APRA postpones liquidity crackdown for small banks

Ian Rogers

Smaller banks will be able to continue to recognise their holdings of the debt of other banks for liquidity purposes, aat least for a time.

Yesterday APRA released a response to submissions on their targeted reforms to bank liquidity and capital requirements which they announced in November.

Following the consideration of industry feedback to APRA's consultation letter, APRA will:

•    Defer policy changes to APS 210 regarding the composition of liquid assets to APRA's planned broader review of liquidity risk due to commence next year. This is to allow a more holistic review of the MLH regime. APRA will undertake supervisory actions with ADIs with material concentrations of bank debt securities as liquid assets.

•    Proceed with the proposed policy changes on market valuations for liquid assets from 1 July 2025.

•    Proceed with the proposed improved processes for exceptional liquidity assistance (ELA) from 1 July 2025.

For those smaller banks subject to the Minimum Liquidity Holdings regime, APRA shared advice and a warning.

"APRA envisages that MLH ADI boards will determine a suitable glidepath tailored for their ADI and take into account their ADI's individual circumstances.