In a written overview prepared for an exchange of views with the Eurogroup, European Central Bank Banking Supervision said euro area banks remain well capitalised and liquid but face a more challenging risk environment as the war in the Middle East adds to broader geopolitical tensions. It identified three main transmission channels for banks, namely higher credit risk from weaker growth and higher inflation, market and funding stress including spillovers from non-bank finance and private credit, and heightened cyber risk. The overview argues that resilience should be preserved through full Basel III implementation rather than lower capital requirements, alongside deeper integration of EU banking markets. Aggregate metrics for significant institutions in 2025 remained strong, with a Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of around 16%, a leverage ratio slightly below 6%, a liquidity coverage ratio of 159% and a net stable funding ratio of 127%. Return on equity stood at around 10%. The shift to the revised Capital Requirements Regulation has left capital requirements practically unchanged so far because of phase-in arrangements, temporary provisions and banks' balance sheet adjustments. Requirements under the Digital Operational Resilience Act and the 2024 cyber resilience stress test have improved preparedness, but banks still need stronger vulnerability management and better detection and response capabilities. The 2025 EU-wide stress test showed the sector can absorb losses in a common adverse geopolitical scenario, and in 2026 banks are being asked to identify a scenario that would cause a pre-determined capital depletion and explain how they would mitigate it through risk management and contingency planning. On market structure, the overview calls for banks to invest in digital transition and innovation, for further integration of EU banking markets, and for capital and liquidity to move within cross-border groups in the banking union where supervisory requirements are met. It also prioritises a European deposit insurance scheme with a clear implementation timetable, a stronger EU framework for liquidity in resolution, more streamlined and standardised supervision, and welcomes the European Commission's market integration package, including more centralised supervision of significant capital market participants.
European Central Bank - Banking Supervision 2026-05-04
European Central Bank Banking Supervision warns geopolitical shocks could test euro area banks and calls for full Basel III implementation and completion of banking union
ECB Banking Supervision told the Eurogroup that euro area banks remain well capitalised and liquid but face heightened credit, market and cyber risks from geopolitical tensions, and urged preserving resilience through full Basel III implementation and deeper EU banking integration rather than lower capital requirements. The 2025 EU-wide stress test confirmed banks can absorb losses under an adverse geopolitical scenario, while 2026 work will focus on bank-specific capital depletion scenarios and mitigation plans. The overview also calls for stronger cyber capabilities, greater cross-border capital and liquidity mobility, a European deposit insurance scheme, an enhanced EU liquidity-in-resolution framework, and more centralised supervision of major capital market participants.