Basel III : The Three Pillars, Capital Adequacy, Liquidity and Leverage Ratios Explained: How updates to the Basel Framework since the financial crisis have strengthened the banking system

“The author has drawn on his significant personal experience and diligently created a high-quality reference document which helps readers unravel the many mysteries of the Basel requirements, and how these may in turn impact their businesses. Whilst the Basel requirements can be very technical, this book has filled a gap in that it explains them in an easy-to-follow way which will appeal to readers of differing experience from new recruits up to board members”.
Peter Shaw, Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Risk Committee for Esure and Willis Ltd and, previously in similar roles at Aldermore Bank and Bank of Ireland UK

“This book provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of how the regulatory framework evolved, what constitutes its current incarnation and how the framework is put into practice by banks and other financial institutions of all sizes and jurisdictions. The provision of clear practical examples helps the reader absorb the technicalities of the regulations and see how the framework is applied in real settings”.
Chris Sparks, Chief Risk Officer, Atom Bank

“Basel III by its nature is a wide ranging and at times dry and complicated. This book is a valuable and versatile resource being an extensive study with an easy-to-understand narrative across the whole topic. In addition, it is a handy reference tool for when one needs to revisit or check any specific area. A must have for risk professionals across all levels”.
Paul Howard, Group Chief Risk Officer, Bank ABC

During the financial crisis governments and central banks had to take coordinated action to prevent well-known banks, such as the Royal Bank of Scotland, from collapsing and to reinvigorate financial markets. As the dust settled it soon became obvious that there were serious flaws in the then prevailing regulatory framework, known as Basel II. Within a few years substantial changes to this framework, referred to as Basel III, were agreed in principle but it took more than ten years for its final details to be finalised.

In this context, this book provides an overview of Basel requirements in a readily understandable and logical format. In doing so the book not only provides a description of the key elements of Basel requirements, now referred to as the Basel Framework, but an explanation of how they have evolved, and why, and the challenges that bank management have faced in implementing them. It also sets out the issues and challenges that management, from board level down, face on an ongoing basis as they seek to run a profitable banking operation whilst endeavouring to meet regulatory and other stakeholders’ expectations.

The book also addresses the questions as to whether the updated requirements have helped level the playing field for banks and have they strengthened banks and financial markets. In this regards it should be clear to readers that, despite implementation continuing to be a work in progress, the changes already embedded by banks has made them much more resilient as evidenced by their ability to absorb the impacts of Covid-19 without raising concerns over their ongoing viability.