Bail-in
In the EU, the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive (BRRD) was adopted in Q2 2014 together with the
Single Resolution Mechanism (SRM). The BRRD defines the triggers for a resolution of a failing bank in the
EU and provides the necessary tools while the SRM centralises the decision-making process for the large and
cross-border banks in the Euro Area. At the heart of the BRRD lies the bail-in tool. The bail-in tool, which
aims to ensure that shareholders, sub-debt and senior unsecured investors will bear the losses of a struggling
bank rather than the taxpayers, will be available to EU governments from 1 January 2016. The possibilities for
governments to support banks will be narrowed considerably and senior unsecured is at risk of burden-sharing
after equity and sub debt.
Covered bonds have been excluded from the list of bail-in-able liabilities. Where appropriate, resolution au-thorities could exercise bail-in powers to a part of a secured liability that exceeds the value of the assets, i.e.
any under-collateralised part or senior unsecured residual claim