Earlier this month, federal banking regulators announced they will delay the Basel III capital requirements. As part of the new international capital standards, Basel III rules would increase the minimum levels of required capital, change the definition of capital and alter how risk weights are calculated for different types of assets. While banking regulators believe the rules will reduce the possibility of future financial crises, community banks feel it will limit their lending ability.
Many banks were also concerned that they wouldn’t have enough time to understand the rules or make the necessary changes before it took effect on January 1. Both small and large banks will be required to comply with the proposed rules, however, community banks have signed a petition asking to be exempt from the requirements. So far, there are no new implementation dates in the works. For more information, please visit the Birmingham Business Journal.