At the 21st International Conference of Banking Supervisors, senior banking supervisors and central bankers discussed issues related to the future
- At the 21st International Conference of Banking Supervisors, senior banking supervisors and central bankers discussed issues related to the future of banking supervision in a changing world.
- Discussions covered the digitalisation of finance and the evolution of banking models, operational resilience, climate-related financial risks and remote working arrangements.
- This was the first time the Basel Committee has worked with a host country to offer a completely virtual conference.
The 21st International Conference of Banking Supervisors (ICBS), hosted virtually by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) and the Bank of Canada, was held on 19-22 October 2020. Approximately 450 senior banking supervisors and central bankers representing close to 100 countries took part.
Delegates discussed a wide range of issues related to the future of banking supervision in a changing world. The discussions covered the digitalisation of finance and the evolution of banking models, operational resilience, climate-related financial risks and remote working arrangements. Participants also exchanged views on the challenges for central banks and bank supervisors in advanced and emerging market economies during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as adapting to the changing operating environment for central banks and supervisors.
The event included several panel discussions and keynote speeches by Pablo Hernández de Cos, Chair of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and Governor of the Bank of Spain, and Prithwiraj Choudhury, Associate Professor at Harvard Business School.
This successful event marks the first time that the Basel Committee has worked with a host country to offer a completely virtual conference.
The ICBS, which has been held every two years since 1979, brings together bank supervisors and central bankers from around the world as well as representatives of international financial institutions. The conference promotes the discussion of key supervisory issues and fosters the continuing cooperation in the oversight of international banking. With its wide membership of senior supervisors and policymakers, the ICBS presents a unique opportunity for a broad-based discussion on issues that are timely and relevant to supervisors in both advanced and emerging market economies.
This virtual ICBS lived up to our high expectations of providing a forum for central bankers and supervisors to discuss current challenges and the future of banking supervision in a fast-moving world. A critical element to see through the changes is the implementation of all aspects of the Basel Framework by our members.
I am very proud that OSFI co-hosted this event on behalf of Canada. Now more than ever, it is important that banking supervisors can come together and share their experiences and perspectives. Reimagining this year’s ICBS as a model for the “conference of the future” ensured that we were able to do so.
My sincere thanks to all the personnel at the Basel Committee, OSFI and the Bank of Canada, whose hard work and ingenuity made this year’s conference possible. The success of this virtual event epitomises many of the themes that were discussed – digitalisation, operational resilience, collaboration and adaptation to changing circumstances.
