On 17 September 2026, the Single Resolution Board (SRB) issued Operational Guidance for Banks on Communication in Resolution, together with a Communication Testing Supplement to its Operational Guidance for Resolvability Testing for Banks.
Operational Guidance for Banks on Communication in Resolution
The guidance is applicable to banks under the SRB’s direct remit for which resolution is expected. For banking groups established outside of the Banking Union that have subsidiaries under the SRB’s remit (‘hosted banks’), the guidance is applicable in line with the SRB’s Expectations for Banks (EfB) and the proportionality principle.
Pursuant to Article 8(9)(n) Single Resolution Mechanism Regulation, a communication plan needs to be prepared already in the context of resolution planning. In this regard, the SRB sets out, in its EfB, the capabilities that it expects banks to develop to ensure resolvability. Communication is one of the seven resolvability dimensions in which capabilities are categorised (EfB dimension 6). Communication is also a key resolvability area of the European Banking Authority (EBA) guidelines on improving resolvability for institutions and resolution authorities.
The guidance now published provides additional operational clarity on the communication dimension of the EfB and supports banks in assessing the effectiveness of their communication arrangements and ensuring operational preparedness and readiness in a resolution scenario.
Communication Testing Supplement
The Communication Testing Supplement complements the SRB’s Operational Guidance on Resolvability Testing for Banks by providing additional detail on communication testing activities. It defines testing areas and sub-areas, outlines testing methods and sets expectations for banks regarding testing governance, design, preparation and reporting.
The SRB consulted the banking industry and relevant stakeholders on its Operational Guidance on Resolvability Testing for Banks between 17 March and 5 May 20251. With reference to the EBA guidelines on improving resolvability, the guidance seeks to promote a harmonised approach for implementing the multi-annual testing programme, define testing areas and sub-areas and testing methods, and sets expectations for banks on testing governance, design, preparation and reporting. The version of the guidance published for consultation did not contain a specific section on communication, which is the focus of the Communication Testing Supplement.
Feedback Statement
The SRB has also published a Feedback Statement to its consultation on the Operational Guidance for Bank on Communication in Resolution, and on the Communication Testing Supplement.