Baselkommitténs

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, often referred to as the Basel Committee or BCBS, is the primary global standard-setter for the prudential regulation of banks. Established in 1974 by the central bank governors of the Group of Ten (G10) countries, its purpose is to enhance financial stability by improving the quality of banking supervision worldwide. The Committee meets regularly at the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) in Basel, Switzerland, hence its name.

The BCBS develops broad supervisory standards and guidelines for banking regulation, aiming to foster a level playing field for internationally active banks and to strengthen the safety and soundness of the banking system. Its work focuses on areas such as capital adequacy, liquidity, stress testing, and risk management. The most well-known output of the Committee is the Basel Accords, a series of recommendations on banking regulations issued in 1988 (Basel I), 2004 (Basel II), and 2017 (Basel III). These accords set minimum capital requirements for banks, designed to ensure that banks hold sufficient capital to absorb unexpected losses.

The Committee's membership comprises representatives from the central banks and supervisory authorities of major economies. While the BCBS itself does not have the legal authority to enforce its standards, its member jurisdictions are expected to implement the agreed-upon recommendations into their national regulations. This approach relies on peer pressure and a shared commitment to global financial stability to ensure widespread adoption and effectiveness of its guidelines. The BCBS plays a crucial role in the international financial architecture, contributing to the resilience of the global banking system.