Timely and accurate communication is essential when resolution actions are taken towards banks that are failing or likely to fail. Alongside the communication actions from public authorities, banks are expected to deploy communication strategies for timely, robust and consistent communication to relevant stakeholders, with the aim of supporting the implementation of the resolution strategy. Furthermore, banks are expected to have in place governance arrangements to ensure effective execution of communications and coordination with the resolution authorities.
Banks’ capabilities regarding communication are addressed by SRB’s Expectations for Banks (EfB), Principles 6.1 and 6.2. Banks are expected to have i) developed a communication plan informing relevant stakeholders of the implications of the resolution, with the aim of limiting contagion and avoiding uncertainty, and ii) in place governance arrangements to ensure effective execution of the communication plan, in close coordination with the SRB.
Leveraging on the knowledge gained over the phase-in period of the SRB’s EfB, as well as experience in real-life cases, the SRB’s Operational Guidance on Banks’ Communication builds on, and further clarifies, expectations with respect to SRB’s EfB Principles 6.1 and 6.2., providing banks with a specific timeframe (by 30 June 2027) to meet them.
The communication testing area supplement to the SRB’s Operational Guidance on Resolvability Testing for Banks contains the guidance for specific testing. Once finalised, the relevant information will be integrated into ‘Part 2 – Specific testing areas’ of that Guidance. The three testing sub-areas for communication are: 1) management of the information and communication environments; 2) adaptation of the communication plan, and 3) execution and monitoring of the communication plan.
Take part in the consultation here
The SRB invites comments on all proposals, in particular on the specific questions, by 12 December 2025.
The consultation is part of the SRB’s engagement with stakeholders to achieve its mandate and deliver on the SRM Vision 2028 strategy’s focus on improving crisis readiness.
Background documents
