De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) wants to safeguard a stable financial system. This requires sound financial institutions that operate with integrity. This is necessary to ensure a sustainable economy in the Netherlands. We warn against risks that could affect the system as a whole, and issue advice. We also improve the financial system's resilience by demanding that financial institutions reinforce their buffers.
Robust
The financial system is at the heart of the economy. It allows you to save, borrow and invest. It also ensures that you can pay safely and quickly, and that you can cover financial risks that you do not want to or are unable to bear. These things are often taken for granted, but they are essential to the functioning of the economy. That is why it is important that the financial system is robust and that it continues to function under less favourable economic circumstances.
Financial Stability Report
De Nederlandsche Bank monitors the stability of the financial system. Every six months, we publish our Financial Stability Report (FSR), in which we identify the risks to the financial system. We published the most recent version on 11 October 2021. The FSR includes a risk map showing the principal risks to financial stability in the Netherlands.
What are the risks for the financial stability at this moment?
In our most recent Financial Stability Report, we indicated that the economic crisis caused by the pandemic is now over. At the same time, various risks are continuing to build up. For instance, spurred on by low interest rates, financial markets have been on a search for yield for some time now. Investors are increasingly taking risks, driving up prices for risky investments. These can quickly come under pressure when inflation and interest rates rise. Risks are also increasing in the housing market. Buyers are taking more risks, by for example taking out a mortgage at the limit of what their income permits. In the latest Financial Stability Report, we also devote a lot of attention to climate risks.
A stable financial system continues to function during economic slowdowns, if banks or pension funds run into trouble, or if stock markets crash. In other words, it is a robust and resilient system that can absorb shocks and contribute to sustainable economic growth in the Netherlands. We cannot allow the financial system itself to become a source of disruption in the economy. A stable financial system also guarantees sufficient financial buffers.
How does DNB know if the financial system is stable?
We look at various areas to assess the stability of the financial system. To do this, we use a large number of indicators, such as an increasing amount of loans (credit growth), rapidly rising real estate prices and the amount of cash that banks are holding (liquidity). For example, strong credit growth associated with strongly rising real estate prices is often an indication of (future) instability.
With the ongoing digitalisation of financial services, cyber threats are posing increasing risks for the financial sector. In a new study, DNB investigates under which circumstances a cyber incident at a financial institution could develop into a threat for the financial system as a whole.
After a strong recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, the war in Ukraine and high inflation have worsened the economic outlook and increased financial stability risks. In addition to the enormous humanitarian consequences in Ukraine itself, the economic and financial impact of the war...
On May 11, Klaas Knot spoke at the International Swaps and Derivatives Association in Madrid in his capacity as chairman of the Financial Stability Board (FSB). He talked about the current challenges to global financial stability and the measures being taken by the FSB to address them.