Funding woes build for majors
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24/05/2011 2:00:00 AM
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APRA has released new capital requirements for Australian banks, while massive short-selling yesterday saw the banking index shed $8bn.
Overseas investors fled from the banks yesterday amid speculation Australia's banking system is too exposed to residential property, which is perceived as overvalued by many overseas analysts. Meanwhile, APRA's released new capital requirements in a bid to better reflect the risks inherent in banks' trading and securitisation activities. The regulator said the amendments, which are an enhancement on Basel II requirements, will have "only a limited impact on ADIs, which largely avoided higher-risk trading activities during the global financial crisis".
The amendments come as ANZ CEO Mike Smith told Bloomberg sovereign debt concerns in Europe could see funding become more expensive, raising the possibility of more out-of-cycle moves by the banks.
"Europe, frankly, shows no sign of actually sorting out its problems. That will mean raising funds will just be a bit more expensive. That is the reality," Smith told Bloomberg.
Adding to the banks' potential funding woes is a mooted Standard & Poor's ratings review. Moody's last week downgraded the majors' credit ratings in a move that was dismissed by the banks as largely expected.
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