MAS is involved in the discussions on both the capital and liquidity proposals and supports the broad thrust of these initiatives. As MAS’ regulatory framework has generally been regarded as conservative, we are in a good position to comfortably adopt these more stringent standards. However, we are aware that more regulation on its own is not a panacea. It would be undesirable for the regulatory pendulum to swing towards extreme conservatism and for over-prescriptive rules to severely restrict financial innovation. MAS will adopt a balanced approach and will work closely with and consult all stakeholders in implementing the new regulatory standards. Role of industry participants Supervision has to work in concert with effective risk governance in the financial institutions. The Boards and senior management of financial institutions must take ownership and responsibility to manage risks. A report issued by the Senior Supervisors Group 2 in March 2008, on observations on risk management practices highlighted many risk management practices that improved the resilience of financial institutions during a crisis. Let me highlight three areas. First, effective capital planning. Banks need to conduct a thorough and comprehensive assessment of their levels of capital. These have to be “forward-looking”, taking into account the nature and level of the bank’s risk, not only under “normal” business conditions, but also  2  The Senior Supervisors Group comprises senior financial supervisors from seven countries (United States, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, United Kingdom). It is chaired by William L. Rutledge from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Heng Swee Keat: Advances in risk management – theory and practice Opening address by Mr Heng Swee Keat, Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, at the Symposium to mark the opening of RMI’s new facilities, Singapore, 2 October 2009. *  *  *  Prof Tan Chorh Chuan Prof Tan Eng Chye Prof Duan Jin-Chuan Distinguished speakers, guests, ladies and gentlemen Good morning Introduction It gives me great pleasure to join you today at the symposium which marks the opening of Risk Management Institute’s (RMI) new facilities. RMI is Singapore’s first full-fledged research centre dedicated to risk management. RMI was set up three years ago. The timing could not have been more appropriate. Given the spotlight in the current financial crisis on risk management, the shift of economic weight to Asia, and NUS’ standing as a global university in the heart of Asia, RMI has a major opportunity to play a prominent role in research and education on this critical topic. Emerging from the current crisis In recent weeks, confidence has returned to financial markets. More recent forecasts for global economic growth have been revised upwards, including that for Asia. There is palpable relief that the global economy has avoided the abyss. But some players seem to have forgotten that we have just gone through the worst financial crisis since the post-war period. The clean-up of the wreckages will take time.