Supervisory guidelines for identifying and dealing with weak banks - consultative report released by the Basel Committee

Press release  | 
18 June 2014

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision today published for comment the consultative document Supervisory guidelines for identifying and dealing with weak banks. 

The Committee is updating its guidelines in light of the significant developments that have transpired in global financial markets and the global regulatory landscape since the financial crisis. Once final, the guidelines will supersede the 2002 Committee guidance on the topic. Key changes to the guidelines include:

  • emphasising the need for early intervention and the use of recovery and resolution tools, and updating supervisory communication policies for distressed banks;
  • providing further guidance for improving supervisory processes, such as incorporating macroprudential assessments, stress testing and business model analysis, and reinforcing the importance of sound corporate governance at banks;
  • highlighting the issues of liquidity shortfalls, excessive concentrations, misaligned compensation and inadequate risk management; and
  • expanding guidelines for information-sharing and cooperation among relevant authorities.

Stefan Ingves, Chairman of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and Governor of Sveriges Riksbank, said "Weak banks are a worldwide phenomenon, and early identification and intervention by supervisors is critical in preventing an escalation of problems. The revised guidelines provide an important toolkit for supervisory authorities to deal with weak banks in a timely and effective manner."

The Committee welcomes comments on all aspects of this consultative document. Comments should be uploaded by Friday 19 September 2014. Alternatively, comments may be sent to the following address: Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, Bank for International Settlements, Centralbahnplatz 2, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland. All comments may be published on the website of the Bank for International Settlements unless a respondent marks their comment as confidential.