Even before Basel 3 is
fully implemented, ‘Basel
4’ may be emerging from
the mist. Developments
in recent months lay the
groundwork:
• Some countries are already
beginning to impose requirements
that go beyond Basel 3. The US and
Europe are requiring banks to meet
minimum capital ratios even after the
impact of severe stress; Switzerland,
the US and UK have set a minimum
leverage ratio at above 3 percent;
others (Australia and UK) are insisting
that ‘Pillar 2’ capital add-ons are met
through highest quality capital; and
finally, countries such as the US
and UK are pushing for tougher
liquidity standards;
• Widespread concerns among
regulators and market analysts
about banks’ internal modelling and
the accuracy of the resulting risk
weighted assets;
• Resulting calls for greater simplicity
in regulatory requirements from
some leading regulators (including
from Andrew Haldane in the UK
and Thomas Hoenig in the US),