ESRB Publishes Member Notifications on O-SII and Systemic Risk Buffers
BNB notified EBA, ECB, and ESRB about its decision on the identification of other systemically important institutions (O-SIIs), the activation of the O-SII buffers, and the level of systemic risk buffers. Additionally, Polish Financial Supervision Authority (Komisja Nadzoru Finansowego or KNF) notified EBA, ECB, and ESRB about its decision on the identification of other systemically important institutions (O-SII) and the activation of O-SII buffers.
BNB announced the list of identified O-SII institutions, their respective overall scores, the respective buffer rates, and the timeline of the phase-in of the buffer rates. The O-SII institutions include DSK Bank EAD, UniCredit Bulbank AD, First Investment Bank AD, United Bulgarian Bank AD, Eurobank Bulgaria AD, Raiffeisenbank (Bulgaria) EAD, Central Cooperative Bank AD, and Bulgarian Development Bank AD. The phase-in period for the O-SII buffer rates is from 2017 to 2020. The list of O-SIIs was identified based on the quantitative approach in accordance with the EBA guidelines. Changes in the buffer level of certain institutions are due to changes in the overall score of these institutions in 2019, from 2018. As an integral part of the combined buffer requirements, the O-SII buffers will further increase capacity of the systemically important institutions to absorb losses. The O-SII buffer rates are proportional to the higher risk that these institutions pose to the financial system due to their size, complexity, and importance for the economy.
Additionally, BNB notified that it introduced the systemic risk buffer at a rate of 3% for risk exposures located in Bulgaria in 2014. In the 2019 review of the systemic risk buffer, BNB confirmed the current level of the buffer. The buffer is applicable to all banks in the country on both individual and consolidated levels. This means that banks identified as O-SIIs shall comply with the sum of the two buffer requirements. SRB requirement will be reviewed every two years. Over the years, it has been assessed that the systemic risk buffer does not represent additional regulatory burden for banks. KNF identified O-SIIs and set the O-SII buffer for these institutions in October 2016, with the activation of the measures from December 31, 2016. The measure has now been reviewed and will continue to apply until next years’ annual review.
Related Links
- Notification of BNB on O-SIIs (PDF)
- Notification of BNB on Systemic Risk Buffers (PDF)
- Notification of KNF on O-SIIs (PDF)
Keywords: Europe, EU, Bulgaria, Poland, Banking, Systemic Risk Buffer, Macro-Prudential Measures, Systemic Risk, Proportionality, BNB, EC, EBA, ECB, ESRB
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
MAS Forms New Industry Steering Committee for Insurance SectorRelated Articles
OSFI Discusses Benchmark Rate Transition, Sets Out Work Priorities
The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) published the strategic plan for 2022-2025 and the departmental plan for 2022-23.
EBA Proposes Standards to Support Secondary NPL Markets
The European Banking Authority (EBA) is consulting, until August 31, 2022, on the draft implementing technical standards specifying requirements for the information that sellers of non-performing loans (NPLs) shall provide to prospective buyers.
EU Confirms Agreement on Rules on Cybersecurity and Banking Resolution
The European Council and the Parliament reached an agreement on the revised Directive on security of network and information systems (NIS2 Directive).
EBA Issues Standards for Crowdfunding Service Providers Under ECSPR
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published the final draft regulatory technical standards specifying information that crowdfunding service providers shall provide to investors on the calculation of credit scores and prices of crowdfunding offers.
EU Confirms Agreement on Rules on Cybersecurity and Banking Resolution
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) published a paper that examines the systemic risk posed by increasing use of cloud services, along with the potential policy options to mitigate this risk.
EC Consults on PSD2 and Open Finance; EU Reaches Agreement on DORA
The European Commission (EC) published a public consultation on the review of revised payment services directive (PSD2) and open finance.
EC Mandates ESAs to Propose Amendments to SFDR Technical Standards
The European Commission (EC) has issued two letters mandating the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) to jointly propose amendments to the regulatory technical standards under Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation or SFDR.
EBA Examines Supervisory Practices, Issues Deposits Reporting Template
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published its annual report on convergence of supervisory practices for 2021. Additionally, following a request from the European Commission (EC),
SNB Updates NSFR Forms and FINMA Consults on Operational Risk Circular
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) published Version 1.2 of the reporting forms (NSFR_G and NSFR_P) on the net stable funding ratio (NSFR) of banks, along with the associated documentation.
US Agency Publications Address Basel, Reporting, and CECL Developments
The Farm Credit Administration published, in the Federal Register, the final rule on implementation of the Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL) methodology for allowances