The Australian Prudential Regulation agency ( APRA ) has told local banks they do not have to raise yet more capital to meet global standards , which is a relief to those already facing stricter standards . The regulator did have the option under Basel regulatory rules that required banks to build a " countercyclical capital buffer " of up to 50 percent of risk - weighted assets , however , the APRA chose to set the buffer at zero . S&P 's analyst , mark DeLange , said the move by banks did nothing to challenge the agency 's assessment of the bank 's capital position , stating " they are adequate " .
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has told local banks they do not have to raise yet more capital to meet global rules, which is a relief to those already facing stricter standards. The regulator did have the option under Basel III rules that required banks to build a "countercyclical capital buffer" of up to 2.5% of risk-weighted assets, however, the APRA chose to set the buffer at zero. S&P's analyst, Nico DeLange, said the move by APRA did nothing to challenge the agency's assessment of the bank's capital position, stating "they are adequate".