Overview of Basel III Implementation Most Relevant for Cocos

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision [BCBS], or “Basel Committee” according to its new charter (BCBS, 2013a), is the primary global standard-setter for the prudential regulation of banks and provides a forum for cooperation on banking supervisory matters. Since its establishment in 1974, the Basel Committee's mandate has been to strengthen the regulation, supervision and risk management practices of banks worldwide with the purpose of enhancing financial stability and contributing to “a level playing field” among internationally active banks. The current set of standards, first proposed in 2010–2011, is known as Basel III. The Committee's Secretariat is located in Basel, Switzerland, at the Bank for International Settlements [BIS]. The BIS is an International Financial Institution [IFI] founded in 1930. It now provides a coordination platform and technical support for central banks, and has regulatory and supervisory authority in drafting financial standards and regulations. Once finalized and adopted by the relevant committee such as the BCBS, these standards and regulations are proposed for adoption both by national regulators and for implementation by internationally-active financial institutions under their jurisdiction…