QIS4 set to go international in 2005

BASEL, SWITZERLAND – Quantitative impact study four (QIS4) is about to go international, according to sources in Basel, the US and the EU. Although the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision won't take the co-ordinating role it did during previous QISs, according to the Bundesbank website in Germany nine countries out of the 13 Group of 10 (G-10) nations are planning QIS4 exercises of their own. Other countries are said to be discussing the possibility of such an exercise.

"A large number of member countries will do at least something during 2005," says an official in Basel. "But it's not yet clear in every case when they will start and which banks will participate, and so on. In some countries there are still ongoing discussions." Countries who have committed to a QIS4 include the US, the UK and Germany. According to one well-placed source, Italy, Spain and France will also be involved. Canada and Japan are said to have decided not to participate. The 13 members