Norges Bank

Economic Commentaries

The Norwegian market for government securities and covered bonds in view of new liquidity buffer requirements for banks

Author:
Haseeb Syed
Series:
Economic Commentaries
Number:
7/2010

Introduction

In this commentary we look more closely at Norwegian banks’ investment alternatives for meeting proposed new international liquidity buffer requirements. The Basel Committee’s final recommendations for liquidity standards are expected during December 2010. For the time being, Norwegian krone-denominated investment alternatives appear to be Norwegian government securities and possibly covered bonds. The liquidity standards will boost banks’ demand for government securities and perhaps also for covered bonds. It is unclear whether Norwegian covered bonds qualify for inclusion in the liquidity buffer. However, the volume of issued Norwegian
government securities and covered bonds is, to a large degree, associated with the swap arrangement, where the government and banks have swapped Treasury bills for covered bonds for an agreed period. The expiry of the swap arrangement is likely to affect both the size and ownership composition of the government securities and covered bond market.

This series consists of short, signed articles on current economic issues and are only published on Norges Bank’s website.

Published 10 December 2010 14:34
Published 10 December 2010 14:34