Norges Bank's advice on the countercyclical capital buffer is based on a broad set of qualitative and quantitative information. The European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB) recommends including a general indicator of systemic stress in the financial system in this decision basis. The composite...

Banks' profitability is their first line of defence against losses, and net interest income is banks' main source of revenue. Since the policy rate hikes began in 2021, net interest income has increased substantially relative to assets, strengthening banks' loss-absorbing capacity. We use a VAR...