Resilient NZ banking sector could use deeper capital buffers, closer supervision, IMF says

Resilient NZ banking sector could use deeper capital buffers, closer supervision, IMF says
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth May 9 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand's major banks should be able to withstand a severe economic downturn, with profits helping cushion the blow, but could use deeper capital buffers, says the International Monetary Fund.  In one of two reports on New Zealand, the global body of 189 member countries set up to foster international monetary cooperation, recommends the Reserve Bank raise the minimum levels capital lenders need to hold to absorb losses to help strengthen the macroprudential framework, with the system dominated by...