Banks Face Up to 2.5 Percentage Point Buffer in Basel Accord

Global regulators said banks deemed too big to fail must hold as much as 2.5 percentage points in additional capital as part of efforts to prevent another financial crisis. As many as 30 banks may face some level of surcharges, according to a person familiar with the discussions.

The additional capital buffers will range from 1 percentage point to 2.5 percentage points, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision said in a statement yesterday. From 28 to 30 banks, including as many as eight in the U.S., may face surcharges, said the person, who declined to be identified because the talks are private.