The National Bank of Belgium has redesignated eight banks as domestic systemically important institutions following its 2025 annual assessment and maintained the additional capital buffers set in 2023. BNP Paribas Fortis, KBC Group, Euroclear Holding, ING Belgium and Belfius Bank remain subject to a 1.5% buffer, while The Bank of New York Mellon, Investeringsmaatschappij Argenta and Crelan retain a 0.75% buffer. The assessment applies the European Banking Authority’s methodology, which measures institutions by size, complexity, interconnectedness and the ability of other firms to replace their critical services. The buffers are primarily structural and seek to reduce default risk and account for the broader harm that failure could cause. They may be released temporarily in a persistent crisis after coordination with relevant national and international authorities, although the NBB considers this likely to be among the last macroprudential tools used.
National Bank of Belgium redesignates eight systemically important institutions and maintains capital buffers of 1.5% and 0.75%
The National Bank of Belgium has redesignated eight domestic systemically important institutions and maintained their existing additional capital buffers. Five institutions remain subject to a 1.5% buffer and three to a 0.75% buffer, reflecting the potential impact of their failure on the financial system and real economy.