Reserve Bank stress test shows more bank capital is unneccesary

Reserve Bank stress test shows more bank capital is unneccesary
Governor Adrian Orr may have predetermined the bank capital review's outcome. (Photo: NZME)
Jenny Ruth
Every year these days, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand asks the banks to test some grim economic scenario and each year the banks show they can manage through the various economic hellscapes without even having to eat into their capital.And the point about banks’ capital is that it’s supposed to be a buffer protecting their customers should quite catastrophic scenarios unfold.NZ’s big four banks have long held more capital than their Australian parents. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority regards banks with at...

More Finance

BNZ unfazed by surcharge ban amid Payap push
Finance

BNZ unfazed by surcharge ban amid Payap push

BNZ says its 'Swerve the surcharge' ads were planned ahead of the ban.

Gregor Thompson 26 Aug 2025
ComCom taking Westpac to court over CCCFA breach
Finance

ComCom taking Westpac to court over CCCFA breach

More than 14,000 Westpac customers affected by CCCFA breach, ComCom said.

Garth Bray 25 Aug 2025
Stop raising bank capital ratios now, says competition report
Finance

Stop raising bank capital ratios now, says competition report

Select committee recommends an immediate end to increasing capital ratios. 

Pattrick Smellie 22 Aug 2025