Banking supervision glossary

There are four reasons why a bank can be declared failing or likely to fail: (i) it no longer fulfils the requirements for authorisation by the supervisor; (ii) it has more liabilities than assets; (iii) it is unable to pay its debts as they fall due; (iv) it requires extraordinary financial public support. At the time of declaring a bank failing or likely to fail, one of the above conditions must be met or be likely to be met.

An international body that promotes international financial stability. It does so by coordinating national financial authorities and international standard-setting bodies as they work towards developing strong regulatory, supervisory and other financial sector policies. It fosters a level playing field by encouraging coherent implementation of these policies across sectors and jurisdictions.

financial reporting

foundation internal ratings-based approach

Supervisory authorities assess whether candidates for the management bodies in banks are fit and proper. The ECB takes such fit and proper decisions for directors of significant banks (i.e. the banks it directly supervises), whereas fit and proper decisions for less significant institutions are taken by the national supervisors, except where a new banking licence is being granted.

financial market infrastructure

See failing or likely to fail (FOLTF)

See Financial Stability Board (FSB)