The COVID-19 pandemic represents the biggest test of the post-crisis financial system to date. The global financial system faces the dual challenge to sustain the flow of credit amidst declining growth and manage heightened risks. Nevertheless, the global financial system is more resilient and better placed to sustain financing to the real economy as a result of the G20 regulatory reforms in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis.
The FSB is closely monitoring the resilience of key nodes in the financial system that are critical for financial stability. These include: the ability of financial institutions and markets to channel funds to the real economy; the ability of market participants around the world to obtain US dollar funding, particularly in emerging markets; the ability of financial intermediaries, such as investment funds, to effectively manage liquidity risk; and the ability of market participants and financial market infrastructures (including central counterparties) to manage evolving counterparty risks.
The report sets out five principles that underpin the official community’s rapid and coordinated response to support the real economy, maintain financial stability and minimise the risk of market fragmentation. Using these principles, authorities will: monitor and share information on a timely basis to assess and address financial stability risks from COVID-19; recognise and use the flexibility built into existing financial standards to support our response; seek opportunities to temporarily reduce operational burdens on firms and authorities; act consistently with international standards, and not roll back reforms or compromise the underlying objectives of existing international standards; and coordinate on the future timely unwinding of the temporary measures taken.
On the basis of these principles, the FSB is supporting international cooperation and coordination on the COVID-19 response in three ways. First, the FSB is regularly sharing information among financial authorities on evolving financial stability threats on the policy measures that financial authorities are taking or are considering, and on the effects of those policies. Second, the FSB is assessing potential vulnerabilities in order to better understand the impacts of COVID-19 on financial markets in individual jurisdictions and across the globe and inform discussions of policy issues. Third, FSB members are coordinating on their responses to policy issues, including measures that standard-setting bodies and national authorities take to provide flexibility within international standards or reduce operational burdens.