The German Financial Stability Committee (FSC) has analysed which macroprudential instruments currently most effectively address the risks identified in the financial system. The FSC welcomes the package of macroprudential measures announced by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).

At its December meeting, the Financial Stability Committee (FSC) assessed the current risk situation in the German financial system. It concluded that macroprudential policy should return to prevention mode. Given the existing uncertainties over economic trends, the FSC will assess which instruments should be activated swiftly in 2022 to address the identified risks as effectively as possible.

At its meeting on 27 May 2019, the Financial Stability Committee recommended that the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) activate the domestic countercyclical capital buffer (CCyB) starting in the third quarter of 2019 and increase it from zero to 0.25 per cent within 12 months.

The German Financial Stability Committee (FSC) agrees with the risk assessment and the conclusions of the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB) in its warning on vulnerabilities in the European financial system. The ESRB’s warning is also addressed at national authorities with responsibility for financial stability. The Committee supports the ESRB’s call to preserve or further build up micro and …

The Financial Stability Committee approved a recommendation to the German government regarding the creation of national macroprudential instruments for the residential real estate market. They comprise additional intervention rights on the part of the supervisory authority in order to counteract credit-driven overheating on the residential real estate market and potential systemic crises in Germany.

Next to assessing the current risk situation in the German financial system, the Financial Stability Committee also discussed the introduction of the countercyclical capital buffer as a new macroprudential instrument. It noted that the sustained low interest rates in particular could remain the starting point for a variety of potential negative developments. This continues to require careful …

BaFin reduced the countercyclical capital buffer for German banks in light of the uncertain impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Financial Stability Committee endorses the lowering of the countercyclical capital buffer in March 2020.

The low interest rate environment is placing earnings pressure on many financial market players and poses a particular challenge to German life insurers. The Financial Stability Committee presented these and other topics in its first annual report to the German Bundestag on 18 June 2014.

The Financial Stability Committee presented its seventh report to the German Bundestag today. The report indicates that during the period from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020, the Financial Stability Committee was primarily concerned with the risk of underestimating credit risks, the low interest rate environment and property markets.

In its sixth report of 20 May 2019, the Financial Stability Committee focused on cyber risks and Brexit. It also addressed the countercyclical capital buffer for banks.