Sebastiano Laviola of SRB Outlines Next Steps for MREL Policy
In a recent article, the SRB Board Member Sebastiano Laviola outlined the next steps with respect to minimum requirements for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL) policy. SRB updated its MREL policy last month resulting in changes to the deadlines for binding MREL targets. SRB will decide on the level of MREL that institutions should hold in its 2020 resolution planning cycle. These decisions, which will be communicated to banks in early 2021, will include two binding MREL targets—the binding intermediate target to be met by January 01, 2022 and the MREL (final target) to be met by January 01, 2024. The decisions will reflect changing capital requirements and will be calibrated taking the most recent information into account, where relevant.
The article highlights that the new MREL targets allow SRB to take a forward-looking approach to banks that may face short-term difficulties in meeting the existing targets set in earlier cycles, due to the COVID-19 crisis. SRB is committed to the continued build-up of MREL, while ensuring that short-term MREL constraints do not prevent banks from lending to businesses and households. The article also states that MREL is being steadily built up in quantity and quality over time. While the COVID-19 crisis has caused severely reduced new issuances in March and April, there have been signs of recovery in recent weeks. Progress on MREL requirements means banks are more resolvable. SRB aims to set ambitious but realistic objectives for the build-up of MREL quantity and quality, taking the situation of financial markets and market capacity into consideration where needed. This loss-absorbing capacity is vital for strengthening resolvability, and, in turn, financial stability.
The updated MREL policy, published last month, implements the new requirements in the 2019 Banking Package, which introduced a number of risk-reducing measures for the financial sector. The updated policy introduces changes to MREL requirements for large global systemically important banks, integrating the global standard for total loss-absorbing capacity (TLAC). There are changes to the way it is calculated and in its quality (subordination). It also sets out dedicated rules for different business models, such as cooperatives, and resolution strategies, such as multiple-point-of-entry (MPE).
Related Link: Article by SRB Board Member
Keywords: Europe, EU, Banking, MREL, Banking Package, COVID-9, TLAC, Resolution Planning, Resolution Framework, Regulatory Capital, SRB
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.

Pierre-Etienne Chabanel
Brings expertise in technology and software solutions around banking regulation, whether deployed on-premises or in the cloud.
Previous Article
PRA Outlines Next Steps for Stress Testing the Insurance SectorRelated Articles
EC Adopts Financial Reporting Changes Arising from Benchmark Reforms
EC published Regulation 2021/25 that addresses amendments related to the financial reporting consequences of replacement of the existing interest rate benchmarks with alternative reference rates.
BIS Bulletin Examines Key Elements of Policy Response to Cyber Risk
BIS published a bulletin, or a note, that examines the cyber threat landscape in the context of the pandemic and discusses policies to reduce risks to financial stability.
HMT Updates List of Post-Brexit Equivalence Decisions in UK
HM Treasury, also known as HMT, has updated the table containing the list of the equivalence decisions that came into effect in UK at the end of the transition period of its withdrawal from EU.
EBA Issues Erratum for Technical Package on Reporting Framework 3.0
EBA published an erratum for technical package on phase 1 of the reporting framework 3.0.
APRA Publishes FAQ on Measurement of Credit Risk Weighted Assets
APRA updated a frequently asked question (FAQ), for authorized deposit-taking institutions, on the measurement of credit risk weighted assets.
EBA Publishes Risk Dashboard for Third Quarter of 2020
EBA published the quarterly risk dashboard, along with the results of the Risk Assessment Questionnaire survey among 60 banks and 15 market analysts.
ECB Analysis Shows Privacy as Biggest Concern in Use of Digital Euro
ECB concluded the public consultation on the introduction of a digital euro in EU.
ECB Finalizes Guide on Supervisory Approach to Bank Consolidation
ECB published a guide that sets out the supervisory approach to consolidation in the banking sector.
SRB Chair Outlines Work Priorities for 2021
The SRB Chair Elke König published an article setting out work priorities for 2021.
FDIC Selects Companies to Compete in Final Phase of Tech Sprint
FDIC has selected 11 technology companies—including BearingPoint, Fed Reporter, Inc, and S&P Global Market Intelligence, LLC—for inclusion in the third and final phase of the rapid prototyping competition.