IMF Issues Report on the 2018 Article IV Consultation with Singapore
IMF published its staff report under the 2018 Article IV consultation with Singapore. Directors noted that the financial sector remains healthy, with adequate buffers and strong balance sheets for banks. Directors welcomed the efforts of the authorities to strengthen the regulatory framework in line with Basel III principles and to enhance the anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) framework.
The report reveals that staff welcomes the authorities’ efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework in line with Basel III principles. The authorities implemented a leverage ratio requirement of 3% and revised securitization framework from January 2018, along with the adoption of liquidity requirements. All domestic systemically important banks are required to meet the Net Stable Funding Ratio requirements on all currency level since January 2018, in addition to the Liquidity Coverage Ratio requirements. Moreover, in July 2017, enhancements to the resolution regime was introduced, including statutory bail-in, recovery and resolution planning, and creditor compensation framework. Overall, the asset quality of the banking system has improved and provisioning buffers remain adequate. Industry-wide stress tests show that the banking system is resilient to a significant deterioration in external and domestic conditions and sector-specific shocks. The authorities, however, consider that banks’ liquidity management warrants closer monitoring. They also noted that banks’ diversified funding sources and liquid assets, which are well above the regulatory minimum, are important mitigating factors. It is also recommended that the authorities should closely monitor the banking system’s rising foreign currency loan-to-deposit ratio for non-bank exposures.
Additionally, the report highlights that Singapore is a financial hub with global innovation aspirations. MAS appropriately supports development of a fintech ecosystem while adapting financial regulations to the changing landscape. Risks associated with fintech developments are closely monitored and increasingly integrated in the supervisory agenda. Risks related to ML/TF, cyber-security, and consumer protection are also carefully being monitored. MAS has been at the forefront of cross-border regulatory cooperation: it has established a regional industry sandbox in partnership with International Finance Corporation and ASEAN Bankers Association and has put in place information-sharing arrangements on fintech developments. Staff also welcomed the authorities’ support of the industry’s development of potential technological solutions to AML/CFT risks using regulatory technology (regtech) and supervisory technology (suptech), including the launch of the AML/CFT Industry Partnership (ACIP) Work Group on data analytics.
Moreover, the Directors encouraged the authorities to continue to support the development of a fintech ecosystem while regulations would require adaptation to emerging risks. Directors also noted that the upcoming 2019 FSAP intends to examine the financial sector issues in detail and will follow up on the emerging risks, including fintech-related risks and their implications for the banking sector.
Related Link: Staff Report
Keywords: Asia Pacific, Singapore, Banking, Article IV, Basel III, Fintech, Regtech, Suptech, IMF
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
Related 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.
