Based on the Basel interest rate shock scenario, supervisors have now taken to classifying every other savings bank 1/5  BIS central bankers' speeches  as subject to heightened risk. Savings banks are thus awarded more or less the same average rating as that of German credit institutions.
This status does not, in itself, tarnish the reputation of an institution as the latter can safeguard itself by pursuing an appropriate risk management strategy and ensuring that its risk buffers are sufficiently strong. Nevertheless, it exemplifies how relevant risk is in the event of an interest rate reversal. And it justifies closer monitoring by supervisors.