The Financial Regulator has today (March 30th, 2010) published the results of its review of banking capital requirements for the next three years until 2012. New capital levels are being set for some of the main banks covered under the Government guarantee to ensure that they can withstand future losses, even under very stressed conditions. These measures are a long-term solution and should ensure Irish banks move to a strong capital position as soon as possible to speed their recovery and that of the economy.
A level of 8 per cent of core tier 1 capital to be attained by the end of this year is to be applied. This level of capital must be met after taking account of all future losses, from both Nama and non-Nama portfolios. This capital will be principally in the form of equity – a 7 per cent equity requirement. Equity is the highest quality form of capital, and the emerging international standard. In addition, further amounts, specific to each institution, are to be added on in the calculation of future loan losses. The new requirements also mean that banks cannot go below a level of 4 per cent core tier 1 capital in a severely stressed scenario.
Speaking today, governor of the Central Bank Patrick Honohan said: “After a period of great uncertainty, these actions and announcements create a secure platform on which confidence will be built.
“While the costs that are today revealed are certainly significant, they are manageable and affordable for the Irish State. They are certainly a necessary measure to put the banking crisis behind us and provide for a stronger economy.”
Head of financial regulation Matthew Elderfield said: “It is important that our banks move to a strong capital position as soon as possible and that we draw a line under the Irish banking crisis. Sufficient capital is an essential ingredient to ensure that banks can withstand future losses. We have applied a robust, realistic and prudent capital standard informed by our own detailed analysis and by emerging best practice internationally.”
The capital requirements set by the Financial Regulator must be in place by the end of 2010. The institutions will be required to submit recapitalisation plans to the Financial Regulator within 30 days.