Financial stability and depositor protection

About this book

Recent months have seen a period of sustained turbulence and instability in global financial markets, with financial firms across the world affected. In Britain, the Northern Rock bank experienced a run on its deposits. The Government announced a review of the existing supervisory regime, including complex areas such as the legal framework for dealing with banks facing difficulties. This consultation document sets out the views of the Government, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and the Bank of England, responding to a discussion paper "Banking reform - protecting depositors" (HM Treasury, October 2007, http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/6/3/consult_bankingreform111007.pdf). This paper also takes into consideration the Treasury Committee's report "The run on the Rock" (5th report session 2007-08, HC 56-I, ISBN 9780215038388). The Government proposes to bring forward legislation to address five key objectives: (1) strengthening the financial system - better risk and liquidity management by banks, and improvements in valuation and credit rating agencies; (2) reducing the likelihood of banks failing - strengthening the supervisory framework and changing framework for provision…