Federal Reserve governor Lael Brainard has rebooted her argument for banks to hold countercyclical buffers amid growing pressures on financial stability.

“At a time when cyclical pressures have been building and bank profitability has been strong, it might be prudent to ask large banking organisations to fortify their capital buffers, which could subsequently be released if conditions warrant,” she said in a speech on December 7.

Brainard raised concerns that although the financial system is