The Italian government has obtained from the European Commission to be able to provide government guarantees to banks when they collect money on the market. The choice is “precautionary”, to be used in case of a sudden lack of liquidity, but confirms how delicate the situation of the banking sector. Here in Bratislava, Slovak Finance Minister Peter Kazimir, who now chairs the Ecofin for six months, was, however, expressed confidence on financial stability in Europe.
In a statement, the EU executive has confirmed the authorization granted to Italy and arrived at the weekend, three days after the publication of data on the British referendum with which the UK opted to want to leave the Union. The English choice has caused waves of nervousness in the financial markets, in particular by penalizing the Italian banks burdened by credit sufferings. The scheme authorized by Brussels is valid for six months, until the end of the year.
The government guarantees can be used by banks to facilitate refinancing on the market when there is a sudden shortage of cash. Under the Community rules, these guarantees are an exception to the rules on State aid, and may be granted only to solvent banks. “The scheme proposed by the Italian Government was considered in line with the guidelines on state aid to banks”, said a spokesman in Brussels.
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the guarantees would amount to 150 billion Euros, according to rumors gathered in Brussels and not denied. In a brief statement yesterday afternoon, the EU executive explained that the measure is “precautionary.” A spokesperson then stated: “There is no expectation that this scheme is to be used.” At the height of the financial crisis almost all countries enjoyed this facility. Today five states are choosing it: besides Italy also Cyprus, Portugal, Poland and Greece.
The announcement comes at a very sensitive time in the financial markets and in the domestic banking sector, while the Italian government is negotiating with the European Commission of any recapitalization of the most troubled banks (see Sole 24 Ore on 29 and 30 June). The negotiation is complicated because injections of public money into the capital of banks are required by European rules only in exceptional circumstances and under specific conditions.
The decision announced yesterday, says Brussels, “shows that there are many solutions that can be used in full compliance with EU rules in response to the market turmoil.”
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The sentence is not anodyne. The negotiation of a comprehensive package of measures to support the banking sector is complicated by the fact that Rome did controversial requests. Not everyone in Brussels believe that the moment is exceptional, to allow the use of the flexibility provided by European standards.
Speaking yesterday here in Bratislava, the Minister Kazimir has denied there are risks to financial stability ” we survive to this situation (…). After an initial decline, prices have edged up. ” Asked if there is room to review the rules on capital requirements: “The Italian vision on the note with the Directive BRRD acronym is not only linked to Brexit. We know it’s an important issue for Italy. Honestly, I do not see room for further exceptions’ in addition to those already provided by the rules.
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According to the same Kazimir – who as president of ‘ Ecofin wants to promote a number of dossiers such as banking union, the fiscal capacity of the euro area and the financial parachute to the Fund only bank resolution – the English story will not have “a detrimental impact on the European economy.” For its part, in Brussels, the vice president of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis has assured that “the immediate priority is to calm the markets and restore confidence.”
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