The two big banks want to distribute a dividend despite the Corona crisis. The supervisory authority is asking the banks to refrain. Otherwise, stricter capital requirements apply to them.
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Hopes the major banks will waive dividends: Finma boss Mark Branson at the media conference of the Federal Council on the rescue package for the economy.
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The crash between big banks and financial market regulator Finma is entering the next round. At a media conference last Wednesday, Finma boss Mark Branson asked the banks to waive the dividend this year in order to have a thicker cushion for the corona crisis. The Federal Council supported this course on Friday. However, both Credit Suisse and UBS have so far retained the distribution. UBS announced on Monday that the bank plans to pay a dividend, Credit Suisse announced Tuesday before Branson’s appearance.
The Finma is now tightening the tone. She writes in one Message: “Banks whose general meetings nevertheless decided or are to decide to distribute a dividend for the 2019 financial year after this press conference will reduce the equity capital released by the relief to the extent of the planned or then actually made dividend.” The banks have received capital relief to prepare themselves for the crisis. Should you nevertheless distribute a dividend, some of the relief will be lifted again.
UBS takes note of Finma’s decision. The CS did not respond to a short-term request.
Other major European banks waive dividends and thus follow the instructions of the European Central Bank. The institutes ABN Amro, ING, Rabobank or UniCredit do not pay out a distribution.
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