FSI Reports Findings of Crisis Simulation Exercise in Latin America

The crisis simulation exercise was intended to enable participating authorities to practice and test the existing crisis management and cooperation frameworks. The simulation was based on a fictional scenario, designed to trigger discussion and decision-making within each country and across borders. The scenario design introduced a significant degree of complexity and uncertainty, including gaps in information. The setup also aimed to foster a collaborative environment in which participants could share experiences and lessons learned. The findings of the exercise covered the tools and procedures under national frameworks and the functioning of domestic and cross-border cooperation arrangements. Participants managed the simulated crisis well, performing the necessary analysis, developing strategies, and preparing and implementing decisions while fostering a constructive exchange among participating authorities. Nevertheless, the exercise revealed certain challenges in the development of solutions within existing funding restrictions that involve burden-sharing between domestic sources and across borders. 

The analysis indicates that a crisis management protocol with detailed guidance on early intervention tools can facilitate decision-making. A playbook of possible actions organized in accordance with crisis severity would provide authorities with guidance about use of the crisis toolkit. Most authorities had procedures to follow once resolution was imminent. However, identifying actions for a given crisis severity in advance, combined with supervisory judgment, may allow authorities to place ailing institutions on a spectrum of increasing stress and to respond appropriately at each stage. Such crisis management protocol could include the following supervisory actions:

• Interaction with supervised entities. During business as usual, supervisors typically interact with banks in accordance with a risk-based and procedurally oriented protocol that defines the scope and frequency of meetings, data deliveries and on- and off-site examinations following a schedule set on a yearly basis. As stress increases, such schedule may no longer be adequate since the intensity of interactions may need to be stepped up significantly. A protocol can be helpful to structure such interaction for authorities and banks. Based on qualitative triggers, this could guide an increase in the scope and frequency of information and data requirements, increased interactions with senior management, and the use of “moral suasion” to encourage corrective action by a bank. Where deemed meaningful, quantitative triggers can also help guide action tailored to the appropriate crisis severity point.
• Response to activation of a recovery plan. Typical recovery options include strengthening the bank’s capital base through equity injections by existing or new shareholders, disposal of business lines or assets, and mobilization of collateral. As most of these actions may have side effects, supervisors’ protocols should also consider whether specific recovery options may have implications for the preferred resolution strategy for the bank(s). Furthermore, supervisors need to be clear about the timing of a bank’s recovery measures. For example, action to raise additional capital might fail if taken too late as the crisis intensifies.
• Assessment of situation of a bank. This could include, for example, measures such as asset quality reviews, stress tests or on- and off-site inspections, which might be used to challenge a bank’s assessment of its recovery measures, remove uncertainties in the balance sheet, and/or protect or restore market confidence.

Related Links

• Press Release
• Report (PDF)

Keywords: International, Banking, Latin America, Crisis Simulation Exercise, Resolution Planning, Cross-Border Framework, Resolution Framework, BIS