Bank of Italy Extends Dividend Payout and P2G Guidance Amid Crisis
Bank of Italy extended the application of the recommendations on the dividend distribution and variable remuneration policies. Bank of Italy also issued clarifications on the expiration of the flexibility granted on compliance with capital and liquidity buffers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier, in March 2020, Bank of Italy published a Recommendation asking less significant banks not to pay dividends and to abstain from buyback of treasury shares up to October 01, 2020. Now, in line with the provisions of the ESRB Recommendation from May 27, 2020 and the ECB guidance for significant banks, Bank of Italy recommends the less significant banks to not pay dividends, or make any firm commitments to pay dividends, for 2019 and 2020 and to not proceed with the repurchase of shares. The central bank will assess the adequacy of the adopted policies within the annual supervisory review and evaluation process (SREP). It will continue to monitor the situation and will consider the opportunity for further communication on the distribution of dividends and variable remuneration policies after January 01, 2021.
In line with what was communicated by ECB, Bank of Italy continues to encourage banks and non-bank intermediaries under its supervision to use the assigned Target Component following the SREP process (Pillar 2 Guidance or P2G), the Capital Conservation buffer (CCB), and the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) to absorb losses in an orderly manner to encourage loans to families and businesses. The Bank of Italy will, therefore, not request the restoration of the capital buffers before the end 2022 and the LCR level before the end of 2021; these dates may be postponed, if necessary. If it should be deemed appropriate to increase the level of the Pillar 2 Guidance for some intermediaries, the necessary time to reach the new levels will be granted.
Related Link (in Italian): Press Release
Keywords: Europe, Italy, Banking, COVID-19, Dividend Distribution, Pillar 2 Guidance, SREP, Regulatory Capital, Liquidity Risk, LCR, CRR/CRD, Less Significant Institutions, Bank of Italy
Featured Experts
María Cañamero
Skilled market researcher; growth strategist; successful go-to-market campaign developer
Nicolas Degruson
Works with financial institutions, regulatory experts, business analysts, product managers, and software engineers to drive regulatory solutions across the globe.
Patrycja Oleksza
Applies proficiency and knowledge to regulatory capital and reporting analysis and coordinates business and product strategies in the banking technology area
Previous Article
SRB Launches Resolution Reporting Data Collection Exercise for 2021Related Articles
BIS and Central Banks Experiment with GenAI to Assess Climate Risks
A recent report from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Hub details Project Gaia, a collaboration between the BIS Innovation Hub Eurosystem Center and certain central banks in Europe
Nearly 25% G-SIBs Commit to Adopting TNFD Nature-Related Disclosures
Nature-related risks are increasing in severity and frequency, affecting businesses, capital providers, financial systems, and economies.
Singapore to Mandate Climate Disclosures from FY2025
Singapore recently took a significant step toward turning climate ambition into action, with the introduction of mandatory climate-related disclosures for listed and large non-listed companies
SEC Finalizes Climate-Related Disclosures Rule
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has finalized the long-awaited rule that mandates climate-related disclosures for domestic and foreign publicly listed companies in the U.S.
EBA Proposes Standards Related to Standardized Credit Risk Approach
The European Banking Authority (EBA) has been taking significant steps toward implementing the Basel III framework and strengthening the regulatory framework for credit institutions in the EU
US Regulators Release Stress Test Scenarios for Banks
The U.S. regulators recently released baseline and severely adverse scenarios, along with other details, for stress testing the banks in 2024. The relevant U.S. banking regulators are the Federal Reserve Bank (FED), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).
Asian Governments Aim for Interoperability in AI Governance Frameworks
The regulatory landscape for artificial intelligence (AI), including the generative kind, is evolving rapidly, with governments and regulators aiming to address the challenges and opportunities presented by this transformative technology.
EBA Proposes Operational Risk Standards Under Final Basel III Package
The European Union (EU) has been working on the final elements of Basel III standards, with endorsement of the Banking Package and the publication of the European Banking Authority (EBA) roadmap on Basel III implementation in December 2023.
EFRAG Proposes XBRL Taxonomy and Standard for Listed SMEs Under ESRS
The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), which plays a crucial role in shaping corporate reporting standards in European Union (EU), is seeking comments, until May 21, 2024, on the Exposure Draft ESRS for listed SMEs.
ECB to Expand Climate Change Work in 2024-2025
Banking regulators worldwide are increasingly focusing on addressing, monitoring, and supervising the institutions' exposure to climate and environmental risks.