Banks must continue to hold a capital buffer against systemic risk (SyRB is the acronym), that is, possible adverse events, even those independent of the economic-financial cycle. This was decided by the Bank of Italy which therefore confirmed the additional capital “buffer” equal to 1% of risk-weighted and counterparty exposures to residents of Italy.
The level of the reserve – which came into full force at the end of June 2025 – must be reassessed at least every two years.
On the occasion of the revaluation, the Bank of Italy decided to confirm the reserve level currently in force, which banks must therefore continue to hold. The requirement continues to apply at both the consolidated and individual levels.
Bank of Italy: "The Reserve strengthens the banking system."
“The reserve contributes to strengthening the capacity of the Italian banking system to address possible adverse events, even independent from the economic-financial cycle", explains Bankitalia, adding that if such events were to occur, the release of the buffer by the Bank of Italy would provide banks resources useful for absorbing losses and to support the supply of credit to the economy.
“The Bank of Italy will continue to reassess the level of the reserve at least every two years, or sooner if circumstances require,” Via Nazionale emphasizes.
"This decision also takes into account the results of the public consultation on the revaluation of the reserve, which took place from 20 February to 6 March, for which no comments were received that would require a change to the current level of the reserve," the Bank of Italy concludes.
