FSB Assesses Implementation of Compensation Standards and Principles

The report finds that, at most banks, further work is required to validate that practices and procedures operate effectively and cover all compensation-related risks. International supervisory dialog facilitated increased attention to compensation design and implementation, contributing to better practices. Authorities remain focused on compensation practices, with many of them incorporating assessment of compensation practices as part of the ongoing supervisory review processes. The report highlights that for significant banks a number of changes have taken place. Boards appear more active and engaged and compensation processes are now conducted with greater oversight. Compensation arrangements now have longer time horizons, include mechanisms that better align them with effective risk management practices and include a wider range of financial and non-financial risk assessment criteria. Moreover, in recent years, there has been an increased focus on compensation as a tool to address conduct risk, along with a greater emphasis on how results are achieved.

The report assesses several jurisdictions, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States. The FSB principles and implementation standards are intended to apply to financial institutions that are significant for the purposes of compensation standards including banks, insurers, and asset managers. In most jurisdictions, the identified institutions are mainly in the banking sector. Fewer jurisdictions have implemented the requirements for the insurance and asset management sectors. The challenge now is to develop frameworks for assessing the effectiveness of compensation policies and practices in balancing risk and reward. As supervisors continue to monitor compensation practices, they will need to ensure that compensation remains aligned with prudent risk-taking and fully reflects the evolving risks and the new areas of vulnerabilities as they emerge. 

Related Links

• Press Release
• Progress Report (PDF)
• National Regulation (PDF)
• Principles for Compensation Practices (PDF)
• Implementation Standards for FSB Principles (PDF)

Keywords: International, Banking, Insurance, Securities, Compensation Practices, Progress Report, Operational Risk, Conduct Risk, FSB