Faced with economic risks, banks called upon to strengthen their capital

The High Council for Financial Stability (HCSF) plans to strengthen the capital of French banks from December, a precautionary measure in a macroeconomic environment where the risks to financial stability “although high, remain under control”, a- he announced on Thursday.

Meeting earlier in the day, the HCSF considers it necessary to consolidate the prevention system to avoid the risk of a reversal in the credit cycle and therefore plans to raise the rate at its next meeting in December from 0.5% to 1%. countercyclical banking capital buffer.

This system is an additional reserve of capital set aside by the banks in the event of a downturn in the financial situation. It comes in addition to the capital already required by international banking regulations.

The only suspensive condition for the High Council: if the ability of the banking system to meet the financing needs of the economy were to change markedly and unanticipated.

All the establishments concerned already have the capital to meet this requirement, specifies the HCSF.

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On the occasion of the publication of their half-year results in early August, the main French banks assured that their core capital ratios (CET1) were significantly higher than regulatory requirements: 12.2% for example for BNP Paribas, 12.9 % for Socit Generale or 14.9% for BPCE.

The institution, responsible for supervising the financial system as a whole, also considers that the risks to financial stability, although high, remain under control.

The High Council for Financial Stability, which meets quarterly, brings together, among others, the Minister for the Economy and the Banque de France.

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