework for Banks
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) is announced revisions to the capital framework for authorized deposit-taking institutions to implement the "unquestionably strong" capital ratios and the Basel III reforms.
EBA Examines Remuneration Data and Use of Large Exposure Exemptions
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published a report that examines the use of certain exemptions included in the large exposures regime under the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR).
UK Authorities Publish Discussion Paper on Critical Third Parties
The Bank of England (BoE), the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a joint discussion paper that sets out potential measures to oversee and strengthen the resilience of services provided by critical third parties to the financial sector in UK.
BoE Issues Update on Ongoing Data Transformation Program
The Bank of England (BoE) issued a communication to firms to provide an update on the progress of the joint data transformation program—which is being led by BoE, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and the industry—for the financial sector in UK.
EBA Issues Draft Methodology and Templates for 2023 Stress Tests
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published the draft methodology, templates, and template guidance for the European Union-wide stress test in 2023.
EBA Issues SREP Guidelines and Standards for Investment Firms
The European Banking Authority (EBA) and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) jointly published the final guidelines on common procedures and methodologies for the supervisory review and evaluation process (SREP) for investment firms.