Basel Committee issues Basel III rules text, which presents the details of global regulatory standards on bank capital adequacy & liquidity

December 16, 2010: The Basel Committee has issued the Basel III rules text, which presents the details of global regulatory standards on bank capital adequacy and liquidity agreed by the Governors and Heads of Supervision, and endorsed by the G20 Leaders at their November Seoul summit.

Mr Nout Wellink, Chairman of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and President of the Netherlands Bank, described the Basel III Framework as "a landmark achievement that will help protect financial stability and promote sustainable economic growth. The higher levels of capital, combined with a global liquidity framework, will significantly reduce the probability and severity of banking crises in the future." He added that "with these reforms, the Basel Committee has delivered on the banking reform agenda for internationally active banks set out by the G20 Leaders at their Pittsburgh summit in September 2009".

The rules text presents the details of the Basel III Framework, which covers both microprudential and macroprudential elements. The Framework sets out higher and better-quality capital, better risk coverage, the introduction of a leverage ratio as a backstop to the risk-based requirement, measures to promote the build up of capital that can be drawn down in periods of stress, and the introduction of two global liquidity standards.



Transition and implementation

The Committee has put in place processes to ensure the rigorous and consistent global implementation of the Basel III Framework. The standards will be phased in gradually so that the banking sector can move to the higher capital and liquidity standards while supporting lending to the economy.

With respect to the leverage ratio, the Committee will use the transition period to assess whether its proposed design and calibration is appropriate over a full credit cycle and for different types of business models. Based on the results of a parallel run period, any adjustments would be carried out in the first half of 2017 with a view to migrating to a Pillar 1 treatment on 1 January 2018 based on appropriate review and calibration.

Both the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) and the Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR) will be subject to an observation period and will include a review clause to address any unintended consequences.



Guidance on backtesting counterparty credit risk models...Read here
Basel Committee issues consultative papers on operational risk ...Read here
Final paper on Good Practice Principles on Supervisory Colleges. ...Read here
Principles for enhancing corporate governance...Read here
FSB invites feedback on residential mortgage underwriting practices...Read here
Options for strengthening repo clearing and settlement arrangements ...Read here
Microfinance activities and the Core Principles-Basel Committee...Read here
Macroeconomic impact of stronger capital and liquidity requirements... Read here
Broad agreement on capital & liquidity reform package... Read here
FSB invites feedback on risk disclosure practices... Read here
Basel Committee progress on regulatory reform package... Read here
Fiscal consolidation & financial sector reform... Read here
Basel announces adjustments to the Basel II market risk framework... Read here
CLICK FOR MORE FEATURES & STORIES