In anticipation of the April 7^th meeting with the G20, on April 6, 2021, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a letter from Chair, Randall K. Charles entitled, To G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors. The letter discusses Covid-19 support ramifications, FSB's support of the progress made on Too-Big-To-Fail (TBTF) reforms for banks, and emphasizes the importance of focusing on climate change issues as they relate to financial services.

The letter includes mention of the report the FSB and delivered to the G20 on April 6, entitled, COVID-19 support measures Extending, amending and ending. Notably, the report states that “withdrawal of support measures before the macroeconomic outlook has stabilised could be associated with significant immediate risks to financial stability.” The FSB, however, maintains that support measures could exist past the point of being helpful and that financial stability risks will start to grow; but admittedly, the FSB acknowledges that “most authorities currently believe that the costs of premature withdrawal of support could be more significant than maintaining support for too long”, and that flexibility and a “state-contingent approach” could minimize risks.

The letter goes on to endorse TBTF reforms but highlights vulnerabilities within non-bank financial intermediation or NBFI (insurance firms, venture capitalists, currency exchanges, some microloan organizations, and pawn shops); and lastly, discusses sustainable finance and climate change issues. FSB deliverables to the G20 (due in July) include two reports “on ways to promote consistent, high-quality climate disclosures in line with the recommendations of the Task Force for Climate-related Financial Disclosures; and on the data necessary for the assessment of financial stability risks and related data gaps.” The FSB will also present a roadmap to the G20 on climate-related financial risk, and coordinate with the G20 in developing their sustainable finance roadmap.

More information on the FSB’s letter, To G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Govenors; and report on COVID-19 Support Measures Extending, Amending an Ending, can be viewed here.