The ax fell at 18 o'clock. No real surprise, most banks in Europe has successfully passed the stress tests or stress tests. The statements had multiplied in recent days on the expected results. The exercise was not without risk. If all banks successful tests, they lose their credibility. If too many banks fail, they would have to recapitalize the markets. The question is whether these tests were too lenient. That said it is too early to tell.
In total only seven of 91 major European banks subject to tests of resistance have been realigned, as the Committee of European Regulators (CEBS), which means they will raise funds to strengthen their financial position. They may need to raise 3.5 billion euros.By comparison, 10 of 19 U.S. banks had been tested in early 2009 over the obstacle.
CONCERE tests in Europe, there are five Spanish banks (Civica Cajasur, Unnim, and Espiga Diada), a Greek bank (Atebank) and Germany's Hypo Real Estate. No major surprises so. The institutions cited were regularly advertised as the most fragile. Note that none of the seven institutions is listed on the Exchange. Among the banks that failed this test, regulators believe that capital requirements are the most important elements in establishing German Hypo Real Estate (HRE), which needs to 1.245 billion euros to raise the minimum, and The Spanish savings bank Diada (Caixa Catalunya, Caixa Tarragona Caixa Manresa), too short of 1.032 billion.
Among the 84 banks that have successfully passed the tests, several lie exactly at the required level, a ratio "Tier One" 6%.It is the establishment Greek Piraeus Bank, and Spanish banks Banco Pastor, Caja Sol, while many German regional banks and savings banks in Spain will fall only slightly above 6%. C This is also where the largest Slovenian bank Nova Ljubljanska Banka (NLB) which displays a level of 6.3% and decided, therefore, increase its capital on its own initiative.
Analysts reviews
"It was too lenient. We anticipated the failure of 10 banks, but only seven have failed. No institution has failed side. This has dispelled any fears that existed until now and all questions were asked before (stress tests) will continue to be asked "critic James Hughes, market analyst at CMC Capital in London.
For Chris Rupkey, economist at Mitsubishi UFJ in New York, "The monetary authorities need to reassure international investors and to show skeptics that European banks are sound from a financial point of view. Despite the questions about transparency and the fact that stress tests are not subject to stress tests U.S. last year, I think these tests will begin to concerns about the eurozone behind us. There could be an initial disappointment leading to some selling on Monday at the reopening of markets, but the market will quickly pass over. " He continued: "The market was asking too much at once. At one stage it was thought that U.S. banks drank the cup in terms of equity because there was significant depreciation of their assets in mortgages.This was not true, so it is not "fair" that the market wants to see a decline in the value of sovereign debt in the euro area in the accounts of banks'
European regulators have scrutinized the 91 largest banks in the European Union to ensure that their capital levels are sufficient to enable them to cope with shocks even more severe than the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers in September 2008, which sparked a near-collapse of global financial markets. Banks unable to maintain a ratio of Tier 1 capital of at least 6% by end 2011 in the hardest of these scenarios will be considered as having failed the tests.
France has fully passed the examination, the four banks involved in these tests (BNP Paribas, Societe Generale, Credit Agricoleet BPCE-Banque Populaire Caisse d'Epargne) have shown that they retain a sufficient level of funds in proportion different scenarios.
French banks "among the strongest"
The "brand of French banks is really a very strong resilience, welcomed Christian Noyer, governor of the Bank of France, with the results of these tests, commissioned by the European Commission and organized by the CEBS (Committee European Banking Supervisors). With these results, show that French banks "are among the strongest in Europe," says the Bank of France again.These results were "predictable" because they are "in line with the results obtained in tests conducted regularly in France and the demonstrated ability of French banks weather the recent crisis," he added.
Banks were tested maintain a level of equity called "Tier One" (reported capital commitments of the bank) of 6% for the regulator considers that they had passed the test. However, tests have shown that if stress of a major financial crisis, the ratio of cumulative four French banks would fall to 9.3% at end 2011 against 9.9% in late 2009.For Christian Noyer, even in cases of "adverse scenario, the banks maintain a" level of income in 2010 and 2011 roughly the same as in 2009.
"Cum laude" for Christine Lagarde
The Minister of Economy Christine Lagarde, who in the columns of Le Figaro said it had "full confidence on the health of French banks said they had succeeded in" hands down "the exam. "The French banks have passed the exam, I would say: with honors," she said."The test was particularly difficult," ruled the economy minister, stressing that the simulation was at once assumed an economic recession and crisis of sovereign debt of countries of the European Union.
"It's obviously a matter for satisfaction," she said, "because it means we will be able to finance the economy, finance households, businesses, and the distrust of markets should now disappear, given this exercise in transparency. " "These good results reflect the overall strength of the French banking and in particular the significant strengthening of the capital of French banks in recent months, and exposure to sovereign risk control," she said in a statement ."They demonstrate the relevance of the model of regulation and supervision of French, based on a demanding approach to risk prevention," stressed the minister, who said "the efforts of French authorities during the financial crisis in 2008 and 2009 stabilizing the French financial system have borne fruit. "
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