On April 20, 2022, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a letter from its Chair, Klass Knot, to the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in preparation for a meeting that took place on the same day. The letter outlined the status of global financial stability as well as the FSB’s plans to address emerging vulnerabilities. The letter further discusses the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the global financial market including large price fluctuations and “concerns about the growth and potential use of crypto-assets”; however, these effects are far exceeded by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, the Russian invasion is concerning as it is triggering inflation, which could promote restrictive financing; additionally, growing vulnerabilities may begin to present themselves in a material way, for example, high debt levels within the non-financial sector, and stretched valuations.

Issues of particular concern include linkages between commodity markets and the financial system; “financial system leverage and possible amplifiers in the event of market stress... and cyber risks”; heightened geopolitical tensions and rising energy and food prices within many emerging markets and developing economies are tacked on to already existing economic stressors from the pandemic; and “reduced policy space and tightening global financial conditions”. The FSB outlined actions items that include work on regulation and supervision of unbacked crypto-assets and stablecoins; increased monitoring of emerging vulnerabilities and market developments; continued work on G20 initiatives such as COVID-19 exit strategies and remedies; an upcoming report on US dollar funding and EME vulnerabilities related to external financing; and ongoing policy work related to financial risks from climate change.

More information on the FSB’s letter to the G20 is available here.