(22)In the exceptional circumstances triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, stakeholders are expected to contribute to efforts towards recovery. EBA, the European Central Bank and other competent authorities have issued recommendations for institutions to suspend dividend payments and share buybacks during the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure the consistent application of such recommendations, competent authorities should make full use of their supervisory powers, including powers to impose binding restrictions on distributions for institutions or limitations on variable remuneration, where appropriate, in accordance with Directive 2013/36/EU. Based on the experience from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission should assess whether additional binding powers should be granted to competent authorities to impose restrictions on distributions in exceptional circumstances.