Pre-positioning for Open Bank Resolution

Pre-positioning for Open Bank Resolution

The Reserve Bank today released a consultation paper on the pre-positioning requirements that banks will be expected to comply with to fully implement the Open Bank Resolution (OBR) policy, as referred to by the Minister of Finance in his statement on 11 March 2011.

Open Bank Resolution is a long-standing policy option aimed at resolving a bank failure quickly, in such a way that the bank can be kept open for business, thus minimising stresses on the overall banking and payments system.

Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Grant Spencer said: “The OBR policy provides for continuity of core banking services to retail customers and businesses, while placing the cost of a bank failure primarily on the bank’s shareholders and creditors rather than the taxpayer.

“The global financial crisis highlighted the potentially enormous fiscal cost associated with supporting troubled banks. The government therefore needs OBR to be an operational and effective policy option for containing the cost of a bank failure, while not threatening the safety of the overall financial system.”

Banks are being consulted on the systems requirements that are needed to ensure the concept can be put into operation.

Mr Spencer said: “The design of major Reserve Bank prudential policies such as outsourcing and local incorporation will help to facilitate the implementation of OBR. The pre-positioning of banks’ internal systems represents the next stage in that implementation process.”

Submissions for the consultation paper close on 30 June 2011.

The consultation paper can be accessed on the Bank’s website http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/finstab/banking/.

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