Identification of other systemically important institutions (O-SIIs) in Greece for 2023 and setting of O-SII buffer rates for 2024
31/10/2023 - Press Releases
- The Bank of Greece identified other systemically important institutions (O-SIIs) for the year 2023 in Greece and set O-SII buffer rates for the year 2024.
- The methodology applied by the Bank of Greece to identify O-SIIs and set O-SII buffer rates is set out in a relevant Executive Committee Act.
The Bank of Greece identified as other systemically important institutions (O-SIIs) in Greece for the year 2023, on a consolidated basis: Alpha Services and Holdings S.A., Eurobank Ergasias Services and Holdings S.A., National Bank of Greece S.A., and Piraeus Financial Holdings S.A.; and on a solo basis: Alpha Bank S.A., Eurobank S.A., National Bank of Greece S.A., and Piraeus Bank S.A.
It also set the O-SII buffer rate for the year 2024 at 1.25% for Eurobank Ergasias Services and Holdings S.A. on a consolidated basis, and at 1.00% for: Alpha Services and Holdings S.A. on a consolidated basis, Alpha Bank S.A. on a solo basis, Eurobank S.A. on a solo basis, National Bank of Greece S.A. on a solo and on a consolidated basis, Piraeus Financial Holdings S.A. on a consolidated basis, and Piraeus Bank S.A. on a solo basis, with effect from 1 January 2024.
The methodology applied by the Bank of Greece for identifying other systemically important institutions (O-SIIs) and setting O-SII buffer rates is described in Executive Committee Act 221/1/17.10.2023 (Government Gazette B 6141, 25/10/2023).
In accordance with this methodology, a score is calculated for each institution indicating its systemic importance based on specific criteria that relate to size, importance for the economy of Greece and the European Union, significance of cross-border activity, including the complexities arising from cross-border activity, and the institution’s interconnectedness with the financial system. These four criteria each consist of mandatory indicators, which are used as a minimum in the calculation of each institution’s score, expressed in basis points (bps). Institutions with a score higher than a threshold 350 bps are identified as O-SIIs because of their systemic importance.
More information:
The O-SII buffer is a macroprudential policy instrument aiming at reducing moral hazard and strengthening the resilience of systemically important institutions. In this context, moral hazard arises when an institution expects not to be let to fail given its systemic importance (“too big to fail”). The O-SII buffer consists of Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital and its rate is set by the Bank of Greece at a level up to 3% of the total risk exposure amount or higher than 3% subject to European Commission authorisation.
More information on macroprudential policy can be found here.
Related links:
Bank of Greece Executive Committee Act 221/1/17.10.2023
Bank of Greece Executive Committee Act 221/2/17.10.2023