BIS central bankers’ speeches  3  The core tier 1 ratio of the five largest banking groups averaged 7.4 per cent at the end of 2010; in March it had increased to 7.8 per cent and it is estimated to have risen further still, to 8.6 per cent, as a result of subsequent recapitalizations.
The banks have readied themselves in time for the European stress tests, as we asked them to do, and the results will be published in a few days’ time. We are confident they will be well above the threshold of 5 per cent for the core tier 1 ratio.