Risk aversion triggered by US administration tariffs, if it continues, could have negative impacts on the credit quality of banks despite its current system solidity. He said it Joseph Siani, Head of the Banking and Financial Supervision Department of the Bank of Italy, during a hearing at the parliamentary commission of inquiry on banks. "They are increasing – said Siani – the risks associated with geopolitical tensions, and more recently, with the launch of the tariff maneuver implemented by the US administration”.
Bankitalia, the consequences of duties on loans
A context in which "uncertainty about economic prospects has increased significantly, with possible effects on the propensity to invest and the quality of financing". "The increase in risk aversion of investors - the manager from Via Nazionale explained - has determined a downward correction in financial asset prices and increased volatility. The impact on the domestic banking system has so far been limited, given the presence of a traditional operating model, predominantly oriented towards credit activity. If these tensions continue, negative impacts are likely, particularly on credit quality”.
Bankitalia, loans to businesses and families
"I business loans, which have been declining for about two years, continue to decrease – continues Siani – although to a lesser extent than in the past. In a context characterized by a general prudence on the part of banks, this trend appears to be mainly determined by the weakness of demand. loans to families have instead started to grow again, albeit at still very low rates”.
Basel 3 and consequences of delays
Delays in transposing the rules of Basel 3 for banks in various jurisdictions creates situations of “competitive disparities”, Siani continues in the hearing. The Basel rules, explains the representative of Via Nazionale, “have no binding value within a jurisdiction until they are implemented in the national legal system; a full homogeneity It therefore requires that the implementation of the reforms be completed by all major Oases.”
“Negli United States, for example, the transposition process is still ongoing and there are several elements of uncertainty regarding the adherence to the key elements of the reforms; in UK The implementation of the new rules has recently been postponed to January 2027, XNUMX. The new Basel rules are applied inEuropean Union starting from January 2025, 3, the date of entry into force of the third revision of the European CRR Regulation. The only exception is the application of the new regulatory framework on market risk, particularly relevant for large banks with international operations, which has been postponed in light of the persistent uncertainty regarding the implementation of the rules in other major jurisdictions. The shared objective remains the full implementation of Basel XNUMX: a race to the bottom between different systems is not the answer that should be given to the need to reduce risks and make rules uniform at a global level".
Banks, what is their state of health?
“The conditions of Italian banks are generally good, thanks to the significant progress made in recent years. Recent assessments made by the main rating agencies on Italy, in particular on resilience of the financial system, confirm this trend, which in some cases has represented one of the prerequisites for the improvement of theoutlook of the country,” Siani continues.
