Latest News

US banks deal with environment risk information difficulties, Fed analysis programs

U.S. banks face substantial information and modeling challenges in predicting the effect of climate change on their loan books, the Federal Reserve stated on Thursday after its very first analysis on the concern.

In the exercise, undertaken over numerous months in 2023, the reserve bank intended to comprehend how lending institutions would manage the threats of increasing temperatures and changing external policies.

They found a wide variety of methods, the report said. In lots of cases, the lending institutions depend on external suppliers to fill out gaps in data and modeling.

Individuals suggested that climate-related threats are highly unsure and challenging to measure, the report said.

The participating banks were the country's biggest: Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo.

Spokespeople for Morgan Stanley and Citigroup decreased to comment. Representatives for the other banks did not right away respond to requests for remark.

Banks attended to both prospective losses from hurricanes and other natural disasters, and the impacts of changing policies.

The European Central Bank (ECB) and Bank of England ( BoE) have also directed banks to do environment danger analysis in recent years.

Some market experts argue environment dangers could endanger trillions of dollars of possessions, but others question whether presently offered research shows climate modification posturing a. severe instant risk to bank stability in the very same method that a. economic crisis could.

Unlike tension tests the Fed performs to see if banks. can keep financing in a decline, this exercise will not affect. capital requirements.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell has said the reserve bank will not. attempt to utilize policy for climate objectives, and should stick to. handling risks to the banking system.

This contrasts with the ECB and BoE, where authorities say. they wish to support the energy transition and both have stated. banks need to act to handle climate risks. Both reserve banks. have published price quotes of the potential expenses of ecological. policies and weather condition events.

The Fed did not offer price quotes of how much cash. banks may lose.

A personal document prepared by Citigroup as part of the. exercise revealed a fairly little hypothetical hit to the. bank's books, reported this month.

(source: Reuters)