Nikolay GOUSMAN: "mechanical introduction of Basel II can destroy half of banks of Russia"

Participants of event had a discussion on realization of the Basel II Agreement directed to increase efficiency of bank supervision, stability of banks and bank systems, the internal control and audit in banks.
“The estimation of risks management quality on which Basel principles are pointed, is impossible without standardization of quality management of bank activity”, – has told President of ARB G.A.Tosunjan.
Nikolay Gousman President - Chairman of the Board of RUSSLAVBANK in the report has noted, that the Bank has already taken the first step meeting the requirements of one of Basel blocks, bank has successfully passed in July 2005 certification on conformity to the International quality standards ISO 9001:2000. “But it does not mean, that RUSSLAVBANK is completely ready to introduction of Basel II”, –he has specified. In the report Mr. Gousman also has touched some basic positions of the new Agreement, having specified, in particular, that their formal introduction can result in practical destruction more than half of banks of Russia.
“We are obliged to see where the countries with advanced bank systems move and to think how to implement their experience to pass the same way with the minimal losses, – thinks Nikolay Gousman. – It is necessary to commensurate universal practice with what we do and how it threatens us with what consequences”.
In opinion of Richard Heinsvort, the General Director of rating agency "Rus-Rating", Basel II tries to solve simultaneously several problems at once and consequently country of the world in the foreseeable future will not introduce these standards completely. « It is long and the tough job for banks which can take 5 or even 10 years », – considers Mr. Heinsvort.
In our country Basel II, under the assumption of Bank of Russia, should operate in 2008-2009.