The European Banking Authority has published its Autumn 2025 Risk Assessment Report, alongside the 2025 EU-wide transparency exercise, concluding that EU/EEA banks remain strong in capital, liquidity, profitability and asset quality while warning that heightened geopolitical uncertainty, market volatility and operational threats require continued vigilance. The assessment highlights increased exposure to external shocks from geopolitical instability, global trade tensions and rising sovereign debt, including higher risk premia on government bonds and more volatile funding markets. Operational risk remains elevated due to cyber threats, fraud and legal risks, with DDoS attacks and ransomware noted as prominent; outsourcing and third-party dependencies are also a growing concern, while the Digital Operational Resilience Act is cited as supporting improvements in incident response. Capital ratios reached record levels supported by organic capital generation and solid profitability, even as net interest income declined, with fee and commission income and cost control helping sustain profits and cost efficiency supported by automation and digitalisation. Liquidity ratios remain above regulatory requirements but buffers have shifted toward sovereign assets, increasing sensitivity to market moves, and some banks may face foreign currency funding and liquidity risks, particularly in USD; increasing interest in stablecoins is flagged as a potential longer-term consideration for funding and liquidity risk management. On the asset side, weak corporate lending contrasted with mortgage-driven growth and increased lending to non-EEA non-bank financial institutions; sovereign exposures rose significantly, while domestic bias eased. Asset quality remains stable with low non-performing loan ratios, but elevated stage 2 loans, especially in commercial real estate and SME portfolios, are identified for close monitoring.
European Banking Authority 2025-12-04
European Banking Authority finds EU and EEA banks remain strongly capitalised and profitable but flags rising geopolitical and operational risks
The European Banking Authority's Autumn 2025 Risk Assessment Report confirms EU/EEA banks' strength in capital, liquidity, profitability, and asset quality but warns of risks from geopolitical instability, market volatility, and operational threats. It highlights increased exposure to external shocks, elevated operational risks from cyber threats, and concerns over outsourcing and third-party dependencies. Despite record capital ratios and stable asset quality, liquidity buffers have shifted towards sovereign assets, raising sensitivity to market changes, with stablecoins noted as a potential future consideration for funding and liquidity risk management.