Norway keeps countercyclical bank buffer unchanged

Sparebanken Ost

17/12/2015 09:01

OSLO, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Norway will not make additional 
changes to its countercyclical capital buffer requirement for 
banks following a recent hike, the Finance Ministry said in a 
statement on Thursday. 
    The decision was in line with a recommendation from the 
central bank. 
    In June the ministry decided that banks must hold a 
countercyclical buffer of 1.5 percent from June 30 2016. 
    The buffer, set by the ministry, aims to force banks to 
accumulate extra capital during boom periods on top of buffers 
required by international authorities. 
    Norway's central bank kept its main interest rate unchanged 
on Thursday and said rates may fall in 2016 to support a 
weakening economy.  ID:nEONFCF0SB  
 
 (Reporting by Terje Solsvik) 
 ((terje.solsvik@thomsonreuters.com; +47 918 666 70; Reuters 
Messaging: terje.solsvik.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) 
 
Keywords: NORWAY BANKS/BUFFER