April 21, 2020

Bank of Ghana directs banks to suspend distribution of dividends

The Bank of Ghana has directed banks and the Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions (SDIs) to suspend declaring or paying dividends or distributing reserves to shareholders.   These financial institutions are also not allowed to make irrevocable commitments regarding the declaration or payment of dividends to shareholders.   The restrictions are aimed
Read More
April 20, 2020

Prudential Regulation Authority publishes a set of Q&A on the usability of liquidity and capital buffers

The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has published a document to answer some commonly asked questions on the usability of liquidity and capital buffers and their operation as outlined in PRA rules and guidelines.   The regulator notes that the document is relevant to all banks to which the Capital Requirements
Read More
April 19, 2020

COVID-19: The ECB provides temporary relief for capital requirements for market risk

The European Central Bank (ECB) has announced a temporary reduction in capital requirements for market risk, by allowing banks to adjust the supervisory component of these requirements.   As well as smoothing procyclicality, the reduction aims to maintain banks’ ability to provide market liquidity and to continue market-making activities during
Read More
April 18, 2020

COVID-19: Bank of Mauritius clarifies announced moratoriums on loans to borrowers

The Bank of Mauritius has clarified announced moratoriums on loans by commercial banks in the country.   Aimed to combat the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the moratoriums are deferments of repayment of capital and interest, where applicable, on loans for a specified period of time.   According to
Read More
April 17, 2020

OSFI issues an overview of the bank capital regime in Canada

The current economic instability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has raised questions globally about how best to approach bank capital requirements and the resulting implications for bank dividend policies.   To this extent, the Superintendent of OSFI provided an overview of the existing capital regime in Canada.  This is in
Read More