ECB Framework on Cross-Border Spillover of Macro-Prudential Policies
ECB published a report that presents a best-practice framework to analyze the cross-border spillover effects of planned or enacted national macro-prudential measures. This framework by the Financial Stability Committee (FSC) of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) is meant to serve as a starting point for national designated and competent authorities when assessing the need for reciprocity in the context of activation of macro-prudential measures. In addition to this report, ECB plans to publish an occasional paper containing a more detailed study of the existing literature on cross-border spillovers, a survey of current national approaches, and the conceptual underpinnings of the FSC framework presented in this report.
Macro-prudential policy can generate unintended cross-border spillovers, owing to regulatory arbitrage and risk management decisions by financial institutions as well as to broader trade and economic activities triggered by the activated measures. Policy instruments should, therefore, be designed to reap the benefits of positive spillovers in terms of enhanced financial stability, while seeking to limit potential negative spillovers. Thus, the analysis of cross-border spillover effects is highly relevant for assessing the overall impact of specific instruments. Overall, to support the assessments of cross-border spillover effects related to macro-prudential policy decisions in the EU, the FSC recommends the following:
- Harmonized FSC Indicator List—The list of indicators presented in this report should be the starting point, providing macro-prudential authorities within the EU with guided discretion for assessments of cross-border spillover effects of planned macro-prudential measures, as well as for ex-post monitoring of these measures. Authorities are encouraged to complement these with other indicators depending on the circumstances in their jurisdiction.
- FSC Empirical Benchmark Tool—This tool offers a basis for deeper spillover analysis. It provides authorities with a user-friendly tool, to be used at their discretion, to gauge the range of potential spillover effects from considered macro-prudential measures.
- Closing of Data Gaps—FSC has identified a number of data gaps that hamper a precise monitoring and assessment of cross-border spillover effects. Accordingly, the FSC recommends that further work be initiated to help close these gaps, also taking into account related initiatives at the ESRB level.
- Threshold values—Indicator-based approaches require well-calibrated thresholds to assess when an indicator signals material cross-border spillover effects. For the time being, FSC recommends adopting a simplified, pragmatic, percentile-based approach. However, it also recommends conducting further work on developing a fully fledged signalling approach over the medium term.
- Reciprocity—The report includes a few suggestions that could feed into subsequent discussions within FSC and ESRB. The tools and indicators provided by the FSC can inform future discussions on the appropriate intensity of reciprocity by identifying the macro-prudential instruments, for which spillovers may be most material. Furthermore, indicator-based analysis reinforces and complements the ESRB guidelines on the design and required flexibility in the use of materiality thresholds.
Related Links
Keywords: Europe, EU, Banking, Macro-prudential Policy, Cross-border Spillovers, Regulatory Arbitrage, Systemic Risk, ESCB, ECB
Featured Experts

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.
Previous Article
EC Adopts Banking Package to Alleviate Impact of COVID-19 PandemicRelated Articles
EBA Proposes Standards for IRRBB Reporting Under Basel Framework
The European Banking Authority (EBA) proposed implementing technical standards on the interest rate risk in the banking book (IRRBB) reporting requirements, with the comment period ending on May 02, 2023.
FED Issues Further Details on Pilot Climate Scenario Analysis Exercise
The U.S. Federal Reserve Board (FED) set out details of the pilot climate scenario analysis exercise to be conducted among the six largest U.S. bank holding companies.
US Agencies Issue Several Regulatory and Reporting Updates
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FED) adopted the final rule on Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act.
ECB Issues Multiple Reports and Regulatory Updates for Banks
The European Central Bank (ECB) published an updated list of supervised entities, a report on the supervision of less significant institutions (LSIs), a statement on macro-prudential policy.
HKMA Keeps List of D-SIBs Unchanged, Makes Other Announcements
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) published a circular on the prudential treatment of crypto-asset exposures, an update on the status of transition to new interest rate benchmarks.
EU Issues FAQs on Taxonomy Regulation, Rules Under CRD, FICOD and SFDR
The European Commission (EC) adopted the standards addressing supervisory reporting of risk concentrations and intra-group transactions, benchmarking of internal approaches, and authorization of credit institutions.
CBIRC Revises Measures on Corporate Governance Supervision
The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) issued rules to manage the risk of off-balance sheet business of commercial banks and rules on corporate governance of financial institutions.
HKMA Publications Address Sustainability Issues in Financial Sector
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) made announcements to address sustainability issues in the financial sector.
EBA Updates Address Basel and NPL Requirements for Banks
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published regulatory standards on identification of a group of connected clients (GCC) as well as updated the lists of identified financial conglomerates.
ESMA Publishes 2022 ESEF XBRL Taxonomy and Conformance Suite
The General Board of the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB), at its December meeting, issued an updated risk assessment via the quarterly risk dashboard and held discussions on key policy priorities to address the systemic risks in the European Union.