Review of the systemic risk buffer (SyRB)

In April 2024, Banca d'Italia decided to apply an SyRB, equal to 1.0 per cent of credit and counterparty risk-weighted exposures to Italian residents, to all banks authorized to operate in Italy. The target rate - which became fully effective at the end of June last year - must be reviewed at least every two years.

Following the review, Banca d'Italia decided to keep the buffer rate at its current level, which banks are therefore required to continue to hold. The SyRB continues to apply at both consolidated and individual level.[1]

The buffer strengthens the capacity of the Italian banking system to deal with possible adverse events, including those unrelated to the economic-financial cycle. If such events occur, Banca d'Italia's release of the buffer will provide banks with useful resources to absorb losses and support the supply of credit to the economy.

Banca d'Italia will re-evaluate the level of the buffer at least every two years (or sooner if circumstances so require).

A public consultation on the revision of the macroprudential buffer was held from 20 February to 6 March; no comments were received that would justify a change in the level of the buffer currently in force.

[1] The requirement must be calculated based on the sum of exposures to Italian residents in row 170, column 90 of COREP Table C09.01 and row 150, column 125 of COREP Table C09.02.

Sezione di approfondimento