Finance

Bank of England eases capital requirements for midsize banks

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on July 15, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 22, 2026

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Bank of England eases capital requirements for midsize banks
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LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's central bank confirmed a previously signposted easing of capital requirements for medium-sized lenders on Tuesday, as part of a wider set of reforms aimed at boosting the

Bank of England Lowers Capital Requirements for Mid-Sized Banks

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's central bank confirmed a previously signposted easing of capital requirements for medium-sized lenders on Tuesday, as part of a wider set of reforms aimed at boosting the country's financial sector.

The Bank of England increased the minimum asset threshold at which banks have to issue expensive debt known as MREL, so that they can be bailed in if they fail instead of needing taxpayer rescue as happened in the 2008 financial crisis.

The BOE set the threshold at 25 billion-40 billion pounds ($87.35 billion), up from a previous 15 billion-25 billion pounds.

($1 = 0.7442 pounds)

(Reporting By Lawrence White; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of England eases capital requirements for midsize banks.
  • MREL threshold increased to 25-40 billion pounds.
  • Reforms aim to prevent taxpayer-funded bailouts.
  • Part of broader financial sector reforms in the UK.
  • Focus on boosting the country's financial stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What changes did the Bank of England make to capital requirements?
The Bank of England confirmed an easing of capital requirements for medium-sized lenders, increasing the minimum asset threshold for issuing MREL.
What is the new MREL threshold set by the Bank of England?
The new MREL threshold is set at 25 billion to 40 billion pounds, up from the previous range of 15 billion to 25 billion pounds.
Why is the Bank of England easing capital requirements?
This easing is part of a wider set of reforms aimed at boosting the financial stability of medium-sized banks and reducing the need for taxpayer bailouts.

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