. Introduction Banks are a vital part of a nation’s economy. In their traditional role as financial intermediaries, banks serve to meet the demand of those who need funding. As such, banks make it possible for people to buy homes and for businesses to expand. Banks therefore facilitate spending and investment, which fuel growth in the economy. However, despite their important role in the economy, banks are nevertheless susceptible to failure. Banks, like any other business, can go bankrupt. However, unlike most other businesses, the failure of banks, especially very large ones, can have far-reaching implications. As we saw during the Great Depression and, most recently, during the global financial crisis and the ensuing recession, the health of the bank system (or lack thereof) can trigger economic calamities affecting millions of people. Consequently, it is imperative that banks operate in a safe and sound manner to avoid failure. One way to ensure this is for governments to provide diligent regulation of banks. Yet, with the advent of globalization, banking activities are no longer confined to the borders of any individual country. With cross-border banking activities rapidly increasing, the need for international cooperation in bank regulation has likewise increased. Ready to meet this need is the Basel Committee on Bank Supervision (BCBS). In its role as the international advisory authority on bank regulation, the BCBS has promulgated guidance on issues critical to ensuring health in the banking systems across the world. One such issue, and one that played an important role in the recent global financial crisis, is the regulation of bank capital. Addressing this issue has been an ongoing process for the BCBS over the past