Prudential Regulation Authority Rulebook

0 %

20 %

50 %

100 %

150 %

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.4

Exposures to the European Central Bank must be assigned a 0% risk weight.

01/01/2007

Exposures in the national currency of the borrower

BIPRU 3.4.5

Exposures to EEA States' central governments and central banks denominated and funded in the domestic currency of that central government and central bank must be assigned a risk weight of 0%.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.6

When the competent authorities of a third country which apply supervisory and regulatory arrangements at least equivalent to those applied in the EEA assign a risk weight which is lower than that indicated in BIPRU 3.4.1 R to BIPRU 3.4.3 R to exposures to their central government and central bank denominated and funded in the domestic currency, a firm may risk weight such exposures in the same manner.

01/01/2007

Use of credit assessments by export credit agencies

BIPRU 3.4.7

An export credit agency credit assessment may be recognised by a firm for the purpose of determining the risk weight to be applied to an exposure under the standardised approach if either of the following conditions is met:

(1) the credit assessment is a consensus risk score from export credit agencies participating in the OECD "Arrangement on Guidelines for Officially Supported Export Credits"; or
(2) the export credit agency publishes its credit assessments, and the export credit agency subscribes to the OECD agreed methodology, and the credit assessment is associated with one of the eight minimum export insurance premiums (MEIP) that the OECD agreed methodology establishes.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 6]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.8

Exposures for which a credit assessment by an export credit agency is recognised for risk weighting purposes must be assigned a risk weight according to the table in BIPRU 3.4.9 R.

01/01/2007

Table: Exposure for which a credit assessment by an export credit agency is recognised

BIPRU 3.4.9

This table belongs to BIPRU 3.4.8 R.

MEIP

20%

50%

100%

150%

01/01/2007

Exposures to regional governments or local authorities: General

BIPRU 3.4.10

Without prejudice to BIPRU 3.4.15 R to BIPRU 3.4.19 R:

(1) a firm must risk weight exposures to regional governments and local authorities in accordance with BIPRU 3.4.11 R to BIPRU 3.4.14 R; and
(2) the preferential treatment for short-term exposures specified in BIPRU 3.4.37 R, BIPRU 3.4.39 R and BIPRU 3.4.44 R must not be applied.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 8]

01/01/2007

Exposures to regional governments or local authorities: Central government risk weight based method

BIPRU 3.4.11

(1) Exposures to regional governments and local authorities must be assigned a risk weight according to the credit quality step to which exposures to the central government of the jurisdiction in which the regional government or local authority is established are assigned in accordance with the table in BIPRU 3.4.12 R.
(2) Exposures to an unrated regional government or local authority must not be assigned a risk weight lower than that applied to exposures to its central government.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 points 25 and 26]

01/01/2007

Table: Central government risk weight based method

BIPRU 3.4.12

This table belongs to BIPRU 3.4.11 R.

Credit quality step to which central government is assigned

Risk weight of exposure

20%

50%

100%

150%

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.13

For exposures to regional governments and local authorities established in countries where the central government is unrated, the risk weight must be not more than 100%.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.14

For exposures to regional governments and local authorities with an original effective maturity of three months or less, the risk weight must be 20%.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 28]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.15

A firm must treat an exposure to a regional government or local authority of the United Kingdom listed in BIPRU 3 Annex 2 R as an exposure to the central government of the United Kingdom.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.16

The FSA will include a regional government or local authority in the list in BIPRU 3 Annex 2 R where there is no difference in risk between exposures to that body and exposures to the central government of the United Kingdom because of the specific revenue-raising powers of the regional government or local authority, and the existence of specific institutional arrangements the effect of which is to reduce the risk of default.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 9]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.17

A firm must treat an exposure to a regional government or local authority of an EEA State other than the United Kingdom as an exposure to the central government in whose jurisdiction that regional government or local authority is established if that regional government or local authority is included on the list of regional governments and local authorities drawn up by the competent authority in that EEA State under a CRD implementation measure with respect to point 9 of Part 1 of Annex VI of the Banking Consolidation Directive.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 9]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.18

Exposures to churches or religious communities constituted in the form of a legal person under public law must, in so far as they raise taxes in accordance with legislation conferring on them the right to do so, be treated as exposures to regional governments and local authorities, except that BIPRU 3.4.15 R and BIPRU 3.4.17 R do not apply.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 10]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.19

When competent authorities of a third country jurisdiction which apply supervisory and regulatory arrangements at least equivalent to those applied in the EEA treat exposures to regional governments and local authorities as exposures to their central government, a firm may risk weight exposures to such regional governments and local authorities in the same manner.

01/01/2007

Exposures to administrative bodies and non-commercial undertakings

BIPRU 3.4.20

BIPRU 3.4.21 R to BIPRU 3.4.26 R set out the provisions applying to exposures to administrative bodies and non-commercial undertakings.

01/01/2007

Treatment

BIPRU 3.4.21

Without prejudice to BIPRU 3.4.22 R to BIPRU 3.4.26 R, exposures to administrative bodies and non-commercial undertakings must be assigned a 100% risk weight.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 12]

01/01/2007

Public sector entities

BIPRU 3.4.22

Without prejudice to BIPRU 3.4.23 R to BIPRU 3.4.26 R, exposures to public sector entities must be assigned a 100% risk weight.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 13]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.23

A firm may treat an exposure to a public sector entity as an exposure to a regional government or local authority in accordance with BIPRU 3.4.11 R to BIPRU 3.4.14 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.24

In exceptional circumstances a firm may treat an exposure to a public sector entity established in the United Kingdom as an exposure to the central government of the United Kingdom if there is no difference in risk between exposures to that body and exposures to the central government of the United Kingdom because of the existence of an appropriate guarantee by the central government.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 15]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.25

Where a competent authority of another EEA State implements points 14 or 15 of Part 1 of Annex VI of the Banking Consolidation Directive by exercising the discretion to treat exposures to public sector entities as exposures to institutions or as exposures to the central government of the EEA State concerned, a firm may risk weight exposures to the relevant public sector entities in the same manner.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 16]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.26

When competent authorities of a third country jurisdiction, which apply supervisory and regulatory arrangements at least equivalent to those applied in the EEA, treat exposures to public sector entities as exposures to institutions, a firm may risk weight exposures to the relevant public sector entities in the same manner.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 17]

01/01/2007

Exposures to multilateral development banks: Treatment

BIPRU 3.4.27

Without prejudice to BIPRU 3.4.28 R to BIPRU 3.4.29 R:

(1) a firm must treat exposures to multilateral development banks in the same manner as exposures to institutions in accordance with BIPRU 3.4.34 R to BIPRU 3.4.39 R (Exposures to institutions: credit assessment based method); and
(2) the preferential treatment for short-term exposures specified in BIPRU 3.4.37 R, BIPRU 3.4.39 R and BIPRU 3.4.44 R must not be applied.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 19]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.28

An exposure to a multilateral development bank listed in point (1) of the definition in the Glossary must be assigned a 0% risk weight.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 20]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.29

A risk weight of 20% must be assigned to the portion of unpaid capital subscribed to the European Investment Fund.

01/01/2007

Exposures to international organisations

BIPRU 3.4.30

Exposures to the following international organisations must be assigned a 0% risk weight:

(1) the European Community;
(2) the International Monetary Fund; and
(3) the Bank for International Settlements.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 22]

01/01/2007

Exposures to institutions: General

BIPRU 3.4.31

BIPRU 3.4.32 R to BIPRU 3.4.48 R set out the treatment to be accorded to exposures to institutions.

01/01/2007

Exposures to institutions: Treatment

BIPRU 3.4.32

Without prejudice to BIPRU 3.4.33 R to BIPRU 3.4.47 R, exposures to financial institutions authorised and supervised by the competent authorities responsible for the authorisation and supervision of credit institutions and subject to prudential requirements equivalent to those applied to credit institutions must be risk weighted as exposures to institutions.

01/01/2007

Exposures to institutions: Risk weight floor on exposures to unrated institutions

BIPRU 3.4.33

Exposures to an unrated institution must not be assigned a risk weight lower than that applied to exposures to its central government.

01/01/2007

Exposures to institutions: Credit assessment based method

BIPRU 3.4.34

Exposures to institutions with an original effective maturity of more than three months for which a credit assessment by a nominated ECAI is available must be assigned a risk weight according to the table in BIPRU 3.4.35 R in accordance with the assignment by the FSA in accordance with the Capital Requirements Regulations 2006 of the credit assessments of eligible ECAIs to six steps in a credit quality assessment scale.

01/01/2007

Table: Exposures to institutions with an original effective maturity of more than three months for which a credit assessment by a nominated ECAI is available

BIPRU 3.4.35

This table belongs to BIPRU 3.4.34 R.

20%

50%

100%

150%

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.36

Without prejudice to BIPRU 3.4.33 R, exposures to unrated institutions must be assigned a risk weight of 50%.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 30]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.37

Exposures to an institution with an original effective maturity of three months or less for which a credit assessment by a nominated ECAI is available must be assigned a risk weight according to the table in BIPRU 3.4.38 R in accordance with the assignment by the FSA in accordance with the Capital Requirements Regulations 2006 of the credit assessments of eligible ECAIs to six steps in a credit quality assessment scale.

01/01/2007

Table: Exposures to an institution with an original effective maturity of three months or less for which a credit assessment by a nominated ECAI is available

BIPRU 3.4.38

This table belongs to BIPRU 3.4.37 R.

20%

50%

150%

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.39

Without prejudice to BIPRU 3.4.33 R, exposures to unrated institutions having an original effective maturity of three months or less must be assigned a 20% risk weight

01/01/2007

Exposures to institutions: Interaction with short-term credit assessments

BIPRU 3.4.40

If there is no short-term credit assessment as set out in BIPRU 3.4.112 R, the general preferential treatment for short-term exposures as specified in BIPRU 3.4.37 R applies to all exposures to institutions of up to three months residual maturity.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.41

If there is a short-term credit assessment as set out in BIPRU 3.4.112 R and such an assessment determines the application of a more favourable or identical risk weight than the use of the general preferential treatment for short-term exposures, as specified in BIPRU 3.4.37 R, then the short-term assessment and risk weighting specified in BIPRU 3.4.112 R must be used for that specific exposure only. Other short-term exposures must follow the general preferential treatment for short-term exposures, as specified in BIPRU 3.4.37 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 35]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.42

If there is a short-term credit assessment as set out in BIPRU 3.4.112 R and such an assessment determines a less favourable risk weight than the use of the general preferential treatment for short-term exposures, as specified in BIPRU 3.4.37 R, then the general preferential treatment for short-term exposures must not be used and all unrated short-term claims must be assigned the same risk weight as that applied by the specific short-term assessment.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.43

BIPRU 3 Annex 4 G contains a flow diagram guide to determining the risk weight to be applied to short-term exposures to institutions according to whether a short-term credit assessment is available.

06/04/2007

Exposures to institutions: Short-term exposures in the national currency of the borrower

BIPRU 3.4.44

A firm may assign to an exposure to an institution formed under the law of the United Kingdom of a residual maturity of 3 months or less denominated and funded in pounds sterling a risk weight that is one category less favourable than the preferential risk weight, as described in BIPRU 3.4.5 R (Exposures in the national currency of the borrower), assigned to exposures to the central government of the United Kingdom.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 37]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.45

(1) Where a competent authority of another EEA State implements point 37 of Part 1 of Annex VI of the Banking Consolidation Directive by exercising the discretion to allow the treatment in that point, a firm may assign to the relevant national currency exposures the risk weight permitted by that CRD implementation measure.
(2) When the competent authority of a third country which applies supervisory and regulatory arrangements at least equivalent to those applied in the EEA assigns to an exposure to an institution formed under the law of that third country of a residual maturity of 3 months or less denominated and funded in the national currency a risk weight that is one category less favourable than the preferential risk weight, as described in BIPRU 3.4.6 R (Exposures in the national currency of the borrower), assigned to exposures to the central government of that third country, a firm may risk weight such exposures in the same manner.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 37]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.46

No exposures of a residual maturity of 3 months or less denominated and funded in the national currency of the borrower may be assigned a risk weight less than 20%.

01/01/2007

Exposures to institutions: Investments in regulatory capital instruments

BIPRU 3.4.47

Investments in equity or regulatory capital instruments issued by institutions must be risk weighted at 100%, unless deducted from capital resources.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 39]

01/01/2007

Exposures to institutions: Minimum reserves required by the ECB

BIPRU 3.4.48

Where an exposure to an institution is in the form of minimum reserves required by the European Central Bank or by the central bank of an EEA State to be held by the firm, a firm may assign the risk weight that would be assigned to exposures to the central bank of the EEA State in question provided:

(1) the reserves are held in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1745/2003 of the European Central Bank of 12 September 2003 or a subsequent replacement regulation or in accordance with national requirements in all material respects equivalent to that Regulation; and
(2) in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the institution where the reserves are held, the reserves will be fully repaid to the firm in a timely manner and will not be available to meet other liabilities of the institution.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 40]

01/01/2007

Exposures to corporates: General

BIPRU 3.4.49

BIPRU 3.4.50 R to BIPRU 3.4.52 R set out the treatment to be accorded to exposures to corporates.

01/01/2007

Exposures to corporates: Treatment

BIPRU 3.4.50

Exposures for which a credit assessment by a nominated ECAI is available must be assigned a risk weight according to the table in BIPRU 3.4.51 R in accordance with the assignment by the FSA in accordance with the Capital Requirements Regulations 2006 of the credit assessments of eligible ECAIs to six steps in a credit quality assessment scale.

01/01/2007

Table: Exposures for which a credit assessment by a nominated ECAI is available

BIPRU 3.4.51

This table belongs to BIPRU 3.4.50 R.

20%

50%

100%

150%

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.52

Unrated exposures must be assigned a 100% risk weight or the risk weight of its central government, whichever is the higher.

01/01/2007

Retail exposures

BIPRU 3.4.53

Exposures that comply with the criteria listed in BIPRU 3.2.10 R must be assigned a risk weight of 75%. However a firm may treat such an exposure under BIPRU 3.2.24 R (100% risk weight).

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 43]

01/01/2007

Exposures secured by real estate property

BIPRU 3.4.54

BIPRU 3.4.55 R to BIPRU 3.4.94 R set out the treatment to be accorded to exposures secured by real estate property.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.55

Without prejudice to BIPRU 3.4.56 R to BIPRU 3.4.94 R, exposures fully secured by real estate property must be assigned a risk weight of 100%.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 44]

01/01/2007

Exposures secured by mortgages on residential property

BIPRU 3.4.56

Without prejudice to BIPRU 3.4.85 R, an exposure or any part of an exposure fully and completely secured, to the satisfaction of the firm, by mortgages on residential property which is or shall be occupied or let by the owner or the beneficial owner in the case of personal investment companies must be assigned a risk weight of 35%.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.57

Exposures fully and completely secured, to the satisfaction of the firm, by shares in Finnish residential housing companies, operating in accordance with the Finnish Housing Company Act of 1991 or subsequent equivalent legislation, in respect of residential property which is or shall be occupied or let by the owner must be assigned a risk weight of 35%.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 46]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.58

Without prejudice to BIPRU 3.4.85 R, an exposure or any part of an exposure to a tenant under a property leasing transaction concerning residential property under which the firm is the lessor and the tenant has an option to purchase, must be assigned a risk weight of 35% provided that the firm is satisfied that the exposure of the firm is fully and completely secured by its ownership of the property.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 47]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.59

An Ijara mortgage is an example of an exposure described in BIPRU 3.4.58 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.60

(1) In the exercise of its judgement for the purposes of BIPRU 3.4.56 R to BIPRU 3.4.58 R, a firm may be satisfied only if the conditions in (2) to (6) are met.
(2) The value of the property does not materially depend upon the credit quality of the obligor. This requirement does not preclude situations where purely macroeconomic factors affect both the value of the property and the performance of the borrower.
(3) The risk of the borrower does not materially depend upon the performance of the underlying property or project, but rather on the underlying capacity of the borrower to repay the debt from other sources. As such, repayment of the facility does not materially depend on any cash flow generated by the underlying property serving as collateral.
(4) The minimum requirements about:

(a) legal certainty in BIPRU 3.4.64 R;
(b) monitoring of property values in BIPRU 3.4.66 R;
(c) documentation in BIPRU 3.4.72 R; and
(d) insurance in BIPRU 3.4.73 R;

are met.
(5) The valuation rules set out in BIPRU 3.4.77 R to BIPRU 3.4.80 R are met.
(6) The value of the property exceeds the exposures by a substantial margin as set out in BIPRU 3.4.81 R, BIPRU 3.4.83 R, BIPRU 3.4.84 R or BIPRU 3.4.85 R (as applicable).

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 48]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.61

BIPRU 3.4.60 R (3) does not apply to exposures fully and completely secured by mortgages on residential property which is situated within the United Kingdom.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.62

The Banking Consolidation Directive permits a competent authority to disapply the condition in BIPRU 3.4.60 R (3), if it has evidence that a well-developed and long-established residential real estate market is present in its territory with loss rates which are sufficiently low to justify such treatment. BIPRU 3.4.61 R implements that option. However, if the evidence changes so that these conditions are no longer satisfied, the FSA may be obliged to revoke BIPRU 3.4.61 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.63

If a CRD implementation measure of another EEA State exercises the discretion in point 49 of Part 1 of Annex VI of the Banking Consolidation Directive to dispense with the condition corresponding to BIPRU 3.4.60 R (3) (The risk of the borrower should not materially depend upon the performance of the underlying property or project), a firm may apply a risk weight of 35% to such exposures fully and completely secured by mortgages on residential property situated in that EEA State.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.64

The requirements about legal certainty referred to in BIPRU 3.4.60 R (4)(a) are as follows:

(1) the mortgage or charge must be enforceable in all relevant jurisdictions which are relevant at the time of conclusion of the credit agreement, and the mortgage or charge must be properly filed on a timely basis;
(2) the arrangements must reflect a perfected lien (i.e. all legal requirements for establishing the pledge shall have been fulfilled); and
(3) the protection agreement and the legal process underpinning it must enable the firm to realise the value of the protection within a reasonable timeframe.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 8(a)]

06/07/2007

BIPRU 3.4.65

The term protection agreement in BIPRU 3.4.64 R (3) refers to the contract or deed by which the mortgage or charge is established.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.66

(1) The requirements about monitoring of property values referred to in BIPRU 3.4.60 R (4)(b) are as follows:

(a) the value of the property must be monitored on a frequent basis and at a minimum once every three years for residential real estate;
(b) more frequent monitoring must be carried out where the market is subject to significant changes in conditions;
(c) statistical methods may be used to monitor the value of the property and to identify property that needs revaluation;
(d) the property valuation must be reviewed by an independent valuer when information indicates that the value of the property may have declined materially relative to general market prices; and
(e) for loans exceeding €3 million or 5% of the capital resources of the firm, the property valuation must be reviewed by an independent valuer at least every three years.

(2) For the purposes of (1), 'independent valuer' means a person who possesses the necessary qualifications, ability and experience to execute a valuation and who is independent from the credit decision process.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 8(b)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.67

A property will need to be revalued over time to ensure that the original purchase price does not overstate the degree of security provided by the property. Ijara providers should undertake revaluations in the same way as providers of conventional mortgages.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.68

For the purposes of BIPRU 3.4.66 R (1)(a), the monitoring of property values should be an inherent part of risk managing and tracking the portfolio. The requirement to monitor property values does not include the physical assessment of each property in the portfolio.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.69

For the purposes of BIPRU 3.4.66 R (1)(d) and (e), the review of a property valuation is more in-depth than the normal monitoring process required by BIPRU 3.4.66 R (1)(a). This requirement is likely to include a review of the property value on an individual exposure basis. Where an exposure is secured by multiple properties, the review can be undertaken at the level of the exposure, rather than at the level of each individual property.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.70

The review of property values required by BIPRU 3.4.66 R (1)(e) may lead to an amendment of the value assigned to the property under by BIPRU 3.4.80 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.71

For the purposes of BIPRU 3.4.66 R (2), necessary qualifications need not be professional qualifications but the firm should be able to demonstrate that he or she has the necessary ability and experience to undertake the review.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.72

The requirements about documentation referred to in BIPRU 3.4.60 R (4)(c) are that the types of residential real estate accepted by the firm and its lending policies in this regard must be clearly documented.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.73

The requirements about insurance referred to in BIPRU 3.4.60 R (4)(d) are that the firm must have procedures to monitor that the property taken as protection is adequately insured against damage.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.74

For the purposes of BIPRU 3.4.73 R a firm should, as a minimum, ensure that it is a requirement of each loan that the property taken as collateral must have adequate buildings insurance at all times, which should be reviewed when any new loan is extended against the property.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.75

A firm may deal with the risk that insurance on properties taken as protection may be inadequate by taking out insurance at the level of the portfolio.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.76

The valuation rules referred to in BIPRU 3.4.60 R (5) are set out in BIPRU 3.4.77 R to BIPRU 3.4.80 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.77

The property must be valued by an independent valuer at or less than the market value. In those EEA States that have laid down rigorous criteria for the assessment of the mortgage lending value in statutory or regulatory provisions the property may instead be valued by an independent valuer at or less than the mortgage lending value.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 62]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.78

Market value means the estimated amount for which the property should exchange on the date of valuation between a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm's length transaction after proper marketing wherein the parties had each acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion. The market value must be documented in a transparent and clear manner.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.79

Mortgage lending value means the value of the property as determined by a prudent assessment of the future marketability of the property taking into account long-term sustainable aspects of the property, the normal and local market conditions, the current use and alternative appropriate uses of the property. Speculative elements must not be taken into account in the assessment of the mortgage lending value. The mortgage lending value must be documented in a transparent and clear manner.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.80

The value of the collateral must be the market value or mortgage lending value reduced as appropriate to reflect the results of the monitoring required under BIPRU 3.4.60 R (4)(b) and BIPRU 3.4.66 R and to take account of any prior claims on the property.

06/04/2007

BIPRU 3.4.81

A firm may not treat an exposure as fully and completely secured by residential property located in the United Kingdom for the purpose of BIPRU 3.4.56 R or BIPRU 3.4.58 R unless the amount of the exposure or of the secured part of the exposure referred to in BIPRU 3.4.56 R or BIPRU 3.4.58 R, as the case may be, is 80% or less of the value of the residential property on which it is secured.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.82

(1) The application of BIPRU 3.4.81 R may be illustrated by an example. If a firm has a mortgage exposure of £100,000 secured on residential property in the United Kingdom that satisfies the criteria listed in BIPRU 3.4.56 R to BIPRU 3.4.80 R and the value of that property is £100,000, then £80,000 of that exposure may be treated as fully and completely secured and risk weighted at 35%. The remaining £20,000 may be risk weighted at 75% provided the exposure meets the criteria in BIPRU 3.2.10 R. The portion risk weighted at 75% should be treated as a retail exposure for the purposes of the aggregation calculations specified in BIPRU 3.2.10 R (3). A diagrammatic illustration of this example is in (2).
(2)

(3) The same approach applies to exposures described in BIPRU 3.4.58 R. On initiation a 35% risk weight should be applied to the first 80% of the principal/"purchase price" outstanding, with a 75% risk weight being applied to the remainder of the principal (assuming that the exposure meets the requirements in BIPRU 3.2 to be treated as a retail exposure).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.83

A firm may only treat an exposure as fully and completely secured by residential property situated in another EEA State for the purposes of BIPRU 3.4.56 R or BIPRU 3.4.58 R if it would be treated as fully and completely secured by the relevant CRD implementation measures in that EEA State implementing points 45 and 47 of Part 1 of Annex VI of the Banking Consolidation Directive.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.84

For the purposes of BIPRU 3.4.56 R or BIPRU 3.4.58 R, a firm may only treat an exposure as fully and completely secured by residential property situated in the territory of a third-country competent authority that is listed as equivalent for credit risk in BIPRU 8 Annex 6 R if it would be treated as fully and completely secured under the applicable requirements of that third-country competent authority (including any applicable loan-to-value ceiling).

06/07/2007

BIPRU 3.4.85

For the purposes of BIPRU 3.4.56 R or BIPRU 3.4.58 R, where the residential property in question is situated in the territory of a third-country competent authority that is not listed as equivalent for credit risk in BIPRU 8 Annex 3 R:

(1) a firm must not treat an exposure as fully and completely secured by the residential property in question unless the value of the property exceeds the exposures by a substantial margin, which must be at least 20%;
(2) the firm must apply a risk weight of 50% to the exposure.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.86

For the purposes of BIPRU 3.4.85 R (1) and in order to satisfy itself that an exposure is fully and completely secured by the relevant property, a firm should make its own assessment of the appropriate margin in each case, using its knowledge of the market in the relevant country and of its own portfolio.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.87

If a firm has more than one exposure secured on the same property they should be aggregated and treated as if they were a single exposure secured on the property for the purposes of BIPRU 3.4.56 R and BIPRU 3.4.58 R and BIPRU 3.4.81 R, BIPRU 3.4.83 R and BIPRU 3.4.84 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.88

If an exposure is secured on property that is used in part for residential purposes in accordance with BIPRU 3.4.56 R and partly for commercial purposes (such as a farm, public house, guest house or shop) it may be treated as secured by residential real estate if the firm can demonstrate that the property's main use is, or will be, residential and that the value of the property is not significantly affected by its commercial use.

01/01/2007

Exposures secured by mortgages on commercial real estate

BIPRU 3.4.89

Exposures or any part of an exposure secured by mortgages on offices or other commercial premises which cannot properly be considered to fall within any other standardised credit risk exposure class or to qualify for a lower risk weight under BIPRU 3 must be assigned a risk weight of 100%.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 51]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.90

Exposures fully and completely secured by shares in Finnish housing companies, operating in accordance with the Finnish Housing Company Act of 1991 or subsequent equivalent legislation, in respect of offices or other commercial premises may be assigned a risk weight of 50%.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.91

If a CRD implementation measure in another EEA State implements the discretion in point 51 of Part 1 of Annex VI of the Banking Consolidation Directive, a firm may apply the same treatment as that CRD implementation measure to exposures falling within the scope of that CRD implementation measure which are fully and completely secured by mortgages on offices or other commercial premises situated in that EEA State.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.92

If a CRD implementation measure in another EEA State implements the discretion in point 53 of Part 1 of Annex VI of the Banking Consolidation Directive, a firm may apply the same treatment as that CRD implementation measure to exposures related to property leasing transactions concerning offices or other commercial premises situated in that EEA State and governed by statutory provisions whereby the lessor retains full ownership of the rented assets until the tenant exercises his option to purchase, as long as that exposure falls within the scope of that CRD implementation measure.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.93

In particular, if a firm applies BIPRU 3.4.91 R or BIPRU 3.4.92 R, it must comply with the corresponding CRD implementation measures in relation to points 54-56 of Part 1 of Annex VI of the Banking Consolidation Directive.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.94

(1) If a CRD implementation measure in another EEA State implements the discretion in point 58 of Part 1 of Annex VI of the Banking Consolidation Directive to dispense with the condition in point 54(b) for exposures fully and completely secured by mortgages on commercial property situated in that EEA State, a firm may apply the same treatment as that CRD implementation measure to exposures fully and completely secured by mortgages on commercial property situated in that EEA State falling within the scope of that CRD implementation measure.
(2) However a firm may not apply the treatment in (1) if the eligibility to use that treatment under the CRD implementation measure referred to in (1) ceases as contemplated under point 59 of Annex VI of the Banking Consolidation Directive (condition in point 54(b) must apply where conditions in point 58 are not satisfied).

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 points 58, 59 and 60]

01/01/2007

Past due items

BIPRU 3.4.95

BIPRU 3.4.96 R to BIPRU 3.4.101 R set out the treatment to be accorded to past due items.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.96

Without prejudice to the provisions contained in BIPRU 3.4.97 R to BIPRU 3.4.101 R, the unsecured part of any item that is past due for more than 90 days (irrespective of the amount of that item or of the unsecured portion of that item) must be assigned a risk weight of:

(1) 150% if value adjustments are less than 20% of the unsecured part of the exposure gross of value adjustments; and
(2) 100% if value adjustments are no less than 20% of the unsecured part of the exposure gross of value adjustments.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 61]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.97

For the purpose of defining the secured portion of the past due item, eligible collateral and guarantees must be those eligible for credit risk mitigation purposes under BIPRU 5.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.98

For the purposes of BIPRU 3.4.97 R, the secured portion of a past due item is dealt with under BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation). A firm may treat the secured portion of an exposure covered by a mortgage indemnity product that meets the relevant CRM eligibility criteria as secured for the purposes of BIPRU 3.4.97 R. The risk weight to be applied to the secured portion is determined under BIPRU 5.7.21 R to BIPRU 5.7.24 R. The risk weight of the unsecured portion is determined in accordance with BIPRU 3.4.96 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.99

Exposures indicated in BIPRU 3.4.56 R to BIPRU 3.4.63 R (Exposures secured by mortgages on residential property) must be assigned a risk weight of 100% net of value adjustments if they are past due for more than 90 days. If value adjustments are no less than 20% of the exposure gross of value adjustments, the risk weight to be assigned to the remainder of the exposure is 50%.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.100

The application of BIPRU 3.4.96 R and BIPRU 3.4.99 R may be illustrated on the basis of a £110,000 loan on a property valued at £100,000, where £80,000 of the loan is secured and £30,000 of the exposure is unsecured and provisions of £20,000 are taken:

(1) Option 1 (application of BIPRU 3.4.96 R):

(a) provision of £20,000 taken on £80,000 secured exposure;
(b) provision exceeds 20%, so the firm should risk weight the remaining £60,000 secured exposure at 50%;
(c) the risk weight to be applied to the unsecured exposure of £30,000 is 150%;
(d) the average risk weight to be assigned to the net exposure of £90,000 is 83%.

(2) Option 2 (application of BIPRU 3.4.99 R):

(a) provision of £20,000 taken on £30,000 unsecured exposure;
(b) provision exceeds 20%, so the firm should risk weight the remaining £10,000 unsecured exposure at 100%;
(c) the risk weight to be applied to the secured exposure of £80,000 is 100%;
(d) the average risk weight to be assigned to the net exposure of £90,000 is 100%.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.101

Exposures indicated in BIPRU 3.4.89 R to BIPRU 3.4.94 R (Exposures secured by mortgages on commercial real estate) must be assigned a risk weight of 100% if they are past due for more than 90 days.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.102

Non past due items to be assigned a 150% risk weight under BIPRU 3.4 and for which value adjustments have been established may be assigned a risk weight of:

(1) 100% if value adjustments are no less than 20% of the exposure value gross of value adjustments; and
(2) 50%, if value adjustments are no less than 50% of the exposure value gross of value adjustments.

01/01/2007

Items belonging to regulatory high-risk categories

BIPRU 3.4.103

BIPRU 3.4.104 R sets out the treatment to be accorded to items belonging to regulatory high-risk categories.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.104

Exposures listed in BIPRU 3 Annex 3 R must be assigned a risk weight of 150%.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 66]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.105

For the purposes of point 66 of Part 1 of Annex VI of the Banking Consolidation Directive, the exposures listed in BIPRU 3 Annex 3 R are in the view of the FSA associated with particularly high risk.

01/01/2007

Exposures in the form of covered bonds

BIPRU 3.4.106

BIPRU 3.4.107 R to BIPRU 3.4.110 R set out the treatment to be accorded to exposures in the form of covered bonds.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.107

(1) Covered bonds means covered bonds as defined in paragraph (1) of the definition in the glossary (Definition based on Article 22(4) of the UCITS Directive) and collateralised by any of the following eligible assets:

(a) exposures to or guaranteed by central governments, central bank, public sector entities, regional governments and local authorities in the EEA;
(b)

(i) exposures to or guaranteed by non-EEA central governments, non-EEA central banks, multilateral development banks, international organisations that qualify for the credit quality step 1;
(ii) exposures to or guaranteed by non-EEA public sector entities, non-EEA regional governments and non-EEA local authorities that are risk weighted as exposures to institutions or central governments and central banks according to BIPRU 3.4.23 R, BIPRU 3.4.24 R, BIPRU 3.4.10 R or BIPRU 3.4.16 G to BIPRU 3.4.17 R respectively and that qualify for the credit quality step 1; and
(iii) exposures in the sense of this point (b) that qualify as a minimum for the credit quality step 2, provided that they do not exceed 20% of the nominal amount of outstanding covered bonds of issuing institutions;

(i) the total exposure of this kind must not exceed 15% of the nominal amount of the outstanding covered bonds of the issuing credit institution;
(ii) exposures caused by transmission and management of payments of the obligors of, or liquidation proceeds in respect of, loans secured by real estate to the holders of covered bonds must not be comprised by the 15% limit; and
(iii) exposures to institutions in the EEA with a maturity not exceeding 100 days are not comprised by the step 1 requirement but those institutions must as a minimum qualify for credit quality step 2;

(d) loans secured:

(i) by residential real estate or shares in Finnish residential housing companies as referred to in BIPRU 3.4.57 R up to the lesser of the principal amount of the liens that are combined with any prior liens and 80% of the value of the pledged properties; or
(ii) by senior units issued by French Fonds Communs de Créances or by equivalent securitisation entities governed by the laws of an EEA State securitising residential real estate exposures provided that at least 90% of the assets of such Fonds Communs de Créances or of equivalent securitisation entities governed by the laws of an EEA State are composed of mortgages that are combined with any prior liens up to the lesser of the principal amounts due under the units, the principal amounts of the liens, and 80% of the value of the pledged properties and the units qualify for credit quality step 1 where such units do not exceed 20% of the nominal amount of the outstanding issue; or

(i) loans secured by commercial real estate or shares in Finnish housing companies as referred to in BIPRU 3.4.57 R up to the lesser of the principal amount of the liens that are combined with any prior liens and 60% of the value of the pledged properties; or
(ii) loans secured by senior units issued by French Fonds Communs de Créances or by equivalent securitisation entities governed by the laws of an EEA State securitising commercial real estate exposures provided that, at least, 90% of the assets of such Fonds Communs de Créances or of equivalent securitisation entities governed by the laws of an EEA State are composed of mortgages that are combined with any prior liens up to the lesser of the principal amounts due under the units, the principal amounts of the liens, and 60% of the value of the pledged properties and the units qualify for credit quality step 1 where such units do not exceed 20% of the nominal amount of the outstanding issue; or
(iii) a firm may recognise loans secured by commercial real estate as eligible where the loan to value ratio of 60% is exceeded up to a maximum level of 70% if the value of the total assets pledged as collateral for the covered bonds exceed the nominal amount outstanding on the covered bond by at least 10%, and the bondholders' claim meets the legal certainty requirements set out in BIPRU 3 and BIPRU 5; the bondholders' claim must take priority over all other claims on the collateral; or

(f) loans secured by ships where only liens that are combined with any prior liens within 60% of the value of the pledged ship.

(2) For the purposes of BIPRU 3.4.107 R (1)(d)(ii) and BIPRU 3.4.107 R (1)(e)(ii)exposures caused by transmission and management of payments of the obligors of, or liquidation proceeds in respect of, loans secured by pledged properties of the senior units or debt securities must not be comprised in calculating the 90% limit.
(3) For the purposes of BIPRU 3.4.107 R to BIPRU 3.4.110 R "collateralised" includes situations where the assets described in subpoints (1)(a) to (1)(f) are exclusively dedicated in law to the protection of the bond-holders against losses.
(4) Until 31 December 2010 the 20% limit for senior units issued by French Fonds Communs de Créances or by equivalent securitisation entities specified in subpoints (d) and (e) does not apply, provided that those senior units have a credit assessment by a nominated ECAI which is the most favourable category of credit assessment made by the ECAI in respect of covered bonds.

(5) Until 31 December 2010 the figure of 60% in (1)(f) can be replaced with a figure of 70%.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 68]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.108

A firm must for real estate collateralising covered bonds meet the minimum requirements set out in BIPRU 3.4.64 R to BIPRU 3.4.73 R and the valuation rules set out in BIPRU 3.4.77 R to BIPRU 3.4.80 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.109

Notwithstanding BIPRU 3.4.107 R to BIPRU 3.4.108 R, covered bonds meeting the definition of Article 22(4) of the UCITS Directive and issued before 31 December 2007 are also eligible for the preferential treatment until their maturity.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.110

Covered bonds must be assigned a risk weight on the basis of the risk weight assigned to senior unsecured exposures to the credit institution which issues them. The following correspondence between risk weights applies:

(1) if the exposures to the institution are assigned a risk weight of 20%, the covered bond must be assigned a risk weight of 10%;
(2) if the exposures to the institution are assigned a risk weight of 50%, the covered bond must be assigned a risk weight of 20%;
(3) if the exposures to the institution are assigned a risk weight of 100%, the covered bond must be assigned a risk weight of 50%; and
(4) if the exposures to the institution are assigned a risk weight of 150%, the covered bond must be assigned a risk weight of 100%.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 71]

01/01/2007

Items representing securitisation positions

BIPRU 3.4.111

Risk weighted exposure amounts for securitisation positions must be determined in accordance with BIPRU 9.

01/01/2007

Short-term exposures to institutions and corporates

BIPRU 3.4.112

Short-term exposures to an institution or corporate for which a short-term credit assessment by a nominated ECAI is available must be assigned a risk weight according to the table in BIPRU 3.4.113 R in accordance with the mapping by the FSA in accordance with the Capital Requirements Regulations 2006 of the credit assessments of eligible ECAIs to six steps in a credit quality assessment scale.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.113

Table: Short-term exposures on an institution or corporate for which a short-term credit assessment by a nominated ECAI is available
This table belongs to BIPRU 3.4.112 R.

20%

50%

100%

150%

01/01/2007

Exposures in the form of collective investment undertakings (CIUs)

BIPRU 3.4.114

BIPRU 3.4.115 R to BIPRU 3.4.125 R set out the treatment to be accorded to exposures in the form of CIUs.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.115

Without prejudice to BIPRU 3.4.116 R to BIPRU 3.4.125 R, exposures in CIUs must be assigned a risk weight of 100%.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.116

Exposures in the form of CIUs for which a credit assessment by a nominated ECAI is available must be assigned a risk weight according to the table in BIPRU 3.4.117 R in accordance with the assignment by the FSA in accordance with the Capital Requirements Regulations 2006 of the credit assessments of eligible ECAIs to six steps in a credit quality assessment scale.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.117

Table: Exposures in the form of CIUs for which a credit assessment by a nominated ECAI is available
This table belongs to BIPRU 3.4.116 R.

Multilateral development banks

20%

50%

100%

150%

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.118

Where a firm considers that a position in a CIU is associated with particularly high risks it must assign that position a risk weight of 150%.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.119

A firm should consider a CIU as being high risk where there is no external credit assessment from an eligible ECAI and where the CIU has specific features (such as high levels of leverage or lack of transparency) that prevent it from meeting the eligibility criteria laid out in BIPRU 3.4.121 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.120

Other examples of high risk CIUs are: one in which a substantial element of the CIU's property is made up of items that would attract a risk weight of over 100%; or one whose mandate (as referred to in BIPRU 3.4.124 R) would permit it to invest in a substantial amount of such items.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.121

Where BIPRU 3.4.116 R does not apply, a firm may determine the risk weight for a CIU as set out in BIPRU 3.4.123 R to BIPRU 3.4.125 R, if the following eligibility criteria are met:

(1) one of the following conditions is satisfied:

(a) the CIU is managed by a company which is subject to supervision in an EEA State; or
(b) the following conditions are satisfied:

(i) the CIU is managed by a company which is subject to supervision that is equivalent to that laid down in Community law; and
(ii) cooperation between competent authorities is sufficiently ensured; and

(2) the CIU's prospectus or equivalent document includes:

(a) the categories of assets in which the CIU is authorised to invest; and
(b) if investment limits apply, the relative limits and the methodologies to calculate them; and

(3) the business of the CIU is reported on at least an annual basis to enable an assessment to be made of the assets and liabilities, income and operations over the reporting period.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.122

If another EEA competent authority approves a third country CIU as eligible under a CRD implementation measure with respect to point 77(a) of Part 1 of Annex VI of the Banking Consolidation Directive then a firm may make use of this recognition.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 78]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.123

Where a firm is aware of the underlying exposures of a CIU, it may look through to those underlying exposures in order to calculate an average risk weight for the CIU in accordance with the standardised approach.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.124

Where a firm is not aware of the underlying exposures of a CIU, it may calculate an average risk weight for the CIU in accordance with the standardised approach subject to the following rules: it will be assumed that the CIU first invests, to the maximum extent allowed under its mandate, in the standardised credit risk exposure classes attracting the highest capital requirement, and then continues making investments in descending order until the maximum total investment limit is reached.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.125

A firm may rely on a third party to calculate and report, in accordance with the methods set out in BIPRU 3.4.123 R to BIPRU 3.4.124 R, a risk weight for the CIU provided that the correctness of the calculation and report is adequately ensured.

01/01/2007

Other items

BIPRU 3.4.126

BIPRU 3.4.127 R to BIPRU 3.4.133 R set out the treatment to be accorded to other items as referred to in BIPRU 3.2.9 R (16).

01/01/2007

Treatment

BIPRU 3.4.127

Tangible assets within the meaning of Article 4(10) of the Bank Accounts Directive must be assigned a risk weight of 100%.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 82]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.128

Prepayments and accrued income for which a firm is unable to determine the counterparty in accordance with the Bank Accounts Directive, must be assigned a risk weight of 100%.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 83]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.129

Cash items in the process of collection must be assigned a 20% risk weight. Cash in hand and equivalent cash items must be assigned a 0% risk weight.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.130

Holdings of equity and other participations except where deducted from capital resources must be assigned a risk weight of at least 100%.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.131

Gold bullion held in own vaults or on an allocated basis to the extent backed by bullion liabilities must be assigned a 0% risk weight.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 87]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.132

In the case of asset sale and repurchase agreements and outright forward purchases, the risk weight must be that assigned to the assets in question and not to the counterparties to the transactions.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.4.133

Where a firm provides credit protection for a number of exposures under terms that the nth default among the exposures triggers payment and that this credit event terminates the contract, and where the product has an external credit assessment from an eligible ECAI the risk weights prescribed in BIPRU 9 must be assigned. If the product is not rated by an eligible ECAI, the risk weights of the exposures included in the basket must be aggregated, excluding n-1 exposures, up to a maximum of 1250% and multiplied by the nominal amount of the protection provided by the credit derivative to obtain the risk weighted asset amount. The n-1 exposures to be excluded from the aggregation must be determined on the basis that they include those exposures each of which produces a lower risk weighted exposure amount than the risk weighted exposure amount of any of the exposures included in the aggregation.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 1 point 89]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.5

Simplified method of calculating risk weights

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.5.1

This section (BIPRU 3.5) sets out a simplified approach to calculating risk weights. This approach is only relevant to an exposure class for which risk weights are determined by the ratings of a nominated ECAI or an export credit agency. For other exposure classes a firm should use the normal approach under the standardised approach.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.5.2

The approach in this section is only likely to be relevant for a limited licence firm or a limited activity firm that has only incidental credit exposures and for whom it would be prohibitively costly to establish the systems needed to include the credit assessments of ECAIs and export credit agencies in its regulatory capital calculations. However the approach may be used by other firms if appropriate. A firm should notify the FSA if it adopts the approach in this section.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.5.3

Rather than risk weighting exposures individually, a firm eligible to apply the simplified approach should apply a single risk weight to all exposures in each exposure class. The simplified risk weight for exposures in a particular class will be the risk weighting for unrated entities for each exposure class in which the external credit assessments influence risk weights.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.5.4

The table in BIPRU 3.5.5 G has a summary of the risk weights that a firm should use if it uses the simplified method of calculating risk weights referred to in BIPRU 3.5.1 G.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.5.5

Table : Simplified method of calculating risk weights
This table belongs to BIPRU 3.5.4 G.

Exposure class

Exposure sub-class

Risk weights

Comments

Central government

Exposures to United Kingdom government or Bank of England in sterling

Exposures to United Kingdom government or Bank of England in the currency of another EEA State

See Note 2.

Exposures to EEA State's central government or central bank in currency of that state

Exposures to EEA State's central government or central bank in the currency of another EEA State

See Notes 2 and 3.

Exposures to central governments or central banks of certain countries outside the EEA in currency of that country

See next column

The risk weight is whatever it is under local law. See BIPRU 3.4.6 R for precise details.

Exposures to European Central Bank

Other exposures

100%

Regional/local governments

Exposures to the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales and Northern Ireland Assembly in sterling

Exposures to the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales and Northern Ireland Assembly in the currency of another EEA State

See Note 2.

Exposures to EEA States' equivalent regional/local governments in currency of that state

See BIPRU 3.4.17 R for details of type of local/regional government covered.

Exposures to EEA States' equivalent regional/local governments in the currency of another EEA State

See BIPRU 3.4.17 R for details of type of local/regional government covered.
See Notes 2 and 3.

Exposures to local or regional governments of certain countries outside the EEA in currency of that country

See BIPRU 3.4.19 R for details of type of local/regional government covered.
See Note 1.

Exposures to United Kingdom or EEA States' local/regional government in currency of that state if the exposure has original effective maturity of 3 months or less

20%

Exposures to United Kingdom or EEA States' local/regional government in the currency of another EEA State if the exposure has original effective maturity of 3 months or less

20%

See Note 2. See Note 3 for local/regional government of an EEA State other than the United Kingdom

Exposures to local or regional governments of countries outside the EEA in currency of that country if the exposure has original effective maturity of 3 months or less

20%

See Note 1.

Other exposures

100%

PSE

Exposures to a PSE of the United Kingdom or of an EEA State if that PSE is guaranteed by its central government and if the exposure is be in currency of that PSE's state.

BIPRU 3.4.24 R describes the United Kingdom PSEs covered and BIPRU 3.4.25 R describes the EEA PSEs covered.

Exposures to PSE of a country outside the EEA if that PSE is guaranteed by the country's central government and if the exposure is in currency of that country.

See BIPRU 3.4.26 R and Note 1.

Exposures to a PSE of the United Kingdom or of an EEA State in currency of that state if the exposure has original effective maturity of 3 months or less

20%

Exposures to a PSE of the United Kingdom or of an EEA State in the currency of another EEA State if the exposure has original effective maturity of 3 months or less

20%

See Notes 2 and 3.

Exposures to PSE of a country outside the EEA in currency of that country if the exposure has original effective maturity of 3 months or less

20%

See Note 1.

Other exposures

100%

Exposures to multilateral development banks listed in paragraph (1) of the Glossary definition

Simplified approach does not apply. Normal rules apply.

Other exposures

Various

Treated as an institution

European Community, the International Monetary Fund and the Bank for International Settlements

Simplified approach does not apply. Normal rules apply.

Institutions

Exposures to United Kingdom institution in sterling with original effective maturity of three months or less

20%

Exposures to United Kingdom institution in the currency of another EEA State with original effective maturity of three months or less

20%

See Note 2.

Exposures to institution whose head office is in another EEA State in the currency of that state with original effective maturity of three months or less

20%

Exposures to institution whose head office is in another EEA State in the currency of another EEA State with original effective maturity of three months or less

20%

See Notes 2 and 3.

Exposures to institution with a head office in a country outside the EEA in the currency of that country with original effective maturity of three months or less

20%

See Note 1.

Exposures to United Kingdom institution in sterling with original effective maturity of over three months

50%

Exposures to United Kingdom institution in the currency of another EEA State with original effective maturity of over three months

50%

See Note 2.

Exposures to an EEA institution with a head office in another EEA State in the currency of that state with original effective maturity of over three months

50%

Exposures to an EEA institution with a head office in another EEA State in the currency of another EEA State with original effective maturity of over three months

50%

See Notes 2 and 3.

Exposures to institution with a head office in a country outside the EEA in the currency of that country with original effective maturity of over three months

50%

See Note 1.

Other exposures

100%

Corporates

100%

Retail exposures

75%

Simplified approach does not apply. Normal rules apply.

Mortgages on residential or commercial property

Various

Simplified approach does not apply. Normal rules apply.

Past due items

Various

Simplified approach does not apply. Normal rules apply.

High risk items

150%

Simplified approach does not apply. Normal rules apply.

Covered bonds

Various

Risk weights are based on the risk weight of issuer as described in BIPRU 3.4.110 R. The risk weight of the issuer for this purpose should be calculated under the simplified approach.

Securitisation exposures

Generally 1250%. May look through to underlying exposures if BIPRU 9 allows.

Use the BIPRU 9 rules for unrated exposures under the standardised approach

Short term exposures with rating

See BIPRU 3.4.112 R. Not applicable as uses ECAI ratings.

CIUs

May look through to underlying under BIPRU 3.4.123 R

Various

Simplified approach does not apply. Normal rules apply. May use simplified approach to underlying if simplified approach applies to underlying.

May use average risk weight under BIPRU 3.4.124 R

Various

Simplified approach does not apply. Normal rules apply. May use simplified approach to underlyings if simplified approach applies to underlying.

High risk under BIPRU 3.4.118 R

150%

Simplified approach does not apply. Normal rules apply.

Others

100%

Other items under BIPRU 3.2.9 R (16)

Various

Simplified approach does not apply. Normal rules apply.

Note 1: The risk weight should not be lower than the risk weight that applies for national currency exposures of the central government of the third country in question under BIPRU 3.5. That means that this risk weight only applies if the third country is one of those to which BIPRU 3.4.6 R (Preferential risk weight for exposures of the central government of countries outside the EEA that apply equivalent prudential standards) applies.

Note 2: This is a transitional measure. It lasts until 31 December 2012.

Note 3: The risk weight should not be lower than the risk weight that applies for exposures of the central government of the EEA State in question in the currency of another EEA State under BIPRU 3.5.

06/04/2007

BIPRU 3.5.6

If an exposure is guaranteed and if under BIPRU 5 the firm may treat the exposure as being to the guarantor, the simplified approach may be used for the guarantor. The key provisions are BIPRU 5.7.23 R to BIPRU 5.7.25 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.5.7

If an exposure is collateralised and if under BIPRU 5 the firm may recognise the collateral, the simplified approach may be used to determine the risk weight to be applied to the collateralised exposure. The key provisions are BIPRU 5.4.18 R to BIPRU 5.4.21 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.5.8

If a firm does not nominate one or more eligible ECAIs as referred to in BIPRU 3.6.4 R the firm must not use the financial collateral comprehensive method.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.6

Use of rating agencies' credit assessments for the determination of risk weights under the standardised approach to credit risk

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.6.1

The use of ECAI credit assessments for the calculation of a firm's risk weighted exposure amounts must be consistent and in accordance with BIPRU 3.6. Credit assessments must not be used selectively.

[Note: BCD Article 83(1)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.6.2

Where the FSA's recognition of an ECAI is not limited to its solicited credit assessments, a firm may use an unsolicited credit assessment of an eligible ECAI for the calculation of a firm's risk weighted exposure amounts.

[Note: BCD Article 83(2)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.6.3

The FSA's recognition of an ECAI may be limited to its solicited credit assessments. Where this is the case a firm should not use unsolicited assessments. The FSA may indicate that the unsolicited ratings of an eligible ECAI are not to be used for the purposes of BIPRU 3 if those assessments are considered to be inferior in quality to the general quality of solicited assessments or if it considers that the ECAI's strategy in relation to the issuing of unsolicited assessments is founded in the placing of undue pressure on the rated entity to pay for a rating.

01/01/2007

Treatment

BIPRU 3.6.4

A firm may nominate one or more eligible ECAIs to be used for the determination of risk weights to be assigned to asset and off-balance sheet items.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 3 point 1]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.6.5

A firm which decides to use the credit assessments produced by an eligible ECAI for a certain class of items must use those credit assessments consistently for all exposures belonging to that class.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 3 point 2]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.6.6

A firm which decides to use the credit assessments produced by an eligible ECAI must use them in a continuous and consistent way over time.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 3 point 3]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.6.7

A firm can only use ECAIs' credit assessments that take into account all amounts both in principal and in interest owed to it.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 3 point 4]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.6.8

If only one credit assessment is available from a nominated ECAI for a rated item, that credit assessment must be used to determine the risk weight for that item.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 3 point 5]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.6.9

If two credit assessments are available from nominated ECAIs and the two correspond to different risk weights for a rated item, the higher risk weight must be applied.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 3 point 6]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.6.10

If more than two credit assessments are available from nominated ECAIs for a rated item, the two assessments generating the two lowest risk weights must be referred to. If the two lowest risk weights are different, the higher risk weight must be assigned. If the two lowest risk weights are the same, that risk weight must be assigned.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 3 point 7]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.6.11

(1) If a firm has decided to make use of the credit assessments of export credit agencies, when risk weighting exposures to central governments or central banks, if two or more credit assessments are available to a firm from export credit agencies or if credit assessments are available to a firm from both nominated ECAIs and export credit agencies, the firm must adopt the approach in this rule.
(2) If two credit assessments are available and correspond to different risk weights for a rated item, the higher risk weight must be applied.
(3) If more than two credit assessments are available for a rated item, the assessments generating the two lowest risk weights must be referred to:

(a) if the two lowest risk weights are the same, that risk weight must be applied; or
(b) if the two lowest risk weights are different, the higher of the two must be applied.

(4) If a firm does not for the purposes of BIPRU 3 make any use of the consensus risk scores referred to in BIPRU 3.4.7 R (1) it may treat those scores as not being available to it for the purpose of this rule. Likewise, if a firm does not for the purposes of BIPRU 3 make any use of the credit assessments of a particular export credit agency as referred to in BIPRU 3.4.7 R (2) it may treat those assessments as not being available to it for the purpose of this rule.

01/01/2007

Issuer and issue credit assessment

BIPRU 3.6.12

Where a credit assessment exists for a specific issuing program or facility to which the item constituting the exposure belongs, this credit assessment must be used to determine the risk weight to be assigned to that item.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 3 point 8]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.6.13

Where no directly applicable credit assessment exists for a certain item, but a credit assessment exists for a specific issuing program or facility to which the item constituting the exposure does not belong or a general credit assessment exists for the issuer, then that credit assessment must be used if it produces a higher risk weight than would otherwise be the case or if it produces a lower risk weight and the exposure in question ranks pari passu or senior in all respects to the specific issuing program or facility or to senior unsecured exposures of that issuer as relevant.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 3 point 9]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.6.14

BIPRU 3.6.12 R and BIPRU 3.6.13 R are not to prevent the application of BIPRU 3.4.107 R to BIPRU 3.4.110 R (Exposures in the form of covered bonds).

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 3 point 10]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.6.15

Credit assessments for issuers within a corporate group cannot be used as credit assessment of another issuer within the same corporate group.
[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 3 point 11]

01/01/2007

Long-term and short-term credit assessments

BIPRU 3.6.16

Short-term credit assessments may only be used for short-term asset and off-balance sheet items constituting exposures to institutions and corporates.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.6.17

Any short-term credit assessment may only apply to the item the short-term credit assessment refers to, and it must not be used to derive risk weights for any other item.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.6.18

Notwithstanding BIPRU 3.6.17 R, if a short-term rated facility is assigned a 150% risk weight, then all unrated unsecured exposures on that obligor whether short-term or long-term must also be assigned a 150% risk weight.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 3 point 14]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.6.19

Notwithstanding BIPRU 3.6.17 R, if a short-term rated facility is assigned a 50% risk weight, no unrated short-term exposure may be assigned a risk weight lower than 100%.

01/01/2007

Domestic and foreign currency items

BIPRU 3.6.20

A credit assessment that refers to an item denominated in the obligor's domestic currency cannot be used to derive a risk weight for another exposure on that same obligor that is denominated in a foreign currency.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.6.21

Notwithstanding BIPRU 3.6.20 R, when an exposure arises through a firm's participation in a loan that has been extended by a multilateral development bank whose preferred creditor status is recognised in the market, the credit assessment on the obligors' domestic currency item may be used for risk weighting purposes.

[Note: BCD Annex VI Part 3 point 17]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.7

Classification of off-balance-sheet items

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3.7.1

In accordance with BIPRU 3.2.1 R (2) and BIPRU 3.2.2 R, a firm must:

(1) assign an off-balance sheet item listed in the table in BIPRU 3.7.2 R to the risk category indicated in column 1 of that table; and
(2) determine the exposure value of that item as the percentage of its value for the appropriate risk category as set out in column 3 of the table in BIPRU 3.7.2 R.

01/01/2007

Table: Classification of off-balance-sheet items

BIPRU 3.7.2

This table belongs to BIPRU 3.7.1 R
[Note: BCD Annex II]

Guidance on the standardised approach zero risk weighting for intra-group exposures

01/01/2007

This flow chart belongs to BIPRU 3.2.25 R - BIPRU 3.2.35 R.
Flowchart - zero risk weighting for intra-group exposures

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3 Annex 2

Regional governments and local authorities eligible for the treatment in BIPRU 3.4.15R

01/01/2007

(1)

The Scottish Parliament

(2)

National Assembly for Wales

(3)

Northern Ireland Assembly

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3 Annex 3

High risk exposures

01/01/2007

(1)

Exposures arising out of venture capital business (whether or not the firm itself carries on the venture capital business).

(2)

Any exposure of the type referred to in BIPRU 3.4.118 R (High risk position in a CIU) that is illiquid and held with a view to long-term sale or realisation.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 3 Annex 4

Exposures to institutions: Interaction with short-term credit assessments in BIPRU 3.4.40R

01/01/2007

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4

The IRB approach

BIPRU 4.1

The IRB approach: Application, purpose and overview

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 4.1.1

BIPRU 4 applies to a firm with an IRB permission.

01/01/2007

Purpose

BIPRU 4.1.2

BIPRU 4 implements the following provisions of the Banking Consolidation Directive:

(1) Articles 84 - 89; and
(2) Annex VII.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.1.3

BIPRU 4 also implements Annex VIII of the Banking Consolidation Directive so far as it applies to the IRB approach. In particular, it implements (in part):

(1) from Part 1 of that Annex, points 12-16, 19-22, 26(g)(ii) and 27;
(2) from Part 2 of that Annex, points 8-11; and
(3) from Part 3 of that Annex, points 1, 11, 20, 23-24, 58(h), 61, 64-79 and 90-93.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.1.4

BIPRU 4 also implements article 40 of the Capital Adequacy Directive as it applies to the IRB approach.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.1.5

Other material on the IRB approach can be found in BIPRU 8 (Group risk), BIPRU 9 (Securitisation), BIPRU 13 (The calculation of exposure values for financial derivatives, securities financing transactions and long settlement transactions) and BIPRU 14 (Capital requirements for settlement and counterparty risk). BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) also contains material applicable to the IRB approach.

01/01/2007

Overview

BIPRU 4.1.6

The IRB approach is an alternative to the standardised approach for calculating a firm's credit risk capital requirements. It may be applied to all a firm's exposures or to some of them, subject to various limitations on partial use as set out in BIPRU 4.2. Under the IRB approach capital requirements are based on a firm's own estimates of certain parameters together with other parameters set out in the Banking Consolidation Directive.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.1.7

Exposures are divided into a number of distinct exposure classes. These are listed in BIPRU 4.3.2 R. There is a special treatment for purchased receivables, although they do not form an exposure class on their own.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.1.8

For exposures in the sovereign, institution and corporate IRB exposure class, there is a foundation IRB approach under which a firm provides its own estimates of PD and an advanced IRB approach under which a firm additionally provides its own estimates of LGD and conversion factors. The distinction between the foundation IRB approach and the advanced IRB approach only applies to this IRB exposure class.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.1.9

For retail exposures, a firm provides its own estimates of PD, LGD and conversion factors.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.1.10

For the corporate exposure class there is a separate sub-class of specialised lending exposure. A firm may calculate risk weights for these exposures, where it is able to do so, in the same way as it does for the rest of its corporate exposure class, i.e. using the foundation IRB approach or the advanced IRB approach. Where a firm is not able to use this approach it may calculate risk weights for specialised lending exposures by slotting them into predetermined risk weights.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.1.11

For equity exposures there are two approaches based on market based measures and a third under which a firm uses its own estimates of PD only.

01/01/2007

IRB permissions: general

BIPRU 4.1.12

The rules in GENPRU and BIPRU do not allow a firm to use the IRB approach. A firm that wishes to use the IRB approach should therefore apply for permission to use the IRB approach using the application procedure explained in BIPRU 1.3. If a firm's application is granted, its terms will be set out in an IRB permission.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.1.13

The FSA recognises that the nature of IRB approaches will vary between firms. The scope of and the requirements and conditions set out in an IRB permission may therefore differ in substance or detail from BIPRU 4 in order to address individual circumstances adequately. However any differences will only be allowed if they are compliant with the Banking Consolidation Directive. An IRB permission will implement any such variation by modifying the relevant provisions of GENPRU and BIPRU. An IRB permission may also include additional conditions to meet the particular circumstances of the firm.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.1.14

(1) The FSA will only grant an IRB permission if it is satisfied that the firm's systems for the management and rating of credit risk exposures are sound and implemented with integrity and, in particular, that they meet the standards in BIPRU 4.2.2 R in accordance with the minimum IRB standards.
(2) Under BIPRU 4.2.11 R, a firm applying for an IRB permission is required to demonstrate that it has been using for the IRB exposure classes in question rating systems that were broadly in line with the minimum IRB standards for internal risk measurement and management purposes for at least three years prior to the date of its IRB permission.
(3) Under BIPRU 4.2.13 R, a firm applying for the use of own estimates of LGDs and/or conversion factors should demonstrate that it has been estimating and employing own estimates of LGDs and/or conversion factors in a manner that was broadly consistent with the minimum IRB standards for use of own estimates for at least three years prior to the date of its IRB permission or of a variation of its IRB permission that, in either case, entitles the firm to use own estimates of LGDs and/or conversion factors.

01/01/2007

Link to standard rules: Incorporation of the IRB output into the capital calculation

BIPRU 4.1.15

An IRB permission will modify GENPRU 2.1.51 R (Calculation of the credit risk capital requirement) by amending, to the extent set out in the IRB permission, the calculation of the credit risk capital requirement in accordance with BIPRU 4 and the other provisions of the Handbook relating to the IRB approach.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.1.16

A firm must calculate its credit risk capital component as the sum of:

(1) (for exposures to which the standardised approach is applied) the credit risk capital component as calculated under BIPRU 3.1.5 R; and
(2) (for exposures to which the IRB approach is applied to which the standardised approach would otherwise apply in accordance with BIPRU 3.1.5 R (Credit risk capital component)), 8% of the total of the firm's risk weighted exposure amounts calculated in accordance with the IRB approach.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.1.17

For exposures covered by an IRB permission, BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) is modified by BIPRU 4.10.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.1.18

Under BIPRU 4.9, a firm is required to deal with securitisation positions under those provisions of BIPRU 9 applicable to a firm using the IRB approach.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.1.19

Exposures treated under BIPRU 13 are required to be dealt with in accordance with the IRB approach to the extent set out in BIPRU 13.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.1.20

By modifying GENPRU 2.1.51 R to allow the firm to use the IRB approach to calculate all or part of its risk weighted exposure amounts, the FSA is treating it like an application rule. The modification means that the provisions of BIPRU relating to the IRB approach supersede the rules relating to the standardised approach for exposures coming within the scope of the IRB permission.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.1.21

A reference in the Handbook to a provision of the IRB approach, in the case of a firm:

(1) excludes any provision of the IRB approach set out in the Handbook that is not applied to that firm by its IRB permission;
(2) includes any additional provision contained in the firm's IRB permission; and
(3) takes into account any other amendments made to the provisions in the Handbook relating to the IRB approach made by the firm's IRB permission.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.1.22

To the extent that a firm's IRB permission does not allow it to use a particular approach in the Handbook relating to the IRB approach the Handbook provision in question does not apply to the firm.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.1.23

If a provision of the Handbook relating to the IRB approach says that a firm may do something if its IRB permission allows it, a firm may do that thing unless its IRB permission expressly says that it may not do so except that:

(1) BIPRU 4.2.18 R - BIPRU 4.2.19 R (Sequential implementation of IRB approach) and BIPRU 4.2.26 R (1)-BIPRU 4.2.26R (5) (Combined use of standardised approach with IRB approach) only apply if expressly permitted by a firm's IRB permission;
(2) a firm may not use the advanced IRB approach for the sovereign, institution and corporate IRB exposure class except to the extent expressly permitted by the firm's IRB permission;
(3) if a firm uses its own estimates of LGD and conversion factors it may only take into account unfunded credit protection to reduce LGD in the manner set out in its IRB permission;
(4) if a firm uses its own estimates of LGD and conversion factors it may only recognise the effects of financial collateral under BIPRU 10.6.17 R (Exemptions for firms using own estimates of LGD and conversion factors under the IRB approach) in the manner set out in its IRB permission;
(5) a firm must deal with equity exposures in the manner set out in its IRB permission; and
(6) (in the case of collateral that is only eligible for recognition under paragraph 21 of Part 1 of Annex VIII of the Banking Consolidation Directive (Other physical collateral)) a firm may not recognise as eligible collateral an item of a type referred to in BIPRU 4.10.16 R (Other physical collateral) unless that item is of a type specified as permitted in its IRB permission.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.1.24

An IRB permission will set out firm-specific material. This will generally include:

(1) details about the firm's methodology for carrying out the IRB approach, including the models and rating systems that a firm should use;
(2) reporting requirements; and
(3) requirements about internal control structure.

01/01/2007

Compliance

BIPRU 4.1.25

If a firm ceases to comply with the requirements of the IRB approach, it must either present to the FSA a plan for a timely return to compliance or demonstrate that the effect of non-compliance is immaterial.

[Note: BCD Article 84(5)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.1.26

If a firm ceases to comply with the requirements of the IRB approach, the FSA may revoke the IRB permission or take other appropriate supervisory action.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.1.27

For the purposes of BIPRU 4.1.25 R, the FSA will expect a firm to demonstrate that, taking into account all instances where the firm has not complied with the requirements of the IRB approach, the effect of non-compliance is immaterial.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2

The IRB approach: High level material

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 4.2.1

This section applies to all exposures treated under the IRB approach.

01/01/2007

General approach to granting an IRB permission

BIPRU 4.2.2

A firm's systems for the management and rating of credit risk exposures must be sound and implemented with integrity and, in particular, they must meet the following standards in accordance with the minimum IRB standards:

(1) the firm's rating systems provide for a meaningful assessment of obligor and transaction characteristics, a meaningful differentiation of risk and accurate and consistent quantitative estimates of risk;
(2) internal ratings and default and loss estimates used in the calculation of capital requirements and associated systems and processes play an essential role in the risk management and decision-making process, and in the credit approval, internal capital allocation and corporate governance functions of the firm;
(3) the firm has a credit risk control unit responsible for its rating systems that is appropriately independent and free from undue influence;
(4) the firm collects and stores all relevant data to provide effective support to its credit risk measurement and management process; and
(5) the firm documents its rating systems, the rationale for their design and validates its rating systems.

[Note: BCD Article 84(2) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2.3

Where an EEA parent institution and its subsidiary undertakings or an EEA parent financial holding company and its subsidiary undertakings use the IRB approach on a unified basis, the question whether the minimum IRB standards are met is answered by considering the parent undertaking and its subsidiary undertakings together unless the firm's IRB permission specifies otherwise.

[Note: BCD Article 84(2) (part)]

06/04/2007

Outsourcing

BIPRU 4.2.4

(1) This guidance sets out the basis on which a firm may rely upon a rating system or data provided by another member of its group.
(2) A firm may rely upon a rating system or data provided by another member of its group if the following conditions are satisfied:

(a) the firm only does so to the extent that it is appropriate, given the nature and scale of the firm's business and portfolios and the firm's position within the group;
(b) the group is an EEA banking and investment group;
(c) the integrity of the firm's systems and controls is not adversely affected;
(d) the outsourcing of these functions meets the requirements of SYSC; and
(e) (if the provision of the rating system or data is not carried out in the United Kingdom or in the jurisdiction of the competent authority that is the lead regulator of the group) the firm can demonstrate to the FSA that the ability of the FSA and that lead regulator to carry out their responsibilities under the Handbook, the Banking Consolidation Directive and the Capital Adequacy Directive are not adversely affected.

(3) If a firm does use a rating system or data provided by another member of its group, the requirements in BIPRU 4 continue to apply to that firm in respect of that rating system and data. A firm cannot absolve itself of the responsibility for complying with those requirements by claiming that any breach is caused by the actions of a third party to which the firm has delegated tasks. The rating system and data provision are still those of the firm, even though personnel elsewhere in the firm's group are carrying out these functions on its behalf. So any references in BIPRU to what a firm, its personnel and its management should and should not do still apply.
(4) If a firm does use a rating system or data provided by another group member, the firm's governing body should formally delegate those functions to the persons or bodies that are to carry them out.
(5) Before delegating the provision of a rating system or data to another group member, the firm's governing body should have explicitly considered the arrangement and decided that it is appropriate and that it enables the firm to meet the conditions in (2).

01/01/2007

Assessment and estimation

BIPRU 4.2.5

(1) This paragraph provides guidance on BIPRU 4.2.2 R and in particular BIPRU 4.2.2 R (1).
(2) The information that a firm produces or uses for the purpose of the IRB approach should be reliable and take proper account of the different users of the information produced (customers, shareholders, regulators and other market participants).
(3) A firm should establish quantified and documented targets and standards, against which it should test the accuracy of data used in its rating systems.
(4) Tests under (3) might include:

(a) report and accounts reconciliation, including completeness in relation to (b);
(b) whether every exposure has a PD, LGD and, if applicable, conversion factor for reporting purposes;
(c) whether the firm's risk control environment has key risk indicators for the purpose of monitoring and ensuring data accuracy;
(d) whether the firm has an adequate business and information technology infrastructure with fully documented processes;
(e) whether the firm has clear and documented standards on ownership of data (including inputs and manipulation) and timeliness of current data (daily, monthly, real time); and
(f) whether the firm has a comprehensive quantitative audit programme.

(5) The reconciliation referred to in 4(a) should be reasonably fit for purpose. In particular it should meet the standards in (6) and (7).
(6) For data inputs, testing for accuracy of data, including the reconciliation referred to in 4(a), should be sufficiently detailed so that, together with other available evidence, it gives reasonable assurance that data input into the rating system is accurate, complete and appropriate. Input data fails the required standard if it gives rise to a serious risk of material misstatement in the capital requirement either immediately or subsequently.
(7) For data outputs, the firm, as part of the reconciliation referred to in 4(a), should be able to identify and explain material differences between the outputs produced under accounting standards and those produced under the requirements of the IRB approach, including in relation to areas that address similar concepts in different ways (for example expected loss on the one hand and accounting provisions on the other).
(8) A firm should have clear and documented standards and policies about the use of data in practice (including information technology standards) which should in particular cover the firm's approach to the following:

(a) data access and security;
(b) data integrity, including the accuracy, completeness, appropriateness and testing of data; and
(c) data availability.

01/01/2007

Further requirements concerning the use test

BIPRU 4.2.6

If a firm uses separate models for the purpose of the IRB approach and for its internal purposes as referred to in BIPRU 4.2.2 R (2) it must be able to demonstrate the reasonableness of any differences between those models.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2.7

(1) This paragraph provides guidance on BIPRU 4.2.2 R and in particular BIPRU 4.2.2 R (2).
(2) The IRB approach as applicable to a firm should be an integral part of its business and risk management processes and procedures to the extent that credit risk is relevant to them. It should also have a substantial influence on its decision-making and actions.

(a) particular regard should be had to the use of the IRB approach in:

(i) credit approval;
(ii) individual and portfolio limit setting;
(iii) reporting of credit risk information; and
(iv) provisioning;

(b) other relevant aspects include:

(i) assessment of economic capital;
(ii) internal capital allocation so far as related to credit risk;
(iii) risk appetite;
(iv) strategy and acquisitions;
(v) profitability and performance; and
(vi) performance-related remuneration;

(c) the carrying out of the firm's obligations under the overall Pillar 2 rule; and
(d) matters relating to the firm's infrastructure, including information technology, skills and resources and organisational culture.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2.8

This paragraph provides further guidance on BIPRU 4.2.2 R and in particular BIPRU 4.2.2 R (2). In the FSA's view risk management has an essential role in informing risk decisions. However, an essential role does not necessarily mean an exclusive role or even always a primary role. There may be justifiable differences between the IRB approach and the firm's use of rating systems for its internal purposes as referred to in BIPRU 4.2.2 R (2). For example, internal standards and policies may refer to estimates of PD and LGD for the length of the asset rather than to estimates based on a one-year period (in the case of PD estimates) or on an economic downturn (in the case of LGD estimates) required by the IRB approach.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2.9

If a firm uses scorecards for its internal credit approval process and the models it uses for the purpose of the IRB approach are fundamentally different from those scorecards, a firm's demonstration of how this is compatible with BIPRU 4.2.2 R (2) might include demonstrating that estimates calculated under the IRB approach are used to change sanctioning decisions at an individual or portfolio level. Examples of this might include amending cut-offs, the application of policy rules, the revision of an existing scorecard or the introduction of a new one or taking strategic decisions on which segments of the market to target.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2.10

To the extent that a firm uses LGD estimates in its internal risk management processes that differ from the downturn LGDs used in the calculation of risk weighted assets (see BIPRU 4.3.103 R), the reasons for the difference should be documented in accordance with BIPRU 4.3.109 R.

01/01/2007

Requirements concerning the experience requirement

BIPRU 4.2.11

A firm must be able to demonstrate that it has been using for the IRB exposure classes in question rating systems that were broadly in line with the minimum IRB standards for internal risk measurement and management purposes for at least three years prior to the date of its IRB permission.

[Note: BCD Article 84(3)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2.12

In meeting the experience requirement under BIPRU 4.2.11 R, the FSA would expect a firm to be able to demonstrate that it has been:

(1) operating an internal rating system with estimates of PD;
(2) meeting the standards in BIPRU 4 for senior management knowledge and reporting; and
(3) meeting the standards in BIPRU 4 relating to the use of rating systems in its business;

for the required minimum 3 year period.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2.13

A firm that has applied for the use of own estimates of LGDs and/or conversion factors must be able to demonstrate to the FSA that it has been estimating and employing own estimates of LGDs and/or conversion factors in a manner that was broadly consistent with the minimum IRB standards for use of own estimates of those parameters for at least three years prior to the date of its IRB permission or of a variation of its IRB permission that, in either case, entitled the firm to use own estimates of LGDs and/or conversion factors.

[Note: BCD Article 84(4)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2.14

In meeting the experience requirement under BIPRU 4.2.13 R, the FSA would expect a firm to be able to demonstrate that it has been:

(1) operating an internal rating system with estimates of LGD and with conversion factors; and
(2) compliant with BIPRU 4.2.11 R as applied to the advanced IRB approach.

for the required minimum 3 year period.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2.15

In the FSA's view the standard required by BIPRU 4.2.11 R and BIPRU 4.2.13 R is for a rating system to be improved in the light of experience during the three year period so that it meets the minimum requirements more fully for the last year than for the two prior years, provided that the rating system has not changed so profoundly that experience from the first or second years becomes of marginal relevance in assessing the reliability of the changed rating system.

01/01/2007

Implementation of the internal ratings based approach

BIPRU 4.2.16

A firm must comply with any requirements in its IRB permission relating to the matters described in BIPRU 4.2.17 R - BIPRU 4.2.35 G.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2.17

Without prejudice to BIPRU 4.2.26 R, a firm and any parent undertaking and its subsidiary undertakings must implement the IRB approach for all exposures.

[Note: BCD Article 85(1) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2.18

To the extent that a firm's IRB permission permits this, implementation may be carried out sequentially across the different IRB exposure classes within the same business unit, across different business units in the same group or for the use of own estimates of LGDs or conversion factors for the calculation of risk weights for the sovereign, institution and corporate IRB exposure class.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2.19

In the case of the retail exposures, implementation may (but only to the extent provided for in the firm's IRB permission) be carried out sequentially across the categories of exposures to which the different correlations in BIPRU 4.6.41 R-BIPRU 4.6.44 R correspond.

[Note: BCD Article 85(1) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2.20

(1) Implementation of the IRB approach as referred to in BIPRU 4.2.18 R must be carried out within a reasonable period of time as set out in the IRB permission.
(2) The implementation must be carried out subject to strict conditions determined by the FSA and set out in the IRB permission.
(3) A firm must not use the flexibility under BIPRU 4.2.18 R selectively with the purpose of achieving reduced minimum capital requirements in respect of those IRB exposure classes or business units that are yet to be included in the IRB approach or in the use of own estimates of LGDs and conversion factors.

[Note: BCD Article 85(2)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2.21

(1) A firm should achieve full roll-out of the IRB approach to all its exposures, subject to the exemptions outlined in BIPRU 4.2.26 R, within the period specified in its IRB permission. A firm should not retain a permanent mix of portfolios on the standardised approach and the IRB approach, on the foundation IRB approach and the advanced IRB approach or on a mixture of all approaches with the exception of portfolios covered by those exemptions.
(2) This applies to a move:

(a) from the standardised approach to the IRB approach;
(b) from the foundation IRB approach to the advanced IRB approach; and
(c) from the transitional rules and guidance for BIPRU to the IRB approach.

(3) The period referred to in BIPRU 4.2.20 R (1) will generally be not more than three years of starting use of the IRB approach or the advanced IRB approach as applicable.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2.22

A firm using the IRB approach for any IRB exposure class must at the same time use the IRB approach for the equity exposure class.

[Note: BCD Article 85(3)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2.23

Subject to BIPRU 4.2.17 R - BIPRU 4.2.20 R, BIPRU 4.2.22 R and BIPRU 4.2.26 R, a firm that has an IRB permission must not use the standardised approach for the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts for the exposures to which the IRB approach applies under the IRB permission.

[Note: BCD Article 85(4)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2.24

[to follow]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2.25

The FSA will not agree to a firm's request to revoke or vary its IRB permission so as to permit the firm to revert to the standardised approach except for demonstrated good cause. Likewise, the FSA will not agree to a firm's request to revoke or vary its IRB permission so as to permit the firm to revert to the foundation IRB approach if the IRB permission provides for it to use the advanced IRB approach, except for demonstrated good cause.

01/01/2007

Combined use of methodologies: Basic provisions

BIPRU 4.2.26

(1) To the extent that its IRB permission permits this, a firm permitted to use the IRB approach in the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts for one or more IRB exposure classes may apply the standardised approach in accordance with this rule.
(2) A firm may apply the standardised approach to the IRB exposure class referred to in BIPRU 4.3.2 R (1) (Sovereigns) where the number of material counterparties is limited and it would be unduly burdensome for the firm to implement a rating system for these counterparties. A firm may include in this treatment an exposure of the type described in BIPRU 3.4.18 R (Exposures to churches or religious communities) that would fall within BIPRU 3.4.15 R or BIPRU 3.4.17 R (Exposure to a regional government or local authority) if those provisions had not been excluded by BIPRU 3.4.18 R.
(3) A firm may apply the standardised approach to the IRB exposure class referred to in BIPRU 4.3.2 R (2) (Institutions), where the number of material counterparties is limited and it would be unduly burdensome for the firm to implement a rating system for these counterparties.
(4) A firm may apply the standardised approach to exposures in non-significant business units as well as IRB exposure classes that are immaterial in terms of size and perceived risk profile.
(5) A firm may apply the standardised approach to exposures to the central government of the United Kingdom and to its regional governments, local authorities and administrative bodies, provided that:

(a) there is no difference in risk between the exposures to the central government and those other exposures because of specific public arrangements; and
(b) exposures to the central government are assigned a 0% risk weight under the standardised approach.

(6) A firm may apply the standardised approach to exposures of a firm to a counterparty which is its parent undertaking, its subsidiary undertaking or a subsidiary undertaking of its parent undertaking provided that the counterparty is an institution, a financial holding company, a financial institution, an asset management company or an ancillary services undertaking subject to appropriate prudential requirements.
(7) A firm may apply the standardised approach to equity exposures to entities whose credit obligations qualify for a 0% risk weight under the standardised approach (including those publicly sponsored entities where a zero risk weight can be applied).
(8) A firm may apply the standardised approach to equity exposures incurred under legislative programmes to promote specified sectors of the economy that provide significant subsidies for the investment to the firm and involve some form of government oversight and restrictions on the equity investments. This exclusion is limited to an aggregate of 10% of capital resources.
(9) A firm may apply the standardised approach to the exposures identified in BIPRU 3.4.48 R (Exposures in the form of minimum reserves required by the European Central Bank or by the central bank of an EEA State) meeting the conditions specified therein.
(10) A firm may apply the standardised approach to state and state-reinsured guarantees pursuant to BIPRU 5.7.12 R (Conditions for state and state-reinsured guarantees).

[Note: BCD Article 89(1)]

06/04/2007

Combined use of methodologies: Documentation

BIPRU 4.2.27

As part of the application for an IRB permission, a firm should have a well documented policy explaining the basis on which exposures are to be selected for permanent exemption from the IRB approach and for treatment under the standardised approach. The firm's roll out plan should also contain provisions for the continuing application of that policy on a consistent basis over time.

01/01/2007

Combined use of methodologies: Sovereign and institutional, exposures

BIPRU 4.2.28

A firm intending to make use of BIPRU 4.2.26 R (2) or BIPRU 4.2.26 R (3) should demonstrate to the FSA when applying for an IRB permission that it meets the requirements of those provisions with respect to its sovereign or, as the case may be, institutional, exposures.

01/01/2007

Combined use of methodologies: Meaning of non-significance and immateriality

BIPRU 4.2.29

For the purposes of BIPRU 4.2.26 R (4), the equity exposure IRB exposure class of a firm must be considered material if its aggregate value, excluding equity exposures incurred under legislative programmes as referred to in BIPRU 4.2.26 R (8), exceeds, on average over the preceding year, 10% of the firm's capital resources. If the number of those equity exposures is less than 10 individual holdings, that threshold is 5% of the firm's capital resources.

[Note: BCD Article 89(2)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2.30

(1) This rule sets out what must be treated as being non-significant business or immaterial for the purposes of BIPRU 4.2.26 R (4), for exposures that do not fall within the equity exposure IRB exposure class.
(2) A firm may elect permanently to exclude exposures from the IRB approach and apply the standardised approach. However a firm may only make use of this exemption to the extent that:

(a) the consolidated credit risk requirement (adjusted under (6)) so far as it is attributable to the excluded exposures;

would be no more than 15% of:

(b) the consolidated credit risk requirement (adjusted under (6)) with respect to all exposures (including the ones dealt with under (a)).

(3) Exposures excluded under BIPRU 4.2.29 R or BIPRU 4.2.26 R (2), BIPRU 4.2.26 R (3) and BIPRU 4.2.26 R (5)-BIPRU 4.2.26 R (7) must not be included in (a) or (b).
(4) The calculation in (2)(a) is based on the standardised approach.
(5) The calculation in (2)(b) is based on whichever of the standardised approach and the IRB approach would apply to the exposures referred to in (2)(b) at the time when the calculation is being made.
(6) The consolidated credit risk requirement is adjusted for the purposes of this rule as follows:

(a) the element based on the concentration risk capital component is excluded, with only the elements based on the credit risk capital component and the counterparty risk capital component being taken into account; and
(b) the calculation is carried out with respect to the group of undertakings referred to in BIPRU 4.2.17 R.

(7) If a group with respect to which the calculation in this rule is being carried out is not required to calculate the consolidated credit risk requirement, the calculations in this rule must be carried out as if it were.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2.31

If a firm applies to use the advanced IRB approach for the sovereign, institution and corporate IRB exposure class, BIPRU 4.2.26 R (4) also applies with respect to exposures in that class. For these purposes, to the extent permitted in the firm's IRB permission, a firm may:

(1) exclude some exposures from the IRB approach and apply the standardised approach to those exposures; and
(2) exclude other exposures from the advanced IRB approach and apply the foundation IRB approach to those exposures.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.2.32

Where BIPRU 4.2.31 R applies:

(1) the 15% limit in BIPRU 4.2.30 R (2) is a combined limit for excluded exposures remaining on the standardised approach and excluded exposures remaining on the foundation IRB approach; and
(2) the calculation in BIPRU 4.2.30 R (2)(a) is carried out under whichever method of calculation would be applicable to the exposure in question.

01/01/2007

Combined use of methodologies: Territorial aspects

BIPRU 4.2.33

(1) This guidance sets out at what level the tests in BIPRU 4.2.30 R- BIPRU 4.2.32 G will be applied in the case of a firm that is a member of a group that is part of a bigger group.
(2) If an EEA banking and investment group for which the FSA is the lead regulator is part of a wider EEA banking and investment group for which the FSA is also lead regulator then BIPRU 4.2.30 R- BIPRU 4.2.32 G apply with respect to that wider group.
(3) If an EEA banking and investment group for which the FSA is the lead regulator is part of a wider EEA banking and investment group for which another competent authority is lead regulator then BIPRU 4.2.26 R (4) applies with respect to that wider group but the requirements of that lead regulator will generally apply in place of BIPRU 4.2.30 R- BIPRU 4.2.32 G.
(4) If an EEA banking and investment group for which the FSA is the lead regulator is part of a wider third-country banking and investment group that is subject to equivalent supervision by a regulatory authority outside the EEA, then BIPRU 4.2.26 R (4) applies with respect to both that wider group and the sub-group of which the FSA is lead regulator. However the requirements of that third country regulator apply in place of BIPRU 4.2.30 R- BIPRU 4.2.32 G. The question of whether supervision is equivalent is decided in accordance with GENPRU 3.2 (Third country groups).
(5) If an EEA banking and investment group for which the FSA is the lead regulator is part of a wider third-country banking and investment group that is not subject to equivalent supervision by a regulatory authority outside the EEA, then BIPRU 4.2.30 R- BIPRU 4.2.32 G will apply. BIPRU 4.2.30 R- BIPRU 4.2.32 G will apply to the whole group if GENPRU 3.2.9 R (Supervision by analogy) applies. If GENPRU 3.2.4 G (Alternative measures) applies, BIPRU 4.2.30 R- BIPRU 4.2.32 G will apply to the EEA banking and investment group.
(6) In the case of a group described in (2) or (3) in respect of which the Article 129 procedure applies then BIPRU 4.2.26 R (4) applies with respect to that wider group. The detailed requirements that apply will be decided in accordance with that procedure.

01/01/2007

Combined use of methodologies: Intra-group exposures

BIPRU 4.2.34

(1) Generally, the FSA will consider excluding, through a firm's IRB permission, exposures falling into BIPRU 4.2.26 R (6) from the IRB approach. The degree to which this exclusion applies will be set out in the firm's IRB permission.
(2) Exposures excluded under (1) will be eligible for a 0% risk weight under the standardised approach if they satisfy the conditions in BIPRU 3.2.25 R to BIPRU 3.2.27 R (Zero risk weight for certain intra-group exposures).
(3) Exposures to or holdings in any non-financial undertakings in a firm's group are not eligible for permanent exemption from the IRB approach under BIPRU 4.2.26 R (6), as they are not subject to consolidated supervision. It is also the FSA's policy that exposures to or holdings in any insurance undertaking are ineligible. Such exposures should remain on the IRB approach unless excluded under another part of BIPRU 4.2.26 R.
(4) If a firm uses the exemption in (1) it should have a policy that:

(a) provides for the identification of connected counterparties excluded under (1);
(b) identifies exposures that would be permanently exempted from the IRB approach under (1); and
(c) identifies the connected counterparty exposures that are not permitted to be permanently exempted from the IRB approach under (1).

(5) The policy in (4) should be applied consistently to all exposures excluded under (1).

01/01/2007

Combined use of methodologies: Purchase of a new businesses

BIPRU 4.2.35

(1) This guidance deals with some possible effects of acquiring a major new business after the grant of an IRB permission.
(2) A firm should if possible ensure that the exposures arising through the acquisition are dealt with in accordance with the firm's IRB permission.
(3) If the acquisition is made during the currency of a roll out plan under BIPRU 4.2.18 R, a firm should ensure that the exposures arising through the acquisition are dealt with in accordance with that plan. For these purposes the existing and the acquired business should be considered together. The whole of the firm's business, including the newly acquired business, should be included in both the denominator and numerator of the fraction in BIPRU 4.2.30 R.
(4) If a firm cannot comply with (2) the FSA will consider an application to vary the firm's IRB permission in order to deal with the acquisition. For example the FSA may agree to extend the time by which the roll out should be completed (see BIPRU 4.2.20 R). However any such variation should be consistent with the provisions of BIPRU 4.2 that would have applied if the acquisition had been included in the firm's original application for an IRB permission.
(5) If the acquisition is made after a firm has completed its roll out under BIPRU 4.2.18 R the FSA will not in general agree to an application to treat an exposure:

(a) under the standardised approach if it would otherwise be treated under the IRB approach under the firm's IRB permission; or
(b) under the foundation IRB approach if it would otherwise be treated under the advanced IRB approach under the firm's IRB permission.

(6) Any application to disapply the policy in (5) will be treated in accordance with the approach set out in BIPRU 4.2.25 G.
(7) The FSA will also adopt the approach in (5) while a roll out plan is in progress if, in relation to an exposure of a particular type, the period for completion of the roll out for those exposures under that plan has ended.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3

The IRB approach: Provisions common to different exposure classes

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 4.3.1

This section applies to all exposures treated under the IRB approach.

01/01/2007

Exposure classes

BIPRU 4.3.2

Each exposure must be assigned to one of the following exposure classes:

(1) claims or contingent claims on central governments and central banks;
(2) claims or contingent claims on institutions;
(3) claims or contingent claims on corporates;
(4) retail claims or contingent retail claims;
(5) equity claims;
(6) securitisation positions; and
(7) non credit-obligation assets.

[Note: BCD Article 86(1)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.3

The methodology used by a firm for assigning exposures to different IRB exposure classes must be appropriate and consistent over time.

[Note: BCD Article 86(9)]

01/01/2007

Calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts

BIPRU 4.3.4

The risk weighted exposure amounts for credit risk for exposures belonging to one of the exposure classes referred to in (1) to (4) must, unless deducted from capital resources, be calculated in accordance with the following provisions:

(1) for exposures in the sovereign, institution and corporate IRB exposure class, BIPRU 4.4.57 R to BIPRU 4.4.60 R, BIPRU 4.4.79 R, BIPRU 4.5.8 R to BIPRU 4.5.10 R (for specialised lending exposures), BIPRU 4.9.3 R and BIPRU 4.8.16 R to BIPRU 4.8.17 R (for purchased corporate exposure receivables);
(2) for exposures in the retail exposure class, BIPRU 4.6.41 R to BIPRU 4.6.44 R, BIPRU 4.6.57 R and BIPRU 4.8.18 R to BIPRU 4.8.20 R (for purchased retail exposure receivables);
(3) for exposures in the equity exposure class, BIPRU 4.7.5 R to BIPRU 4.7.6 R, BIPRU 4.7.9 R to BIPRU 4.7.11 R, BIPRU 4.7.14 R to BIPRU 4.7.16 R and BIPRU 4.7.24 R to BIPRU 4.7.25 R; and
(4) for exposures in the non credit-obligation assets exposure class, BIPRU 4.9.6 R.

[Note: BCD Article 87(1)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.5

The calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts for credit risk and dilution risk must be based on the relevant parameters associated with the exposure in question. These include probability of default (PD), loss given default (LGD), maturity (M) and the exposure value of the exposure. PD and LGD may be considered separately or jointly, in accordance with the provisions relating to PD and LGD in BIPRU 4.4, BIPRU 4.6, BIPRU 4.7 and BIPRU 4.8 at:

(1) for exposures in the sovereign, institution and corporate IRB exposure class, BIPRU 4.4.34 R - BIPRU 4.4.35 R, BIPRU 4.4.42 R to BIPRU 4.4.43 R, BIPRU 4.4.63 R - BIPRU 4.4.66 R, BIPRU 4.4.80 R and, for PD and LGD for dilution risk of purchased corporate exposure receivables, BIPRU 4.8.23 Rand BIPRU 4.8.26 R;
(2) for exposures in the retail exposure class, BIPRU 4.6.50 R - BIPRU 4.6.54 R, BIPRU 4.6.58 R, and, for PD and LGD for dilution risk of purchased retail exposure receivables, BIPRU 4.8.24 R and BIPRU 4.8.27 R; and
(3) for exposures in the equity exposure class, BIPRU 4.7.18 R and BIPRU 4.7.20 R - BIPRU 4.7.21 R.

[Note: BCD Article 87(3)]

01/01/2007

Calculation of expected loss amounts

BIPRU 4.3.6

The expected loss amounts for exposures belonging to one of the IRB exposure classes referred to in (1) to (3) must be calculated in accordance with the methods set out in the following provisions:

(1) for exposures in the sovereign, institution and corporate IRB exposure class, BIPRU 4.4.61 R to BIPRU 4.4.62 R and (for specialised lending exposures) BIPRU 4.5.13 R to BIPRU 4.5.15R;
(2) for exposures in the retail exposure class, BIPRU 4.6.47 R to BIPRU 4.6.48 R;
(3) for exposures in the equity exposure class, BIPRU 4.7.12 R, BIPRU 4.7.17 R and BIPRU 4.7.26 R; and
(4) (for purchased receivables falling into one of the IRB exposure classes in (1) to (3)) BIPRU 4.8.30 R.

[Note: BCD Article 88(1)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.7

The calculation of expected loss amounts in accordance with BIPRU 4.3.6 R must be based on the same input figures of PD, LGD and the exposure value for each exposure as being used for the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts in accordance with BIPRU 4. For defaulted exposures, where a firm uses its own estimate of LGDs, EL must be the firm's best estimate of expected loss (EL_BE), for the defaulted exposure in accordance with BIPRU 4.3.122 R.

[Note: BCD Article 88(2)]

01/01/2007

Treatment of expected loss amounts

BIPRU 4.3.8

The expected loss amounts calculated in accordance with BIPRU 4.3.6 R (1), BIPRU 4.3.6 R (2) and BIPRU 4.3.6 R (4) must be subtracted from the sum of value adjustments and provisions related to these exposures. Discounts on balance sheet exposures purchased when in default according to BIPRU 4.4.71 R must be treated in the same manner as value adjustments. Expected loss amounts for securitised exposures and value adjustments and provisions related to these exposures must not be included in this calculation.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 36]

01/01/2007

Corporate governance

BIPRU 4.3.9

All material aspects of the rating and estimation processes must be approved by the firm's governing body or a designated committee thereof and senior management. These parties must possess a general understanding of the firm's rating systems and detailed comprehension of its associated management reports.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 124]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.10

(1) A firm's governing body or designated committee may choose to approve only material aspects of the firm's rating systems and material changes to the firm's rating systems.
(2) Where a firm's governing body or designated committee chooses to approve only material aspects of the firm's rating systems and material changes to the firm's rating systems:

(a) the firm's governing body or designated committee should define the firm's overall approach to material aspects of rating and estimation processes for all rating systems, including non-material rating systems and approve a policy statement defining that approach; and
(b) the firm should define and document the process for approval of non-material aspects of the firm's rating systems.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.11

Senior management must provide notice to the governing body or a designated committee thereof of material changes or exceptions from established policies that will materially impact the operations of the firm's rating systems.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 125]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.12

Where the firm's rating systems are used on a unified basis for the parent undertaking and its subsidiary undertakings under BIPRU 4.2.3 R, and approval and reporting of the ratings systems are carried out at the group level, the governance requirements in BIPRU 4.3.9 R and BIPRU 4.3.11 R may be met if:

(1) the subsidiary undertakings have delegated to the governing body or designated committee of the EEA parent institution or EEA parent financial holding company responsibility for approval of the firm's rating systems;
(2) the governing body or designated committee of the EEA parent institution or EEA parent financial holding company approves either:

(a) all aspects of the firm's rating systems, and material changes; or
(b) all aspects of the firm's rating systems that are material in the context of the group, and material changes to those, and a policy statement defining the overall approach to material aspects of rating and estimation processes for all rating systems, including non-material rating systems.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.13

Senior management must have a good understanding of the rating system's designs and operations. Senior management must ensure on an ongoing basis that the rating systems are operating properly. Senior management must be regularly informed by the credit risk control units about the performance of the rating process, areas needing improvement, and the status of efforts to improve previously identified deficiencies.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 126]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.14

Internal ratings-based analysis of the firm's credit risk profile must be an essential part of the management reporting required under BIPRU 4.3.9 R, BIPRU 4.3.11 R and BIPRU 4.3.13 R. Reporting must include at least risk profile by grade, migration across grades, estimation of the relevant parameters per grade, and comparison of realised default rates and, to the extent that own estimates are used, of realised LGDs and realised conversion factors against expectations and stress-test results. Reporting frequencies must depend on the significance and type of information and the level of the recipient.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 127]

01/01/2007

Credit risk control

BIPRU 4.3.15

The credit risk control unit must be independent from the personnel and management functions responsible for originating or renewing exposures and report directly to senior management. The unit must be responsible for the design or selection, implementation, oversight and performance of the rating systems. It must regularly produce and analyse reports on the output of the rating systems.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.16

The areas of responsibility for the credit risk control unit(s) must include the following:

(1) testing and monitoring grades and pools;
(2) production and analysis of summary reports from the firm's rating systems;
(3) implementing procedures to verify that grade and pool definitions are consistently applied across departments and geographic areas;
(4) reviewing and documenting any changes to the rating process, including the reasons for the changes;
(5) reviewing the rating criteria to evaluate if they remain predictive of risk (and changes to the rating process, criteria or individual rating parameters must be documented and retained);
(6) active participation in the design or selection, implementation and validation of models used in the rating process;
(7) oversight and supervision of models used in the rating process; and
(8) ongoing review and alterations to models used in the rating process.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 129]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.17

Notwithstanding BIPRU 4.3.16 R, a firm using pooled data according to BIPRU 4.3.92 R - BIPRU 4.3.94 R (Overall requirements for estimation) may outsource the following tasks:

(1) production of information relevant to testing and monitoring grades and pools;
(2) production of summary reports from the firm's rating systems;
(3) production of information relevant to review of the rating criteria to evaluate if they remain predictive of risk;
(4) documentation of changes to the rating process, criteria or individual rating parameters; and
(5) production of information relevant to ongoing review and alterations to models used in the rating process.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 130 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.18

A firm making use of BIPRU 4.3.17 R must ensure that the FSA has access to all relevant information from the third party that is necessary for examining compliance with the minimum IRB standards and the firm's IRB permission and that the FSA may perform on-site examinations to the same extent as within the firm.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 130 (part)]

01/01/2007

Documentation of rating systems

BIPRU 4.3.19

A firm must document the design and operational details of its rating systems. The documentation must evidence compliance with the minimum IRB standards and the firm's IRB permission, and address topics including portfolio differentiation, rating criteria, responsibilities of parties that rate obligors and exposures, frequency of assignment reviews, and management oversight of the rating process.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 31]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.20

A firm must ensure that all documentation relating to its rating systems or otherwise required by the rules governing the IRB approach are stored, arranged and indexed in such a way that the firm would be able to make them all available to the FSA, or to make any class or description of them specified by the FSA available to the FSA, immediately on demand or within a short time thereafter.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.21

A firm must document the rationale for and analysis supporting its choice of rating criteria. A firm must document all major changes in the risk rating process, and such documentation must support identification of changes made to the risk rating process subsequent to the last review by the FSA. The organisation of rating assignment including the rating assignment process and the internal control structure must also be documented.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 32]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.22

A firm must document the specific definitions of default and loss used internally and demonstrate consistency with the definitions of default and loss set out in the glossary and BIPRU 4.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.23

A firm's documentation relating to data should include clear identification of responsibility for data quality. A firm should set standards for data quality and aim to improve them over time. A firm should measure its performance against those standards. A firm should ensure that its data is of high enough quality to support its risk management processes and the calculation of its capital requirements.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.24

Where a firm employs statistical models in the rating process, the firm must document its methodologies. This material must:

(1) provide a detailed outline of the theory, assumptions and/or mathematical and empirical basis of the assignment of estimates to grades, individual obligors, exposures, or pools, and the data source(s) used to estimate the model;
(2) establish a rigorous statistical process (including out-of-time and out-of-sample performance tests) for validating the model; and
(3) indicate any circumstances under which the model does not work effectively.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 34]

01/01/2007

Rating systems

BIPRU 4.3.25

A rating system comprises all of the methods, processes, controls, data collection and IT systems that support the assessment of credit risk, the assignment of exposures to grades or pools (rating), and the quantification of default and loss estimates for a certain type of exposure.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 1]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.26

If a firm uses multiple rating systems, the rationale for assigning an obligor or a transaction to a rating system must be documented and applied in a manner that appropriately reflects the level of risk.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 2]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.27

Assignment criteria and processes must be periodically reviewed to determine whether they remain appropriate for the current portfolio and external conditions.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 3]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.28

Where a firm uses direct estimates of risk parameters these may be seen as the outputs of grades on a continuous rating scale.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 4]

01/01/2007

Validation of internal estimates

BIPRU 4.3.29

A firm must have robust systems in place to validate the accuracy and consistency of rating systems, processes, and the estimation of all relevant risk parameters (PD, LGD, conversion factors and EL). A firm must be able to demonstrate to the FSA that the internal validation process enables it to assess the performance of internal rating and risk estimation systems consistently and meaningfully.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 110]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.30

(1) A firm must validate its rating systems. Its validation process must include, as a minimum, the elements set out in (2) - (8).
(2) A firm must establish and define standards of objectivity, accuracy, stability and conservatism that it designs its ratings systems to meet. It must have processes that establish whether its rating systems meet those standards.
(3) A firm must establish and define standards of accuracy of calibration (i.e. whether outcomes are consistent with estimate) and discriminative power (i.e. the ability to rank-order risk) that it designs its rating systems to meet. It must have processes that establish whether its rating systems meet those standards.
(4) A firm must have polices and standards that specify the actions to be taken when a rating system fails to meet the standards of accuracy and discriminative power referred to in (2) and (3).
(5) A firm's validation process must include a mix of developmental evidence, benchmarking and process verification. A firm's validation process must include policies on how this mixture varies between different rating systems.
(6) A firm's validation process must include the use of both quantitative and qualitative techniques.
(7) A firm's validation process must include policies on how validation procedures are expected to vary over time.
(8) A firm's validation process must include independent input into and review of its rating systems.
(9) The standards set under (2) and (3) must meet the minimum IRB standards.
(10) For the purpose of (5):

(a) developmental evidence means evidence that substantiates whether the logic and quality of a rating system (including the quantification process) adequately discriminates between different levels of, and delivers accurate estimates of PD, EL, LGD and conversion factors (as applicable); and
(b) process verification means the process of establishing whether the methods used in a rating system to discriminate between different levels of risk and to quantify PD, EL, LGD and conversion factors are being used, monitored and updated in the way intended in the design of the rating system.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.31

A firm should have regard to the involvement of management at an appropriately senior level in the validation process.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.32

The approach to validation may vary with the significance of the exposures covered by a rating system.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.33

A firm must regularly compare realised default rates with estimated PDs for each grade and where realised default rates are outside the expected range for that grade a firm must specifically analyse the reasons for the deviation. A firm using its own estimates of LGDs and/or conversion factors must also perform analogous analysis for own estimates of LGDs and conversion factors. Such comparisons must make use of historical data that cover as long a period as possible. A firm must document the methods and data used in such comparisons. This analysis and documentation must be updated at least annually.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 111]

06/07/2007

BIPRU 4.3.34

(1) This paragraph sets out guidance on assessing the adequacy of a rating system's discriminative power (see BIPRU 4.3.30 R (3) on the meaning of discriminative power).
(2) A firm should be able to explain the performance of its rating systems against its chosen measure (or measures) of discriminative power. In making this comparison a firm should rely primarily on actual historic default experience where this is available. In particular, a firm should be able to explain:

(a) the extent of any potential inaccuracy in these measures, caused in particular by small sample size; and
(b) the potential for divergence in the future, whether caused by changing economic conditions or other factors.

(3) The assessment of discriminative power should include appropriate use of external benchmarks where available.
(4) The FSA will, in assessing the firm's performance, take into consideration the sophistication of the measure of discrimination chosen.
(5) In the case of a portfolio for which there is insufficient default experience to provide any confidence in statistical measures of discriminative power a firm need not carry out the procedure in (2) and may instead use other methods. For example, it may make use of comparison with an external measurement approach by analysing whether the firm's rating systems and the external approach rank common obligors in broadly similar ways. A firm should be able to explain the methodology it uses and the rationale for its use.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.35

A firm must also use other appropriate quantitative validation tools and comparisons with relevant external data sources. The analysis must be based on data that is appropriate to the portfolio, is updated regularly, and covers a relevant observation period. A firm's internal assessments of the performance of its rating systems must be based on as long a period as possible.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 112]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.36

The methods and data used for quantitative validation must be consistent through time. Changes in estimation and validation methods and data (both data sources and periods covered) must be documented.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 113

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.37

A firm must have sound internal standards for situations where deviations in realised PDs, LGDs, conversion factors and, where EL is used, total losses, from expectations become significant enough to call the validity of the estimates into question. These standards must take account of business cycles and similar systematic variability in default and loss experience. Where realised values continue to be higher than expected values, a firm must revise estimates upward to reflect its default and loss experience.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 114]

01/01/2007

Internal audit

BIPRU 4.3.38

Internal audit or another comparable independent auditing unit must review at least annually the firm's rating systems and its operations, including the operations of the firm and the estimation of PDs, LGDs, ELs and conversion factors. Areas of review must include adherence to all applicable minimum requirements.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 131]

01/01/2007

Stress tests used in assessment of capital adequacy

BIPRU 4.3.39

A firm must have in place sound stress testing processes for use in the assessment of its capital adequacy. Stress testing must involve identifying possible events or future changes in economic conditions that could have unfavourable effects on the firm's credit exposures and assessment of the firm's ability to withstand such changes.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 40]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.40

(1) A firm must regularly perform a credit risk stress test to assess the effect of certain specific conditions on its total capital requirements for credit risk. The test to be employed must be one chosen by the firm. The test to be employed must be meaningful and reasonably conservative. Stressed portfolios must contain the vast majority of a firm's total exposures covered by the IRB approach.
(2) The stress test must be designed to assess the firm's ability to meet its capital requirements for credit risk under GENPRU 2.1 during all stages of the economic cycle and during an economic recession such as might be experienced once in 25 years.
(3) In particular the stress test must address the impact (including by ratings migration) of changes in the credit quality of its credit risk counterparties including its protection providers. A firm using the treatment set out in BIPRU 4.4.79 R must in particular consider the impact of protection providers falling outside the eligibility criteria.
(4) The stress test must be conducted on the basis of the firm's exposures (on- and off-balance sheet) as they stand at the time of the stress test.
(5) The stress test must be carried out at least annually and also in the event of a significant change in the state of the economy.
(6) A firm need not assume that the recession referred to in (2) will occur in the 12 months immediately following the stress test. Instead, the stress test must incorporate a plausible time horizon for the occurrence of the cyclical deterioration of the severity tested for. A firm need not assume that the downturn will occur for all portfolios in all jurisdictions simultaneously.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 points 41 and 42]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.41

To the extent that the economic conditions assumed in the stress tests required under BIPRU 4.3.39 R or BIPRU 4.3.40 R coincide with the conditions assumed in the production of economic downturn LGDs (see BIPRU 4.3.103 R), the LGDs to be used might be expected to be similar.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.42

The requirement in BIPRU 4.3.40 R (2) is to identify, in a forward-looking manner, severe but plausible downturn conditions relevant to business lines and jurisdictions and to determine the likely impact of those conditions on a firm's credit risk regulatory capital requirements. The description of the economic recession contained in BIPRU 4.3.40 R (2) should not be taken as stipulating one approach (e.g. statistical) over other approaches (e.g. scenario analysis) in the identification of the relevant recessionary circumstances.

01/01/2007

Rating systems: Assignment to grades or pools

BIPRU 4.3.43

A firm must have specific definitions, processes and criteria for assigning exposures to grades or pools within a rating system.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 17 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.44

The grade or pool definitions and criteria must be sufficiently detailed to allow those charged with assigning ratings consistently to assign obligors or facilities posing similar risk to the same grade or pool. This consistency must exist across lines of business, departments and geographic locations within each rating system.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 17 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.45

In meeting BIPRU 4.3.44 R a firm should have regard to its application to each rating system.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.46

The documentation of the rating process must allow third parties to understand the assignments of exposures to grades or pools, to replicate grade and pool assignments and to evaluate the appropriateness of the assignments to a grade or a pool.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 17 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.47

The criteria referred to in BIPRU 4.3.43 R must also be consistent with the firm's internal lending standards and its policies for handling troubled obligors and facilities.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 17 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.48

A firm must take all relevant information into account in assigning obligors and facilities to grades or pools. Information must be current and must enable the firm to forecast the future performance of the exposure. The less information a firm has, the more conservative must be its assignments of exposures to obligor and facility grades or pools. If a firm uses an external rating as a primary factor determining an internal rating assignment, the firm must ensure that it considers other relevant information.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 18]

01/01/2007

Rating systems: General governance

BIPRU 4.3.49

(1) This paragraph contains guidance on BIPRU 4.3.43 R and more general guidance about the governance of rating systems.
(2) In determining the assignment referred to in BIPRU 4.3.43 R, a firm should have regard to the sensitivity of the rating to movements in fundamental risk drivers.
(3) A firm should, for any rating system, be able to demonstrate that it acts appropriately or has an appropriate policy, as applicable, with respect to:

(a) any deficiencies caused by its not being sensitive to movements in fundamental risk drivers or for any other reason;
(b) periodic review and action in the light of such review;
(c) provision of appropriate internal guidance to staff to ensure consistency in the use of the rating system, including the assignment of exposures or facilities to pools or grades;
(d) dealing with potential weaknesses of the rating system;
(e) identifying appropriate and inappropriate uses of the rating system and acting on that identification;
(f) novel or narrow rating approaches; and
(g) ensuring the appropriate level of stability over time of the rating system.

01/01/2007

Rating systems: Overrides

BIPRU 4.3.50

For grade and pool assignments a firm must document the situations in which human judgement may override the inputs or outputs of the assignment process and the personnel responsible for approving these overrides. A firm must document these overrides and the personnel responsible. A firm must analyse the performance of the exposures whose assignments have been overridden. This analysis must include assessment of the performance of exposures whose rating has been overridden by a particular person, accounting for all the responsible personnel.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 25]

01/01/2007

Rating systems: Use of models

BIPRU 4.3.51

(1) This paragraph applies to the use of statistical models and/or other mechanical methods to assign exposures to obligor grades, obligor pools, facility grades or facility pools.
(2) A firm must be able to demonstrate to the FSA that the model has good predictive power and that capital requirements are not distorted as a result of its use.
(3) The input variables to the model must form a reasonable and effective basis for the resulting predictions. The model must not have material biases.
(4) A firm must have in place a process for vetting data inputs into the model, which includes an assessment of the accuracy, completeness and appropriateness of the data.
(5) A firm must be able to demonstrate to the FSA that the data used to build the model is representative of the population of the firm's actual obligors or exposures.
(6) A firm must have a regular cycle of model validation that includes monitoring of model performance and stability, review of model specification and testing of model outputs against outcomes.
(7) A firm must complement the statistical model by human judgement and human oversight to review model-based assignments and to ensure that the models are used appropriately. Review procedures must aim at finding and limiting errors associated with model weaknesses. Human judgements must take into account all relevant information not considered by the model. A firm must document how human judgement and model results are to be combined.
(8) Use of a model obtained from a third-party vendor that claims proprietary technology is not a justification for exemption from documentation or any other of the requirements in BIPRU 4 or a firm's IRB permission for rating systems. A firm must be able to satisfy the FSA that all those requirements are satisfied if it uses such a model.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 points 30 and 35 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.52

(1) This paragraph contains guidance on BIPRU 4.3.51 R (7).
(2) BIPRU 4.3.51 R (7) does not require that each individual assignment of an exposure to a pool or grade should be the subject of an open-ended review by reference to factors not covered by the model if:

(a) that is not necessary in order to meet the requirements of BIPRU 4 about the ability of the rating system to predict and to discriminate (as referred to in BIPRU 4.3.29 R to BIPRU 4.3.30 R (Validation of internal estimates)); and
(b) the outputs of the model are not designed to be supplemented by such a review.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.53

(1) This paragraph contains guidance on BIPRU 4.3.51 R for the use of external models.
(2) BIPRU 4.3.51 R (2) - BIPRU 4.3.51 R (8) also apply to mechanical methods to assign exposures or obligors to facility grades or pools and to a combination of models and mechanical methods.
(3) The standards which a firm applies to an external model should not be lower than those for internal models.
(4) The FSA will not accredit any individual model or vendor. The burden is on a firm to satisfy itself that external models are fit for purpose and meet the relevant requirements of the IRB approach.
(5) Notwithstanding that commercial confidentiality may limit the willingness of vendors of external models to disclose all details, a firm should ensure that it is able to obtain sufficiently detailed information to be able to satisfy the requirements of the IRB approach.
(6) A firm should have a clear understanding of responsibilities for support and maintenance of external models. This should include how new developments will be brought in and what entitlement the firm has to receive and/or request specific enhancements. A firm should ensure that the requirements of BIPRU 4.3.51 R and other provisions of the IRB approach are complied with on an ongoing basis.
(7) If a firm uses an external model it should have regard to the following:

(a) the adequacy of the information it has about the population on which the model is built;
(b) the comparability of the population referred to in (a) to the exposures with respect to which it is using that model;
(c) what the drivers of the model are and their relevance to the exposures with respect to which it is using the model; and
(d) how the firm satisfies itself that the standards required by the IRB approach for an internal model are met by the external model.

01/01/2007

Rating systems: Data maintenance

BIPRU 4.3.54

A firm must collect and store data on aspects of its internal ratings as required under BIPRU 11 (Disclosure).

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 36]

01/01/2007

Rating systems: IT systems

BIPRU 4.3.55

A firm should ensure that IT systems relevant to the operation of its rating systems are sound and robust. A firm's IT systems should provide rapid availability of databases and appropriate archiving. Adequate controls should be in place to prevent unauthorised changes to data being made. Contingency processes and plans should be in place to deal with events of system failure. A firm should document work-flows and procedures related to data collection and storage.

01/01/2007

Definition of default: Main provisions

BIPRU 4.3.56

A default must be considered to have occurred with regard to a particular obligor when either or both of the two following events has taken place:

(1) the firm considers that the obligor is unlikely to pay its credit obligations to the firm, the parent undertaking or any of its subsidiary undertakings in full, without recourse by the firm to actions such as realising security (if held); and
(2) the obligor is past due more than 90 days on any material credit obligation to the firm, the parent undertaking or any of its subsidiary undertakings.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 44 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.57

The following provisions also apply with respect to the definition of default:

(1) for overdrafts, days past due commence once an obligor has breached an advised limit, has been advised a limit smaller than current outstandings, or has drawn credit without authorisation and the underlying amount is material;
(2) an advised limit means a limit which has been brought to the knowledge of the obligor;
(3) days past due for credit cards commence on the minimum payment due date;
(4) in the case of retail exposures and exposures to public sector entities the number of days past due is as set out in BIPRU 4.4.22 R and BIPRU 4.6.20 R; and
(5) in all cases for the purposes of the definition of default, a credit obligation or, for overdrafts, the underlying amount, is material if, when added to the other exposures of the obligor, the total exceeds the amount which the firm treats as a material default for its internal risk measurement and management purposes.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 44 (part)]

01/01/2007

Definition of default: Materiality

BIPRU 4.3.58

Where a firm applies the definition of default at facility level in accordance with BIPRU 4.6.21 R, it should define materiality for the purposes of BIPRU 4.3.57 R (5) by reference to the facility amount only, disregarding other exposures of the obligor.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.59

A firm must have a policy which sets out how it will determine whether a credit obligation or, for overdrafts, the underlying amount, is material for the purposes of the definition of default in BIPRU 4.3.56 R (2) and BIPRU 4.3.57 R (5).

01/01/2007

Definition of default: Identification of obligor

BIPRU 4.3.60

(1) This paragraph contains guidance on the definition of default.
(2) If:

(a) a firm ordinarily assigns exposures in the sovereign, institution and corporate IRB exposure class to a member of a group substantially on the basis of membership of that group and a common group rating; and
(b) the firm does so in the case of a particular group;

(3) the firm should consider whether members of that group should be treated as a single obligor for the purpose of the definition of default.
(4) The FSA would not expect a firm to treat an obligor as part of a single obligor under (2) if the firm rates its exposures on a stand alone basis or if its rating is notched. A rating is notched if it takes into account individual risk factors or otherwise reflects risk factors that are not applied on a common group basis.
(5) Accordingly if a group has two members who are separately rated the default of one does not necessarily imply the default of the other.

01/01/2007

Definition of default: Days past due

BIPRU 4.3.61

(1) This paragraph contains guidance on the meaning of days past due for the purposes of the definition of default.
(2) If an amount is overdue by the relevant number of days past due because of administrative oversight on the part of the obligor or the firm, a firm with sufficient information may, retrospectively if necessary, treat that as not involving a default if:

(a) that failure is not associated with any increase in the risk referred to in BIPRU 4.3.56 R (1); and
(b) treating it as not being in default is consistent with the way that the firm treated the failure in its relationship with the obligor.

(3) If a firm takes advantage of this provision it should have a policy about the circumstances in which it can apply the treatment in (2). That policy should be documented and consistently applied.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.62

Days past due is only one part of the definition of default and should be treated as a back-stop. A firm should not rely solely on the number of days past due set by BIPRU 4 but should also consider all other indicators of unlikeliness to pay when assessing whether a default has occurred.

01/01/2007

Definition of default: Unlikeliness to pay

BIPRU 4.3.63

(1) Elements to be taken as indications of unlikeliness to pay must include the items set out in this rule.
(2) The firm putting the credit obligation on non-accrued status must be taken as an indication of unlikeliness to pay.
(3) The firm making a value adjustment resulting from a significant perceived decline in credit quality subsequent to the firm taking on the exposure must be taken as an indication of unlikeliness to pay.
(4) The firm selling the credit obligation at a material credit-related economic loss must be taken as an indication of unlikeliness to pay.
(5) The firm consenting to a distressed restructuring of the credit obligation must be taken as an indication of unlikeliness to pay where this is likely to result in a diminished financial obligation caused by the material forgiveness, or postponement, of principal, interest or (where relevant) fees. This includes in the case of equity exposures assessed under a PD/LGD approach, distressed restructuring of the equity itself.
(6) The firm having filed for the obligor's bankruptcy or a similar order in respect of an obligor's credit obligation to the firm, the parent undertaking or any of its subsidiary undertakings must be taken as an indication of unlikeliness to pay.
(7) The obligor seeking or having been placed in bankruptcy or similar protection where this would avoid or delay repayment of a credit obligation to the firm, the parent undertaking or any of its subsidiary undertakings must be taken as an indication of unlikeliness to pay.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 45]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.64

A firm may use the amount overdue as an additional indication of unlikeliness to pay. If a firm uses this approach, the days past due element of the definition of default continues to apply, including the provisions relating to the fixed number of days past due referred to in BIPRU 4.3.57 R (4). A firm might make the use of a definition of default that takes into account the amount overdue consistent with the days past due element of the definition by setting the amount overdue at such a level that, taking into account:

(1) the order in which payments are applied against overdue payments; and
(2) the number of payment dates, the time between them, the amount of the overdue payments that results in a default under the definition used by the firm and other relevant factors;

it is not possible for any payment to be past due by a number of days exceeding the maximum amount specified in BIPRU for the purposes of the definition of default without there being a default under the part of the definition of default based on the amount overdue.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.65

In the case of a retail exposure, a value adjustment resulting from significant perceived decline in credit quality falling within BIPRU 4.3.63 R (3) need not necessarily be taken as an indication of unlikeliness to pay if a firm employs formulaic portfolio provisioning based on a number of days overdue for its retail exposures. However, if such an exposure reaches the compulsory days past due indicator for the purposes of the definition of default it should automatically be deemed to be in default, regardless of the provisioning situation.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.66

An obligation should be considered a distressed restructuring under BIPRU 4.3.63 R (5) if an independent third party, with expertise in the relevant area, would not be prepared to provide financing on substantially the same terms and conditions.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.67

(1) The realisation or forfeiture of collateral may be taken as an indication of unlikeliness to pay for the purposes of the definition of default.
(2) However, the realisation or forfeiture of collateral may not indicate unlikeliness to pay:

(a) in the case of an exposure in a market (such as one that involves retail exposures involving margin lending) in which it is established practice for collateral to be sold if its value falls below a certain percentage of the exposure and the obligor does not restore the margin (but this exception does not apply if the value of the collateral has fallen below the amount outstanding); or
(b) if the firm is able to demonstrate that for some other reason the realisation or forfeiture of collateral is not a meaningful indication of unlikeliness to pay.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.68

(1) If an obligor approach is being taken with respect to retail exposures (that is, the application of the definition of default at an obligor level rather than at a facility level as set out in BIPRU 4.6.21 R,) a firm should ensure that the PD associated with unsecured exposures is not understated as a result of the presence of any collateralised exposures. A firm should be able to explain to the FSA, if asked, how it has ensured that its estimate of PD is appropriate for both secured and unsecured exposures covered by an obligor rating approach.
(2) In the view of the FSA, firms typically find that the PD of a residential mortgage is lower than the PD of an unsecured loan to the same borrower.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.69

A firm may, but without prejudice to BIPRU 4.4.22 R and BIPRU 4.6.20 R (Fixed numbers of days past due), use additional, or stricter, indicators of unlikeliness to pay if it uses these indicators for internal purposes in accordance with BIPRU 4.2.2 R (2) (Use tests) and if the disclosures under BIPRU 11 (Disclosure) are on this basis.

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Definition of default: Other provisions

BIPRU 4.3.70

A firm must (if it uses external data that is not itself consistent with the definition of default) be able to demonstrate to the FSA that appropriate adjustments have been made that achieve broad equivalence with the definition of default.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 46]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.71

If a firm considers that a previously defaulted exposure is such that no trigger of default continues to apply, the firm must rate the obligor or facility as it would for a non-defaulted exposure. Should the definition of default subsequently be triggered, another default must be deemed to have occurred.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 47]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.72

A firm should have a clear and documented policy for determining whether an exposure that has been in default should subsequently be returned to performing status.

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Overall requirements for estimation: General

BIPRU 4.3.73

BIPRU 4.3.74 R to BIPRU 4.3.131 R apply to a firm's own estimates of risk parameters used in the IRB approach.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 43]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.74

A firm's own estimates of the risk parameters PD, LGD, conversion factor and EL must incorporate all relevant data, information and methods. The estimates must be derived using both historical experience and empirical evidence, and must not be based purely on judgemental considerations. The estimates must be plausible and intuitive and must be based on the material drivers of the respective risk parameters. The less data a firm has, the more conservative it must be in its estimation.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 49]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.75

(1) This paragraph provides guidance on BIPRU 4.3.73 R.
(2) Relevant data and information under BIPRU 4.3.73 R includes external data.
(3) Where internal default and loss experience is scarce, a firm should consider using material relevant external information. When using external information such as industry averages when determining LGD or conversion factors, a firm should consider whether this data is appropriate to its own experience and whether adjustments are necessary.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.76

(1) In calculating estimates of PD, LGD and conversion factors a firm must adjust the averages of historical experience referred to in the historical averages rules in order to ensure that those estimates are accurate estimates of the default rate, loss rate or conversion factor over the long-run.
(2) The historical average rules means the requirements in BIPRU 4 relating to the calculation of PD, LGD and conversion factors using historical averages (and in particular BIPRU 4.4.24 R, BIPRU 4.4.30 R, BIPRU 4.8.7 R, BIPRU 4.8.8 R, BIPRU 4.6.24 R, BIPRU 4.6.27 R, BIPRU 4.3.99 R and BIPRU 4.3.125 R).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.77

Where a firm is able to demonstrate that the effect is immaterial in accordance with BIPRU 4.1.25 R (Compliance), it may estimate average LGDs and conversion factors under the historical average rules in a way that does not strictly comply with BIPRU 4.3.94 R (Default weighted average), provided the final estimates of LGD and conversion factors following the adjustments to averages of historical experience are made on the basis of default weighted averages for the facility grade or pool in question.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.78

A firm may carry out the adjustments under BIPRU 4.3.76 R (Adjustments to averages of historical experience) by adjusting the data from which estimates are made rather than by adjusting the estimates themselves if it can demonstrate that capital requirements are not underestimated as a result.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.79

While the qualitative requirements in BIPRU 4 are important for all portfolios, they are of even greater importance in those cases where a firm lacks sufficient historical data to calibrate or validate its estimates of PD, LGD or conversion factors on the basis of proven statistical significance, sometimes referred to as low default portfolios.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.80

(1) A firm must collect data on what it considers to be the main drivers of the risk parameters PD, LGD, conversion factor and EL for each group of obligors or facilities.
(2) A firm must document its identification of the main drivers of risk parameters.
(3) A firm must be able to demonstrate that its process of identification is reasonable and appropriate.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.81

In its processes for identifying the main drivers of risk parameters, a firm must set out its reasons for concluding that the data sources chosen provide in themselves sufficient discriminative power and accuracy and why additional potential data sources do not provide relevant and reliable information that would be expected materially to improve the discriminative power and accuracy of its estimates of the risk parameter in question. This does not require an intensive analysis of all factors.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.82

If a firm uses a rating model to assign exposures to the borrower or facility grades, it may reflect the data on main drivers of risk parameters by its inclusion in the model as a risk driver or as part of a subsequent process that adjusts the output of that model to calculate the risk parameters PD, LGD, conversion factor and EL.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.83

A firm must be able to provide a breakdown of its loss experience in terms of default frequency, LGD, conversion factor, or loss where EL estimates are used, by the factors it sees as the drivers of the respective risk parameters. A firm must be able to demonstrate to the FSA that its estimates are representative of long-run experience.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 50]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.84

Any changes in lending practice or the process for pursuing recoveries over the observation periods referred to in BIPRU 4.4.31 R (Observation period for sovereigns, institutions and corporates for PDs), BIPRU 4.6.28 R (Observation period for retail exposures for PDs), BIPRU 4.4.54 R (Observation period for sovereigns, institutions and corporates for LGDs), BIPRU 4.6.33 R (Observation period for retail exposures for LGDs), BIPRU 4.4.55 R (Observation period for sovereigns, institutions and corporates for conversion factors) and BIPRU 4.6.38 R (Observation period for retail exposures for conversion factors) must be taken into account. A firm's estimates must reflect the implications of technical advances and new data and other information, as it becomes available. A firm must review its estimates when new information comes to light but at least on an annual basis.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 51]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.85

The population of exposures represented in the data used for estimation, the lending standards used when the data was generated and other relevant characteristics must be comparable with those of a firm's exposures and standards. A firm must also be able to demonstrate to the FSA that the economic or market conditions that underlie the data are relevant to current and foreseeable conditions. The number of exposures in the sample and the data period used for quantification must be sufficient to provide a firm with confidence in the accuracy and robustness of its estimates.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 52]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.86

It may be reasonable for a firm to treat foreseeable in BIPRU 4.3.85 R as referring to the most distant date to which it carries out detailed capital planning.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.87

A firm should be able to demonstrate to the FSA:

(1) how, with respect to each rating system, both assignment of ratings and estimates of PD, LGD and conversion factors are affected by:

(a) movements in the economic cycle; and
(b) other cyclical effects which are material to levels of default, loss or the amount of exposures at default for the exposures covered by the rating system; and

(2) the level of conservatism inherent in its ratings, as provided for by BIPRU.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.88

A firm must add to its estimates a margin of conservatism that is related to the expected range of estimation errors. Where methods and data are less satisfactory and the expected range of errors is larger, the margin of conservatism must be larger.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 54]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.89

Estimation of PD through the use of a technique set out in BIPRU does not remove the need to make conservative adjustments, where necessary, related to the expected range of estimation errors so that capital requirements produced by the relevant model or other rating system are not understated.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.90

If a firm uses different estimates for the calculation of risk weights and internal purposes it must be documented. The firm must be able to demonstrate to the FSA the reasonableness of such estimates.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 55]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.91

If a firm can demonstrate to the FSA that for data that has been collected prior to 31 December 2006, appropriate adjustments have been made to achieve broad equivalence with the definitions of default or loss, the FSA may in the IRB permission allow the firm some flexibility in the application of the required standards for data.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 56]

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Overall requirements for estimation: Pooled data

BIPRU 4.3.92

If a firm uses data that is pooled across institutions it must be able to demonstrate to the FSA that:

(1) the rating systems and criteria of other firms in the pool are similar to its own;
(2) the pool is representative of the portfolio for which the pooled data is used; and
(3) the pooled data is used consistently over time by the firm for its permanent estimates.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 57]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.93

BIPRU 4.3.92 R (1) is intended to ensure that data entering a pool is consistent and does not contain distortions as a result of different contributors' practices. It is not intended to constrain the use of pooled data by one firm that is contributed by a second firm where the differences do not affect the data being contributed.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.94

If a firm uses data that is pooled across institutions it remains responsible for the integrity of its rating systems. If a firm uses such data it must be able to demonstrate to the FSA that it has sufficient in-house understanding of its rating systems, including effective ability to monitor and audit the rating process.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 58]

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Overall requirements for estimation: Requirements specific to PD estimates

BIPRU 4.3.95

(1) If:

(a) a firm's internal experience of exposures of a type covered by a model or other rating system is 20 defaults or fewer; and
(b) in the firm's view, reliable estimates of PD cannot be derived from external sources of default data, including the use of market price related data, for all the exposures covered by the rating system;

the firm must estimate PD for exposures covered by that rating system in accordance with this rule.
(2) A firm must use a statistical technique to derive the distribution of defaults implied by the firm's experience, estimating PDs (the "statistical PD") from the upper bound of a confidence interval set by the firm in order to produce conservative estimates of PDs in accordance with BIPRU 4.3.88 R.
(3) The techniques chosen for the purposes of (2) must take account, as a minimum, of the following modelling issues:

(a) the number of defaults and number of obligor years in the sample;
(b) the number of years from which the sample was drawn;
(c) the interdependence between default events for individual obligors;
(d) the interdependence between default rates for different years; and
(e) the choice of the statistical estimators and the associated distributions and confidence intervals.

(4) The firm must further adjust the statistical PD to the extent necessary to take account of the following:

(a) any likely differences between the observed default rates over the period covered by the firm's default experience and the long-run PD for each grade in accordance with BIPRU 4.4.24 R and BIPRU 4.6.24 R; and
(b) any other information that indicates (taking into account the robustness and cogency of that information) that the statistical PD is likely to be an inaccurate estimate of PD.

(5) This rule is in addition to the other requirements in BIPRU about the calculation of PD.
(6) When a firm calculates whether it has 20 defaults or fewer under the calculation in (1)(a), it must only take into account defaults that occurred during periods that are relevant to the validation under BIPRU 4 of the model or other rating system in question.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.96

A firm may if appropriate also choose to use the approach in BIPRU 4.3.91 G if the internal experience on exposures covered by a rating system is greater than 20 defaults.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.97

If a firm excludes defaulted exposures that have been cured (as referred to in BIPRU 4.3.71 R) or restructured (as referred to in BIPRU 4.3.63 R (5)) from estimates of LGD in accordance with BIPRU 4.3.110 G, it may also exclude cures from estimates of PD for these exposures.

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Overall requirements for estimation: Requirements specific to own-LGD estimates

BIPRU 4.3.98

BIPRU 4.3.98 R to BIPRU 4.3.123 R set out requirements specific to own-LGD estimates.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.99

A firm must estimate LGDs by facility grade or pool on the basis of the average realised LGDs by facility grade or pool using all observed defaults within the data sources (default weighted average).

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 73]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.100

A firm must calculate the default weighted average on the basis of the number of defaults included in the calculations made under the historical average rules so far as they relate to the calculation of PDs and must not be weighted by the size of exposures.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.101

(1) A firm's estimates of LGDs must take into account:

(a) data in respect of relevant incomplete workouts; and
(b) the possibility that the proportion of defaulted exposures which are cured (as referred to in BIPRU 4.3.71 R) or restructured (as referred to in BIPRU 4.3.63 R (5)) or the length of the period over which a firm makes recoveries under a defaulted exposure may be different from the firm's observed historic experience.

(2) An incomplete workout as referred to in (1)(a) means a defaulted exposure included in the data set on which the firm's LGD estimates are based, but for which the recovery process is still in progress, with the result that the final realised losses in respect of that exposure are not yet certain.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.102

The changes referred to in BIPRU 4.3.101 R (1)(b) may be caused by external factors, such as the economic environment, as well as factors specific to the obligor, the transaction or the policies of the firm.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.103

A firm must use LGD estimates that are appropriate for an economic downturn if those are more conservative than the long-run average. To the extent a rating system is expected to deliver constant realised LGDs by grade or pool over time, a firm must make adjustments to its estimates of risk parameters by grade or pool to limit the capital impact of an economic downturn.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 74]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.104

(1) A firm must have a rigorous and well documented process for:

(a) assessing the effects, if any, of economic downturn conditions on recovery rates; and
(b) producing LGD estimates consistent with downturn conditions as referred to in BIPRU 4.3.103 R.

(2) That process must include the following, which may be included in an integrated manner:

(a) identification of appropriate downturn conditions for each IRB exposure class within each jurisdiction;
(b) identification of adverse dependencies, if any, between default rates and recovery rates; and
(c) incorporation of adverse dependencies, if identified, between default rates and recovery rates in the firm's estimates of LGD in a manner that meets the requirements in BIPRU 4.3.103 R relating to an economic downturn.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.105

A firm may derive the LGD in accordance with BIPRU 4.3.104 R (2)(c) either by directly assigning to the facility grade or pool an estimate of LGD appropriate for downturn conditions, or alternatively by estimating a default weighted average LGD in accordance with BIPRU 4.3.99 R and BIPRU 4.3.76 R and converting it into an LGD appropriate for downturn conditions by the use of a formula. It should be able to demonstrate that that formula produces well-founded estimates of LGDs consistent with downturn conditions for the exposures in question.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.106

A firm may combine IRB exposure classes, jurisdictions or both for the purpose of BIPRU 4.3.104 R (2)(a) if it can demonstrate that the downturn conditions to which the portfolios are subject will be similar.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.107

The adverse dependencies referred to in BIPRU 4.3.104 R (2)(b) will not always exist. However, if a firm uses LGDs that do not allow for such adverse dependencies, it should be able to justify its decision.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.108

Data relating to economic downturn conditions is likely to be scarce. Accordingly, a firm should use internal data, external data or a combination of data sources in order to produce appropriate downturn LGD estimates in accordance with BIPRU 4.3.103 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.109

A firm must retain sufficient data on both LGDs calculated on a economic downturn basis and calculated on a long-run average basis (as referred to in BIPRU 4.3.103 R) to be able to demonstrate to the FSA (if asked) that its estimates based on an economic downturn are no less conservative than the long-run average as referred to in that rule.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.110

Where a firm is able to demonstrate that the effect is immaterial in accordance with BIPRU 4.1.25 R (Compliance), it may exclude defaulted exposures that have been cured (as referred to in BIPRU 4.3.67 G (1)) or restructured (as referred to in BIPRU 4.3.63 R (5)) from the data about default and loss experience on which LGDs are calculated provided it can demonstrate that its calculation of capital requirements (including capital requirements resulting from the application of capital floors under the transitional rules and guidance in BIPRU) are not reduced as a result of this approximation.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.111

Irrespective of whether calculated on an economic downturn or long-run average basis, each LGD estimate must be at least zero.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.112

In order to support an LGD estimate which is very low or zero, a firm should be able to demonstrate that the estimate adequately reflects the expected experience on a default weighted average basis or in a downturn as appropriate, taking into account the costs and discount rate associated with realisations and the operation of BIPRU 4.3.118 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.113

The methods that a firm uses for discounting cash flows for the purposes of estimating LGDs must take account of the uncertainties associated with the receipt of recoveries with respect to a defaulted exposure. If a firm intends to use a discount rate that does not take full account of the uncertainty in recoveries, it must be able to explain by what other process it has taken into account that uncertainty for the purposes of calculating LGDs.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.114

The uncertainty referred to in BIPRU 4.3.113 R can be addressed by adjusting cash flows to certainty-equivalents or by using a discount rate that embodies an appropriate risk premium; or by a combination of the two.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.115

A firm may exclude from its calculation of loss indirect costs that it incurs for the purpose of making recoveries with respect to a defaulted exposure if it would also have incurred those costs if there had not been a default.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.116

A firm must consider the extent of any dependence between the risk of the obligor with that of the collateral or collateral provider. Cases where there is a significant degree of dependence must be addressed in a conservative manner.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 75]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.117

Currency mismatches between the underlying obligation and the collateral must be treated conservatively in the firm's assessment of LGD.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 76]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.118

To the extent that LGD estimates take into account the existence of collateral, these estimates must not solely be based on the collateral's estimated market value. LGD estimates must take into account the effect of the potential inability of the firm expeditiously to gain control of its collateral and liquidate it.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 77]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.119

(1) A firm may comply with BIPRU 4.3.118 R by reducing the amount of the collateral taken into account for the purposes of calculating LGD (applying a haircut to the collateral), basing that reduction on validated realisation experience and using conservatism to reflect the uncertainties.
(2) If collateral is used to reduce the LGD, a firm should be able to demonstrate how the risk in BIPRU 4.3.118 R has been accounted for. To the extent that it is adequately accounted for in that way it need not be reflected again as part of the residual risk in relation to collateral under the overall Pillar 2 rule.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.120

To the extent that LGD estimates take into account the existence of collateral, a firm must establish internal requirements for collateral management, legal certainty and risk management that are generally consistent with those set out in BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) as modified by BIPRU 4.10.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 78]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.121

To the extent that a firm recognises collateral for determining the exposure value for counterparty credit risk according to the CCR standardised method or the CCR internal model method, any amount expected to be recovered from the collateral must not be taken into account in the LGD estimates.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 79]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.122

For the specific case of exposures already in default, a firm must use the sum of its best estimate of expected loss for each exposure given current economic circumstances and exposure status and the possibility of additional unexpected losses during the recovery period.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 80]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.123

To the extent that unpaid late fees have been capitalised in a firm's income statement, they must be added to the firm's measure of exposure and loss.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 81]

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Overall requirements for estimation: Requirements specific to own-conversion factor estimates

BIPRU 4.3.124

BIPRU 4.3.125 R - BIPRU 4.3.131 R set out requirements specific to own-conversion factor estimates.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.125

A firm must estimate conversion factors by facility grade or pool on the basis of the average expected conversion factors by facility grade or pool using all observed defaults within the data sources (default weighted average).

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 87]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.126

(1) A firm using own estimates of conversion factors should take into account all facility types that may result in an exposure when an obligor defaults, including uncommitted facilities.
(2) A firm should treat a facility as an exposure from the earliest date at which a customer is able to make drawings under it.
(3) To the extent that a firm makes available multiple facilities, it should be able to demonstrate:

(a) how it deals with the fact that exposures on one may become exposures under another on which the losses are ultimately incurred; and
(b) the impact of its approach on its capital requirements.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.127

A firm must use conversion factor estimates that are appropriate for an economic downturn if those are more conservative than the long-run average. To the extent a rating system is expected to deliver realised conversion factors at a constant level by grade or pool over time, a firm must make adjustments to its estimates of risk parameters by grade or pool to limit the capital impact of an economic downturn.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 88]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.128

A firm's estimates of conversion factors must reflect the possibility of additional drawings by the obligor up to and after the time a default event is triggered. The conversion factor estimate must incorporate a larger margin of conservatism where a stronger positive correlation can reasonably be expected between the default frequency and the magnitude of conversion factor.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 89]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.129

In arriving at estimates of conversion factors a firm must consider its specific policies and strategies adopted in respect of account monitoring and payment processing. A firm must also consider its ability and willingness to prevent further drawings in circumstances short of payment default, such as covenant violations or other technical default events.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 90]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.130

A firm must have adequate systems and procedures in place to monitor facility amounts, current outstandings against committed lines and changes in outstandings per obligor and per grade. A firm must be able to monitor outstanding balances on a daily basis.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 91]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.3.131

If a firm uses different estimates of conversion factors for the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts and internal purposes it must be documented. The firm must be able to demonstrate their reasonableness to the FSA.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 92]

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Overall requirements for estimation: Comparability

BIPRU 4.3.132

(1) This paragraph contains guidance about the interpretation of the requirements relating to comparability in BIPRU 4.3.85 R. It is also relevant to the requirement for representative data in BIPRU 4.3.51 R (5), to the references to comparability in the additional guidance in BIPRU 4.3.53 G (7)(b) and to the requirements for similarity in BIPRU 4.3.92 R.
(2) In general, comparability should be based on analyses of the population of exposures represented in the data, the lending standards used when the data was generated (where relevant) and other relevant characteristics in relation to the corresponding properties of the firm's own portfolio. Other relevant characteristics could include the distribution of the obligors across industries, the size distribution of the exposures and similarity with respect to the geographic or demographic distribution of the exposures.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4

The IRB approach: Exposures to corporates, institutions and sovereigns

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 4.4.1

(1) This section applies with respect to the sovereign, institution and corporate IRB exposure class.
(2) The sovereign, institution and corporate IRB exposure class includes specialised lending exposures.
(3) Both BIPRU 4.4 and BIPRU 4.5 (Specialised lending exposures) apply to specialised lending exposures. A firm may calculate risk weighted exposure amounts for a specialised lending exposure either:

(a) (if it is able to do so) in accordance with BIPRU 4.4; or
(b) in accordance with BIPRU 4.4 as modified by BIPRU 4.5.

01/01/2007

Definition

BIPRU 4.4.2

The following exposures must be treated as exposures to central governments and central banks:

(1) exposures to regional governments, local authorities or public sector entities which are treated as exposures to central governments under the standardised approach; and
(2) exposures to multilateral development banks and international organisations which attract a risk weight of 0% under the standardised approach.

[Note: BCD Article 86(2)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.3

The following exposures must be treated as exposures to institutions:

(1) exposures to regional governments and local authorities which are not treated as exposures to central governments under the standardised approach;
(2) exposures to public sector entities which are treated as exposures to institutions under the standardised approach;
(3) exposures to multilateral development banks which do not attract a 0% risk weight under the standardised approach; and
(4) without prejudice to BIPRU 13.3.13 R and BIPRU 13.8.7 R (Exposures to a central counterparty) exposures to recognised third country investment firms and exposures to recognised clearing houses and designated investment exchanges.

[Note: BCD Article 86(3) and CAD Article 40]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.4

Any credit obligation not assigned to the IRB exposure classes referred to in BIPRU 4.3.2 R (1) (Sovereigns), BIPRU 4.3.2 R (2) (Institutions) and BIPRU 4.3.2 R (4) - BIPRU 4.3.2 R (6) (Retail, equity and securitisations) must be assigned to the corporate exposure class.

[Note: BCD Article 86(7)]

01/01/2007

Rating system: Structure of rating system

BIPRU 4.4.5

BIPRU 4.4.6 R - BIPRU 4.4.21 R apply in addition to BIPRU 4.3.25 R - BIPRU 4.3.28 R (Rating systems).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.6

A rating system must take into account obligor and transaction risk characteristics.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 5]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.7

A rating system must have an obligor rating scale which reflects exclusively quantification of the risk of obligor default. The obligor rating scale must have a minimum of seven grades for non-defaulted obligors and one for defaulted obligors.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 6]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.8

An obligor grade means for the purpose of BIPRU 4 as it applies to the sovereign, institution and corporate IRB exposure class a risk category within a rating system's obligor rating scale, to which obligors are assigned on the basis of a specified and distinct set of rating criteria, from which estimates of PD are derived. A firm must document both the relationship between obligor grades in terms of the level of default risk each grade implies and the criteria used to distinguish that level of default risk.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 7]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.9

A firm with portfolios concentrated in a particular market segment and range of default risk must have enough obligor grades within that range to avoid undue concentrations of obligors in a particular grade. Significant concentrations within a single grade must be supported by convincing empirical evidence that the obligor grade covers a reasonably narrow PD band and that the default risk posed by all obligors in the grade falls within that band.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 8]

01/01/2007

Rating system: Assignment to grades or pools

BIPRU 4.4.10

Material on assignment to grades or pools can be found in BIPRU 4.3.43 R - BIPRU 4.3.48 R.

01/01/2007

Rating system: Assignment of exposures

BIPRU 4.4.11

Each obligor must be assigned to an obligor grade as part of the credit approval process.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 19]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.12

Each separate legal entity to which a firm is exposed must be separately rated. A firm must be able to demonstrate to the FSA that it has acceptable policies regarding the treatment of individual obligor clients and groups of connected clients.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 22]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.13

Separate exposures to the same obligor must be assigned to the same obligor grade, irrespective of any differences in the nature of each specific transaction. Exceptions, where separate exposures are allowed to result in multiple grades for the same obligor are:

(1) country transfer risk, this being dependent on whether the exposures are denominated in local or foreign currency;
(2) where the treatment of associated guarantees to an exposure may be reflected in an adjusted assignment to an obligor grade; and
(3) where consumer protection, bank secrecy or other legislation prohibit the exchange of client data.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 23]

01/01/2007

Rating system: Overrides

BIPRU 4.4.14

Material on overrides can be found in BIPRU 4.3.50 R.

01/01/2007

Rating system: Integrity of assignment process

BIPRU 4.4.15

Assignments and periodic reviews of assignments must be completed or approved by an independent party that does not directly benefit from decisions to extend the credit.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 26]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.16

A firm must update assignments at least annually. High risk obligors and problem exposures must be subject to more frequent review. A firm must undertake a new assignment if material information on the obligor or exposure becomes available.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 27]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.17

Although it will not usually be the case that facility ratings and conversion factors will have to be updated more frequently than annually, LGDs and exposure values are subject to more frequent recalculation due to their connection to drawn balances, which can vary on a daily basis.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.18

A firm must have an effective process to obtain and update relevant information on obligor characteristics that affect PDs, and on transaction characteristics that affect LGDs and conversion factors.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 28]

01/01/2007

Rating system: Use of models

BIPRU 4.4.19

Material on the use of models can be found in BIPRU 4.3.51 R - BIPRU 4.3.53 G.

01/01/2007

Rating system: Documentation of rating systems

BIPRU 4.4.20

Material on the documentation of rating systems can be found in BIPRU 4.3.19 R - BIPRU 4.3.24 R.

01/01/2007

Rating system: Data maintenance

BIPRU 4.4.21

In addition to complying with the material in BIPRU 4.3.54 R (Data maintenance) a firm must collect and store:

(1) complete rating histories on obligors and recognised guarantors;
(2) the dates the ratings were assigned;
(3) the key data and methodology used to derive the rating;
(4) the person responsible for the rating assignment;
(5) the identity of obligors and exposures that defaulted;
(6) the date and circumstances of such defaults;
(7) data on the PDs and realised default rates associated with rating grades and ratings migration; and
(8) (in the case of a firm not using the advanced IRB approach in the calculation of LGDs and/or conversion factors) data on comparisons of realised LGDs to the values as set out in BIPRU 4.4.34 R and BIPRU 4.8.25 R and realised conversion factors to the values as set out in BIPRU 4.4.37 R, BIPRU 4.4.45 R and BIPRU 4.6.44 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 37]

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Definition of default

BIPRU 4.4.22

(1) This rule, in accordance with BIPRU 4.3.57 R (4) (Definition of default), sets the exact number of days past due that a firm should abide by in the case of exposures to PSEs.
(2) For counterparts that are PSEs situated within the United Kingdom the number of days past due is 180.
(3) For counterparts that are PSEs situated in another EEA State the number of days past due is the lower of:

(a) 180; and
(b) the number of days past due fixed under the CRD implementation measure with respect to point 48 of Part 4 of Annex VII of the Banking Consolidation Directive for that EEA State for such exposures.

(4) For counterparts that are PSEs in a state outside the EEA the number of days past due is the lower of:

(a) 180; and
(b) (if a number of days past due for such exposures has been fixed under any law of that state applicable to undertakings in the banking sector or the investment services sector that implements the IRB approach) that number.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 44 (part) and point 48 (part)]

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Overall requirements for estimation: Requirements specific to PD estimation

BIPRU 4.4.23

BIPRU 4.4.24 R - BIPRU 4.4.31 R apply to both the foundation IRB approach and the advanced IRB approach.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.24

A firm must estimate PDs by obligor grade from long run averages of one-year default rates.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 59]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.25

A firm must use PD estimation techniques only with supporting analysis. A firm must recognise the importance of judgmental considerations in combining results of techniques and in making adjustments for limitations of techniques and information.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 62]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.26

Where rating agency experience or the output of a statistical default model are the primary component of PD estimation, a firm should consider whether it needs to make adjustments for other relevant information, such as internal experience, conservatism and cyclical effects. In making these adjustments, a firm should consider the extent to which it needs to take account of the potential for both under-recording of actual defaults experienced and divergence of actual experience from the true underlying average PD.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.27

To the extent that a firm uses data on internal default experience for the estimation of PDs it must be able to demonstrate in its analysis that the estimates are reflective of underwriting standards and of any differences in the rating system that generated the data and the current rating system. Where underwriting standards or rating systems have changed, a firm must add a greater margin of conservatism in its estimate of PD.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 63]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.28

To the extent that a firm associates or maps its internal grades to the scale used by an ECAI or similar organisations and then attributes the default rate observed for the external organisation's grades to the firm's grades, mappings must be based on a comparison of internal rating criteria to the criteria used by the external organisation and on a comparison of the internal and external ratings of any common obligors. Biases or inconsistencies in the mapping approach or underlying data must be avoided. The external organisation's criteria underlying the data used for quantification must be oriented to default risk only and not reflect transaction characteristics. The firm's analysis must include a comparison of the default definitions used, subject to the requirements in BIPRU 4.3.56 R to BIPRU 4.3.71 R and BIPRU 4.4.22 R (Definition of default). The firm must document the basis for the mapping.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 64]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.29

It is unlikely that a firm will be able to convince the FSA that it had considered all relevant and available information, as required by BIPRU 4.3.74 R, if it used only data from one ECAI or similar organisation, where other relevant information is available.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.30

To the extent that a firm uses statistical default prediction models it may estimate PDs as the simple average of default-probability estimates for individual obligors in a given grade. The firm's use of default probability models for this purpose must meet the standards specified in BIPRU 4.3.51 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 65]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.31

Irrespective of whether a firm is using external, internal, or pooled data sources, or a combination of the three, for its PD estimation, the length of the underlying historical observation period used must be at least five years for at least one source. If the available observation period spans a longer period for any source, and this data is relevant, this longer period must be used. A firm not permitted to use own estimates of LGDs or conversion factors may have, when it implements the IRB approach, relevant data covering a period of two years. The period to be covered must increase by one year each year until relevant data cover a period of five years.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 66 (part)]

01/01/2007

IRB foundation approach: General

BIPRU 4.4.32

BIPRU 4.4.33 R - BIPRU 4.4.39 R set out requirements specific to the foundation IRB approach.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.33

Under the foundation IRB approach a firm must apply the LGD values set out in BIPRU 4.4.34 R and BIPRU 4.8.25 R and the conversion factors set out in BIPRU 4.4.37 R.

[Note: BCD Article 87(8)]

01/01/2007

IRB foundation approach: LGDs

BIPRU 4.4.34

A firm must use the following LGD values:

(1) senior exposures without eligible collateral, 45%;
(2) subordinated exposures without eligible collateral, 75%;
(3) a firm may recognise funded and unfunded credit protection in the LGD in accordance with BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation), as modified by BIPRU 4.10;
(4) covered bonds may be assigned an LGD value of 12.5%; and
(5) for certain senior corporate exposure purchased receivables, for certain subordinated corporate exposure purchased receivables and for dilution risk of corporate purchased receivables the provisions of BIPRU 4.8.25 R (LGDs for corporate receivables) apply.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 8 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.35

Until 31 December 2010, covered bonds as set out in BIPRU 3.4.107 R to BIPRU 3.4.110 R may be assigned an LGD value of 11.25% if:

(1) assets as set out in BIPRU 3.4.107 R (1)(a) to (c) collateralising the covered bonds all qualify for credit quality assessment step one as set out in BIPRU 3;
(2) where assets set out in BIPRU 3.4.107 R (1)(d) and BIPRU 3.4.107 R (1)(e) are used as collateral, the respective upper limits laid down in each of those points is 10% of the nominal amount of the outstanding issue;
(3) assets as set out in BIPRU 3.4.107 R (1)(f) are not used as collateral; or
(4) the covered bonds are the subject of a credit assessment by a nominated ECAI, and the ECAI places them in the most favourable category of credit assessment that the ECAI could make in respect of covered bonds.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 8 (part)]

01/01/2007

Foundation IRB approach: Exposure value and conversion factors

BIPRU 4.4.36

BIPRU 4.4.37 R - BIPRU 4.4.39 R apply in addition to BIPRU 4.4.71 R - BIPRU 4.4.78 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.37

(1) The exposure value for the items set out in this rule must be calculated as the committed but undrawn amount multiplied by the applicable conversion factor set out in this rule.
(2) For credit lines which are uncommitted, that are unconditionally cancellable at any time by the firm without prior notice, or that effectively provide for automatic cancellation due to deterioration in a borrower's credit worthiness, a conversion factor of 0 % applies. To apply a conversion factor of 0% a firm must actively monitor the financial condition of the obligor, and its internal control systems must enable it immediately to detect a deterioration in the credit quality of the obligor.
(3) For short-term letters of credit arising from the movement of goods, a conversion factor of 20% applies for both the issuing and confirming firms.
(4) For other credit lines, note issuance facilities (NIFs), and revolving underwriting facilities (RUFs), a conversion factor of 75% applies.
(5) For undrawn purchase commitments for revolving purchased receivables falling under BIPRU 4.8.29 R, the conversion factor set out in that rule applies.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 3 point 9 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.38

Where a commitment refers to the extension of another commitment, the lower of the two conversion factors associated with the individual commitment must be used.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 3 point 10]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.39

For all off-balance sheet items other than mentioned in BIPRU 4.4.37 R, BIPRU 4.4.45 R, BIPRU 4.4.71 R - BIPRU 4.4.78 R, BIPRU 4.6.44 R, BIPRU 4.8.28 R and BIPRU 4.8.29 R, the exposure value must be the following percentage of its value:

(1) 100% if it is a full risk item;
(2) 50% if it is a medium risk item;
(3) 20% if it is a medium/low risk item; and
(4) 0% if it is a low risk item.

For the purposes of this rule the off-balance sheet items must be assigned to risk categories as indicated in BIPRU 3.7 (Classification of off-balance sheet items).

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 3 point 11]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.40

[to follow]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.41

[to follow]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.42

[to follow]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.43

[to follow]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.44

[to follow]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.45

[to follow]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.46

[to follow]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.47

[to follow]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.48

[to follow]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.49

[to follow]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.50

[to follow]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.51

[to follow]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.52

[to follow]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.53

[to follow]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.54

[to follow]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.55

[to follow]

01/01/2007

Calculations: General

BIPRU 4.4.56

The remainder of this section applies to both the foundation IRB approach and the advanced IRB approach.

01/01/2007

Calculations: Risk-weighted exposure amounts

BIPRU 4.4.57

Subject to BIPRU 4.4.59 R to BIPRU 4.4.60 R, BIPRU 4.5.6 R, BIPRU 4.5.8 R - BIPRU 4.5.10 R (Risk weights for specialised lending), BIPRU 4.8.16 R, BIPRU 4.8.17 R (Risk weights for corporate exposure purchased receivables) and BIPRU 4.9.3 R (Securitisation: provision of credit protection), risk weighted exposure amounts must be calculated according to the formulae in the table in BIPRU 4.4.58 R and the adjustment formula in BIPRU 4.4.79 R (Double default).

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 3]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.58

Table: Formulae for the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts
This table belongs to BIPRU 4.4.57 R

Correlation (R)

0.12 × (1 - EXP(-50*PD))/(1-EXP(-50)) + 0.24*

[1-(1-EXP(-50*PD))/(1-EXP(-50))]

Maturity factor (b)

(0.11852-0.05478*1n(PD))²

(LGD*N[(1-R)^-0.5*G(PD)+(R/(1-R))^0.5 *G(0.999)]-PD*LGD)*

(1-1.5*b)^-1*(1+(M-2.5)*b)*12.5*1.06

N(x)

denotes the cumulative distribution function for a standard normal random variable (i.e. the probability that a normal random variable with mean zero and variance of one is less than or equal to x). G(z) denotes the inverse cumulative distribution function for a standard normal random variable (i.e. the value x such that N(x) = z).

PD = 0

For PD = 0, RW shall be: 0

PD = 1

For PD = 1:

(i)

for defaulted exposures where a firm applies the LGD values set out in BIPRU 4.4.32R and BIPRU 4.8.25R RW shall be: 0;

(ii)

for defaulted exposures where a firm uses its own estimates of LGDs, RW shall be: Max {0, 12.5 *(LGD-EL_BE)};

where EL_BE must be the firm's best estimate of expected loss for the defaulted exposure according to BIPRU 4.3.122 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 3]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.59

For exposures to companies where the total annual sales for the consolidated group of which the firm is a part is less than EUR 50 million a firm may use the following correlation formula for the calculation of risk weights for corporate exposures. In this formula S is expressed as total annual sales in millions of Euros with EUR 5 million < = S < = EUR 50 million. Reported sales of less than EUR 5 million must be treated as if they were equivalent to EUR 5 million. In accordance with BIPRU 4.8.21 R, for purchased receivables the total annual sales are the weighted average by individual exposures of the pool. The formula for the calculation of correlation (R) is:
0.12×(1-EXP(-50*PD))/(1-EXP(-50))+ 0.24*
[1-(EXP(-50*PD))/(1-EXP(-50))]
-0.04*(1-(S-5)/45)

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 5 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.60

A firm must for the purpose of BIPRU 4.4.59 R substitute total assets of the consolidated group for total annual sales when total annual sales are not a meaningful indicator of firm size and total assets are a more meaningful indicator than total annual sales.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 5 (part)]

01/01/2007

Calculations: Expected loss amounts

BIPRU 4.4.61

Expected loss amounts must be calculated according to the formulae in the table in BIPRU 4.4.62 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 30 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.62

Table: Formulae for the calculation of expected loss amounts
This table belongs to BIPRU 4.4.61 R

Expected loss (EL)

equals PD×LGD

Expected loss amount

equals EL×exposure value

For defaulted exposures (PD = 1) where a firm uses its own estimates of LGDs, EL must be EL_BE, the firm's best estimate of expected loss for the defaulted exposure according to BIPRU 4.3.122 R.

For exposures subject to the treatment set out in BIPRU 4.4.79 R (Double default) EL must be 0.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 30 (part)]

01/01/2007

Calculations: PD

BIPRU 4.4.63

A firm must provide its own estimates of PDs in accordance with its IRB permission and the minimum IRB standards.

[Note: BCD Article 87(6) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.64

The PD of a corporate exposure or an exposure in the IRB exposure class referred to in BIPRU 4.3.2 R (2) (Institutions) must be at least 0.03%.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 2]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.65

The PD of obligors in default must be 100%.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 4]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.66

Subject to BIPRU 4.4.42 R (Advanced IRB approach: LGDs and PDs) a firm may recognise unfunded credit protection in the PD in accordance with the provisions of BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation), as modified by BIPRU 4.10. For dilution risk, however, a firm may also recognise unfunded credit protection providers which are specified in its IRB permission in addition to those indicated in the CRM eligibility conditions.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 5]

01/01/2007

Calculations: Maturity

BIPRU 4.4.67

(1) A firm must calculate maturity (M) for each of the exposures referred to in this rule in accordance with this rule and subject to BIPRU 4.4.68 R to BIPRU 4.4.70 R. In all cases, M must be no greater than 5 years.
(2) For an instrument subject to a cash flow schedule M must be calculated according to the following formula:

where CF_t denotes the cash flows (principal, interest payments and fees) contractually payable by the obligor in period t.

(3) For derivatives subject to a master netting agreement M must be the weighted average remaining maturity of the exposure, where M must be at least 1 year. The notional amount of each exposure must be used for weighting the maturity.
(4) For exposures arising from fully or nearly-fully collateralised financial derivative instruments transactions and fully or nearly-fully collateralised margin lending transactions which are subject to a master netting agreement M must be the weighted average remaining maturity of the transactions where M must be at least 10 days. The notional amount of each transaction must be used for weighting the maturity.
(5) Where a firm uses the CCR internal model method to calculate the exposure values, M must be calculated for exposures to which a firm applies this method and for which the maturity of the longest-dated contract contained in the netting set is greater than one year according to the following formula:

where:
dfk = the risk-free discount factor for future time period tk and the remaining symbols are defined in BIPRU 13.6.

(6) Notwithstanding (7), a firm that uses a CCR internal model method model to calculate a one-sided credit valuation adjustment (CVA) may use the effective credit duration estimated by the model as M if permitted to do so by its CCR internal model method permission.
(7) Subject to BIPRU 4.4.68 R, for netting sets in which all contracts have an original maturity of less than one year the formula in (2) must be applied.
(8) If a firm is permitted under its IRB permission to use own PD estimates for corporate exposure purchased receivables, for drawn amounts M must equal the purchased receivables exposure weighted average maturity, where M must be at least 90 days. This same value of M must also be used for undrawn amounts under a committed purchase facility provided the facility contains effective covenants, early amortisation triggers, or other features that protect the purchasing firm against a significant deterioration in the quality of the future receivables it is required to purchase over the facility's term. Absent such effective protections, M for undrawn amounts must be calculated as the sum of the longest-dated potential receivable under the purchase agreement and the remaining maturity of the purchase facility, where M must be at least 90 days.
(9) For any other instrument than mentioned in this rule or when a firm is not in a position to calculate M as set out in (2), M must be the maximum remaining time (in years) that the obligor is permitted to take fully to discharge its contractual obligations, where M must be at least 1 year.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 13 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.68

Notwithstanding BIPRU 4.4.67 R (2) - (3) and (8)-(9), M must be at least one-day for:

(1) fully or nearly-fully collateralised financial derivative instruments;
(2) fully or nearly-fully collateralised margin lending transactions; and
(3) repurchase transactions, securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions,

provided the documentation requires daily remargining and daily revaluation and includes provisions that allow for the prompt liquidation or setoff of collateral in the event of default or failure to re-margin.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 14 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.69

The last paragraph of paragraph 14 of Part 2 of Annex VII of the Banking Consolidation Directive says: "In addition, for other short-term exposures specified by the competent authorities which are not part of the credit institution's ongoing financing of the obligor, M shall be at least one-day. A careful review of the particular circumstances shall be made in each case." The FSA has not at this stage specified any such short-term exposure.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 14 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.70

Maturity mismatches must be treated as specified in BIPRU 4.10 and BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation).

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 16]

01/01/2007

Calculations: Exposure value

BIPRU 4.4.71

Unless provided otherwise in BIPRU 4 the exposure value of on-balance sheet exposures must be measured gross of value adjustments. This also applies to assets purchased at a price different than the amount owed. For purchased assets, the difference between the amount owed and the net value recorded on the balance-sheet of the firm is denoted discount if the amount owed is larger, and premium if it is smaller.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 3 point 1]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.72

A firm must not treat the exposure value of a facility as being less than current drawings under it. Interest accrued to date on an exposure under a facility must be included in current drawings or an allowance for it must be built into the conversion factor.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.73

Where a firm uses master netting agreements in relation to repurchase transactions or securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions the exposure value must be calculated in accordance with BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation), as modified by BIPRU 4.10, and BIPRU 13.8.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 3 point 2]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.74

For on-balance sheet netting of loans and deposits a firm must apply for the calculation of the exposure value the methods set out in BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation), as modified by BIPRU 4.10.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 3 point 3]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.75

The exposure value for leases must be the discounted minimum lease payments. Minimum lease payments are the payments over the lease term that the lessee is or can be required to make and any bargain option (i.e. option the exercise of which is reasonably certain). Any guaranteed residual value fulfilling the set of conditions in BIPRU 5.7.1 R (Eligibility), as modified by BIPRU 4.10.38 R and BIPRU 4.10.39 R (Unfunded credit protection: Eligibility of providers) regarding the eligibility of protection providers as well as the minimum requirements for recognising other types of guarantees provided in BIPRU 5.7.6 R (Minimum requirements: General) to BIPRU 5.7.12 R (Additional requirements for guarantees) should also be included in the minimum lease payments.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 3 point 4]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.76

Where an exposure takes the form of securities or commodities sold, posted or lent under repurchase transactions or securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions, long settlement transactions and margin lending transactions, the exposure value must be the value of the securities or commodities determined in accordance with GENPRU 1.3 (Valuation). Where the financial collateral comprehensive method is used, the exposure value must be increased by the volatility adjustment appropriate to such securities or commodities as set out in BIPRU 4.10 and BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation). The exposure value of repurchase transactions, securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions, long settlements transactions and margin lending transactions must be determined in accordance with BIPRU 13.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 3 point 7]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.77

Notwithstanding BIPRU 4.4.76 R, the exposure value of credit risk exposures outstanding, as determined by the firm, with a central counterparty must be determined in accordance with BIPRU 13.3.3 R and BIPRU 13.8.8 R (Exposure to central counterparty), provided that the central counterparty's CCR exposures with all participants in its arrangements are fully collateralised on a daily basis.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 3 point 8]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.78

In the case of any financial derivative instrument, the exposure value must be determined by the methods set out in BIPRU 13.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 3 point 5]

01/01/2007

Double default

BIPRU 4.4.79

The risk weighted exposure amount for each exposure which meets the requirements set out in BIPRU 5.7.2 R and BIPRU 4.4.83 R (Double default) may be adjusted according to the following formula:

(1) Risk weighted exposure amount = RW *exposure value * (0.15 + 160*PDpp)]
(2) PDpp = PD of the protection provider
(3) RW must be calculated using the relevant risk weight formula set out in BIPRU 4.4.57 R for the exposure, the PD of the obligor and the LGD of a comparable direct exposure to the protection provider. The maturity factor (b) must be calculated using the lower of the PD of the protection provider and the PD of the obligor.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 4]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.80

Notwithstanding BIPRU 4.4.34 R and BIPRU 4.4.43 R, for the purposes of BIPRU 4.4.79 R, the LGD of a comparable direct exposure to the protection provider shall either be the LGD associated with an unhedged facility to the guarantor or the unhedged facility of the obligor, depending upon whether in the event both the guarantor and the obligor default during the life of the hedged transaction available evidence and the structure of the guarantee indicate that the amount recovered would depend on the financial condition of the guarantor or obligor, respectively

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 11]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.81

For the purposes of BIPRU 4.4.79 R, M must be the effective maturity of the credit protection but at least 1 year.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 13 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.82

BIPRU 4.4.83 R applies to the eligibility of protection providers under the IRB approach which qualify for the treatment set out in BIPRU 4.4.79 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.83

An institution, an insurance undertaking (including an insurance undertaking that carries out reinsurance) or an export credit agency which fulfils the following conditions may be recognised as an eligible provider of unfunded credit protection which qualifies for the treatment set out in BIPRU 4.4.79 R:

(1) the protection provider has sufficient expertise in providing unfunded credit protection;
(2) the protection provider is regulated in a manner equivalent to the rules laid down in the Banking Consolidation Directive or had, at the time the credit protection was provided, a credit assessment by an eligible ECAI which is associated with credit quality step 3 or above under the rules for the risk weighting of exposures to corporates under the standardised approach;
(3) the protection provider had, at the time the credit protection was provided, or for any period of time thereafter, an internal rating with a PD equivalent to or lower than that associated with credit quality step 2 or above under the rules for the risk weighting of exposures to corporates under the standardised approach;
(4) the protection provider has an internal rating with a PD equivalent to or lower than that associated with credit quality step 3 or above under the rules for the risk weighting of exposures to corporates under the standardised approach;

For the purpose of this rule, credit protection provided by an export credit agency must not benefit from any explicit central government counter-guarantee.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 29]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.84

BIPRU 4.4.85 R applies to the requirements to qualify for the treatment set out in BIPRU 4.4.79 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.4.85

To be eligible for the treatment set out in BIPRU 4.4.79 R, credit protection deriving from a guarantee or credit derivative must meet the following conditions:

(1) the underlying obligation must be to:

(a) a corporate exposure, excluding an exposure to an insurance undertaking (including an insurance undertaking that carries out reinsurance); or
(b) an exposure to a regional government, local authority or public sector entity which is not treated as an exposure to a central government or a central bank according to BIPRU 4.4.2 R; or
(c) an exposure to retail SME, classified as a retail exposure according to BIPRU 4.6.2 R;

(2) the underlying obligors must not be members of the same group as the protection provider;
(3) the exposure must be hedged by one of the following instruments:

(a) single name unfunded credit derivatives or single name guarantees;
(b) first to default basket products, with these the treatment must be applied to the asset within the basket with the lowest risk weighted exposure amount;
(c) n^th to default basket products, with these the protection obtained is only eligible for consideration under this framework if eligible (n-1)^thdefault protection has also been obtained or where (n-1) of the assets within the basket has/have already defaulted and where this is the case the treatment must be applied to the asset within the basket with the lowest risk weighted exposure amount;

(4) the credit protection must meet the requirements set out in BIPRU 5.7.6 R - BIPRU 5.7.8 R (Minimum requirements: Operational requirements), BIPRU 5.7.11 R (Additional requirements for guarantees) and BIPRU 5.7.13 R - BIPRU 5.7.14 R (Additional requirements for credit derivatives);
(5) the risk weight that is associated with the exposure prior to the application of the treatment in BIPRU 4.4.79 R does not already factor in any aspect of the credit protection;
(6) a firm must have the right and expectation to receive payment from the protection provider without having to take legal action in order to pursue the counterparty for payment;
(7) the purchased credit protection must absorb all credit losses incurred on the hedged portion of an exposure that arise due to the occurrence of credit events outlined in the contract;
(8) if the payout structure provides for physical settlement, then there must be legal certainty with respect to the deliverability of a loan, bond or contingent liability and if a firm intends to deliver an obligation other than the underlying exposure, it must ensure that the deliverable obligation is sufficiently liquid so that the firm would have the ability to purchase it for delivery in accordance with the contract;
(9) the terms and conditions of credit protection arrangements must be legally confirmed in writing by both the protection provider and the firm;
(10) a firm must have a process in place to detect excessive correlation between the creditworthiness of a protection provider and the obligor of the underlying exposure due to their performance being dependent on common factors beyond the systematic risk factor;
(11) in the case of protection against dilution risk, the seller of purchased receivables must not be a member of the same group as the protection provider; and
(12) with reference to (6), to the extent possible, a firm must take steps to satisfy itself that the protection provider is willing to pay promptly should a credit event occur.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 22]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.5

The IRB approach: Specialised lending exposures

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 4.5.1

BIPRU 4.5 applies with respect to the exposures referred to in BIPRU 4.5.3 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.5.2

Except for BIPRU 4.5.1 R and BIPRU 4.5.3 R, BIPRU 4.5 only applies to the extent that a firm applies the method in BIPRU 4.5 (slotting).

01/01/2007

Definition of specialised lending

BIPRU 4.5.3

Within the corporate exposure IRB exposure class, a firm must separately identify as specialised lending exposures, exposures which possess the following characteristics:

(1) the exposure is to an entity which was created specifically to finance and/or operate physical assets;
(2) the contractual arrangements give the lender a substantial degree of control over the assets and the income that they generate; and
(3) the primary source of repayment of the obligation is the income generated by the assets being financed, rather than the independent capacity of a broader commercial enterprise.

[Note: BCD Article 86(6)]

01/01/2007

Treatment of specialised lending

BIPRU 4.5.4

If a firm is using or is applying to use the advanced IRB approach for some or all of its exposures in the sovereign, institution and corporate IRB exposure class, then specialised lending exposures treated under BIPRU 4.5.8 R (Slotting) must be treated as being dealt with under the advanced IRB approach for the purposes of the calculations in BIPRU 4.2.30 R and BIPRU 4.2.31 R. If a firm is not using or applying to use the advanced IRB approach for any of its exposures in the sovereign, institutionl and corporate IRB exposure class, in the cases in which it is necessary to distinguish between the advanced IRB approach and the foundation IRB approach, then specialised lending exposures treated under BIPRU 4.5.8 R must be treated as being dealt with under the foundation IRB approach for the purposes of the calculations in BIPRU 4.2.30 R and BIPRU 4.2.31 R.

01/01/2007

Structure of rating system

BIPRU 4.5.5

A firm using the methods set out in BIPRU 4.5.8 R (Slotting) for assigning risk weights for specialised lending exposures is exempt from the requirement to have an obligor rating scale which reflects exclusively quantification of the risk of obligor default for these exposures. Notwithstanding BIPRU 4.4.7 R (Seven grades for exposures to sovereigns, institutions and corporates), a firm must have for these exposures four grades for non-defaulted obligors and one grade for defaulted obligors.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 12 and point 21]

01/01/2007

Assignment of exposures

BIPRU 4.5.6

(1) A firm using the methods set out in BIPRU 4.5.8 R (Slotting) for assigning risk weights for specialised lending exposures must assign each of these exposures to a grade in accordance with BIPRU 4 Annex 1 R, taking into account the following factors:

(a) financial strength;
(b) political and legal environment;
(c) transaction and/or asset characteristics;
(d) strength of the sponsor and developer including any public private partnership income stream; and
(e) security package.

(2) A firm must slot exposures into the five columns in the tables in BIPRU 4.5.9 R and BIPRU 4.5.13 R as follows:

(a) a firm must slot an exposure categorised as strong under Annex X into column 1;
(b) a firm must slot an exposure categorised as good under the Annex X into column 2;
(c) a firm must slot an exposure categorised as satisfactory under Annex X into column 3;
(d) a firm must slot an exposure categorised as weak under Annex X into column 4;
(e) in accordance with BIPRU 4.5.5 R a firm must slot an exposure in default into column 5.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 6 (part)]

01/01/2007

Calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts

BIPRU 4.5.7

Notwithstanding BIPRU 4.3.5 R (Use of relevant parameters for calculating risk weighted exposure amounts), the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts for credit risk for specialised lending exposures may be calculated in accordance with BIPRU 4.5.8 R.

[Note: BCD Article 87(5)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.5.8

For specialised lending exposures in respect of which a firm cannot demonstrate that its PD estimates meet the minimum IRB standards it must assign risk weights to these exposures according to the table in BIPRU 4.5.9 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 6 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.5.9

Table: Risk weights for specialised lending
This table belongs to BIPRU 4.5.8 R

Remaining maturity

Category 1 (Strong)

Category 2 (Good)

Category 3 (Satisfactory)

Category 4 (Weak)

Category 5

Less than 2.5 years

50%

70%

115%

250%

Equal or more than 2.5 years

70%

90%

115%

250%

The coverage of each of the categories is set out in BIPRU 4.5.6 R

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 6 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.5.10

A firm may generally assign preferential risk weights of 50% to exposures in category 1, and a 70% risk weight to exposures in category 2 if:

(1) its IRB permission allows this; and
(2) the firm's underwriting characteristics and other risk characteristics are substantially strong for the relevant category.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 6 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.5.11

(1) If a firm applies for an IRB permission or for a variation of an IRB permission that permits the treatment in BIPRU 4.5.10 R it should demonstrate that its standards exceed those of the slotting criteria provided for in BIPRU 4.5 and result in ratings that are stronger than the benchmarks referred to in (3).
(2) If a firm has an IRB permission that permits the treatment in BIPRU 4.5.10 R it should continue to be able to demonstrate the matters in (1) to the FSA if asked.
(3) Although a firm should map its internal ratings to the supervisory categories set out in the table in BIPRU 4.5.9 R using the slotting criteria provided in BIPRU 4.5.6 R, each supervisory category broadly corresponds to a range of external credit assessments of BBB- or better, BB+ or BB, BB- or B+ and B to C- (or their equivalents). The fifth category covers default.

01/01/2007

Calculation of expected loss amounts

BIPRU 4.5.12

The EL values for specialised lending exposures where a firm uses the methods set out in BIPRU 4.5.8 R for assigning risk weights must be assigned according to the table in BIPRU 4.5.13 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 31 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.5.13

Table: Expected loss values for specialised lending
This table belongs to BIPRU 4.5.12 R

Remaining maturity

Category 1 (Strong)

Category 2 (Good)

Category 3 (Satisfactory)

Category 4 (Weak)

Category 5

Less than 2.5 years

0.4%

2.8%

50%

Equal or more than 2.5 years

0.4%

0.8%

2.8%

50%

The coverage of each of the categories is set out in BIPRU 4.5.6 R

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 31 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.5.14

Where a firm's IRB permission authorises it generally to assign preferential risk weights as outlined in BIPRU 4.5.10 R of 50% to exposures in category 1, and 70% to exposures in category 2, the EL value for exposures in category 1 must be 0%, and for exposures in category 2 must be 0.4%.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 31 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6

The IRB approach: Retail exposures

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 4.6.1

BIPRU 4.6 applies with respect to the exposures referred to in BIPRU 4.6.2 R.

01/01/2007

Definition of retail exposures

BIPRU 4.6.2

To be eligible to be treated as a retail exposure, exposures must meet the following criteria:

(1) they must be either to an individual person or persons, or to a small or medium sized entity, provided in the latter case that the total amount owed to the firm and parent undertaking and its subsidiary undertakings, including any past due exposure, by the obligor client or group of connected clients, but excluding claims or contingent claims secured on residential real estate collateral, must not, to the knowledge of the firm, which must have taken reasonable steps to confirm the situation, exceed EUR 1 million;
(2) they are treated by the firm in its risk management consistently over time and in a similar manner;
(3) they are not managed just as individually as exposures in the corporate exposure IRB exposure class; and
(4) they each represent one of a significant number of similarly managed exposures.

[Note: BCD Article 86(4) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.3

The present value of retail minimum lease payments is eligible to be treated as a retail exposure.

[Note: BCD Article 86(4) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.4

(1) This paragraph sets out guidance on BIPRU 4.6.2 R so far as it relates to the boundary between retail exposures and corporate exposures.
(2) In deciding what steps are reasonable for the purposes of BIPRU 4.6.2 R (1), a firm may take into account complexity and cost, as well as the materiality of the impact upon its capital calculation. A firm should be able to demonstrate to the FSA that it has complied with the obligation to take reasonable steps under BIPRU 4.6.2 R (1) in the way it takes these factors into account.
(3) If a firm has exposures to an owner of a retail SME in his personal capacity and exposures to the retail SME the firm should aggregate the two types of exposure for the purpose of BIPRU 4.6.2 R (1), although it should not include claims secured on residential real estate collateral. In deciding what steps are reasonable for the purposes of BIPRU 4.6.2 R (1) in aggregating these two types of exposure, a firm may take into account the materiality of those personal exposures. A firm should be able to demonstrate to the FSA that it has complied with the obligation to take reasonable steps under BIPRU 4.6.2 R (1) when taking into account materiality in this way.
(4) The definition of group of connected clients is set out in the glossary. Paragraph (2) of that definition is "two or more persons ... who are to be regarded as constituting a single risk because they are so interconnected that, if one of them were to experience financial problems, the other or all of the others would be likely to encounter repayment difficulties". Say that a firm has exposures to A and B. When deciding whether A and B come within paragraph (2) of the definition two conditions should be satisfied. Firstly the connections between A and B should mean that if A experiences financial problems, B should be likely to encounter repayment difficulties. Secondly, the connections between A and B should mean that if B experiences financial problems, A should be likely to encounter repayment difficulties
(5) A firm should have its own documented policy on the types of exposures that, in accordance with BIPRU 4.6, qualify as retail SME exposures. The FSA would not expect that a definition based on the EUR 1m exposure limit would be adequate on its own.
(6) The purpose of the definition of retail exposure is to separate a non-granular retail and small and medium sized business portfolio from other business so that a separate capital calculation may be applied to that portfolio that takes into account its non-granularity. Where retail exposures are assigned to pools it is the statistical characteristics of these pools which are used to derive the IRB approach estimates. Therefore pools should be reasonably homogenous and subject to consistent risk management practices.
(7) A firm should have sufficient controls to ensure that any inadvertent assignment of non-eligible exposures to the retail exposure IRB exposure class is sufficiently immaterial that it does not result in any significant distortion of the overall statistical characteristics of the sub-sets of that IRB exposure class which arise when the exposures are assigned to grades or pools. Cost considerations do not justify inclusion of non-eligible exposures if the effect would be material. Sample testing could be one method of demonstrating that the impact would be immaterial. BIPRU 4.1.25 R applies to exposures treated in accordance with this sub-paragraph (7).
(8) If an exposure to a small or medium sized business crosses the retail exposure size boundary it should be treated as a corporate, unless, in accordance with BIPRU 4.1.25 R, the excess is immaterial because of its size or because it is temporary.
(9) BIPRU 4.6.2 R does not require that exposures to retail SMEs should never be individually managed. In deciding whether the frequency and extent of individual management does or does not make exposures ineligible for the retail exposure IRB exposure class, a firm should consider whether that individual management is:

(a) sufficiently insignificant not to disrupt the homogeneity of the pool;
(b) consistent with the management of other exposures in the same retail exposure pool; and
(c) significantly different in extent from the individual management that occurs for corporate exposures, looked at as a whole.

(10) Where an exposure is denominated in other currencies, a firm may calculate the Euro equivalent for the purposes of BIPRU 4.6.2 R (1) using any appropriate set of exchange rates provided its choice has no obvious bias and that the firm is consistent in its approach to choosing rates.
(11) A firm may monitor compliance with the €1m threshold in BIPRU 4.6.2 R (1) on the basis of approved limits provided that it has internal control procedures that are sufficient to ensure that amounts owed cannot diverge from those approved limits to such an extent as to give rise to a breach of the €1m threshold or, if the firm is relying on provisions relating to reasonable steps in BIPRU 4.6.2 R (1), any material breach of that threshold.

01/01/2007

Rating system: Structure of rating system

BIPRU 4.6.5

Further material on the structure of rating systems can be found in BIPRU 4.3.25 R - BIPRU 4.3.28 R.

01/01/2007

Rating system: Assignment to grades or pools

BIPRU 4.6.6

Rating systems must reflect both obligor and transaction risk, and must capture all relevant obligor and transaction characteristics.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 13]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.7

The level of risk differentiation must ensure that the number of exposures in a given grade or pool is sufficient to allow for meaningful quantification and validation of the loss characteristics at the grade or pool level. The distribution of exposures and obligors across grades or pools must be such as to avoid excessive concentrations.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 14]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.8

(1) This paragraph contains guidance on the level of differentiation referred to in BIPRU 4.6.7 R.
(2) It is important that a firm achieves adequate segmentation to deliver robust estimates of LGD and conversion factors, as well as PD. Whether the focus should be more on exposure size or collateral type is a question of fact for the particular circumstances in which the assignment of exposures to grades or pools occurs. Typically the FSA would expect both to be important.
(3) A firm may allocate retail exposures to pools based on direct estimates of PD, LGD and conversion factors as well as using an approach under which the firm segments first and attributes PD, LGD and conversion factors afterwards. However the result should in either case be that the pools are sufficiently homogenous.
(4) The number and size of pools should be determined in relation to the objective of establishing homogeneous risk. Pools should be of sufficient size to permit the production of robust risk estimates but should not be so large as to obscure variations in quality.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.9

A firm must be able to demonstrate to the FSA that the process of assigning exposures to grades or pools provides for a meaningful differentiation of risk, provides for a grouping of sufficiently homogenous exposures, and allows for accurate and consistent estimation of loss characteristics at grade or pool level.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 15 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.10

For purchased receivables, BIPRU 4.8 contains material about assignment to grades or pools.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.11

(1) A firm must consider the following risk drivers when assigning exposures to grades or pools:

(a) obligor risk characteristics;
(b) transaction risk characteristics, including product or collateral types or both; and
(c) delinquency.

(2) In the case of (1)(b) a firm must explicitly address cases where several exposures benefit from the same collateral.
(3) However:

(a) a firm need not consider delinquency if this is compatible with its IRB permission; and
(b) (in the case of a firm with an IRB permission that permits the firm not to consider delinquency) it should be able to demonstrate to the FSA that delinquency is not a material risk driver for the exposures treated in this way.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 Point 16]

01/01/2007

Rating system: Assignment of exposures

BIPRU 4.6.12

Each exposure must be assigned to a grade or a pool as part of the credit approval process.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 24]

01/01/2007

Rating system: Overrides

BIPRU 4.6.13

Material on overrides can be found in BIPRU 4.3.50 R.

01/01/2007

Rating system: Integrity of assignment process

BIPRU 4.6.14

A firm must at least annually update obligor and facility assignments or review the loss characteristics and delinquency status of each identified risk pool whichever is applicable. A firm must also at least annually review in a representative sample the status of individual exposures within each pool as a means of ensuring that exposures continue to be assigned to the correct pool.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 29]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.15

Annual rescoring is one method of meeting the requirement in BIPRU 4.6.14 R. However a firm need not carry out this update by means of a full re-run of a credit scoring model if it is able to demonstrate that its method is appropriate to the portfolio given its materiality and its impact on its capital requirements and that the firm still meets the minimum IRB standards.

01/01/2007

Rating system: Use of models

BIPRU 4.6.16

Material on the use of models can be found in BIPRU 4.3.51 R - BIPRU 4.3.53 G.

01/01/2007

Rating system: Documentation

BIPRU 4.6.17

Material on documentation can be found in BIPRU 4.3.19 R - BIPRU 4.3.24 R.

01/01/2007

Rating system: Data maintenance

BIPRU 4.6.18

In addition to complying with BIPRU 4.3.54 R (Data maintenance) a firm must collect and store:

(1) data used in the process of allocating exposures to grades or pools;
(2) data on the estimated PDs, LGDs and conversion factors associated with grades or pools of exposures;
(3) the identity of obligors and exposures that defaulted;
(4) for defaulted exposures, data on the grades or pools to which the exposure was assigned over the year prior to default and the realised outcomes on LGD and conversion factor; and
(5) data on loss rates for qualifying revolving retail exposures.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 39]

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Definition of default

BIPRU 4.6.19

Material on the definition of default can be found in BIPRU 4.3.56 R - BIPRU 4.3.72 G.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.20

(1) This rule, in accordance with BIPRU 4.3.57 R (4) (Definition of default), sets the exact number of days past due that a firm must abide by in the case of retail exposures.
(2) For retail exposures to counterparts situated within the United Kingdom the number of days past due is 180 days with the exception of retail SME exposures. For these exposures the number is 90 days.
(3) For retail exposures to counterparts situated in another EEA State the number of days past due is the lower of:

(a) 180; and
(b) the number of days past due fixed under the CRD implementation measure in that EEA State with respect to paragraph 48 of Part 4 of Annex VII of the Banking Consolidation Directive for such exposures.

(4) For retail exposures to counterparts in a state outside the EEA the number of days past due is the lower of:

(a) 180; and
(b) (if a number of days past due for such exposures has been fixed under any national law of that state applicable to undertakings in the banking sector or the investment services sector that implements the IRB approach) that number.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 44 (part) and point 48 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.21

A firm may apply the definition of default at a facility level.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 44 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.22

Where a firm chooses to apply the definition of default at facility level and a customer has defaulted on a facility, then default on that facility is likely to influence the PD assigned to that customer on other facilities and so should be taken into account.

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Overall requirements for estimation

BIPRU 4.6.23

Material on the overall requirements for estimation can be found in BIPRU 4.3.73 R - BIPRU 4.3.94 R.

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Requirements specific to PD estimation

BIPRU 4.6.24

A firm must estimate PDs by obligor grade or pool from long run averages of one-year default rates.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 67]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.25

Notwithstanding BIPRU 4.6.24 R, PD estimates may also be derived from realised losses and appropriate estimates of LGDs.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 68]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.26

A firm must regard internal data for assigning exposures to grades or pools as the primary source of information for estimating loss characteristics. A firm may use external data (including pooled data) or statistical models for quantification provided a strong link can be demonstrated between:

(1) the firm's process of assigning exposures to grades or pools and the process used by the external data source; and
(2) the firm's internal risk profile and the composition of the external data.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 69]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.27

If a firm derives long run average estimates of PD and LGD for retail exposures from an estimate of total losses, and an appropriate estimate of PD or LGD, the process for estimating total losses must meet the minimum IRB standards for estimation of PD and LGD, and the outcome must be consistent with the concept of LGD as set out in BIPRU 4.3.99 R (Default weighted average).

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 70]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.28

Irrespective of whether a firm is using external, internal, pooled data sources or a combination of the three, for its estimation of loss characteristics, the length of the underlying historical observation period used must be at least five years for at least one source. If the available observation spans a longer period for any source, and these data are relevant, this longer period must be used. However:

(1) a firm need not give equal importance to historic data if this is compatible with its IRB permission; and
(2) (in the case of a firm with an IRB permission that permits this treatment of historic data) the firm must be able to convince the FSA that more recent data is a better predictor of loss rates.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 71 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.29

A firm may have, when implementing the IRB approach, relevant data covering a period of two years. The period to be covered must increase by one year each year until relevant data covers a period of five years.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 71 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.30

A firm must identify and analyse expected changes of risk parameters over the life of credit exposures (seasoning effects).

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 72]

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Requirements specific to own-LGD estimation

BIPRU 4.6.31

Notwithstanding BIPRU 4.3.99 R (Default weighted average), LGD estimates may be derived from realised losses and appropriate estimates of PDs.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.32

Notwithstanding BIPRU 4.3.128 R (Additional drawings), a firm may reflect future drawings either in its conversion factor or in its LGD estimates.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 84]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.33

Estimates of LGD must be based on data over a minimum of five years. Notwithstanding BIPRU 4.3.99 R (Default weighted average):

(1) a firm need not give equal importance to historic data if this is permitted by its IRB permission; and
(2) (in the case of a firm with an IRB permission that permits this treatment of historic data) the firm must be able to convince the FSA that more recent data is a better predictor of loss rates.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 86 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.34

A firm may have, when it implements the IRB approach, relevant data covering a period of two years. The period to be covered must increase by one year each year until relevant data covers a period of five years.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 86 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.35

The FSA does not assume that all portfolios are sensitive to downturns. The FSA also accepts that for some portfolios, particularly in unsecured lending, the impact of the material drivers on LGD may be weak. However the burden is on the firm to demonstrate that its models are appropriate for the circumstances in which they are applied.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.36

Additional material on requirements specific to own-LGD estimation can be found in BIPRU 4.3.98 R - BIPRU 4.3.123 R.

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Requirements specific to own-conversion factor estimates

BIPRU 4.6.37

Notwithstanding BIPRU 4.3.128 R (Additional drawings), a firm may reflect future drawings either in its conversion factors or in its LGD estimates.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 94]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.38

Estimates of conversion factors must be based on data over a minimum of five years. Notwithstanding BIPRU 4.3.125 R:

(1) a firm need not give equal importance to historic data if this is permitted by its IRB permission; and
(2) (in the case of a firm with an IRB permission that permits this treatment of historic data) the firm must be able to convince the FSA if asked that more recent data is a better predictor of loss rates.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 95 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.39

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 95 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.40

Additional material on requirements specific to own-conversion factor estimation can be found in BIPRU 4.3.124 R - BIPRU 4.3.131 R.

01/01/2007

Calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts for retail exposures: General

BIPRU 4.6.41

Subject to BIPRU 4.6.43 R and BIPRU 4.6.44 R, the risk weighted exposure amounts for retail exposures must be calculated according to the formulae in the table in BIPRU 4.6.42 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 10 1^st sentence]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.42

Table: Risk weighted exposure amounts for retail exposures
This table belongs to BIPRU 4.6.41 R

Correlation (R)

0.03 × (1 - EXP(-35*PD))/(1-EXP(-35)) + 0.16*

[1-(1-EXP(-35*PD))/(1-EXP(-35))]

Risk weight (RW)

(LGD*N[(1-R)^-0.5*G(PD)+(R/(1-R))^0.5 *G(0.999)]-PD*LGD)* 12.5*1.06

N(x)

denotes the cumulative distribution function for a standard normal random variable (i.e. the probability that a normal random variable with mean zero and variance of one is less than or equal to x).

G(z)

denotes the inverse cumulative distribution function for a standard normal random variable (i.e. the value x such that N(x) = z).

PD = 1

For PD = 1 (defaulted exposure), RW must be:
Max {0, 12.5 *(LGD- EL_BE)}
where EL_BEmust be the firm's best estimate of expected loss for the defaulted exposure according to BIPRU 4.3.122 R.

Risk weighted exposure amount

equals RW*exposure value

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 10 (part)]

01/01/2007

Calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts for retail exposures: Retail mortgages

BIPRU 4.6.43

For retail exposures secured by real estate collateral a correlation (R) of 0.15 must replace the correlation formula in the table in BIPRU 4.6.42 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 12]

01/01/2007

Calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts for retail exposures: Qualifying revolving retail exposures

BIPRU 4.6.44

(1) For qualifying revolving retail exposures a correlation (R) of 0.04 must replace the correlation formula in the table in BIPRU 4.6.42 R.
(2) Retail exposures qualify as qualifying revolving retail exposures if they meet the following conditions:

(a) the IRB permission of the firm in question does not disapply this paragraph;
(b) the exposures are to individuals;
(c) the exposures are revolving, unsecured, and, to the extent they are not drawn, immediately and unconditionally cancellable by the firm;
(d) the maximum exposure to a single individual in the sub-portfolio is EUR 100,000 or less;
(e) the firm is able to demonstrate to the FSA that the use of the correlation formula in this paragraph is limited to portfolios that have exhibited low volatility of loss rates, relative to their average level of loss rates, especially within the low PD bands; and
(f) the firm is able to demonstrate to the FSA that treatment as a qualifying revolving retail exposure is consistent with the underlying risk characteristics of the sub-portfolio.

(3) In the context of this rule revolving exposures are defined as those where customers' outstanding balances are permitted to fluctuate based on their decisions to borrow and repay, up to a limit established by the firm in question. Undrawn commitments may be considered as unconditionally cancellable if the terms permit the firm to cancel them to the full extent allowable under consumer protection and related legislation.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 13 (part) and Part 3 point 9(a) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.45

A firm should be able to demonstrate the low volatility of loss rates mentioned in BIPRU 4.6.44 R (2)(e) at the time of the initial application for an IRB permission and thereafter at any time on request. The benchmark level should be the volatility of loss rates for the qualifying revolving retail exposure portfolio relative to the volatilities of loss rates of other relevant types of retail exposures. A firm should demonstrate low volatility by reference to data on the mean and standard deviation of loss rates over a time period that can be regarded as representative of the long-run performance of the portfolios concerned.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.46

In the FSA's view a sub-portfolio consisting of credit card or overdraft obligations will usually meet the condition in BIPRU 4.6.44 R (2)(f). In the FSA's view it is unlikely that any other type of retail exposure will do so. If a firm wishes to apply the treatment in BIPRU 4.6.44 R (1) to product types other than credit card or overdraft obligations it should first discuss this with the FSA.

01/01/2007

Calculation of expected loss amounts

BIPRU 4.6.47

Expected loss amounts must be calculated according to the formulae in the table in BIPRU 4.6.48 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 30 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.48

Table: Formulae for the calculation of expected loss amounts
This table belongs to BIPRU 4.6.47 R

Expected loss (EL)

equals PD×LGD

Expected loss amount

equals EL×exposure value

For defaulted exposures (PD = 1) where a firm uses its own estimates of LGDs, EL must be EL_BE, the firm's best estimate of expected loss for the defaulted exposure according to BIPRU 4.3.122 R.
For exposures subject to the treatment set out in BIPRU 4.4.79 R (Double default) EL must be 0.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 30 (part)]

01/01/2007

Calculation of PDs

BIPRU 4.6.49

A firm must provide its own estimates of PDs in accordance with its IRB permission and the minimum IRB standards.

[Note: BCD Article 87(6) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.50

The PD of an exposure must be at least 0.03%.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 17]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.51

The PD of obligors in default must be 100%. If a firm is using the facility level approach described in BIPRU 4.6.21 R, the PD of an exposure in default must be 100%.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 18]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.52

Unfunded credit protection may be recognised by adjusting PDs subject to BIPRU 4.6.54 R. For dilution risk, where a firm does not use its own estimates of LGDs, this must be subject to compliance with BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) modified by BIPRU 4.10 and, for this purpose, a firm may recognise unfunded credit protection providers other than those indicated in the CRM eligibility conditions provided the firm is able to demonstrate that the unfunded protection provider giving the undertaking is sufficiently reliable and that the protection agreement is legally effective in accordance with BIPRU 5.2.7 R (Unfunded credit protection).

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 20]

01/01/2007

Calculation of LGDs

BIPRU 4.6.53

A firm must provide its own estimates of LGDs in accordance with its IRB permission and the minimum IRB standards.

[Note: BCD Article 87(7) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.54

Unfunded credit protection may be recognised as eligible by adjusting PD or LGD estimates subject to the minimum IRB standards as specified in BIPRU 4.10.43 R - BIPRU 4.10.48 R and in accordance with the IRB permission either in support of an individual exposure or a pool of exposures. A firm must not assign guaranteed exposures an adjusted PD or LGD such that the adjusted risk weight would be lower than that of a comparable, direct exposure to the guarantor.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 22]

01/01/2007

Calculation of exposure values and own conversion factors

BIPRU 4.6.55

Except where otherwise specified, BIPRU 4.4.37 R - BIPRU 4.4.39 R (Exposure value and conversion factors), BIPRU 4.4.45 R (AIRB conversion factors) and BIPRU 4.4.71 R - BIPRU 4.4.78 R (Calculation of exposure values for sovereigns, institutions and corporates) also apply to retail exposures.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.56

A firm must provide its own estimates of conversion factors in accordance with its IRB permission and the minimum IRB standards.

[Note: BCD Article 87(7) (part)]

01/01/2007

Double default

BIPRU 4.6.57

The risk weighted exposure amount for each exposure to retail SME as defined in BIPRU 4.6.2 R which meets the requirements set out in BIPRU 4.4.83 R and BIPRU 4.4.85 R may be calculated according to BIPRU 4.4.79 R (Double default).

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 11]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.6.58

Notwithstanding BIPRU 4.6.54 R for the purposes of BIPRU 4.4.80 R the LGD of a comparable direct exposure to the protection provider must either be the LGD associated with an unhedged facility to the guarantor or the unhedged facility of the obligor, depending upon whether in the event both the guarantor and obligor default during the life of the hedged transaction available evidence and the structure of the guarantee indicate that the amount recovered would depend on the financial condition of the guarantor or obligor, respectively.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 23]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.7

The IRB approach: Equity exposures

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 4.7.1

BIPRU 4.7 applies with respect to the exposures referred to in BIPRU 4.7.2 R.

01/01/2007

Definition of equity exposures

BIPRU 4.7.2

The following exposures must be classed as equity exposures:

(1) non-debt exposures conveying a subordinated, residual claim on the assets or income of the issuer; and
(2) debt exposures the economic substance of which is similar to the exposures specified in (1).

[Note: BCD Article 86(2)]

01/01/2007

Calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts

BIPRU 4.7.3

Notwithstanding BIPRU 4.3.5 R (Relevant parameters), the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts for credit risk for all exposures belonging to the equity exposure IRB exposure class must be calculated in accordance with one of the following ways:

(1) the simple risk weight approach (see BIPRU 4.7.8 R;
(2) the PD/LGD approach (see BIPRU 4.7.13 R); and
(3) the internal models approach (see BIPRU 4.7.23 R);

in accordance with BIPRU 4.7 and subject to the firm's IRB permission.

[Note: BCD Article 87(4) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.7.4

Even if a firm's IRB permission would otherwise permit the use of the internal models approach as referred to in BIPRU 4.7.3 R (3), it may only use that approach if it meets the minimum requirements in BIPRU 4.7.27 R - BIPRU 4.7.35 R.

[Note: BCD Article 87(4) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.7.5

A firm may employ different approaches to different portfolios where the firm itself uses different approaches internally. A firm must, if it uses different approaches in accordance with the previous sentence, be able to demonstrate to the FSA that the choice is made consistently and is not determined by regulatory arbitrage considerations.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 17]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.7.6

Notwithstanding BIPRU 4.7.5 R a firm may, if its IRB permission permits it to do so, attribute the risk weighted exposure amounts for equity exposures to ancillary services undertakings according to the treatment of non credit-obligation assets.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 18]

01/01/2007

Exposure value

BIPRU 4.7.7

The exposure value must be the value presented in the financial statements. Admissible equity exposure measures are the following:

(1) for investments held at fair value with changes in value flowing directly through income and into capital resources, the exposure value is the fair value presented in the balance sheet;
(2) for investments held at fair value with changes in value not flowing through income but into a tax-adjusted separate component of equity, the exposure value is the fair value presented in the balance sheet; and
(3) for investments held at cost or at the lower of cost or market value, the exposure value is the cost or market value presented in the balance sheet.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 3 point 12]

01/01/2007

The calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts for equity exposures: The simple risk weight approach: Introduction

BIPRU 4.7.8

BIPRU 4.7.9 R to BIPRU 4.7.12 R set out the simple risk weight approach for calculating the risk weighted exposure amounts for equity exposures as referred to in BIPRU 4.7.3 R (1).

01/01/2007

The calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts for equity exposures: The simple risk weight approach: Risk weighted exposure amounts

BIPRU 4.7.9

The risk weighted exposure amounts must be calculated according to the following formula:
risk-weighted exposure amounts = RW * exposure value;
where:

(1) risk weight (RW) = 190% for private equity exposures in sufficiently diversified portfolios;
(2) risk weight (RW) = 290% for exchange traded equity exposures; and
(3) risk weight (RW) = 370% for all other equity exposures.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 19]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.7.10

Short cash positions and derivative instruments held in the non-trading book are permitted to offset long positions in the same individual stocks provided that these instruments have been explicitly designated as hedges of specific equity exposures and that they provide a hedge for at least another year. Other short positions must be treated as if they are long positions with the relevant risk weight assigned to the absolute value of each position. In the context of maturity mismatched positions, the method is that for corporate exposures as set out in BIPRU 4.4.70 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 20]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.7.11

A firm may recognise unfunded credit protection obtained on an equity exposure in accordance with the methods set out in BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation), as modified by BIPRU 4.10.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 21]

01/01/2007

The calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts for equity exposures: The simple risk weight approach: Expected loss

BIPRU 4.7.12

The expected loss amounts for equity exposures must be calculated according to the following formula:

(1) expected loss amount = EL × exposure value; and
(2) the EL values must be the following:

(a) expected loss (EL) = 0.8% for private equity exposures in sufficiently diversified portfolios;
(b) expected loss (EL) = 0.8% for exchange traded equity exposures; and
(c) expected loss (EL) = 2.4% for all other equity exposures.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 32]

01/01/2007

The calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts for equity exposures: The PD/LGD approach: Introduction

BIPRU 4.7.13

BIPRU 4.7.14 R to BIPRU 4.7.22 R set out the PD/LGD approach for calculating the risk weighted exposure amounts for equity exposures.

01/01/2007

The calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts for equity exposures: The PD/LGD approach: Risk weighted exposure amounts

BIPRU 4.7.14

The risk weighted exposure amounts must be calculated according to the formulas in BIPRU 4.4.58 R (Risk weighted exposure amounts for sovereigns, institutions and corporates). If a firm does not have sufficient information to use the definition of default a scaling factor of 1.5 must be assigned to the risk weights.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 22]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.7.15

At the individual exposure level the sum of the expected loss amount multiplied by 12.5 and the risk weighted exposure amount must not exceed the exposure value multiplied by 12.5.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 23]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.7.16

A firm may recognise unfunded credit protection obtained on an equity exposure in accordance with the methods set out in BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) as modified by BIPRU 4.10. This must be subject to an LGD of 90% on the exposure to the provider of the hedge. For private equity exposures in sufficiently diversified portfolios an LGD of 65% may be used.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 24]

01/01/2007

The calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts for equity exposures: The PD/LGD approach: Calculation of expected loss amounts

BIPRU 4.7.17

The expected loss amounts for equity exposures must be calculated according to the following formulae:

(1) expected loss (EL) = PD × LGD; and
(2) expected loss amount = EL × exposure value.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 33]

01/01/2007

The calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts for equity exposures: The PD/LGD approach: PDs

BIPRU 4.7.18

PDs must be determined according to the methods for corporate exposures. The following minimum PDs must be applied:

(1) 0.09% for exchange traded equity exposures where the investment is part of a long-term customer relationship;
(2) 0.09% for non-exchange traded equity exposures where the returns on the investment are based on regular and periodic cash flows not derived from capital gains;
(3) 0.40% for exchange traded equity exposures including other short positions as set out in BIPRU 4.7.10 R; and
(4) 1.25% for all other equity exposures including other short positions as set out in BIPRU 4.7.10 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 24]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.7.19

BIPRU 4.4.29 G (five year observation period) applies to the PD/LGD approach.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 66 (part)]

01/01/2007

The calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts for equity exposures: The PD/LGD approach: LGDs

BIPRU 4.7.20

Private equity exposures in sufficiently diversified portfolios may be assigned an LGD of 65%.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 25]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.7.21

All other exposures must be assigned an LGD of 90%.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 26]

01/01/2007

The calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts for equity exposures: The PD/LGD approach: Maturity

BIPRU 4.7.22

M (maturity) assigned to all exposures must be 5 years.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 27]

01/01/2007

The calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts for equity exposures: The internal models approach: Introduction

BIPRU 4.7.23

BIPRU 4.7.24 R to BIPRU 4.7.35 R set out the internal models approach for calculating the risk weighted exposure amounts for equity exposures as referred to in BIPRU 4.7.3 R (3).

01/01/2007

The calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts for equity exposures: The internal models approach: Risk weighted exposure amounts

BIPRU 4.7.24

The risk weighted exposure amount is the potential loss on the firm's equity exposures as derived using internal value-at-risk models subject to the 99^th percentile, one-tailed confidence interval of the difference between quarterly returns and an appropriate risk-free rate computed over a long-term sample period, multiplied by 12.5. The risk weighted exposure amounts at the individual exposure level must not be less than the sum of minimum risk weighted exposure amounts required under the PD/LGD approach and the corresponding expected loss amounts multiplied by 12.5 and calculated on the basis of the PD values set out in BIPRU 4.7.18 R (1) and the corresponding LGD values set out BIPRU 4.7.20 R and BIPRU 4.7.21 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 25]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.7.25

A firm may recognise unfunded credit protection obtained on an equity position.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 26]

01/01/2007

The calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts for equity exposures: The internal models approach: Expected loss amounts

BIPRU 4.7.26

The expected loss amounts for equity exposures under the internal models approach must be 0%.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 34]

01/01/2007

The calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts for equity exposures: The internal models approach: Capital requirements and risk quantification

BIPRU 4.7.27

(1) A firm must meet the standards set out in (2) to (9) for the purpose of calculating capital requirements.
(2) The estimate of potential loss must be robust to adverse market movements relevant to the long-term risk profile of the firm's specific holdings. The data used to represent return distributions must reflect the longest sample period for which data is available and be meaningful in representing the risk profile of the firm's specific equity exposures. The data used must be sufficient to provide conservative, statistically reliable and robust loss estimates that are not based purely on subjective or judgmental considerations. A firm must be able to demonstrate to the FSA that the shock employed provides a conservative estimate of potential losses over a relevant long-term market or business cycle.
(3) A firm must combine empirical analysis of available data with adjustments based on a variety of factors in order to attain model outputs that achieve appropriate realism and conservatism. In constructing Value at Risk (VaR) models estimating potential quarterly losses, a firm may use quarterly data or convert shorter horizon period data to a quarterly equivalent using an analytically appropriate method supported by empirical evidence and through a well-developed and documented thought process and analysis. Such an approach must be applied conservatively and consistently over time. Where only limited relevant data is available a firm must add appropriate margins of conservatism.
(4) The models used must be able to capture adequately all of the material risks embodied in equity returns including both the general market risk and specific risk exposure of the firm's equity exposure portfolio. The internal models must adequately explain historical price variation, capture both the magnitude and changes in the composition of potential concentrations, and be robust to adverse market environments. The population of risk exposures represented in the data used for estimation must be closely matched to or at least comparable with those of the firm's equity exposures.
(5) The internal model must be appropriate for the risk profile and complexity of a firm's equity exposure portfolio. Where a firm has material holdings with values that are highly non-linear in nature the internal models must be designed to capture appropriately the risks associated with such instruments.
(6) Mapping of individual positions to proxies, market indices, and risk factors must be plausible, intuitive, and conceptually sound.
(7) A firm must be able to demonstrate to the FSA through empirical analyses the appropriateness of risk factors, including their ability to cover both general market risk and specific risk.
(8) The estimates of the return volatility of equity exposures must incorporate relevant and available data, information, and methods. Independently reviewed internal data or data from external sources (including pooled data) must be used.
(9) A rigorous and comprehensive stress-testing programme must be in place.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 115]

01/01/2007

The calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts for equity exposures: The internal models approach: Risk management and controls

BIPRU 4.7.28

(1) With regard to the development and use of internal models for capital requirement purposes, a firm must establish policies, procedures, and controls to ensure the integrity of the model and modelling process. These policies, procedures, and controls must include the ones set out in the rest of this paragraph.
(2) There must be full integration of the internal model into the overall management information systems of the firm and in the management of the non-trading book equity exposure portfolio. In particular they must be used in:

(a) measuring and assessing equity exposure portfolio performance (including the risk adjusted performance);
(b) allocating economic capital to equity exposures; and
(c) evaluating overall capital adequacy and the investment management process.

(3) A firm must have established management systems, procedures, and control functions for ensuring the periodic and independent review of all elements of the internal modelling process, including approval of model revisions, vetting of model inputs, and review of model results, such as direct verification of risk computations. These reviews must assess the accuracy, completeness, and appropriateness of model inputs and results and focus on both finding and limiting potential errors associated with known weaknesses and identifying unknown model weaknesses. Such reviews may be conducted by an internal independent unit, or by an independent external third party.
(4) There must be adequate systems and procedures for monitoring investment limits and the risk exposures of equity exposures.
(5) The units responsible for the design and application of the model must be functionally independent from the units responsible for managing individual investments.
(6) Parties responsible for any aspect of the modelling process must be adequately qualified. Management must allocate sufficient skilled and competent resources to the modelling function.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 116]

01/01/2007

The calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts for equity exposures: The internal models approach: Validation and documentation

BIPRU 4.7.29

A firm must have a robust system in place to validate the accuracy and consistency of its internal models and modelling processes. All material elements of the internal models and the modelling process and validation must be documented.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 117]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.7.30

A firm must use the internal validation process to assess the performance of its internal models and processes in a consistent and meaningful way.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 118]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.7.31

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 119]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.7.32

A firm must regularly compare actual equity exposure returns (computed using realised and unrealised gains and losses) with modelled estimates. Such comparisons must make use of historical data that cover as long a period as possible. A firm must document the methods and data used in such comparisons. This analysis and documentation must be updated at least annually.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 120]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.7.33

A firm must make use of other quantitative validation tools and comparisons with external data sources. The analysis must be based on data that are appropriate to the portfolio, are updated regularly, and cover a relevant observation period. A firm's internal assessments of the performance of its models must be based on as long a period as possible.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 121]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.7.34

A firm must have sound internal standards for situations where comparison of actual equity exposure returns with the models' estimates calls the validity of the estimates or of the models as such into question. These standards must take account of business cycles and similar systematic variability in equity exposure returns. All adjustments made to internal models in response to model reviews must be documented and consistent with the firm's model review standards.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 122]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.7.35

The internal model and the modelling process must be documented, including the responsibilities of parties involved in the modelling, and the model approval and model review processes.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 123]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.8

The IRB approach: Purchased receivables

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 4.8.1

BIPRU 4.8 applies with respect to purchased receivables.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.8.2

Purchased receivables do not form an IRB exposure class on their own. For any purchased receivable, the provisions of the sections of BIPRU 4 that deal with the IRB exposure class to which it belongs also apply, as modified by this section.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 15 (part)]

01/01/2007

Structure of rating systems

BIPRU 4.8.3

For retail exposure that are purchased receivables, the grouping referred to in BIPRU 4.6.9 R must reflect the seller's underwriting practices and the heterogeneity of its customers.

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Overall requirements for estimation: General

BIPRU 4.8.4

Further general material about the requirements for estimation can be found in BIPRU 4.3.73 R - BIPRU 4.3.94 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.8.5

The estimates for determining the risk parameters PD, LGD, conversion factor and EL must reflect all relevant information available to the purchasing firm regarding the quality of the underlying receivables, including data for similar pools provided by the seller, by the purchasing firm, or by external sources. The purchasing firm must evaluate any data relied upon which is provided by the seller.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 53]

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Overall requirements for estimation: Requirements specific to PD estimation

BIPRU 4.8.6

With respect to BIPRU 4.6.26 R (Internal and external data for PD estimation: retail exposures) a firm may use external and internal reference data for PD estimation. A firm must use all relevant data sources as points of comparison.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 69 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.8.7

For corporate exposure purchased receivables a firm may estimate ELs by obligor grade from long run averages of one-year realised default rates.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 60]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.8.8

If a firm derives long run average estimates of PDs and LGDs for corporate exposure purchased receivables from an estimate of EL, and an appropriate estimate of PD or LGD, the process for estimating total losses must meet the overall standards for estimation of PD and LGD set out in the minimum IRB standards, and the outcome must be consistent with the concept of LGD as set out in BIPRU 4.3.99 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 61]

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Overall requirements for estimation: Requirements specific to own-LGD estimates

BIPRU 4.8.9

A firm may use external and internal reference data for its LGD estimates in the case of retail exposures that are purchased receivables.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 85]

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Overall requirements for estimation: Minimum requirements for purchased receivables: General

BIPRU 4.8.10

BIPRU 4.8.11 R - BIPRU 4.8.15 R set out minimum requirements specific to the treatment of purchased receivables under the IRB approach.

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Overall requirements for estimation: Minimum requirements for purchased receivables: Legal certainty

BIPRU 4.8.11

The structure of the facility must ensure that under all foreseeable circumstances a firm has effective ownership and control of all cash remittances from the receivables. When the obligor makes payments directly to a seller or servicer a firm must verify regularly that payments are forwarded completely and within the contractually agreed terms. Servicer means an entity that manages a pool of purchased receivables or the underlying credit exposures on a day-to-day basis. A firm must have procedures to ensure that ownership over the receivables and cash receipts is protected against bankruptcy stays or legal challenges that could materially delay the lender's ability to liquidate or assign the receivables or retain control over cash receipts.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 105]

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Overall requirements for estimation: Minimum requirements for purchased receivables: Effectiveness of monitoring systems

BIPRU 4.8.12

(1) A firm must monitor both the quality of the purchased receivables and the financial condition of the seller and servicer. In particular a firm must comply with the remaining provisions of this rule.
(2) A firm must assess the correlation among the quality of the purchased receivables and the financial condition of both the seller and servicer, and have in place internal policies and procedures that provide adequate safeguards to protect against such contingencies, including the assignment of an internal risk rating for each seller and servicer.
(3) A firm must have clear and effective policies and procedures for determining seller and servicer eligibility. A firm or its agent must conduct periodic reviews of sellers and servicers in order to verify the accuracy of reports from the seller or servicer, detect fraud or operational weaknesses, and verify the quality of the seller's credit policies and servicer's collection policies and procedures. The findings of these reviews must be documented.
(4) A firm must assess the characteristics of the purchased receivables pools including:

(a) over-advances;
(b) history of the seller's arrears, bad debts, and bad debt allowances;
(c) payment terms; and
(d) potential contra accounts.

(4) A firm must have effective policies and procedures for monitoring on an aggregate basis single-obligor concentrations both within and across purchased receivables pools.
(5) A firm must ensure that it receives from the servicer timely and sufficiently detailed reports of receivables ageings and dilutions to ensure compliance with the firm's eligibility criteria and advancing policies governing purchased receivables, and provide an effective means with which to monitor and confirm the seller's terms of sale and dilution.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 106]

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Overall requirements for estimation: Minimum requirements for purchased receivables: Effectiveness of work-out systems

BIPRU 4.8.13

A firm must have systems and procedures for detecting deteriorations in the seller's financial condition and purchased receivables quality at an early stage, and for addressing emerging problems proactively. In particular a firm must have clear and effective policies, procedures, and information systems to monitor covenant violations, and clear and effective policies and procedures for initiating legal actions and dealing with problem purchased receivables.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 107]

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Overall requirements for estimation: Minimum requirements for purchased receivables: Effectiveness of systems for controlling collateral, credit availability and cash

BIPRU 4.8.14

A firm must have clear and effective policies and procedures governing the control of purchased receivables, credit, and cash. In particular, written internal policies must specify all material elements of the receivables purchase programme, including the advancing rates, eligible collateral, necessary documentation, concentration limits, and the way cash receipts are to be handled. These elements must take appropriate account of all relevant and material factors, including the seller's and servicer's financial condition, risk concentrations, and trends in the quality of the purchased receivables and the seller's customer base, and internal systems must ensure that funds are advanced only against specified supporting collateral and documentation.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 108]

01/01/2007

Risk quantification: Overall requirements for estimation: Minimum requirements for purchased receivables: Compliance with the firm's internal policies and procedures

BIPRU 4.8.15

A firm must have an effective internal process for assessing compliance with all internal policies and procedures. The process must include regular audits of all critical phases of the firm's receivables purchase programme, verification of the separation of duties between, firstly, the assessment of the seller and servicer and the assessment of the obligor and, secondly, between the assessment of the seller and servicer and the field audit of the seller and servicer and evaluations of back office operations, with particular focus on qualifications, experience, staffing levels, and supporting automation systems.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 109]

01/01/2007

Calculation of risk-weighted asset amounts: Eligibility for different treatments: Corporate exposures

BIPRU 4.8.16

For its corporate exposure purchased receivables a firm must comply with the minimum requirements set out in BIPRU 4.8.11 R - BIPRU 4.8.15 R. For corporate exposure purchased receivables that comply in addition with the conditions set out in BIPRU 4.8.18 R, and where it would be unduly burdensome for a firm to use the risk quantification standards for corporate exposures as set out in the minimum IRB standards for these receivables, the risk quantification standards for retail exposures as set out in the minimum IRB standards may be used.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 7]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.8.17

For corporate exposure purchased receivables, refundable purchase discounts, collateral or partial guarantees that provide first-loss protection for default losses, dilution losses, or both, may be treated as first-loss positions under the provisions in BIPRU 9 (Securitisation) about the IRB approach.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 8]

01/01/2007

Calculation of risk weighted asset amounts: Eligibility for different treatments: Retail exposures

BIPRU 4.8.18

To be eligible for the retail exposure treatment purchased receivables must comply with the minimum requirements set out in BIPRU 4.8.11 R - BIPRU 4.8.15 R and the following conditions:

(1) the firm has purchased the receivables from unrelated, third party sellers, and its exposure to the obligor of the receivable does not include any exposures that are directly or indirectly originated by the firm itself;
(2) the purchased receivables must be generated on an arm's-length basis between the seller and the obligor (and as such, intercompany accounts receivables and receivables subject to contra-accounts between firms that buy and sell to each other are ineligible);
(3) the purchasing firm has a claim on all proceeds from the purchased receivables or a pro-rata interest in the proceeds; and
(4) the portfolio of purchased receivables is sufficiently diversified.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 14]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.8.19

With respect to retail exposures, for purchased receivables, refundable purchase discounts, collateral or partial guarantees that provide first-loss protection for default losses, dilution losses, or both, may be treated as first-loss positions under the provisions in BIPRU 9 (Securitisation) about the IRB approach.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 15]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.8.20

For hybrid pools of purchased retail exposure receivables where the purchasing firm cannot separate exposures secured by real estate collateral and qualifying revolving retail exposures from other retail exposures, the retail risk weight function producing the highest capital requirements for those exposures must apply.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 16]

01/01/2007

Calculation of risk weighted asset amounts for dilution risk

BIPRU 4.8.21

The risk weights for dilution risk for purchased receivables (both corporate exposures and retail exposures) must be calculated according to this rule. The risk weights must be calculated according to the formula in BIPRU 4.4.58 R. However, for the purposes of that formula, the total annual sales referred to in BIPRU 4.4.59 R are the weighted average by individual exposures of the pool. The input parameters PD and LGD and the exposure value must be determined under the applicable provisions of BIPRU 4 as modified by this section. M (maturity) must be 1 year. However:

(1) a firm need not recognise dilution risk if its IRB permission permits this; and
(2) (in the case of a firm with an IRB permission that permits the treatment of dilution risk in (1)) the firm must be able to convince the FSA that dilution risk is immaterial.

[Note: BCD Article 87(2) (part) and Annex VII Part 1 point 28]

01/01/2007

Calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts: PDs

BIPRU 4.8.22

For purchased corporate exposure receivables in respect of which a firm cannot demonstrate that its PD estimates meet the minimum IRB standards, the PDs for these exposures must be determined according to the following methods:

(1) for senior claims on purchased corporate exposure receivables PD must be the firm's estimate of EL divided by LGD for these receivables;
(2) for subordinated claims on purchased corporate exposure receivables PD must be the firm's estimate of EL; and
(3) [to follow]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.8.23

In the case of corporate exposures, for dilution risk of purchased receivables PD must be set equal to EL estimate for dilution risk. If a firm is under its IRB permission using the advanced IRB approach for LGD estimates for corporate exposures and it can decompose its EL estimates for dilution risk of purchased corporate exposure receivables into PDs and LGDs in a reliable manner, the PD estimate may be used. A firm may recognise unfunded credit protection in the PD in accordance with the provisions of BIPRU 9 and BIPRU 5 as modified by BIPRU 4.10. A firm may recognise those unfunded credit protection providers set out in its IRB permission in addition to those indicated in the CRM eligibility conditions. Where a firm's IRB permission allows it to use its own LGD estimates for dilution risk of purchased corporate receivables, the firm may recognise unfunded credit protection by adjusting PDs subject to the provisions of BIPRU 4.4.43 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 7]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.8.24

In the case of retail exposures, for dilution risk of purchased receivables PD must be set equal to EL estimates for dilution risk. If a firm can decompose its EL estimates for dilution risk of purchased receivables into PDs and LGDs in a reliable manner, the PD estimate may be used.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 19]

01/01/2007

Calculation of risk weighted asset amounts: LGDs: Corporate exposures

BIPRU 4.8.25

The following LGD values apply for purchased corporate exposure receivables:

(1) for senior purchased corporate exposure receivables exposures where a firm cannot demonstrate that its PD estimates meet the minimum IRB standards, the value is 45%;
(2) for subordinated purchased corporate exposure receivables exposures where a firm cannot demonstrate that its PD estimates meet the minimum IRB standards, the value is 100%; and
(3) for dilution risk of purchased corporate exposure receivables, the value is 75%.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 8(e) to (g)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.8.26

[to follow]

01/01/2007

Calculation of risk weighted asset amounts: LGDs: Retail exposures

BIPRU 4.8.27

For dilution risk of purchased retail exposure receivables an LGD value of 75% must be used. If a firm can decompose its EL estimates for dilution risk of purchased receivables into PDs and LGDs in a reliable manner, the LGD estimate may be used.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 2 point 21]

01/01/2007

Calculation of risk weighted asset amounts: Exposure value

BIPRU 4.8.28

The exposure value for the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts of purchased receivables must be the outstanding amount minus the capital requirements for dilution risk prior to credit risk mitigation.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 3 point 6]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.8.29

(1) The exposure value for the items in (2) must be calculated as the committed but undrawn amount multiplied by a conversion factor.
(2) For undrawn purchase commitments for revolving purchased receivables that are unconditionally cancellable or that effectively provide for automatic cancellation at any time by the firm without prior notice, a conversion factor of 0% applies. To apply a conversion factor of 0%, a firm must actively monitor the financial condition of the obligor, and its internal control systems must enable it immediately to detect a deterioration in the credit quality of the obligor.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 3 point 9 (c)]

01/01/2007

Calculation of expected loss amounts

BIPRU 4.8.30

The expected loss amounts for dilution risk of purchased receivables must be calculated according to the following formula:

expected loss (EL) = PD × LGD; and expected loss amount = EL × exposure value.

[Note: BCD Article 88(5) and Annex VII Part 1 point 35]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.9

The IRB approach: Securitisation, non-credit obligations assets and CIUs

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 4.9.1

BIPRU 4.9 applies with respect to securitisation exposures, non credit-obligation assets and exposures to CIUs.

01/01/2007

Securitisation exposures

BIPRU 4.9.2

The following must be calculated in accordance with BIPRU 9 (Securitisation):

(1) risk-weighted exposure amounts for securitised exposures and for exposures belonging to the IRB exposure class referred to in BIPRU 4.3.2 R (6) (securitisation positions); and
(2) the expected loss amounts for securitised exposures.

[Note: BCD Article 87(10) and Article 88(3)]

01/01/2007

Provision of credit protection

BIPRU 4.9.3

Where a firm provides credit protection for a number of exposures under terms that the nth default among the exposures shall trigger payment and that this credit event shall terminate the contract, if the product has an external credit assessment from an eligible ECAI the risk weights set out in BIPRU 9 must be applied. If the product is not rated by an eligible ECAI, the risk weights of the exposures included in the basket must be aggregated, excluding n-1 exposures where the sum of the expected loss amount multiplied by 12.5 and the risk weighted exposure amount must not exceed the nominal amount of the protection provided by the credit derivative multiplied by 12.5. The n-1 exposures to be excluded from the aggregation must be determined on the basis that they must include those exposures each of which produces a lower risk weighted exposure amount than the risk weighted exposure amount of any of the exposures included in the aggregation.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 9]

01/01/2007

Non credit obligation assets: Introduction

BIPRU 4.9.4

BIPRU 4.9.5 R-BIPRU 4.9.10 R apply to non credit-obligation assets.

01/01/2007

Non credit obligation assets: Inclusion of residual value of leases

BIPRU 4.9.5

The non credit obligation asset IRB exposure class includes the residual value of leased properties, if not included in the lease exposure as defined in BIPRU 4.4.75 R.

[Note: BCD Article 86(8)]

01/01/2007

Non credit obligation assets: Risk weighted exposure amount

BIPRU 4.9.6

The risk weighted exposure amounts must be calculated according to the formula:
Risk-weighted exposure amount = 100% * exposure value except for when the exposure is a residual value in which case it should be provisioned for each year and will be calculated as follows:
1/t * 100% * exposure value;
where t is the number of years of the lease contract term.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 1 point 27]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.9.7

t should be an integer number reflecting the nearest number of whole years of the lease remaining and should decrease as the lease matures so that the discounted value steps up gradually from a small value to 100% as the end of the lease approaches.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.9.8

Where a firm has full recourse in respect of purchased receivables for default risk and for dilution risk, to the seller of the purchased receivables, BIPRU 4.8.21 R and BIPRU 4.8.30 R need not be applied. The exposure may instead be treated as a collateralised exposure.

[Note: BCD Article 87(2) (part)]

01/01/2007

Non credit obligation assets: Exposure value

BIPRU 4.9.9

The exposure value of non credit-obligation assets must be the value presented in the financial statements.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 3 point 13]

01/01/2007

Non credit obligation assets: Expected loss amounts

BIPRU 4.9.10

For non credit-obligation assets the expected loss amount must be zero.

[Note: BCD Article 88(4)]

01/01/2007

Collective investment undertakings

BIPRU 4.9.11

(1) Where exposures in the form of a CIU meet the criteria set out in BIPRU 3.4.121 R to BIPRU 3.4.122 R (Conditions for look through treatment under the standardised approach) and the firm is aware of all of the underlying exposures of the CIU, the firm must look through to those underlying exposures in order to calculate risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts in accordance with the methods set out in BIPRU 4.
(2) Where (1) applies but a firm does not meet the conditions for using the methods set out in BIPRU 4, risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts must be calculated in accordance with the following approaches.
(3) For equity exposures the approach set out in BIPRU 4.7.9 R - BIPRU 4.7.12 R (Simple risk weights) must be used. If, for those purposes, the firm is unable to differentiate between private equity, exchange-traded and other equity exposures, it must treat the exposures concerned as other equity exposures.
(4) For all other underlying exposures, the standardised approach must be used, subject to the following modifications:

(a) the exposures are assigned to the appropriate exposure class under the standardised approach and attributed the risk weight of the credit quality step immediately above the credit quality step that would normally be assigned to the exposure; and
(b) exposures assigned to the higher credit quality steps, to which a risk weight of 150% would normally be attributed, are assigned a risk weight of 200%.

[Note: BCD Article 87(11)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.9.12

(1) Where exposures in the form of a CIU do not meet the criteria set out in BIPRU 3.4.121 R to BIPRU 3.4.122 R (Conditions for look through treatment under the standardised approach) or the firm is not aware of all of the underlying exposures of the CIU, a firm must look through to the underlying exposures and calculate risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts in accordance with the approach set out in BIPRU 4.7.9 R - BIPRU 4.7.12 R (Simple risk weights). If, for those purposes, the firm is unable to differentiate between private equity, exchange-traded and other equity exposures, it must treat the exposures concerned as other equity exposures. For these purposes, non-equity exposures must be assigned to one of the classes (private equity, exchange traded equity or other equity) set out in BIPRU 4.7.9 R (Simple risk weight approach) and unknown exposures must be assigned to the other equity class.
(2) Alternatively to the method described in (1), a firm may calculate itself or rely on a third party to calculate and report the average risk weighted exposure amounts based on the CIU's underlying exposures and calculated in accordance with the remaining provisions of this rule, provided that the correctness of the calculation and the report is adequately ensured.
(3) For exposures belonging to the equity exposure IRB exposure class, the approach set out in BIPRU 4.7.9 R - BIPRU 4.7.12 R (Simple risk weight approach) must be used. If, for those purposes, a firm is unable to differentiate between private equity, exchange-traded and other equity exposures, it must treat the exposures concerned as other equity exposures.
(4) For all other underlying exposures, the standardised approach must be used, subject to the following modifications:

(a) the exposures must be assigned to the appropriate exposure class under the standardised approach and attributed the risk weight of the credit quality step immediately above the credit quality step that would normally be assigned to the exposure; and
(b) exposures assigned to the higher credit quality steps, to which a risk weight of 150% would normally be attributed, must be assigned a risk weight of 200%.

[Note: BCD Article 87(12)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.9.13

For the purposes of BIPRU 4.9.12 R (1), in the case of non-equity exposures a firm should look at the risk profile of the underlying exposures and map these to an equivalent equity risk weight. For example, if the underlying exposures are exchange-traded, the risk weight of exchange-traded equity exposures will apply. If the underlying exposures are unknown, the risk weight of the other equity class will apply. Only under exceptional circumstances would supervisors expect to see non-equity exposures mapped to the diversified private equity risk weight.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.9.14

For the purposes of BIPRU 4.9.12 R (2), a firm should ensure that any third party relied on for the calculations and report possesses the necessary competence and experience to ensure that the calculations and report are correct.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.9.15

The expected loss amounts for exposures referred to in BIPRU 4.9.11 R - BIPRU 4.9.12 R must be calculated in accordance with the methods set out in BIPRU 4.4.61 R (Calculation of expected loss for sovereigns, institutions and corporates), BIPRU 4.5.12 R - BIPRU 4.5.14 R (Calculation of expected loss for specialised lending), BIPRU 4.6.47 R - BIPRU 4.6.48 R (Calculation of expected loss for retail exposures), BIPRU 4.7.12 R, BIPRU 4.7.17 R and BIPRU 4.7.26 R (Calculation of expected loss for equity exposures) and BIPRU 4.8.30 R (Dilution risk of purchased receivables).

[Note: BCD Article 88(6)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10

The IRB approach: Credit risk mitigation

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 4.10.1

BIPRU 4.10 applies to all exposures treated under the IRB approach.

01/01/2007

Purpose

BIPRU 4.10.2

BIPRU 4.10 sets out modifications to BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) for those exposures for which the IRB approach is being used.

01/01/2007

General

BIPRU 4.10.3

A firm using the IRB approach, but not using its own estimates of LGD and conversion factors, may recognise credit risk mitigation in accordance with BIPRU 5 as modified by BIPRU 4.10 in the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts for the purposes of the calculation of the credit risk capital component or as relevant expected loss amounts for the purposes of the calculation in GENPRU 2.2.191 R to GENPRU 2.2.193 R or GENPRU 2.2.236 R.

[Note: BCD Article 91 (as it applies to the IRB approach)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.4

(1) Where the requirements of BIPRU 5.2.2 R - BIPRU 5.2.8 R are met the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts, and, as relevant, expected loss amounts, may be modified in accordance with BIPRU 5 as modified by BIPRU 4.10.
(2) No exposure in respect of which credit risk mitigation is obtained must produce a higher risk weighted exposure amount or expected loss amount than an otherwise identical exposure in respect of which there is no credit risk mitigation.
(3) Where the risk weighted exposure amount already takes account of credit protection under the IRB approach the calculation of the credit protection must not be further recognised under BIPRU 5 or BIPRU 4.10.
(4) Subject to BIPRU 5.2.8 R (Maturity mismatches), BIPRU 5.2.9 R (Combinations of credit risk mitigation in the standardised approach) and BIPRU 5.7.27 R to BIPRU 5.7.28 R (Basket credit risk mitigation techniques), where the CRM eligibility conditions and the CRM minimum requirements are satisfied, the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts under the IRB approach may be modified in accordance with the provisions of BIPRU 5 and BIPRU 4.10 that deal with calculating the effects of credit risk mitigation.

[Note: BCD Article 93 and Annex VIII Part 3 point 1(as they apply to the IRB approach)]

01/01/2007

Eligibility of funded credit protection: General

BIPRU 4.10.5

In addition to the collateral set out in BIPRU 5.3.1 R to BIPRU 5.3.2 R, BIPRU 5.4.1 R to BIPRU 5.4.8 R and BIPRU 5.6.1 R (Eligibility of funded credit protection) the provisions of BIPRU 4.10.6 R - BIPRU 4.10.12 R (Eligibility of real estate collateral), BIPRU 4.10.14 R (Eligibility: receivables), BIPRU 4.10.16 R (Eligibility: other physical collateral), and BIPRU 4.10.19 R (Eligibility: leasing), apply where a firm calculates risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts under the IRB approach.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 12]

01/01/2007

Real estate collateral: Types of eligible collateral: General

BIPRU 4.10.6

(1) Residential real estate property which is or will be occupied or let by the owner or the beneficial owner in the case of personal investment companies and commercial real estate property, that is offices and other commercial premises, may be recognised as eligible collateral where the conditions set out in the remaining provisions of this paragraph are met.
(2) The value of the property must not materially depend upon the credit quality of the obligor. This requirement does not preclude situations where purely macro-economic factors affect both the value of the property and the performance of the borrower.
(3) The risk of the borrower must not materially depend upon the performance of the underlying property or project, but rather on the underlying capacity of the borrower to repay the debt from other sources. As such, repayment of the facility must not materially depend on any cash flow generated by the underlying property serving as collateral.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 13]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.7

The condition in BIPRU 4.10.6 R (3) does not apply to exposures secured by residential real estate property situated within the United Kingdom.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 16 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.8

(1) Under paragraph 16 of Part 1 of Annex VIII of the Banking Consolidation Directive, a competent authority may only disapply the condition in BIPRU 4.10.6 R (3) if the competent authority has evidence that the relevant market is well-developed and long-established with loss-rates which are sufficiently low to justify such action.
(2) If the evidence were to change so that the action was no longer justified the FSA would expect to revoke BIPRU 4.10.7 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.9

(1) The condition in BIPRU 4.10.6 R (3) does not apply for exposures secured by residential real estate property situated within the territory of another EEA State.
(2) However (1) only applies if and to the extent that the CRD implementation measures for that EEA State in relation to the IRB approach implement the option set out in paragraph 16 of Part 1 of Annex VIII of the Banking Consolidation Directive (waiver for residential real estate property) with respect to residential real estate property situated within that EEA State. Therefore (1) does not apply if the eligibility to use this treatment under those measures ceases as contemplated under paragraph 18 of Part 1 of Annex VIII of the Banking Consolidation Directive (suspension of alternative treatment).

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 16 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.10

(1) The condition in BIPRU 4.10.6 R (3) does not apply for commercial real estate property situated within the territory of another EEA State.
(2) However (1) only applies if and to the extent that the CRD implementation measures for that EEA State in relation to the IRB approach implement the option set out in paragraph 17 of Part 1 of Annex VIII of the Banking Consolidation Directive (waiver for commercial real estate property) with respect to commercial real estate property situated within that EEA State. Therefore (1) does not apply if the eligibility to use this treatment under those measures ceases as contemplated under paragraph 18 of Part 1 of Annex VIII of the Banking Consolidation Directive (suspension of alternative treatment).

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 19]

01/01/2007

Real estate collateral: Types of eligible collateral: Finnish housing legislation

BIPRU 4.10.11

A firm may also recognise as eligible collateral shares in Finnish residential housing companies operating in accordance with the Finnish Housing Company Act of 1991 or subsequent equivalent legislation in respect of residential property which is or will be occupied or let by the owner, as residential real estate collateral, provided that the conditions in BIPRU 4.10.6 R are met.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 14]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.12

A firm may also recognise as eligible collateral shares in Finnish housing companies operating in accordance with the Finnish Housing Company Act of 1991 or subsequent equivalent legislation as commercial real estate collateral, provided that the conditions in BIPRU 4.10.6 R are met.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 15]

01/01/2007

Real estate collateral: Minimum requirements for recognition

BIPRU 4.10.13

For the recognition of real estate collateral: the minimum requirements in BIPRU 3.4.64 R - BIPRU 3.4.73 R must be met with the following adjustments:

(1) those provisions apply to all real estate collateral eligible under BIPRU 4.10; and
(2) the minimum frequency of valuation as referred to in BIPRU 3.4.66 R is once every year for commercial real estate.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 8 (as it applies to the IRB approach)]

01/01/2007

Receivables: Types of eligible collateral

BIPRU 4.10.14

Amounts receivable linked to a commercial transaction or transactions with an original maturity of less than or equal to one year may be recognised as eligible collateral. Eligible receivables do not include those associated with securitisations, sub-participations or credit derivatives or amounts owed by affiliated parties.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 20]

01/01/2007

Receivables: Minimum requirements for recognition

BIPRU 4.10.15

(1) For the recognition of receivables as collateral the requirements in this paragraph must be met.
(2) The legal mechanism by which the collateral is provided must be robust and effective and ensure that the lender has clear rights over the proceeds.
(3) A firm must take all steps necessary to fulfil local requirements in respect of the enforceability of security interests. There must be a framework which allows the lender to have a first priority claim over the collateral subject to any claims of preferential creditors provided for in applicable insolvency law.
(4) A firm must have conducted sufficient legal review confirming the enforceability of the collateral arrangements in all relevant jurisdictions.
(5) The collateral arrangements must be properly documented, with a clear and robust procedure for the timely collection of collateral. A firm's procedures must ensure that any legal conditions required for declaring the default of the borrower and timely collection of collateral are observed. In the event of the obligor's financial distress or default, a firm must have legal authority to sell or assign the receivables to other parties without consent of the receivables obligors.
(6) A firm must have a sound process for determining the credit risk associated with the receivables. Such a process must include, among other things, analyses of the obligor's business and industry and the types of customers with whom the obligor does business. Where a firm relies on the obligor to ascertain the credit risk of the customers, the firm must review the obligor's credit practices to ascertain their soundness and credibility.
(7) The margin between the amount of the exposure and the value of the receivables must reflect all appropriate factors, including the cost of collection, concentration within the receivables pool pledged by an individual obligor, and potential concentration risk within the firm's total exposures beyond that controlled by the firm's general methodology. A firm must maintain a continuous monitoring process appropriate to the receivables. Additionally, compliance with loan covenants, Environmental restrictions, and other legal requirements must be reviewed on a regular basis.
(8) The receivables pledged by an obligor must be diversified and not be unduly correlated with the obligor. Where there is material positive correlation, the attendant risks must be taken into account in the setting of margins for the collateral pool as a whole.
(9) Receivables from affiliates of the obligor (including subsidiary undertakings and employees) must not be recognised as risk mitigants.
(10) A firm must have a documented process for collecting receivable payments in distressed situations. The requisite facilities for collection must be in place, even when the firm normally looks to the obligor for collections.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 9]

01/01/2007

Other physical collateral: Types of eligible collateral

BIPRU 4.10.16

A firm may recognise as eligible collateral a physical item of a type other than those types indicated in BIPRU 4.10.6 R - BIPRU 4.10.12 R (Eligibility of real estate collateral) if its IRB permission provides that the firm may treat collateral of that type as eligible and if the firm is able to demonstrate the following:

(1) the existence of liquid markets for disposal of the collateral in an expeditious and economically efficient manner;
(2) the existence of well-established, publicly available market prices for the collateral; and
(3) there is no evidence that the net prices it receives when collateral is realised deviates significantly from the market prices referred to in (b).

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 21]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.17

If a firm wishes to recognise other types of collateral in accordance with BIPRU 4.10.16 R (whether as part of its application for an IRB permission or under a variation of its IRB permission) it should demonstrate to the FSA how the criteria in BIPRU 4.10.16 R (1) - BIPRU 4.10.16 R (3) have been met with respect to that type of collateral.

01/01/2007

Other physical collateral: Minimum requirements for recognition

BIPRU 4.10.18

(1) If a type of other physical collateral referred to in BIPRU 4.10.16 R is potentially eligible under a firm's IRB permission a firm must only recognise it as eligible if the minimum requirements in (2) to (10) are met.
(2) The collateral arrangement must be legally effective and enforceable in all relevant jurisdictions and must enable the firm to realise the value of the property within a reasonable timeframe.
(3) With the sole exception of permissible prior claims referred to in BIPRU 4.10.15 R (3), only first liens on, or charges over, collateral must be permissible. As such, the firm must have priority over all other lenders to the realised proceeds of the collateral.
(4) The value of the property must be monitored on a frequent basis and at a minimum once every year. More frequent monitoring must be carried out where the market is subject to significant changes in conditions.
(5) The loan agreement (or other agreement documenting the exposure) must include detailed descriptions of the collateral plus detailed specifications of the manner and frequency of revaluation.
(6) The types of physical collateral accepted by the firm and policies and practices in respect of the appropriate amount of each type of collateral relative to the exposure amount must be clearly documented in internal credit policies and procedures available for examination.
(7) The firm's credit policies with regard to the transaction structure must address appropriate collateral requirements relative to the exposure amount, the ability to liquidate the collateral readily, the ability to establish objectively a price or market value, the frequency with which the value can readily be obtained (including a professional appraisal or valuation), and the volatility or a proxy of the volatility of the value of the collateral.
(8) Both initial valuation and revaluation must take fully into account any deterioration or obsolescence of the collateral. Particular attention must be paid in valuation and revaluation to the effects of the passage of time on fashion- or date-sensitive collateral.
(9) The firm must have the right to inspect the property physically. It must have policies and procedures addressing its exercise of the right to physical inspection.
(10) The firm must have procedures to monitor that the property taken as protection is adequately insured against damage.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 10]

01/01/2007

Leasing: Types of eligible transactions and conditions of eligibility

BIPRU 4.10.19

(1) Where the requirements set out in this paragraph are met, exposures arising from transactions whereby a firm leases property to a third party must be treated the same as loans collateralised by the type of property leased.
(2) For the exposures arising from leasing transactions to be treated as collateralised by the type of property leased, the following conditions must be met:

(a) the conditions set out or referred to in BIPRU 4.10.13 R or BIPRU 4.10.18 R as appropriate for the recognition as collateral of the type of property leased are met;
(b) there is robust risk management on the part of the lessor with respect to the use to which the leased asset is put, its age, and planned duration of its use, including appropriate monitoring of the value of the security;
(c) there is in place a robust legal framework establishing the lessor's legal ownership of the asset and its ability to exercise its rights as owner in a timely fashion; and
(d) where this has not already been ascertained in calculating the LGD level, the difference between value of the unamortised amount and the market value of the security must not be so large as to overstate the credit risk mitigation attributed to the leased assets.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 22 and Part 2 point 11]

01/01/2007

Calculating risk-weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts for funded credit risk mitigation: Introduction

BIPRU 4.10.20

BIPRU 4.10.21 R - BIPRU 4.10.37 R and BIPRU 4.10.49 R set out how the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts under BIPRU 4.1 - BIPRU 4.9 may be modified to take into account credit risk mitigation that meets the CRM eligibility conditions and the CRM minimum requirements.

01/01/2007

Calculating risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts for funded credit risk mitigation: Valuation: Receivables

BIPRU 4.10.21

The value of receivables for the purpose of calculating the effect of credit risk mitigation must be the amount receivable.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 66]

01/01/2007

Calculating risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts for funded credit risk mitigation: Valuation: Other physical collateral

BIPRU 4.10.22

Physical collateral recognised as eligible as described in BIPRU 4.10.16 R must be valued for the purpose of calculating the effect of credit risk mitigation at its market value. Market value is the estimated amount for which the property would exchange on the date of valuation between a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm's-length transaction.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 67]

01/01/2007

Calculating risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts: General treatment

BIPRU 4.10.23

BIPRU 4.10.24 R - BIPRU 4.10.29 R apply to collateral in the form of real estate collateral, receivables, other physical collateral and leasing permitted by BIPRU 4.10 and exposures secured by such collateral.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.24

LGD* (the effective loss given default) calculated as set out in BIPRU 4.10.25 R - BIPRU 4.10.28 R must be taken as the LGD.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 68]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.25

Where the ratio of the value of the collateral (C) to the exposure value (E) is below a threshold level of C* (the required minimum collateralisation level for the exposure) as laid down in BIPRU 4.10.28 R, LGD* must be the LGD laid down in the other sections of BIPRU 4 for uncollateralised exposures to the counterparty.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 69]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.26

Where the ratio of the value of the collateral to the exposure value exceeds a second, higher threshold level of C** (i.e. the required level of collateralisation to receive full LGD recognition) as laid down in BIPRU 4.10.28 R, LGD* must be that prescribed in that table.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 70]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.27

Where the required level of collateralisation C** is not achieved in respect of the exposure as a whole, the exposure must be considered to be two exposures - that part in respect of which the required level of collateralisation C** is achieved and the remainder.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 71]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.28

Table: Minimum LGD for secured portion of exposures
This table belongs to BIPRU 4.10.24 R - BIPRU 4.10.27 R

LGD* for senior claims or contingent claims

LGD* for subordinated claims or contingent claims

Required minimum collateralisation level of the exposure (C*)

Required minimum collateralisation level of the exposure (C**)

Receivables

35%

65%

125%

Residential real estate/commercial real estate

35%

65%

30%

140%

Other collateral

40%

70%

30%

140%

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 72 (part)]

01/01/2007

Calculating risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts for funded credit risk mitigation: Alternative treatment for real estate collateral

BIPRU 4.10.29

(1) A firm may apply the treatment in paragraph 74 of Part 3 of Annex VIII of the Banking Consolidation Directive (50% risk weight for exposures secured by real estate) in respect of exposures collateralised by:

(a) residential real estate property; or
(b) commercial real estate property;

located in the territory of another EEA State.
(2) However (1)(a) or (1)(b) only applies if the CRD implementing measures for that EEA State with respect to the IRB approach have implemented the option set out in the provision of the Banking Consolidation Directive referred to in (1) with respect to the relevant category of real estate property situated within that EEA State.
(3) The use of the treatment in (1) with respect to property in another EEA State must be subject to the same conditions as apply under the relevant CRD implementation measures for that EEA State.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 75]

01/01/2007

Calculating risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts: Mixed pools of collateral

BIPRU 4.10.30

(1) Where:

(a) risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts are calculated under the IRB approach; and
(b) an exposure is collateralised by both financial collateral and other eligible collateral;

LGD* to be taken as the LGD for the purposes of the IRB approach must be calculated in accordance with this rule.
(2) A firm must subdivide the volatility-adjusted value of the exposure (i.e. the value after the application of the volatility adjustment as set out in BIPRU 5.4.28 R (Volatility adjustments under the financial collateral comprehensive method) into parts each covered by only one type of collateral. That is, the firm must divide the exposure into the part covered by eligible financial collateral, the part covered by receivables, the parts covered by commercial real estate property collateral and/or residential real estate property collateral, the part covered by other eligible collateral, and the unsecured part, as relevant.
(3) LGD* for each part of exposure must be calculated separately in accordance with the relevant provisions of BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) and BIPRU 4.10.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 points 76 to 78]

01/01/2007

Calculating risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts for funded credit risk mitigation: Other modifications of the rules on credit risk mitigation: Financial collateral simple method

BIPRU 4.10.31

The financial collateral simple method must not be used under the IRB approach.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 24 (part)]

01/01/2007

Calculating risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts for funded credit risk mitigation: Other modifications of the rules on credit risk mitigation: Master netting agreements

BIPRU 4.10.32

(1) This rule sets out how the calculations under BIPRU 5.6.11 R (Using the supervisory volatility adjustments or the own estimates volatility adjustments approaches to master netting agreements covering repurchase transactions and/or securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions and/or other capital market driven transactions) must be modified under the IRB approach.
(2) Where risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts are calculated under the IRB approach, E is the exposure value for each separate exposure under the agreement referred to in the provisions listed in (1) that would apply in the absence of the credit protection.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 11 (as it applies to the IRB approach)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.33

(1) This rule sets out how the calculations under BIPRU 5.6.24 R (Using the internal models approach to master netting agreements covering repurchase transactions and/or securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions and/or other capital market driven transactions) must be modified under the IRB approach.
(2) Where risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts are calculated under the IRB approach E is the exposure value for each separate exposure under the agreement referred to in the provisions listed in (1) that would apply in the absence of the credit protection.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 20 (as it applies to the IRB approach)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.34

(1) This rule sets out how the calculations under BIPRU 5.6.29 R (Calculating risk-weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts for master netting agreements covering repurchase transactions and/or securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions and/or other capital market driven transactions) must be modified under the IRB approach.
(2) E* must be taken as the exposure value of the exposure to the counterparty arising from the transactions subject to the master netting agreement referred to in the provisions listed in (1) for the purposes of BIPRU 4.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 23 (as it applies to the IRB approach)]

01/01/2007

Calculating risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts for funded credit risk mitigation: Other modifications of the rules on credit risk mitigation: Financial collateral comprehensive method

BIPRU 4.10.35

(1) This rule sets out how the calculations under BIPRU 5.4.28 R (Calculating adjusted values under the financial collateral comprehensive method) must be modified under the IRB approach.
(2) E as referred to in the provisions listed in (1) is the exposure value as would be determined under the IRB approach if the exposure was not collateralised. For this purpose, where a firm calculates risk weighted exposure amounts under the IRB approach, the exposure value of the items listed in BIPRU 4.4.37 R to BIPRU 4.4.39 R, BIPRU 4.4.45 R, BIPRU 4.6.44 R (3) and BIPRU 4.8.29 R must be calculated using a conversion factor of 100% rather than the conversion factors or percentages indicated in those provisions.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.36

(1) This rule sets out the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts under the financial collateral comprehensive method for a firm using the IRB approach.
(2) LGD* (the effective loss given default) calculated as set out in this paragraph must be taken as the LGD for the purposes of BIPRU 4.
(3) LGD* = LGD x (E*/E) where:

(a) LGD is the loss given default that would apply to the exposure under the IRB approach if the exposure was not collateralised;
(b) E is the exposure value as calculated under BIPRU 4; and
(c) E* is as calculated under BIPRU 5.4.28 R (3) (Calculation of adjusted values under the financial collateral comprehensive method).

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 61]

06/04/2007

BIPRU 4.10.37

(1) In the case of a firm using the IRB approach to calculate risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts, the persons in (2) are added to the list in BIPRU 5.4.64 R (Definition of core market participant).
(2) The persons referred to in (1) are other financial companies (including insurance companies) exposures to which do not have a credit assessment by an eligible ECAI and are internally rated as having a probability of default equivalent to that associated with the credit assessments of ECAIs that are associated with credit quality step 2 or above under the rules for the risk weighting of exposures under the standardised approach to credit risk.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 58(h) (as it applies to the IRB approach)]

01/01/2007

Unfunded credit protection: Eligibility of providers

BIPRU 4.10.38

(1) In the case of a firm using the IRB approach in calculating risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts, the persons in (2) are added to the list in BIPRU 5.7.1 R (List of eligible providers of unfunded credit protection).
(2) The persons referred to in (1) are other corporate entities, including parent undertakings, subsidiary undertakings and affiliate corporate entities of the firm, that do not have a credit assessment by an eligible ECAI and are internally rated as having a probability of default equivalent to that associated with the credit assessments of ECAIs that are associated with credit quality step 2 or above under the rules for the risk weighting of exposures under the standardised approach to credit risk.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 26(g)(ii)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.39

Where risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts are calculated under the IRB approach, to be eligible a guarantor must be internally rated by a firm in accordance with the provisions of the minimum IRB standards.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 27]

01/01/2007

Unfunded credit protection: Minimum requirements for assessing the effect of guarantees and credit derivatives: Introduction

BIPRU 4.10.40

BIPRU 4.10.41 R to BIPRU 4.10.48 R set out the minimum requirements:

(1) assessing the effect of guarantees and credit derivatives for:

(a) exposures in the sovereign, institution and corporate IRB exposure class where the advanced IRB approach is being used to calculate LGDs; and
(b) retail exposures; and

(2) additionally, in the case of retail exposure guarantees, to the assignment of exposures to grades or pools, and the estimation of PD.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 97]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.41

The requirements in BIPRU 4.10.40 R (2) and BIPRU 4.10.42 R - BIPRU 4.10.48 R do not apply for guarantees provided by institutions and central governments and if the firm has received approval under BIPRU 4.2 to apply the standardised approach for exposures to such entities. In this case the requirements of BIPRU 5 (credit risk mitigation) apply.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 96]

01/01/2007

Unfunded credit protection: Minimum requirements for assessing the effect of guarantees and credit derivatives: Eligible guarantors and guarantees

BIPRU 4.10.42

A firm must have clearly specified criteria for the types of guarantors it recognises for the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts.

[Note: Annex VII Part 4 point 98]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.43

For recognised guarantors the same requirements as for obligors as set out in BIPRU 4.3.43 R - BIPRU 4.3.48 R (Assignment to grades and pools), BIPRU 4.4.11 R - BIPRU 4.4.18 R and BIPRU 4.4.51 R (Assignment of exposures and rating systems), BIPRU 4.5.6 R (Assignment of exposures) and BIPRU 4.6.11 R and BIPRU 4.6.14 R (Assignment of exposures and rating systems) apply.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 99]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.44

The guarantee must be evidenced in writing, non-cancellable on the part of the guarantor, in force until the obligation is satisfied in full (to the extent of the amount and tenor of the guarantee) and legally enforceable against the guarantor in a jurisdiction where the guarantor has assets to attach and enforce a judgement. Guarantees prescribing conditions under which the guarantor may not be obliged to perform (conditional guarantees) may be recognised if the IRB permission permits this. A firm must (in the case of a firm with an IRB permission that permits conditional guarantees) be able to demonstrate to the FSA that the assignment criteria adequately address any potential reduction in the risk mitigation effect.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 100]

01/01/2007

Unfunded credit protection: Minimum requirements for assessing the effect of guarantees and credit derivatives: Adjustment criteria

BIPRU 4.10.45

A firm must have clearly specified criteria for adjusting grades, pools or LGD estimates, and in the case of retail exposures and eligible purchased receivables, the process of allocating exposures to grades or pools, to reflect the impact of guarantees for the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts. These criteria must comply with the minimum requirements referred to in BIPRU 4.10.43 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 101]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.46

The criteria in BIPRU 4.10.45 R must be plausible and intuitive. They must address the guarantor's ability and willingness to perform under the guarantee, the likely timing of any payments from the guarantor, the degree to which the guarantor's ability to perform under the guarantee is correlated with the obligor's ability to repay, and the extent to which residual risk to the obligor remains.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 102]

01/01/2007

Unfunded credit protection: Minimum requirements for assessing the effect of guarantees and credit derivatives: Credit derivatives

BIPRU 4.10.47

The minimum requirements for guarantees set out in BIPRU 4.10 also apply for single name credit derivatives. In relation to a mismatch between the underlying obligation and the reference obligation of the credit derivative or the obligation used for determining whether a credit event has occurred the requirements set out under BIPRU 5.7.14 R (Mismatches and credit derivatives) apply. For retail exposures and eligible purchased receivables, this paragraph applies to the process of allocating exposures to grades or pools.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 103]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.48

The criteria applied by BIPRU 4.10.47 R must address the payout structure of the credit derivative and conservatively assess the impact this has on the level and timing of recoveries. A firm must consider the extent to which other forms of residual risk remain.

[Note: BCD Annex VII Part 4 point 104]

01/01/2007

Unfunded credit protection: Minimum requirements for assessing the effect of guarantees and credit derivatives: Calculating risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts

BIPRU 4.10.49

(1) This rule relates to the calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts in the case of unfunded credit protection.
(2) BIPRU 5.7.21 R (Tranching) applies for the purpose in (1).
(3) The provisions in (4) replace those in BIPRU 5.7.22 R to BIPRU 5.7.25 R (Calculating risk weighted exposure amounts under the standardised approach in the case of unfunded credit protection).
(4) For the covered portion of the exposure (based on the adjusted value of the credit protection G_A), the PD for the purposes of BIPRU 4 may be the PD of the protection provider, or a PD between that of the borrower and that of the guarantor if a full substitution is deemed not to be warranted. In the case of subordinated exposures and non-subordinated unfunded protection, the LGD to be applied for the purposes of BIPRU 4 may be that associated with senior claims.
(5) For any uncovered portion of the exposure the PD must be that of the borrower and the LGD must be that of the underlying exposure.
(6) G_A is the value of G* as calculated under BIPRU 5.7.17 R (Valuation of unfunded credit protection) further adjusted for any maturity mismatch as laid down in BIPRU 4.10.51 R (Maturity mismatches).

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 points 90 to 92]

01/01/2007

Maturity mismatches

BIPRU 4.10.50

In addition to BIPRU 5.8.2 R, where there is a maturity mismatch the credit protection must not be recognised where the exposure is a short term exposure specified in the firm's IRB permission as being subject to a one-day floor rather than a one-year floor in respect of the maturity value (M) under BIPRU 4.4.68 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 4 point 2(b)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4.10.51

G_A as calculated under BIPRU 5.8.11 R is then taken as the value of the protection for the purposes of calculating the effects of unfunded credit protection under the IRB approach.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 4 point 8 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 4 Annex 1

Supervisory Slotting Criteria for Specialised Lending

01/01/2007

This Annex outlines the criteria that must be used to slot a specialised lending exposure into the categories in BIPRU 4.5.6 R.
This table belongs to BIPRU 4.5.6 R and must be used in accordance with that rule only for project finance exposures.

Table 1 - Supervisory Rating Grades for Project Finance Exposures

Strong

Good

Satisfactory

Weak

Financial strength

Market conditions

Few competing suppliers or substantial and durable advantage in location, cost, or technology. Demand is strong and growing

Few competing suppliers or better than average location, cost, or technology but this situation may not last. Demand is strong and stable

Project has no advantage in location, cost, or technology. Demand is adequate and stable

Project has worse than average location, cost, or technology. Demand is weak and declining

Financial ratios (e.g. debt service coverage ratio (DSCR), loan life coverage ratio (LLCR), project life coverage ratio (PLCR), and debt-to-equity ratio)

Strong financial ratios considering the level of project risk; very robust economic assumptions

Strong to acceptable financial ratios considering the level of project risk; robust project economic assumptions

Standard financial ratios considering the level of project risk

Aggressive financial ratios considering the level of project risk

Stress analysis

The project can meet its financial obligations under sustained, severely stressed economic or sectoral conditions

The project can meet its financial obligations under normal stressed economic or sectoral conditions. The project is only likely to default under severe economic conditions

The project is vulnerable to stresses that are not uncommon through an economic cycle, and may default in a normal downturn

The project is likely to default unless conditions improve soon

Financial structure

Duration of the credit compared to the duration of the project

Useful life of the project significantly exceeds tenor of the loan

Useful life of the project exceeds tenor of the loan

Useful life of the project may not exceed tenor of the loan

Amortisation schedule

Amortising debt

Amortising debt repayments with limited bullet payment

Bullet repayment or amortising debt repayments with high bullet repayment

Political and legal environment

Political risk, including transfer risk, considering project type and mitigants

Very low exposure; strong mitigation instruments, if needed

Low exposure; satisfactory mitigation instruments, if needed

Moderate exposure; fair mitigation instruments

High exposure; no or weak mitigation instruments

Force majeure risk (war, civil unrest, etc)

Low exposure

Acceptable exposure

Standard protection

Significant risks, not fully mitigated

Government support and project's importance for the country over the long term

Project of strategic importance for the country (preferably export-oriented). Strong support from Government

Project considered important for the country. Good level of support from Government

Project may not be strategic but brings unquestionable benefits for the country. Support from Government may not be explicit

Project not key to the country. No or weak support from Government

Stability of legal and regulatory environment (risk of change in law)

Favourable and stable regulatory environment over the long term

Favourable and stable regulatory environment over the medium term

Regulatory changes can be predicted with a fair level of certainty

Current or future regulatory issues may affect the project

Acquisition of all necessary supports and approvals for such relief from local content laws

Strong

Satisfactory

Fair

Weak

Enforceability of contracts, collateral and security

Contracts, collateral and security are enforceable

Contracts, collateral and security are considered enforceable even if certain non-key issues may exist

There are unresolved key issues in respect if actual enforcement of contracts, collateral and security

Transaction characteristics

Design and technology risk

Fully proven technology and design

Proven technology and design - start-up issues are mitigated by a strong completion package

Unproven technology and design; technology issues exist and/or complex design

Construction risk

Permitting and siting

All permits have been obtained

Some permits are still outstanding but their receipt is considered very likely

Some permits are still outstanding but the permitting process is well defined and they are considered routine

Key permits still need to be obtained and are not considered routine. Significant conditions may be attached

Type of construction contract

Fixed-price date-certain turnkey construction EPC (engineering and procurement contract)

Fixed-price date-certain turnkey construction EPC

Fixed-price date-certain turnkey construction contract with one or several contractors

No or partial fixed-price turnkey contract and/or interfacing issues with multiple contractors

Completion guarantees

Substantial liquidated damages supported by financial substance and/or strong completion guarantee from sponsors with excellent financial standing

Significant liquidated damages supported by financial substance and/or completion guarantee from sponsors with good financial standing

Adequate liquidated damages supported by financial substance and/or completion guarantee from sponsors with good financial standing

Inadequate liquidated damages or not supported by financial substance or weak completion guarantees

Track record and financial strength of contractor in constructing similar projects.

Strong

Good

Satisfactory

Weak

Operating risk

Scope and nature of operations and maintenance (O & M) contracts

Strong long-term O&M contract, preferably with contractual performance incentives, and/or O&M reserve accounts

Long-term O&M contract, and/or O&M reserve accounts

Limited O&M contract or O&M reserve account

No O&M contract: risk of high operational cost overruns beyond mitigants

Operator's expertise, track record, and financial strength

Very strong, or committed technical assistance of the sponsors

Strong

Acceptable

Limited/weak, or local operator dependent on local authorities

Off-take risk

(a) If there is a take-or-pay or fixed-price off-take contract:

Excellent creditworthiness of off-taker; strong termination clauses; tenor of contract comfortably exceeds the maturity of the debt

Good creditworthiness of off-taker; strong termination clauses; tenor of contract exceeds the maturity of the debt

Acceptable financial standing of off-taker; normal termination clauses; tenor of contract generally matches the maturity of the debt

Weak off-taker; weak termination clauses; tenor of contract does not exceed the maturity of the debt

(b) If there is no take-or-pay or fixed-price off-take contract:

Project produces essential services or a commodity sold widely on a world market; output can readily be absorbed at projected prices even at lower than historic market growth rates

Project produces essential services or a commodity sold widely on a regional market that will absorb it at projected prices at historical growth rates

Commodity is sold on a limited market that may absorb it only at lower than projected prices

Project output is demanded by only one or a few buyers or is not generally sold on an organised market

Supply risk

Price, volume and transportation risk of feed-stocks; supplier's track record and financial strength

Long-term supply contract with supplier of excellent financial standing

Long-term supply contract with supplier of good financial standing

Long-term supply contract with supplier of good financial standing - a degree of price risk may remain

Short-term supply contract or long-term supply contract with financially weak supplier - a degree of price risk definitely remains

Reserve risks (e.g. natural resource development)

Independently audited, proven and developed reserves well in excess of requirements over lifetime of the project

Independently audited, proven and developed reserves in excess of requirements over lifetime of the project

Proven reserves can supply the project adequately through the maturity of the debt

Project relies to some extent on potential and undeveloped reserves

Strength of Sponsor

Sponsor's track record, financial strength, and country/sector experience

Strong sponsor with excellent track record and high financial standing

Good sponsor with satisfactory track record and good financial standing

Adequate sponsor with adequate track record and good financial standing

Weak sponsor with no or questionable track record and/or financial weaknesses

Sponsor support, as evidenced by equity, ownership clause and incentive to inject additional cash if necessary

Strong. Project is highly strategic for the sponsor (core business - long-term strategy)

Good. Project is strategic for the sponsor (core business - long-term strategy)

Acceptable. Project is considered important for the sponsor (core business)

Limited. Project is not key to sponsor's long-term strategy or core business

Security Package

Assignment of contracts and accounts

Fully comprehensive

Comprehensive

Acceptable

Weak

Pledge of assets, taking into account quality, value and liquidity of assets

First perfected security interest in all project assets, contracts, permits and accounts necessary to run the project

Perfected security interest in all project assets, contracts, permits and accounts necessary to run the project

Acceptable security interest in all project assets, contracts, permits and accounts necessary to run the project

Little security or collateral for lenders; weak negative pledge clause

Lender's control over cash flow (e.g. cash sweeps, independent escrow accounts)

Strong

Satisfactory

Fair

Weak

Strength of the covenant package (mandatory prepayments, payment deferrals, payment cascade, dividend restrictions...)

Covenant package is strong for this type of project
Project may issue no additional debt

Covenant package is satisfactory for this type of project
Project may issue extremely limited additional debt

Covenant package is fair for this type of project
Project may issue limited additional debt

Covenant package is Insufficient for this type of project
Project may issue unlimited additional debt

Reserve funds (debt service, O&M, renewal and replacement, unforeseen events, etc)

Longer than average coverage period, all reserve funds fully funded in cash or letters of credit from highly rated bank

Average coverage period, all reserve funds fully funded

Shorter than average coverage period, reserve funds funded from operating cash flows

This table belongs to BIPRU 4.5.6 R and must be used in accordance with that rule only for income-producing real estate exposures

Table 2 - Supervisory Rating Grades for Income-Producing Real Estate Exposures

Strong

Good

Satisfactory

Weak

Financial strength

Market conditions

The supply and demand for the project's type and location are currently in equilibrium. The number of competitive properties coming to market is equal or lower than forecasted demand

The supply and demand for the project's type and location are currently in equilibrium. The number of competitive properties coming to market is roughly equal to forecasted demand

Market conditions are roughly in equilibrium. Competitive properties are coming on the market and others are in the planning stages. The project's design and capabilities may not be state of the art compared to new projects

Market conditions are weak. It is uncertain when conditions will improve and return to equilibrium. The project is losing tenants at lease expiration. New lease terms are less favourable compared to those expiring

Financial ratios and advance rate

The property's debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) is considered strong (DSCR is not relevant for the construction phase) and its loan to value ratio (LTV) is considered low given its property type. Where a secondary market exists, the transaction is underwritten to market standards

The DSCR (not relevant for development real estate) and LTV are satisfactory. Where a secondary market exists, the transaction is underwritten to market standards

The property's DSCR has deteriorated and its value has fallen, increasing its LTV

The property's DSCR has deteriorated significantly and its LTV is well above underwriting standards for new loans

Stress analysis

The property's resources, contingencies and liability structure allow it to meet its financial obligations during a period of severe financial stress (e.g. interest rates, economic growth)

The property can meet its financial obligations under a sustained period of financial stress (e.g. interest rates, economic growth). The property is likely to default only under severe economic conditions

During an economic downturn, the property would suffer a decline in revenue that would limit its ability to fund capital expenditures and significantly increase the risk of default

The property's financial condition is strained and is likely to default unless conditions improve in the near term

Cash-flow predictability

(a) For complete and stabilised property

The property's leases are long-term with creditworthy tenants and their maturity dates are scattered. The property has a track record of tenant retention upon lease expiration. Its vacancy rate is low. Expenses (maintenance, insurance, security, and property taxes) are predictable

Most of the property's leases are long-term, with tenants that range in creditworthiness. The property experiences a normal level of tenant turnover upon lease expiration. Its vacancy rate is low. Expenses are predictable

Most of the property's leases are medium rather than long-term with tenants that range in creditworthiness. The property experiences a moderate level of tenant turnover upon lease expiration. Its vacancy rate is moderate. Expenses are relatively predictable but vary in relation to revenue

The property's leases are of various terms with tenants that range in creditworthiness. The property experiences a very high level of tenant turnover upon lease expiration. Its vacancy rate is high. Significant expenses are incurred preparing space for new tenants

(b) For complete but not stabilised property

Leasing activity meets or exceeds projections. The project should achieve stabilisation in the near future

Most leasing activity is within projections; however, stabilisation will not occur for some time

Market rents do not meet expectations. Despite achieving target occupancy rate, cash flow coverage is tight due to disappointing revenue

The property is entirely pre-leased through the tenor of the loan or pre-sold to an investment grade tenant or buyer, or the bank has a binding commitment for take-out financing from an investment grade lender

The property is entirely pre-leased or pre-sold to a creditworthy tenant or buyer, or the bank has a binding commitment for permanent financing from a creditworthy lender

Leasing activity is within projections but the building may not be pre-leased and there may not exist a take-out financing. The bank may be the permanent lender

The property is deteriorating due to cost overruns, market deterioration, tenant cancellations or other factors. There may be a dispute with the party providing the permanent financing

Asset characteristics

Location

Property is located in highly desirable location that is convenient to services that tenants desire

Property is located in desirable location that is convenient to services that tenants desire

The property location lacks a competitive advantage

The property's location, configuration, design and maintenance have contributed to the property's difficulties

Design and condition

Property is favoured due to its design, configuration, and maintenance, and is highly competitive with new properties

Property is appropriate in terms of its design, configuration and maintenance. The property's design and capabilities are competitive with new properties

Property is adequate in terms of its configuration, design and maintenance

Weaknesses exist in the property's configuration, design or maintenance

Property is under construction

Construction budget is conservative and technical hazards are limited. Contractors are highly qualified

Construction budget is adequate and contractors are ordinarily qualified

Project is over budget or unrealistic given its technical hazards. Contractors may be under qualified

Strength of Sponsor/Developer

Financial capacity and willingness to support the property

The sponsor/developer made a substantial cash contribution to the construction or purchase of the property. The sponsor/developer has substantial resources and limited direct and contingent liabilities. The sponsor/developer's properties are diversified geographically and by property type

The sponsor/developer made a material cash contribution to the construction or purchase of the property. The sponsor/developer's financial condition allows it to support the property in the event of a cash flow shortfall. The sponsor/developer's properties are located in several geographic regions

The sponsor/developer's contribution may be immaterial or non-cash. The sponsor/developer is average to below average in financial resources

The sponsor/developer lacks capacity or willingness to support the property

Reputation and track record with similar properties

Experienced management and high sponsors' quality. Strong reputation and lengthy and successful record with similar properties

Appropriate management and sponsors' quality. The sponsor or management has a successful record with similar properties

Moderate management and sponsors' quality. Management or sponsor track record does not raise serious concerns

Ineffective management and substandard sponsors' quality. Management and sponsor difficulties have contributed to difficulties in managing properties in the past

Relationships with relevant real estate actors

Strong relationships with leading actors such as leasing agents

Proven relationships with leading actors such as leasing agents

Adequate relationships with leasing agents and other parties providing important real estate services

Poor relationships with leasing agents and/or other parties providing important real estate services

Security Package

Nature of lien

Perfected first lien (Note 1)

Ability of lender to foreclose is constrained

Assignment of rents (for projects leased to long-term tenants)

The lender has obtained an assignment. They maintain current tenant information that would facilitate providing notice to remit rents directly to the lender, such as a current rent roll and copies of the project's leases

The lender has obtained an assignment. They maintain current tenant information that would facilitate providing notice to the tenants to remit rents directly to the lender, such as current rent roll and copies of the project's leases

The lender has not obtained an assignment of the leases or has not maintained the information necessary to readily provide notice to the building's tenants

Quality of the insurance coverage

Appropriate

Substandard

Note 1: Lenders in some markets extensively use loan structures that include junior liens. Junior liens may be indicative of this level of risk if the total LTV inclusive of all senior positions does not exceed a typical first loan LTV.

This table belongs to BIPRU 4.5.6 R and must be used in accordance with that rule only for object finance exposures

Table 3 - Supervisory Rating Grades for Object Finance Exposures

Strong

Good

Satisfactory

Weak

Financial strength

Market conditions

Demand is strong and growing, strong entry barriers, low sensitivity to changes in technology and economic outlook

Demand is strong and stable. Some entry barriers, some sensitivity to changes in technology and economic outlook

Demand is adequate and stable, limited entry barriers, significant sensitivity to changes in technology and economic outlook

Demand is weak and declining, vulnerable to changes in technology and economic outlook, highly uncertain environment

Financial ratios (debt service coverage ratio and loan-to-value ratio)

Strong financial ratios considering the type of asset. Very robust economic assumptions

Strong / acceptable financial ratios considering the type of asset. Robust project economic assumptions

Standard financial ratios for the asset type

Aggressive financial ratios considering the type of asset

Stress analysis

Stable long-term revenues, capable of withstanding severely stressed conditions through an economic cycle

Satisfactory short-term revenues. Loan can withstand some financial adversity. Default is only likely under severe economic conditions

Uncertain short-term revenues. Cash flows are vulnerable to stresses that are not uncommon through an economic cycle. The loan may default in a normal downturn

Revenues subject to strong uncertainties; even in normal economic conditions the asset may default, unless conditions improve

Market liquidity

Market is structured on a worldwide basis; assets are highly liquid

Market is worldwide or regional; assets are relatively liquid

Market is regional with limited prospects in the short term, implying lower liquidity

Local market and/or poor visibility. Low or no liquidity, particularly on niche markets

Political and legal environment

Political risk, including transfer risk

Very low; strong mitigation instruments, if needed

Low; satisfactory mitigation instruments, if needed

Moderate; fair mitigation instruments

High; no or weak mitigation instruments

Legal and regulatory risks

Jurisdiction is favourable to repossession and enforcement of contracts

Jurisdiction is generally favourable to repossession and enforcement of contracts, even if repossession might be long and/or difficult

Poor or unstable legal and regulatory environment. Jurisdiction may make repossession and enforcement of contracts lengthy or impossible

Transaction characteristics

Financing term compared to the economic life of the asset

Full payout profile/minimum balloon. No grace period

Balloon more significant, but still at satisfactory levels

Important balloon with potentially grace periods

Repayment in fine or high balloon

Operating risk

Permits / licensing

All permits have been obtained; asset meets current and foreseeable safety regulations

All permits obtained or in the process of being obtained; asset meets current and foreseeable safety regulations

Most permits obtained or in process of being obtained, outstanding ones considered routine, asset meets current safety regulations

Problems in obtaining all required permits, part of the planned configuration and/or planned operations might need to be revised

Scope and nature of O & M contracts

Strong long-term O&M contract, preferably with contractual performance incentives, and/or O&M reserve accounts (if needed)

Long-term O&M contract, and/or O&M reserve accounts (if needed)

Limited O&M contract or O&M reserve account (if needed)

No O&M contract: risk of high operational cost overruns beyond mitigants

Operator's financial strength, track record in managing the asset type and capability to re-market asset when it comes off-lease

Excellent track record and strong re-marketing capability

Satisfactory track record and re-marketing capability

Weak or short track record and uncertain re-marketing capability

No or unknown track record and inability to re-market the asset

Asset characteristics

Configuration, size, design and maintenance (i.e. age, size for a plane) compared to other assets on the same market

Strong advantage in design and maintenance. Configuration is standard such that the object meets a liquid market

Above average design and maintenance. Standard configuration, maybe with very limited exceptions - such that the object meets a liquid market

Average design and maintenance. Configuration is somewhat specific, and thus might cause a narrower market for the object

Below average design and maintenance. Asset is near the end of its economic life. Configuration is very specific; the market for the object is very narrow

Resale value

Current resale value is well above debt value

Resale value is moderately above debt value

Resale value is slightly above debt value

Resale value is below debt value

Sensitivity of the asset value and liquidity to economic cycles

Asset value and liquidity are relatively insensitive to economic cycles

Asset value and liquidity are sensitive to economic cycles

Asset value and liquidity are quite sensitive to economic cycles

Asset value and liquidity are highly sensitive to economic cycles

Strength of sponsor

Operator's financial strength, track record in managing the asset type and capability to re-market asset when it comes off-lease

Excellent track record and strong re-marketing capability

Satisfactory track record and re-marketing capability

Weak or short track record and uncertain re-marketing capability

No or unknown track record and inability to re-market the asset

Sponsors' track record and financial strength

Sponsors with excellent track record and high financial standing

Sponsors with good track record and good financial standing

Sponsors with adequate track record and good financial standing

Sponsors with no or questionable track record and/or financial weaknesses

Security Package

Asset control

Legal documentation provides the lender effective control (e.g. a first perfected security interest, or a leasing structure including such security) on the asset, or on the company owning it

Legal documentation provides the lender effective control (e.g. a perfected security interest, or a leasing structure including such security) on the asset, or on the company owning it

The contract provides little security to the lender and leaves room to some risk of losing control on the asset

Rights and means at the lender's disposal to monitor the location and condition of the asset

The lender is able to monitor the location and condition of the asset, at any time and place (regular reports, possibility to lead inspections)

The lender is able to monitor the location and condition of the asset, almost at any time and place

The lender is able to monitor the location and condition of the asset are limited

Insurance against damages

Strong insurance coverage including collateral damages with top quality insurance companies

Satisfactory insurance coverage (not including collateral damages) with good quality insurance companies

Fair insurance coverage (not including collateral damages) with acceptable quality insurance companies

Weak insurance coverage (not including collateral damages) or with weak quality insurance companies

This table belongs to BIPRU 4.5.6 R and must be used in accordance with that rule only for commodities finance exposures.

Table 4 - Supervisory Rating Grades for Commodities Finance Exposures

Strong

Good

Satisfactory

Weak

Financial strength

Degree of over-collateralisation of trade

Strong

Good

Satisfactory

Weak

Political and legal Environment

Country risk

No country risk

Limited exposure to country risk (in particular, offshore location of reserves in an emerging country)

Exposure to country risk (in particular, offshore location of reserves in an emerging country)

Strong exposure to country risk (in particular, inland reserves in an emerging country)

Mitigation of country risks

Very strong mitigation:

Strong mitigation:

Acceptable mitigation:

Only partial mitigation:

Strong offshore Mechanisms

Offshore mechanisms

No offshore mechanisms

Strategic commodity

Less strategic commodity

Non-strategic commodity

1^st class buyer

Strong buyer

Acceptable buyer

Weak buyer

Asset characteristics

Liquidity and susceptibility to damage

Commodity is quoted and can be hedged through futures or OTC instruments. Commodity is not susceptible to damage

Commodity is quoted and can be hedged through OTC instruments. Commodity is not susceptible to damage

Commodity is not quoted but is liquid. There is uncertainty about the possibility of hedging. Commodity is not susceptible to damage

Commodity is not quoted. Liquidity is limited given the size and depth of the market. No appropriate hedging instruments. Commodity is susceptible to damage

Strength of sponsor

Financial strength of trader

Very strong, relative to trading philosophy and risks

Strong

Adequate

Weak

Track record, including ability to manage the logistic process

Extensive experience with the type of transaction in question. Strong record of operating success and cost efficiency

Sufficient experience with the type of transaction in question. Above average record of operating success and cost efficiency

Limited experience with the type of transaction in question. Average record of operating success and cost efficiency

Limited or uncertain track record in general. Volatile costs and profits

Trading controls and hedging policies

Strong standards for counterparty selection, hedging, and monitoring

Adequate standards for counterparty selection, hedging, and monitoring

Past deals have experienced no or minor problems

Trader has experienced significant losses on past deals

Quality of financial disclosure

Excellent

Good

Satisfactory

Financial disclosure contains some uncertainties or is insufficient

Security package

Asset control

First perfected security interest provides the lender legal control of the assets at any time if needed

At some point in the process, there is a rupture in the control of the assets by the lender. The rupture is mitigated by knowledge of the trade process or a third party undertaking as the case may be

Contract leaves room for some risk of losing control over the assets. Recovery could be jeopardised

Insurance against damages

Strong insurance coverage including collateral damages with top quality insurance companies

Satisfactory insurance coverage (not including collateral damages) with good quality insurance companies

Fair insurance coverage (not including collateral damages) with acceptable quality insurance companies

Weak insurance coverage (not including collateral damages) or with weak quality insurance companies

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5

Credit risk mitigation

BIPRU 5.1

Application and purpose

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 5.1.1

BIPRU 5 applies to a BIPRU firm.

01/01/2007

Purpose

BIPRU 5.1.2

BIPRU 5 implements, in part, Articles 78(1) and 91 to 93 and Annex VIII of the Banking Consolidation Directive.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.1.3

BIPRU 5 sets out the principles for the recognition of credit risk mitigation in the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts for the purposes of the calculation of the credit risk capital component.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.1.4

BIPRU 4.10 implements those parts of Articles 91 to 93 and Annex VIII of the Banking Consolidation Directive which are specific to the recognition of credit risk mitigation by firms using the IRB approach, and modifies the application of the provisions in BIPRU 5 to those firms.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.1.5

In certain cases provisions specific to the IRB approach have been kept in BIPRU 5 in order to reduce duplication. The main examples are certain references to expected loss and references in the IRB approach in the provisions in BIPRU 5.7 about basket CRM techniques.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.2

The central principles of credit risk mitigation

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.2.1

A firm using the standardised approach may recognise credit risk mitigation in accordance with BIPRU 5 in the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts for the purposes of the calculation of the credit risk capital component.

[Note: BCD Article 91]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.2.2

The technique used to provide the credit protection together with the actions and steps taken and procedures and policies implemented by a lending firm must be such as to result in credit protection arrangements which are legally effective and enforceable in all relevant jurisdictions.

[Note: BCD Article 92(1)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.2.3

(1) A firm must not recognise credit protection as eligible until it has conducted sufficient legal review confirming that the credit protection arrangements are legally effective and enforceable in all relevant jurisdictions in accordance with BIPRU 5.2.2 R.
(2) A firm must re-conduct legal reviews as necessary to ensure continuing enforceability and effectiveness.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.2.4

A lending firm must take all appropriate steps to ensure the effectiveness of the credit protection arrangement and to address related risks.

[Note: BCD Article 92(2)]

01/01/2007

Funded credit protection

BIPRU 5.2.5

In the case of funded credit protection:

(1) to be eligible for recognition the assets relied upon must be sufficiently liquid and their value over time sufficiently stable to provide appropriate certainty as to the credit protection achieved having regard to the approach used to calculate risk weighted exposure amounts and to the degree of recognition allowed; eligibility is limited to the assets set out in the CRM eligibility conditions; and
(2) the lending firm must have the right to liquidate or retain, in a timely manner, the assets from which the protection derives in the event of the default, insolvency or bankruptcy of the obligor - or other credit event set out in the transaction documentation - and, where applicable, of the custodian holding the collateral; the degree of correlation between the value of the assets relied upon for protection and the credit quality of the obligor must not be undue.

[Note: BCD Article 92(3) and (4)]

01/01/2007

Treatment of credit linked notes

BIPRU 5.2.6

A credit linked note should be treated, to the extent of its cash funding, as funded credit protection. Therefore the conditions in BIPRU 5 regulating the eligibility of protection providers for unfunded credit protection do not apply. However the other provisions about the requirements for the recognition of unfunded credit protection do apply.

01/01/2007

Unfunded credit protection

BIPRU 5.2.7

In the case of unfunded credit protection:

(1) to be eligible for recognition the party giving the undertaking must be sufficiently reliable, and the protection agreement legally effective and enforceable in the relevant jurisdictions, to provide appropriate certainty as to the credit protection achieved having regard to the approach used to calculate risk weighted exposure amounts and to the degree of recognition allowed; and
(2) eligibility is limited to the protection providers and types of protection agreement set out in the CRM eligibility conditions.

[Note: BCD Article 92(5)]

01/01/2007

Minimum requirements

BIPRU 5.2.8

The minimum requirements set out in BIPRU 5 must be complied with.

[Note: BCD Article 92(6)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.2.9

A firm must be able to satisfy the FSA that it has adequate risk management processes to control those risks to which the firm may be exposed as a result of carrying out credit risk mitigation.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 1]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.2.10

Notwithstanding the presence of credit risk mitigation taken into account for the purposes of calculating risk weighted exposure amounts and as relevant expected loss amounts, a firm must continue to undertake full credit risk assessment of the underlying exposure and must be in a position to demonstrate to the FSA the fulfilment of this requirement. In the case of repurchase transactions and/or securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions the underlying exposure must, for the purposes of this rule only, be deemed to be the net amount of the exposure.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 2]

01/01/2007

Calculating the effects of the credit risk mitigation

BIPRU 5.2.11

Where the requirements of BIPRU 5.2.2 R to BIPRU 5.2.8 R are met the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts, may be modified in accordance with BIPRU 5.

[Note: BCD Article 93(1)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.2.12

No exposure in respect of which credit risk mitigation is obtained may produce a higher risk weighted exposure amount than an otherwise identical exposure in respect of which there is no credit risk mitigation.

[Note: BCD Article 93(2)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.2.13

Where the risk weighted exposure amount already takes account of credit protection under the standardised approach the calculation of the credit protection must not be further recognised under BIPRU 5.

[Note: BCD Article 93(3)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.2.14

Subject to BIPRU 5.8, BIPRU 5.9 and BIPRU 5.7.27 R to BIPRU 5.7.28 R, where the CRM eligibility conditions and the CRM minimum requirements are satisfied, the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts under the standardised approach may be modified in accordance with the provisions of BIPRU 5.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 1]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.2.15

Cash, securities or commodities purchased, borrowed or received under a repurchase transaction or securities or commodities lending or borrowing transaction must be treated as collateral.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 2]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.3

On balance sheet netting

01/01/2007

Eligibility

BIPRU 5.3.1

A firm may recognise as eligible the on-balance sheet netting of mutual claims between the firm and its counterparty.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 3]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.3.2

Without prejudice to BIPRU 5.6.1 R, eligibility is limited to reciprocal cash balances between a firm and a counterparty. Only loans and deposits of the lending firm may be subject to a modification of risk weighted exposure amounts and, as relevant, expected loss amounts as a result of an on-balance sheet netting agreement.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 4]

01/01/2007

Minimum requirements

BIPRU 5.3.3

For on-balance sheet netting agreements - other than master netting agreements covering repurchase transactions, securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions and/or other capital market-driven transactions - to be recognised for the purposes of BIPRU 5 the following conditions must be satisfied:

(1) they must be legally effective and enforceable in all relevant jurisdictions, including in the event of the insolvency or bankruptcy of a counterparty;
(2) the firm must be able to determine at any time those assets and liabilities that are subject to the on-balance sheet netting agreement;
(3) the firm must monitor and control the risks associated with the termination of the credit protection; and
(4) the firm must monitor and control the relevant exposures on a net basis.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 3]

01/01/2007

Calculating the effects of credit risk mitigation

BIPRU 5.3.4

Loans and deposits with a lending firm subject to on-balance sheet netting are to be treated as cash collateral.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 4]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4

Financial collateral

01/01/2007

Eligibility

BIPRU 5.4.1

(1) Where the credit risk mitigation used relies on the right of a firm to liquidate or retain assets, eligibility depends upon whether risk weighted exposure amounts, and, as relevant, expected loss amounts, are calculated under the standardised approach or the IRB approach.
(2) Eligibility further depends upon whether the financial collateral simple method is used or the financial collateral comprehensive method.
(3) In relation to repurchase transactions and securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions, eligibility also depends upon whether the transaction is booked in the non-trading book or the trading book.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 6]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.2

The following financial items may be recognised as eligible collateral under all approaches and methods:

(1) cash on deposit with, or cash assimilated instruments held by, the lending firm;
(2) debt securities issued by central governments or central banks which securities have a credit assessment by an eligible ECAI or export credit agency recognised as eligible for the purposes of the standardised approach, which is associated with credit quality step 4 or above under the rules for the risk weighting of exposures to central governments and central banks under the standardised approach;
(3) debt securities issued by institutions which securities have a credit assessment by an eligible ECAI associated with credit quality step 3 or above under the rules for the risk weighting of exposures to a credit institution under the standardised approach;
(4) debt securities issued by other entities which securities have a credit assessment by an eligible ECAI associated with credit quality step 3 or above under the rules for the risk weighting of exposures to corporates under the standardised approach;
(5) debt securities with a short-term credit assessment by an eligible ECAI associated with credit quality step 3 or above under the rules for the risk weighting of short term exposures under the standardised approach;
(6) equities or convertible bonds that are included in a main index; and
(7) gold.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 7 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.3

For the purposes of BIPRU 5.4.2 R (2), 'debt securities issued by central governments or central banks' include -

(1) debt securities issued by regional governments or local authorities exposures to which are treated as exposures to the central government in whose jurisdiction they are established under the standardised approach;
(2) debt securities issued by public sector entities which are treated as exposures to central governments in accordance with BIPRU 3.4.24 R;
(3) debt securities issued by multilateral development banks to which a 0% risk weight is assigned under the standardised approach; and
(4) debt securities issued by international organisations which are assigned a 0% risk weight under the standardised approach.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 7 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.4

For the purposes of BIPRU 5.4.2 R (3), 'debt securities issued by institutions' include:

(1) debt securities issued by regional governments or local authorities other than those exposures to which are treated as exposures to the central government in whose jurisdiction they are established under the standardised approach;
(2) debt securities issued by public sector entities, exposures to which are treated as exposures to a credit institution under the standardised approach;
(3) debt securities issued by multilateral development banks other than those to which a 0% risk weight is assigned under the standardised approach.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 7 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.5

Debt securities issued by institutions which securities do not have a credit assessment by an eligible ECAI may be recognised as eligible collateral if they fulfil the following criteria:

(1) they are listed on a recognised investment exchange or a designated investment exchange;
(2) they qualify as senior debt;
(3) all other rated issues by the issuing institution of the same seniority have a credit assessment by an eligible ECAI associated with credit quality step 3 or above under the rules for the risk weight of exposures to institutions or short term exposures under the standardised approach;
(4) the lending firm has no information to suggest that the issue would justify a credit assessment below that indicated in (3); and
(5) the firm can demonstrate to the FSA that the market liquidity of the instrument is sufficient for these purposes.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 8]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.6

(1) Units in CIUs may be recognised as eligible collateral if the following conditions are satisfied:

(a) they have a daily public price quote; and
(b) the CIU is limited to investing in instruments that are eligible for recognition under BIPRU 5.4.2 R to BIPRU 5.4.5 R.

(2) The use (or potential use) by a CIU of derivative instruments to hedge permitted investments shall not prevent units in that CIU from being eligible.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 9]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.7

In relation to BIPRU 5.4.2 R (2) to (5):

(1) where a security has two credit assessments by eligible ECAIs, the less favourable assessment must be deemed to apply;
(2) in cases where a security has more than two credit assessments by eligible ECAIs:

(a) the two most favourable assessments must be deemed to apply; or
(b) if the two most favourable credit assessments are different, the less favourable of the two must be deemed to apply.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 10]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.8

(1) In addition to the collateral set out in BIPRU 5.4.2 R to BIPRU 5.4.7 R, where a firm uses the financial collateral comprehensive method, the following financial items may be recognised as eligible collateral:

(a) equities or convertible bonds not included in a main index but traded on a recognised investment exchange or a designated investment exchange;
(b) units in CIUs if the following conditions are met:

(i) they have a daily public price quote; and
(ii) the CIU is limited to investing in instruments that are eligible for recognition under BIPRU 5.4.2 R to BIPRU 5.4.5 R and the items mentioned in (a).

(2) The use (or potential use) by a CIU of derivative instruments to hedge permitted investments shall not prevent units in that CIU from being eligible.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 11]

01/01/2007

Minimum requirements

BIPRU 5.4.9

For the recognition of financial collateral and gold, the following conditions must be met:

(1) the low correlation conditions in BIPRU 5.4.10 R;
(2) the legal certainty conditions in BIPRU 5.4.11 R; and
(3) the operational requirements in BIPRU 5.4.12 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 6]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.10

The low correlation conditions referred to in BIPRU 5.4.9 R (1) are as follows:

(a) the credit quality of the obligor and the value of the collateral must not have a material positive correlation; and
(b) securities issued by the obligor, or any related group entity are not eligible.

(2) notwithstanding (1)(b), the obligor's own issues of covered bonds falling within the terms of BIPRU 3.4.107 R to BIPRU 3.4.109 R may be recognised as collateral for repurchase transactions, provided that (1)(a) is complied with.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 6(a)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.11

The legal certainty conditions referred to in BIPRU 5.4.9 R (2) are as follows:

(1) a firm must fulfil any contractual and statutory requirements in respect of, and take all steps necessary to ensure, the enforceability of the collateral arrangements under the law applicable to its interest in the collateral;
(2) in accordance with the general principle in BIPRU 5.2.2 R, a firm must have conducted sufficient legal review confirming the enforceability of the collateral arrangements in all relevant jurisdictions; and
(3) a firm must re-conduct such review as necessary to ensure continuing enforceability.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 6(b)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.12

The operational requirements referred to in BIPRU 5.4.9 R (3) are as follows:

(1) the collateral arrangements must be properly documented, with a clear and robust procedure for the timely liquidation of collateral;
(2) a firm must employ robust procedures and processes to control risks arising from the use of collateral - including risks of failed or reduced credit protection, valuation risks, risks associated with the termination of the credit protection, concentration risk arising from the use of collateral and the interaction with the firm's overall risk profile;
(3) a firm must have documented policies and practices concerning the types and amounts of collateral accepted;
(4) a firm must calculate the market value of the collateral, and revalue it accordingly, with a minimum frequency of once every six months and whenever the firm has reason to believe that there has occurred a significant decrease in its market value; and
(5) where the collateral is held by a third party, a firm must take reasonable steps to ensure that the third party segregates the collateral from its own assets.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 6(c)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.13

In addition to the requirements set out in BIPRU 5.4.9 R, for the recognition of financial collateral under the financial collateral simple method the residual maturity of the protection must be at least as long as the residual maturity of the exposure.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 7]

01/01/2007

The financial collateral simple method: General

BIPRU 5.4.14

BIPRU 5.4.17 R - BIPRU 5.4.22 R set out the calculation of the effects of credit risk mitigation under the financial collateral simple method.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.15

The financial collateral simple method is available only where risk weighted exposure amounts are calculated under the standardised approach to credit risk.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 24 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.16

A firm must not use both the financial collateral simple method and the financial collateral comprehensive method.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 24 (part)]

01/01/2007

The financial collateral simple method: Valuation

BIPRU 5.4.17

Under the financial collateral simple method, recognised financial collateral is assigned a value equal to its market value as determined in accordance with BIPRU 5.4.12 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 25]

01/01/2007

The financial collateral simple method: Calculating risk-weighted exposure amounts

BIPRU 5.4.18

The risk weight that would be assigned under the standardised approach to credit risk if the lending firm had a direct exposure to the collateral instrument must be assigned to those portions of claims collateralised by the market value of recognised collateral. The risk weight of the collateralised portion must be a minimum of 20% except as specified in BIPRU 5.4.19 R to BIPRU 5.4.21 R. The remainder of the exposure receives the risk weight that would be applied to an unsecured exposure to the counterparty under the standardised approach.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 26]

01/01/2007

The financial collateral simple method: Repurchase transactions and securities lending or borrowing transactions

BIPRU 5.4.19

A risk weight of 0% must be assigned to the collateralised portion of the exposure arising from transactions which fulfil the criteria enumerated in BIPRU 5.4.62 R or BIPRU 5.4.65 R. If the counterparty to the transaction is not a core market participant a risk weight of 10% must be assigned.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 27]

01/01/2007

The financial collateral simple method: financial derivative instruments subject to daily mark-to-market

BIPRU 5.4.20

A risk weight of 0% must, to the extent of the collateralisation, be assigned to the exposure values determined under BIPRU 13 for financial derivative instruments and subject to daily marking-to-market, collateralised by cash or cash assimilated instruments where there is no currency mismatch. A risk weight of 10% must be assigned to the extent of the collateralisation to the exposure values of such transactions collateralised by debt securities issued by central governments or central banks which are assigned a 0% risk weight under the standardised approach.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 28 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.21

A 0% risk weight may be assigned where the exposure and the collateral are denominated in the same currency, and either:

(1) the collateral is cash on deposit or a cash assimilated instrument; or
(2) the collateral is in the form of debt securities issued by central governments or central banks eligible for a 0% risk weight under the standardised approach, and its market value has been discounted by 20%.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 29]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.22

For the purposes of BIPRU 5.4.20 R and BIPRU 5.4.21 R 'debt securities issued by central governments or central banks' must include:

(1) debt securities issued by regional governments or local authorities exposures to which are treated as exposures to the central government in whose jurisdiction they are established under the standardised approach;
(2) debt securities issued by multilateral development banks to which a 0% risk weight is assigned under or by virtue of the standardised approach; and
(3) debt securities issued by international organisations which are assigned a 0% risk weight under the standardised approach.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 28 (part)]

01/01/2007

The financial collateral comprehensive method: General

BIPRU 5.4.23

BIPRU 5.4.24 R - BIPRU 5.4.66 R set out the calculation of the effects of credit risk mitigation under the financial collateral comprehensive method.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.24

In valuing financial collateral for the purposes of the financial collateral comprehensive method, volatility adjustments must be applied to the market value of collateral, as set out in BIPRU 5.4.30 R to BIPRU 5.4.65 R, in order to take account of price volatility.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 30]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.25

Subject to the treatment for currency mismatches in the case of financial derivative instrument set out in BIPRU 5.4.26 R, where collateral is denominated in a currency that differs from that in which the underlying exposure is denominated, an adjustment reflecting currency volatility must be added to the volatility adjustment appropriate to the collateral as set out in BIPRU 5.4.30 R to BIPRU 5.4.65 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 31]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.26

In the case of financial derivative instrument covered by netting agreements recognised under BIPRU 13, a volatility adjustment reflecting currency volatility must be applied when there is a mismatch between the collateral currency and the settlement currency. Even in the case where multiple currencies are involved in the transactions covered by the netting agreement, only a single volatility adjustment may be applied.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 32]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.27

In the case of a firm using the financial collateral comprehensive method, where an exposure takes the form of securities or commodities sold, posted or lent under a repurchase transaction or under a securities or commodities lending or borrowing transaction, and margin lending transactions the exposure value must be increased by the volatility adjustment appropriate to such securities or commodities as prescribed in BIPRU 5.4.30 R to BIPRU 5.4.65 R.

[Note: BCD Article 78(1), third sentence]

01/01/2007

The financial collateral comprehensive method: Calculating adjusted values

BIPRU 5.4.28

(1) The volatility-adjusted value of the collateral to be taken into account is calculated as follows in the case of all transactions except those transactions subject to recognised master netting agreements to which the provisions set out in BIPRU 5.6.5 R to BIPRU 5.6.29 R are to be applied:
C_VA = C x (1-H_C-H_FX)
(2) The volatility-adjusted value of the exposure to be taken into account is calculated as follows:
E_VA = E x (1+H_E), and in the case of financial derivative instruments E_VA = E.
(3) The fully adjusted value of the exposure, taking into account both volatility and the risk-mitigating effects of collateral is calculated as follows:
E ^* = max {0, [E_VA - C_VAM]}
Where:

(a) E is the exposure value as would be determined under the standardised approach if the exposure was not collateralised.
(b) E_VA is the volatility-adjusted exposure amount.
(c) C_VA is the volatility-adjusted value of the collateral.
(d) C_VAM is C_VA further adjusted for any maturity mismatch in accordance with the provisions of BIPRU 5.8.
(e) H_E is the volatility adjustment appropriate to the exposure (E), as calculated under BIPRU 5.4.30 R to BIPRU 5.4.65 R.
(f) H_C is the volatility adjustment appropriate for the collateral, as calculated under BIPRU 5.4.30 R to BIPRU 5.4.65 R.
(g) H_FX is the volatility adjustment appropriate for currency mismatch, as calculated under BIPRU 5.4.30 R to BIPRU 5.4.65 R.
(h) E ^* is the fully adjusted exposure value taking into account volatility and the risk-mitigating effects of the collateral.

(4) For the purpose of (3)(a), for a firm calculating risk weighted exposure amounts under the standardised approach the exposure value of off-balance sheet items listed in BIPRU 3.7 must be 100% of its value rather than the percentages indicated in BIPRU 3.2.1 R and BIPRU 3.7.2 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 33]

01/01/2007

The financial collateral comprehensive method: Calculation of volatility adjustments to be applied: General

BIPRU 5.4.29

BIPRU 5.4.30 R - BIPRU 5.4.65 R set out the calculation of volatility adjustments under the financial collateral comprehensive method.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.30

Volatility adjustments may be calculated in two ways: the supervisory volatility adjustments approach and the own estimates of volatility adjustments approach.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 34]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.31

A firm may choose to use the supervisory volatility adjustments approach or the own estimates of volatility adjustments approach independently of the choice it has made between the standardised approach and the IRB approach for the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts. However, if a firm seeks to use the own estimates of volatility adjustments approach, it must do so for the full range of instrument types, excluding immaterial portfolios where it may use the supervisory volatility adjustments approach.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 35 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.32

Where the collateral consists of a number of recognised items, the volatility adjustment must be
(H = Σ_i α_i H_i)
where:

(1) a_i is the proportion of an item to the collateral as a whole; and
(2) H_i is the volatility adjustment applicable to that item.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 35 (part)]

01/01/2007

The financial collateral comprehensive method: Supervisory volatility adjustments approach

BIPRU 5.4.33

BIPRU 5.4.34 R - BIPRU 5.4.43 R set out the calculation of volatility adjustments under the supervisory volatility adjustments approach.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.34

The volatility adjustments to be applied under the supervisory volatility adjustments approach (assuming daily revaluation) are those set out in the tables in BIPRU 5.4.35 R - BIPRU 5.4.38 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 36]

01/01/2007

Table: Volatility adjustments for debt securities described in BIPRU 5.4.2R(2) and (3) - (4)

BIPRU 5.4.35

This table belongs to BIPRU 5.4.34 R.

Credit quality step with which the credit assessment of the debt security is associated

Residual Maturity

Volatility adjustments for debt securities issued by entities described in BIPRU 5.4.2 R (2)

Volatility adjustments for debt securities issued by entities described in BIPRU 5.4.2 R (3) and (4)

20 day liquidation period (%)

10 day liquidation period (%)

5 day liquidation period (%)

20 day liquidation period (%)

10 day liquidation period (%)

5 day liquidation period (%)

≤ 1 year

0.707

0.5

0.354

1.414

0.707

> 1 ≤ 5 years

2.828

1.414

5.657

2.828

> 5 years

5.657

2.828

11.314

5.657

2-3

≤ 1 year

1.414

0.707

2.828

1.414

> 1 ≤ 5 years

4.243

2.121

8.485

4.243

> 5 years

8.485

4.243

16.971

8.485

≤ 1 year

21.213

10.607

N/A

> 1 ≤ 5 years

21.213

10.607

N/A

> 5 years

21.213

10.607

N/A

06/04/2007

Table: Volatility adjustments for debt securities described in BIPRU 5.4.2R(5)

BIPRU 5.4.36

This table belongs to BIPRU 5.4.34 R.

Credit quality step with which the credit assessment of a short term debt security is associated

Volatility adjustments for debt securities issued by entities described in BIPRU 5.4.2 R (2) with short-term credit assessments

Volatility adjustments for debt securities issued by entities described in BIPRU 5.4.2 R (3) and (4) with short-term credit assessments

20 day liquidation period (%)

10 day liquidation period (%)

5 day liquidation period (%)

20 day liquidation period (%)

10 day liquidation period (%)

5 day liquidation period (%)

0.707

0.5

0.354

1.414

0.707

2-3

1.414

0.707

2.828

1.414

01/01/2007

Table: Volatility adjustments for other collateral or exposure types

BIPRU 5.4.37

This table belongs to BIPRU 5.4.34 R.

Other collateral or exposure types

20 day liquidation period (%)

10 day liquidation period (%)

5 day liquidation period (%)

Main index equities, main index convertible bonds

21.213

10.607

Other equities or convertible bonds listed on a recognised investment exchange or designated investment exchange

35.355

17.678

Cash

Gold

21.213

10.607

01/01/2007

Table: Volatility adjustments for currency mismatch

BIPRU 5.4.38

This table belongs to BIPRU 5.4.34 R.

Volatility adjustment for currency mismatch

20 day liquidation period (%)

10 day liquidation period (%)

5 day liquidation period (%)

11.314

5.657

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.39

(1) For secured lending transactions the liquidation period is 20 business days.
(2) For repurchase transactions (except insofar as such transactions involve the transfer of commodities or guaranteed rights relating to title to commodities) and securities lending or borrowing transactions the liquidation period is 5 business days.
(3) For other capital market-driven transactions, the liquidation period is 10 business days.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 37]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.40

In the tables in BIPRU 5.4.35 R - BIPRU 5.4.38 R and in BIPRU 5.4.41 R to BIPRU 5.4.43 R, the credit quality step with which a credit assessment of the debt security is associated is the credit quality step with which the external credit assessment is associated under the standardised approach. For the purposes of this rule, BIPRU 5.4.7 R also applies.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 38]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.41

For non-eligible securities or for commodities lent or sold under repurchase transactions or securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions, the volatility adjustment is the same as for non-main index equities listed on a recognised investment exchange or a designated investment exchange.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 39]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.42

For eligible units in CIUs the volatility adjustment is the weighted average volatility adjustments that would apply, having regard to the liquidation period of the transaction as specified in BIPRU 5.4.39 R, to the assets in which the fund has invested. If the assets in which the fund has invested are not known to the firm, the volatility adjustment is the highest volatility adjustment that would apply to any of the assets in which the fund has the right to invest.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 40]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.43

For unrated debt securities issued by institutions and satisfying the eligibility criteria in BIPRU 5.4.5 R the volatility adjustments are the same as for securities issued by institutions or corporates with an external credit assessment associated with credit quality steps 2 or 3.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 41]

01/01/2007

The financial collateral comprehensive method: Own estimates of volatility adjustments approach: General

BIPRU 5.4.44

BIPRU 5.4.45 R - BIPRU 5.4.60 R deal with the calculation of volatility adjustments under the own estimates of volatility adjustments approach.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.45

A firm complying with the requirements set out in BIPRU 5.4.50 R to BIPRU 5.4.60 R may use the own estimates of volatility adjustments approach for calculating the volatility adjustments to be applied to collateral and exposures.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 42]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.46

When debt securities have a credit assessment from an eligible ECAI equivalent to investment grade or better, a firm may calculate a volatility estimate for each category of security.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 43]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.47

In determining relevant categories, a firm must take into account the type of issuer of the security the external credit assessment of the securities, their residual maturity, and their modified duration. Volatility estimates must be representative of the securities included in the category by the firm.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 44]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.48

For debt securities having a credit assessment from an eligible ECAI equivalent to below investment grade and for other eligible collateral the volatility adjustments must be calculated for each individual item.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 45]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.49

A firm using the own estimates of volatility adjustments approach must estimate volatility of the collateral or foreign exchange mismatch without taking into account any correlations between the unsecured exposure, collateral and/or exchange rates.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 46]

01/01/2007

The financial collateral comprehensive method: Own estimates of volatility adjustments approach: Quantitative Criteria

BIPRU 5.4.50

In calculating the volatility adjustments, a 99th percentile one-tailed confidence interval must be used.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 47]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.51

The liquidation period is 20 business days for secured lending transactions; 5 business days for repurchase transactions except insofar as such transactions involve the transfer of commodities or guaranteed rights relating to title to commodities and securities lending or borrowing transactions; and 10 business days for other capital market-driven transactions.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 48]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.52

A firm may use volatility adjustment numbers calculated according to shorter or longer liquidation periods, scaled up or down to the liquidation period set out in BIPRU 5.4.51 R for the type of transaction in question, using the square root of time formula:
(HM = HN )√T_M/T_N)
where:

(1) T_M is the relevant liquidation period;
(2) H_M is the volatility adjustment under T_M ; and
(3) H_N is the volatility adjustment based on the liquidation period T_N.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 49]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.53

A firm must take into account the illiquidity of lower-quality assets. The liquidation period must be adjusted upwards in cases where there is doubt concerning the liquidity of the collateral. A firm must also identify where historical data may understate potential volatility, e.g. a pegged currency. Such cases must be dealt with by means of a stress scenario.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 50]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.54

The historical observation period (sample period) for calculating volatility adjustments must be a minimum length of one year. For a firm that uses a weighting scheme or other methods for the historical observation period, the effective observation period must be at least one year (that is, the weighted average time lag of the individual observations must not be less than 6 months).

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 51]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.55

The FSA may also require a firm to calculate its volatility adjustments using a shorter observation period if, in the FSA's judgement, this is justified by a significant upsurge in price volatility.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.56

A firm must update its data sets at least once every three months and must also reassess them whenever market prices are subject to material changes. This implies that volatility adjustments must be computed at least every three months.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 52]

01/01/2007

The financial collateral comprehensive method: Own estimates of volatility adjustments approach: Qualitative Criteria

BIPRU 5.4.57

The volatility estimates must be used in the day-to-day risk management process of a firm including in relation to its internal exposure limits.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 53]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.58

If the liquidation period used by a firm in its day-to-day risk management process is longer than that set out in BIPRU 5.4 for the type of transaction in question, the firm's volatility adjustments must be scaled up in accordance with the square root of time formula set out in BIPRU 5.4.52 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 54]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.59

A firm must have established procedures for monitoring and ensuring compliance with a documented set of policies and controls for the operation of its system for the estimation of volatility adjustments and for the integration of such estimations into its risk management process.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 55]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.60

An independent review of a firm's system for the estimation of volatility adjustments must be carried out regularly in the firm's own internal auditing process. A review of the overall system for the estimation of volatility adjustments and for integration of those adjustments into the firm's risk management process must take place at least once a year and must specifically address, at a minimum:

(1) the integration of estimated volatility adjustments into daily risk management;
(2) the validation of any significant change in the process for the estimation of volatility adjustments;
(3) the verification of the consistency, timeliness and reliability of data sources used to run the system for the estimation of volatility adjustments, including the independence of such data sources; and
(4) the accuracy and appropriateness of the volatility assumptions.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 56]

01/01/2007

The financial collateral comprehensive method: Scaling up of volatility adjustments

BIPRU 5.4.61

The volatility adjustments set out in BIPRU 5.4.34 R to BIPRU 5.4.43 R are the volatility adjustments to be applied where there is daily revaluation. Similarly, where a firm uses its own estimates of the volatility adjustments in accordance with BIPRU 5.4.45 R to BIPRU 5.4.60 R, these must be calculated in the first instance on the basis of daily revaluation. If the frequency of revaluation is less than daily, larger volatility adjustments must be applied. These must be calculated by scaling up the daily revaluation volatility adjustments, using the following 'square root of time' formula:
(H = H_M√(N_R + (T_M - 1))/(T_M)))
where:

(1) H is the volatility adjustment to be applied;
(2) H_M is the volatility adjustment where there is daily revaluation;
(3) N_R is the actual number of business days between revaluations; and
(4) T_M is the liquidation period for the type of transaction in question.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 57]

01/01/2007

The financial collateral comprehensive method: Conditions for applying a 0% volatility adjustment

BIPRU 5.4.62

In relation to repurchase transaction and securities lending or borrowing transactions, where a firm uses the supervisory volatility adjustments approach or the own estimates of volatility adjustments approach and where the conditions set out in (1) - (8) are satisfied, a firm may, instead of applying the volatility adjustments calculated under BIPRU 5.4.30 R to BIPRU 5.4.61 R, apply a 0% volatility adjustment:

(1) both the exposure and the collateral are cash or debt securities issued by central governments or central banks within the meaning of BIPRU 5.4.2 R (2) and eligible for a 0% risk weight under the standardised approach;
(2) both the exposure and the collateral are denominated in the same currency;
(3) either the maturity of the transaction is no more than one day or both the exposure and the collateral are subject to daily marking-to-market or daily remargining;
(4) it is considered that the time between the last marking-to-market before a failure to remargin by the counterparty and the liquidation of the collateral is no more than four business days;
(5) the transaction is settled across a settlement system proven for that type of transaction;
(6) the documentation covering the agreement is standard market documentation for repurchase transactions or securities lending or borrowing transactions in the securities concerned;
(7) the transaction is governed by documentation specifying that if the counterparty fails to satisfy an obligation to deliver cash or securities or to deliver margin or otherwise defaults, then the transaction is immediately terminable; and
(8) the counterparty is a core market participant.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 58 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.63

The option in BIPRU 5.4.62 R is not available in respect of a firm using the master netting agreement internal models approach.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 58 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.64

Core market participant means the following entities:

(1) the entities mentioned in BIPRU 5.4.2 R (2) exposures to which are assigned a 0% risk weight under the standardised approach to credit risk;
(2) institutions;
(3) other financial companies (including insurance companies) exposures which are assigned a 20% risk weight under the standardised approach;
(4) regulated CIUs that are subject to capital or leverage requirements;
(5) regulated pension funds; and
(6) a recognised clearing house or designated clearing house.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 58 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.4.65

If under the CRD implementation measure for a particular EEA State with respect to point 58 of Part 3 of Annex VIII of the Banking Consolidation Directive (Conditions for applying the 0% volatility adjustment) the treatment set out in that point is permitted to be applied in the case of repurchase transactions or securities lending or borrowing transactions in securities issued by the domestic government of that EEA State, then a firm may adopt the same approach to the same transactions.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 59]

01/01/2007

Financial collateral comprehensive method: Calculating risk-weighted exposure amounts

BIPRU 5.4.66

Under the standardised approach E^* as calculated under BIPRU 5.4.28 R must be taken as the exposure value for the purposes of BIPRU 3.2.20 R to BIPRU 3.2.26 R. In the case of off-balance sheet items listed in BIPRU 3.7, E^* must be taken as the value to which the percentages indicated in BIPRU 3.2.1 R and BIPRU 3.7.2 R must be applied to arrive at the exposure value.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 60]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.5

Other funded credit risk mitigation

01/01/2007

Deposits with third parties: Eligibility

BIPRU 5.5.1

Cash on deposit with, or cash assimilated instruments held by, a third party institution in a non-custodial arrangement and pledged to a lending firm may be recognised as eligible credit protection.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 23]

01/01/2007

Deposits with third parties: Minimum requirements

BIPRU 5.5.2

To be eligible for the treatment set out at BIPRU 5.5.3 R, the protection referred to in BIPRU 5.5.1 R must satisfy the following conditions:

(1) the borrower's claim against the third party institution is openly pledged or assigned to the lending firm and such pledge or assignment is legally effective and enforceable in all relevant jurisdictions;
(2) the third party institution is notified of the pledge or assignment;
(3) as a result of the notification, the third party institution is able to make payments solely to the lending firm or to other parties with the lending firm's consent; and
(4) the pledge or assignment is unconditional and irrevocable.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 12]

01/01/2007

Deposits with third parties: Calculating the effects of the credit risk mitigation

BIPRU 5.5.3

Where the conditions set out in BIPRU 5.5.2 R are satisfied, credit protection falling within the terms of BIPRU 5.5.1 R may be treated as a guarantee by the third party institution.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 79]

01/01/2007

Life insurance policies: Eligibility

BIPRU 5.5.4

Life insurance policies pledged to a lending firm may be recognised as eligible credit protection.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 24]

01/01/2007

Life insurance policies: Minimum requirements

BIPRU 5.5.5

For life insurance policies pledged to a lending firm to be recognised the following conditions must be met:

(1) the party providing the life insurance may be recognised as an eligible unfunded credit protection provider under BIPRU 5.7.1 R;
(2) the life insurance policy is openly pledged or assigned to the lending firm;
(3) the party providing the life insurance is notified of the pledge or assignment and as a result may not pay amounts payable under the contract without the consent of the lending firm;
(4) the declared surrender value of the policy is non-reducible;
(5) the lending firm must have the right to cancel the policy and receive the surrender value in a timely way in the event of the default of the borrower;
(6) the lending firm is informed of any non-payments under the policy by the policyholder;
(7) the credit protection must be provided for the maturity of the loan; and
(8) the pledge or assignment must be legally effective and enforceable in all jurisdictions which are relevant at the time of the conclusion of the credit agreement.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 13 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.5.6

Where it is not possible for a firm to meet the condition set out in BIPRU 5.5.5 R (7), because the insurance relationship ends before the loan relationship expires, the firm must ensure that the amount deriving from the insurance contract serves the firm as security until the end of the duration of the credit agreement.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 13 (part)]

01/01/2007

Life insurance policies: Calculating the effects of the credit risk mitigation

BIPRU 5.5.7

Where the conditions set out in BIPRU 5.5.5 R are satisfied, credit protection falling within the terms of BIPRU 5.5.4 R may be treated as a guarantee by the party providing the life insurance. The value of the credit protection recognised must be the surrender value of the life insurance policy.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 80]

01/01/2007

Instruments purchased on request: Eligibility

BIPRU 5.5.8

Instruments issued by third party institutions which will be repurchased by that institution on request may be recognised as eligible credit protection.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 25]

01/01/2007

Instruments purchased on request: Calculating the effects of the credit risk mitigation

BIPRU 5.5.9

Instruments eligible under BIPRU 5.5.8 R may be treated as a guarantee by the issuing institution.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 81]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.5.10

For the purposes of BIPRU 5.5.9 R, the value of the credit protection recognised is the following:

(1) where the instrument will be repurchased at its face value, the value of the protection is that amount; or
(2) where the instrument will be repurchased at market price, the value of the protection is the value of the instrument valued in the same way as the debt securities specified in BIPRU 5.4.5 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 82]

01/01/2007

Credit linked notes

BIPRU 5.5.11

Investments in credit linked notes issued by a lending firm may be treated as cash collateral.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 3]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6

Master netting agreements

01/01/2007

Eligibility

BIPRU 5.6.1

(1) For a firm adopting the financial collateral comprehensive method, the effects of bilateral netting contracts covering repurchase transactions, securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions, and/or other capital market-driven transactions with a counterparty may be recognised.
(2) Without prejudice to BIPRU 14 to be recognised the collateral taken and securities or commodities borrowed within such agreements must comply with the eligibility requirements for collateral set out at BIPRU 5.4.2 R to BIPRU 5.4.8 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 5]

01/01/2007

Minimum requirements

BIPRU 5.6.2

For master netting agreements covering repurchase transactions and/or securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions and/or other capital market-driven transactions to be recognised for the purposes of BIPRU 5, they must:

(1) be legally effective and enforceable in all relevant jurisdictions, including in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty;
(2) give the non-defaulting party the right to terminate and close-out in a timely manner all transactions under the agreement upon the event of default, including in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty; and
(3) provide for the netting of gains and losses on transactions closed out under a master agreement so that a single net amount is owed by one party to the other.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 4]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.3

In addition the minimum requirements for the recognition of financial collateral under the financial collateral comprehensive method set out in BIPRU 5.4.9 R must be fulfilled.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 5]

01/01/2007

Calculation of the fully adjusted exposure value: the supervisory volatility adjustments approach and the own estimates of volatility adjustments approach

BIPRU 5.6.4

BIPRU 5.6.5 R to BIPRU 5.6.11 R set out the calculation of the fully adjusted exposure value under the supervisory volatility adjustments approach and the own estimates of volatility adjustments approach.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.5

In calculating the 'fully adjusted exposure value' (E^*) for the exposures subject to an eligible master netting agreement covering repurchase transactions and/or securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions and/or other capital market-driven transactions, a firm must calculate the volatility adjustments to be applied in the manner set out in BIPRU 5.6.6 R to BIPRU 5.6.11 R either using the supervisory volatility adjustments approach or the own estimates of volatility adjustments approach as set out in BIPRU 5.4.30 R to BIPRU 5.4.65 R for the financial collateral comprehensive method. For the use of the own estimates of volatility adjustments approach the same conditions and requirements apply as under the financial collateral comprehensive method.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.6

A firm must calculate the net position in each type of security or commodity by subtracting from the total value of the securities or commodities of that type lent, sold or provided under the master netting agreement, the total value of securities or commodities of that type borrowed, purchased or received under the agreement.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 6]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.7

For the purposes of BIPRU 5.6.6 R, type of security means securities which are issued by the same entity, have the same issue date, the same maturity and are subject to the same terms and conditions and are subject to the same liquidation periods as indicated in BIPRU 5.4.30 R to BIPRU 5.4.65 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 7]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.8

A firm must calculate the net position in each currency other than the settlement currency of the master netting agreement by subtracting from the total value of securities denominated in that currency lent, sold or provided under the master netting agreement added to the amount of cash in that currency lent or transferred under the agreement, the total value of securities denominated in that currency borrowed, purchased or received under the agreement added to the amount of cash in that currency borrowed or received under the agreement.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 8]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.9

A firm must apply the volatility adjustment appropriate to a given type of security or cash position to the absolute value of the positive or negative net position in the securities of that type.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 9]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.10

A firm must apply the foreign exchange risk (fx) volatility adjustment to the net positive or negative position in each currency other than the settlement currency of the master netting agreement.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 10]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.11

E ^* must be calculated according to the following formula:
E ^* = max {0, [(Σ(E) -Σ (C)) + Σ (|net position in each security| x H_sec) + (Σ|E_fx| x H_fx)]}
where:

(1) (where risk weighted exposure amounts are calculated under the standardised approach) E is the exposure value for each separate exposure under the agreement that would apply in the absence of the credit protection;
(2) C is the value of the securities or commodities borrowed, purchased or received or the cash borrowed or received in respect of each such exposure;
(3) Σ(E) is the sum of all Es under the agreement;
(4) Σ(C) is the sum of all Cs under the agreement;
(5) E_fx is the net position (positive or negative) in a given currency other than the settlement currency of the agreement as calculated under BIPRU 5.6.8 R;
(6) H_sec is the volatility adjustment appropriate to a particular type of security;
(7) H_fx is the foreign exchange volatility adjustment; and
(8) E ^* is the fully adjusted exposure value.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 11]

01/01/2007

Calculation of the fully adjusted exposure value: the master netting agreement internal models approach

BIPRU 5.6.12

BIPRU 5.6.16 R to BIPRU 5.6.28 G apply to a firm that has a master netting agreement internal models approach permission and set out the calculation of the effects of credit risk mitigation under the master netting agreement internal models approach.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.13

A firm that wishes to use the master netting agreement internal models approach will need to apply to the FSA for a master netting agreement internal models approach permission. BIPRU 1.3 sets out the requirements and procedures relating to those applications.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.14

A master netting agreement internal models approach permission will amend, to the extent set out in the master netting agreement internal models approach permission, BIPRU 5.6.1 R so as to provide that, with the exceptions provided in BIPRU 5.6, a firm must use the master netting agreement internal models approach for the purposes of the calculations specified in BIPRU 5.6.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.15

A firm which has been granted a VaR model waiver will still need to make an application to the FSA for a master netting agreement internal models approach permission. However, the application should generally be straightforward as a firm which is able to satisfy the requirements for a VaR model waiver should usually also be able to satisfy the requirements for a master netting agreement internal models approach permission.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 14]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.16

The master netting agreement internal models approach is an alternative to using the supervisory volatility adjustments approach or the own estimates of volatility adjustments approach in calculating volatility adjustments for the purpose of calculating the 'fully adjusted exposure value' (E^*) resulting from the application of an eligible master netting agreement covering repurchase transactions, securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions and/or other capital market-driven transactions other than derivative transactions. The master netting agreement internal models approach takes into account correlation effects between security positions subject to a master netting agreement as well as the liquidity of the instruments concerned. The internal model used for the master netting agreement internal models approach must provide estimates of the potential change in value of the unsecured exposure amount (ΣE -ΣC).

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 12 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.17

A firm may also use the internal model used for the master netting agreement internal models approach for margin lending transactions if the transactions are covered under the firm's master netting agreement internal models approach permission and the transactions are covered by a bilateral master netting agreement that meets the requirements set out in BIPRU 13.7.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 12 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.18

A firm may use the master netting agreement internal models approach independently of the choice it has made between the standardised approach and the IRB approach for the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts. However, if a firm uses the master netting agreement internal models approach, it must do so for all counterparties and securities, excluding immaterial portfolios where it may use the supervisory volatility adjustments approach or the own estimates of volatility adjustments approach as set out in BIPRU 5.4.30 R to BIPRU 5.4.65 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 13]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.19

(1) A firm must be able to satisfy the FSA that the firm's risk management system for managing the risks arising on the transactions covered by the master netting agreement is conceptually sound and implemented with integrity and that, in particular, the minimum qualitative standards in (2) - (11) are met.
(2) The internal risk-measurement model used for calculation of potential price volatility for the transactions is closely integrated into the daily risk-management process of the firm and serves as the basis for reporting risk exposures to senior management of the firm.
(3) The firm has a risk control unit that is independent from business trading units and reports directly to senior management. The unit must be responsible for designing and implementing the firm's risk-management system. It must produce and analyse daily reports on the output of the risk-measurement model and on the appropriate measures to be taken in terms of position limits.
(4) The daily reports produced by the risk-control unit are reviewed by a level of management with sufficient authority to enforce reductions of positions taken and of overall risk exposure.
(5) The firm has sufficient staff skilled in the use of sophisticated models in the risk control unit.
(6) The firm has established procedures for monitoring and ensuring compliance with a documented set of internal policies and controls concerning the overall operation of the risk-measurement system.
(7) The firm's models have a proven track record of reasonable accuracy in measuring risks demonstrated through the back-testing of its output using at least one year of data.
(8) The firm frequently conducts a rigorous programme of stress testing and the results of these tests are reviewed by senior management and reflected in the policies and limits it sets.
(9) The firm must conduct, as part of its regular internal auditing process, an independent review of its risk-measurement system. This review must include both the activities of the business trading units and of the independent risk-control unit.
(10) At least once a year, the firm must conduct a review of its risk management system.
(11) The internal model used for the master netting agreement internal models approach must meet the requirements set out in BIPRU 13.6.65 R to BIPRU 13.6.67 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 16]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.20

The calculation of the potential change in value must be subject to the following minimum standards:

(1) at least daily calculation of the potential change in value;
(2) a 99th percentile, one-tailed confidence interval;
(3) a 5-day equivalent liquidation period, except in the case of transactions other than securities repurchase transaction or securities lending or borrowing transactions where a 10-day equivalent liquidation period should be used;
(4) an effective historical observation period of at least one year except where a shorter observation period is justified by a significant upsurge in price volatility; and
(5) three-monthly data set updates.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 17]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.21

The internal risk-measurement model must capture a sufficient number of risk factors in order to capture all material price risks.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 18]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.22

A firm may use empirical correlations within risk categories and across risk categories provided that it is able to satisfy the FSA that the firm's system for measuring correlations is sound and implemented with integrity.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 19]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.23

The FSA will not grant a master netting agreement internal models approach permission if it is not satisfied that the standards in BIPRU 5.6.19 R to BIPRU 5.6.22 R are met.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.24

The fully adjusted exposure value (E^*) for a firm using the master netting agreement internal models approach must be calculated according to the following formula:
E ^* = max {0, [(ΣE -ΣC) + (VaR output of the internal models)]}
where

(1) (where risk weighted exposure amounts are calculated under the standardised approach) E is the exposure value for each separate exposure under the agreement that would apply in the absence of the credit protection;
(2) C is the value of the securities borrowed, purchased or received or the cash borrowed or received in respect of each such exposure;
(3) Σ (E) is the sum of all Es under the agreement; and
(4) Σ (C) is the sum of all Cs under the agreement.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 20]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.25

In calculating risk weighted exposure amounts using the master netting agreement internal models approach, a firm must use the previous business day's model output.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 21]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.26

No changes should be made to the internal model used for the master netting agreement internal models approach unless the change is not material. Material changes to such a model will require a variation of the master netting agreement internal models approach permission. Materiality is measured against the model as it was at the time that the master netting agreement internal models approach permission was originally granted or, any later date set out in the master netting agreement internal models approach permission for this purpose. If a firm is considering making material changes to such a model then it should notify the FSA at once.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.27

If a firm ceases to meet the requirements of BIPRU 5 in relation to the master netting agreement internal models approach, the firm should notify the FSA at once.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.6.28

The FSA is likely to revoke a master netting agreement internal models approach permission if a firm ceases to meet the requirements of BIPRU 5 in relation to the master netting agreement internal models approach.

01/01/2007

Calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts under the standardised approach

BIPRU 5.6.29

(1) A firm must under the standardised approach calculate risk weighted exposure amounts for repurchase transactions and/or securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions and/or other capital market-driven transactions covered by master netting agreements under this rule.
(2) E ^* as calculated under BIPRU 5.6.5 R to BIPRU 5.6.25 R must be taken as the exposure value of the exposure to the counterparty arising from the transactions subject to the master netting agreement for the purposes of BIPRU 3.2.20 R to BIPRU 3.2.26 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 22]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.7

Unfunded credit protection

01/01/2007

Eligibility

BIPRU 5.7.1

The following parties may be recognised as eligible providers of unfunded credit protection:

(1) central governments and central banks;
(2) regional governments or local authorities;
(3) multilateral development banks;
(4) international organisations exposures which are assigned a 0% risk weight under the standardised approach;
(5) public sector entities, claims on which are treated as claims on institutions or central governments under the standardised approach;
(6) institutions;
(7) other corporate entities, including parent undertakings, subsidiary undertakings and affiliate corporate entities of the firm, that have a credit assessment by an eligible ECAI associated with credit quality step 2 or above under the rules for the risk weighting of exposures to corporates under the standardised approach.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 26]

01/01/2007

Types of credit derivatives

BIPRU 5.7.2

The following types of credit derivatives, and instruments that may be composed of such credit derivatives or that are economically effectively similar, may be recognised as eligible;

(1) credit default swaps;
(2) total return swaps; and
(3) credit linked notes to the extent of their cash funding.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 30]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.7.3

Where a firm buys credit protection through a total return swap and records the net payments received on the swap as net income, but does not record offsetting deterioration in the value of the asset that is protected (either through reductions in fair value or by an addition to reserves), the credit protection must not be recognised as eligible.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 31]

01/01/2007

Internal hedges

BIPRU 5.7.4

When a firm conducts an internal hedge using a credit derivative - i.e. hedges the credit risk of an exposure in the non-trading book with a credit derivative booked in the trading book - in order for the protection to be recognised as eligible for the purposes of BIPRU 4.10 or BIPRU 5 the credit risk transferred to the trading book must be transferred out to a third party or parties. In such circumstances, subject to the compliance of such transfer with the requirements for the recognition of credit risk mitigation set out in BIPRU 4.10 or BIPRU 5, the rules for the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts where unfunded credit protection is acquired set out in BIPRU 4.10 or BIPRU 5 must be applied.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 1 point 32]

01/01/2007

Minimum requirements: General

BIPRU 5.7.5

BIPRU 5.7.6 R to BIPRU 5.7.10 R deal with requirements common to guarantees and credit derivatives.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.7.6

Subject to BIPRU 5.7.9 R, for the credit protection deriving from a guarantee or credit derivative to be recognised the following conditions must be met:

(1) the credit protection must be direct;
(2) the extent of the credit protection must be clearly defined and incontrovertible;
(3) the credit protection contract must not contain any clause, the fulfilment of which is outside the direct control of the lender, that:

(a) would allow the protection provider unilaterally to cancel the protection;
(b) would increase the effective cost of protection as a result of deteriorating credit quality of the protected exposure;
(c) could prevent the protection provider from being obliged to pay out in a timely manner in the event that the original obligor fails to make any payments due; or
(d) could allow the maturity of the credit protection to be reduced by the protection provider; and

(4) it must be legally effective and enforceable in all jurisdictions which are relevant at the time of the conclusion of the credit agreement.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 14]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.7.7

For the purposes of BIPRU 5.7.6 R (3)(a), payment of premiums and other monies due under the contract is within the control of the lending firm. So a clause that allows the protection provider unilaterally to cancel the contract after a reasonable period due to non payment of such monies will not mean that the condition in that rule is not met.

01/01/2007

Minimum requirements: Operational requirements

BIPRU 5.7.8

A firm must be able to satisfy the FSA that it has systems in place to manage potential concentration of risk arising from the firm's use of guarantees and credit derivatives. The firm must be able to demonstrate how its strategy in respect of its use of credit derivatives and guarantees interacts with its management of its overall risk profile.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 15]

01/01/2007

Minimum requirements: Sovereign and other public sector counter-guarantees

BIPRU 5.7.9

Where an exposure is protected by a guarantee which is counter-guaranteed by a central government or central bank, a regional government or local authority or a public sector entity claims on which are treated as claims on the central government in whose jurisdiction they are established under the standardised approach, a multilateral development bank to which a 0% risk weight is assigned under or by virtue of the standardised approach, or a public sector entity claims on which are treated as claims on credit institutions under the standardised approach, the exposure may be treated as protected by a guarantee provided by the entity in question provided the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) the counter-guarantee covers all credit risk elements of the claim;
(2) both the original guarantee and the counter-guarantee meet the requirements for guarantees set out in BIPRU 5.7.6 R, BIPRU 5.7.8 R and BIPRU 5.7.11 R, except that the counter-guarantee need not be direct; and
(3) the firm is able to satisfy the FSA that the cover is robust and that nothing in the historical evidence suggests that the coverage of the counter-guarantee is less than effectively equivalent to that of a direct guarantee by the entity in question.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 16]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.7.10

The treatment of BIPRU 5.7.9 R applies, also, to an exposure which is not counter-guaranteed by an entity listed in that rule if the exposure's counter-guarantee is in its turn directly guaranteed by one of the listed entities and the conditions listed in BIPRU 5.7.9 R are satisfied.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 17]

01/01/2007

Additional requirements for guarantees

BIPRU 5.7.11

For a guarantee to be recognised the following conditions must also be met:

(1) on the qualifying default of and/or non-payment by the counterparty, the lending firm must have the right to pursue, in a timely manner, the guarantor for any monies due under the claim in respect of which the protection is provided;
(2) payment by the guarantor must not be subject to the lending firm first having to pursue the obligor;
(3) in the case of unfunded credit protection covering residential mortgage loans, the requirements in BIPRU 5.7.6 R (3)(c) and in this rule have only to be satisfied within 24 months;
(4) the guarantee must be an explicitly documented obligation assumed by the guarantor;
(5) subject to (6), the guarantee must cover all types of payments the obligor is expected to make in respect of the claim; and
(6) where certain types of payment are excluded from the guarantee, the recognised value of the guarantee must be adjusted to reflect the limited coverage.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 18]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.7.12

In the case of guarantees provided in the context of mutual guarantee schemes recognised for these purposes by another EEA competent authority under a CRD implementation measure with respect to point 19 of Part 2 of Annex VIII of the Banking Consolidation Directive or provided by or counter-guaranteed by entities referred to in BIPRU 5.7.9 R, the requirements in BIPRU 5.7.11 R (1) - (3) will be satisfied where either of the following conditions are met:

(1) the lending firm has the right to obtain in a timely manner a provisional payment by the guarantor calculated to represent a robust estimate of the amount of the economic loss, including losses resulting from the non-payment of interest and other types of payment which the borrower is obliged to make, likely to be incurred by the lending firm proportional to the coverage of the guarantee; or
(2) the lending firm is able to demonstrate to the FSA that the loss-protecting effects of the guarantee, including losses resulting from the non-payment of interest and other types of payments which the borrower is obliged to make, justify such treatment.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 19]

01/01/2007

Additional requirements for credit derivatives

BIPRU 5.7.13

For a credit derivative to be met the following conditions must also be met.

(1) Subject to (2), the credit events specified under the credit derivative must at a minimum include:

(a) the failure to pay the amounts due under the terms of the underlying obligation that are in effect at the time of such failure (with a grace period that is closely in line with or shorter than the grace period in the underlying obligation);
(b) the bankruptcy, insolvency or inability of the obligor to pay its debts, or its failure or admission in writing of its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due, and analogous events; and
(c) the restructuring of the underlying obligation involving forgiveness or postponement of principal, interest or fees that results in a credit loss event (i.e. value adjustment or other similar debit to the profit and loss account).

(2) Where the credit events specified under the credit derivative do not include restructuring of the underlying obligation as described in (1)(c), the credit protection may nonetheless be recognised subject to a reduction in the recognised value as specified in BIPRU 5.7.16 R.
(3) In the case of credit derivatives allowing for cash settlement a robust valuation process must be in place in order to estimate loss reliably. There must be a clearly specified period for obtaining post-credit-event valuations of the underlying obligation.
(4) If the protection purchaser's right and ability to transfer the underlying obligation to the protection provider is required for settlement, the terms of the underlying obligation must provide that any required consent to such transfer may not be unreasonably withheld.
(5) The identity of the parties responsible for determining whether a credit event has occurred must be clearly defined. This determination must not be the sole responsibility of the protection provider. The protection buyer must have the right/ability to inform the protection provider of the occurrence of a credit event.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 20]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.7.14

A mismatch between the underlying obligation and the reference obligation under the credit derivative (i.e. the obligation used for the purposes of determining cash settlement value or the deliverable obligation) or between the underlying obligation and the obligation used for purposes of determining whether a credit event has occurred is permissible only if the following conditions are met:

(1) the reference obligation or the obligation used for purposes of determining whether a credit event has occurred, as the case may be, ranks pari passu with or is junior to the underlying obligation; and
(2) the underlying obligation and the reference obligation or the obligation used for purposes of determining whether a credit event has occurred, as the case may be, share the same obligor (i.e., the same legal entity) and there are in place legally enforceable cross-default or cross-acceleration clauses.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 2 point 21]

01/01/2007

Unfunded credit protection: Valuation

BIPRU 5.7.15

BIPRU 5.7.16 R to BIPRU 5.7.19 R set out the provisions applying to the valuation of unfunded credit protection.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.7.16

(1) The value of unfunded credit protection (G) is the amount that the protection provider has undertaken to pay in the event of the default or non-payment of the borrower or on the occurrence of other specified credit events.
(2) In the case of credit derivatives which do not include as a credit event restructuring of the underlying obligation involving forgiveness or postponement of principal, interest or fees that result in a credit loss event (e.g. value adjustment, the making of a value adjustment or other similar debit to the profit and loss account):

(a) where the amount that the protection provider has undertaken to pay is not higher than the exposure value, the value of the credit protection calculated under (1) must be reduced by 40%; or
(b) where the amount that the protection provider has undertaken to pay is higher than the exposure value, the value of the credit protection must be no higher than 60% of the exposure value.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 83]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.7.17

Where unfunded credit protection is denominated in a currency different from that in which the exposure is denominated (a currency mismatch) the value of the credit protection must be reduced by the application of a volatility adjustment H_FX as follows:
G^* = G x (1-H_FX)
where:

(1) G is the nominal amount of the credit protection;
(2) G^* is G adjusted for any foreign currency risk; and
(3) H_fx is the volatility adjustment for any currency mismatch between the credit protection and the underlying obligation.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 84 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.7.18

Where there is no currency mismatch:
G^* = G

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 84 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.7.19

The volatility adjustments to be applied for any currency mismatch may be calculated based on the supervisory volatility adjustments approach or the own estimates of volatility adjustments approach as set out in BIPRU 5.4.30 R to BIPRU 5.4.65 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 85]

01/01/2007

Calculating risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts

BIPRU 5.7.20

BIPRU 5.7.21 R to BIPRU 5.7.28 R set out the provisions applying to the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts.

01/01/2007

Calculating risk weighted exposure amounts: Partial protection - tranching

BIPRU 5.7.21

Where a firm transfers a part of the risk of a loan in one or more tranches, BIPRU 9 applies. Materiality thresholds on payments below which no payment shall be made in the event of loss are considered to be equivalent to retained first loss positions and to give rise to a tranched transfer of risk.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 86]

01/01/2007

Calculating risk-weighted exposure amounts : The standardised approach

BIPRU 5.7.22

BIPRU 5.7.23 R to BIPRU 5.7.25 R set out the provisions applying to the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts under the standardised approach in the case of unfunded credit protection.

01/01/2007

Calculating risk weighted exposure amounts: standardised approach: Full protection

BIPRU 5.7.23

For the purposes of BIPRU 3.2.20 R to BIPRU 3.2.26 R, g shall be the risk weight to be assigned to an exposure which is fully protected by unfunded credit protection (G_A), where:

(1) g is the risk weight of exposures to the protection provider as specified under the standardised approach; and
(2) G_A is the value of G^* as calculated under BIPRU 5.7.17 R further adjusted for any maturity mismatch as laid down in BIPRU 5.8.

01/01/2007

Calculating risk weighted exposure amounts: Standardised approach: Partial protection - equal seniority

BIPRU 5.7.24

Where the protected amount is less than the exposure value and the protected and unprotected portions are of equal seniority - ie the firm and the protection provider share losses on a pro-rata basis, proportional regulatory capital relief is afforded. For the purposes of BIPRU 3.2.20 R to BIPRU 3.2.26 R risk weighted exposure amounts must be calculated in accordance with the following formula:
(E-G_A) x r + G_A x g
where:

(1) E is the exposure value;
(2) G_A is the value of G^* as calculated under BIPRU 5.7.17 R further adjusted for any maturity mismatch as laid down in BIPRU 5.8;
(3) r is the risk weight of exposures to the obligor as specified under the standardised approach; and
(4) g is the risk weight of exposures to the protection provider as specified under the standardised approach.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 88]

01/01/2007

Calculating risk weighted exposure amounts: standardised approach: Sovereign guarantees

BIPRU 5.7.25

A firm may apply the treatment provided for in BIPRU 3.4.5 R to BIPRU 3.4.7 R to exposures or parts of exposures guaranteed by the central government or central bank, where the guarantee is denominated in the domestic currency of the borrower and the exposure is funded in that currency.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 3 point 89]

01/01/2007

Calculating risk-weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts: Basket CRM techniques

BIPRU 5.7.26

BIPRU 5.7.27 R to BIPRU 5.7.28 R set out the provisions applying to the calculation of risk weighted exposure amount and expected loss amounts where basket credit risk mitigation techniques are used.

01/01/2007

First-to-default credit derivatives

BIPRU 5.7.27

Where a firm obtains credit protection for a number of exposures under terms that the first default among the exposures will trigger payment and that this credit event will terminate the contract, the firm may modify the calculation of the risk weighted exposure amount and, as relevant, the expected loss amount of the exposure which would in the absence of the credit protection produce the lowest risk weighted exposure amount under the standardised approach or the IRB approach as appropriate in accordance with BIPRU 4.10 or BIPRU 5, but only if the exposure value is less than or equal to the value of the credit protection.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 6 point 1]

01/01/2007

Nth-to-default credit derivatives

BIPRU 5.7.28

Where the nth default among the exposures triggers payment under the credit protection provided by a credit derivative, a firm purchasing the protection may only recognise the protection for the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts and, as relevant, expected loss amounts if protection has also been obtained for defaults 1 to n-1 or when n-1 defaults have already occurred. In such cases the methodology must follow that set out in BIPRU 5.7.27 R for first-to-default derivatives appropriately modified for nth-to-default products.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 6 point 2]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.8

Maturity mismatches

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.8.1

For the purposes of calculating risk weighted exposure amounts, a maturity mismatch occurs when the residual maturity of the credit protection is less than that of the protected exposure. Protection of less than three months residual maturity, the maturity of which is less than the maturity of the underlying exposure, must not be recognised.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 4 point 1]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.8.2

Where there is a maturity mismatch the credit protection must not be recognised where the original maturity of the protection is less than 1 year.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 4 point 2 (part)]

01/01/2007

Definition of maturity

BIPRU 5.8.3

Subject to a maximum of 5 years, the effective maturity of the underlying is the longest possible remaining time before the obligor is scheduled to fulfil its obligations. Subject to BIPRU 5.8.4 R, the maturity of the credit protection is the time to the earliest date at which the protection may terminate or be terminated.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 4 point 3]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.8.4

Where there is an option to terminate the protection which is at the discretion of the protection seller, the maturity of the protection must be taken to be the time to the earliest date at which that option may be exercised. Where there is an option to terminate the protection which is at the discretion of the protection buyer and the terms of the arrangement at origination of the protection contain a positive incentive for the firm to call the transaction before contractual maturity, the maturity of the protection must be taken to be the time to the earliest date at which that option may be exercised; otherwise such an option may be considered not to affect the maturity of the protection.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 4 point 4]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.8.5

Where a credit derivative is not prevented from terminating prior to expiration of any grace period required for a default on the underlying obligation to occur as a result of a failure to pay the maturity of the protection must be reduced by the amount of the grace period.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 4 point 5]

01/01/2007

Valuation of protection: Transactions subject to funded credit protection - financial collateral simple method

BIPRU 5.8.6

BIPRU 5.8.7 R sets out the calculation for the valuation of transactions subject to funded credit protection under the financial collateral simple method.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.8.7

Where there is a mismatch between the maturity of the exposure and the maturity of the protection, the collateral must not be recognised.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 4 point 6]

01/01/2007

Valuation of protection: Transactions subject to funded credit protection - financial collateral comprehensive method

BIPRU 5.8.8

BIPRU 5.8.9 R sets out the calculation for the valuation of transactions subject to funded credit protection under the financial collateral comprehensive method.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.8.9

(1) The maturity of the credit protection and that of the exposure must be reflected in the adjusted value of the collateral according to the following formula:
C_VAM = C_VA x (t-t^*)/(T-t^*)
where:

(a) C_VA is the volatility adjusted value of the collateral as specified in BIPRU 5.4.28 R or the amount of the exposure, whichever is the lowest;
(b) t is the number of years remaining to the maturity date of the credit protection calculated in accordance with BIPRU 5.8.3 R to BIPRU 5.8.5 R, or the value of T, whichever is the lower;
(c) T is the number of years remaining to the maturity date of the exposure calculated in accordance with BIPRU 5.8.3 R to BIPRU 5.8.5 R, or 5 years, whichever is the lower; and
(d) t^* is 0.25.

(2) C_VAM must be taken as C_VA further adjusted for maturity mismatch to be included in the formula for the calculation of the fully adjusted value of the exposure (E^*) set out at BIPRU 5.4.28 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 4 point 7]

01/01/2007

Valuation of protection: Transactions subject to unfunded credit protection

BIPRU 5.8.10

BIPRU 5.8.11 R sets out the calculation for the valuation of transactions subject to unfunded credit protection.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.8.11

(1) The maturity of the credit protection and that of the exposure must be reflected in the adjusted value of the credit protection according to the following formula:
G_A = G^* x (t-t^*)/(T-t^*)
where:

(a) G^* is the amount of the protection adjusted for any currency mismatch;
(b) G_A is G^* adjusted for any maturity mismatch;
(c) t is the number of years remaining to the maturity date of the credit protection calculated in accordance with BIPRU 5.8.3 R to BIPRU 5.8.5 R, or the value of T, whichever is the lower;
(d) T is the number of years remaining to the maturity date of the exposure calculated in accordance with BIPRU 5.8.3 R to BIPRU 5.8.5 R, or 5 years, whichever is the lower; and
(e) t^* is 0.25.

(2) G_A is then taken as the value of the protection for the purposes of BIPRU 5.7.16 R to BIPRU 5.7.25 R.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 4 point 8]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.9

Combinations of credit risk mitigation in the standardised approach

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.9.1

In the case where a firm calculating risk weighted exposure amounts under the standardised approach has more than one form of credit risk mitigation covering a single exposure (e.g. a firm has both collateral and a guarantee partially covering an exposure), the firm must subdivide the exposure into parts covered by each type of credit risk mitigation tool (e.g. a part covered by collateral and a portion covered by guarantee) and the risk weighted exposure amount for each portion must be calculated separately in accordance with the provisions of the standardised approach and BIPRU 5.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 5 point 1]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 5.9.2

When credit protection provided by a single protection provider has differing maturities, a similar approach to that described in BIPRU 5.9.1 R must be applied.

[Note: BCD Annex VIII Part 5 point 2]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6

Operational risk

BIPRU 6.1

Operational risk: Application and purpose

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 6.1.1

BIPRU 6 applies to a BIPRU firm except for:

(1) a BIPRU limited licence firm; and
(2) a BIPRU limited activity firm.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.1.2

A BIPRU limited licence firm or BIPRU limited activity firm that wishes to calculate an operational risk capital requirement in accordance with this chapter for the purposes of its capital resources requirement should apply for a waiver to modify GENPRU 1.1 or seek a variation to its permission so that it is treated as a full scope BIPRU investment firm.

01/01/2007

Purpose

BIPRU 6.1.3

The purpose of BIPRU 6 is:

(1) to detail the requirement to hold capital to cover operational risk losses and have appropriate systems and controls in place to manage operational risk; and
(2) to explain how to calculate the operational risk capital requirement, or ORCR.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.1.4

BIPRU 6 implements:

(1) Articles 102 to 104;
(2) Article 105, in part; and
(3) Annex X;

of the Banking Consolidation Directive.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.2

Operational risk: Methodologies and systems

01/01/2007

The definition of ORCR

BIPRU 6.2.1

The operational risk capital requirement (ORCR) for a firm is an amount calculated in accordance with:

(1) the basic indicator approach (see BIPRU 6.3); or
(2) the standardised approach (see BIPRU 6.4).

[Note: BCD Article 102(1)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.2.2

The simplest method of calculating the ORCR is the basic indicator approach and a firm should use this approach if it does not, or is not permitted to, use another approach.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.2.3

A firm does not need a waiver to use the standardised approach. However there are eligibility conditions that a firm should satisfy if it is to use this approach. If it does not satisfy them, it should not use this approach.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.2.4

A firm may apply to the FSA for a waiver from BIPRU 6.2.1 R in order to use its own advanced measurement approach for the calculation of its ORCR (see BIPRU 6.5). If the waiver is granted, the ORCR will be an amount determined in accordance with such waiver.

[Note: BCD Article 105(1)]

01/01/2007

Restrictions on changing the approach used for calculating ORCR

BIPRU 6.2.5

A firm that calculates its ORCR using the standardised approach must not change to calculating its ORCR using the basic indicator approach.

[Note: BCD Article 102(2) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.2.6

A firm may apply to the FSA for a waiver from BIPRU 6.2.5 R where it can demonstrate good cause for changing to the basic indicator approach.

[Note: BCD Article 102(2) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.2.7

[to follow]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.2.8

A firm may apply to the FSA for a waiver from BIPRU 6.2.7 R where it can demonstrate good cause for changing to the standardised approach or the basic indicator approach as the case may be.

[Note: BCD Article 102(3) (part)]

01/01/2007

Combination of different methodologies

BIPRU 6.2.9

[to follow]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.2.10

Where a firm's AMA permission allows it to use an advanced measurement approach in combination with either the basic indicator approach or the standardised approach, the FSA may impose additional conditions on a case by case basis as follows:

(1) on the date of implementation of an advanced measurement approach, a significant part of the firm's operational risks are captured by the advanced measurement approach; and
(2) the firm is obliged to roll out the advanced measurement approach to a material part of its operations within a time schedule set out in its AMA permission.

[Note: BCD Annex X, Part 4 point 2]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.2.11

A firm applying for an AMA permission to use a combination of different approaches must be able to show that:

(1) at the date of implementation of the advanced measurement approach, approximately 50% (or more) of the firm's operational risk is captured under the AMA; and
(2) the firm has committed to roll out the advanced measurement approach for around 85% (or more) of its operational risk, subject to the remaining percentage not being concentrated in a single operation, within a timescale set out in the AMA permission.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.2.12

For the determination of its ORCR, a firm must not use any of the following combinations of methodologies:

(1) the basic indicator approach with the standardised approach;
(2) the basic indicator approach with the alternative standardised approach; or
(3) the standardised approach with the alternative standardised approach for the same business line.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.2.13

A firm may apply to the FSA for a waiver from BIPRU 6.2.12 R (1) and BIPRU 6.2.12 R (2) in exceptional circumstances, such as the recent acquisition of new business, which require a transition period for the roll out of the standardised approach (or the alternative standardised approach). In this event, a firm will need to make a commitment to roll out the standardised approach (or the alternative standardised approach) within a time schedule agreed with the FSA.

[Note: BCD Annex X, Part 4 points 3 and 4]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.3

Operational risk: Basic indicator approach

01/01/2007

ORCR

BIPRU 6.3.1

The ORCR under the basic indicator approach is equal to 15% of the relevant indicator defined in this section.

[Note: BCD Article 103 and Annex X, Part 1 point 1]

01/01/2007

Relevant indicator: General

BIPRU 6.3.2

(1) The relevant indicator is the three-year average of the sum of:

(a) a firm's net interest income; and
(b) a firm's net non-interest income.

(2) The three-year average must be calculated on the basis of the last three yearly observations at the end of the financial year. When audited figures are not available, business estimates may be used.
(3) If for any given observation, the sum of a firm's net interest income and net non-interest income is negative or equal to zero, this figure must be excluded from both the numerator and denominator when calculating the three year average. The relevant indicator must be calculated as the sum of the positive figures divided by the number of positive figures.

[Note: BCD Annex X, Part 1 points 2 to 4]

01/01/2007

Relevant indicator: An example calculation

BIPRU 6.3.3

If a firm has:

(1) two positive yearly relevant indicators of £20 each; and
(2) the final yearly observation shows a negative figure of £5; then

the relevant indicator is calculated as £20, being £40 (sum of positive figures) divided by 2 (number of positive figures).

01/01/2007

Relevant indicator: Insufficient income data

BIPRU 6.3.4

A firm that does not have sufficient income data to meet the three-year requirement (e.g. a start-up) may use its forecasted gross income projections for all or part of the three year time period when calculating its relevant indicator.

01/01/2007

Relevant indicator: Application of accounting categories

BIPRU 6.3.5

(1) This rule applies to a firm that is subject to the Bank Accounts Directive.
(2) Based on accounting categories for the profit and loss account of credit institutions under Article 27 of the Bank Accounts Directive, the relevant indicator in BIPRU 6.3.2 R must be expressed as the sum of the elements listed in the table in BIPRU 6.3.6 R.
(3) Each element in the table in BIPRU 6.3.6 R must be included in the sum with its positive or negative sign.

[Note: BCD Annex X, Part 1 point 5]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.3.6

Table: Relevant indicators This table belongs to BIPRU 6.3.5 R

Interest receivable and similar income

Interest payable and similar charges

Income from shares and other variable/fixed-yield securities.

Commissions/fees receivable

Commission/fees payable

Net profit or net loss on financial operations

Other operating income

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.3.7

Income from a participation held in an undertaking by the firm or a subsidiary undertaking of the firm should not be included in the relevant indicator calculations, to ensure that intra-group dividends and other intra-group income flows are not double counted.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.3.8

Income received under an operating lease should be included as gross income less depreciation, not as gross rental income.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.3.9

(1) If a firm considers that, due to exceptional circumstances, using a three year average to calculate the relevant indicator would lead to a major overestimation of its ORCR, the firm may apply for a waiver from BIPRU 6.3.2 R.
(2) Exceptional circumstances might include stopping or selling a major business line.

01/01/2007

Qualifications

BIPRU 6.3.10

(1) The relevant indicator for the basic indicator approach must be calculated before the deduction of any provisions and operating expenses.
(2) Operating expenses must include fees paid for outsourcing services rendered by third parties which are not a parent undertaking or subsidiary undertaking of the firm or a subsidiary undertaking of a parent undertaking which is also the parent undertaking of the firm. Expenditure on the outsourcing of services rendered by third parties may reduce the relevant indicator if the expenditure is incurred by an undertaking subject to supervision under, or equivalent to, the Banking Consolidation Directive.

[Note: BCD Annex X, Part 1 point 7]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.3.11

The definition of 'outsourcing' for the purposes of BIPRU 6.3.10 R (2) is set out in detail in a Joint Forum paper of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision entitled "Outsourcing in Financial Services" dated February 2005 and can be summarised as meaning a firm's use of a third party to perform activities on a continuing basis that would normally be undertaken by the firm, now or in the future and can be the initial transfer of an activity (or part of that activity) from the firm to a third party or a further transfer of an activity (or part thereof) from one third party service provider to another.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.3.12

The following elements must not be used in the calculation of the relevant indicator:

(1) realised profits/losses from the sale of non-trading book items;
(2) income from extraordinary or irregular items; and
(3) income derived from insurance.

[Note: BCD Annex X, Part 1 point 8 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.3.13

When revaluation of trading items is part of the profit and loss statement, revaluation may be included in the calculation of the relevant indicator.

[Note: BCD Annex X, Part 1 point 8 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.3.14

When Article 36(2) of the Bank Accounts Directive is applied, revaluation booked in the profit and loss account must be included in the calculation of the relevant indicator.

[Note: BCD Annex X, Part 1 point 8 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.3.15

When a firm is subject to an accounting framework different from the one established by the Bank Accounts Directive, it must calculate the relevant income indicator on the basis of internal data that best reflect the definition in this section.

[Note: BCD Annex X, Part 1 points 6 and 9]

01/01/2007

General risk management standards

BIPRU 6.3.16

In common with all BIPRU firms, a firm calculating its ORCR using the basic indicator approach is required to meet the general risk management standards set out in SYSC 4.1.1 R to SYSC 4.1.2 R and SYSC 7.1.16 R.

06/04/2007

BIPRU 6.4

Operational risk: Standardised approach

01/01/2007

Eligibility

BIPRU 6.4.1

(1) To be eligible for the standardised approach, a firm must meet the qualifying criteria set out in this rule, in addition to the general risk management standards set out in SYSC 4.1.1 R to SYSC 4.1.2 R and SYSC 7.1.16 R .
(2) A firm must have a well-documented assessment and management system for operational risk with clear responsibilities for the system assigned within the firm. The system must identify the firm's exposures to operational risk and track relevant operational risk data, including material loss data.
(3) A firm's operational risk assessment and management system must be subject to regular independent review.
(4) A firm's operational risk assessment system must be closely integrated into the firm's risk management processes. Its output must be an integral part of the process of monitoring and controlling the firm's operational risk profile.
(5) A firm must implement a system of management reporting that provides operational risk reports to relevant functions within the firm. A firm must have procedures in place for taking appropriate action in response to the information contained in such reports.

[Note: BCD Article 104(6) and Annex X, Part 2 point 12 (part)]

06/04/2007

BIPRU 6.4.2

A firm must comply with the criteria in BIPRU 6.4.1 R having regard to the size and scale of its activities and to the principle of proportionality.

[Note: BCD Annex X, Part 2 point 12 (part)]

01/01/2007

Business lines

BIPRU 6.4.3

Under the standardised approach, a firm must divide its activities into a number of business lines as set out in this section.

[Note: BCD Article 104(1)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.4.4

The list of activities in BIPRU 6.4.15 R is not a complete definition of the activities within a business line and it may be possible for an activity to be allocated to a business line other than the one to which it is attributed in BIPRU 6.4.15 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.4.5

For each business line, a firm must calculate a capital requirement for operational risk as a certain percentage of a relevant indicator, in accordance with the rules in this section.

[Note: BCD Article 104(2)]

01/01/2007

ORCR calculated using the standardised approach

BIPRU 6.4.6

The ORCR under the standardised approach is the average over three years of the risk weighted relevant indicators calculated each year across the business lines in BIPRU 6.4.15 R.

[Note: BCD Annex X, Part 2 point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.4.7

In each year, a negative capital requirement in one business line, resulting from a negative relevant indicator, may be imputed to the whole. However, where the aggregate capital charge across all business lines within a given year is negative, then the input to the average for that year must be zero.

[Note: BCD Annex X, Part 2 point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.4.8

(1) If a firm considers that, due to exceptional circumstances, using a three year average to calculate the relevant indicator would lead to a major overestimation of its ORCR, the firm may apply for a waiver from BIPRU 6.4.5 R.
(2) Exceptional circumstances might include stopping or selling a major business line.

01/01/2007

Relevant indicator

BIPRU 6.4.9

The three year average in BIPRU 6.4.6 R must be calculated on the basis of the last three twelve monthly observations at the end of the financial year. When audited figures are not available, business estimates may be used.

[Note: BCD Annex X, Part 2 point 2]

01/01/2007

Principles for business line mapping

BIPRU 6.4.10

A firm must develop and document specific policies and criteria for mapping the relevant indicator for current business lines and activities into the framework for the standardised approach. The criteria must be reviewed and adjusted for new or changing business activities and risks as appropriate.

[Note: BCD Annex X, Part 2 point 4 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.4.11

(1) The principles for business line mapping that a firm must meet are set out in this rule.
(2) All activities must be mapped into the business lines in a mutually exclusive and jointly exhaustive manner.
(3) Any activity which cannot be readily mapped into the business line framework, but which represents an ancillary function to an activity included in the framework, must be allocated to the business line it supports. If more than one business line is supported through the ancillary activity, an objective mapping criterion must be used (e.g., proportional allocation of the indicators).
(4) If an activity cannot be mapped into a particular business line then the business line yielding the highest charge for the firm must be used. The same business line equally applies to any associated ancillary activity.
(5) A firm may use internal pricing methods to allocate the relevant indicator between business lines.
(6) The mapping of activities into business lines for operational risk capital purposes must be consistent with the definitions of business lines used by the firm for credit and market risks.
(7) Senior management must be responsible for the mapping policy.
(8) The mapping process to business lines must be subject to independent review.

[Note: BCD Annex X, Part 2 point 4 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.4.12

A firm that is mapping activities to a business line should take into account:

(1) the activities listed in respect of each business line in the table in BIPRU 6.4.15 R; and
(2) the organisation of the firm's business in respect of that business line.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.4.13

A firm should take into account its business and organisation when mapping activities to the business lines in the table in BIPRU 6.4.15 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.4.14

For the purposes of BIPRU 6.4.11 R (5), costs generated in one business line which are imputable to a different business line may be reallocated to the business line to which they pertain, for instance by using a treatment based on internal transfer costs between two business lines.

[Note: BCD Annex X, Part 2 point 4 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.4.15

Table: Percentages applying to the income indicator of individual business lines
This table belongs to BIPRU 6.4.3 R

Business line

List of activities

Percentage

Corporate finance

•Underwriting of financial instruments and/or placing of financial instruments on a firm commitment basis

•Services related to underwriting

•Investment advice

•Advice to undertakings on capital structure, industrial strategy and related matters and advice and services relating to the mergers and the purchase of undertakings

•Investment research and financial analysis and other forms of general recommendation relating to transactions in financial instruments

18%

Trading and sales

•Dealing on own account

•Money broking

•Reception and transmission of orders in relation to one or more financial instruments

•Execution of orders on behalf of clients

•Placing of financial instruments on a best efforts basis

•Operation of multilateral trading facilities

18%

Retail brokerage
(Activities with individual physical persons or with a retail SME as defined under the standardised approach to credit risk)

•Reception and transmission of orders in relation to one or more financial instruments

•Execution of orders of behalf of clients

•Placing of financial instruments without a firm commitment basis

12%

Commercial banking

•Acceptance of deposits and other repayable funds

•Lending

•Financial leasing

•Guarantees and commitments

15%

Retail banking
(Activities with an individual physical persons or with a retail SME as defined under the standardised approach to credit risk)

•Acceptance of deposits and other repayable funds

•Lending

•Financial leasing

•Guarantees and commitments

12%

Payment and settlement

•Money transmission services

•Issuing and administering means of payment

18%

Agency services

•Safekeeping and administration of financial instruments for the account of clients including custodianship and related services such as cash/collateral management

15%

Asset management

•Portfolio management

•UCITS management and other forms of asset management

12%

01/01/2007

The alternative standardised approach

BIPRU 6.4.16

Under the alternative standardised approach, a firm using the standardised approach may use alternative indicators for retail banking and commercial banking business lines if it complies with BIPRU 6.4.17 R to BIPRU 6.4.21 R.

[Note: BCD Annex X, Part 2 point 3]

01/01/2007

Eligibility for the alternative standardised approach

BIPRU 6.4.17

To be eligible to use the alternative standardised approach, a firm must meet the following conditions, in addition to the general risk management standards set out in SYSC 4.1.1 R to SYSC 4.1.2 R and SYSC 7.1.16 R :

(1) the firm must meet the eligibility criteria for the standardised approach in BIPRU 6.4.1 R;
(2) the firm must be overwhelmingly active in retail and/or commercial banking activities, which must account for at least 90% of its income; and
(3) the firm must be able to demonstrate that a significant proportion of its retail and/or commercial banking activities comprise loans associated with a high probability of default, and that the alternative standardised approach provides an improved basis for assessing the operational risk.

[Note: BCD Article 104(3) and Annex X, Part 2 points 5 and 8 to 11]

06/04/2007

BIPRU 6.4.18

In relation to BIPRU 6.4.17 R (3), the FSA's view is that a high probability of default is equal to or greater than 3.5%.

01/01/2007

ORCR calculated using the alternative standardised approach

BIPRU 6.4.19

(1) The relevant indicators under the alternative standardised approach are the same as for the standardised approach except for the two following business lines:

(a) retail banking; and
(b) commercial banking.

(2) For retail banking and commercial banking, the ORCR must be calculated as a normalised income indicator equal to the three-year average of the total nominal amount of loans and advances multiplied:

(a) by 0.035, and then
(b) by the appropriate business line percentage set out in BIPRU 6.4.15 R.

[Note: BCD Annex X, Part 2 point 6]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.4.20

For the retail and/or commercial banking business lines, the loans and advances must consist of the total drawn amounts in the corresponding credit portfolios.

[Note: BCD Annex X, Part 2 point 7 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 6.4.21

For the commercial banking business line, the securities held in the non-trading book must also be included.

[Note: BCD Annex X, Part 2 point 7 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7

Market risk

BIPRU 7.1

Application, purpose, general provisions and non-standard transactions

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 7.1.1

This chapter applies to a BIPRU firm.

01/01/2007

Purpose

BIPRU 7.1.2

The purpose of this chapter is to implement Annexes I, III, IV and V of the Capital Adequacy Directive.

01/01/2007

General provisions: Obligation to calculate PRR

BIPRU 7.1.3

A firm must calculate a PRR in respect of:

(1) all its trading book positions;
(2) all positions falling within BIPRU 7.5.3 R (Scope of the foreign exchange PRR calculation), whether or not in the trading book; and
(3) all positions in commodities (including physical commodities) whether or not in the trading book;

even if no treatment is provided for that position in the other sections of this chapter.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.1.4

A firm must calculate a PRR for any position falling into BIPRU 7.1.3 R using:

(1) the PRR calculations contained in BIPRU 7; or
(2) another method provided the firm is able to demonstrate that in all circumstances the calculation being employed results in a higher PRR for the position than would be required under (1).

01/01/2007

General provisions: Non-trading book items

BIPRU 7.1.5

Positions in instruments which are non-trading book items should be treated under BIPRU 3 (Standardised credit risk), (The IRB approach) or BIPRU 13 (Financial derivatives, SFTs and long settlement transactions) unless deducted as an illiquid asset. If they fall into BIPRU 7.1.3R(2) or (3) they also give rise to a PRR charge.

01/01/2007

General provisions: Frequency of calculation

BIPRU 7.1.6

A firm must be able to monitor its total PRR on an intra-day basis, and, before executing any trade, must be able to re-calculate PRR to the level of detail necessary to establish whether or not the firm's capital resources exceed its capital resources requirement.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.1.7

A firm may rely on intra-day limits for the purposes of BIPRU 7.1.6R.

01/01/2007

Purpose of rules for non-standard transactions and instruments for which no PRR treatment has been specified

BIPRU 7.1.8

The methodologies which have been developed for calculating PRR charges have been based on existing instruments and assume instruments with standard characteristics. However, as a result of innovation and because there are instruments which, although based on a standard contract, contain structural features which would make the rules in the rest of this chapter inappropriate, flexible rules are required. The rules in this section about transactions for which no PRR treatment has been specified and non-standard transactions are designed to address this.

01/01/2007

Instruments for which no PRR treatment has been specified

BIPRU 7.1.9

Where a firm has a position for which no PRR treatment has been specified, it must calculate the PRR for that position in accordance with BIPRU 7.1.12R-BIPRU 7.1.13R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.1.10

If BIPRU 7.1.9 R applies, a firm must document its policies and procedures for calculating the PRR for that position of that type in its trading book policy statement.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.1.11

Under BIPRU 1.2.30 R (2) a firm should notify the FSA as soon as is reasonably practicable if its trading book policy statement is subject to significant changes. Therefore if a firm makes a change in accordance with BIPRU 7.1.10R it should consider whether it is necessary to report it to the FSA.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.1.12

A firm may calculate the PRR for a position falling into BIPRU 7.1.9R by applying by analogy the rules relating to the calculation of the interest rate PRR, the equity PRR, the commodity PRR, the foreign currency PRR, the option PRR or the collective investment undertaking PRR if doing so is appropriate and if the position and PRR item are sufficiently similar to those that are covered by those rules.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.1.13

Where a firm has a position for which no PRR treatment has been specified and it is not applying BIPRU 7.1.12R, it must calculate a PRR of an appropriate percentage of the current value of the position calculated under GENPRU 1.3 (Valuation).

01/01/2007

Instruments in non-standard form

BIPRU 7.1.14

(1) If a firm has a position:

(a) in a PRR item in non-standard form; or
(b) that is part of a non-standard arrangement; or
(c) that, taken together with other positions (whether or not they are subject to PRR charges under BIPRU 7), gives rise to a non-standard market risk;

the firm must notify the FSA of that fact and of details about the position, PRR item, arrangements and type of risk concerned.
(2) Except as (1) provides to the contrary, (1) applies to a position that is subject to a PRR under BIPRU 7.1.3R.
(3) The question of what is non-standard for the purposes of (1) must be judged by reference to the standards:

(a) prevailing at the time the rule is being applied; and
(b) of firms generally who carry on business which gives rise to PRRs under BIPRU 7 rather than merely by reference to the firm's own business.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.1.15

If a firm has a position or combination of positions falling into BIPRU 7.1.14R and the PRR relating to that position or positions materially underestimates the market risk incurred by the firm to which they give rise, the firm must calculate the PRR for that position or positions under BIPRU 7.1.13R.

01/01/2007

Meaning of appropriate percentage for non-standard transactions

BIPRU 7.1.16

(1) In BIPRU 7.1.13R and, to the extent that that rule applies BIPRU 7.1.13R, BIPRU 7.1.15R, an "appropriate percentage" is:

(a) 100%; or
(b) a percentage which takes account of the characteristics of the position concerned and of discussions with the FSA or a predecessor regulator under the Banking Act 1987 or the Financial Services Act 1986.

(2) Compliance with (1) may be relied on as tending to establish compliance with BIPRU 7.1.13R or, insofar as it incorporates the requirements relating to an appropriate percentage, BIPRU 7.1.15R.
(3) Contravention of (1) may be relied on as tending to establish contravention with BIPRU 7.1.13 R or, insofar as it incorporates the requirements relating to an appropriate percentage, BIPRU 7.1.15 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2

Interest rate PRR

01/01/2007

General rule

BIPRU 7.2.1

(1) A firm must calculate its interest rate PRR under BIPRU 7.2 by:

(a) identifying which positions must be included within the interest rate PRR calculation;
(b) deriving the net position in each debt security in accordance with BIPRU 7.2.36R-BIPRU 7.2.41R;
(c) including these net positions in the interest rate PRR calculation for general market risk and the interest rate PRR calculation for specific risk; and
(d) summing all PRRs calculated for general market risk and specific risk.

(2) A firm must calculate its interest rate PRR by adding the amount calculated under (1) to the amount calculated under the basic interest rate PRR calculation under BIPRU 7.3.45R.
(3) All net positions, irrespective of their signs, must be converted on a daily basis into the firm's base currency at the prevailing spot exchange rate before their aggregation.
(4) Net positions must be classified according to the currency in which they are denominated. A firm must calculate the capital requirement for general market risk and specific risk in each individual currency separately.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.2

The interest rate PRR calculation divides the interest rate risk into the risk of loss from a general move in market interest rates, and the risk of loss from an individual debt security's price changing for reasons other than a general move in market interest rates. These are called general market risk and specific risk respectively.

01/01/2007

Scope of the interest rate PRR calculation

BIPRU 7.2.3

A firm's interest rate PRR calculation must:

(1) include all trading book positions in debt securities, preference shares and convertibles, except:

(a) positions in convertibles which have been included in the firm's equity PRR calculation;
(b) positions fully deducted as a material holding under the calculations under the capital resources table, in which case the firm may exclude them; or
(c) positions hedging an option which is being treated under BIPRU 7.6.26R (Table: Appropriate treatment for equities, debt securities or currencies hedging options);

(2) include notional positions arising from trading book positions in the instruments listed in the table in BIPRU 7.2.4R; and
(3) (if the firm is the transferor of debt securities or guaranteed rights relating to title to debt securities in a repurchase agreement or the lender of debt securities in a debt securities lending agreement) include such debt securities if those debt securities meet the criteria for inclusion in the trading book.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.4

Table: Instruments which result in notional positions
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.2.3R(2)

Instrument

See

Futures, forwards or synthetic futures on debt securities

BIPRU 7.2.13 R

Futures, forwards or synthetic futures on debt indices or baskets

BIPRU 7.2.14R

Interest rate futures or forward rate agreements (FRAs)

BIPRU 7.2.18 R

Interest rate swaps or foreign currency swaps

BIPRU 7.2.21R

Deferred start interest rate swaps or foreign currency swaps

BIPRU 7.2.24R

The interest rate leg of an equity swap (unless the firm calculates the interest rate PRR on the instrument using the basic interest rate PRR calculation in BIPRU 7.3 (Equity PRR and basic interest rate PRR for equity derivatives))

BIPRU 7.2.27R

The cash leg of a repurchase agreement or a reverse repurchase agreement

BIPRU 7.2.30R

Cash borrowings or deposits

BIPRU 7.2.31 R

Options on a debt security, a basket of debt securities, a debt security index, an interest rate or an interest rate future or swap (including an option on a future on a debt security) (unless the firm calculates a PRR on the option under BIPRU 7.6 (Option PRR))

BIPRU 7.2.32R

Dual currency bonds

BIPRU 7.2.33R

Foreign currency futures or forwards

BIPRU 7.2.34R

Gold futures or forwards

BIPRU 7.2.34R

Forwards, futures or options (except cliquets) on an equity, basket of equities or equity index (unless the firm calculates the interest rate PRR on the instrument using the basic interest rate PRR calculation in BIPRU 7.3)

BIPRU 7.2.34R

Credit derivatives

BIPRU 7.11

A warrant must be treated in the same way as an option

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.5

BIPRU 7.2.3R(1) includes a trading book position in debt security, preference share or convertible that is subsequently repo'd under a repurchase agreement or lent under a stock lending agreement. Clearly, if the security had initially been obtained via a reverse repurchase agreement or stock borrowing agreement, the security would not have been included in the PRR calculation in the first place.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.6

BIPRU 7.2.3R(1) includes net underwriting positions or reduced net underwriting position in debt securities.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.7

Firms are reminded that the table in BIPRU 7.6.5R (Table: Appropriate PRR calculation for an option or warrant) divides options and warrants on interest rates, debt securities and interest rate futures and swaps into:

(1) those which must be treated under BIPRU 7.6 (Option PRR); and
(2) those which must be treated under either BIPRU 7.2 or BIPRU 7.6, the firm being able to choose whether BIPRU 7.2 or BIPRU 7.6 is used.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.8

Cliquets on equities, baskets of equities or equity indices do not attract an interest rate PRR. The table in BIPRU 7.2.4R excludes them from the scope of the interest rate PRR calculation in BIPRU 7.2 and BIPRU 7.3.45R excludes them from the basic interest rate PRR calculation in BIPRU 7.3 (Equity PRR and basic interest rate PRR for equity derivatives).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.9

The table in BIPRU 7.2.4R shows that equity derivatives are excluded from BIPRU 7.2's PRR calculation if they have been included in the basic interest rate PRR calculation in BIPRU 7.3 (see BIPRU 7.3.45R).

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: General approach

BIPRU 7.2.10

BIPRU 7.2.11 R - BIPRU 7.2.35R convert the instruments listed in the table in BIPRU 7.2.4R into notional positions in:

(1) the underlying debt security, where the instrument depends on the price (or yield) of a specific debt security; or
(2) notional debt securities to capture the pure interest rate risk arising from future payments and receipts of cash (including notional payments and receipts) which, because they are designed to represent pure general market risk (and not specific risk), are called zero-specific-risk securities; or
(3) both (1) and (2).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.11

(1) For the purposes of calculating interest rate PRR, unless specified otherwise, a firm must derive the value of notional positions as follows:

(a) notional positions in actual debt securities must be valued as the nominal amount underlying the contract at the current market price of the debt security; and
(b) positions in zero-specific-risk securities must be valued using one of the two methods in (2).

(2) A firm must use one of the following two methods for all positions arising under (1)(b) and must use the same method for all positions denominated in the same currency:

(a) the present value approach, under which the zero-specific-risk security is assigned a value equal to the present value of all the future cash flows that it represents; or
(b) the alternative approach, under which the zero-specific-risk security is assigned a value equal to:

(i) the market value of the underlying notional equity position in the case of an equity derivative;
(ii) the notional principal amount in the case of an interest rate or foreign currency swap; or
(iii) the notional amount of the future cash flow that it represents in the case of any other CRD financial instrument.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.12

A firm must use BIPRU 7.2.11R(2)(a) in respect of any positions that it includes in the interest rate duration method.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Futures, forwards or synthetic futures on a debt security

BIPRU 7.2.13

Futures, forwards or synthetic futures on a single debt security must be treated as follows:

(1) a purchased future, synthetic future or forward is treated as:

(a) a notional long position in the underlying debt security (or the cheapest to deliver (taking into account the conversion factor) where the contract can be satisfied by delivery of one from a range of securities); and
(b) a notional short position in a zero coupon zero-specific-risk security with a maturity equal to the expiry date of the future or forward; and

(2) a sold future, synthetic future or forward is treated as:

(a) a notional short position in the underlying security (or the cheapest to deliver (taking into account the conversion factor) where the contract can be satisfied by delivery of one from a range of securities); and
(b) a notional long position in a zero coupon zero-specific-risk security with a maturity equal to the expiry date of the future, synthetic future or forward.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Futures, forwards or synthetic futures on a basket or index of debt securities

BIPRU 7.2.14

Futures, forwards or synthetic futures on a basket or index of debt securities must be converted into forwards on single debt securities as follows (and then the resulting positions must be treated under BIPRU 7.2.13R):

(1) futures, synthetic futures or forwards on a single currency basket or index of debt securities must be treated as either:

(a) a series of forwards, one for each of the constituent debt securities in the basket or index, of an amount which is a proportionate part of the total underlying the contract according to the weighting of the relevant debt security in the basket; or
(b) a single forward on a notional debt security; and

(2) futures, synthetic futures or forwards on multiple currency baskets or indices of debt securities must be treated as either:

(a) a series of forwards (using the method described in (1)(a)); or
(b) a series of forwards, each one on a notional debt security to represent one of the currencies in the basket or index, of an amount which is a proportionate part of the total underlying the contract according to the weighting of the relevant currency in the basket.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.15

Under BIPRU 7.2.14R(2)(b), a forward on basket of three Euro denominated debt securities and two Dollar denominated debt securities would be treated as a forward on a single notional Euro denominated debt security and a forward on a single notional Dollar denominated debt security.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.16

The notional debt securities in BIPRU 7.2.14R are assigned a specific risk PRA and a general market risk PRA equal to the highest that would apply to the debt securities in the basket or index.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.17

The debt security with the highest specific risk PRA within the basket might not be the same as the one with the highest general market risk PRA . BIPRU 7.2.16R requires a firm to select the highest percentages even where they relate to different debt securities in the basket or index, and regardless of the proportion of those debt securities in the basket or index.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Interest rate futures and forward rate agreements (FRAs)

BIPRU 7.2.18

Interest rate futures or FRAs must be treated as the two notional positions (one long, one short) shown in the table in BIPRU 7.2.19R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.19

Table: Interest rate futures and FRAs
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.2.18R

A short position in a zero coupon zero-specific-risk security

A long position in a zero coupon zero-specific-risk security

Where the firm buys an interest rate future or sells an FRA

Maturity equals the expiry date of the future (or settlement date of the FRA)

Maturity equals the expiry date of the future (or settlement date of the FRA) plus the maturity of the notional borrowing/deposit

Where the firm sells an interest rate future or buys an FRA

Maturity equals the expiry date of the future (or settlement date of the FRA) plus the maturity of the notional borrowing/deposit

Maturity equals the expiry date of the future (or settlement date of the FRA)

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.20

(1) The following example illustrates BIPRU 7.2.18R and BIPRU 7.2.19R in conjunction with BIPRU 7.2.11R (the last rule determines the value of notional positions). A firm sells £1mn notional of a 3v6 FRA at 6%. This results in:

(a) a short position in a zero-specific-risk security with a zero coupon, three month maturity, and a nominal amount of £1million; and
(b) a long position in a zero-specific-risk security with a zero coupon, six month maturity, and nominal amount of £1,015,000 (i.e. notional plus interest at 6% over 90 days).

(2) If a firm were to apply the approach in BIPRU 7.2.11R(2)(a) the two nominal amounts would have to be present valued.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Interest rate swaps or foreign currency swaps

BIPRU 7.2.21

Interest rate swaps or foreign currency swaps without deferred starts must be treated as the two notional positions (one long, one short) shown in the table in BIPRU 7.2.22R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.22

Table: Interest rate and foreign currency swaps
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.2.21R

Paying leg (which must be treated as a short position in a zero-specific-risk security)

Receiving leg (which must be treated as a long position in a zero-specific-risk security)

Receiving fixed and paying floating

Coupon equals the floating rate and maturity equals the reset date

Coupon equals the fixed rate of the swap and maturity equals the maturity of the swap

Paying fixed and receiving floating

Coupon equals the fixed rate of the swap and maturity equals the maturity of the swap

Coupon equals the floating rate and maturity equals the reset date

Paying floating and receiving floating

Coupon equals the floating rate and maturity equals the reset date

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.23

For a foreign currency swap, the two notional zero-specific-risk securities would be denominated in different currencies. A foreign currency swap is also included in the foreign currency PRR calculation.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Deferred start interest rate swaps or foreign currency swaps

BIPRU 7.2.24

Interest rate swaps or foreign currency swaps with a deferred start must be treated as the two notional positions (one long, one short) shown in the table in BIPRU 7.2.25R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.25

Table: Deferred start interest rate and foreign currency swaps
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.2.24R

Paying leg (which must be treated as a short position in a zero-specific-risk security with a coupon equal to the fixed rate of the swap)

Receiving leg (which must be treated as a long position in a zero-specific-risk security with a coupon equal to the fixed rate of the swap)

Receiving fixed and paying floating

maturity equals the start date of the swap

maturity equals the maturity of the swap

Paying fixed and receiving floating

maturity equals the maturity of the swap

maturity equals the start date of the swap

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.26

An example of BIPRU 7.2.24R is as follows. A firm enters into a five year swap which starts in two year's time. The firm has contracted to receive 6% and pay six month Libor on a principal amount of £1 million. This results in a long position in a 7 year debt security and a short position in a 2 year debt security. Both have a coupon of 6%. BIPRU 7.2.24R deals with the capital treatment of the delayed start date; once the swap has started, BIPRU 7.2.21R applies.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Swaps where only one leg is an interest rate leg (e.g. equity swaps)

BIPRU 7.2.27

A firm must treat a swap with only one interest rate leg as a notional position in a zero-specific-risk security:

(1) with a coupon equal to that on the interest rate leg;
(2) with a maturity equal to the date that the interest rate will be reset; and
(3) which is a long position if the firm is receiving interest payments and short if making interest payments.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.28

BIPRU 7.2.27R includes equity swaps, commodity swaps and any other swap where only one leg is an interest rate leg.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Cash legs of repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements

BIPRU 7.2.29

Firms are reminded that for the purposes of BIPRU 7.2.30R, a repurchase agreement includes a sell/buy back or stock lending; and a reverse repurchase agreement includes a buy/sell back or a stock borrowing.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.30

The forward cash leg of a repurchase agreement or reverse repurchase agreement must be treated as a notional position in a zero-specific-risk security which:

(1) is a short notional position in the case of a repurchase agreement; and a long notional position in the case of a reverse repurchase agreement;
(2) has a value equal to the market value of the cash leg;
(3) has a maturity equal to that of the repurchase agreement or reverse repurchase agreement; and
(4) has a coupon equal to:

(a) zero, if the next interest payment date coincides with the maturity date; or
(b) the interest rate on the contract, if any interest is due to be paid before the maturity date.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Cash borrowings and deposits

BIPRU 7.2.31

A cash borrowing or deposit must be treated as a notional position in a zero coupon zero-specific-risk security which:

(1) is a short position in the case of a borrowing and a long position in the case of a deposit;
(2) has a value equal to the market value of the borrowing or deposit;
(3) has a maturity equal to that of the borrowing or deposit, or the next date the interest rate is reset (if earlier); and
(4) has a coupon equal to:

(a) zero, if the next interest payment date coincides with the maturity date; or
(b) the interest rate on the borrowing or deposit, if any interest is due to be paid before the maturity date.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Options and warrants

BIPRU 7.2.32

(1) Where included in the PRR calculation in BIPRU 7.2 (see the table in BIPRU 7.2.4R), options and warrants must be treated in accordance with this rule.
(2) An option or warrant on a debt security, a basket of debt securities or a debt security index must be treated as a position in that debt security, basket or index.
(3) An option on an interest rate must be treated as a position in a zero coupon zero-specific-risk security with a maturity equal to the sum of the time to expiry of the option and the length of the period for which the interest rate is fixed.
(4) An option on a future - where the future is based on an interest rate or debt security - must be treated as:

(a) a long position in that future for purchased call options and written put options; and
(b) a short position in that future for purchased put options and written call options.

(5) An option on a swap must be treated as a deferred starting swap.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Bonds where the coupons and principal are paid in different currencies

BIPRU 7.2.33

Where a debt security pays coupons in one currency, but will be redeemed in a different currency, it must be treated as:

(1) a debt security denominated in the coupon's currency; and
(2) a foreign currency forward to capture the fact that the debt security's principal will be repaid in a different currency from that in which it pays coupons, specifically:

(a) a notional forward sale of the coupon currency and purchase of the redemption currency, in the case of a long position in the debt security; or
(b) a notional forward purchase of the coupon currency and sale of the redemption currency, in the case of a short position in the debt security.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Interest rate risk on other futures, forwards and options

BIPRU 7.2.34

Other futures, forwards, options and swaps treated under BIPRU 7.2 must be treated as positions in zero-specific-risk securities, each of which:

(1) has a zero coupon;
(2) has a maturity equal to that of the relevant contract; and
(3) is long or short according to the table in BIPRU 7.2.35R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.35

Table: Interest rate risk on other futures, forwards, options and swaps
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.2.34R.

Instrument

Notional positions

foreign currency forward or future

a long position denominated in the currency purchased

and

a short position denominated in the currency sold

Gold forward or future

a long position if the forward or future involves an actual (or notional) sale of gold

a short position if the forward or future involves an actual (or notional) purchase of gold

Equity forward or future, or option (unless the interest rate PRR is calculated under the basic interest rate PRR calculation in BIPRU 7.3)

A long position if the contract involves an actual (or notional) sale of the underlying equity

A short position if the contract involves an actual (or notional) purchase of the underlying equity

01/01/2007

Deriving the net position in each debt security: General

BIPRU 7.2.36

The net position in a debt security is the difference between the value of the firm's long positions (including notional positions) and the value of its short positions (including notional positions) in the same debt security.

01/01/2007

Deriving the net position in each debt security: Netting positions in the same debt security

BIPRU 7.2.37

(1) A firm must not net positions (including notional positions) unless those positions are in the same debt security. This rule sets out the circumstances in which debt securities may be treated as the same for these purposes.
(2) Subject to (3) long and short positions are in the same debt security, and a debt security is the same as another if and only if:

(a) they enjoy the same rights in all respects; and
(b) are fungible with each other.

(3) Long and short positions in different tranches of the same debt security may be treated as being in the same debt security for the purpose of (1) where:

(a) the tranches enjoy the same rights in all respects; and
(b) the tranches become fungible within 180 days and thereafter the debt security of one tranche can be delivered in settlement of the other tranche.

01/01/2007

Deriving the net position in each debt security: Netting the cheapest to deliver security with other deliverable securities

BIPRU 7.2.38

A firm may net a short notional position in the cheapest to deliver security arising from a short future or forward (see BIPRU 7.2.13R(2)(a)) under which the seller has a choice of which debt security it may use to settle its obligations against a long position in any deliverable security up to a maximum of 90% of the common nominal amounts. The residual long and short nominal amounts must be treated as separate long and short positions.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.39

The netting permitted by BIPRU 7.2.38R only relates to where the firm has sold the future or forward. It does not relate to where the firm has bought a future or forward.

01/01/2007

Deriving the net position in each debt security: Netting zero-specific-risk securities with different maturities

BIPRU 7.2.40

A firm may net a notional long position in a zero-specific-risk security against a notional short position in a zero-specific-risk security if:

(1) they are denominated in the same currency;
(2) their coupons do not differ by more than 15 basis points; and
(3) they mature:

(a) on the same day, if they have residual maturities of less than one month;
(b) within 7 days of each other, if they have residual maturities of between one month and one year; and
(c) within 30 days of each other, if they have residual maturities in excess of one year.

01/01/2007

Deriving the net position in each debt security: Reduced net underwriting positions in debt securities

BIPRU 7.2.41

A firm must not net a reduced net underwriting position in a debt security with any other debt security position.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.42

BIPRU 7.2.41R only relates to reduced net underwriting position.

01/01/2007

Specific risk calculation

BIPRU 7.2.43

(1) A firm must calculate the specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR for each debt security by multiplying the market value of the individual net position (ignoring the sign) by the appropriate PRA from the table in BIPRU 7.2.44R or as specified by BIPRU 7.2.45R - BIPRU 7.2.47R.
(2) Notional positions in zero-specific-risk securities do not attract specific risk.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.44

Table: specific risk PRAs
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.2.43R.

Issuer

Residual maturity

Debt securities issued or guaranteed by central governments, issued by central banks, international organisations, multilateral development banks or EEA States' regional governments or local authorities which would qualify for credit quality step 1 or which would receive a 0% risk weight under the standardised approach to credit risk.

Any

(A) Debt securities issued or guaranteed by central governments, issued by central banks, international organisations, multilateral development banks or EEA States' regional governments or local authorities which would qualify for credit quality step 2 or 3 under the standardised approach to credit risk.
(B) Debt securities issued or guaranteed by institutions which would qualify for credit quality step 1 or 2 under the standardised approach to credit risk.
(C) Debt securities issued or guaranteed by institution which would qualify for credit quality step 3 under BIPRU 3.4.34 R (Exposures to institutions: Credit assessment based method) or which would do so if it had an original effective maturity of three months or less.
(D) Debt securities issued or guaranteed by corporates which would qualify for credit quality step 1 or 2 under the standardised approach to credit risk.
(E) Other qualifying debt securities (see BIPRU 7.2.49R)

Zero to six months

0.25%

over 6 and up to and including 24 months

Over 24 months

1.6%

Any

(A) Debt securities issued or guaranteed by central governments, issued by central banks, international organisations, multilateral development banks or EEA States' regional governments or local authorities or institution which would qualify for credit quality step 6 under the standardised approach to credit risk.
(B) Debt securities issued or guaranteed by corporate which would qualify for credit quality step 5 or 6 under the standardised approach to credit risk.
(C) An instrument that shows a particular risk because of the insufficient solvency of the issuer of liquidity. This paragraph applies even if the instrument would otherwise qualify for a lower PRA under this table.

Any

12%

Note: The question of what a corporate is and of what category a debt security falls into must be decided under the rules relating to the standardised approach to credit risk.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.45

To the extent that a firm applies the IRB approach, to qualify for a credit quality step for the purpose of the table in BIPRU 7.2.44R the obligor of the exposure must have an internal rating with a PD equivalent to or lower than that associated with the appropriate credit quality step under the standardised approach to credit risk.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.46

A debt security issued by a non-qualifying issuer must receive a specific risk PRA of 8% or 12% according to the table in BIPRU 7.2.44R. However a firm must apply a higher specific risk PRA to such a debt security and/or not recognise offsetting for the purposes of defining the extent of general market risk between such a security and any other debt securities to the extent that doing otherwise would not be a prudent treatment of specific risk or general market risk.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.47

A securitisation exposures that would be subject to a deduction treatment under the treatment set out in GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources) or risk weighted at 1250% as set out in BIPRU 9 (Securitisation) is subject to a capital charge that is no less than that set out under those treatments. Unrated liquidity facilities are subject to a capital charge that is no less than that set out in BIPRU 9.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.48

BIPRU 7.2.43R includes both actual and notional positions. However, notional positions in zero-specific-risk security do not attract specific risk. For example:

(1) interest rate swaps, foreign currency swaps, FRAs, interest rate futures, foreign currency forwards, foreign currency futures, and the cash leg of repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements create notional positions which will not attract specific risk; whilst
(2) futures, forwards and swaps which are based on the price (or yield) of one or more debt securities will create at least one notional positions that attracts specific risk.

01/01/2007

Definition of a qualifying debt security

BIPRU 7.2.49

A debt security is a qualifying debt security if:

(1) it qualifies for a credit quality step under the standardised approach to credit risk corresponding at least to investment grade; or
(2) it has a PD which, because of the solvency of the issuer, is not higher than that of the debt securities referred to under (1) under the IRB approach; or
(3) it is a debt security for which a credit assessment by a nominated ECAI is unavailable and which meets the following conditions:

(a) it is considered by the firm to be sufficiently liquid;
(b) it is of investment quality, according to the firm's own discretion, at least equivalent to that of the debt securities referred to under (1); and
(c) it is listed on at least one regulated market or designated investment exchange; or

(4) it is a debt security issued by an institution subject to the capital adequacy requirements set out in the Banking Consolidation Directive that satisfies the following conditions:

(a) it is considered by the firm to be sufficiently liquid;
(b) its investment quality is, according to the firm's own discretion, at least equivalent to that of the assets referred to under (1) above; or

(5) it is a debt security issued by an institution that is deemed to be of equivalent or higher credit quality than that associated with credit quality step 2 under the standardised approach to credit risk and that is subject to supervision and regulatory arrangements comparable to those under the Capital Adequacy Directive.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.50

A firm must not treat a debt security as a qualifying debt security if it would be prudent to consider that the debt security concerned is subject to too high a degree of specific risk for it to be treated as a qualifying debt security.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.51

The manner in which a firm assesses a debt security for the purpose of treatment as a qualifying debt security will be subject to scrutiny by the FSA. The FSA may take action to overturn the firm's judgement if it considers that the debt security should not be treated as a qualifying debt security.

01/01/2007

General market risk calculation: General

BIPRU 7.2.52

A firm must calculate the general market risk portion of the interest rate PRR for each currency using either:

(1) the interest rate simplified maturity method;
(2) the interest rate maturity method; or
(3) the interest rate duration method.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.53

BIPRU 7.2.52R(3) is subject to BIPRU 7.2.54R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.54

A firm must not use the interest rate duration method for index-linked securities. Instead, these securities must:

(1) be attributed a coupon of 3%; and
(2) be treated separately under either the interest rate simplified maturity method or the interest rate maturity method.

01/01/2007

General market risk calculation: Simplified maturity method

BIPRU 7.2.55

The interest rate simplified maturity method weights individual net positions to reflect their price sensitivity to changes in interest rates. The weights are related to the coupon and the residual maturity of the instrument (or the next interest rate re-fix date for floating rate items).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.56

Under the interest rate simplified maturity method, the portion of the interest rate PRR for general market risk equals the sum of each individual net position (long or short) multiplied by the appropriate PRA in the table in BIPRU 7.2.57R. A firm must assign its net positions to the appropriate maturity bands in the table in BIPRU 7.2.57R on the basis of residual maturity in the case of fixed-rate instruments and on the basis of the period until the interest rate is next set in the case of instruments on which the interest rate is variable before final maturity.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.57

Table: general market risk PRAs
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.2.56R.

Zone

Maturity band

Coupon of 3% or more

Coupon of less than 3%

One

0 ≤ 1 month

0.00%

> 1 ≤ 3 months

0.20%

> 3 ≤ 6 months

0.4%

> 6 ≤ 12 months

0.7%

Two

> 1 ≤ 2 years

> 1.0 ≤ 1.9 years

1.25%

> 2 ≤ 3 years

> 1.9 ≤ 2.8 years

1.75%

> 3 ≤ 4 years

> 2.8 ≤ 3.6 years

2.25%

Three

> 4 ≤ 5 years

> 3.6 ≤ 4.3 years

2.75%

> 5 ≤ 7 years

> 4.3 ≤ 5.7 years

3.25%

> 7 ≤ 10 years

> 5.7 ≤ 7.3 years

3.75%

> 10 ≤ 15 years

> 7.3 ≤ 9.3 years

4.5%

> 15 ≤ 20 years

> 9.3 ≤ 10.6 years

5.25%

> 20 years

> 10.6 ≤ 12.0 years

6.00%

> 12.0 ≤ 20.0 years

8.00%

> 20 years

12.50%

01/01/2007

General market risk calculation: The maturity method

BIPRU 7.2.58

The interest rate maturity method builds on the interest rate simplified maturity method by partially recognising offsetting positions. BIPRU 7.2.61G provides an illustration of the interest rate maturity method.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.59

Under the interest rate maturity method, the portion of the interest rate PRR for general market risk is calculated as follows:

(1) Step 1: each net position is allocated to the appropriate maturity band in the table in BIPRU 7.2.57R and multiplied by the corresponding PRA;
(2) Step 2: weighted long and short positions are matched within:

(a) the same maturity band;
(b) the same zone (using unmatched positions from (a)); and
(c) different zones (using unmatched positions from (b) and matching between zones 1 and 2 and 2 and 3 before zone 1 and 3); and

(3) Step 3: the portion of the interest rate PRR for general market risk is the sum of:

(a) 10% of the total amount matched within maturity bands;
(b) 40% of the amount matched within zone 1 under (2)(b);
(c) 30% of the amount matched within zones 2 & 3 under (2)(b);
(d) 40% of the amounts matched between zones 1 and 2, and between zones 2 and 3;
(e) 150% of the amount matched between zones 1 and 3; and
(f) 100% of the weighted positions remaining unmatched after (2)(c).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.60

The table in BIPRU 7.2.57R distinguishes between debt securities with a coupon of less than 3% and those with coupon in excess of 3%. However, this does not mean that the firm has to do a separate general market risk calculation for each; it merely ensures that when allocating debt securities to a particular band, their coupons are taken into account as well as their maturities. So for example, a 21 year 6% debt security falls into the same band as an 11 year 2% debt security. They are both weighted at 6%, and can be matched under BIPRU 7.2.59R(2)(a) (the first part of step two of the interest rate maturity method calculation) because they fall within the same band.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.61

This paragraph sets out an example of a calculation under the interest rate maturity method. In this example, a firm with a £ sterling base currency is processing its euro denominated positions.

01/01/2007

General market risk calculation: Duration method

BIPRU 7.2.62

The interest rate duration method produces a more accurate measure of interest rate risk than the maturity methods but it is also more complex to calculate.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.63

(1) A firm must use the following formula to calculate modified duration for the purpose of the interest rate duration method:
(2)
(3) For the purpose of the formulae in (1) and (2):

(a) C_t=cash payment at time t
(b) m=total maturity
(c) r=yield to maturity. In the case of a fixed-rate debt security a firm must take the current mark to market of the debt security and thence calculate its yield to maturity, which is the implied discount rate for that instrument. In the case of a floating rate instrument, a firm must take the current mark to market of the debt security and thence calculate its yield on the assumption that the principal is due on the date that the interest rate can next be changed.
(d) t=time

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.64

Under the interest rate duration method, the portion of the interest rate PRR for general market risk is calculated as follows:

(1) Step 1: allocate each net position to the appropriate duration zone in the table in BIPRU 7.2.65R and multiply it by:

(a) its modified duration (using the formula in BIPRU 7.2.63R); and
(b) the appropriate assumed interest rate change in the table in BIPRU 7.2.65R;

(2) Step 2: match weighted long and short positions:

(a) within zones; and
(b) across zones (using unmatched positions from (2)(a) and following the process in BIPRU 7.2.59R (2)(c)); and

(3) Step 3: calculate the portion of the interest rate PRR for general market risk as the sum of:

(a) 100% of the weighted positions remaining unmatched after (2)(b);
(b) 2% of the matched weighted position in each zone;
(c) 40% of the matched weighted position between zones 1 and 2, and between zones 2 and 3; and
(d) 150% of the matched weighted position between zones 1 and 3.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.65

Table: Assumed interest rate change in the interest rate duration method
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.2.64R

Zone

Modified Duration

Assumed interest rate change
(percentage points)

0 ≤ 12 months

1.00

> 12 months ≤ 3.6 years

0.85

> 3.6 years

0.70

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.2.66

If a firm uses the interest rate duration method it must do so on a consistent basis.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3

Equity PRR and basic interest rate PRR for equity derivatives

01/01/2007

General rule

BIPRU 7.3.1

(1) A firm must calculate its equity PRR by:

(a) identifying which positions must be included within the PRR calculation (see BIPRU 7.3.2R);
(b) deriving the net position in each equity in accordance with BIPRU 7.3.23R;
(c) including each of those net positions in either the simplified equity method (see BIPRU 7.3.29R) or, subject to BIPRU 7.3.27R, the standard equity method (see BIPRU 7.3.32R); and
(d) summing the PRR on each net position as calculated under the simplified equity method and standard equity method.

(2) All net positions, irrespective of their signs, must be converted on a daily basis into the firm's base currency at the prevailing spot exchange rate before their aggregation.

01/01/2007

Scope of the equity PRR calculation

BIPRU 7.3.2

A firm's equity PRR calculation must:

(1) include all trading book positions in equities, unless:

(a) the position is fully deducted as a material holding under the calculations under the capital resources table, in which case the firm may exclude it; or
(b) the position is hedging an option or warrant which is being treated under BIPRU 7.6.26R (Table: Appropriate treatment for equities, debt securities or currencies hedging options);

(2) include notional positions arising from trading book positions in the instruments listed in the table in BIPRU 7.3.3R; and
(3) (if the firm is the transferor of equities or guaranteed rights relating to title to equities in a repurchase agreement or the lender of equities in an equities lending agreement) include such equities if those equities meet the criteria for inclusion in the trading book.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.3

Table: Instruments which result in notional positions
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.3.2R(2)

Instrument

See

Depository receipts

BIPRU 7.3.12R

Convertibles where:

(a) the convertible is trading at a market price of less than 110% of the underlying equity; and the first date at which conversion can take place is less than three months ahead, or the next such date (where the first has passed) is less than a year ahead; or

BIPRU 7.3.13R

(b) the conditions in (a) are not met but the firm includes the convertible in its equity PRR calculation rather than including it in its interest rate PRR calculation set out in BIPRU 7.2 (Interest rate PRR).

Futures, forwards, CFDs and synthetic futures on a single equity

BIPRU 7.3.14R

Futures, forwards, CFDs and synthetic futures on a basket of equities or equity index

BIPRU 7.3.15R

equity legs of an equity swap

BIPRU 7.3.19R

Options or warrants on a single equity, an equity future, a basket of equities or an equity index (unless the firm calculates a PRR on the option or warrant under BIPRU 7.6).

BIPRU 7.3.21R

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.4

BIPRU 7.3.2R(1) includes a trading book position in an equity that is subsequently repo'd under a repurchase agreement or lent under a stock lending agreement. Clearly, if the equity had initially been obtained via a reverse repurchase agreement or stock borrowing agreement, the equity would not have been included in the trading book in the first place.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.5

BIPRU 7.3.2R(1) includes net underwriting positions or reduced net underwriting positions in equities. BIPRU 7.3.27R requires a firm to use the simplified equity method in the case of reduced net underwriting positions. In the case of net underwriting positions that have not been reduced according to BIPRU 7.8.27R (Calculating the reduced net underwriting position), there is no such restriction; a firm can choose which of the two equity methods to use.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.6

Firms are reminded that the table in BIPRU 7.6.5R (Table: Appropriate PRR calculation for an option or warrant) divides equity options and warrants into:

(1) those which must be treated under BIPRU 7.6 (Option PRR); and
(2) those which must be treated under either BIPRU 7.3 or BIPRU 7.6, the firm being able to choose whether BIPRU 7.3 or BIPRU 7.6 is used.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.7

The table in BIPRU 7.3.3R does not require every convertible to be included in BIPRU 7.3 's PRR calculation. Where a convertible is not included in this PRR calculation, BIPRU 7.2.3R (1) (Scope of the interest rate PRR calculation) requires that it be included in the BIPRU 7.2 PRR calculation.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.8

Some of the instruments listed in the table in BIPRU 7.3.3R are also included in a firm's interest rate PRR calculation. For simplicity, a firm may use the interest rate PRR calculation in BIPRU 7.3 rather than the calculation in BIPRU 7.2 (Interest rate PRR). BIPRU 7.3.44G explains this in more detail.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: General approach

BIPRU 7.3.9

BIPRU 7.3.10R - BIPRU 7.3.21R convert the instruments listed in the table in BIPRU 7.3.3R into notional positions in individual equities, equity baskets or equity indices.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.10

Unless specified otherwise, the value of each notional equity position equals the quantity of that equity underlying the instrument multiplied by the current market value of the equity.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.11

(1) An example of BIPRU 7.3.10R is as follows. The current market value of a particular equity is £2.50. If a firm contracts to sell this equity in five year's time for £3 it would treat the notional short equity position as having a value of £2.50 when calculating the equity PRR.
(2) In effect, the forward position has been treated as being equivalent to a spot position for the purposes of calculating equity PRR. To capture the risk that the forward price changes relative to the spot price, forward equity positions are included in the firm's interest rate PRR calculation (see BIPRU 7.3.45R or the table in BIPRU 7.2.4R (Table: Instruments which result in notional positions)).

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Depository receipts

BIPRU 7.3.12

A depository receipt must be treated as a notional position in the underlying equity.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Convertibles

BIPRU 7.3.13

Where a convertible is included in BIPRU 7.3's PRR calculation (see the table in BIPRU 7.3.3R):

(1) it must be treated as a position in the equity into which it converts; and
(2) the firm's equity PRR must be adjusted by making:

(a) an addition equal to the current value of any loss which the firm would make if it did convert to equity; or
(b) a deduction equal to the current value of any profit which the firm would make if it did convert to equity (subject to a maximum deduction equal to the PRR on the notional position underlying the convertible).

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Futures, forwards and CFDs on a single equity

BIPRU 7.3.14

A future (including a synthetic future), forward or CFD on a single equity must be treated as a notional position in that equity.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Futures, forwards and CFDs on equity indices or baskets

BIPRU 7.3.15

A future (including a synthetic future), forward or CFD on an equity index or basket must be treated as either:

(1) a position in each of the underlying equities; or
(2) the positions shown in the table in BIPRU 7.3.16R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.16

Table: Instruments which result in notional positions
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.3.15R(2)

Under the simplified equity method (BIPRU 7.3.29R)

Under the standard equity method (BIPRU 7.3.32R)

Only one country in the index or basket (see BIPRU 7.3.32R)

One position in the index or basket

More than one country in the index or basket

One position in the index or basket

Several notional basket positions, one for each country

One notional basket position in a separate, notional country

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.17

An example of BIPRU 7.3.16R is as follows. A firm decides to treat a FTSE Eurotop 300 future under the standard equity method, and furthermore, chooses to treat it as one notional position. The table in BIPRU 7.3.16R requires that this notional position be treated as if it were from a separate notional country rather than any of the countries to which the underlying equities are from.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.18

The notional positions created under BIPRU 7.3.15R have the following values:

(1) where only one notional position is created, it has a value equal to the total market value of the equities underlying the contract; or
(2) where more than one notional position is created, each one has a value which reflects the relevant equity's or country's contribution to the total market value of the equities underlying the contract.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Equity legs of equity swaps

BIPRU 7.3.19

The equity leg of an equity swap must be treated as a position in the underlying equity, equity basket or equity index, which is:

(1) long, if the firm has contracted to receive any increase and pay any decrease in the value of the underlying equities or equity index; and
(2) short, if the firm has contracted to receive any decrease and pay any increase in the value of the underlying equities or equity index.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.20

The interest rate leg of an equity swap is included in a firm's interest rate PRR calculation (see the table in BIPRU 7.2.4R (Table: Instruments which result in notional positions)) unless it is treated under BIPRU 7.3.45R.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Options

BIPRU 7.3.21

If included in BIPRU 7.3's PRR calculation (see the table in BIPRU 7.3.3R), options must be treated as follows:

(1) an option on a single equity must be treated as a notional position in that equity;
(2) an option on a basket of equities or equity index must be treated as a future on that basket or index; and
(3) an option on an equity future must be treated as:

(a) a long position in that future, for purchased call options and written put options; and
(b) a short position in that future, for purchased put options and written call options.

01/01/2007

Deriving the net position in each equity

BIPRU 7.3.22

The net position in each equity is the difference between the value of the firm's long positions (including notional positions) and the value of its short positions (including notional positions) in the same equity.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.23

(1) When deriving the net position in each equity, a firm must not net long and short positions except in accordance with this rule.
(2) Subject to (3), a firm may net long and short positions in the same equity. Two equities are the same if and only if they:

(a) enjoy the same rights in all respects; and
(b) are fungible with each other.

(3) Long and short positions in different tranches of the same equity may be treated as being in the same equity for the purpose of (1), where:

(a) the tranches enjoy the same rights in all respects; and
(b) the tranches become fungible with each other within 180 days, and thereafter the equity of one tranche can be delivered in settlement of the other tranche.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.24

A firm must not net a reduced net underwriting position with any other equity position.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.25

BIPRU 7.3.24R only relates to reduced net underwriting position.

01/01/2007

Simplified and standard equity methods

BIPRU 7.3.26

BIPRU 7.3.1R (1) requires that the net position in each equity be included in either the simplified equity method or the standard equity method, subject to the restriction in BIPRU 7.3.27R. A firm does not have to use the same method for all equities.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.27

A firm must use the simplified equity method for reduced net underwriting positions.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.28

A firm may use either method for a net underwriting position; BIPRU 7.3.27R only relates to reduced net underwriting positions.

01/01/2007

Simplified equity method

BIPRU 7.3.29

Under the simplified equity method, the PRR for each equity, equity index, or equity basket equals the market value of the net position (ignoring the sign) multiplied by the appropriate PRA from the table in BIPRU 7.3.30R. The result must be converted into the firm's base currency at current spot foreign currency rates.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.30

Table: simplified equity method PRAs
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.3.29R

Instrument

Single equities

12%

Qualifying equity indices (see BIPRU 7.3.38R)

All other equity indices or baskets

12%

If it is necessary to distinguish between the specific risk PRA and the general market risk PRA, the specific risk PRA for the first and third rows is 4% and that for the second row is 0%. The rest of the PRA in the second column is the general market risk PRA.

01/01/2007

Standard equity method

BIPRU 7.3.31

The standard equity method divides the risk of loss from a firm's equity positions into the risk of loss from a general move in a country's equity market and the risk of loss from an individual equity's price changing relative to that country's equity market. These are called general market risk and specific risk respectively.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.32

Under the standard equity method, a firm must:

(1) group equity positions into country portfolios as follows:

(a) a position in an individual equity belongs to:

(i) the country it is listed in;
(ii) any of the countries it is listed in, if more than one; or
(iii) the country it was issued from, if unlisted;

(b) a position in an equity basket or index that is treated under BIPRU 7.3.15R(2), is allocated to one or more country portfolios based on the countries to which the underlying equities belong to under (a) or a notional country provided for in the table in BIPRU 7.3.16R; and

(2) sum:

(a) the PRRs for specific risk calculated under BIPRU 7.3.33R; and
(b) the PRRs for general market risk for each country portfolio as calculated under BIPRU 7.3.41R and BIPRU 7.3.42R.

01/01/2007

Standard equity method: Specific risk

BIPRU 7.3.33

Under the standard equity method, a firm must calculate a PRR for specific risk based on the net position in each equity, equity index or equity basket by multiplying its market value (ignoring the sign) by the appropriate PRA from the table in BIPRU 7.3.34R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.34

Table: PRAs for specific risk under the standard equity method
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.3.33R

Instrument

Reduced net underwriting position

Qualifying equities

Qualifying equity indices (see BIPRU 7.3.38R)

All other equities, equity indices or equities baskets

01/01/2007

Definition of a qualifying equity

BIPRU 7.3.35

A qualifying equity is one that satisfies the following conditions:

(1) it belongs to a country portfolio that satisfies the following conditions:

(a) no individual position exceeds 10% of the portfolio's gross value; and
(b) the sum of positions (ignoring the sign) which individually represent between 5% and 10% of the portfolio's gross value, does not exceed 50% of the portfolio's gross value;

(2) it is not of an issuer that has issued only traded debt securities that currently attracts an 8% or 12% PRA in the table in BIPRU 7.2.44R (Specific risk PRA) or that attract a lower requirement only because they are guaranteed or secured; and
(3) it is a constituent of an index in the table in BIPRU 7.3.39R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.36

(1) The following example illustrates BIPRU 7.3.35R(1).
(2) A country portfolio has a gross value of £100 and is made up of positions in 29 different equities (some are long positions, others are short positions). Not all the equities are constituents of an index used to create the FT All-World Index (this criterion only becomes relevant once a firm has determined whether the country portfolio meets the test in BIPRU 7.3.35R(1)).
(3) Six positions exceed the 5% threshold. The following diagram shows the composition of the portfolio.
(4) Part (a): the portfolio meets the first part of the test because no individual position is worth more than 10% of the portfolio's value.
(5) Part (b): the portfolio fails the second part of the test because the sum (ignoring the sign) of the six relevant positions is £52; this exceeds 50% of the portfolio's value.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.37

(1) A country portfolio can be split into two sub-portfolios if this enables one sub-portfolio to meet the requirements in BIPRU 7.3.35R(1). Individual positions may be sub-divided between sub-portfolios.
(2) Continuing the example above, one of the largest positions is taken out of the portfolio and put into a new portfolio. The new portfolio fails the two tests, but the amended portfolio meets both tests:

(a) Part (a): no single remaining position exceeds £9.10.
(b) Part (b): the sum of the five relevant positions is £43, this is less than 50% of the new portfolio's value of £91.

01/01/2007

Definition of a qualifying equity index

BIPRU 7.3.38

A qualifying equity index is one which is traded on a recognised investment exchange or a designated investment exchange and:

(1) is listed in the table in BIPRU 7.3.39R; or
(2) is not listed in the table in BIPRU 7.3.39R, but is constructed in such a way that:

(a) it contains at least 20 equities;
(b) no single equity represents more than 20% of the total index; and
(c) no five equities combined represent more than 60% of the total index.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.39

Table: Qualifying equity indices
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.3.38R

Country or territory

Name of index

Australia

All Ordinaries

Austria

Austrian Traded Index

Belgium

BEL 20

Canada

TSE 35, TSE 100, TSE 300

France

CAC 40, SBF 250

Germany

DAX

European

Dow Jones Stoxx 50 Index, FTSE Eurotop 300, MSCI Euro Index

Hong Kong

Hang Seng 33

Italy

MIB 30

Japan

Nikkei 225, Nikkei 300, TOPIX

Korea

Kospi

Netherlands

AEX

Singapore

Straits Times Index

Spain

IBEX 35

Sweden

OMX

Switzerland

SMI

FTSE 100, FTSE Mid 250, FTSE All Share

S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, NASDAQ Composite, Russell 2000

01/01/2007

Standard equity method: General market risk: General

BIPRU 7.3.40

Under the standard equity method, a firm must apply approach one, as set out in BIPRU 7.3.41R, to each country portfolio (or part portfolio) unless the conditions in BIPRU 7.3.42R(3) are met, in which case the firm may instead apply approach two, as set out in BIPRU 7.3.42R, to the relevant country portfolios (or part portfolios).

01/01/2007

Standard equity method: General market risk: Approach One: No offset between different country portfolios

BIPRU 7.3.41

Under approach one as referred to in BIPRU 7.3.40R, the PRR for general market risk equals the net value (ignoring the sign) of the country portfolio multiplied by 8%.

01/01/2007

Standard equity method: General market risk: Approach Two: Limited offset between different country portfolios

BIPRU 7.3.42

(1) Under approach two as referred to in BIPRU 7.3.40R, the PRR for general market risk is calculated using the following formula:
(2) In the formula in (1) CP_i denotes the net value of _ith country portfolio (converted to the firm's base currency using current spot foreign currency rates).
(3) The conditions referred to in BIPRU 7.3.40R that must be met for a firm to be able to use approach two as referred to in BIPRU 7.3.40R are as follows:

(a) at least four country portfolios are included (that is: n ≥ 4);
(b) only country portfolios for countries which are full members of the OECD, Hong Kong or Singapore are included;
(c) no individual country portfolio comprises more than 30% of the total gross value of country portfolios included; and
(d) the total net value of country portfolios included equals zero, that is:

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.43

In order to meet BIPRU 7.3.42R(3)(d), it is likely that part of a country portfolio will have to be excluded from approach two under BIPRU 7.3.42R (and therefore included in approach one under BIPRU 7.3.41R), even if that country portfolio meets BIPRU 7.3.42R(3)(a) - (c).

01/01/2007

Basic interest rate calculation for equity instruments

BIPRU 7.3.44

A basic interest rate PRR calculation is included in BIPRU 7.3 for a firm that does not wish to use the calculation in BIPRU 7.2 (Interest rate PRR). However, it tends to result in higher charges than the methods in BIPRU 7.2, largely because the interest rate PRR is calculated on each notional equity position separately and then summed without offsetting long and short positions.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.45

This rule applies to a firm that does not include a forward, future, option or swap on an equity, basket of equities or equity index in the calculation of its interest rate PRR calculation under BIPRU 7.2 (Interest rate PRR). However it does not apply to cliquet as defined in BIPRU 7.6.18R (Table: Option PRR: methods for different types of option). A firm must calculate the interest rate PRR for a position being treated under this rule as follows:

(1) multiply the market value of the notional equity position underlying the instrument by the appropriate percentage from the table in BIPRU 7.3.47R; and
(2) sum the results from (1), ignoring the sign.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.46

Cliquets on equities, baskets of equities or equity indices do not attract an interest rate PRR. BIPRU 7.3.45R excludes them from the basic interest rate PRR calculation and the table in BIPRU 7.2.4R (Table: Instruments which result in notional positions) excludes them from the scope of the interest rate PRR calculation in BIPRU 7.2 (Interest rate PRR).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.3.47

Table: Percentages used in the basic interest rate PRR calculation for equity instruments
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.3.45R(1)

Time to expiration

Percentage (%)

0 ≤ 3 months

0.20

> 3 ≤ 6 months

0.40

> 6 ≤ 12 months

0.70

> 1 ≤ 2 years

1.25

> 2 ≤ 3 years

1.75

> 3 ≤ 4 years

2.25

> 4 ≤ 5 years

2.75

> 5 ≤ 7 years

3.25

> 7 ≤ 10 years

3.75

> 10 ≤ 15 years

4.50

> 15 ≤ 20 years

5.25

> 20 years

6.00

01/01/2007

Additional capital charge in relation to equity indices

BIPRU 7.3.48

If a firm nets off positions in one or more of the equities constituting an equity index future, forward or CFD against one or more positions in the equity index future, forward or CFD itself, the firm must apply an additional equity PRR to the netted position to cover the risk of loss caused by the value of the future, forward or CFD not moving fully in line with that of its constituent equities. The same applies if a firm holds opposite positions in a future, forward or CFD on an equity index that are not identical in respect of either their maturity or their composition or both.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4

Commodity PRR

01/01/2007

General rule

BIPRU 7.4.1

A firm must calculate its commodity PRR by:

(1) identifying which commodity position must be included within the scope of the PRR calculation (see BIPRU 7.4.2R);
(2) expressing each such position in terms of the standard unit of measurement of the commodity concerned;
(3) expressing the spot price in each commodity in the firm's base currency at current spot foreign exchange rates;
(4) calculating an individual PRR for each commodity (see BIPRU 7.4.20R); and
(5) summing the resulting individual PRRs.

01/01/2007

Scope of the commodity PRR calculation

BIPRU 7.4.2

A firm's commodity PRR calculation must, regardless of whether the positions concerned are trading book or non-trading book positions:

(1) include physical commodity positions;
(2) (if the firm is the transferor of commodities or guaranteed rights relating to title to commodities in a repurchase agreement or the lender of commodities in a commodities lending agreement) include such commodities;
(3) include notional positions arising from positions in the instruments listed in the table in BIPRU 7.4.4R; and
(4) exclude positions constituting a stock financing transaction.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.3

Gold positions are excluded from the scope of the commodity PRR. Instead, they are included within the scope of the foreign exchange PRR (BIPRU 7.5).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.4

Table: Instruments which result in notional positions
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.4.2R(3)

Instrument

See

Forwards, futures, CFDs, synthetic futures and options on a single commodity (unless the firm calculates a PRR on the option under BIPRU 7.6 (Option PRR))

BIPRU 7.4.8R

A commitment to buy or sell a single commodity at an average of spot prices prevailing over some future period

BIPRU 7.4.10R

Forwards, futures, CFDs, synthetic futures and options on a commodity index (unless the firm calculates an PRR on the option under BIPRU 7.6)

BIPRU 7.4.13R - BIPRU 7.4.14R

Commodity swaps

BIPRU 7.4.16R - BIPRU 7.4.17R

A warrant relating to a commodity must be treated as an option on a commodity.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.5

BIPRU 7.4.2R includes a trading book position in a commodity that is subsequently repo'd under a repurchase agreement or lent under a stock lending agreement. Clearly, if the commodity had initially been obtained via a reverse repurchase agreement or stock borrowing agreement, the commodity would not have been included in the trading book in the first place.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.6

Firms are reminded that the table in BIPRU 7.6.5R (Table: Appropriate PRR calculation for an option or warrant) divides commodity options into:

(1) those which must be treated under BIPRU 7.6; and
(2) those which must be treated under either BIPRU 7.4 or BIPRU 7.6 (Option PRR), the firm being able to choose whether BIPRU 7.4 or BIPRU 7.6 is used.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: General

BIPRU 7.4.7

BIPRU 7.4.8R - BIPRU 7.4.19G convert the instruments listed in the table in BIPRU 7.4.4R into notional positions in the relevant commodities. These notional positions are expressed in terms of quantity (tonnes, barrels, etc), not value. The maturity of the position is only relevant where the firm is using the commodity maturity ladder approach or the commodity extended maturity ladder approach.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Futures, forwards, CFDs and options on a single commodity

BIPRU 7.4.8

Where a forward, future, CFD, synthetic future or option (unless already included in the firm's option PRR calculation) settles according to:

(1) the difference between the price set on trade date and that prevailing at contract expiry, the notional position:

(a) equals the total quantity underlying the contract; and
(b) has a maturity equal to the expiry date of the contract; and

(2) the difference between the price set on trade date and the average of prices prevailing over a certain period up to contract expiry, there is a notional position for each of the reference dates used in the averaging period to calculate the average price, which:

(a) equals a fractional share of the total quantity underlying the contract; and
(b) has a maturity equal to the relevant reference date.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.9

(1) The following example illustrates BIPRU 7.4.8R (2).
(2) A firm buys a Traded Average Price Option (TAPO - a type of Asian option) allowing it to deliver 100 tonnes of Grade A copper and receive $1,750 in June. If there were 20 business days in June the short notional positions will each:

(a) equal 5 tonnes per day (1/20 of 100 tonnes); and
(b) have a maturity equal to one of the business days in June (one for each day).

(3) In this example as each business day in June goes by the quantity per day for the remaining days does not change (5 tonnes per day) only the days remaining changes. Therefore, halfway through June there are ten, 5 tonne short notional positions remaining each for the ten remaining business days in June.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Buying or selling a single commodity at an average of spot prices prevailing in the future

BIPRU 7.4.10

Commitments to buy or sell at the average spot price of the commodity prevailing over some period between trade date and maturity must be treated as a combination of:

(1) a position equal to the full amount underlying the contract with a maturity equal to the maturity date of the contract which is:

(a) long, where the firm will buy at the average price; or
(b) short, where the firm will sell at the average price; and

(2) a series of notional positions, one for each of the reference dates where the contract price remains unfixed, each of which:

(a) is long if the position under (1) is short, or short if the position under (1) is long;
(b) equals a fractional share of the total quantity underlying the contract; and
(c) has a maturity date of the relevant reference date.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.11

The following guidance provides an example of BIPRU 7.4.10R. In January, a firm agrees to buy 100 tonnes of copper for the average spot price prevailing during the 20 business days in February, and will settle on 30 June. After entering into this agreement, the firm faces the risk that the average price for February increases relative to that for 30 June. Therefore, as highlighted in the table below:

(1) the short positions reflect the fact that this could occur because any one of the remaining forward prices for February increase; and
(2) the long position reflects the fact that this loss could occur because the forward price for 30 June falls.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.12

Table: Example of buying at the average spot price prevailing in the future
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.4.11G

Application of BIPRU 7.4.10R(1)

Application of BIPRU 7.4.10R(2)

From trade date to start of averaging period

Long position in 100 tonnes of copper with a maturity of 30 June.

A series of 20 notional short positions each equal to 5 tonnes of copper. Each position is allocated a maturity equal to one of the business days in February (one for each day).

During averaging period

Long position in 100 tonnes of copper with a maturity of 30 June.

As each business day goes by in February the price for 5 tonnes of copper is fixed and so there will be one less notional short position.

After averaging period

Long position in 100 tonnes of copper with a maturity of 30 June.

No short positions.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: CFDs and options on a commodity index

BIPRU 7.4.13

Commodity index futures and commodity index options (unless the option is included in the firm's option PRR calculation), must be treated as follows:

(1) Step 1: the total quantity underlying the contract must be either:

(a) treated as a single notional commodity position (separate from all other commodities); or
(b) divided into notional positions, one for each of the constituent commodities in the index, of an amount which is a proportionate part of the total underlying the contract according to the weighting of the relevant commodity in the index;

(2) Step 2: each notional position determined in Step 1 must then be included:

(a) when using the commodity simplified approach (BIPRU 7.4.24R), without adjustment; or
(b) when using the commodity maturity ladder approach (BIPRU 7.4.25R) or the commodity extended maturity ladder approach (BIPRU 7.4.32R), with the adjustments in BIPRU 7.4.14R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.14

Table: Treatment of commodity index futures and commodity index options
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.4.13R(2)(b)

Construction of index

Notional position (or positions) and maturity

Spot level of index is based on the spot price of each constituent commodity

Each quantity determined in Step 1 as referred to in BIPRU 7.4.13R is assigned a maturity equal to the expiry date of the contract.

Spot level of index is based on an average of the forward prices of each constituent commodity

Each quantity determined in Step 1 as referred to in BIPRU 7.4.13R is divided (on a pro-rata basis) into a series of forward positions to reflect the impact of each forward price on the level of the index. The maturity of each forward position equals the maturity of the relevant forward price determining the level of the index when the contract expires.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.15

(1) An example of using BIPRU 7.4.13R and the table in BIPRU 7.4.14R is as follows.
(2) A firm is long a three-month commodity index future where the spot level of the index is based on the one, two and three month forward prices of aluminium, copper, tin, lead, zinc and nickel (18 prices in total).
(3) Step 1: the firm should decide whether to treat the full quantity underlying the contract as a single notional commodity position or disaggregate it into notional positions in aluminium, copper, tin, lead, zinc and nickel. In this case the firm decides to disaggregate the contract into notional positions in aluminium, copper, tin, lead, zinc and nickel.
(4) Step 2: if the firm uses the commodity simplified approach, nothing more need be done to arrive at the notional position. In this case the firm uses the commodity maturity ladder approach and so subdivides each position in each metal into three because the level of the index is based on the prevailing one, two and three month forward prices. Since the future will be settled in three months' time at the prevailing level of the index, the three positions for each metal will have maturities of four, five and six months respectively.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Commodity swaps

BIPRU 7.4.16

A firm must treat a commodity swap as a series of notional positions, one position for each payment under the swap, each of which:

(1) equals the total quantity underlying the contract;
(2) has a maturity corresponding to the payment date; and
(3) is long or short according to BIPRU 7.4.17R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.17

Table: Treatment of commodity swaps
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.4.16R

Receiving amounts which are unrelated to any commodity's price

Receiving the price of commodity 'b'

Paying amounts which are unrelated to any commodity's price

N/A

Long positions in commodity 'b'

Paying the price of commodity 'a'

Short positions in commodity 'a'

Short positions in commodity 'a' and long positions in commodity 'b'

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.18

The table in BIPRU 7.4.17R shows that where the legs of the swap are in different commodities, a series of forward positions are created for each commodity (that is, a series of short positions in commodity 'a' and a series of long positions in commodity 'b').

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.19

The table in BIPRU 7.4.17R also covers the case where one leg is unrelated to any commodity's price. This leg may be subject to a PRR under another part of BIPRU 7; for example, an interest rate based leg would have to be included in a firm's interest rate PRR calculation.

01/01/2007

Calculating the PRR for each commodity: General

BIPRU 7.4.20

A firm must calculate a commodity PRR for each commodity separately using either the commodity simplified approach (BIPRU 7.4.24R), the commodity maturity ladder approach (BIPRU 7.4.25R) or the commodity extended maturity ladder approach (BIPRU 7.4.32R).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.21

A firm must use the same approach for a particular commodity but need not use the same approach for all commodities.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.22

(1) A firm must treat positions in different grades or brands of the same commodity-class as different commodities unless they:

(a) can be delivered against each other; or
(b) are close substitutes and have price movements which have exhibited a stable correlation coefficient of at least 0.9 over the last 12 months.

(2) If a firm relies on (1)(b) it must then monitor compliance with the conditions in that paragraph on a continuing basis.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.23

If a firm intends to rely on the approach in BIPRU 7.4.22R(1)(b):

(1) it must notify the FSA in writing at least 20 business days prior to the date the firm starts relying on it; and
(2) the firm must, as part of the notification under (1), provide to the FSA the analysis of price movements on which it relies.

01/01/2007

Calculating the PRR for each commodity: Simplified approach

BIPRU 7.4.24

A firm which calculates a commodity PRR using the commodity simplified approach must do so by summing:

(1) 15% of the net position multiplied by the spot price for the commodity; and
(2) 3% of the gross position (long plus short, ignoring the sign) multiplied by the spot price for the commodity;

(and for these purposes the excess of a firm's long (short) positions over its short (long) positions in the same commodity (including notional positions under BIPRU 7.4.4R) is its net position in each commodity).

01/01/2007

Calculating the PRR for each commodity: Maturity ladder approach

BIPRU 7.4.25

A firm using the commodity maturity ladder approach must calculate the commodity PRR following the steps in BIPRU 7.4.26R and then sum all spread charges, carry charges and outright charges that result. A firm must use a separate maturity ladder for each commodity.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.26

(1) A firm must calculate the charges referred to in BIPRU 7.4.25R as follows.
(2) Step 1: offset long and short positions maturing:

(a) on the same day; or
(b) (in the case of positions arising under contracts traded in markets with daily delivery dates) within 10 business days of each other.

(3) Step 2: allocate the positions remaining after step 1 to the appropriate maturity band in the table in BIPRU 7.4.28R (physical commodity positions are allocated to band 1).
(4) Step 3: match long and short positions within each band. In each instance, calculate a spread charge equal to the matched amount multiplied first by the spot price for the commodity and then by the spread rate of 3%.
(5) Step 4: carry unmatched positions remaining after step 3 to another band where they can be matched, then match them. Do this until all matching possibilities are exhausted. In each instance, calculate:

(a) a carry charge equal to the carried position multiplied by the spot price for the commodity, the carry rate of 0.6% and the number of bands by which the position is carried; and
(b) a spread charge equal to the matched amount multiplied by the spot price for the commodity and the spread rate of 3%.

(6) Step 5: calculate the outright charge on the remaining positions (which will either be all long positions or all short positions). The outright charge equals the remaining position (ignoring the sign) multiplied by the spot price for the commodity and the outright rate of 15%.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.27

The matched amount in BIPRU 7.4.26R is the lesser (ignoring the sign) of either the total long position or the total short position. For example, a band with 1000 long and 700 short results in a matched amount of 700. The unmatched amount would be 300.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.28

Table: Maturity bands for the maturity ladder approach
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.4.26R

Band

Maturity of position

Band 1

0 ≤ 1 month

Band 2

> 1 month ≤ 3 months

Band 3

> 3 months ≤ 6 months

Band 4

> 6 months ≤ 1 year

Band 5

> 1 year ≤ 2 years

Band 6

> 2 years ≤ 3 years

Band 7

> 3 years

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.29

BIPRU 7.4.30G is an example illustrating the calculation of the commodity PRR on an individual commodity using the commodity maturity ladder approach (BIPRU 7.4.26R). After the firm has carried out the pre-processing required by BIPRU 7.4.26R(2) (that is, step 1), it follows steps 2 to 5 as shown below. Because the firm is using the commodity maturity ladder approach the spread rate is 3%, the carry rate is 0.6% and the outright rate is 15%. The example assumes that the spot price for the commodity is £25.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.30

Table: Example illustrating the commodity maturity ladder approach
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.4.29G

01/01/2007

Calculating the PRR for each commodity: Extended maturity ladder approach

BIPRU 7.4.31

A firm may use the commodity extended maturity ladder approach to calculate the commodity PRR for a particular commodity provided the firm:

(1) has a diversified commodities portfolio;
(2) undertakes significant commodities business;
(3) is not yet in a position to use the VaR model approach to calculate commodity PRR; and
(4) at least twenty business days before the date the firm uses that approach notifies the FSA in writing of:

(a) its intention to use the commodity extended maturity ladder approach; and
(b) the facts and matters relied on to demonstrate that the firm meets the criteria in (1) - (3).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.32

A firm using the commodity extended maturity ladder approach must calculate its commodity PRR by:

(1) following the same steps as in BIPRU 7.4.26R but using the rates from the table in BIPRU 7.4.33R rather than those in BIPRU 7.4.26R; and
(2) summing all spread charges, carry charges and outright charge that result.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.33

Table: Alternative spread, carry and outright rates
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.4.32R

Precious metals (excluding gold)

Base metals

Softs (agricultural)

Other (including energy)

Spread rate (%)

2.4

Carry rate (%)

0.3

0.5

0.6

Outright rate (%)

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.34

For the purposes of BIPRU 7.4.31R(1) a firm has a diversified commodity portfolio where it holds positions in more than one commodity in each of the categories set out in the table in BIPRU 7.4.33R and holds positions across different maturities in those individual commodities. A firm would not have a diversified commodity portfolio if it held positions in only one commodity in each of the categories set out in the table in BIPRU 7.4.33R. This is because the rates in the table in BIPRU 7.4.33R assume firms have positions in more than one of that category's commodities. Different commodities within a given category are likely to exhibit different volatilities, so where a firm does not have a diversified commodity portfolio in that category, the rates applying to that category might underestimate the regulatory capital required for a certain commodity at certain times.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.35

What constitutes significant business in BIPRU 7.4.31R(2) will vary from firm to firm. The more regularly the firm undertakes trades in commodities and the more consistently it has positions in the relevant commodity, the more likely it is to be undertaking significant business for the purposes of BIPRU 7.4.31R(2).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.36

Where a firm is:

(1) treating a commodity index derivative as if it was based on a single separate commodity (see BIPRU 7.4.13R(1)(a)); and
(2) using the commodity extended maturity ladder approach to calculate the commodity PRR for that commodity;

it must determine which index constituent incurs the highest rate in the table in BIPRU 7.4.33R and apply that rate to the notional position for the purposes of BIPRU 7.4.32R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.37

Where an index is only based on precious metals, BIPRU 7.4.13R and BIPRU 7.4.36R allow the firm to treat the single notional position as precious metal for the purposes of BIPRU 7.4.32R. However, if the index contained a mix of precious metals and base metals the firm would have to treat the notional position under BIPRU 7.4.36R as a base metal because base metals attract a higher rate than precious metals in the table in BIPRU 7.4.33R.

01/01/2007

Liquidity and other risks

BIPRU 7.4.38

If a short position to which BIPRU 7.4 applies falls due before a long position to which BIPRU 7.4 applies, a firm must also guard against the risk of a shortage of liquidity which may exist in some markets.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.39

In particular, where BIPRU 7.4.38R applies and the short position constitutes a material position compared to a firm's total commodity positions, it should consider a further commodity PRR charge in respect of that position depending on the likelihood of a shortage of liquidity in that market.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.40

A firm must safeguard against other risks, apart from the delta risk, associated with commodity options.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.4.41

The interest-rate and foreign-exchange risks not covered by other provisions of BIPRU 7.4 or by the provisions of BIPRU 7.2 (Interest rate PRR) or BIPRU 7.5 (Foreign currency PRR) must be included in the calculation of general market risk for traded debt securities and in the calculation of foreign currency PRR.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.5

Foreign currency PRR

01/01/2007

General rule

BIPRU 7.5.1

A firm must calculate its foreign currency PRR by:

(1) identifying which foreign currency and gold positions to include in the PRR calculation;
(2) calculating the net open position in each currency in accordance with this section (including where necessary the base currency calculated in the same way as it is for foreign currencies) and in gold;
(3) calculating the open currency position for foreign currencies as calculated under BIPRU 7.5.19R and the net gold position (see BIPRU 7.5.20R); and
(4) multiplying the sum of the absolutes of that open currency position and that net gold position by 8%.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.5.2

An example of the operation of BIPRU 7.5.1R is as follows. A firm has an open currency position of £100 and a net gold position of £50. The sum (ignoring the sign) is £150, and so the foreign currency PRR is £12.

01/01/2007

Scope of the foreign currency PRR calculation

BIPRU 7.5.3

A firm's foreign currency PRR calculation must include the following items regardless of whether they are trading book or non-trading book positions:

(1) all gold positions;
(2) all spot positions in foreign currency (that is, all asset items less all liability items, including accrued interest, in the foreign currency in question);
(3) all forward positions in foreign currency;
(4) all CRD financial instruments and other items which are denominated in a foreign currency;
(5) irrevocable guarantees (and similar instruments) that are certain to be called and likely to be irrecoverable to the extent they give rise to a position in gold or foreign currency; and
(6) notional positions arising from the instruments listed in the table in BIPRU 7.5.5R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.5.4

(1) The following are excluded from a firm's foreign currency PRR calculation:

(a) foreign currency assets which have been deducted in full from the firm's capital resources under the calculations under the capital resources table;
(b) positions hedging (a);
(c) positions that a firm has deliberately taken in order to hedge against the adverse effect of the exchange rate on the ratio of its capital resources to its capital resources requirement; and
(d) transactions to the extent that they fully hedge net future foreign currency income or expenses which are known but not yet accrued.

(2) If a firm uses an exclusion under (1) it must:

(a) notify the FSA before it makes use of it;
(b) include in the notification in (a) the terms on which the relevant item will be excluded;
(c) not change the terms of the exclusion under (b); and
(d) document its policy on the use of that exclusion in its trading book policy statement.

(3) A position may only be excluded under (1)(b) or (c) if it is of a non-trading or structural nature.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.5.5

Table: instruments which result in notional foreign currency positions
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.5.3R(6).

Instruments

See

Foreign currency futures, forwards, synthetic futures and CFDs

BIPRU 7.5.11R

Foreign currency swaps

BIPRU 7.5.13R

Foreign currency options or warrants (unless the firm calculates a PRR on the option or warrant under BIPRU 7.6 (Option PRR)).

BIPRU 7.5.15R

Gold futures, forwards, synthetic futures and CFDs

BIPRU 7.5.16R

Gold options (unless the firm calculates a PRR on the option under BIPRU 7.6).

BIPRU 7.5.17R

Positions in CIUs

BIPRU 7.5.18R

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.5.6

Firms are reminded that the table in BIPRU 7.6.5R (Table: Appropriate PRR calculation for an option or warrant) divides foreign currency options and warrants into:

(1) those which must be treated under BIPRU 7.6 (Option PRR); and
(2) those which must be treated under either BIPRU 7.5 or BIPRU 7.6, the firm being able to choose whether BIPRU 7.5 or BIPRU 7.6 is used.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.5.7

When determining the currency of denomination firms must:

(1) use the currency in which the firm accounts for the instrument where an instrument is quoted in more than one currency; and
(2) treat depository receipts as positions in the underlying security.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.5.8

Instruments denominated in a foreign currency include, amongst other things, assets and liabilities (including accrued interest); non-foreign currency derivative; net underwriting positions; reduced net underwriting positions; and irrevocable guarantees (or similar instruments) that are certain to be called.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.5.9

Where a contract is based on a basket of currencies, the firm can choose either to derive notional positions in each of the constituent currencies or treat it as a single notional position in a separate notional currency.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: General

BIPRU 7.5.10

BIPRU 7.5.11R - BIPRU 7.5.18R derive notional currency positions for the instruments listed in the table in BIPRU 7.5.5R.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Foreign exchange forwards, futures, CFDs and synthetic futures

BIPRU 7.5.11

(1) A firm must treat a foreign currency forward, future, synthetic future or CFD as two notional currency positions as follows:

(a) a long notional position in the currency which the firm has contracted to buy; and
(b) a short notional position in the currency which the firm has contracted to sell.

(2) In (1) the notional positions have a value equal to either:

(a) the contracted amount of each currency to be exchanged in the case of a forward, future, synthetic future or CFD held in the non-trading book; or
(b) the present value of the amount of each currency to be exchanged in the case of a forward, future, synthetic future or CFD held in the trading book.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.5.12

(1) The following example illustrates BIPRU 7.5.11R. In this example, a firm contracts to sell $106 for €108 in one year's time and the present values of each cash flow are $100 and €100 respectively.
(2) In the non-trading book, this forward would be treated as a combination of a €108 long position and a $106 short position.
(3) In the trading book, this forward would be treated as a combination of a €100 long position and a $100 short position.
(4) Firms are reminded that foreign currency forwards held in the trading book should also be included in the firm's interest rate PRR calculation (see BIPRU 7.2.4R (Instruments which result in notional positions for the purpose of the interest rate PRR)).

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Foreign currency swaps

BIPRU 7.5.13

(1) A firm must treat a foreign currency swap as:

(a) a long notional position in the currency in which the firm has contracted to receive interest and principal; and
(b) a short notional position in the currency in which the firm has contracted to pay interest and principal.

(2) In (1) the notional positions have a value equal to either:

(a) the nominal amount of each currency underlying the swap if it is held in the non-trading book; or
(b) the present value amount of all cash flows in the relevant currency in the case of a swap held in the trading book.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.5.14

(1) The following example illustrates BIPRU 7.5.13R. In this example a firm enters into a five year foreign currency swap where it contracts to pay six month US$ Libor on $100 in return for receiving 6% fixed on €100. The present values of each leg are $100 and €98 respectively.
(2) In the non-trading book, this swap would be treated as a combination of a €100 long position and a $100 short position.
(3) In the trading book, this swap would be treated as a combination of a €98 long position and a $100 short position.
(4) Firms are reminded that foreign currency swaps held in the trading book should also be included in the firm's interest rate PRR calculation (see BIPRU 7.2.4R (Instruments which result in notional positions for the purpose of the interest rate PRR)).

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Foreign currency options and warrants

BIPRU 7.5.15

Where included in BIPRU 7.5's PRR calculation (see the table in BIPRU 7.5.5R), a foreign currency option or warrant must be treated as a foreign currency forward.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Gold forwards, futures, synthetic futures and CFDs

BIPRU 7.5.16

A forward, future, synthetic future or CFD on gold must be treated as a notional position in gold with a value equal to the amount of gold underlying multiplied by the current spot price for gold.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: Gold options

BIPRU 7.5.17

If included in the PRR calculation under BIPRU 7.5 (see the table in BIPRU 7.5.5R), a gold option must be treated as a gold forward.

01/01/2007

Derivation of notional positions: CIUs

BIPRU 7.5.18

(1) This rule deals with positions in CIUs.
(2) The actual foreign currency positions of a CIU must be included in a firm's foreign currency PRR calculation under BIPRU 7.5.1 R .
(3) A firm may rely on third party reporting of the foreign currency positions in the CIU, where the correctness of this report is adequately ensured.
(4) If a firm is not aware of the foreign currency positions in a CIU, the firm must assume that the CIU is invested up to the maximum extent allowed under the CIUs mandate in foreign currency and the firm must, for trading book positions, take account of the maximum indirect exposure that it could achieve by taking leveraged positions through the CIU when calculating its foreign currency PRR. This must be done by proportionally increasing the position in the CIU up to the maximum exposure to the underlying investment items resulting from the investment mandate.
(5) The assumed position of the CIU in foreign currency calculated in accordance with BIPRU 7.5.18R(4) must be treated as a separate currency according to the treatment of investments in gold, subject to the modification that, if the direction of the CIUs investment is available, the total long position may be added to the total long open foreign currency position and the total short position may be added to the total short open foreign currency position. No netting is allowed between such positions prior to this calculation.

06/04/2007

Open currency position

BIPRU 7.5.19

A firm must calculate its open currency position by:

(1) calculating the net position in each foreign currency;
(2) converting each such net position into its base currency equivalent at current spot rates;
(3) summing all short net positions and summing all long net positions calculated under (1) and (2); and
(4) selecting the larger sum (ignoring the sign) from (3).

01/01/2007

Net gold position

BIPRU 7.5.20

A firm must calculate its net gold position by:

(1) valuing all gold positions using the prevailing spot price for gold (regardless of the maturity of the positions);
(2) offsetting long and short positions; and
(3) converting the resulting net position into the base currency equivalent using the current spot foreign currency rate.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.6

Option PRR

01/01/2007

Option PRR calculation

BIPRU 7.6.1

A firm must calculate its option PRR by:

(1) identifying which option positions must be included within the scope of the option PRR calculation under BIPRU 7.6.3R - BIPRU 7.6.5R;
(2) calculating the derived position in each option in accordance with BIPRU 7.6.9R - BIPRU 7.6.15R;
(3) calculating the PRR for each derived position in accordance with BIPRU 7.6.16R - BIPRU 7.6.31R;
(4) summing all of the PRRs calculated in accordance with (3).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.6.2

Firms are reminded that the table in BIPRU 7.2.4R (Instruments which result in notional positions for the purposes of the interest rate PRR) and the table in BIPRU 7.3.3R (Instruments which result in notional positions for the purposes of the equity PRR) also require an interest rate PRR to be calculated for options on equities, baskets of equities or equities indices. The interaction between BIPRU 7.6 and the rest of Chapter 7 is illustrated in BIPRU 7.6.33G.

01/01/2007

Scope of the option PRR calculation

BIPRU 7.6.3

Except as permitted under BIPRU 7.6.5R, a firm's option PRR calculation must include:

(1) each trading book position in an option on an equity, interest rate or debt security;
(2) each trading book position in a warrant on an equity or debt security;
(3) each trading book position in a CIU; and
(4) each trading book and non-trading book position in an option on a commodity, currency or gold.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.6.4

BIPRU 7.6.3R(2) includes net underwriting positions or reduced net underwriting positions in warrants.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.6.5

Table: Appropriate PRR calculation for an option or warrant
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.6.3R

Option type (see BIPRU 7.6.18R) or warrant

PRR calculation

American option, European option, Bermudan option, Asian option or warrant for which the in the money percentage (see BIPRU 7.6.6R) is equal to or greater than the appropriate PRA (see BIPRU 7.6.7R and BIPRU 7.6.8R)

Calculate either an option PRR, or the most appropriate to the underlying position of:

(a) an equity PRR; or (b) an interest rate PRR; or (c) a commodity PRR; or (d) a foreign currency PRR; or (e) a collective investment undertaking PRR.

American option, European option, Bermudan option, Asian option or warrant:

(a) for which the in the money percentage (see BIPRU 7.6.6R) is less than the appropriate PRA (see BIPRU 7.6.7R and BIPRU 7.6.8R); or (b) that is at the money; or (c) that is out of the money.

Calculate an option PRR

All other types of option listed in BIPRU 7.6.18R (regardless of whether in the money, at the money or out of the money).

01/01/2007

The in the money percentage

BIPRU 7.6.6

(1) The in the money percentage is calculated in accordance with this rule.
(2) For a call option:
Current market price of underlying - Strike price of the option * 100
Strike price of the option
(3) For a put option:
Strike price of option - Current market price of underlying * 100
Strike price of the option
(4) In the case of an option on a basket of securities a firm may not treat the option as being in the money by the relevant percentage so as to enable the firm not to apply an option PRR under BIPRU 7.6.5R unless the conditions in BIPRU 7.6.5R are satisfied with respect to each kind of underlying investment.
(5) (4) also applies to an option on a CIU if a firm is using one of the CIU look through methods.

01/01/2007

The appropriate PRA

BIPRU 7.6.7

(1) The appropriate PRA for a position is that listed in the table in BIPRU 7.6.8R against the relevant underlying position.
(2) If the firm uses the commodity extended maturity ladder approach or the commodity maturity ladder approach for a particular commodity under BIPRU 7.4 (Commodity PRR) the appropriate PRA for an option on that commodity is the outright rate applicable to the underlying position (see BIPRU 7.4.26R (Calculating the PRR for each commodity: Maturity ladder approach) and BIPRU 7.4.33R (Table: Alternative spread, carry and outright rates)).
(3) If a firm does not have commodity positions treated under BIPRU 7.4 or does not have positions in the commodity in question treated under BIPRU 7.4 the restrictions in BIPRU 7.4 that regulate when a firm can and cannot use a particular method of calculating the commodity PRR apply for the purpose of establishing the appropriate PRA for the purposes of BIPRU 7.6.
(4) If a firm is using one of the CIU look through methods for an option on a CIU the leveraging requirements in BIPRU 7.7 (Position risk requirements for collective investment undertakings) apply (see BIPRU 7.7.11R). For this purpose the amount of the appropriate PRAs under BIPRU 7.6.6R(5) is increased by the amount of that leveraging (expressed as a percentage) as calculated under BIPRU 7.7, subject to a maximum appropriate PRA of 32%.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.6.8

Table: Appropriate PRA
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.6.7R

Underlying position

Appropriate PRA

Equity

The PRA applicable to the underlying equity or equity index in the table in BIPRU 7.3.30R (Simplified equity method)

Interest rate

The sum of the specific risk PRA (see BIPRU 7.2.43R to BIPRU 7.2.51G (Specific risk calculation)) and the general market risk PRA (as set out in BIPRU 7.2.57R (General market risk PRAs)) applicable to the underlying position

Debt securities

The sum of the specific risk PRA (see BIPRU 7.2.43R to BIPRU 7.2.51G (Specific risk calculation)) and the general market risk PRA (as set out in the table in BIPRU 7.2.57R (General market risk PRAs)) applicable to the underlying position

Commodity

18% (unless BIPRU 7.6.7R requires otherwise)

Currency

Gold

CIU

32% (subject to BIPRU 7.6.6R and BIPRU 7.6.7R)

01/01/2007

Calculating derived positions

BIPRU 7.6.9

A firm must calculate the derived position specified in the table in BIPRU 7.6.13R for each position included in its option PRR calculation.

01/01/2007

Netting positions

BIPRU 7.6.10

A firm may calculate a derived position for its net position in an option or a warrant, if the relevant options or warrants are identical or may be treated as identical under BIPRU 7.6.11R or BIPRU 7.6.12R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.6.11

A firm may treat options or warrants as identical if they have the same strike price, maturity (except for an interest rate cap or floor - see BIPRU 7.6.12R) and underlying.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.6.12

A firm may treat as identical a purchased interest rate cap (or floor) and a written interest rate cap (or floor) only if they mature within 30 days of each other and all other terms are identical (a cap may not be netted against a floor).

01/01/2007

Derived positions

BIPRU 7.6.13

Table: Derived positions
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.6.9R

Underlying

Option (or warrant)

Derived position

Equity

Option (warrant) on a single equity or option on a future/forward on a single equity

A notional position in the actual equity underlying the contract valued at the current market price of the equity.

Option (warrant) on a basket of equities or option on a future/forward on a basket of equities

A notional position in the actual equities underlying the contract valued at the current market price of the equities.

Option (warrant) on an equity index or option on a future/forward on an equity index

A notional position in the index underlying the contract valued at the current market price of the index.

Interest rate

Option on an interest rate or an interest rate future/FRA

A zero coupon zero-specific-risk security in the currency concerned with a maturity equal to the sum of the time to expiry of the contract and the length of the period on which the settlement amount of the contract is calculated valued at the notional amount of the contract.

Option on an interest rate swap

A zero coupon zero-specific-risk security in the currency concerned with a maturity equal to the length of the swap valued at the notional principal amount.

Interest rate cap or floor

A zero coupon zero-specific-risk security in the currency concerned with a maturity equal to the remaining period of the cap or floor valued at the notional amount of the contract.

Debt securities

Option (warrant) on a debt security or option on a future/forward on a debt security

The underlying debt security with a maturity equal to the time to expiry of the option valued as the nominal amount underlying the contract at the current market price of the debt security.

Option (warrant) on a basket of debt securities or option on a future/forward on a basket of debt securities

A notional position in the actual debt securities underlying the contract valued at the current market price of the debt securities.

Option (warrant) on an index of debt securities or option on a future/forward on an index of debt securities

A notional position in the index underlying the contract valued at the current market price of the index.

Commodity

Option on a commodity or option on a future/forward on a commodity

An amount equal to the tonnage, barrels or kilos underlying the option with (in the case of a future/forward on a commodity) a maturity equal to the expiry date of the forward or Futures contract underlying the option. In the case of an option on a commodity the maturity of the position falls into Band 1 in the table in BIPRU 7.4.28R (Table: Maturity bands for the maturity ladder approach).

Option on a commodity swap

An amount equal to the tonnage, barrels or kilos underlying the option with a maturity equal to the length of the swap valued at the notional principal amount.

CIU
(These provisions about CIUs are subject to BIPRU 7.6.35R)

Option (warrant) on a single CIU or option on a future/forward on a single CIU

A notional position in the actual CIU underlying the contract valued at the current market price of the CIU.

Option (warrant) on a basket of CIUs or option on a future/forward on a basket of CIUs

A notional position in the actual CIUs underlying the contract valued at the current market price of the CIUs.

Gold

Option on gold or option on a future/forward on gold

An amount equal to the troy ounces underlying the option with (in the case of a future/forward on gold) a maturity equal to the expiry date of the forward or futures contract underlying the option.

Currency

Currency option

The amount of the underlying currency that the firm will receive if the option is exercised converted at the spot rate into the currency that the firm will sell if the option is exercised.

01/01/2007

Combinations of options which can be treated as one option

BIPRU 7.6.14

A firm may treat (for the purpose of calculating an option PRR under BIPRU 7.6) an option strategy listed in the table in BIPRU 7.6.15R as the single position in a notional option specified against that strategy in the table in BIPRU 7.6.15R, if:

(1) each element of the strategy is transacted with the same counterparty;
(2) the strategy is documented as a single structure;
(3) the underlying for each part of the composite position (including any actual holding of the underlying) is the same under the PRR identical product netting rules;
(4) the netting achieved does not result overall in a greater degree of netting in the calculation of the market risk capital requirement than would be permitted under the other standard market risk PRR rules;
(5) each option in the structure has the same maturity and underlying; and
(6) the constituent parts of the structure form an indivisible single contract, so that neither party can unwind or default on one part of the structure without doing so for the contract as a whole;

except that (1) and (6) only apply to the extent possible with respect to any part of the composite position held by the firm that consists of an actual holding of the underlying.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.6.15

Table: Option strategies
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.6.14R

Option strategy (and an example)

Notional option (and rule it must be treated under)

Bull Spread
(e.g. buy 100 call and sell 101 call)

One purchased option
(treat under BIPRU 7.6.20R)

Bear Spread
(e.g. sell 100 put and buy 101 put)

One written option
(treat under BIPRU 7.6.21R)

Synthetic Long Call
(e.g. long underlying and buy 100 put)

One purchased option
(treat under BIPRU 7.6.20R or BIPRU 7.6.24R)

Synthetic Short Call
(e.g. short underlying and sell 100 put)

One written option
(treat under BIPRU 7.6.21R or BIPRU 7.6.24R)

Synthetic Long Put
(e.g. short underlying and buy 100 call)

One purchased option
(treat under BIPRU 7.6.20R or BIPRU 7.6.24R)

Synthetic Short Put
(e.g. buy underlying and sell 100 call)

One written option
(treat under BIPRU 7.6.21R or BIPRU 7.6.24R)

Long Straddle
(e.g. buy 100 call and buy 100 put)

One purchased option
(treat under BIPRU 7.6.20R)

Short Straddle
(e.g. sell 100 call and sell 100 put)

One written option
(treat under BIPRU 7.6.21R but with no reduction for the amount the option is out of the money)

Long Strangle
(e.g. buy 101 call and buy 99 put)

One purchased option
(treat under BIPRU 7.6.20R)

Short Strangle
(e.g. sell 99 call and sell 101 put)

One written option
(treat under BIPRU 7.6.21R but with no reduction for the amount the option is out of the money)

Long Butterfly
(e.g. buy one 100 call, sell two 101 calls, and buy one 102 call)

One purchased option
(treat under BIPRU 7.6.20R)

Short Butterfly
(e.g. sell one 100 put, buy two 101 puts, and sell one 102 put)

One written option
(treat under BIPRU 7.6.21R but with no reduction for the amount the option is out of the money)

01/01/2007

The option PRR for an individual positions

BIPRU 7.6.16

A firm must calculate the option PRR for each individual derived option position using the method specified in the table in BIPRU 7.6.18R, or, if more than one method is permitted, using one of those methods.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.6.17

A firm must convert its positions into its base currency in accordance with the procedures that apply for whichever of the other PRR charges is appropriate (see BIPRU 7.2.1R(3), BIPRU 7.3.1R(2), BIPRU 7.4.1R(3), BIPRU 7.5.19R(2), BIPRU 7.5.20R(3) and BIPRU 7.7.1R(3)).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.6.18

Table: Option PRR: methods for different types of option
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.6.16R

Option

Description

Method

American option

An option that may be exercised at any time over an extended period up to its expiry date.

Option standard method or option hedging method if appropriate

European option

An option that can only be exercised at expiry.

Bermudan option

A cross between an American option and European option. The Bermudan option can only be exercised at specific dates during its life.

Asian option

The buyer has the right to exercise at the average rate or price of the underlying over the period (or part of the period) of the option. One variant is where the payout is based on the average of the underlying against a fixed strike price; another variant is where the payout gives at expiry the price of the underlying against the average price over the option period.

Option standard method or option hedging method if appropriate

Barrier option

An option which is either cancelled or activated if the price of the underlying reaches a pre-set level regardless of the price at which the underlying may be trading at the expiry of the option. The knock-out type is cancelled if the underlying price or rate trades through the trigger; while the knock-in becomes activated if the price moves through the trigger.

Corridor option

Provides the holder with a pay-out for each day that the underlying stays within a defined range chosen by the investor.

Ladder option

Provides the holder with guaranteed pay-outs if the underlying trades through a pre-agreed price(s) or rate(s) at a certain point(s) in time, regardless of future performance.

Lock-in option

An option where the pay-out to the holder is locked in at the maximum (or minimum) value of the underlying that occurred during the life of the option.

Look-back option

A European style option where the strike price is fixed in retrospect, that is at the most favourable price (i.e. the lowest (highest) price of the underlying in the case of a call (put)) during the life of the option.

Forward starting option

An option that starts at a future date.

Compound option

An option where the underlying is itself an option (i.e. an option on an option).

Option standard method or option hedging method if appropriate

Interest rate cap

An interest rate option or series of options under which a counterparty contracts to pay any interest costs arising as a result of an increase in rates above an agreed rate: the effect being to provide protection to the holder against a rise above that agreed interest rate.

Option standard method, but no reduction for the amount the option is out of the money is permitted

Interest rate floor

An interest rate option or series of options under which a counterparty contracts to pay any lost income arising as a result of a fall in rates below an agreed rate: the effect being to provide protection to the holder against a fall below that agreed interest rate.

Performance option

An option based on a reference basket comprising any number of assets, where the pay-out to the holder could be one of the following: the maximum of the worst performing asset, or 0; the maximum of the best performing asset, or 0; the maximum of the spreads between several pairs of the assets, or 0.

Option standard method or option hedging method - using the highest PRA of the individual assets in the basket

Quanto

Quanto stands for "Quantity Adjusted Option". A quanto is an instrument where two currencies are involved. The payoff is dependent on a variable that is measured in one of the currencies and the payoff is made in the other currency.

Subject to BIPRU 7.6.31R, the option standard method

Cliquet option

A cliquet option consists of a series of forward starting options where the strike price for the next exercise date is set equal to a positive constant times the underlying price as of the previous exercise date. It initially acts like a vanilla option with a fixed price but as time moves on, the strike is reset and the intrinsic value automatically locked in at pre-set dates. If the underlying price is below the previous level at the reset date no intrinsic value is locked in but the strike price will be reset to the current price attained by the underlying. If the underlying price exceeds the current level at the next reset the intrinsic value will again be locked in.

Option standard method for a purchased cliquet, or the method specified in BIPRU 7.6.30R for a written cliquet

Digital option

A type of option where the pay-out to the holder is fixed. The most common types are all-or-nothing and one-touch options. All-or-nothing will pay out the fixed amount if the underlying is above (call) or below (put) a set value at expiry. The one-touch will pay the fixed amount if the underlying reaches a fixed point any time before expiry.

The method specified in BIPRU 7.6.29 R

Any other option or warrant

The method specified for the type of instrument whose description it most closely resembles.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.6.19

(1) The option standard method is described in BIPRU 7.6.20R - BIPRU 7.6.22R.
(2) The option hedging method is described in BIPRU 7.6.23G - BIPRU 7.6.28R.

01/01/2007

The standard method: Purchased options and warrants

BIPRU 7.6.20

Under the option standard method, the PRR for a purchased option or warrant is the lesser of:

(1) the market value of the derived position (see BIPRU 7.6.9R) multiplied by the appropriate PRA (see BIPRU 7.6.8R); and
(2) the market value of the option or warrant.

01/01/2007

The standard method: Written options and warrants

BIPRU 7.6.21

Under the option standard method, the PRR for a written option or warrant is the market value of the derived position (see BIPRU 7.6.9R) multiplied by the appropriate PRA (see BIPRU 7.6.8R). This result may be reduced by the amount the option or warrant is out of the money (subject to a maximum reduction to zero).

01/01/2007

The standard method: Underwriting or sub-underwriting an issue of warrants

BIPRU 7.6.22

Under the option standard method, the PRR for underwriting or sub-underwriting an issue of warrants is the net underwriting position (or reduced net underwriting position) multiplied by the current market price of the underlying securities multiplied by the appropriate PRA, but the result can be limited to the value of the net underwriting position (or reduced net underwriting position) calculated using the issue price of the warrant.

01/01/2007

The hedging method

BIPRU 7.6.23

The option hedging method involves the option PRR being calculated on a combination of the option and its hedge.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.6.24

Under the option hedging method a firm must calculate the option PRR for individual positions as follows:

(1) for an option or warrant on an equity, basket of equities or equity index and its equity hedge(s), the firm must, to the extent specified or permitted in the table in BIPRU 7.6.26R, use the calculation in the table in BIPRU 7.6.27R;
(2) for an option or warrant on a debt security, basket of debt securities or debt security index and its debt security hedge(s), the firm must, to the extent specified or permitted in the table in BIPRU 7.6.26R, use the calculation in the table in BIPRU 7.6.27R;
(3) for an option on gold and its gold hedge, the firm must, to the extent specified or permitted in the table in BIPRU 7.6.26R, use the calculation in the table in BIPRU 7.6.27R; and
(4) for an option on a currency and its currency hedge, the firm must, to the extent specified or permitted in the table in BIPRU 7.6.26R, use the calculation in the table in BIPRU 7.6.28R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.6.25

(1) A firm may not use the option hedging method for:

(a) an interest rate option and its hedge; or
(b) a commodity option and its hedge; or
(c) a CIU option and its hedge.

(2) A firm may only use the option hedging method if the item underlying the option or warrant is the same as the hedge of the option or warrant under the PRR identical product netting rules.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.6.26

Table: Appropriate treatment for equities, debt securities or currencies hedging options
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.6.24R

Hedge

PRR calculation for the hedge

Limits (if hedging method is used)

Naked position

An equity (hedging an option or warrant)

The equity must be treated in either BIPRU 7.3 (equity PRR) or the option hedging method (see the table in BIPRU 7.6.27R)

The option hedging method must only be used up to the amount of the hedge that matches the notional amount underlying the option or warrant

To the extent that the amount of the hedge (or option or warrant) exceeds the notional amount underlying the option or warrant (or hedge), a firm must apply an equity PRR, interest rate PRR or foreign currency PRR (or the option standard method)

A debt security (hedging an option or warrant)

The debt security must be treated in BIPRU 7.2 (interest rate PRR) or the option hedging method (see the table in BIPRU 7.6.27R)

As for the first row

Gold (hedging a gold option)

The gold must be treated in either BIPRU 7.5 (Foreign currency PRR) or the option hedging method (see the table in BIPRU 7.6.27R)

As for the first row

A currency or currencies (hedging a currency option)

The currency must be treated in either BIPRU 7.5 (Foreign currency PRR) or the option hedging method (see the table in BIPRU 7.6.28R)

As for the first row

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.6.27

Table: The hedging method of calculating the PRR (equities, debt securities and gold)
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.6.24R(1) - (3)

PRR

Option or warrant position

In the money by more than the PRA

In the money by less than the PRA

Out of the money or at the money

Long in security or gold

Long put

Zero

Short call

Short in security or gold

Long call

Zero

Short put

Where:

Wp means

{(PRA-100%) x The underlying position valued at strike price}

The market value of the underlying position

Wc means

{(100% + PRA x The underlying position valued at strike price}

The market value of the underlying position

X means

The market value of the underlying position multiplied by the appropriate PRA

Y means

The market value of the underlying position multiplied by the appropriate PRA. This result may be reduced by the market value of the option or warrant, subject to a maximum reduction to zero.

Z means

The option hedging method is not permitted; the option standard method must be used.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.6.28

Table: The hedging method of calculating the PRR (currencies)
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.6.24R(4)

PRR

Option position

In the money by more than 8%

In the money by less than 8%

Out of the money or at the money

Long calls & long puts

Zero

W_L

Short calls & short puts

Zero

Where:

W_L means

(1.08% x U)

The market value of the underlying position

U means

The amount of the underlying currency that the firm will receive if the option is exercised, converted at the strike price into the currency that the firm will sell if the option is exercised

X means

The market value of the underlying position multiplied by 8%.

Y means

The market value of the underlying position multiplied by 8%. This result may be reduced by the market value of the option, subject to a maximum reduction to zero.

01/01/2007

Specific methods and treatments: Digital options

BIPRU 7.6.29

The option PRR for a digital option is the maximum loss of the option.

01/01/2007

Specific methods and treatments: Written cliquet options

BIPRU 7.6.30

The option PRR for a written cliquet option is the market value of the derived position (see BIPRU 7.6.9R) multiplied by the appropriate PRA (see BIPRU 7.6.8R) multiplied by F+1 (see the following provisions of this paragraph). This result may be reduced by the amount the option is out of the money (subject to a maximum reduction to zero). The option PRR for a written cliquet option is therefore defined by the following formula:
[ PRA * underlying * (F + 1)] - OTM
where:

(1)
(2) FR= Number of forward re-sets
(3) Y= Years to maturity
(4) OTM= the amount by which the option is out of the money

01/01/2007

Specific methods and treatments: Quantos

BIPRU 7.6.31

If the pay-out to the holder of a quanto option is fixed at the inception of the transaction a firm must add 8% to the PRA when applying the option standard method.

01/01/2007

Interaction with other chapters

BIPRU 7.6.32

The application of an option PRR to a position does not prevent any of the other PRR charges from applying if they would otherwise do so. In particular if a firm applies an option PRR to an equity derivative an interest rate PRR will also generally apply.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.6.33

The following diagram illustrates the relationship between BIPRU 7.6 and the rest of BIPRU 7.

01/01/2007

Options on a commodity

BIPRU 7.6.34

BIPRU 7.4.38R to BIPRU 7.4.41R (Liquidity and other risks) apply to commodity options treated under BIPRU 7.6 as well as to those treated under BIPRU 7.4 (Commodity PRR).

01/01/2007

Options on a CIU

BIPRU 7.6.35

For the purpose of identifying the appropriate treatment for the purpose of BIPRU 7.6.5R, the underlying position for the purpose of BIPRU 7.6.8R and the derived position under BIPRU 7.6.13R a firm may choose between treating an option on a CIU as being:

(1) a position in the CIU itself; or
(2) (if the conditions in BIPRU 7.7 (Position risk requirements for collective investment undertakings) for the use of the method in question are satisfied) positions in the underlying investments or assumed positions arising through the use of the standard CIU look through method or the modified CIU look through method.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.6.36

(1) This paragraph gives an example of how the appropriate PRA should be calculated for the purpose of deciding whether or not an option on a CIU is sufficiently in the money for the firm to have a choice whether or not to apply an option PRR. This example assumes that there is no leveraging (see BIPRU 7.7.11R (CIU modified look through method)).
(2) Say that the CIU contains underlying equity position and the firm is using one of the CIU look through methods. The appropriate PRA for some is 8% and for the others is 12%. The firm should identify the highest appropriate PRA for the underlyings. In this case it is 12%. Therefore in this case the option would need to be in the money by more than 12% in order for the firm to have a choice between applying the option PRR or one of the other PRR charges.
(3) However if the firm is not using one of the CIU look through methods the option would need to be in the money by more than 32% in order for the firm to have a choice between applying the option PRR or the CIU PRR.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.6.37

BIPRU 7.6.10R - BIPRU 7.6.12R are subject to BIPRU 7.7.3R (netting). BIPRU 7.7.4R (use of third party) applies for the purpose of BIPRU 7.6.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.7

Position risk requirements for collective investment undertakings

01/01/2007

Collective investment undertaking PRR calculation

BIPRU 7.7.1

A firm must calculate its CIU PRR by:

(1) identifying which CIU positions must be included within the scope of the PRR calculation (see BIPRU 7.7.2R);
(2) identifying which CIU positions are to be subject to the CIU PRR and which positions are to be subject to one of the other PRR charges;
(3) converting on a daily basis net positions into the firm's base currency at the prevailing spot exchange rate before their aggregation;
(4) calculating an individual PRR for each position in a CIU (see BIPRU 7.7.5R);
(5) summing the resulting individual PRRs.

01/01/2007

Scope of the PRR calculation for collective investment undertakings

BIPRU 7.7.2

(1) A firm's PRR calculation must include all trading book positions in CIUs.
(2) A firm's CIU PRR calculation must include all trading book positions in CIUs unless they are treated under one of the CIU look through methods and included in the PRR calculations for the relevant underlying investments or subject to an option PRR.
(3) A firm's PRR calculation for CIUs must include notional positions arising from trading book positions in options or warrants on collective investment undertakings.

01/01/2007

General rules

BIPRU 7.7.3

Unless noted otherwise, no netting is permitted between the underlying investments of a CIU and other positions held by a firm for the purposes of calculating the PRR charge for a position in a CIU.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.7.4

A firm may rely on a third party to calculate and report PRR capital requirements for position risk (general market risk and specific risk) for positions in CIUs falling within BIPRU 7.7.9R and BIPRU 7.7.11R, in accordance with the methods set out in BIPRU 7.7, provided that the correctness of the calculation and the report is adequately ensured.

01/01/2007

Calculation of the collective investment undertaking PRR

BIPRU 7.7.5

Without prejudice to other provisions in BIPRU 7.7, a position in a CIU is subject to a collective investment undertaking PRR (general market risk and specific risk) of 32%. Without prejudice to provisions in BIPRU 7.5.18R (Foreign currency PRR for CIUs) or, if the firm has a VaR model permission, BIPRU 7.10.44R (Commodity risks and VaR models) taken together with BIPRU 7.5.18R, where the modified gold treatment set out in those rules is used, a position in a CIU is subject to a securities PRR requirement for position risk (general market risk and specific risk ) and a foreign currency PRR of no more than 40%.

01/01/2007

Look through methods: General criteria

BIPRU 7.7.6

A firm may determine the securities PRR requirement for positions in CIUs which meet the criteria set out in BIPRU 7.7.7R, by one of the following methods:

(1) the standard CIU look through method (BIPRU 7.7.4R and BIPRU 7.7.7R - BIPRU 7.7.10R); or
(2) the modified CIU look through method (BIPRU 7.7.4R, BIPRU 7.7.7R - BIPRU 7.7.8R and BIPRU 7.7.11R - BIPRU 7.7.12R).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.7.7

The general eligibility criteria for using the methods in BIPRU 7.7.4R and BIPRU 7.7.9R - BIPRU 7.7.11R, for CIUs issued by companies supervised or incorporated within the EEA are that:

(1) the CIU's prospectus or equivalent document must include:

(a) the categories of assets the CIU is authorised to invest in;
(b) if investment limits apply, the relative limits and the methodologies to calculate them;
(c) if leverage is allowed, the maximum level of leverage; and
(d) if investment in OTC financial derivatives or repo-style transactions are allowed, a policy to limit counterparty risk arising from these transactions;

(2) the business of the CIU must be reported in half-yearly and annual reports to enable an assessment to be made of the assets and liabilities, income and operations over the reporting period;
(3) the units/shares of the CIU are redeemable in cash, out of the undertaking's assets, on a daily basis at the request of the unit holder;
(4) investments in the CIU must be segregated from the assets of the CIU manager; and
(5) there must be adequate risk assessment, by the investing firm, of the CIU.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.7.8

Third country CIUs are eligible if the requirements in BIPRU 7.7.7R (1) - BIPRU 7.7.7R (5) are met.

01/01/2007

Standard CIU look through method: General

BIPRU 7.7.9

(1) Where a firm is aware of the underlying investments of the CIU on a daily basis the firm may look through to those underlying investments in order to calculate the securities PRR for position risk (general market risk and specific risk) for those positions in accordance with the methods set out in the securities PRR requirements or, if the firm has a VaR model permission, in accordance with the methods set out in BIPRU 7.10 (Use of a Value at Risk Model).
(2) Under this approach, positions in CIUs must be treated as positions in the underlying investments of the CIU. Netting is permitted between positions in the underlying investments of the CIU and other positions held by the firm, as long as the firm holds a sufficient quantity of units to allow for redemption/creation in exchange for the underlying investments.

01/01/2007

Standard CIU look through method: Index or basket funds

BIPRU 7.7.10

(1) A firm may calculate the securities PRR for position risk (general market risk and specific risk) for positions in CIUs in accordance with the methods set out in the securities PRR requirements or, if the firm has a VaR model permission, in accordance with the methods set out in BIPRU 7.10 (Use of a Value at Risk Model), to assumed positions representing those necessary to replicate the composition and performance of the externally generated index or fixed basket of equities or debt securities referred to in (a), subject to the following conditions:

(a) the purpose of the CIU's mandate is to replicate the composition and performance of an externally generated index or fixed basket of equities or debt securities; and
(b) a minimum correlation of 0.9 between daily price movements of the CIU and the index or basket of equities or debt securities it tracks can be clearly established over a minimum period of six months.

(2) Correlation as referred to in (1)(b) means the correlation coefficient between daily returns on the CIU and the index or basket of equities or debt securities it tracks.

01/01/2007

CIU modified look through method

BIPRU 7.7.11

Where a firm is not aware of the underlying investments of the CIU on a daily basis, the firm may calculate the securities PRR for position risk (general market risk and specific risk) in accordance with the methods set out in the securities PRR requirements, subject to the following conditions:

(1) it must be assumed that the CIU first invests to the maximum extent allowed under its mandate in the asset classes attracting the highest securities PRR for position risk (general market risk and specific risk), and then continues making investments in descending order until the maximum total investment limit is reached;
(2) the firm must take account of the maximum indirect exposure that it could achieve by taking leveraged positions through the CIU when calculating its securities PRR for position risk, by proportionally increasing the position in the CIU up to the maximum exposure to the underlying investment items resulting from the investment mandate; and
(3) should the securities PRR for position risk (general market risk and specific risk) under this approach exceed that set out in BIPRU 7.7.5R, the PRR charge must be capped at that level.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.7.12

For the purpose of BIPRU 7.7.11R (1) the position in the CIU must be treated as a direct holding in the assumed position.

01/01/2007

CAD 1 models and VaR models

BIPRU 7.7.13

Where BIPRU 7.7 permits a firm to calculate the PRR charge for a position in a CIU using the rules in BIPRU 7 relating to the underlying investment, a firm that has:

(1) a CAD 1 model waiver that covers positions in CIUs may use the rules as modified by that waiver; and
(2) a VaR model permission that covers positions in CIUs may use its VaR model.

01/01/2007

Options on a CIU

BIPRU 7.7.14

An option on a CIU should be treated in accordance with BIPRU 7.6.35R to BIPRU 7.6.37G (Options on a CIU).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8

Securities underwriting

01/01/2007

General rules

BIPRU 7.8.1

BIPRU 7.8 sets out the method for calculating a net underwriting position or reduced net underwriting position, which is then included in the PRR calculation in other parts of BIPRU 7. It also deals with concentration risk. BIPRU 7.8 only relates to new securities, which is defined in BIPRU 7.8.12R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.2

A firm which underwrites or sub-underwrites an issue of securities must, for the purposes of calculating its market risk capital component and its concentration risk capital component:

(1) identify commitments to underwrite or sub-underwrite which give rise to an underwriting position (see BIPRU 7.8.8R);
(2) identify the time of initial commitment (see BIPRU 7.8.13R); and
(3) calculate the net underwriting position (set out in BIPRU 7.8.17R), reduced net underwriting position or the net underwriting exposure.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.3

A firm must include the net underwriting position or reduced net underwriting position in whichever one or more of the following is or are relevant:

(1) BIPRU 7.2.3R (1) where debt securities are being underwritten;
(2) BIPRU 7.3.2R (1) where equities are being underwritten;
(3) BIPRU 7.6.22R where warrants are being underwritten; and
(4) BIPRU 7.5.3R where the equities, debt securities or warrants being underwritten are denominated in a foreign currency.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.4

A firm must comply with BIPRU 7.8.3R from initial commitment (as determined under BIPRU 7.8.8R) until the end of the fifth business day after working day 0 (as determined under BIPRU 7.8.23R).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.5

Sub-underwriting is a commitment given by one firm to someone other than the issuer or seller of the securities to sub-underwrite all or part of an issue of securities.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.6

The net underwriting position calculated in BIPRU 7.8.17R will also be used in calculating the net underwriting exposure under BIPRU 7.8.34R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.7

The net underwriting position or reduced net underwriting position arising from underwriting or sub-underwriting a rights or warrants issue should be calculated using the current market price of the underlying security for the purposes of the equity PRR or option PRR. However, the PRR will be limited to the value of the net underwriting position calculated using the initial issue price of the rights or warrants. Where there is no market price because the rights or warrants are in relation to a new class of securities and the initial price has not been set the net underwriting position or reduced net underwriting is the amount of the commitment.

01/01/2007

Commitment to underwriting securities

BIPRU 7.8.8

(1) For the purpose of BIPRU 7.8.2R (1), a firm has a commitment to underwrite or sub-underwrite an issue of securities where:

(a) it gives a commitment to an issuer of securities to underwrite an issue of securities; or
(b) (where BIPRU 7.8.12R (2) applies) it gives a commitment to a seller of securities to underwrite a sale of those securities;
(c) it gives a commitment to a person, other than the issuer of securities or, if BIPRU 7.8.12R (2) applies, the seller of the securities, to sub-underwrite an issue of securities; or
(d) it is a member of a syndicate or group that gives a commitment of the type described in (1)(a)-(c).

(2) Unless a rule deals with them separately or the context otherwise requires, a provision of BIPRU 7.8 that deals with underwriting also applies to sub-underwriting.

01/01/2007

Exclusions from BIPRU 7.8

BIPRU 7.8.9

(1) Block trades, including bought deals, and private placements are not within the scope of BIPRU 7.8 because they involve an outright purchase by the firm of the relevant securities.
(2) For the purpose of BIPRU 7.8 securities include debt and equity instruments and convertibles but excludes loans.

01/01/2007

Grey market transactions

BIPRU 7.8.10

(1) A firm that buys and sells securities before issue is dealing in the grey market for the purposes of BIPRU 7.8.
(2) BIPRU 7.8 does not apply to a firm with respect to its dealings in the grey market unless the firm:

(a) has an underwriting commitment to the issuer in respect of those securities; or
(b) has a sub-underwriting commitment in respect of those securities and is using the grey market solely for the purpose of reducing that sub-underwriting commitment.

(3) BIPRU 7.8 does not apply to a firm with respect to its dealings in the grey market if the transaction is undertaken by the proprietary trading part of the firm or is undertaken for proprietary trading purposes.
(4) BIPRU 7.8 does not apply to a firm with respect to its dealings in the grey market except as described in BIPRU 7.8.17R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.11

In BIPRU 7.8 the grey market is the market in which dealers "buy" and "sell" securities ahead of issue. In reality the dealers are buying and selling promises to deliver the securities when issued.

01/01/2007

New securities

BIPRU 7.8.12

For the purposes of BIPRU 7.8, a firm must treat securities as being new for the purposes of the definition of underwriting if they are:

(1) securities that, prior to the allotment following the underwriting, were not in issue; or
(2) securities that do not fall within (1) but that have not previously been offered for sale or subscription to the public and have not been admitted to trading on a market operated by a recognised investment exchange or an overseas investment exchange.

01/01/2007

Time of initial commitment

BIPRU 7.8.13

Subject to BIPRU 7.8.14R, the time of initial commitment is the earlier of:

(1) (in the case of underwriting) the time the firm agrees with the issuer of securities to underwrite those securities; or
(2) (in the case of underwriting falling under BIPRU 7.8.12R (2)) the time the firm agrees with the seller of securities to underwrite those securities; or
(3) (in the case of sub-underwriting) the time the firm agrees with the person referred to BIPRU 7.8.8R (1)(c) to sub-underwrite those securities; or
(4) (in the case of BIPRU 7.8.8R (1)(d)) the time the group or syndicate in question (or a member of that group or syndicate on behalf of the others) agrees with the issuer or other person to whom the commitment is given as referred to in BIPRU 7.8.8R (1)(d) to underwrite or sub-underwrite the securities in question; or
(5) (if the firm at that time has a commitment, whether legally or binding or not) the time the price and allocation of the issue or offer are set.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.14

If a firm has an irrevocable and unfettered right to withdraw from an underwriting commitment, exercisable within a certain period, the commitment commences (and thus the time of initial commitment occurs) when that right expires.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.15

Subject to the existence of a right described in BIPRU 7.8.14R an underwriting commitment commences even if it is subject to formal, legal or other conditions that would normally be expected to be satisfied.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.16

A force majeure or material adverse change clause would not be a right of the sort referred to in BIPRU 7.8.14R.

01/01/2007

Calculating the net underwriting position

BIPRU 7.8.17

A firm must calculate a net underwriting position by adjusting the gross amount it has committed to underwrite for:

(1) any sales or sub-underwriting commitments received that have been confirmed in writing at the time of initial commitment (but excluding any sales in the grey market as defined in BIPRU 7.8.10R (1));
(2) any underwriting or sub-underwriting commitments obtained from others since the time of initial commitment;
(3) any purchases or sales of the securities since the time of initial commitment (other than purchases or sales in the grey market as defined in BIPRU 7.8.10R (1));
(4) (in the case of sales in the grey market as defined in BIPRU 7.8.10R (1)) any sales of the securities as at the time of initial commitment or since the time of initial commitment subject, in both cases, to the following conditions:

(a) any sales of the securities as at the time of initial commitment must be confirmed in writing at the time of initial commitment; and
(b) sales must be net of any purchases in the grey market as defined in BIPRU 7.8.10R (1); and

(5) any allocation of securities granted or received, arising from the commitment to underwrite the securities, since the time of initial commitment.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.18

If the allocation of securities has not been fixed a firm must calculate the gross amount of its commitment, for the purposes of BIPRU 7.8.17R, by reference to the maximum amount it has committed to underwrite until the time the allocation is set.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.19

An underwriting commitment may only be reduced under BIPRU 7.8.17R on the basis of a formal agreement.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.20

Allocations may arise, after date of initial commitment, from the agreement to underwrite. For example obligations or rights may be allocated to or from the issuer, the underwriting group or syndicate.

01/01/2007

Over-allotment options

BIPRU 7.8.21

(1) This rule deals with the treatment of short positions that arise when a firm commits to distribute securities that it is underwriting in an amount that exceeds the allocation to the firm made by the issuer of the securities being underwritten.
(2) When calculating its net underwriting position, a firm may use an over-allotment option granted to it by the issuer of the securities being underwritten to reduce the short positions in (1).
(3) A firm may also use an over-allotment option granted to another member of the underwriting syndicate for the purpose in (2).
(4) (2) and (3) only apply from working day 0.
(5) (2) and (3) only apply to the extent that the treatment is consistent with the terms of the over-allotment option.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.22

Except as provided in BIPRU 7.8.21R, a firm must not take into account an over-allotment option granted to it or another member of the underwriting syndicate in calculating its net underwriting position.

01/01/2007

Working day 0

BIPRU 7.8.23

For the purposes of BIPRU 7.8 working day 0 is the business day on which a firm that is underwriting or sub-underwriting becomes unconditionally committed to accepting a known quantity of securities at a specified price.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.24

For debt issues and securities which are issued in a similar manner, working day 0 is the later of the date on which the securities are allotted and the date on which payment for them is due.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.25

For equity issues and securities which are issued in a similar manner, working day 0 is the later of the date on which the offer becomes closed for subscriptions and the date on which the allocations are made public.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.26

For rights issues, working day 0 is the first day after the date on which the offer becomes closed to acceptances for subscription.

01/01/2007

Calculating the reduced net underwriting position

BIPRU 7.8.27

To calculate the reduced net underwriting position a firm must apply the reduction factors in the table in BIPRU 7.8.28R to the net underwriting position (calculated under BIPRU 7.8.17R) as follows:

(1) in respect of debt securities, a firm must calculate two reduced net underwriting positions; one for inclusion in the firm's interest rate PRR specific risk calculation (BIPRU 7.2.43R), the other for inclusion in its interest rate PRR general market risk calculation (BIPRU 7.2.52R); and
(2) in respect of equities, a firm must calculate only one reduced net underwriting position, and then include it in the simplified equity method (see BIPRU 7.3.29R).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.28

Table: Net underwriting position reduction factors
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.8.27R

Underwriting timeline

Debt

Equity

General market risk

Specific risk

Time of initial commitment until working day 0

100%

90%

90%

75%

75%

50%

25%

Working day 6 and onwards

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.29

The table in BIPRU 7.8.30G gives an example of the reduced net underwriting position calculation. The example is based on the firm starting with a commitment to underwrite £100 million of a new equity issue. Firms are reminded that in the case of an equity, the reduced net underwriting position should be treated under the simplified equity method (see BIPRU 7.8.27R (Simplified and standard equity methods) and BIPRU 7.8.27R).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.30

Table: Example of the reduced net underwriting position calculation
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.8.29G

Time

Net underwriting position (see BIPRU 7.8.17R)

Percentage reduction (see BIPRU 7.8.28R)

At initial commitment 9.00am Monday

£100m gross amount is reduced by £20m due to sales/sub-underwriting commitments confirmed in writing at the time of initial commitment (see BIPRU 7.8.17R (1)) and (4)).

£80m

90%

£8m

Post initial commitment 9.02am Monday

Remaining £80m is reduced by £40m due to further sales, sub-underwriting commitments obtained and allocations granted (see BIPRU 7.8.17R (2) - (5)).

£40m

90%

£4m

At the end of working day 1

Remaining £40m is reduced to £20m due to further sales.

£20m

90%

£2m

End of working day 3

Remaining £20m is reduced to £5m due to further sales.

£5m

75%

£1.25 m

End of working day 4

Remaining £5m is reduced to £2m due to further sales.

£2m

50%

£1m

End of working day 5

Remaining £2m is reduced to £1m due to further sales.

£1m

25%

£0.75 m

Start of working day 6

£1m remaining

£1m

01/01/2007

Large exposure risk from underwriting securities: Calculating the net underwriting exposure

BIPRU 7.8.31

For the purposes of calculating the total amount of its trading book exposures to a person for concentration risk purposes, a firm must include net underwriting exposure to that person.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.32

A firm must include any other exposures arising out of underwriting (including any counterparty exposures to any sub-underwriters) for the purposes of calculating the total amount of its trading book exposures to a person for concentration risk purposes.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.33

A firm, before entering into a new underwriting commitment, must be able to recalculate the concentration risk capital component to the level of detail necessary to ensure that the firm's capital resources requirement does not exceed the firm's capital resources.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.34

Except where otherwise specified by a requirement on its Part IV permission, a firm must calculate the net underwriting exposure to an issuer by applying the relevant reduction factors in the table in BIPRU 7.8.35R to its net underwriting position calculated under BIPRU 7.8.17R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.35

Table: Calculation of net underwriting exposure
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.8.34R

Time

Reduction factor to be applied to net underwriting position

Initial commitment to working day 0

100%

100%

90%

75%

75%

50%

25%

Working day 6 onwards

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.36

The effect of BIPRU 7.8.34R is that there is no concentration limit for net underwriting exposures between initial commitment and the end of working day 0, except where specified by a requirement on a firm's Part IV permission.

01/01/2007

Large exposure risk from underwriting securities: Monitoring and reporting concentration risk

BIPRU 7.8.37

For the purposes of concentration risk monitoring only, a firm must report its net underwriting exposure both before and after the application of the reduction factors in the table in BIPRU 7.8.35R.

01/01/2007

Risk management

BIPRU 7.8.38

A firm must take reasonable steps to establish and maintain such systems and controls to monitor and manage its underwriting and sub-underwriting business as are appropriate to the nature, scale and complexity of its underwriting and sub-underwriting business. In particular, a firm must have systems to monitor and control its underwriting exposures between the time of the initial commitment and working day one in the light of the nature of the risks incurred in the markets in question.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.8.39

A firm should take reasonable steps to:

(1) allocate responsibility for the management of its underwriting and sub-underwriting business;
(2) allocate adequate resources to monitor and control its underwriting and sub-underwriting business;
(3) satisfy itself that its systems to monitor exposure to counterparties will calculate, revise and update its exposure to each counterparty arising from its underwriting or sub-underwriting business;
(4) satisfy itself of the suitability of each person who performs functions for it in connection with the firm's underwriting and sub-underwriting business having regard to the person's skill and experience; and
(5) satisfy itself that its procedures and controls to monitor and manage its underwriting business address, on an on-going basis, the capacity of sub-underwriters to meet sub-underwriting commitments.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9

Use of a CAD 1 model

01/01/2007

Introduction

BIPRU 7.9.1

A firm is required under GENPRU 2.1.52 R (Calculation of the market risk capital requirement) to calculate its market risk capital requirement using the rules in BIPRU 7. However, the FSA may at the firm's request modify GENPRU 2.1.52 R to allow the firm to calculate all or part of the PRR for the positions covered by that model by using a CAD 1 model (for options risk aggregation and/or interest rate pre-processing) or a VaR model (value at risk model) instead. BIPRU 7.10 (Use of a Value at Risk Model) deals with VaR model permissions.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.2

The purpose of BIPRU 7.9 is to provide guidance on the FSA's policy for granting CAD 1 model waivers under section 148 of the Act (Modification or waiver of rules). The policy recognises that CAD 1 models may vary across firms but, as a minimum, the FSA will need to be satisfied:

(1) about the quality of the internal controls and risk management relating to the model (see BIPRU 7.9.19G - BIPRU 7.9.23G for further details);
(2) about the quality of the model standards; and
(3) that the CAD 1 model captures and produces an accurate measure of the risks inherent in the portfolio covered by the CAD 1 model (see BIPRU 7.9.25G - BIPRU 7.9.53G for further details).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.3

BIPRU 7.9 also explains how the output from the CAD 1 model is fed into the market risk capital requirement calculation.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.4

If a CAD 1 model waiver is granted by the FSA, the waiver will contain certain requirements. In order adequately to address individual circumstances, these may differ from what is set out in BIPRU 7.9. The waiver will also identify the rules to which the waiver applies and the scope of model recognition granted to the firm.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.5

Waivers permitting the use of models in the calculation of PRR will not be granted if that would be contrary to the CAD. Any waiver which is granted will only be granted on terms that are compatible with the CAD. Accordingly, the only waivers permitting the use of models in calculating PRR that the FSA is likely to grant are CAD 1 model waivers and VaR model permissions.

01/01/2007

Scope of CAD 1 models

BIPRU 7.9.6

The FSA recognises two types of CAD 1 model. The table in BIPRU 7.9.7G describes them.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.7

Table: Types of CAD 1 model
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.9.6G

Options risk aggregation models

Interest rate pre-processing models

Brief description and eligible instruments

Analyse and aggregate options risks for:

• interest rate options;

• equity options;

• foreign currency options;

• commodity options; and

• CIU options.

May be used to calculate duration weighted positions for:

• interest rate futures;

• forward rate agreements (FRAs);

• forward commitments to buy or sell debt securities;

• options, swaps or warrants on interest rates or debt securities and options on such swaps;

• amortising bonds;

• equity futures, forwards, warrants and options (but only in relation to the interest rate risk inherent in these products); and

• foreign currency futures, forwards, swaps and options, but only in relation to the interest rate risk inherent in these products.

The output and how it is used in the PRR calculation

Depending on the type of model and the requirements in the CAD 1 model waiver granted, the outputs from an options risk aggregation model are used as an input to the market risk capital requirement calculation.

Depending on the type of model and the requirements in the CAD 1 model waiver granted, the individual sensitivity figures produced by this type of CAD 1 model are either input into the calculation of interest rate PRR under the interest rate duration method (see BIPRU 7.2.63R) or are converted into notional position and input into the calculation of interest rate PRR under the interest rate maturity method (see BIPRU 7.2.59R).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.8

Currently the FSA only envisages allowing recognition for options on CIUs if the CIU satisfies one of the following conditions:

(1) it is a regulated collective investment scheme; or
(2) the firm can demonstrate that it has characteristics that are similar to or better than an undertaking in (1) from the point of view of transparency and liquidity.

01/01/2007

The CAD 1 model waiver application and review process

BIPRU 7.9.9

Details of the general waiver process are set out in SUP 8 (Waiver and modification of rules). Further details of the waiver process applicable to certain waivers relating to BIPRU (including CAD 1 model waivers) can be found in BIPRU 1.3 (Applications for advanced approaches). Because of the complexity of a CAD 1 model waiver, it is recommended that, as set out in SUP 8.3.4 G and BIPRU 1.3.21 G, a firm contact its usual contact at the FSA to discuss its proposed application. It should also be noted that the waiver recognition process in the case of a CAD 1 model may take longer than the timescales indicated in SUP 8.3.5 G.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.10

In order to consider a CAD 1 model waiver request, the FSA may undertake a review to ensure that it is adequate and appropriate for the PRR calculation.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.11

The model review process may be conducted through a series of visits covering various aspects of the firm's control and IT environment. Before these visits the FSA may ask the firm to provide some information relating to its waiver request accompanied by some specified background material. The model review visits are organised on a timetable that allows a firm being visited sufficient time to arrange the visit and provide the appropriate pre-visit information.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.12

As part of the model review process, the following may be reviewed: organisational structure and personnel; details of the firm's market position in the relevant products; profit and risk information; valuation and reserving policies; operational controls; IT systems; model release and control procedures; risk management and control framework; risk appetite and limit structure and future developments relevant to model recognition.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.13

The FSA will normally require meetings with senior management and staff from the front office, financial control, risk management, operations, systems development, information technology and audit areas.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.14

A review by a skilled person may be used before a CAD 1 model waiver is granted to supplement the waiver process or after the waiver has been granted to review the CAD 1 model.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.15

If the FSA grants a CAD 1 model waiver, the waiver direction will specify the particular rule which has been modified, and set out the requirements subject to which the waiver has been granted. These requirements may include:

(1) the details of the calculation of PRR;
(2) the CAD 1 model waiver methodology to be employed;
(3) the products covered by the model (e.g. option type, maturity, currency); and
(4) any notification requirements relating to the CAD 1 model waiver.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.16

Where a firm operates any part of its CAD 1 model outside the United Kingdom, the FSA may take into account the results of any review of that model carried out by any overseas regulator concerned. The FSA may wish to receive information directly from that regulator.

01/01/2007

Maintenance of model recognition

BIPRU 7.9.17

No changes should be made to a CAD 1 model unless the change is not material. Material changes to a CAD 1 model will require a renewed waiver to be issued. Materiality is measured from the time that the waiver is granted or, if the waiver has been varied in accordance with section 148 of the Act, any later time that may be specified in the waiver for these purposes. If a firm is considering making material changes to its CAD 1 model, then it should notify the FSA at once. If a firm wishes to change the products covered by the model it should apply for a variation of its CAD 1 model waiver.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.18

If the CAD 1 model ceases to meet the requirements of the waiver, the firm should notify the FSA at once. The FSA may then revoke the waiver unless it is varied in accordance with section 148 of the Act. If the CAD 1 model waiver contains conditions it is a condition of using the CAD 1 model approach that the firm should continue to comply with those conditions.

01/01/2007

Risk management standards

BIPRU 7.9.19

A firm with a complex portfolio is expected to demonstrate more sophistication in its modelling and risk management than a firm with a simple portfolio.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.20

A firm should be able to demonstrate that the risk management standards set out in BIPRU 7.9 are satisfied by each legal entity with respect to which the CAD 1 model approach is being used (even though they are expressed to refer only to a firm). This is particularly important for subsidiary undertakings in groups subject to matrix management where the business lines cut across legal entity boundaries.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.21

(1) A firm should have a conceptually sound risk management system which is implemented with integrity and should meet the minimum standards set out in this paragraph.
(2) A firm should have a risk control unit that is independent of business trading units and reports directly to senior management. The unit should be responsible for designing and implementing the firm's risk management system. It should produce and analyse daily reports on the risks run by the business and on the appropriate measures to be taken in terms of the trading limits.
(3) A firm's senior management should be actively involved in the risk control process and the daily reports produced by the risk control unit should be reviewed by a level of management with sufficient authority to enforce reductions of positions taken by individual traders as well as in the firm's overall risk exposure.
(4) The risk control group should have a sufficient number of staff with appropriate skills in the use of models.
(5) A firm should have established procedures for monitoring and ensuring compliance with a documented set of appropriate internal policies and controls concerning the overall operation of the risk measurement and control framework. This should take into account the front, middle and back office functions.
(6) A firm should conduct, as part of its regular internal audit process, a review of the systems and controls relating to its CAD 1 model. This review should include the valuation process, compliance with the CAD 1 model waiver's scope and the activities of the business trading units and the risk control units. This review should be undertaken by staff independent of the areas being reviewed.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.22

In assessing whether the risk management and control framework is implemented with integrity, the FSA will consider the IT systems used to run the CAD 1 model and associated calculations. The assessment will include, where appropriate:

(1) feeder systems; risk aggregation systems; the integrity of the data (i.e. whether it is complete, coherent and correct); reconciliations and checks on completeness of capture; and
(2) system development, change control and documentation; security and audit trails; system availability and contingency procedures; network adequacy.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.23

A firm should take appropriate steps to ensure that it has adequate controls relating to:

(1) the derivation of the PRR from the CAD 1 model output;
(2) CAD 1 model development, including independent validation;
(3) reserving;
(4) valuation (see GENPRU 1.3 (Valuation)), including independent validation; and
(5) the adequacy of the IT infrastructure.

01/01/2007

Model standards

BIPRU 7.9.24

A firm should take appropriate steps to ensure that its CAD 1 model captures and produces an accurate measure of the risks inherent in the portfolio covered by the CAD 1 model. These risks may include, but are not limited to, gamma, vega and rho.

01/01/2007

Options risk aggregation models

BIPRU 7.9.25

For a firm to obtain a CAD 1 model waiver for its options risk aggregation model, it should have in place an appropriate options valuation model.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.26

The FSA does not specify the methodology that a firm should employ in order to produce the appropriate outputs from its options risk aggregation CAD 1 model. However, BIPRU 7.9.27G - BIPRU 7.9.43G provide details of how a firm could meet the requirement to capture gamma, vega and rho risks using a scenario matrix approach. Where a firm adopts the scenario matrix approach then the standards set out in BIPRU 7.9.27G - BIPRU 7.9.43G should be followed. The firm should also take into account other risks not captured by the scenario matrix approach. If a firm does not use the scenario matrix approach it should use an equivalent methodology. If a firm uses an equivalent methodology it should be able to demonstrate that the approach used meets the requirements of BIPRU 7.9.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.27

A scenario matrix is an approach by which an options portfolio is revalued given a number of simultaneous shifts in both the spot level of the underlying and the implied volatility.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.28

The scenario matrix approach may be employed for all types of options on all types of underlying asset.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.29

(1) This paragraph provides an outline of the initial steps to be taken when using the scenario matrix approach.
(2) A value for an option should be obtained using the firm's options valuation model.
(3) The inputs into the options valuation model for implied volatility of the underlying asset and the price of the underlying asset should then be altered so that a new value for the option is obtained (details of the amount by which the implied volatility and the price of the underlying should be amended are set out in BIPRU 7.9.30G - BIPRU 7.9.36G).
(4) The difference between the original value of the option and the new value obtained following the alterations should be input into the appropriate cell in the matrix. The value in the central cell where there is no change in implied volatility or price of the underlying should therefore be zero.
(5) The process of obtaining a new price for the option should be repeated until the matrix is completed.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.30

The alteration to the implied volatility (known as the implied volatility shift) referred to in BIPRU 7.9.29G (3) may be a proportional shift. The size of the shift depends on the remaining life of the option and the asset class of the underlying. The table in BIPRU 7.9.32G sets out the shifts that should be applied where a proportional shift is used. Alternatively, a firm may use a single shift across all maturities or use an absolute rather than a proportional implied volatility shift. Where a single shift or an absolute shift is used it should be at least as conservative as the proportional shifts. Any use of a single shift or an absolute shift should be reviewed and, if necessary updated, on a regular basis.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.31

A firm may choose to use a less detailed term structure than that in the table in BIPRU 7.9.32G, but the shifts used should be no less conservative than those set out in that table. For example, a firm that uses one <3 month band, rather than the two bands (≤ 1 month and 1-3 months) set out in the table, should use the most conservative shift set out in the table for the bands covered. In this example that shift is 30%.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.32

Table: proportional implied volatility shifts
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.9.30G

Remaining life of option

Proportional shift

Equities, foreign currency and commodities

Interest rates and CIUs

≤ 1 month

30%

> 1 ≤ 3 months

20%

> 3 ≤ 6 months

15%

> 6 ≤ 9 months

12%

> 9 ≤ 12 months

> 1 ≤ 2 years

> 2 ≤ 4 years

4.5%

> 4 years

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.33

The size of the underlying price/rate shift depends on the asset class of the underlying as referred to in BIPRU 7.9.29G (3) and is set out in the table in BIPRU 7.9.34 G.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.34

Table: underlying price/rate shifts
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.9.33G

Underlying asset class

Shift

Equities

±8%

Foreign currency

±8%

Commodities

±15%, (but a firm may use the percentages applicable under the commodity extended maturity ladder approach if it would qualify under BIPRU 7.4 (Commodity PRR) to use that approach).

Interest rates

±100bp (but a firm may use the sliding scale of shifts by maturity as applicable to the interest rate duration method).

CIU

±32%, (but a firm may use the percentages applicable to the underlyings if the firm applies one of the CIU look through methods under BIPRU 7.7 (Position risk requirements for collective investment undertakings)).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.35

The shifts outlined in the table in BIPRU 7.9.34G are the maximum shifts required; in addition there will be a number of intermediate shifts as a result of the minimum matrix size criteria set out in BIPRU 7.9.36G.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.36

The minimum size of the scenario matrix should be 3x7, that is, three observations for implied volatility (including the actual implied volatility) and seven observations for the price of the underlying (including the actual price of the underlying). A firm should be able to justify its choice of granularity. Greater granularity may be required where the portfolio contains, for example, a large proportion of barrier options.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.37

(1) A different scenario matrix should be set up for each underlying asset type in accordance with this paragraph.
(2) For equities (including single equities, baskets and indices) there should be a separate matrix for each national market or non-decomposed basket or non-decomposed multi-national index.
(3) For foreign currency products there should be a separate matrix for each currency pair where appropriate.
(4) For commodity products there should be a separate matrix for each commodity. The question whether two items are the same commodity should be decided in accordance with BIPRU 7.4 (Commodity PRR).
(5) For interest rate products there should be a separate matrix for each currency. In addition, a firm should not offset the gamma and vega exposures (except in the circumstances set out in BIPRU 7.9.38G) arising from any one of the following types of product with the gamma and vega exposures arising from any of the other products in the list:

(a) swaptions (options on interest rates);
(b) interest rate options (including options on exchange-traded deposit or bill futures);
(c) bond options (including options on exchange-traded bond futures); and
(d) other types of options required by the CAD 1 model waiver to form their own separate class of underlying asset.

(6) The other types of options referred to in (5)(d) will generally be exotic options that do not fall easily into (5)(a) - (c)).
(7) For CIUs there should be a separate matrix for each CIU fund. If the firm applies one of the CIU look through methods under BIPRU 7.7 (Position risk requirements for collective investment undertakings), then (1) - (6) apply based on what the underlyings are.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.38

A firm may offset gamma and vega exposures arising from the products listed in BIPRU 7.9.37G (5) where it can demonstrate that it trades different types of interest rate-related options as a portfolio and takes steps to control the basis risk between different types of implied volatility. To the extent that this is the case an individual matrix is not required for each of the products listed in BIPRU 7.9.37G (5) and a combined scenario matrix may be used.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.39

Where it is imprudent fully to offset long-dated and short-dated vega exposure owing to the risk of non-parallel shifts in the yield curve, a firm should use an appropriate number of scenario matrices to take account of non-parallel shifts in the yield curve according to the maturity of the option or underlying.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.40

Following the steps outlined in BIPRU 7.9.29G, a firm then removes the portion of the values in the matrix that can be attributed to the effect that delta has had on the change in the value of the option (a process known as delta-stripping).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.41

Once the effect of delta has been removed from the matrix, the values left in the matrix relate to gamma and vega risk. A firm's PRR in relation to gamma and vega risk on the individual option is the absolute of the most negative cell in the scenario matrix produced. Where all cells are positive the PRR is zero. The total PRR for the gamma and vega risk on the portfolio of options is a simple sum of the individual requirements. This amount should then be fed into a firm's PRR calculation.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.42

The values that have been obtained for the delta-equivalent positions of instruments included in the scenario matrix should then be treated in the same way as positions in the underlying. Where the delta obtained relates to interest rate position risk, the delta equivalent positions may be fed into the firm's interest rate pre-processing model to the extent that the positions fall within the scope of interest rate pre-processing models as set out in BIPRU 7.9.7G and provided that the firm's CAD 1 model waiver allows the firm's CAD 1 model to be used in this way. Alternatively, the delta obtained should be fed into the standard PRR calculations in BIPRU 7.2 (Interest rate PRR), BIPRU 7.3 (Equity PRR and basic interest rate PRR for equity derivatives), BIPRU 7.4 (Commodity PRR) or BIPRU 7.5 (Foreign currency PRR) as appropriate.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.43

In using the scenario matrix approach, none of the steps followed will take specific account of a firm's exposure to rho risk. Where a firm can demonstrate that for interest rate-related options the rho sensitivity is effectively included in the delta sensitivities produced, there is no separate capital requirement relating to rho. For all other options except commodity options, a firm should calculate a rho sensitivity ladder by currency using its CAD 1 model and either feed this into the interest rate maturity method or interest rate duration method calculation or, where the firm's CAD 1 model waiver allows the firm's CAD 1 model to be used in this way, feed that ladder into an interest rate pre-processing model. Generally a CAD 1 model does not need to deal specifically with rho risk for commodity options.

01/01/2007

Interest rate pre-processing models

BIPRU 7.9.44

To the extent that a firm's CAD 1 model waiver is for the use of an interest rate pre-processing model the firm should use it for the pre-processing of the instruments set out in BIPRU 7.9.7G, from which the residual positions are fed into the interest rate maturity method or interest rate duration method calculation.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.45

There are a number of different methods of constructing pre-processing models but all should comply with BIPRU 7.9.45G - BIPRU 7.9.53G. All pre-processing models should generate positions that have the same sensitivity to defined interest rate changes as the underlying cash flows.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.46

In an interest rate pre-processing model each transaction is converted into its constituent cash flows. The cash flows are discounted using zero coupon rates derived from the firm's own yield curves.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.47

The cash flows are then calculated again using the firm's own yield curve shifted by the amount set out in BIPRU 7.9.49G.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.48

The difference between the present values calculated using the firm's own yield curve and those calculated using the firm's curve shifted under BIPRU 7.9.47G are known as the sensitivity figures. Alternatively, a firm may shift the yield curve by one basis point and multiply up the sensitivity figures by the appropriate amount in order to achieve the shifts set out in BIPRU 7.9.47G. These sensitivity figures are then allocated to each of the 15 maturity bands set out in BIPRU 7.9.49G.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.49

Table: yield curve shifts
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.9.47G

Zone

Modified duration

Assumed interest rate change (percentage points)

0 ≤ 1 months

1.00

> 1 ≤ 3 months

1.00

> 3 ≤ 6 months

1.00

> 6 ≤ 12 months

1.00

> 1.0 ≤ 1.9 years

0.90

> 1.9 ≤ 2.8 years

0.85

> 2.8 ≤ 3.6 years

0.85

> 3.6 ≤ 4.3 years

0.75

> 4.3 ≤ 5.7 years

0.70

> 5.7 ≤ 7.3 years

0.70

> 7.3 ≤ 9.3 years

0.70

> 9.3 ≤ 10.6 years

0.70

> 10.6 ≤ 12 years

0.70

> 12.0 ≤ 20 years

0.70

> 20 years

0.70

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.50

Sensitivity figures calculated by a firm using an interest rate pre-processing model are usually produced in the format of a net sensitivity by maturity bucket or by discrete gridpoint. These maturity buckets or gridpoints should then be allocated to the 15 bands set out in BIPRU 7.9.49G. The number of maturity buckets or gridpoints used to represent a yield curve can be referred to as granularity. The granularity should always be adequate to capture the material curve risk in the portfolio. Curve risk can be defined as the risk associated with holding long and short positions at different points along the yield curve.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.51

Positive and negative amounts placed in each of the different maturity bands in BIPRU 7.9.49G under the sensitivity calculation in BIPRU 7.9.50G should then be netted off to produce one figure for each of the bands. There is no capital requirement for this netting process.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.52

The individual sensitivity figures produced should then be input into the interest rate duration method calculation. The individual sensitivity figures for each band should be included with the other positions in the appropriate column in the table in BIPRU 7.2.65R (Table: Assumed interest rate change in the interest rate duration method).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.9.53

Instead of using the approach in BIPRU 7.9.52G a firm may use an approach based on the interest rate maturity method, making appropriate adjustments to the sensitivity figures.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10

Use of a Value at Risk Model

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 7.10.1

BIPRU 7.10 applies to a firm with a VaR model permission.

01/01/2007

Introduction and purpose

BIPRU 7.10.2

BIPRU 7.10 provides details of when the FSA expects to allow a firm to use a VaR model (value at risk model) for the purpose of calculating part or all of its PRR. It introduces the concept of a VaR model, the methodology behind it and the link to the standard market risk PRR rules. It then goes on to detail the application and review process. The bulk of BIPRU 7.10 specifies the model standards and risk management standards that firms will be required to meet in order to use a VaR model. It further stipulates requirements for stress testing, backtesting, capital calculations and finally the reporting standards expected by the FSA.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.3

The models described in BIPRU 7.10 are described as VaR models in order to distinguish them from CAD 1 models, which are dealt with in BIPRU 7.9 (Use of a CAD 1 model). A VaR model is a risk management model which uses a statistical measure to predict profit and loss movement ranges with a confidence interval. From these results PRR charges can be calculated. The standards described in BIPRU 7.10, and which will be applied by the FSA , are based on and implement Annex V of the Capital Adequacy Directive.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.4

The aim of the VaR model approach is to enable a firm with adequate risk management systems to be subject to a PRR requirement that is more closely aligned with the risks to which it is subject than the PRR requirements generated by the standard market risk PRR rules. This provides a firm with an incentive to measure market risks as accurately and comprehensively as possible. It is crucial that those responsible for managing market risk at a firm should be aware of the assumptions and limitations of the firm's VaR model.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.5

There are a number of general methodologies for calculating PRR using a VaR model. The FSA does not prescribe any one method of computing VaR measures. Moreover, it does not wish to discourage any firm from developing alternative risk measurement techniques. A firm should discuss the use of any alternative techniques used to calculate PRR with the FSA.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.6

A firm should not use the VaR model approach to calculate PRR unless it has a VaR model permission. If a firm does not have such a permission it should use the standard market risk PRR rules. Therefore, a firm needs to apply for a VaR model permission in order to calculate its PRR using a VaR model instead of (or in combination with) the standard market risk PRR rules.

01/01/2007

Conditions for granting a VaR model permission

BIPRU 7.10.7

A waiver or other permission allowing the use of models in the calculation of PRR will not be granted if that would be contrary to the Capital Adequacy Directive and any VaR model permission which is granted will only be granted on terms that are compatible with the Capital Adequacy Directive. Accordingly, the FSA is likely only to grant a waiver or other permission allowing the use of models in the calculation of PRR if it is a VaR model permission or a CAD 1 model waiver.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.8

BIPRU 7.10 sets out the minimum standards that the FSA expects firms to meet before granting a VaR model permission. The FSA will not grant a VaR model permission unless it is satisfied that the requirements of BIPRU 7.10 are met and it is satisfied about the procedures in place at a firm to calculate the model PRR. In particular the FSA will not normally grant a VaR model permission unless it is satisfied about the quality of:

(1) the internal controls and risk management relating to the VaR model (see BIPRU 7.10.56G - BIPRU 7.10.82R);
(2) the VaR model standards (see BIPRU 7.10.24R-BIPRU 7.10.55G); and
(3) stress testing and backtesting procedures relating to a VaR model (see, in addition to (2), BIPRU 7.10.83R - BIPRU 7.10.112G).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.9

The FSA recognises that the nature of VaR models will vary between firms. The scope of and the requirements and conditions set out in a VaR model permission may therefore differ in substance or detail from BIPRU 7.10 in order to address individual circumstances adequately. However any differences will only be allowed if they are compliant with the Capital Adequacy Directive. A VaR model permission will implement any such variation by modifying BIPRU 7.10. A VaR model permission may also include additional conditions to meet the particular circumstances of the firm or the model.

01/01/2007

The VaR model permission application and review process

BIPRU 7.10.10

Details of the general process for applying for a VaR model permission are set out in BIPRU 1.3 (Applications for advanced approaches). Because of the complexity of a VaR model permission, it is recommended that a firm discuss its proposed application with its usual contact at the FSA before it makes the application.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.11

In order for a VaR model permission to be granted, the FSA is likely to undertake a review to ensure that it is adequate and appropriate for the PRR calculation.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.12

The VaR model review process may be conducted through a series of visits covering various aspects of a firm's control and IT environment. Before these visits the FSA may ask the firm to provide some information relating to the firm's VaR model permission request accompanied by some specified background material. The VaR model review visits are organised on a timetable that allows the firm being visited sufficient time to arrange the visit and provide the appropriate pre-visit information.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.13

As part of the process for dealing with an application for a VaR model permission the following may be reviewed: organisational structure and personnel; details of the firm's market position in the relevant products; revenue and risk information; valuation and reserving policies; operational controls; information technology systems; model release and control procedures; risk management and control framework; risk appetite and limit structure; future developments relevant to model recognition.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.14

A visit will usually involve the FSA wishing to meet senior management and staff from the front office, financial control, risk management, operations, systems development, information technology and internal audit areas.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.15

The FSA may complement its own review of a VaR model permission request with one or more reviews by a skilled person under section 166 of the Act (Reports by skilled persons). Such a review may also be used where a VaR model permission has been granted to ensure that the requirements BIPRU 7.10 and of the VaR model permission continue to be met.

01/01/2007

Conditions for a VaR model outside the United Kingdom

BIPRU 7.10.16

Where a VaR model used outside the United Kingdom differs from that used in the United Kingdom the FSA may request details of the reasons for using different models.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.17

Where a firm operates any part of its VaR model outside the United Kingdom, the FSA may take into account the results of the home supervisor's review of that model. The FSA may wish to receive information directly from the home supervisor.

01/01/2007

Scope of VaR models

BIPRU 7.10.18

A firm must use the VaR model approach to calculate the PRR for a position:

(1) to the extent that the risks in relation to that position are within the scope of the VaR model permission (see BIPRU 7.10.136R (Link to standard PRR rules: Incorporation of the model output into the capital calculation)); and
(2) if the position is of a type that comes within the scope of the VaR model permission.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.19

In accordance with BIPRU 7.10.18R (1) a VaR model permission will set out the risk categories that it covers, which are expected to be one or more of the following types:

(1) interest rate general market risk;
(2) interest rate specific risk (in conjunction with interest rate general market risk);
(3) equity general market risk;
(4) equity specific risk (in conjunction with equity general market risk);
(5) CIU risk;
(6) foreign currency risk; and
(7) commodity risk.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.20

A VaR model permission will generally set out the broad classes of position within its scope. It may also specify how individual products within one of those broad classes may be brought into or taken out of the scope of the VaR model permission.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.21

The broad classes of position referred to in BIPRU 7.10.20G are as follows:

(1) linear products, which comprise securities with linear pay-offs (e.g. bonds and equities) and derivative products which have linear pay-offs in the underlying risk factor (e.g. interest rate swaps, FRAs, total return swaps);
(2) European, American and Bermudan put and call options (including caps, floors and swaptions) and investments with these features (see BIPRU 7.6.18R (Table: Option PRR: methods for different types of option) for an explanation of some of these terms);
(3) Asian options, digital options, single barrier options, double barrier options, lookback options, forward starting options, compound options and investments with these features (see BIPRU 7.6.18R for an explanation of some of these terms); and
(4) all other option based products (e.g. basket options, quantos, outperformance options, timing options) and investments with these features (see BIPRU 7.6.18R for an explanation of some of these terms).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.22

The categorisation described in BIPRU 7.10.21G may be amended or replaced in the case of a particular firm's VaR model permission.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.23

It is the FSA's view that, where a firm uses a VaR model for one risk category as described in BIPRU 7.10.19G, it is good practice to extend its model over time to calculate all of its PRR risk categories. A firm will typically be expected to have a realistic plan in place to do this.

01/01/2007

Model standards: General

BIPRU 7.10.24

A firm must comply with the minimum standards set out in BIPRU 7.10.26R - BIPRU 7.10.53R in calculating the model PRR.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.25

The FSA accepts that the scope and nature of VaR models varies across firms. This means that different firms are likely to calculate different estimates of market risk for the same portfolio. Systematic differences are due to length of data series, choice of methodology (historical or Monte Carlo simulation or variance-covariance method or a hybrid of these), differences in aggregating risks within and across broad risk factors, the treatment of options and other non-linear products and the specification of risk factors.

01/01/2007

Model standards: Frequency of calculations and confidence level

BIPRU 7.10.26

The model PRR must be computed at least once every business day, using a 99% one-tailed confidence limit.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.27

A firm may meet the requirement in BIPRU 7.10.26R by using different model parameters and employing a suitable adjustment mechanism to produce a figure which is equivalent to the figure produced using the parameters set out in BIPRU 7.10.26R. For example, a firm's model may use a 95% one-tailed confidence limit if the firm has a mechanism to convert the output of the model to reflect a 99% one-tailed confidence limit.

01/01/2007

Model standards: Holding period

BIPRU 7.10.28

In calculating the VaR number, a firm must either use a ten business day holding period, or use a holding period converted to a ten business day holding period. However if the firm's VaR model permission specifies that the firm must use a specific method, the firm must do so.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.29

If a firm uses a holding period other than 10 business days and converts the resulting VaR measure to a ten business day equivalent measure, it should be able to justify the choice of conversion technique. For example, the square root of time method will usually be justifiable. The FSA considers it good practice ultimately to move towards the application of an actual ten business day holding period, rather than using different holding periods.

01/01/2007

Model standards: Observation period

BIPRU 7.10.30

Subject to BIPRU 7.10.31R, the calculation of VaR numbers must be based on an effective historical observation period that is the longest possible consistent with a prudent VaR number. That period must be at least one year or such longer period as may be set out in the firm's VaR model permission. However if using that prescribed observation period does not result in a sufficiently prudent way of calculating a VaR measure or a component of a VaR measure the firm must shorten this observation period until the observation period is consistent with a prudent VaR number.

01/01/2007

Model standards: Data series

BIPRU 7.10.31

A firm must ensure that the data series used by its VaR model is reliable. Where a reliable data series is not available, proxies or any other reasonable value-at-risk measurement technique must be used. A firm must be able to demonstrate that the technique is appropriate and does not materially understate the modelled risks.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.32

A data series is unreliable if it has, for example, missing data points, or data points which contain stale data. Reliable data series may be difficult to obtain for new products (for example an instrument of longer dated tenor that did not previously trade) and for less liquid risk factors or positions. With regard to less liquid risk factors or positions, a firm may use a combination of prudent valuation techniques and alternative VaR estimation techniques to ensure there is a sufficient cushion against risk over the close out period which takes account of the illiquidity of the risk factor or position.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.33

(1) If a weighting scheme or other similar method is used to calculate VaR numbers, then the effective observation period must be at least one year. Where a weighting scheme is used, the weighted average time lag of the individual observations must not be less than six Months.
(2) If a specific observation period or weighted average time lag is specified in a firm's VaR model permission, the firm must comply with that if it is longer than the period specified in (1).
(3) However, if a weighting scheme in (1) or (2) would result in imprudent VaR numbers then the weighting scheme must be adjusted so that it is consistent with a prudent VaR number.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.34

A firm must update data sets in accordance with the frequency set out in its VaR model permission. If volatility in market prices or rates necessitates more frequent updating in order to ensure a prudent calculation of the VaR measure the firm must do so.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.35

The minimum updating frequency that can be specified in a VaR model permission is quarterly.

01/01/2007

Model standards: Aggregation across risk categories

BIPRU 7.10.36

The process for determining and implementing correlations within and across risk categories must be sound, implemented with integrity and consistent with the terms of the firm's VaR model permission.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.37

In aggregating VaR measures across risk or product categories, a firm must not use the square root of the sum of the squares approach unless the assumption of zero correlation between these categories is empirically justified. If correlations between risk categories are not empirically justified, the VaR measures for each category must simply be added in order to determine its aggregate VaR measure. But to the extent that a firm's VaR model permission provides for a different way of aggregating VaR measures:

(1) that method applies instead of this rule; and
(2) if the correlations between risk categories used for that purpose cease to be empirically justified then the firm must notify the FSA at once.

01/01/2007

Model standards: Risk factors: Introduction

BIPRU 7.10.38

Subject to BIPRU 7.10.53R (Model standards: Materiality), a VaR model should capture and accurately reflect all material risks arising on the underlying portfolio on a continuing basis insofar as those risks are within the scope of the VaR model permission. This should encompass general market risk and, to the extent that this comes within the scope of the VaR model permission, specific risk. A firm should ensure that the VaR model has sufficient risk factor granularity to be able to capture all such material risks and that these are properly documented and specified.

01/01/2007

Model standards: Risk factors: General

BIPRU 7.10.39

In the case of general market risk and risks with respect to which the standard market risk PRR rules do not distinguish between general market risk and specific risk, a firm's VaR model must capture a sufficient number of risk factors in relation to the level of activity of the firm and in particular the risks set out in BIPRU 7.10.40R - BIPRU 7.10.44R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.40

For interest rate risk, a VaR model must incorporate a set of risk factors corresponding to the interest rate curves in each currency in which the firm has interest rate sensitive positions. A firm must ensure that it captures the variations of volatility of rates along the yield curve. In order to achieve this, a firm must divide the yield curves of, at a minimum, the major currencies and markets in which it has material interest rate exposures into a minimum of six maturity segments. The VaR model must also capture the risk of less than perfectly correlated movements between different yield curves.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.41

For equity risk, a VaR model must use a separate risk factor at least for each of the equity markets in which the firm has material positions.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.42

For foreign currency risk, a VaR model must incorporate risk factors corresponding to the individual foreign currencies, including gold, in which the firm's positions are denominated.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.43

For commodity risk, the VaR model must use a separate risk factor at least for each commodity in which the firm has material positions. The VaR model must also capture the risk of less than perfectly correlated movements between similar, but not identical, commodities and the exposure to changes in forward prices arising from maturity mismatches. It must also take account of market characteristics, notably delivery dates and the scope provided to traders to close out positions.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.44

(1) For CIUs the actual foreign currency positions of the CIU must be taken into account.
(2) A firm may rely on third party reporting of the foreign currency position of the CIU, where the correctness of this report is adequately ensured.
(3) If a firm is not aware of the foreign currency positions in a CIU, this position must be carved out and treated in BIPRU 7.5.18R (Derivation of notional positions in CIUs for the foreign currency PRR).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.45

(1) This paragraph contains guidance on the inclusion of CIUs in a VaR model.
(2) The FSA may allow all types of CIU to be included within the scope of a firm's VaR model permission.
(3) BIPRU 7.10 does not distinguish between specific risk and general market risk for positions in CIUs. Therefore even if specific risk is not otherwise included within the scope of a firm's VaR model permission, a firm should be able to demonstrate that its VaR model captures specific risk.
(4) A firm should also be able to demonstrate that its VaR model adequately captures correlations, concentration risk and risks associated with the illiquidity of the CIU itself should this be deemed necessary (see BIPRU 7.10.32G).
(5) A firm may use a look-through approach, under which the VaR model estimates are based on the underlying positions. If a firm uses a look through approach it should also ensure that all the relevant risk factors relating to the underlying positions are captured. BIPRU 7.7 (Position risk requirements for collective investment undertakings) sets out rules relating to the look through approach when a firm is using the VaR model approach.

01/01/2007

Model standards: Risk factors: Specific risk

BIPRU 7.10.46

(1) If a firm's VaR model covers the calculation of PRR with respect to specific risk the firm must meet the VaR specific risk minimum requirements in addition to the other requirements of BIPRU 7.10.
(2) The VaR model must explain the historical price variation in the portfolios concerned.
(3) The VaR model must capture concentration in terms of magnitude and changes of composition of the portfolios concerned.
(4) The VaR model must be robust to an adverse environment.
(5) The VaR model must capture name-related basis risk. That is the firm must be able to demonstrate that the VaR model is sensitive to material idiosyncratic differences between similar but not identical positions.
(6) The VaR model must capture event risk.
(7) In addition to the other requirements in BIPRU 7.10, a firm must have an approach in place to capture, in the calculation of its capital requirements, the default risk of its trading book positions that is incremental to the default risk captured by the VaR measures as specified in this rule, BIPRU 7.10.48R, BIPRU 7.10.49R and BIPRU 7.10.107R (Backtesting: Specific risk backtesting).
(8) A firm must be able to demonstrate that the approach referred to in (7) meets soundness standards comparable to the approach set out in (The IRB approach), under the assumption of a constant level of risk, and adjusted where appropriate to reflect the impact of liquidity, concentrations, hedging and optionality.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.47

This paragraph provides guidance on BIPRU 7.10.46R (3). Take as an example a VaR model based on a factor model or on a historical simulation model. The ability of the model to explain price variation could be demonstrated by a statistical comparison over the same period of time between actual price changes on the portfolio and the profit and loss impact of risk factors included within the model. A firm may wish to include an estimate of residual variation not explained by the model.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.48

(1) Where a firm is subject to event risk that is not reflected in its VaR measure, because it is beyond the 10-day holding period and 99 percent confidence interval (low probability and high severity events), the firm must ensure that the impact of such events is factored into its internal capital assessment.
(2) A firm's VaR model must conservatively assess the risk arising from less liquid positions and positions with limited price transparency under realistic market scenarios. In addition, the VaR model must meet minimum data standards. Proxies must be appropriately conservative and may be used only where available data is insufficient or is not reflective of the true volatility of a position or portfolio.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.49

As techniques and best practices evolve, a firm must avail itself of these advances.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.50

To avoid double counting capital requirements under BIPRU 7.10.46R (7) a firm may, when calculating its incremental default charge, take into account the extent to which default risk has already been incorporated into the VaR calculation, especially for risk positions that could and would be closed within 10 business days in the event of adverse market conditions or other indications of deterioration in the credit environment. Where a firm captures its incremental default risk through a surcharge, it must have in place methodologies for validating the measure.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.51

A firm that does not capture the incremental default risk through an internally developed approach must calculate the surcharge through an approach consistent with either the standardised approach to credit risk or the IRB approach.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.52

With respect to securitisation exposures that would be subject to a deduction treatment in the calculation of its capital resources or risk weighted at 1250% as set out in BIPRU 9, these positions (cash or synthetic) are subject to a capital charge that is no less than set forth under that treatment. A firm that is a dealer in these exposures may apply a different treatment where it could demonstrate to the FSA, in addition to trading intent, that a liquid two-way market exists for the securitisation exposures or, in the case of synthetic securitisation that rely solely on credit derivatives, for the securitisation exposures themselves or all their constituent risk components. For the purposes of this rule a two-way market is deemed to exist where there are independent good faith offers to buy and sell so that a price reasonably related to the last sales price or current good faith competitive bid and offer quotations can be determined within one day and settled at such a price within a relatively short time conforming to trade custom. For a firm to apply a different treatment, it must have sufficient market data to ensure that it fully captures the concentrated default risk of these exposures in its internal approach for measuring the incremental default risk in accordance with the VaR specific risk minimum requirements.

01/01/2007

Model standards: Materiality

BIPRU 7.10.53

A firm's VaR model must capture accurately all material price risks for positions within the scope of its VaR permission, including risks relating to options or option-like positions. The firm must ensure that, if its VaR model does not accurately capture any material risk, the firm has capital resources adequate to cover that risk. These capital resources must be additional to those required to meet its capital resources requirement.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.54

For example, BIPRU 7.10.53R might involve creating and documenting a prudent incremental PRR charge for the risk not captured in the VaR model and holding sufficient capital resources against this risk. In that case the firm should hold capital resources at least equal to its capital resources requirement as increased by adding this incremental charge to the model PRR. Alternatively the firm may make valuation adjustments through its profit and loss reserves to cover this material risk. These reserves should be transparent to senior management and auditable. The reserves should also be consistent with GENPRU 1.3 (Valuation) while not being excessive in relation to the principles of mark-to-market accounting. Therefore, a firm should be able to satisfy the FSA that all material risks are adequately addressed, whether this be through the VaR model, through taking an incremental PRR charge or through making an adjustment through profit and loss reserves.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.55

A firm is expected ultimately to move towards full revaluation of option positions. For portfolios containing path dependent options, an instantaneous price shock applied to a static portfolio will be acceptable provided that the risks not captured by such an approach are not material. Where a risk is immaterial and does not justify further capital resources, that immaterial risk should still be documented.

01/01/2007

Risk management standards: Introduction

BIPRU 7.10.56

A firm with a complex portfolio is expected to demonstrate greater sophistication in its modelling and risk management than a firm with a simple portfolio. For example, a firm will be expected to consider, where necessary, varying degrees of liquidity for different risk factors, the complexity of risk modelling across time zones, product categories and risk factors. Some trade-off is permissible between the sophistication and accuracy of the model and the conservatism of underlying assumptions or simplifications.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.57

A firm should be able to demonstrate that it meets the risk management standards set out in the VaR model permission on a legal entity basis. This is particularly important for a subsidiary undertaking in a group subject to matrix management where the business lines cut across legal entity boundaries.

01/01/2007

Risk management standards: General requirement

BIPRU 7.10.58

A firm must have a conceptually sound risk management system surrounding the use of its VaR model that is implemented with integrity and that in particular meet the qualitative standards set out in BIPRU 7.10.59R - BIPRU 7.10.82R.

01/01/2007

Risk management standards: Use requirement

BIPRU 7.10.59

A firm must base its model PRR calculation on the output of the VaR model which is used for its internal risk management rather than one developed specifically to calculate its PRR.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.60

The VaR model must be fully integrated into the daily risk management process of the firm, and serve as the basis for reporting risk exposures to senior management of the firm.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.61

A firm's VaR model output should be an integral part of the process of planning, monitoring and controlling a firm's market risk profile. The VaR model should be used in conjunction with internal trading and exposure limits. The links between these limits and the VaR model should be consistent over time and understood by senior management. The firm should regard risk control as an essential aspect of the business to which significant resources need to be devoted.

01/01/2007

Risk management standards: Risk control unit

BIPRU 7.10.62

A firm must have a risk control unit which is independent from business trading units and which reports directly to senior management. It:

(1) must be responsible for designing and implementing the firm's risk management system;
(2) must produce and analyse daily reports on the output of the VaR model and on the appropriate measures to be taken in terms of the trading limits; and
(3) conduct the initial and on-going validation of the VaR model.

01/01/2007

Risk management standards: Senior management

BIPRU 7.10.63

A firm's governing body and senior management must be actively involved in the risk control process, and the daily reports produced by the risk control unit must be reviewed by a level of management with sufficient authority to enforce both reductions of positions taken by individual traders as well as in the firm's overall risk exposure.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.64

It is the responsibility of a firm's own management to ensure the accuracy and integrity of its VaR model. This responsibility includes obtaining appropriate independent validation of the VaR model.

01/01/2007

Risk management standards: Skilled staff

BIPRU 7.10.65

A firm must have sufficient numbers of staff skilled in the use of sophisticated models in the trading, risk control, audit and back office areas.

01/01/2007

Risk management standards: Controls and compliance

BIPRU 7.10.66

A firm must establish, document and maintain policies, controls and procedures to an auditable standard:

(1) concerning the operation of its VaR model approach; and
(2) for monitoring and ensuring compliance with the policies, controls and procedures in (1).

01/01/2007

Risk management standards: Documentation

BIPRU 7.10.67

A VaR model must be adequately documented.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.68

(1) An example of documents required by BIPRU 7.10.67R may be a manual that describes the basic principles of the risk management framework, clearly setting out empirical techniques, principles and assumptions used within it.
(2) This documentation should be of sufficient detail for the FSA to be able to develop a clear understanding of how the VaR model works from that documentation on its own.

01/01/2007

Risk management standards: Track record

BIPRU 7.10.69

A firm's VaR model must have a proven track record of acceptable accuracy in measuring risk.

01/01/2007

Risk management standards: Development validation

BIPRU 7.10.70

Adequate procedures must be in place to ensure that model changes are validated before being introduced.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.71

The procedures in BIPRU 7.10.70R need not necessarily rely on backtesting using a back-run of recreated data.

01/01/2007

Risk management standards: Stress testing

BIPRU 7.10.72

(1) A firm must frequently conduct a rigorous programme of stress testing. The results of these tests must be reviewed by senior management and reflected in the policies and limits the firm sets.
(2) The programme must particularly address:

(a) concentration risk;
(b) illiquidity of markets in stressed market conditions;
(c) one way markets;
(d) event and jump to default risks;
(e) non linearity of products;
(f) deep out of the money positions;
(g) positions subject to the gapping of prices; and
(h) other risks that may not be captured appropriately in the VaR model (for example, recovery rate uncertainty, implied correlations and skew risk).

(3) The shocks applied must reflect the nature of the portfolios and the time it could take to hedge out or manage risks under severe market conditions.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.73

The stress testing under BIPRU 7.10.72R should be taken into account under the overall Pillar 2 rule.

01/01/2007

Risk management standards: Valuation

BIPRU 7.10.74

A firm must have procedures to ensure that the valuation of assets and liabilities is appropriate, that valuation uncertainty is identified and appropriate reserving is undertaken where necessary.

01/01/2007

Risk management standards: Risk review

BIPRU 7.10.75

At least once a year, a firm must conduct, as part of its regular internal audit process, a review of its risk management process. This review must include both the activities of the business trading units and of the independent risk control unit, and must be undertaken by suitably qualified staff independent of the areas being reviewed. This review must consider, at a minimum:

(1) the adequacy of the documentation of the risk management system and process;
(2) the organisation of the risk control unit;
(3) the integration of market risk measures into daily risk management;
(4) the integrity of the management information system;
(5) the process for approving risk pricing models and valuation systems used in front and back offices;
(6) the validation of any significant changes in the risk management process;
(7) the scope of risks and products captured by the VaR model;
(8) the accuracy and completeness of position data;
(9) the process used to ensure the consistency, timeliness, independence and reliability of data sources (including the independence of such data sources);
(10) the accuracy and appropriateness of volatility and correlation assumptions;
(11) reserving policies and the accuracy of the valuation procedures and risk sensitivity calculations;
(12) the process employed to evaluate the VaR model's accuracy, including the programme of backtesting;
(13) the controls surrounding the development of the VaR model; and
(14) the process employed to produce the calculation of the model PRR.

01/01/2007

Risk management standards: Validation and backtesting

BIPRU 7.10.76

The FSA will require a period of initial monitoring or live testing before a VaR model can be recognised. This will be agreed on a firm by firm basis.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.77

In assessing the firm's VaR model and risk management, the FSA has regard to the results of internal model validation procedures used by the firm to assess the VaR model.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.78

A firm must have processes in place to ensure that its VaR model has been adequately validated by suitably qualified parties independent of the development process to ensure that it is conceptually sound and adequately captures all material risks. This validation must be conducted when the VaR model is initially developed and when any significant changes are made to the VaR model. The validation must also be conducted on a periodic basis but especially where there have been any significant structural changes in the market or changes to the composition of the portfolio which might lead to the VaR model no longer being adequate. As techniques and best practices evolve, a firm must avail itself of these advances. Model validation must not be limited to backtesting, but must, at a minimum, also include the following:

(1) tests to demonstrate that any assumptions made within the VaR model are appropriate and do not underestimate or overestimate the risk (including testing of the validity of the assumptions and approximations underlying the VaR model);
(2) in addition to the regulatory backtesting programmes, a firm must carry out its own model validation tests in relation to the risks and structures of its portfolios, such as statistical validation techniques and other methods of measuring performance and validity;
(3) the use of hypothetical portfolios to ensure that the VaR model is able to account for particular structural features that may arise, for example material basis risks and concentration risk; and
(4) investigation of the limitations of the VaR model including testing of the accuracy of parts of the VaR model as well as of the whole.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.79

(1) In addition to regulatory backtesting programs, testing for model validation should be carried out using additional tests which may include for example:

(a) testing carried out using hypothetical changes in portfolio value that would occur were end of day positions to remain unchanged;
(b) testing carried out for longer periods than required for the regular backtesting programme (for example, 3 years);
(c) testing carried out using confidence intervals other than the 99 percent interval required under the quantitative requirements in BIPRU 7.10; and
(d) testing of parts of portfolios.

(2) A longer time period generally improves the power of backtesting. However a longer time period may not be desirable if the VaR model or market conditions have changed to the extent that historical data is no longer relevant.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.80

Further material on backtesting can be found in BIPRU 7.10.91G - BIPRU 7.10.112G.

01/01/2007

Risk management standards: Information technology

BIPRU 7.10.81

In assessing whether the VaR model is implemented with integrity as described in BIPRU 7.10.58R (Stress testing), the FSA will consider in particular the information technology systems used to run the model and associated calculations. The assessment may include:

(1) feeder systems; risk aggregation systems; time series databases; the VaR model system; stress testing system; the backtesting system including profit and loss cleaning systems where appropriate; data quality; reconciliations and checks on completeness of capture;
(2) system development, change control and documentation; security and audit trails; system availability and contingency procedures; network adequacy; and
(3) operational statistics relating to the VaR model production process, including, for example, statistics relating to timeliness, number of re-runs required and the reliability of data feeds.

01/01/2007

Risk management standards: Controls

BIPRU 7.10.82

A firm must ensure that it has adequate controls relating to:

(1) the derivation of the model PRR;
(2) the integrity of the backtesting programme, including the calculation of the profit and loss account;
(3) the integrity and appropriateness of the VaR model, including the VaR model's geographic coverage and the completeness of data sources;
(4) the VaR model's initial and ongoing development, including independent validation;
(5) the valuation models, including independent validation; and
(6) the adequacy, security and integrity of the information technology infrastructure.

01/01/2007

Stress testing

BIPRU 7.10.83

BIPRU 7.10.84G-BIPRU 7.10.90G relate to stress testing of a VaR model (see BIPRU 7.10.72R (Risk management standards: Stress testing)).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.84

Stress testing is a way of identifying the risk to a firm posed by a breakdown of model assumptions or by low-probability events. Where stress tests reveal unacceptable vulnerability to a given set of circumstances, a firm should take prompt steps to manage those risks appropriately, for example by hedging against the outcome or reducing the size of the firm's exposure.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.85

A firm must have the capacity to run daily stress tests.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.86

Stress testing must involve identifying market scenarios or other low probability events in all types of risks that generate the greatest losses on a firm's portfolio.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.87

A firm must periodically and actively identify all the worst case scenarios that are relevant to its portfolio. Scenarios used must be appropriate to test the effect of adverse movements in market volatilities and correlations and the effect of any change in the assumptions underlying the VaR model. Scenarios involving low probability market events must nevertheless be plausible.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.88

Stress testing must capture non-linear effects.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.89

A firm must have procedures to assess and respond to the results produced from stress testing. In particular, stress testing results must be:

(1) used to evaluate its capacity to absorb such losses or identify steps to be taken to reduce risk; and
(2) communicated routinely to senior management and periodically to the governing body.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.90

A firm may want to conduct the more complex stress tests at longer intervals or on an ad hoc basis.

01/01/2007

Backtesting: Introduction

BIPRU 7.10.91

Backtesting is the process of comparing value-at-risk risk measures to portfolio performance. It is intended to act as one of the mechanisms for the ongoing validation of a firm's VaR model and to provide incentives for firms to improve their VaR measures.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.92

It is a condition for granting a VaR model permission that a firm should have a backtesting programme in place and should provide three months of backtesting history.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.93

Backtesting conducted only at a whole portfolio level using a single measure of profit and loss has limited power to distinguish an accurate VaR model from an inaccurate one. Backtesting should therefore be regarded as an additional safeguard rather than a primary validation tool. Such testing does however form the basis of the FSA's plus factor system. The test has been chosen as the basis of the backtesting regime because of its simplicity. A firm will therefore be expected to complement this backtesting with more granular backtesting analysis and involving more than one measure of profit and loss (i.e. both a clean profit and loss figure and a clean hypothetical profit and loss figure).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.94

A firm must have the capacity to analyse and compare its clean profit and loss figures and clean hypothetical profit and loss figures to the VaR measure, both at the level of the whole portfolio covered by the VaR model permission and at the level of individual books that contain material amounts of risk.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.95

Clean profit and loss backtesting should be used for regulatory backtesting and used to calculate plus factors. Hypothetical profit and loss backtesting is used for model validation and for reporting to the FSA.

01/01/2007

Backtesting: Basic testing requirements

BIPRU 7.10.96

A firm must, on each business day, compare each of its 250 most recent business days' clean profit and loss figures (ending with the business day preceding the business day in question) with the corresponding one-day VaR measures.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.97

Generally the positions underlying the profit and loss account and VaR measures should not be materially different.

01/01/2007

Backtesting: One day VaR measure

BIPRU 7.10.98

The one-day VaR measure for a particular business day is the VaR number for that business day calibrated to a one business day holding period and a 99% one-tailed confidence level.

01/01/2007

Backtesting: Calculating the clean profit and loss

BIPRU 7.10.99

The ultimate purpose of backtesting is to assess whether capital is sufficient to absorb actual losses. Therefore backtesting should be performed using a measure of actual daily profit and loss. Actual daily profit and loss means the day's profit and loss arising from trading activities within the scope of the VaR model permission. This measure should, however, be 'cleaned' using BIPRU 7.10.100R inclusion in profit and loss of non-modelled factors.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.100

The clean profit and loss figure for a particular business day is the firm's actual profit or loss for that day in respect of the trading activities within the scope of the firm's VaR model permission, adjusted by stripping out:

(1) fees and commissions;
(2) brokerage;
(3) additions to and releases from reserves which are not directly related to market risk (e.g. administration reserves); and
(4) any inception profit exceeding an amount specified for this purpose in the firm's VaR model permission (where inception profit is defined as any profit arising immediately on entering into a new transaction).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.101

The definition of clean profit and loss figure may be amended or replaced in an individual VaR model permission if the firm can demonstrate to the FSA that the alternative method meets the spirit and purpose of the provisions in BIPRU 7.10 about the clean profit and loss figure.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.102

The FSA will review as part of a firm's VaR model permission application the processes and documentation relating to the derivation of profit and loss used for backtesting. A firm's documentation should clearly set out the basis for cleaning profit and loss. To the extent that certain profit and loss elements are not updated every day (for example certain reserve calculations) the documentation should clearly set out how such elements are included in the clean profit and loss series.

01/01/2007

Backtesting: Definition of backtesting exception

BIPRU 7.10.103

A backtesting exception is deemed to have occurred for any business day if the clean profit and loss figure for that business day shows a loss, which in absolute magnitude, exceeds the one-day VaR measure for that business day. The only exception is if that business day is identified in the firm's VaR model permission as giving rise to an excluded backtesting exception.

01/01/2007

Backtesting: Obligation to notify the FSA

BIPRU 7.10.104

If a backtesting exception occurs, the firm must notify its usual supervisory contact at the FSA orally by close of business two business days after the business day for which the backtesting exception occurred. Within five business days following the end of each Month, the firm must submit to the FSA a written account of the previous Month's backtesting exceptions (if any). This explanation must include the causes of the backtesting exceptions, an analysis of whether the backtesting exception indicate a deficiency in the firm's VaR model and the firm's planned response (if any).

01/01/2007

Backtesting: Summary of the backtesting cycle

BIPRU 7.10.105

(1) This paragraph gives guidance on the backtesting calculation and reporting process in BIPRU 7.10.96R - BIPRU 7.10.104R.
(2) Let the day on which the loss referred to in BIPRU 7.10.100R is made be day n. The value-at-risk measure for that day will be calculated on day n-1, or overnight between day n-1 and day n. Profit and loss figures are produced on day n+1, and backtesting also takes place on day n+1. The firm's supervisor should be notified of any backtesting exceptions by close of business on day n+2.
(3) Any backtesting exception initially counts for the purpose of the calculation of the plus factor even if subsequently the FSA agrees to exclude it under the process described in BIPRU 7.10.106G. Thus, where the firm experiences a backtesting exception and already has four or more backtesting exceptions for the previous 250 business days, changes to the multiplication factor arising from changes to the plus factor become effective at n+3 (using the time-line terminology in (2)).

01/01/2007

Backtesting: Process for disregarding backtesting exceptions

BIPRU 7.10.106

(1) This paragraph gives guidance on the process for excluding backtesting exceptions as referred to in BIPRU 7.10.103R.
(2) The FSA will respond flexibly to backtesting exceptions. However, the FSA's starting assumption will be that a backtesting exception should be taken into account for the purpose of the calculation of plus factors. If the firm believes that a backtesting exception should not count for that purpose, then it should seek a variation of its VaR model permission in order to exclude that particular backtesting exception. The FSA will then decide whether to agree to such a variation.
(3) One example of when a firm's backtesting exception might properly be disregarded is when it has arisen as a result of a risk that is not captured in its VaR model but against which capital resources are already held.

01/01/2007

Backtesting: Specific risk backtesting

BIPRU 7.10.107

If a firm's VaR model permission covers specific risk, the firm must validate its VaR model through backtesting aimed at assessing whether specific risk is being accurately captured. This backtesting must be carried out in accordance with the provisions of its VaR model permission. If the VaR model permission provides for this backtesting to be performed on the basis of relevant sub-portfolios, these must be chosen in a consistent manner.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.108

Specific risk backtesting involves the backtesting of a standalone specific risk VaR measure against a profit and loss series determined by reference to exposure risk factors categorised as specific risk. Alternatively specific risk backtesting may take the form of regular backtesting of trading books and portfolios that are predominantly exposed to risk factors categorised as specific risk. The precise requirements for specific risk backtesting will be specified in the firm's VaR model permission as will the definition of a specific risk backtesting exception.

01/01/2007

Backtesting: Multiple exceptions

BIPRU 7.10.109

If ten or more backtesting exceptions or ten or more specific risk backtesting exceptions are recorded in a 250 business day period, a firm must take immediate corrective action.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.110

Where backtesting reveals severe problems with the basic integrity of the VaR model, the FSA may withdraw model recognition. In particular, if ten or more backtesting exceptions are recorded in a 250 business day period, the FSA may apply a plus factor greater than one or the FSA may consider revoking a firm's VaR model permission. The FSA may also consider revoking a firm's VaR model permission if ten or more specific risk backtesting exceptions occur in such a period.

01/01/2007

Backtesting: Hypothetical profit and loss

BIPRU 7.10.111

A firm must also perform backtesting against a clean hypothetical profit and loss figure with respect to each business day. A clean hypothetical profit and loss figure for a business day means the clean profit and loss figure that would have occurred for that business day if the portfolio on which the VaR number for that business day is based remained unchanged.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.112

(1) A clean hypothetical profit and loss figure is based on the day's change in the value of the same portfolio that was used to generate the value-at-risk forecast.
(2) Backtesting under BIPRU 7.10.111R, although carried out with respect to each business day, need not be carried out each day. A firm need only carry it out sufficiently frequently to comply with its reporting requirements under BIPRU 7.10.129R. An exception arising out of such backtesting need not be reported to the FSA under BIPRU 7.10.104R
(3) The firm may also need to calculate a clean hypothetical profit and loss figure in order to produce profit attribution reports and to analyse the cause of backtesting exceptions.

01/01/2007

Capital calculations: General

BIPRU 7.10.113

The model PRR is, for any business day (the "relevant" business day), calculated in accordance with the following formula:

(1) the higher of:

(a) the VaR number for the relevant business day; and
(b) the average of its daily VaR numbers for each of the 60 business days ending with the relevant business day, multiplied by the multiplication factor for the relevant business day; and

(2) (in the case of a VaR model permission that covers specific risk) the incremental default risk charge for the relevant business day.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.114

For any day that is not a business day, the model PRR is the amount for the prior business day.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.115

The VaR number for any business day means the VaR measure, in respect of the previous business day's close-of-business positions in products coming within the scope of the VaR model permission, calculated by the VaR model and in accordance with BIPRU 7.10 and any methodology set out in the VaR model permission. The VaR number must not be calculated taking into account matters on the business day for which it is the VaR number.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.116

The incremental default risk charge for any business day means the incremental default risk charge required under the provisions in BIPRU 7.10 about specific risk, in respect of the previous business day's close-of-business positions with respect to which those provisions apply.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.117

The following equation expresses BIPRU 7.10.113R mathematically:

where:

(1) PRR _Varis a firm's model PRR;
(2) VaR _t represents the previous day's value-at-risk figure;
(3) VaR _t-i represents the value-at-risk calculated for i business days earlier;
(4) f is the multiplication factor; and
(5) IDRC is the incremental default risk charge (if applicable).

01/01/2007

Capital calculations: Multiplication factors

BIPRU 7.10.118

The multiplication factor for any business day is the sum of the minimum multiplication factor and the plus factor for that day.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.119

The minimum multiplication factor is three or any higher amount the VaR model permission defines it as.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.120

The minimum multiplication factor will never be less than three. If the FSA does set the minimum multiplication factor above three the VaR model permission will have a table that sets outs the reasons for that add on and specify how much of the add on is attributable to each reason (see BIPRU 7.10.121R). If there are weaknesses in the VaR model that may otherwise be considered a breach of the minimum standards referred to in BIPRU 7.10.24R the FSA may apply such an add on to act as a mitigant for those weaknesses.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.121

Something that would otherwise be a breach of the minimum standards to in BIPRU 7.10.26R - BIPRU 7.10.53R is not a breach to the extent that that thing is identified in the firm's VaR permission as a reason for an increase in the minimum multiplication factor above 3.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.122

Typically, any add on will be due to a specific weakness in systems and controls identified during the FSA's review that the FSA does not consider material enough to justify withholding overall model recognition. The firm will be expected to take action to address the reasons for any add on. The FSA will then review these periodically and, where satisfactory action has been taken, the add on will be removed through a variation of the VaR model permission.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.123

The plus factor system is designed so that the more often a VaR model has under-predicted losses in the past, the higher should be the capital requirement based on the VaR model. It is intended to provide a capital incentive for the firm to continue to improve the accuracy of its VaR model.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.124

The table in BIPRU 7.10.125R sets out the plus factors to be added to the minimum multiplication factor for any business day. It is based on the number of backtesting exceptions that occurred during the backtesting period as referred to in BIPRU 7.10.96R (Backtesting: Basic testing requirements) ending three business days preceding the business day for which the model PRR is being calculated.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.125

Table: Backtesting plus factors
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.10.124R

Zone

Number of recorded exceptions

Plus factor

Green

4 or less

0.00

Yellow

0.40

0.50

0.65

0.75

0.85

Red

10 or more

1.00

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.126

A VaR model that correctly predicts a one-tailed 99% confidence level is expected to produce, on average, 2.5 backtesting exceptions every 250 days. Random events may cause the number of backtesting exceptions actually observed to vary. The plus factor system is designed to take this into account. Hence plus factors are only imposed on the firm if it has five or more recorded backtesting exceptions. Therefore, where a backtesting exception appears to be caused simply by chance, it will not be appropriate for a VaR model permission to be varied to exclude that backtesting exception as described in BIPRU 7.10.106G (Backtesting: Process for disregarding backtesting exceptions).

01/01/2007

Capital calculations: Specific risk surcharge: transitional requirements

BIPRU 7.10.127

Firms who gained model recognition before 1 January 2007 will be permitted to calculate PRR for specific risk in accordance with the methodology they were permitted to use immediately before that date instead of capturing event and default risk in their models (see BIPRU TP 14 (Market risk: VaR models)). This treatment will not be available to a firm that gains model recognition after that date.

01/01/2007

Reporting procedures and requirements

BIPRU 7.10.128

A VaR model permission will contain requirements for what the firm should report to the FSA and the procedures for reporting. The precise requirements will vary from VaR model permission to VaR model permission. BIPRU 7.10.129R-BIPRU 7.10.130R set out what the FSA regards as the standard requirements.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.129

A firm must, no later than the number of business days after the end of each quarter specified in the VaR model permission for this purpose, submit, in respect of that quarter, a report to the FSA about the operation of the VaR model, the systems and controls relating to it and any changes to the VaR model and those systems and controls. Each report must outline as a minimum the following information in respect of that quarter:

(1) methodological changes and developments to the VaR model;
(2) the introduction of all new pricing models used in connection with the VaR model and any changes to any pricing models used in connection with the VaR model, including details of any material associated valuation or risk management issues;
(3) a summary of backtesting performance against clean profit and loss figures and clean hypothetical profit and loss figures, which must be provided in electronic format as stipulated by the VaR model permission;
(4) (if the VaR model permission covers specific risk) the results of the specific risk backtesting including specific risk backtesting exceptions;
(5) any change to any feeder or pre-processing systems in connection with the VaR model, including changes to any of the systems set out in the list described in BIPRU 7.10.131G (1) (as it exists at the date of the VaR model permission), and any introduction of a new such system;
(6) any changes to the products coming within the scope of the VaR model;
(7) any material changes or additions to any of the matters referred to in the firm's internal documentation in relation to the VaR model (as it exists at the date of the VaR model permission) or to any matters subsequently notified under (7);
(8) any changes in senior management;
(9) an up-to-date list of products covered by the VaR model permission showing all changes made since the VaR model permission was granted; and
(10) where applicable (nil returns are not required), details of:

(a) any use of a changed historical observation period in accordance with BIPRU 7.10.30R or any change in the use of any weighting scheme as described in BIPRU 7.10.33R;
(b) any data series becoming unreliable as described in BIPRU 7.10.31R and any subsequent use of alternative value-at-risk measurement techniques;
(c) the frequency of updating data sets being increased in accordance with BIPRU 7.10.34R;
(d) any change in the method employed to derive 10-day VaR measure (see BIPRU 7.10.28R);
(e) to the extent that the use of correlations is permitted by a firm's VaR model permission, a summary of any notifications that are required under BIPRU 7.10.37R; and
(f) the VaR model not accurately capturing risks (as referred to in BIPRU 7.10.53R) and any steps taken under BIPRU 7.10.53R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.130

A firm must provide to, and discuss with, the FSA details of any significant planned changes to the VaR model before those changes are implemented. These details must include information about the nature of the change and an estimate of the impact on VaR numbers and the incremental default risk charge.

01/01/2007

Updating the VaR model permission

BIPRU 7.10.131

The VaR model permission will generally contain a list of the following:

(1) feeder systems and pre-processing systems;
(2) products covered by the VaR model permission; and
(3) the firm's internal documentation in relation to the VaR model.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.132

The information in BIPRU 7.10.131G will vary over time. It is therefore not included in a VaR model permission as a rule but for information only. The FSA will update that information regularly in accordance with information supplied under BIPRU 7.10.129R. That updating will not amount to a variation of the VaR model permission.

01/01/2007

Link to standard PRR rules: Incorporation of the model output into the capital calculation

BIPRU 7.10.133

A VaR model permission will modify GENPRU 2.1.52 R (Calculation of the market risk capital requirement) to provide that a firm should calculate its market risk capital requirement in accordance with BIPRU 7.10 to the extent set out in the VaR model permission.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.134

By modifying GENPRU 2.1.52 R (Calculation of the market risk capital requirement) to allow the firm to use the VaR model to calculate all or part of its PRR for certain positions, the FSA is treating it like an application rule. The modification means that the PRR calculation set out in BIPRU 7.10 supersedes the standard market risk PRR rules for products and risks coming within the scope of the VaR model permission.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.135

To the extent that a position does not fall within the scope of a firm's VaR model permission the firm must calculate the PRR under the standard market risk PRR rules or, as applicable, those provisions as modified by the firm's CAD 1 waiver.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.136

(1) This rule applies to a position of a type that comes within the scope of a firm's VaR model permission.
(2) If, where the standard market risk PRR rules apply, a position is subject to a PRR charge and the firm's VaR model permission says that it covers the risks to which that PRR charge relates, the firm must, for those risks, calculate the PRR for that position under the VaR model approach rather than under the standard market risk PRR rules.
(3) If, where the standard market risk PRR rules apply, a position is subject to one or more PRR charges and the firm's VaR model permission does not cover all the risks to which those PRR charges relate, the firm must calculate the PRR for that position under the VaR model approach (for those risks that are covered) and under the standard market risk PRR rules (for those other risks).
(4) Where the standard market risk PRR rules distinguish between specific risk and general market risk a firm's VaR model permission covers specific risk to the extent that it says it does. If the firm's VaR model permission does not cover specific risk, BIPRU 7.10.143R and BIPRU 7.10.144R apply.
(5) If a firm's VaR model permission covers positions in CIUs it covers specific risk with respect to those positions.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.137

A firm may exclude from the VaR model approach immaterial risks within the scope of its VaR model approach. If a firm does so it must instead apply the standard market risk PRR rules to those risks.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.138

(1) If a firm calculates its market risk capital requirement using a combination of the standard market risk PRR rules and either the VaR model approach or the VaR model approach with the CAD 1 model approach the PRR from each method must be added together.
(2) A firm must take appropriate steps to ensure that all of the approaches are applied in a consistent manner.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.139

An example of the effect of BIPRU 7.10.138R is that where a firm normally calculates the PRR for a particular portfolio using a VaR model, a firm should not switch to the standard market risk PRR rules purely to achieve a more attractive PRR.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.140

If:

(1) the standard market risk PRR rules provide for a choice of which of the PRR charges to use or specify that one type must be used in some circumstances and that another type must be used in other circumstances;
(2) one of those types is disapplied under BIPRU 7.10.136R; and
(3) the other type is not disapplied;

the firm:

(4) must use the VaR model approach if under the standard market risk PRR rules the firm must use the standard market risk PRR rules in (2); and
(5) may use the VaR model approach if under the standard market risk PRR rules the firm may use the standard market risk PRR rules in (2).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.141

The treatment of a convertible is an example of a situation in which BIPRU 7.10.140R applies. The table in BIPRU 7.3.3R (Table: Instruments which result in notional positions) shows that there are circumstances in which under the standard market risk PRR rules a firm should calculate an equity PRR and that there are circumstances in which a firm may choose between calculating an equity PRR and an interest rate PRR. BIPRU 7.10.140R would be relevant if a firm's VaR model permission only covers one of equity risk and interest rate risk.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.142

The standard market risk PRR rules for the option PRR are only disapplied to the extent that the derived positions arising under BIPRU 7.6.13R (Table: Derived positions) come within the scope of the VaR model permission.

01/01/2007

Link to standard PRR rules: General market risk only

BIPRU 7.10.143

If a firm's VaR model permission covers interest rate general market risk but not interest rate specific risk, the firm must calculate the interest rate PRR so far as it relates to interest rate specific risk in accordance with the standard market risk PRR rules except that the firm must not use the basic interest rate PRR calculation in BIPRU 7.3.45R (Basic interest rate calculation for equity instruments).

01/01/2007

Link to standard PRR rules: General market risk only

BIPRU 7.10.144

If a firm's VaR model permission covers equity general market risk but not equity specific risk, the firm must calculate the equity PRR so far as it relates to equity specific risk in accordance with the standard market risk PRR rules except that the PRR for equity specific risk must be calculated under the standard equity method.

01/01/2007

Link to standard PRR rules: Miscellaneous

BIPRU 7.10.145

(1) To the extent that a firm's VaR model permission does not allow it to use an approach set out in BIPRU 7.10 the relevant provisions in BIPRU 7.10 do not apply to that firm.
(2) If a provision of the Handbook refers to BIPRU 7.10, that reference must, in the case of a particular firm with a VaR model permission, be treated as excluding provisions of BIPRU 7.10 that do not apply under the VaR model permission and as taking into account any modifications to BIPRU 7.10 made by the VaR model permission. Such references also include requirements and conditions contained in the VaR model permission but not BIPRU 7.10 and to the rules modified by the VaR model permission.

01/01/2007

Requirement to use value at risk methodology

BIPRU 7.10.146

A VaR model must be a value-at-risk model. It must provide an estimate of the worst expected loss on a portfolio resulting from market movements over a period of time with the specified confidence level.

01/01/2007

Ceasing to meet the requirements of BIPRU 7.10

BIPRU 7.10.147

If a firm ceases to meet any of the requirements set out in BIPRU 7.10, the FSA's policy is that the VaR model permission should cease to have effect. In part this will be achieved by making it a condition of a firm's VaR model permission that it complies at all times with the minimum standards referred to in BIPRU 7.10.26R - BIPRU 7.10.53R. Even if they are not formally included as conditions, the FSA is likely to consider revoking the VaR model permission if the requirements are not met.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.10.148

If a firm ceases to meet the conditions or requirements in its VaR model permission or BIPRU 7.10 it must notify the FSA at once.

01/01/2007

Changes to a VaR model

BIPRU 7.10.149

A firm may change its VaR model to such extent as it sees fit, except that it must not make a change that (either on its own or together with other changes since the date of VaR model permission) would:

(1) be inconsistent with VaR model permission or BIPRU 7.10; or
(2) mean that backtesting in accordance with BIPRU 7.10 and the VaR model permission would result in the use of data that is inappropriate for the purposes of measuring the performance of the VaR model.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11

Credit derivatives in the trading book

01/01/2007

Scope

BIPRU 7.11.1

This section applies to the treatment of credit derivatives in the trading book.

01/01/2007

Establishment of positions created by credit derivatives: Treatment of the protection seller

BIPRU 7.11.2

BIPRU 7.11.3R - BIPRU 7.11.11R relate to the treatment of the protection seller for the purpose of calculating the securities PRR. Positions are determined in accordance with BIPRU 7.11.4R - BIPRU 7.11.11R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.3

When calculating the PRR of the protection seller, unless specified differently by other rules, the notional amount of the credit derivative contract must be used. For the purpose of calculating the specific risk PRR charge, other than for total return swaps, the maturity of the credit derivative contract is applicable instead of the maturity of the obligation.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.4

A total return swap creates a long position in the general market risk of the reference obligation and a short position in the general market risk of a zero-specific-risk security with a maturity equivalent to the period until the next interest fixing and which is assigned a 0% risk weight under the standardised approach to credit risk. It also creates a long position in the specific risk of the reference obligation.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.5

A credit default swap does not create a position for general market risk. For the purposes of specific risk, a firm must record a synthetic long position in an obligation of the reference entity, unless the derivative is rated externally and meets the conditions for a qualifying debt security, in which case a long position in the derivative is recorded. If premium or interest payments are due under the product, these cash flows must be represented as notional positions in zero-specific-risk securities.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.6

A single name credit linked note creates a long position in the general market risk of the note itself, as an interest rate product. For the purpose of specific risk, a synthetic long position is created in an obligation of the reference entity. An additional long position is created in the issuer of the note. Where the credit linked note has an external rating and meets the conditions for a qualifying debt security, a single long position with the specific risk of the note need only be recorded.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.7

In addition to a long position in the specific risk of the issuer of the note, a multiple name credit linked note providing proportional protection creates a position in each reference entity, with the total notional amount of the contract assigned across the positions according to the proportion of the total notional amount that each exposure to a reference entity represents. Where more than one obligation of a reference entity can be selected, the obligation with the highest risk weighting determines the specific risk.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.8

Where a multiple name credit linked note has an external rating and meets the conditions for a qualifying debt security, a single long position with the specific risk of the note need only be recorded.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.9

A first-asset-to-default credit derivative creates a position for the notional amount in an obligation of each reference entity. If the size of the maximum credit event payment is lower than the PRR requirement under the method in the first sentence of this rule, the maximum payment amount may be taken as the PRR requirement for specific risk.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.10

A second-asset-to-default credit derivative creates a position for the notional amount in an obligation of each reference entity less one (that with the lowest specific risk PRR requirement). If the size of the maximum credit event payment is lower than the PRR requirement under the method in the first sentence of this rule, this amount may be taken as the PRR requirement for specific risk.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.11

If a first or second-asset to default derivative is externally rated and meets the conditions for a qualifying debt security, then the protection seller need only calculate one specific risk charge reflecting the rating of the derivative.

01/01/2007

Establishment of positions created by credit derivatives: Treatment of the protection buyer

BIPRU 7.11.12

For the protection buyer, the positions are determined as the mirror image of the protection seller, with the exception of a credit linked note (which entails no short position in the issuer). If at a given moment there is a call option in combination with a step-up, such moment is treated as the maturity of the protection. In the case of n^th to default credit derivatives, a firm that is a protection buyer may off-set specific risk for n-1 of the underlyings (i.e., the n-1 assets with the lowest specific risk PRR).

01/01/2007

Recognition of hedging provided by credit derivatives against cash positions

BIPRU 7.11.13

(1) BIPRU 7.11.14R - BIPRU 7.11.17R relate to specific risk PRR for trading book positions hedged by credit derivatives for the purposes of the calculation of the securities PRR.
(2) A firm may take an allowance for protection provided by credit derivatives for the purposes in (1) in accordance with the principles set out in the rules referred to in (1).
(3) BIPRU 7.11.13 R - BIPRU 7.11.17 R are subject to the requirements of the credit default swap PRR methods.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.14

(1) A firm may take full allowance when the value of two legs always move in the opposite direction and broadly to the same extent.
(2) This will be the case in the following situations:

(a) the two legs consist of completely identical instruments; or
(b) a long cash position is hedged by a total rate of return swap (or vice versa) and there is an exact match between the reference obligation and the underlying exposure (i.e., the cash position).

(3) The maturity of the swap itself may be different from that of the underlying exposure for the purposes of (2)(b).
(4) In these situations, a firm must not apply a specific risk PRR to either side of the position.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.15

An 80% offset may be applied when the value of two legs always move in the opposite direction and where there is an exact match in terms of the reference obligation, the maturity of both the reference obligation and the credit derivative, and the currency of the underlying exposure. In addition, key features of the credit derivative contract must not cause the price movement of the credit derivative materially to deviate from the price movements of the cash position. To the extent that the transaction transfers risk, an 80% specific risk offset may be applied to the side of the transaction with the higher PRR, while the specific risk requirements on the other side are zero.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.16

(1) A firm may take partial allowance when the value of two legs usually move in the opposite direction. This would be the case in the situations set out in (2) - (4).
(2) The first situation referred to in (1) is that the position falls under BIPRU 7.11.16 R (2)(b) but there is an asset mismatch between the reference obligation and the underlying exposure. However, the positions meet the following requirements:

(a) the reference obligation ranks pari passu with or is junior to the underlying obligation; and
(b) the underlying obligation and reference obligation share the same obligor and have legally enforceable cross-default or cross-acceleration clauses.

(3) The second situation referred to in (1) is that the position falls under BIPRU 7.11.14 R (2)(a) or BIPRU 7.11.15 R but there is a currency or maturity mismatch between the credit protection and the underlying asset (currency mismatches must be included in the normal reporting with respect to the foreign currency PRR).
(4) The third situation referred to in (1) is that the position falls under BIPRU 7.11.15 R but there is an asset mismatch between the cash position and the credit derivative. However, the underlying asset is included in the (deliverable) obligations in the credit derivative documentation.
(5) In each of those situations, rather than adding the specific risk PRR requirements for each side of the transaction, only the higher of the two PRR requirements applies.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.17

In all situations not falling under BIPRU 7.11.14 R - BIPRU 7.11.16 R, a firm must assess a specific risk PRR charge against both sides of the positions.

01/01/2007

Special treatment of credit default swaps: Provisions applicable to all methods

BIPRU 7.11.18

BIPRU 7.11.18 R - BIPRU 7.11.58 R set out the calculation of the specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR for credit default swaps.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.19

The specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR is calculated separately for:

(1) credit default swaps (other than those in (2));
(2) credit default swaps that are also securitisation positions; and
(3) other positions;

that are subject to the interest rate PRR.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.20

The specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR for positions falling into BIPRU 7.11.19 R (1) and BIPRU 7.11.19 R (2) must be calculated in accordance with the credit default swap PRR methods rather than in accordance with BIPRU 7.2 (Interest rate PRR) and the other provisions of BIPRU 7.11. However a firm may apply BIPRU 7.11.13 R- BIPRU 7.11.17 R before applying the credit default swap PRR methods. If it does so the firm must apply the credit default swap PRR methods to the remaining position in credit default swaps.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.21

In accordance with the principle in BIPRU 7.11.19 R, there is no netting for the purpose of calculating specific risk PRR charges (BIPRU 7.2.37 R - BIPRU 7.2.40 R (Deriving the net position in each debt security: Netting positions in the same debt security) or otherwise) between:

(1) a position falling into BIPRU 7.11.19 R (1) or BIPRU 7.11.19 R (2) and one falling into BIPRU 7.11.19 R (3); or
(2) a position falling into BIPRU 7.11.19 R (1) and one falling into BIPRU 7.11.19 R (2).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.22

(1) A firm must calculate the interest rate PRR for specific risk for credit default swaps falling into BIPRU 7.11.19 R (1) under the ordinary credit default swap PRR method.
(2) A firm must calculate the interest rate PRR for specific risk for credit default swaps falling into BIPRU 7.11.19 R (2) under the securitisation credit default swap PRR method.

01/01/2007

Ordinary credit default swap PRR method: Introduction

BIPRU 7.11.23

BIPRU 7.11.24 R - BIPRU 7.11.37 R set out the ordinary credit default swap PRR method.

01/01/2007

Ordinary credit default swap PRR method: Grouping of credit derivatives

BIPRU 7.11.24

A firm must group together all credit default swaps being treated under the ordinary credit default swap PRR method that give rise to notional positions in the same security for specific risk purposes under the procedure in BIPRU 7.11.2 R - BIPRU 7.11.12 R and that may be netted under BIPRU 7.11.56 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.25

The provisions in BIPRU 7.11.2 R - BIPRU 7.11.12 R about the creation of a specific risk charge for credit default swaps reflecting the rating of the derivative (see BIPRU 7.11.11 R and part of BIPRU 7.11.5 R) do not apply for the purposes of calculating the ordinary credit default swap PRR method.

01/01/2007

Ordinary credit default swap PRR method: Main rule for calculating the specific risk PRR

BIPRU 7.11.26

The specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR or credit default swaps treated under the ordinary credit default swap PRR method is the higher of:

(1) an amount equal to what would have been the specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR for such credit default swaps if it had been calculated under of BIPRU 7.2.43 R to BIPRU 7.2.50 R (Specific risk calculation for interest rate risk), taking into account BIPRU 7.11.19 R and BIPRU 7.11.21 R; and
(2) the sum of the valuation change capital charge (see BIPRU 7.11.28 R) and the default capital charge (see BIPRU 7.11.36 R) for all such credit derivatives.

01/01/2007

Ordinary credit default swap PRR method: The valuation change capital charge

BIPRU 7.11.27

A firm must allocate each credit default swap grouped together under BIPRU 7.11.24 R to the time bands set out in BIPRU 7.11.33 R for the purposes of calculating the valuation change capital charge.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.28

The valuation change capital charge for a group of credit default swaps created under BIPRU 7.11.24 R is equal to six multiplied by the larger of the potential loss produced under BIPRU 7.11.29 R and the potential loss produced under BIPRU 7.11.30 R. The total valuation change capital charge for credit default swaps treated under the ordinary credit default swap PRR method is equal to the sum of such amounts for all such groups.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.29

(1) The amount of the potential loss calculated under this rule is calculated as follows.
(2) Within each time band the firm must calculate the net valuation change in the credit default swaps that would occur if spreads (as defined in BIPRU 7.11.55 R) were to increase by the amount shown in BIPRU 7.11.34 R. The amount of the change in spread is the same for each time band.
(3) The potential loss calculated under this rule is the sum of all bands that create a net loss. Bands which produce a profit must be ignored.
(4) The time bands referred to in this rule are those established under BIPRU 7.11.27 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.30

The amount of the potential loss calculated under this rule is calculated in the same way as it is under BIPRU 7.11.29 R except that the net valuation change is the one that would occur if spreads were to decrease by the amount shown in BIPRU 7.11.34 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.31

The valuation change in BIPRU 7.11.29 R - BIPRU 7.11.30 R is applied to the current value of the credit default swap.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.32

The credit quality step applicable under the table in BIPRU 7.11.34 R is that which would be attributable to the security in question under the standardised approach to credit risk. If a rating from an eligible ECAI is not available to the firm it must treat that position as having credit quality step 6. The security in question is the one by reference to which the grouping under BIPRU 7.11.24 R is carried out (the reference entity).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.33

Time bands
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.11.27 R

Time band

Residual contract maturity

Less than three months

Three months to one year

Over one year to two and half years

Over two and a half years to five years

Greater than five years

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.34

Stress factors based on rating of reference entity
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.11.29 R and BIPRU 7.11.30 R

Credit quality step 1

Credit quality step 2

Credit quality step 3

Credit quality step 4

Credit quality step 5

Credit quality step 6

0.4 x spread

0.35 x spread

0.3 x spread

0.4 x spread

0.45 x spread

Spread is defined in BIPRU 7.11.55 R.

01/01/2007

Valuation changes for credit default swaps resulting in positions in multiple securities

BIPRU 7.11.35

(1) This rule applies if BIPRU 7.11.24 R results in a credit default swap being split into positions in more than one security.
(2) The firm must, for each notional security produced as described in (1), apply to the whole of the credit default swap in question the stresses in the table in BIPRU 7.11.34 R using the credit quality step in the table in BIPRU 7.11.34 R for that security.
(3) The firm must then allocate the different changes in the value of the credit default swap under (2) between the calculations for each security produced as described in (1) on a proportional basis in accordance with the principles in BIPRU 7.11.2 R - BIPRU 7.11.12 R. The firm must do this by multiplying the amount of the change in (2) calculated with respect to the security in question by a fraction based on the proportion of the credit default swap attributable to the security under those principles.

01/01/2007

Ordinary credit default swap PRR method: The default capital charge

BIPRU 7.11.36

The default capital charge for each group of credit default swaps created under BIPRU 7.11.24 R is equal to four multiplied by the amount in BIPRU 7.11.37 R. The total default capital charge for credit default swaps treated under the ordinary credit default swap PRR method is equal to the sum of such amounts for each such group.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.37

(1) The amount calculated under this rule is the amount resulting from the calculation in (5).
(2) A firm must fully net all notional positions along a timeline by calculating, for all credit default swaps in the group in question created under BIPRU 7.11.24 R, the net positions in the security in question for all times in the future until those positions expire or otherwise cease to exist.
(3) The firm must calculate the net positions under (2) in accordance with BIPRU 7.2.37 R - BIPRU 7.2.40 R (Deriving the net position in each debt security: Netting positions in the same debt security).
(4) The firm must identify the largest long position to which it is exposed over the next year.
(5) The firm must then multiply the amount established under (4) by the appropriate PRA that would have applied for the purpose of calculating the specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR under BIPRU 7.2 (Interest rate PRR).
(6) The security in question is the one by reference to which the grouping under BIPRU 7.11.24 R is carried out (the reference entity).

01/01/2007

Securitisation credit default swap PRR method: Introduction

BIPRU 7.11.38

BIPRU 7.11.39 R - BIPRU 7.11.53 R set out the securitisation credit default swap PRR method.

01/01/2007

Securitisation credit default swap PRR method: Main rule for calculating the specific risk PRR

BIPRU 7.11.39

The specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR for credit default swaps treated under the securitisation credit default swap PRR method is the higher of:

(1) an amount equal to what would have been the specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR for such credit default swaps if it had been calculated under of BIPRU 7.2.43 R to BIPRU 7.2.50 R (Specific risk calculation for interest rate risk), taking into account BIPRU 7.11.19 R and BIPRU 7.11.21 R; and
(2) the sum of the valuation change capital charge (see BIPRU 7.11.40 R) and the default capital charge (see BIPRU 7.11.48 R) for all such credit derivatives.

01/01/2007

Securitisation credit default swap PRR method: Valuation change capital charge: General

BIPRU 7.11.40

In order to calculate the valuation change capital charge a firm must group together each credit default swap that relates to the same securitisation. The valuation change capital charge for each such group is equal to six multiplied by the potential loss amount in BIPRU 7.11.41 R. The total valuation change capital charge for credit default swaps treated under the securitisation credit default swap PRR method is equal to the sum of such amounts for each such group.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.41

(1) The potential loss amount as referred to in BIPRU 7.11.40 R for a group of credit default swaps relating to the same securitisation is equal to the greatest loss the firm would suffer in the scenarios set out in the matrix in BIPRU 7.11.43 R. Each scenario consists of the combination of one of the nine scenarios on the vertical axis with one of the three scenarios on the horizontal axis.
(2) T as referred to in that matrix is the amount set out in the table in BIPRU 7.11.44 R.
(3) Stresses (1) - (4) as referred to in that matrix are further defined in BIPRU 7.11.45 R - BIPRU 7.11.46 R.
(4) The underlying reference entities referred to in that matrix refer to the obligor under the securities that are the subject of the securitisation in question. In the case of a resecuritisation the reference entities are the ultimate underling obligors (the obligors under the securitised securitisation).
(5) The valuation change under this rule is applied to the current value of the credit default swap.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.42

References in the table in BIPRU 7.11.43 R to credit quality steps are to the credit quality steps that would apply under the standardised approach to credit risk to the securities referred to in BIPRU 7.11.41 R (4). If a rating from an eligible ECAI is not available to the firm it must treat that security as having the lowest credit quality step.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.43

Calculation of the valuation change capital charge: Scenarios
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.11.41 R

Change in credit spread of the underlying reference entities

-T √spread

No change

+T √spread

(1)

Base correlation steepening (see row (1) of the table in BIPRU 7.11.46 R)

(2)

Base correlation flattening (see row (2) of the table in BIPRU 7.11.46 R)

(3)

Base correlation parallel up (see row (3) of the table in BIPRU 7.11.46 R)

(4)

Base correlation down (see row (4) of the table in BIPRU 7.11.46 R)

(5)

No correlation change

(6)

Combination of (1) and (3)

(7)

Combination of (1) and (4)

(8)

Combination of (2) and (3)

(9)

Combination of (2) and (4)

Spread is defined in BIPRU 7.11.55 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.44

Calculation of the valuation change capital charge: Definition of T
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.11.41 R

Credit quality step under the standardised approach to credit risk

0.4

0.35

0.3

0.4

0.45

01/01/2007

Securitisation credit default swap PRR method: Valuation change capital charge: Base correlation

BIPRU 7.11.45

(1) This rule explains how the correlation calculations in the vertical axis of the matrix in BIPRU 7.11.43 R are to be carried out.
(2) The firm must calculate the base correlation relating to each of the deemed tranches set out in the table in BIPRU 7.11.46 R. Base correlation refers, in relation to a securitisation position, to the correlation in credit risk between the securities that are the subject of that securitisation.
(3) The firm must then multiply the base correlation for each deemed tranche under (2) by the relevant figure in the table in BIPRU 7.11.46 R. It must calculate each such base correlation in the way that a person would use to calculate the fair market value of a credit default swap on the following basis:

(a) the tranche is the most junior tranche; and
(b) the thickness of the tranche (as referred to in BIPRU 9 (Securitisation)) is equal to the percentage figure at the head of the relevant column in the table in BIPRU 7.11.46 R.

(4) The firm must then produce a stressed base correlation curve through the use of interpolation based on the calculations under this rule.
(5) Notwithstanding (3), the curve in (4) must not show a correlation above 100%.
(6) The firm must then use the curve for the purpose of the revaluation of the credit default swap under BIPRU 7.11.41 R using an appropriate and prudent technique.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.46

Correlation moves
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.11.45 R

Thickness of tranche

10%

15%

30%

Scenario from BIPRU 7.11.43 R

(1) Base correlation steepening

0.7

0.9

1.1

1.3

(2) Base correlation flattening

1.3

1.1

0.9

0.7

(3) Base correlation parallel up

1.2

(4) Base correlation parallel down

0.8

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.47

The fact that the FSA has used the base correlation methodology in this section does not mean that it endorses the use of that technique to value credit default swaps for other purposes. The FSA has used it in this section as it is well-known and publicly available. If a firm uses another technique to value its credit default swaps it should discuss this with the FSA.

01/01/2007

Securitisation credit default swap PRR method: Default charge

BIPRU 7.11.48

The default charge for a firm's position in a securitisation treated under the securitisation credit default swap PRR method is equal to the default charge for that position calculated under BIPRU 7.11.50 R and BIPRU 7.11.51 R. The total default charge for positions treated under the securitisation credit default swap PRR method is equal to the sum of those figures.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.49

To the extent that a firm has a matching long and short position in the same tranche of the same securitisation with the same maturity it may net the short and long positions.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.50

If a position is short, the default charge for that position is zero.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.51

If a position is long, the default charge for that position must be calculated in accordance with the following formula:
V x RW x AP x 2
where:

(1) V means the notional amount of the position;
(2) RW means the risk weight that the position would attract under BIPRU 9 (Securitisation); and
(3) AP means the appropriate percentage from the table BIPRU 7.11.52 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.52

Calculation of the default requirement
This table belongs to BIPRU 7.11.51 R

Type of position

Resecuritisation position

Trades based on an index

Other

Consolidated requirement component

Less than 400%

4.8%

1.6%

3.2%

400% to less than 800%

6.4%

3.2%

4.8%

800% to less 1250%

4.8%

6.4%

1250% and
over

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.53

(1) The column of the table in BIPRU 7.11.52 R headed "Trades based on an index" applies if:

(a) the position is not a resecuritisation position;
(b) the underlying reference entities (as defined in BIPRU 7.11.41 R (4)) are identical to those that make up an index of entities widely used by those who deal in credit default swaps;
(c) that index contains the price for entering into a credit default swap whose reference entities constitute all the entities in the index; and
(d) the credit default swap is constructed in such a way that the firm is able to price the credit derivative using the index.

(2) The column of the table in BIPRU 7.11.52 R headed "Other" applies to any case not covered by the other two categories in the table.

01/01/2007

Special treatment of credit default swaps: Supplementary material

BIPRU 7.11.54

BIPRU 7.11.55 R - BIPRU 7.11.58 R apply to each of the credit default swap PRR methods.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.55

The spread referred to in the tables in BIPRU 7.11.34 R and BIPRU 7.11.43 R refers to the premia and other cash flows referred to in BIPRU 7.11.5 R (expressed as a percentage). The spread must be calculated every business day. It is the spread that would apply if the credit default swap in question were entered into on that day on arm's length commercial terms.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.56

Where a credit default swap PRR method requires netting between positions, a firm may only net positions arising out of credit default swaps that have comparable deliverable obligations, identical credit events and documentation that will act identically on the occurrence of a credit event.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.57

A notional position in a zero-specific-risk security created under BIPRU 7.11.5 R must not be treated under either credit default swap PRR method. The firm must instead treat it in accordance with the other rules for the calculation of the interest rate PRR.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.58

(1) If the size of the maximum credit event payment under a credit default swap is lower than the PRR requirement that would otherwise apply, that credit default swap must be excluded from the credit default swap PRR methods. However BIPRU 7.11.19 R and BIPRU 7.11.21 R still apply.
(2) A firm must work out whether (1) applies to a credit default swap by calculating the PRR for that credit default swap in accordance with this section (including the applicable credit default swap PRR method) on the assumption that it is the only item for which an interest rate PRR is being calculated.

01/01/2007

Valuation

BIPRU 7.11.59

GENPRU 1.3.29 R - GENPRU 1.3.35 G (General requirements: Valuation adjustments or reserves) are particularly relevant for a firm trading credit derivatives, especially for credit default swaps that are also securitisation positions.

01/01/2007

Other risks relating to credit derivatives

BIPRU 7.11.60

A firm must be able to describe, demonstrate and explain to the FSA its trading strategies in relation to credit derivatives both in theory and in practice.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.61

BIPRU 7.11.62 G - BIPRU 7.11.64 G G cover risks relating to credit derivatives that may not be captured in this section. This guidance is of particular relevance to the overall financial adequacy rule, the overall Pillar 2 rule and the general stress and scenario testing rule.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.62

BIPRU 7.11.5 R requires a firm to recognise any premiums payable or receivable under the contract as notional zero-specific-risk securities. These positions are then entered into the general market risk framework. As premium payments paid under such contracts are contingent on no credit event occurring, a credit event could significantly change the general market risk capital requirement. A firm should consider, under the overall Pillar 2 rule, whether this risk means that the capital requirements under this section materially understate the firm's general market risk position.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.63

If a firm recognises profits on a non-accrual basis it should consider whether the capital requirements for its credit derivatives business adequately cover the risk that any recognised profit may not be achieved due to a credit event occurring. This includes positions for which the firm may have a perfect hedge in place.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 7.11.64

If a firm uses models in its valuation process, it should consider whether the default capital requirements under the credit default swap PRR methods adequately cover the default losses that the firm's model estimates it will be exposed to.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8

Group risk consolidation

BIPRU 8.1

Application

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.1.1

This chapter applies to:

(1) a BIPRU firm that is a member of a UK consolidation group;
(2) a BIPRU firm that is a member of a non-EEA sub-group;
(3) an ELMI that is a member of a UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group if that group includes a BIPRU firm; and
(4) a firm that is not a BIPRU firm and is a parent financial holding company in a Member State in a UK consolidation group.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.1.2

This chapter does not apply to a firm in BIPRU 8.1.1R (1) to BIPRU 8.1.1R (3) which is a member of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group if the interest of the relevant UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group in that firm is no more than a participation.

01/01/2007

Purpose

BIPRU 8.1.3

This chapter implements articles 71, 73(1) and (2), 125, 126, 127(1), 133 and 134 of the Banking Consolidation Directive and articles 2 (in part), 22-27 and 37(1) (in part) of the Capital Adequacy Directive.

01/01/2007

How this chapter is organised

BIPRU 8.1.4

BIPRU 8.2 sets out the definition of UK consolidation group and the basic requirement to apply financial resources and concentration risk requirements to that group on a consolidated basis.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.1.5

BIPRU 8.3 sets out the definition of a non-EEA sub-group and the basic requirement to apply financial resources and concentration risk requirements to that group on a consolidated basis.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.1.6

BIPRU 8.4 sets out how a group of CAD investment firms can apply for a waiver from consolidated capital requirements although remaining subject to consolidated supervision (including reporting requirements).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.1.7

BIPRU 8.5 sets out the basis for including and excluding undertakings within the group for the purposes of consolidation.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.1.8

BIPRU 8.6 sets out the calculation of the consolidated capital resources of a group and the limits that apply.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.1.9

BIPRU 8.7 sets out the calculation of the consolidated capital resources requirement of a group.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.1.10

BIPRU 8.8 deals with the application of advanced prudential calculation approach on a consolidated basis.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.1.11

BIPRU 8.9 sets out consolidated concentration risk requirements.

01/01/2007

Consolidation requirements for BIPRU firms elsewhere in the Handbook

BIPRU 8.1.12

SYSC 12 (Group risk systems and controls requirement) deals with systems and controls requirements for groups.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.1.13

GENPRU 1.2 (Adequacy of financial resources) deals with the detail about how GENPRU 1.2 applies on a consolidated basis although the underlying requirement to apply it on a consolidated basis is in BIPRU 8.2 and BIPRU 8.3.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.1.14

BIPRU 11 (Disclosure) itself deals with how that chapter is applied on a consolidated basis.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.1.15

GENPRU 3.1 (Cross sector groups) deals with financial conglomerates.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.1.16

GENPRU 3.2 (Prudential rules for third country groups) deals, amongst other things, with banking and investment services groups headed by a parent undertaking outside the EEA.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.2

Scope and basic consolidation requirements for UK consolidation groups

01/01/2007

Main consolidation rule for UK consolidation groups

BIPRU 8.2.1

A firm that is a member of a UK consolidation group must comply, to the extent and in the manner prescribed in BIPRU 8.5, with the obligations laid down in GENPRU 1.2 (Adequacy of financial resources), the main BIPRU firm Pillar 1 rules (but not the base capital resources requirement) and BIPRU 10 (Concentration risk requirements) on the basis of the consolidated financial position of:

(1) where either Test 1A or Test 1B in BIPRU 8 Annex 1 (Decision tree identifying a UK consolidation group) apply, the parent institution in a Member State in the UK consolidation group; or
(2) where either Test 1C or Test 1D in BIPRU 8 Annex 1 apply, the parent financial holding company in a Member State.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.2.2

Further to BIPRU 8.2.1 R, a firm that is a member of a UK consolidation group must at all times ensure that the consolidated capital resources of the UK consolidation group are equal to or exceed its consolidated capital resources requirement.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.2.3

The base capital resources requirement does not apply on a consolidated basis.

01/01/2007

Definition of UK consolidation group

BIPRU 8.2.4

A firm's UK consolidation group means a group that is identified as a UK consolidation group in accordance with the decision tree in BIPRU 8 Annex 1 R (Decision tree identifying a UK consolidation group); the members of that group are:

(1) where either Test 1A or Test 1B in BIPRU 8 Annex 1 R apply, the members of the consolidation group made up of the sub-group of the parent institution in a Member State identified in BIPRU 8 Annex 1 R together with any other person who is a member of that consolidation group because of a consolidation Article 12(1) relationship or an Article 134 relationship; or
(2) where either Test 1C or Test 1D in BIPRU 8 Annex 1 R apply, the members of the consolidation group made up of the sub-group of the parent financial holding company in a Member State identified in BIPRU 8 Annex 1 R together with any other person who is a member of that consolidation group because of a consolidation Article 12(1) relationship or an Article 134 relationship;

in each case only persons included under BIPRU 8.5 (Basis of consolidation) are included in the UK consolidation group.

06/04/2007

BIPRU 8.2.5

For the purposes of this chapter, what would otherwise be a UK consolidation group is not a UK consolidation group if all the members of that UK consolidation group wholly form part of another UK consolidation group.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.2.6

BIPRU 8 Annex 2 (Examples of how to identify a UK consolidation group) sets out examples of how to identify a UK consolidation group.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.2.7

BIPRU 8 Annex 1 (Decision tree identifying a UK consolidation group) shows that Articles 125 and 126 of the Banking Consolidation Directive are important in deciding whether the FSA is obliged to supervise a group or part of a group and hence whether that group or part of a group is a UK consolidation group. BIPRU 8 Annex 4 (Text of Articles 125 and 126 of the Banking Consolidation Directive) sets out these articles together with an explanation of how those articles should be read in the case of a group which also contains CAD investment firms.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3

Scope and basic consolidation requirements for non-EEA sub-groups

01/01/2007

Main consolidation rule for non-EEA sub-groups

BIPRU 8.3.1

(1) A BIPRU firm that is a subsidiary undertaking of a BIPRU firm or of a financial holding company must apply the requirements laid down in GENPRU 1.2 (Adequacy of financial resources), the main BIPRU firm Pillar 1 rules (but not the base capital resources requirement) and BIPRU 10 (Concentration risk requirements) on a sub-consolidated basis if the BIPRU firm, or the parent undertaking where it is a financial holding company, have a third country banking or investment services undertaking as a subsidiary undertaking or hold a participation in such an undertaking.
(2) (1) only applies if the FSA is required by the Banking Consolidation Directive or the Capital Adequacy Directive to supervise the group established under (1) under Article 73(2) of the Banking Consolidation Directive (Non-EEA sub-groups).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.2

Further to BIPRU 8.3.1 R, a firm that is a member of a non-EEA sub-group must at all times ensure that the consolidated capital resources of that non-EEA sub-group are equal to or exceed its consolidated capital resources requirement.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.3

The base capital resources requirement does not apply on a consolidated basis.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.4

The sub-group identified in BIPRU 8.3.1 R is called a non-EEA sub-group.

01/01/2007

How to identify a non-EEA sub-group

BIPRU 8.3.5

BIPRU 8 Annex 3 (Examples of how to identify a non-EEA sub-group) sets out examples of how to identify a non-EEA sub-group.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.6

The remainder of this section sets out a process for identifying a non-EEA sub-group in straightforward cases.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.7

A firm will not be a member of a non-EEA sub-group unless it is also a member of a UK consolidation group. So the first step is to identify each undertaking in the firm's UK consolidation group that satisfies the following conditions:

(1) it is an institution, financial institution or asset management company whose head office is outside the EEA (a third country banking or investment services undertaking);
(2) one of the following applies:

(a) it is a subsidiary undertaking of a BIPRU firm in that UK consolidation group; or
(b) a BIPRU firm in that UK consolidation group holds a participation in it; and

(3) that BIPRU firm is not a parent institution in a Member State.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.8

The sub-group of the BIPRU firm identified in BIPRU 8.3.7G (2)(a) or BIPRU 8.3.7G (2)(b) is a potential non-EEA sub-group.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.9

If more than one BIPRU firm is a direct or indirect parent undertaking in accordance with BIPRU 8.3.7G (2)(a) then the sub-groups of each of them are all potential non-EEA sub-groups. This is illustrated in example three in BIPRU 8 Annex 3 (Examples of how to identify a non-EEA sub-group), where the sub-group of UK bank 1 and the sub-group of UK bank 2 are potential non-EEA sub-groups.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.10

Similarly if there is more than one BIPRU firm that holds a participation in the third country banking or investment services undertaking in accordance with BIPRU 8.3.7G (2)(b) then the sub-group of each such BIPRU firm is a potential non-EEA sub-group.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.11

The effect of BIPRU 8.3.7G (3) is that a non-EEA sub-group cannot be headed by a parent institution in a Member State. This is illustrated in example one of BIPRU 8 Annex 3 (Examples of how to identify a non-EEA sub-group).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.12

The firm should then identify each undertaking in the firm's UK consolidation group that satisfies the following conditions:

(1) it is an institution, financial institution or asset management company whose head office is outside the EEA (a third country banking or investment services undertaking);
(2) one of the following applies:

(a) it is a subsidiary undertaking of a financial holding company in that UK consolidation group; or
(b) a financial holding company in that UK consolidation group holds a participation in it;

(3) the head office of that financial holding company is in the United Kingdom; and
(4) that financial holding company has a subsidiary undertaking that is a BIPRU firm.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.13

The sub-group of the financial holding company identified in BIPRU 8.3.12G (2)(a) or BIPRU 8.3.12G (2)(b) is a potential non-EEA sub-group.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.14

The financial holding company identified in BIPRU 8.3.12 G may be a parent financial holding company in a Member State. This is illustrated by example 2 of BIPRU 8 Annex 3 (Examples of how to identify a non-EEA sub-group).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.15

If more than one financial holding company is a direct or indirect parent undertaking in accordance with BIPRU 8.3.12G (2)(a) then the sub-groups of each of them are all potential non-EEA sub-groups.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.16

Similarly if there is more than one financial holding company that holds a participation in the third country banking or investment services undertaking in accordance with BIPRU 8.3.12G (2)(b) then the sub-group of each such financial holding company is a potential non-EEA sub-group.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.17

The firm should apply the process in BIPRU 8.3.12 G to a third country banking or investment services undertaking even though it may be also be part of a potential non-EEA sub-group under BIPRU 8.3.7 G.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.18

Having identified potential non-EEA sub-groups for each third country banking or investment services undertaking in its UK consolidation group the firm should then eliminate overlapping potential non-EEA sub-groups in the following way. If:

(1) one potential non-EEA sub-group is contained within a wider potential non-EEA sub-group; and
(2) the third country banking or investment services undertakings in the two potential non-EEA sub-groups are the same;

then the smaller potential non-EEA sub-group is eliminated.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.19

If there is a chain of three or more potential non-EEA sub-groups, each with the same third country banking or investment services undertakings, the elimination process may remove all but the highest. This is illustrated in example three in BIPRU 8 Annex 3 (Examples of how to identify a non-EEA sub-group). In this example there are four potential non-EEA sub-groups and the elimination process results in just one remaining (the one headed by the UK parent financial holding company in a Member State).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.20

Each remaining potential non-EEA sub-group is a non-EEA sub-group, even though it may be part of a wider non-EEA sub-group.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.21

Examples four and five in BIPRU 8 Annex 3 (Examples of how to identify a non-EEA sub-group) show how the same group may contain two non-EEA sub-groups even though the smaller potential non-EEA sub-group is part of a bigger one. The reason for there being two non-EEA sub-groups in these examples is that one of the third country banking or investment services undertakings is not a member of both potential non-EEA sub-groups.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.22

If a UK consolidation group is headed by a parent financial holding company in a Member State the result of the elimination process may be that a firm's UK consolidation group contains only one non-EEA sub-group and that the non-EEA sub-group is the same as the UK consolidation group. In theory that means that there are two sets of consolidation requirements, one in relation to the UK consolidation group and one in relation to the non-EEA sub-group. However as the UK consolidation group and the non-EEA sub-group are the same, in practice this means that the additional non-EEA sub-group consolidation disappears. This is illustrated in example three in BIPRU 8 Annex 3 (Examples of how to identify a non-EEA sub-group). The effect of BIPRU 8.3.7G (3) is that this is not the case if the UK consolidation group is headed by a parent institution in a Member State, as illustrated in example 1 in BIPRU 8 Annex 3.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.23

Even where the requirements for a non-EEA sub-group are absorbed into those for the UK consolidation group a firm should still make clear in its regulatory reporting that the consolidation figures relate to a UK consolidation group and a non-EEA sub-group and that they both contain the same members.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.3.24

The examples in this section have so far assumed that the only EEA State involved is the United Kingdom. If a potential non-EEA sub-group that would otherwise be regulated by the FSA contains a potential non-EEA sub-group in another EEA State then the United Kingdom one is eliminated if the third country banking or investment services undertaking in the UK potential non-EEA sub-group and the potential non-EEA sub-group in the other EEA State are the same. The intention here is that the EEA competent authority closest to the third country banking or investment services undertaking should be responsible for the non-EEA sub-group subconsolidation. Example 6 in BIPRU 8 Annex 3 (Examples of how to identify a non-EEA sub-group) illustrates this situation.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.4

CAD Article 22 groups and investment firm consolidation waiver

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 8.4.1

This section applies to a BIPRU investment firm with an investment firm consolidation waiver.

01/01/2007

The effect of an investment firm consolidation waiver and the conditions for getting one

BIPRU 8.4.2

A BIPRU investment firm may apply for a waiver of the requirement in this chapter to apply capital requirements on a consolidated basis. Such a waiver is called an investment firm consolidation waiver.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.4.3

An investment firm consolidation waiver will waive the application of BIPRU 8.2.1 R and BIPRU 8.2.2 R (if it applies with respect to a UK consolidation group) or BIPRU 8.3.1 R and BIPRU 8.3.2 R (if it applies with respect to a non-EEA sub-group). The effect will be to switch off this chapter with respect to the group in question apart from this section.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.4.4

The FSA will not grant an investment firm consolidation waiver unless:

(1) the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group meets the conditions for being a CAD Article 22 group;
(2) the FSA is satisfied that each BIPRU firm in the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group will be able to meet its capital requirements using the calculation of capital resources in GENPRU 2 Annex 6 (Capital resources table for a BIPRU investment firm with a waiver from consolidated supervision); and
(3) the firm demonstrates that the requirements in BIPRU 8.4.11 R to BIPRU 8.4.18 R will be met.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.4.5

The standards in BIPRU 8.4.4 G are minimum standards. Satisfaction of these conditions does not automatically mean the FSA will give an investment firm consolidation waiver. The FSA will in addition also apply the tests in section 148 of the Act (Modification or waiver of rules).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.4.6

SUP 8 (Waiver and modification of rules) and BIPRU 1.3 (Application for advanced approaches) are also relevant to applications for an investment firm consolidation waiver.

01/01/2007

Meeting the terms of an investment firm consolidation waiver

BIPRU 8.4.7

If a firm has an investment firm consolidation waiver with respect to its UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group but that UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group ceases to meet the definition of a CAD Article 22 group the firm must comply with the rest of this chapter rather than this section notwithstanding the investment firm consolidation waiver.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.4.8

Compliance with the capital requirements set out in BIPRU 8.4.11 R is a condition under the Capital Adequacy Directive for the exemption from capital requirements. Thus if they are breached the FSA is likely to revoke the investment firm consolidation waiver.

01/01/2007

Definition of a CAD Article 22 group

BIPRU 8.4.9

(1) A CAD Article 22 group means a UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group that meets the conditions in this rule.
(2) There must be no bank, building society or credit institution in the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group.
(3) Each CAD investment firm in the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group which is an EEA firm must use the definition of own funds given in the CRD implementation measure of its EEA State for Article 16 of the Capital Adequacy Directive.
(4) Each CAD investment firm in the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group must be a:

(a) limited activity firm; or
(b) limited licence firm.

(5) Each CAD investment firm in the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group which is an EEA firm must:

(a) meet the requirements imposed by the CRD implementation measures of its EEA State for Articles 18 and Article 20 of the Capital Adequacy Directive on an individual basis; and
(b) deduct from its own funds any contingent liability in favour of other members of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group.

(6) Each BIPRU investment firm in the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group must comply with the main BIPRU firm Pillar 1 rules on an individual basis.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.4.10

GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources) says that a BIPRU investment firm with an investment firm consolidation waiver should calculate its capital resources on a solo basis using GENPRU 2 Annex 6 (Capital resources table for a BIPRU investment firm with a waiver from consolidated supervision). GENPRU 2 Annex 6 requires a BIPRU investment firm to deduct contingent liabilities in favour of other members of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group. Therefore BIPRU 8.4.9R (5)(b) only imposes the requirement to deduct them on EEA firms.

01/01/2007

Capital adequacy obligations relating to a CAD Article 22 group: General rule

BIPRU 8.4.11

If a firm has an investment firm consolidation waiver, it must ensure that any financial holding company in the UK consolidation group or the non-EEA sub-group that is the UK parent financial holding company in a Member State of a CAD investment firm in the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group has capital resources, calculated under BIPRU 8.4.12 R, in excess of the sum of the following (or any higher amount specified in the investment firm consolidation waiver):

(1) the sum of the solo notional capital resources requirements for each CAD investment firm, financial institution, asset management company and ancillary services undertaking in the UK consolidation group or the non-EEA sub-group, as calculated in accordance with BIPRU 8.4.13 R; and
(2) the total amount of any contingent liability in favour of CAD investment firms, financial institutions, asset management companies and ancillary services undertakings in the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group.

01/01/2007

Capital adequacy obligations relating to a CAD Article 22 group: Capital resources

BIPRU 8.4.12

A firm must calculate the capital resources of the parent financial holding company in a Member State for the purpose of BIPRU 8.4.11 R as follows:

(1) the capital resources are the sum of capital resources calculated at stages D (Total tier one capital before deductions) and I (Total tier two capital) of the version of the capital resources table in GENPRU 2 Annex 4 (Capital resources table for a BIPRU investment firm deducting material holdings) as adjusted in accordance with this rule;
(2) capital resources at stage D must not include innovative tier one capital resources, but they may be included at stage I if (5) allows this;
(3) the amount of the items which may be included at stage I must not exceed the amount calculated at stage D of the capital resources table;
(4) the amount of the items which may be included in lower tier two capital in stage I must not exceed 50% of the amount calculated at stage D of the capital resources table; and
(5) GENPRU 2.2.25 R (Limits on the use of different forms of capital: Use of higher tier capital in lower tiers) and GENPRU 2.2.27 R (Use of innovative tier one capital in lower stages of capital) apply.

01/01/2007

Capital adequacy obligations relating to a CAD Article 22 group: Capital resources requirement

BIPRU 8.4.13

The solo notional capital resources requirement as referred to in BIPRU 8.4.11R (1) is calculated in the same way as:

(1) (if each CAD investment firm in the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group is a limited licence firm) the capital resources requirement for a BIPRU limited licence firm; or
(2) (in any other case) the capital resources requirement for a BIPRU limited activity firm.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.4.14

A firm must exclude material holdings in the notional calculation of the credit risk capital requirement for the purposes of BIPRU 8.4.13 R. A firm must identify whether it has any material holdings and the amount of them in accordance with GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources) and GENPRU 2 Annex 4 (Capital resources table for a BIPRU investment firm deducting material holdings).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.4.15

The notional capital resources requirement calculated under BIPRU 8.4.13 R need not include a credit charge for material holdings. However it should include one for illiquid assets.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.4.16

Intra-group exposures must not be netted for the purpose of BIPRU 8.4.11 R.

01/01/2007

Capital adequacy obligations relating to a CAD Article 22 group: Advanced prudential calculation approaches

BIPRU 8.4.17

A firm may not use an advanced prudential calculation approach for the purpose of BIPRU 8.4.11 R.

01/01/2007

Additional rules that apply to a firm with an investment firm consolidation waiver

BIPRU 8.4.18

If a firm has an investment firm consolidation waiver, it must:

(1) ensure that each CAD investment firm in the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group which is a firm or an EEA firm has in place systems to monitor and control the sources of capital and funding of all the members in the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group;
(2) notify the FSA of any serious risk that could undermine the financial stability of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group, as soon as the firm becomes aware of that risk, including those associated with the composition and sources of the capital and funding of members of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group;
(3) report the amount of the consolidated capital resources and consolidated capital resources requirement of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group on a periodic basis as set out in the investment firm consolidation waiver;
(4) report any large exposures risks of members of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group including any undertakings not located in an EEA State on a periodic basis set out in the investment firm consolidation waiver;
(5) notify the FSA immediately it becomes aware that the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group has ceased to meet the conditions for being a CAD Article 22 group; and
(6) notify the FSA immediately it becomes aware of any breach of BIPRU 8.4.11 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.4.19

Although an investment firm consolidation waiver switches off most of this chapter, a firm should still carry out the capital adequacy calculations in BIPRU 8.3 to BIPRU 8.8 as if those parts of this chapter still applied to the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group and report these to the FSA . It should also still monitor large exposure risk on a consolidated basis.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.5

Basis of consolidation

01/01/2007

Undertakings to be included in consolidation

BIPRU 8.5.1

A firm must include only the following types of undertaking in a UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group for the purposes of this chapter:

(1) a BIPRU firm;
(2) an institution;
(3) a financial institution;
(4) an asset management company;
(5) a financial holding company; and
(6) an ancillary services undertaking.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.5.2

Although an undertaking falling outside BIPRU 8.5.1 R will not be included in a UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group it may be relevant in deciding whether one undertaking in the banking sector or the investment services sector is a subsidiary undertaking of another with the result that they should be included in the same UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.5.3

An example of BIPRU 8.5.2 G is as follows. Say that the undertaking at the head of a bank's UK group is a parent financial holding company in a Member State. One of its subsidiary undertakings is the bank . The parent financial holding company in a Member State also has an insurer as a subsidiary undertaking. That insurer has several investment firms as subsidiary undertakings. Say that the UK group is not a financial conglomerate. The UK consolidation group will include the parent financial holding company in a Member State and the bank . It will also include the investment firms that are subsidiary undertakings of the insurer. This is because the investment firms are subsidiary undertakings of the parent financial holding company in a Member State through the parent financial holding company in a Member State's holding in the insurer. However it will not include the insurer itself.

01/01/2007

Basis of inclusion of undertakings in consolidation

BIPRU 8.5.4

A firm must include any subsidiary undertaking in the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group in full in the calculations in this chapter.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.5.5

In carrying out the calculations for the purposes of this chapter a firm must only include the relevant proportion of an undertaking that is a member of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group:

(1) by virtue of a consolidation Article 12(1) relationship;
(2) by virtue of an Article 134 relationship; or
(3) because the group holds a participation in it.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.5.6

In BIPRU 8.5.5 R, the relevant proportion is either:

(1) (in the case of a participation) the proportion of shares issued by the undertaking held by the UK consolidation group or the non-EEA sub-group; or
(2) (in the case of a consolidation Article 12(1) relationship or an Article 134 relationship), such proportion (if any) as stated in the Part IV permission of the firm.

01/01/2007

Basis of inclusion of UCITS investment firms in consolidation

BIPRU 8.5.7

GENPRU 2.1.46 R (Adjustment of the variable capital requirement calculation for UCITS investment firms) and BIPRU 10.1.5 R (Restricted application for UCITS investment firms) do not apply for the purpose of this chapter.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.5.8

In general a UCITS investment firm only calculates its capital and concentration risk requirements in relation to its designated investment business and does not calculate them with respect to scheme management activity. The effect of BIPRU 8.5.7 R is that this does not apply on a consolidated basis. For the purpose of this chapter the calculations are carried with respect to the whole of the activities of a UCITS investment firm.

01/01/2007

Exclusion of undertakings from consolidation: Balance sheet size

BIPRU 8.5.9

A firm may, having first notified the FSA in writing in accordance with SUP 15.7 (Form and method of notification), exclude an institution, asset management company, financial institution or ancillary services undertaking that is a subsidiary undertaking in, or an undertaking in which a participation is held by, the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group if the balance sheet total of that undertaking is less than the smaller of the following two amounts:

(1) 10 million Euros;
(2) 1% of the balance sheet total of the parent undertaking or the undertaking that holds the participation.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.5.10

A firm must include undertakings, to which BIPRU 8.5.9 R would otherwise apply, if the balance sheet total of those undertakings taken together breaches the limit in BIPRU 8.5.9 R.

01/01/2007

Exclusion of undertakings from consolidation: Other reasons

BIPRU 8.5.11

Article 73(1) of the Banking Consolidation Directive allows the FSA to decide to exclude an institution, financial institution, asset management company or ancillary services undertaking that is a subsidiary undertaking in, or an undertaking in which a participation is held by, the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group for the purposes of this chapter in the following circumstances:

(1) where the head office of the undertaking concerned is situated in a country outside the EEA where there are legal impediments to the transfer of the necessary information; or
(2) where, in the opinion of the FSA, the undertaking concerned is of negligible interest only with respect to the objectives of monitoring institutions; or
(3) where, in the opinion of the FSA, the consolidation of the financial situation of the undertaking concerned would be inappropriate or misleading as far as the objectives of the supervision of institutions are concerned.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.5.12

If a firm wishes to exclude an undertaking on the basis of any of the grounds set out in BIPRU 8.5.11 G it should apply to the FSA for a waiver. The FSA will consider such applications in the light of the criteria in section 148 of the Act.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.5.13

If several undertakings meet the criteria in BIPRU 8.5.11G (2), the FSA will not agree to a waiver to exclude them all from consolidation where collectively they are of non-negligible interest with respect to the objectives of the supervision of institutions.

01/01/2007

Information about excluded undertakings

BIPRU 8.5.14

The FSA may require a firm to provide information about the undertakings excluded from consolidation of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group pursuant to this section.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.6

Consolidated capital resources

01/01/2007

General

BIPRU 8.6.1

A firm must calculate the consolidated capital resources of its UK consolidation group or its non-EEA sub-group by applying GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources) to its UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group on an accounting consolidation basis, treating the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group as a single undertaking. The firm must adjust GENPRU 2.2 in accordance with this section for this purpose.

01/01/2007

Limits on the use of different forms of capital

BIPRU 8.6.2

The capital resources gearing rules apply for the purposes of calculating consolidated capital resources. They apply to the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group on an accounting consolidation basis, treating the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group as a single undertaking.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.6.3

As the various components of capital differ in the degree of protection that they offer, the capital resources gearing rules as applied on a consolidated basis place restrictions on the extent to which certain types of capital are eligible for inclusion in a UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group's consolidated capital resources. GENPRU 2.2.25 R (Limits on the use of different forms of capital: Use of higher tier capital in lower tiers) also applies.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.6.4

The prohibition in GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources) on including innovative tier one capital in tier one capital for the purposes of meeting capital resources requirements applies under this section. However GENPRU 2.2.27 R (innovative tier one capital may be included in lower stages of capital when excluded from tier one capital) also applies. So, for example, a firm should not include consolidated indirectly issued capital in tier one capital but should generally include it as upper tier two capital.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.6.5

The rules in GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources) on what tier two capital and tier three capital can be used for also apply under this section.

01/01/2007

Calculation of consolidated capital resources if there is a building society in the group

BIPRU 8.6.6

Where a firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group includes a building society, the firm must calculate that group's consolidated capital resources using the calculation of capital resources for building societies.

01/01/2007

Calculation of consolidated capital resources if there is a bank or credit institution in the group

BIPRU 8.6.7

Where a firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group includes a bank or credit institution but not a building society, the firm must calculate that group's consolidated capital resources using the calculation of capital resources for banks.

01/01/2007

Calculation of consolidated capital resources for an investment firm group

BIPRU 8.6.8

Where a firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group does not include a bank, building society or credit institution, the firm must calculate that group's consolidated capital resources using the calculation of capital resources in GENPRU 2 Annex 4 (Capital resources table for a BIPRU investment firm deducting material holdings) or GENPRU 2 Annex 5 (Capital resources table for a BIPRU investment firm deducting illiquid assets).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.6.9

A firm must give one Month's prior notice to the FSA before starting to use or stopping using the method in GENPRU 2 Annex 5 (Capital resources table for a BIPRU investment firm deducting illiquid assets).

01/01/2007

Treatment of minority interests

BIPRU 8.6.10

(1) This rule sets out how to determine whether minority interests in an undertaking in a UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group may be included in tier one capital, tier two capital or tier three capital for the purpose of calculating consolidated capital resources (each referred to as a "tier" of capital in this rule).
(2) A firm must identify the item of capital of the undertaking in question that gives rise to that minority interest.
(3) A firm must include the minority interest in the tier of capital in which that undertaking would have to include the capital referred to in (2) if it were a firm calculating its capital resources on a solo basis under whichever method applies to the group under BIPRU 8.6.6 R to BIPRU 8.6.8 R.
(4) This rule does not apply to a minority interest created by consolidated indirectly issued capital.

01/01/2007

Indirectly issued capital and group capital resources

BIPRU 8.6.11

For the purposes of this chapter, GENPRU 2.2.123 R to GENPRU 2.2.137 R (Indirectly issued tier one capital (BIPRU firm only)) do not apply. A firm may only include consolidated indirectly issued capital in consolidated capital resources (whether as a minority interest or otherwise) in accordance with this section.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.6.12

Consolidated indirectly issued capital means any capital instrument issued by a member of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group where:

(1) some or all of the following conditions are satisfied:

(a) that capital is issued to an SPV; or
(b) that capital is issued by an SPV; or
(c) the subscription for the capital issued by the member of the group in question is funded directly or indirectly by an SPV; and

(2) any of the SPVs referred to in (1) is a member of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group or a subsidiary undertaking of any member of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.6.13

A firm may only include consolidated indirectly issued capital in the consolidated capital resources of its UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group if:

(1) it is issued by an SPV that is a member of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group to persons who are not members of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group; and
(2) the conditions in BIPRU 8.6.16 R to BIPRU 8.6.18 R are satisfied.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.6.14

Consolidated indirectly issued capital that is eligible for inclusion in the consolidated capital resources of a UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group may only be included as a minority interest created by the capital instrument issued by the SPV referred to in BIPRU 8.6.13 R. If it is eligible, it is innovative tier one capital.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.6.15

For the purposes of this section, an undertaking is an SPV if the main activity of the SPV is to raise funds for undertakings in:

(1) (in the case of a UK consolidation group) that UK consolidation group; or
(2) (in the case of a non-EEA sub-group) that non-EEA sub-group or any UK consolidation group of which it forms part.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.6.16

The SPV referred to in BIPRU 8.6.13 R must satisfy the conditions in GENPRU 2.2.127 R (Conditions that an SPV has to satisfy if indirectly issued capital is to be included in capital resources on a solo basis) as modified by the following:

(1) references in GENPRU 2.2.127R (1) to being controlled by the firm are to being controlled by a member of the firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group as the case may be; and
(2) references to the firm's group are to the firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group as the case may be.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.6.17

The capital issued by the SPV referred to in BIPRU 8.6.13 R must satisfy the conditions in GENPRU 2.2.129 R (Conditions that capital issued by an SPV has to satisfy if indirectly issued capital is to be included in capital resources on a solo basis) as modified by the following:

(1) references to the firm's group are to the firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group as the case may be;
(2) the substitution obligation in GENPRU 2.2.129R (2) need not be the firm's but may apply to any member of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group as the case may be; and
(3) that substitution obligation applies if the consolidated capital resources of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group, as the case may be, fall, or are likely to fall, below its consolidated capital resources requirement.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.6.18

The SPV referred to in BIPRU 8.6.13 R must invest the funds raised from the issue of capital by the SPV by subscribing for capital resources issued by an undertaking that is a member of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group. Those capital resources must satisfy the following conditions:

(1) those capital resources must at least comply with the requirements for lower tier two capital; and
(2) the first call date or fixed maturity date (if any) of those capital resources must not arise before the first call date on the instrument issued by the SPV.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.6.19

In relation to the obligation to substitute described in BIPRU 8.6.17R (2), a firm must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the undertaking in question has at all times sufficient authorised and unissued tier one instruments other than innovative tier one instruments (and authority to issue them) to enable it to discharge the obligation to substitute.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.6.20

A firm must comply with the requirements set out in GENPRU 2.2.135R (Notifying the FSA of unusual transactions in relation to indirectly issued capital) and GENPRU 2.2.137 R (Contents of marketing documents in relation to indirectly issued capital) in relation to consolidated indirectly issued capital included in consolidated capital resources.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7

Consolidated capital resources requirements

01/01/2007

General approach

BIPRU 8.7.1

The calculation of the consolidated capital resources requirement of a firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group involves taking the individual components that make up the capital resources requirement on a solo basis and applying them on a consolidated basis. Those components are the capital charge for credit risk (the credit risk capital requirement), the capital charge for market risk (the market risk capital requirement), the capital charge for operational risk (the operational risk capital requirement) and the fixed overheads requirement.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.2

Each of the capital charges in BIPRU 8.7.1 G, as applied on a consolidated basis, is called a consolidated requirement component. The name of each consolidated requirement component reflects the solo capital charge on which it is based. Solo capital charges are called risk capital requirements. Thus for example the consolidated requirement component for market risk is called the consolidated market risk requirement. The calculation of the consolidated market risk requirement is based on the calculation of the capital charge for market risk that applies on a solo basis (the market risk capital requirement). So the risk capital requirement applicable to the consolidated market risk requirement is the market risk capital requirement.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.3

The first step is for a firm to identify what sort of group it belongs to as the calculation of the consolidated capital resources requirement differs between different types of groups. This is set out in BIPRU 8 Annex 5 (Decision tree for identifying the consolidated capital resources requirement of a UK consolidation group or a non-EEA sub-group). BIPRU 8 Annex 5 shows, for each type of group:

(1) which of the consolidated requirement components apply and which do not; and
(2) how to add up the different consolidated requirement components to reach the overall consolidated capital resources requirement.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.4

BIPRU 8 Annex 5 (Decision tree for identifying the consolidated capital resources requirement of a UK consolidation group or a non-EEA sub-group) categorises groups by reference to what kind of undertakings they contain (credit institutions, limited licence firms, limited activity firms or CAD full scope firms).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.5

In general a firm should calculate each consolidated requirement component using the FSA's rules, even in the case of group members who are subject to the capital requirements of an overseas regulator. However this section sets out certain circumstances in which a firm may use the capital requirements of an overseas regulator.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.6

BIPRU 8.8 (Advanced prudential calculation approaches) says that a firm should not apply an advanced prudential calculation approach on a consolidated basis unless the advanced prudential calculation approach permission allowing the firm to use the advanced prudential calculation approach specifically allows it to be used on consolidated basis.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.7

BIPRU 8.8 (Advanced prudential calculation approaches) has further details about how capital requirements are calculated on a consolidated basis if a firm uses an advanced prudential calculation approach.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.8

A firm has a choice about how it should apply a risk capital requirement to the group. It may do this by treating the whole of the group as a single entity and applying the risk capital requirement to the group (a line by line approach), calculating a separate risk capital requirement for each group member (an aggregation approach) or a mixture of the two.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.9

A firm may make the choice between an aggregation and a line by line approach differently for each consolidated requirement component. So for example a firm may decide to calculate the consolidated market risk requirement on an aggregation basis and the consolidated fixed overheads requirement on a line by line basis.

01/01/2007

Method of calculation to be used

BIPRU 8.7.10

A firm must calculate the consolidated capital resources requirement of its UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group in accordance with the method identified by the decision tree in BIPRU 8 Annex 5 (Decision tree for identifying the consolidated capital resources requirement of a UK consolidation group or a non-EEA sub-group).

01/01/2007

Calculation of the consolidated requirement components

BIPRU 8.7.11

A firm must calculate a consolidated requirement component by applying the risk capital requirement applicable to that consolidated requirement component to the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group in accordance with BIPRU 8.7.13 R. Except where BIPRU 8.7.34 R to BIPRU 8.7.38 R allow the requirements of another regulator to be used, the risk capital requirement must be calculated in accordance with the FSA's rules. The risk capital requirement applicable to a consolidated requirement component is the one specified in the second column of the table in BIPRU 8.7.12 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.12

Table: Capital charges relating to consolidated requirement components
This table belongs to BIPRU 8.7.11 R

Rules on which the consolidated requirement component are based (the applicable risk capital requirement)

Consolidated credit risk requirement

Credit risk capital requirement

Consolidated fixed overheads requirement

Fixed overheads requirement

Consolidated market risk requirement

Market risk capital requirement

Consolidated operational risk requirement

Operational risk capital requirement

01/01/2007

Choice of consolidation method

BIPRU 8.7.13

(1) A firm must calculate a consolidated requirement component by using one of the methods in this rule.
(2) Under the first method a firm must:

(a) apply the risk capital requirement set out in BIPRU 8.7.12 R to each undertaking in the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group; and
(b) add the risk capital requirements together.

(3) Under the second method a firm must:

(a) treat the whole UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group as a single undertaking; and
(b) apply the risk capital requirement set out in BIPRU 8.7.12 R to the group on an accounting consolidation basis.

(4) The third method is a mixture of methods one and two. Under the third method a firm must:

(a) treat one or more parts of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group as separate single undertakings;
(b) apply the risk capital requirement set out in BIPRU 8.7.12 R to each such part of the group on an accounting consolidation basis;
(c) apply the risk capital requirement set out in BIPRU 8.7.12 R to each of the remaining undertakings in the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group (if any); and
(d) add the risk capital requirements together.

(5) A firm may use different methods for different consolidated requirement components.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.14

An accounting consolidation basis means applying the rules in BIPRU 8.7.12 R on a line by line consolidation basis rather than an aggregation basis.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.15

The provisions of this section on credit risk and market risk restrict the choice given by BIPRU 8.7.13 R in certain circumstances.

01/01/2007

Notifying the FSA of the choice of consolidation technique

BIPRU 8.7.16

A firm must notify the FSA which method under BIPRU 8.7.13 R it applies for which consolidated requirement component and to which parts of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group it is applying an aggregation approach and to which parts it is applying an accounting consolidation approach.

01/01/2007

Special rules for the consolidated credit risk requirement

BIPRU 8.7.17

BIPRU 8.7.18 G to BIPRU 8.7.23 R relate to the calculation of the consolidated credit risk requirement.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.18

The credit risk capital requirement (on which the consolidated credit risk requirement is based) is split into three capital charges. One relates to credit risk in the non-trading book (the credit risk capital component). One relates to credit risk in the trading book (the counterparty risk capital component). The third is a capital charge for exposures in the trading book that exceed the limits in BIPRU 10.5 (Limits on exposures and large exposures). This is called the concentration risk capital component. BIPRU 8.9 (Consolidated concentration risk requirements) explains how to calculate the part of the consolidated credit risk requirement that corresponds to the concentration risk capital component.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.19

In particular BIPRU 8.9 (Consolidated concentration risk requirements) says that a firm should calculate the part of the consolidated credit risk requirement that corresponds to the concentration risk capital component on an accounting consolidation basis. This means using method two in BIPRU 8.7.13 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.20

A firm may use a combination of the CCR standardised method, the CCR mark to market method and the CCR internal model method on a permanent basis with respect to the firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group for the purposes of calculating the consolidated credit risk requirement. In particular, where the firm is permitted to apply the CCR internal model method on a consolidated basis with respect to its UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group, it may combine the use of CCR standardised method and CCR mark to market method on a permanent basis for financial derivative instruments and long settlement transaction not covered by its CCR internal model method permission.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.21

BIPRU 9.4.1 R (Minimum requirements for recognition of significant credit risk transfer) as applied on a consolidated basis requires the transfer to be to a person outside the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.22

A firm must not use both the financial collateral simple method and the financial collateral comprehensive method with respect to its UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.23

(1) A firm may only treat an exposure as exempt under BIPRU 3.2.25 R (Zero risk-weighting for intra-group exposures) as applied on a consolidated basis if the member of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group that has the exposure:

(a) is a BIPRU firm and that exposure is exempt under BIPRU 3.2.25 R as it applies to that BIPRU firm on a solo basis; or
(b) meets the conditions in BIPRU 3.2.25 R (1)(d) (Condition relating to establishment in the UK) and that exposure would be exempt under (a) if that member was a BIPRU firm.

(2) The notification obligation in BIPRU 3.2.35 R applies.

01/01/2007

Special rules for the consolidated market risk requirement

BIPRU 8.7.24

For the purposes of calculating the consolidated market risk requirement of a UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group, a firm must apply BIPRU 1.2.3 R (Definition of the trading book) and BIPRU 1.2.17 R (Size thresholds for the purposes of the definition of the trading book) to the whole UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group as if the group were a single undertaking.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.25

A firm may not apply the second method in BIPRU 8.7.13R (3) (accounting consolidation for the whole group) or apply accounting consolidation to parts of its UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group under method three as described in BIPRU 8.7.13R (4)(a) for the purposes of the calculation of the consolidated market risk requirement unless the group or sub-group and the undertakings in that group or sub-group satisfy the conditions in this rule. Instead the firm must use the aggregation approach described in BIPRU 8.7.13R (2) (method one) or BIPRU 8.7.13R (4)(c). Those conditions are as follows:

(1) each of the undertakings in that group or sub-group is an institution that is:

(a) a BIPRU firm;
(b) an EEA firm;
(c) a recognised third country credit institution; or
(d) a recognised third country investment firm;

(2) each of the undertakings referred to in (1) that is a BIPRU firm has capital resources that are equal to or in excess of its capital resources requirement and complies with BIPRU 10 (Concentration risk requirements);
(3) each of the undertakings referred to in (1) that is an EEA firm complies with the CRD implementation measures in its EEA State that correspond to the requirements in (2);
(4) each of the undertakings referred to in (1) that is a recognised third country credit institution or recognised third country investment firm complies with laws in the state or territory in which it has its head office that are equivalent to the requirements of the Banking Consolidation Directive or Capital Adequacy Directive relating to capital adequacy and concentration risk;
(5) there is no material legal, regulatory or contractual impediment to the transfer of funds between those undertakings in that group or sub-group;
(6) there is no material legal, regulatory or contractual impediment to mutual financial support between those undertakings in that group or sub-group;
(7) the market risk position of the undertakings are monitored and managed on a co-ordinated basis; and
(8) there is satisfactory allocation of capital within the group or sub-group.

01/01/2007

Special rules for the consolidated operational risk requirement

BIPRU 8.7.26

For the purposes of calculating the consolidated operational risk requirement, a firm must apply BIPRU 6.2.9 R to BIPRU 6.2.12 R (Combination of different methodologies) to the whole UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group as if the group were a single undertaking.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.27

(1) This rule sets out how BIPRU 6.3.2 R (3) (Negative figure arising in calculation of the relevant indicator under the basic indicator approach) applies on a consolidated basis.
(2) If the calculation for any individual undertaking under method one in BIPRU 8.7.13R (2) (application of aggregation approach to the whole group) or method three as described in BIPRU 8.7.13R (4)(c) (mixture of aggregation and accounting consolidation) or for any sub-group created under method three as described in BIPRU 8.7.13R (4)(a) results in a figure of zero or a negative figure, that figure must be excluded.
(3) If a firm is using method two in BIPRU 8.7.13 R (accounting consolidation approach for the whole group), BIPRU 6.3.2 R (3) applies to the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group as if it were a single undertaking.
(4) (3) also applies to a sub-group created under method 3 as described in BIPRU 8.7.13R (4)(a).

01/01/2007

Special rules for calculating specific consolidated requirement components

BIPRU 8.7.28

BIPRU 8.7.21 R to BIPRU 8.7.26 R are generally examples of the application of the general principles in BIPRU 8.2.1 R (Main consolidation rule for UK consolidation groups) and BIPRU 8.3.1 R (Main consolidation rule for non-EEA sub-groups). BIPRU 8.7.20 R and BIPRU 8.7.25 R are exceptions to those principles.

01/01/2007

Elimination of intra-group transactions

BIPRU 8.7.29

In accordance with BIPRU 8.2.1 R and BIPRU 8.3.1 R (The basic consolidation rules for a UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group), a firm may exclude that part of the risk capital requirement that arises as a result of:

(1) (in respect of the consolidated credit risk requirement) intra-group balances; or
(2) (in respect of the consolidated operational risk requirement and consolidated fixed overheads requirement) intra-group transactions;

with other undertakings in the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group.

01/01/2007

Other provisions about calculating risk capital requirements

BIPRU 8.7.30

(1) This rule applies when the rules applicable under BIPRU 8.7.12 R apply differently for different types of firms.
(2) Where a firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group is a group identified at Stage 1 in BIPRU 8 Annex 5 (Decision tree for identifying the consolidated capital resources requirement of a UK consolidation group or a non-EEA sub-group), the rules that apply are those that apply to a bank that is a BIPRU firm.
(3) Where a firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group is a group identified at Stage 2 in BIPRU 8 Annex 5, the rules that apply are those that apply to a full scope BIPRU investment firm.
(4) Where a firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group is a group identified at Stage 3 in BIPRU 8 Annex 5, the rules that apply are those that apply to a BIPRU limited activity firm.
(5) Where a firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group is a group identified at Stage 4 in BIPRU 8 Annex 5, the rules that apply are those that apply to a BIPRU limited licence firm.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.31

If a firm is calculating a risk capital requirement for an undertaking that is not a BIPRU firm it should calculate it as if the undertaking were a BIPRU firm.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.32

Similarly BIPRU 8.7.30 R may have the effect that the risk capital requirement for a BIPRU firm is calculated differently from the way it is on a solo basis. Thus for example if the risk capital requirement is being calculated for a BIPRU limited licence firm that is a subsidiary undertaking of a bank the risk capital requirement should be calculated using the rules for a bank.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.33

A firm should not use an advanced prudential calculation approach for calculating a risk capital requirement unless this is permitted as explained in BIPRU 8.8 (Advanced prudential calculation approaches).

01/01/2007

Use of the solo requirements of another EEA competent authority

BIPRU 8.7.34

A firm may calculate the risk capital requirement for an institution in the firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group that is an EEA firm in accordance with the CRD implementation measures in the EEA firm's EEA State that correspond to the FSA's rules that would otherwise apply under this section if the institution is subject to those CRD implementation measures.

01/01/2007

Use of the solo requirements of a regulator outside the EEA

BIPRU 8.7.35

(1) This rule applies where:

(a) an institution in a firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group is subject to any of the sectoral rules applicable to its financial sector for a state or territory outside the EEA that correspond to the FSA's rules that would otherwise apply under this section;
(b) those sectoral rules are shown in BIPRU 8 Annex 6 (Non-EEA regulators' requirements deemed CRD-equivalent for individual risks) as having been assessed as being equivalent to the FSA rules in relation to the consolidated requirement component in question; and
(c) that institution is incorporated in and has its head office in that state or territory.

(2) If the conditions in this rule are satisfied, a firm may apply the sectoral rules referred to in (1) in order to calculate the risk capital requirement for the institution referred to in (1) provided that:

(a) the firm has no reason to believe that the use of the sectoral rules referred to in (1) would produce a lower figure for the consolidated requirement component than would be produced by calculating the risk capital requirement under the FSA's rules in accordance with this section; or
(b) the firm increases the amount produced under the sectoral rules referred to in (1) and the firm has no reason to believe that the use of such figures would produce a lower figure for the consolidated requirement component than would be produced by calculating the risk capital requirement under the FSA's rules in accordance with this section.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.7.36

If a firm wants to include in its consolidated capital resources requirement a solo capital resource requirement for an individual risk calculated under the rules of a non-EEA regulator not assessed as equivalent in BIPRU 8 Annex 6 (Non -EEA regulators' requirements deemed CRD-equivalent for individual risks) it will need to apply for a waiver. A firm applying for such a waiver should demonstrate that the local requirements result in a capital charge that is at least as much as required under the corresponding FSA rules.

01/01/2007

Use of the consolidated requirements of another EEA competent authority

BIPRU 8.7.37

(1) This rule applies if:

(a) a firm is applying an accounting consolidation approach to part of its UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group under method three as described in BIPRU 8.7.13R (4)(a); and
(b) the part of the group in (a) constitutes the whole of a group subject to the consolidated capital requirements of a competent authority under the CRD implementation measures relating to consolidation under the Banking Consolidation Directive or the Capital Adequacy Directive.

(2) If the conditions in this rule are satisfied, a firm may apply the consolidated capital requirement in (1)(b) as the risk capital requirement for the group identified in (1)(a) so far as that consolidated capital requirement corresponds to the FSA's rules that would otherwise apply under this section.

01/01/2007

Use of the consolidated requirements of a regulator outside the EEA

BIPRU 8.7.38

(1) This rule applies if:

(a) a firm is applying an accounting consolidation approach to part of its UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group under method three as described in BIPRU 8.7.13R (4)(a);
(b) the part of the group in (a) constitutes the whole of a group subject to the consolidated capital requirements of a third country competent authority under the sectoral rules for the banking sector or the investment services sector; and
(c) those sectoral rules are shown in BIPRU 8 Annex 6 (Non-EEA regulators' requirements deemed CRD-equivalent for individual risks) as having been assessed as being equivalent to the FSA's rules in relation to the consolidated requirement component in question.

(2) If the conditions in this rule are satisfied, a firm may apply the consolidated capital requirement in (1)(b) as the risk capital requirement for the group identified in (1)(a) so far as that consolidated capital requirement corresponds to the FSA's rules that would otherwise apply under this section. However a firm may only do this if it also complies with BIPRU 8.7.35R (2).

01/01/2007

Use of an advanced prudential calculation approach under the rules of an overseas regulator

BIPRU 8.7.39

A firm should not use the requirements of an overseas regulator if that would involve the use of an advanced prudential calculation approach unless this is permitted under BIPRU 8.8 (Advanced prudential calculation approaches).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.8

Advanced prudential calculation approaches

01/01/2007

General

BIPRU 8.8.1

A firm must not apply any advanced prudential calculation approach for the purposes of this chapter unless it has an advanced prudential calculation approach permission and that advanced prudential calculation approach permission requires the firm to use that advanced prudential calculation approach for those purposes.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.8.2

BIPRU 1.3 (Applications for advanced approaches) deals with how to apply for an advanced prudential calculation approach permission.

01/01/2007

Prohibition on using the rules of an overseas regulator

BIPRU 8.8.3

Even if a firm has an advanced prudential calculation approach permission that allows it to use an advanced prudential calculation approach for the purposes of this chapter, the firm may not use the requirements of another state or territory to the extent they provide for that advanced prudential calculation approach. Therefore a firm may not use BIPRU 8.7.34 R to BIPRU 8.7.38 R (Use of the capital requirements of an overseas regulator) if that would involve using an advanced prudential calculation approach.

01/01/2007

Special provisions relating to the internal ratings based approach

BIPRU 8.8.4

The conditions in BIPRU 4.2.26 R (Combined use of methodologies under the IRB approach) apply to a firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group as if that group were a single undertaking.

01/01/2007

Special provisions relating to the advanced measurement approach

BIPRU 8.8.5

BIPRU 6.5.27 R (6) (Insurance should be provided by a third party entity for the purposes of the advanced measurement approach) is amended to provide that the insurance must be provided by an undertaking that is not in the same group as the firm or other members of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group. In the case of insurance through captives and affiliates, the exposure must be laid off to an independent undertaking that is not in the same group as the firm or other members of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group, for example through reinsurance that meets the eligibility criteria.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.8.6

In the case of insurance through captives and affiliates, the exposure should be laid off outside the firm's group to an independent third party.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.8.7

BIPRU 8.7.26 R deals with the combination of the advanced measurement approach with other approaches to operational risk on a group level.

01/01/2007

Special provisions relating to the CCR internal model method

BIPRU 8.8.8

BIPRU 8.7.17 R deals with the combination of the CCR internal model method with other approaches to calculating exposure values on a group level.

01/01/2007

Corporate governance arrangement for the IRB approach and the AMA

BIPRU 8.8.9

The governance arrangements that apply to the governing body, the senior management and any designated committee of a firm in relation to the IRB approach or the AMA also apply to the body or persons with equivalent powers with respect to the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group. Where the parent undertaking and its subsidiary undertakings use rating systems on a unified basis, the approval and reporting process described in BIPRU 4.3.12 G (Approval and reporting arrangements for the IRB approach where rating systems are used on a unified group basis) and BIPRU 6.5.32 G (Approval and reporting arrangements for the AMA where rating systems are used on a unified group basis) apply for the purpose of this paragraph too.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.9

Consolidated concentration risk requirements

01/01/2007

Main rule

BIPRU 8.9.1

BIPRU 10 (Concentration risk requirements) applies to a firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group as if it were a single undertaking, subject to the rest of this section.

01/01/2007

Definition of consolidated capital resources for concentration risk purposes

BIPRU 8.9.2

BIPRU 8.6 (Consolidated capital resources) applies for the purpose of this section subject to the adjustments required by BIPRU 8.9.1 R. In particular BIPRU 10.5.2 R to BIPRU 10.5.5 R (Definition of capital resources for concentration risk purposes) apply on a consolidated basis.

01/01/2007

Calculation of the concentration risk capital component

BIPRU 8.9.3

A firm must calculate the consolidated credit risk requirement so far as it relates to the concentration risk capital component under BIPRU 8.9.1 R. In particular a firm must not use the capital requirements of a regulator other than the FSA so far as they correspond to the concentration risk capital component.

01/01/2007

Treasury Concession

BIPRU 8.9.4

A firm may only treat an exposure as exempt under BIPRU 10.7.1 R (Treasury Concession) as applied on a consolidated basis if the exposure is of a member of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group that is a BIPRU firm or that has its head office in the UK and that exposure is or (if that rule applied to the undertaking in question) would be exempt under BIPRU 10.7.1 R on a solo basis. The following adjustments apply:

(1) the exposure must be to a consolidation concentration risk group counterparty; and
(2) the limit in BIPRU 10.7.2 R (Exemption limited to 50% of a firm's capital resources) is calculated on a consolidated basis.

01/01/2007

Intra-group securities financing transactions

BIPRU 8.9.5

A firm may only treat an exposure as exempt under BIPRU 10.7.4 R (Intra-group securities financing transactions) as applied on a consolidated basis if the exposure is or (if that rule applied to the undertaking in question) would be exempt under BIPRU 10.7.4 R on a solo basis. BIPRU 10.7.6 R (Abuse of the exemption) continues to apply. The exemption is not available if the firm uses the CCR internal model method for securities financing transactions for the purpose of this chapter.

01/01/2007

UK integrated groups and wider integrated groups

BIPRU 8.9.6

In many cases there is no need for the UK integrated groups and wider integrated groups regime in BIPRU 10.8 and BIPRU 10.9 to apply on a consolidated basis under this chapter as intra-group exposures within a UK consolidation group will be eliminated on consolidation. However it may be applicable to some group structures. For example a UK consolidation group may be part of a wider EEA or third country group. If the group has two or more UK consolidation groups in the United Kingdom because there is no common parent undertaking in the United Kingdom the regime may enable exposures between the two UK consolidation groups to be exempted. Likewise the regime may allow a firm to exempt exposures between its UK group and the wider worldwide group of which it forms part.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.9.7

BIPRU 10.8 (Concentration risk requirements: UK integrated groups) and BIPRU 10.9 (Concentration risk requirements: Wider integrated groups) do not apply on a consolidated basis under this chapter. BIPRU 8.9.8 R to BIPRU 8.9.27 R apply instead.

01/01/2007

UK integrated groups: Introduction

BIPRU 8.9.8

(1) BIPRU 8.9.9 R to BIPRU 8.9.15 R apply with respect to a firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group (a "group") if:

(a) the group is part of a consolidation UK integrated group; and
(b) the firm gives notice in accordance with BIPRU 8.9.27 R that it will apply those rules with respect to that group.

(2) If (1) applies with respect to a firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group, the firm must apply BIPRU 8.9.9 R to BIPRU 8.9.15 R to all exposures to all consolidation concentration risk group counterparties and not just some of them.

01/01/2007

UK integrated groups: Definition of consolidation UK integrated group

BIPRU 8.9.9

An undertaking which is not itself a member of a firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group (a "group") is a member of that group's consolidation UK integrated group if it satisfies the following conditions:

(1) it is a consolidation concentration risk group counterparty;
(2) it is an institution, financial holding company, financial institution, asset management company or ancillary services undertaking;
(3) it is established in the United Kingdom and either it is incorporated in the United Kingdom or (if that undertaking is of a type that falls within the scope of that Regulation) the centre of its main interests is situated within the United Kingdom within the meaning of the Council Regulation of 29 May 2000 on insolvency proceedings (Regulation 1346/2000/EC);
(4) the group and that undertaking are subject to the same risk evaluation, measurement and control procedures; and
(5) there is no current or foreseen material practical or legal impediment to the prompt transfer of capital resources or repayment of liabilities from the undertaking to any member of the group that has an exposure to that undertaking.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.9.10

Firms are referred to the guidance in BIPRU 3.2.30 G and BIPRU 3.2.31 G (guidance relating to 0% risk weights for intra-group exposures under the standardised approach) on the prompt transfer of capital resources and repayment of liabilities.

01/01/2007

UK integrated groups: Definition of consolidation concentration risk group counterparty

BIPRU 8.9.11

A consolidation concentration risk group counterparty means, in relation to a firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group (a "relevant group"), an undertaking that satisfies the following conditions:

(1) it is not a member of the relevant group;
(2) it is:

(a) a parent undertaking of a member of the relevant group;
(b) a subsidiary undertaking of a member of the relevant group; or
(c) a subsidiary undertaking of a parent undertaking falling into (a); and

(3) the undertaking and each member of the relevant group are:

(a) (if the relevant group is a non-EEA sub-group) included within the scope of consolidation on a full basis with respect to the same UK consolidation group ;
(b) included within the scope of consolidation on a full basis with respect to the same group by a competent authority of an EEA State other than the UK under the CRD implementation measures about consolidated supervision in that EEA State; or
(c) (provided that this consolidation is carried out to standards equivalent to those in (a) and (b)) included within the scope of consolidation on a full basis with respect to the same group by a third country competent authority under prudential rules for the banking sector or investment services sector of or administered by that third country competent authority.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.9.12

For the purposes of BIPRU 8.9.11R (3)(c), a group is subject to consolidation to equivalent standards only if a member of that group has been notified in writing by the FSA or a competent authority of another EEA State pursuant to Article 143 of the Banking Consolidation Directive that that group is subject to equivalent supervision.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.9.13

An undertaking is included within the scope of consolidation of a group on a full basis if it is at the head of the group or if its assets and liabilities are taken into account in full as referred to in BIPRU 8.5.4 R (Basis of inclusion of undertakings in consolidation).

01/01/2007

UK integrated groups: Revised concentration risk limits

BIPRU 8.9.14

A firm must treat exposures of members of the firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group (the "relevant group") to consolidation concentration risk group counterpartsies as follows:

(1) exposures of a member of the relevant group that has its head office in the UK to a member of the relevant group's consolidation UK integrated group are exempt; and
(2) all exposures falling into this rule not in (1) must be treated in accordance with BIPRU 8.9.15 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.9.15

A firm must treat exposures falling into BIPRU 8.9.14R (2) as follows:

(1) the firm must apply the rules set out in BIPRU 10.8.7 R (List of concentration risk rules that apply to UK integrated groups) on a consolidated basis under BIPRU 8.9.1 R with respect to its UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group;
(2) the other limits in BIPRU 10.5 (Concentration risk requirements: Limits on exposures and large exposures) do not apply, subject to BIPRU 8.9.26 R; and
(3) all those exposures must be treated as being to a single undertaking.

01/01/2007

Wider integrated groups: Introduction

BIPRU 8.9.16

BIPRU 8.9.17 R to BIPRU 8.9.24 R apply with respect to a firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group (a "group") if:

(1) the firm has a wider integrated group permission that applies on a consolidated basis with respect to that group; and
(2) the group is part of a consolidation UK integrated group and of a consolidation wider integrated group.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.9.17

If BIPRU 8.9.16 R applies with respect to a firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group, the firm must apply BIPRU 8.9.18 R to BIPRU 8.9.24 R to all to exposures to all consolidation concentration risk group counterparties and not just some of them.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.9.18

If BIPRU 8.9.16 R applies, BIPRU 8.9.8 R to BIPRU 8.9.12 R do not apply.

01/01/2007

Wider integrated groups: Definition of wider integrated group

BIPRU 8.9.19

An undertaking that is not itself a member of a firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group (a "relevant group") is a member of the relevant group's consolidation wider integrated group if it satisfies all the conditions for membership of the consolidation UK integrated group except BIPRU 8.9.9R (3).

01/01/2007

Wider integrated groups: Revised concentration risk limits

BIPRU 8.9.20

A firm must treat exposures of members of the firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group (the "relevant group") to consolidation concentration risk group counterparties as follows:

(1) exposures of a member of the relevant group with its head office in the UK to a member of the relevant group's consolidation UK integrated group are exempt; and
(2) all exposures falling into this rule not in (1) must be treated in accordance with BIPRU 8.9.21 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.9.21

A firm must treat exposures falling into BIPRU 8.9.20R (2) as follows:

(1) the firm must apply the rules set out in BIPRU 10.9.9 R (List of concentration risk rules that apply to wider integrated group) on a consolidated basis under BIPRU 8.9.1 R with respect to its UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group;
(2) the other limits in BIPRU 10.5 (Concentration risk requirements: Limits on exposures and large exposures) do not apply, subject to BIPRU 8.9.26 R;
(3) the firm must treat all exposures in a single diverse block as exposures to a single undertaking; and
(4) the firm must treat all exposures in the residual block as exposures to a single undertaking.

01/01/2007

Wider integrated groups: Definition of diverse block

BIPRU 8.9.22

Exposures are treated as being in a single diverse block if:

(1) they are eligible to be included in a diverse block; and
(2) they are to undertakings that are designated by the wider integrated group permission as being associated with the same diverse block.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8.9.23

An exposure is only eligible for inclusion in a diverse block if one of the following conditions is satisfied:

(1) it is an exposure of a member of the firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group (the "group") with its head office in the UK to a member of the group's consolidation wider integrated group; or
(2) it is an exposure of a member of the group with its head office outside the UK to:

(a) a member of the consolidation UK integrated group; or
(b) a member of the consolidation wider integrated group.

01/01/2007

Wider integrated groups: Definition of residual block

BIPRU 8.9.24

The residual block consists of all exposures to group concentration risk group counterparties falling into BIPRU 8.9.20R (2) not included in a diverse block.

01/01/2007

Capital base for a UK integrated groups or wider integrated group

BIPRU 8.9.25

The capital base against which exposure limits are tested under the consolidation UK integrated group or consolidation wider integrated group regimes under this section remains that of the firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group. It is not extended to cover the consolidation UK integrated group. This is in contrast with the integrated groups regime on a solo basis, where the capital base is extended from the firm to cover the firm's UK integrated group.

01/01/2007

Trading book excesses for UK integrated groups and wider integrated groups

BIPRU 8.9.26

BIPRU 10.10 (Concentration risk requirements: Trading book excess) (as applied by BIPRU 8.9.1 R) applies to a firm applying the treatments set out BIPRU 8.9.8 R to BIPRU 8.9.24 R.

01/01/2007

Notification procedures for UK integrated groups and wider integrated groups

BIPRU 8.9.27

BIPRU 10.11 (Concentration risk requirements: Notification procedures) (as applied by BIPRU 8.9.1 R) applies to a firm applying the treatments set out in BIPRU 8.9.8 R to BIPRU 8.9.24 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8 Annex 1

Decision tree identifying a UK consolidation group

01/01/2007

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8 Annex 2

Examples of how to identify a UK consolidation group

01/01/2007

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8 Annex 3

Examples of how to identify a non-EEA sub-group

01/01/2007

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8 Annex 4

Text of Articles 125 and 126 of the Banking Consolidation Directive

01/01/2007

Article 125

Where a parent undertaking is a parent credit institution in a Member State or an EU parent credit institution, supervision on a consolidated basis shall be exercised by the competent authorities that authorised it under Article 6.

Where the parent of a credit institution is a parent financial holding company in a Member State or an EU parent financial holding company, supervision on a consolidated basis shall be exercised by the competent authorities that authorised that credit institution under Article 6.

Article 126

Where credit institutions authorised in two or more Member States have as their parent the same parent financial holding company in a Member State or the same EU parent financial holding company supervision on a consolidated basis shall be exercised by the competent authorities of the credit institution authorised in the Member State in which the financial holding company was set up.

Where the parents of credit institutions authorised in two or more Member States comprise more than one financial holding company with head offices in different Member States and there is a credit institution in each of these States, supervision on a consolidated basis shall be exercised by the competent authority of the credit institution with the largest balance sheet total.

Where more than one credit institution authorised in the Community has as its parent the same financial holding company and none of these credit institutions has been authorised in the Member State in which the financial holding company was set up, supervision on a consolidated basis shall be exercised by the competent authority that authorised the credit institution with the largest balance sheet total, which shall be considered, for the purposes of this Directive, as the credit institution controlled by an EU parent financial holding company.

In particular cases, the competent authorities may by common agreement waive the criteria referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 if their application would be inappropriate, taking into account the credit institutions and the relative importance of their activities in different countries, and appoint a different competent authority to exercise supervision on a consolidated basis. In these cases, before taking their decision, the competent authorities shall give the EU parent credit institution, or EU parent financial holding company, or credit institution with the largest balance sheet total, as appropriate, an opportunity to state its opinion on that decision.

[Omitted]

Note

The Capital Adequacy Directive says that generally references in Articles 125 and 126 of the Banking Consolidation Directive to credit institution should be read as including ones to CAD investment firms. Also, the Banking Consolidation Directive and the Capital Adequacy Directive apply to the EEA. Therefore for the purposes of BIPRU 8 Articles 125 and 126 of the Banking Consolidation Directive should be read with the following adjustments:

(1)

a reference to a credit institution should be read as being one to a credit institution or CAD investment firm;

(2)

a reference to a parent credit institution in a Member State should be read as being one to a parent institution in a Member State;

(3)

a reference to a EU parent credit institution should be read as being one to an EEA parent institution;

(4)

a reference to a EU parent financial holding company should be read as being one to an EEA parent financial holding company;

(5)

a reference to a Member State should be read as being one to an EEA State;

(6)

a reference to a credit institution authorised in the Community should be read as being to a credit institution or CAD investment firm authorised in an EEA State.

Parent financial holding company in a Member State and financial holding company have the same meaning as they do in the Glossary.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8 Annex 5

Decision tree for identifying the consolidated capital resources requirement of a UK consolidation group or a non-EEA sub-group.

01/01/2007

01/01/2007

BIPRU 8 Annex 6

Non-EEA regulators' requirements deemed CRD-equivalent for individual risks

01/01/2007

Part 1 (Non-EEA banking regulators' requirements deemed CRD-equivalent for individual risks)

Regime regulators

Market risk

Credit
risk

Operational Risk

USA
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
^* a US banking subsidiary will be deemed equivalent for credit risk if:

• it is categorised as well capitalised: and•it scales up its US Basel 1 credit risk requirement by 25%

√
√

X^*
X^*

X
X

Australia
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority [APRA]

√

Canada
Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions [OSFI]

√

Switzerland
Swiss Federal Banking Commission [EBK]

√

√ See note 2

√

Japan
Financial Services Agency, Japan [JFSA]

√

South Africa
South African Reserve Bank [SARB]

√

Hong Kong
Hong Kong Monetary Authority [HKMA]

√

Singapore
Monetary Authority of Singapore [MAS]

√

India
Reserve Bank of India [RBI]

√

Korea
Financial Supervisory Service [FSS]

√

Jersey

√

Guernsey

√

Isle of Man

√

Note 1: A √ denotes that the requirements have been assessed as equivalent to EEA standards.
A X denotes that the requirements have been assessed as not being equivalent to EEA standards.

Note 2: √ International standardised approach only. The treatment of the Lombard loans is not equivalent and they must be treated under the FSA's rules.

Part 2 (Non-EEA investment firm regulators' requirements deemed CRD-equivalent for individual risks)

Regime regulators

Market risk

Credit risk

Operational Risk

Australia
Sydney Futures Exchange
Australian Stock Exchange

√
√

X
X

Canada
Ontario Securities Commission
Quebec Securities Commission
British Columbia Securities Commission
Alberta Securities Commission
Investment dealers Association of Canada

√
√
√
√
√

X
X
X
X
X

Hong Kong
Hong Kong Monetary Authority [HKMA]
Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission

√
√

X
X

Japan
Financial Services Agency, Japan [JFSA]

√

Singapore
Monetary Authority of Singapore [MAS]
Stock Exchange of Singapore

√
√

X
X

South Africa
South African Futures Exchange
Johannesburg Stock Exchange
Bond Exchange of South Africa

√
√
√

X
X
X

Switzerland
Swiss Federal Banking Commission [EBK]

√

√ Note 2

√

USA
Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC): Net Capital rule only
Commodities and Futures Trading Commission

√ Note 3
√

√
X

X
X

Note 1: A √ denotes that the requirements have been assessed as equivalent to EEA standards.
A X denotes that the requirements have been assessed as not being equivalent to EEA standards.

Note 2: √ International standardised approach only. The treatment of Lombard loans is not equivalent and they must be treated under the FSA's rules.

Note 3: √ Where entities are subject to a local regulatory capital requirement.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9

Securitisation

BIPRU 9.1

Application and purpose

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 9.1.1

BIPRU 9.1 applies to a BIPRU firm.

01/01/2007

Purpose

BIPRU 9.1.2

The purpose of BIPRU 9 is to implement:

(1) Articles 94 to 96, paragraphs (1) and (5) of Article 97 , Article 99, Article 100(1) and Article 101;
(2) Points 8 and 9 of Annex V; and
(3) Parts 2, 3 (in part) and 4 of Annex IX;

of the Banking Consolidation Directive.

01/01/2007

General obligations: Risk-weighted exposures

BIPRU 9.1.3

A firm must calculate the risk weighted exposure amount for securitisation positions in accordance with BIPRU 9.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.1.4

A firm should apply the securitisation framework set out in this chapter for determining regulatory capital requirements on exposures arising from traditional securitisations and from synthetic securitisations and from structures that contain features of both.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.1.5

Since transactions may be structured in many different ways, the capital treatment of a position should be determined on the basis of its economic substance rather than merely its legal form. A firm should look to the economic substance of a transaction to determine whether the securitisation framework is applicable for purposes of determining regulatory capital. A firm should consult the FSA when there is uncertainty about whether a given transaction should be considered a securitisation.

01/01/2007

General obligations: Systems

BIPRU 9.1.6

The risks arising from securitisation transactions in relation to which a firm is originator or sponsor must be evaluated and addressed through appropriate policies and procedures, to ensure in particular that the economic substance of the transaction is fully reflected in the risk assessment and management decisions.

[Note: BCD Annex V point 8]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.1.7

A firm that is a party to a securitisation should fully understand the risks it has assumed or retained. In particular it should do so in order that it can correctly determine in accordance with BIPRU 9 the capital effects of the securitisation.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.1.8

The FSA expects an originator to continue to monitor any risks that it may be subject to when it has excluded the securitised exposures from its calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts. The originator should consider capital planning implications where risks may return and the impact that securitisation has on the quality of the remaining exposures held by the originator.

01/01/2007

Trading book and non-trading book

BIPRU 9.1.9

BIPRU 9 deals with:

(1) requirements for originators and sponsors of securitisations of non-trading book exposures; and
(2) the calculation of risk weighted exposure amount for securitisation positions for the purposes of calculating either the credit risk capital component or the counterparty risk capital component.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.1.10

BIPRU 7 sets out the calculation of the market risk capital requirement for securitisation positions held in the trading book.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.2

Approach to be used

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.2.1

(1) Where a firm uses the standardised approach set out in BIPRU 3 (Standardised approach to credit risk) for the calculation of risk weighted exposure amount for the standardised credit risk exposure class to which the securitised exposures would otherwise be assigned under BIPRU 3, then it must calculate the risk weighted exposure amount for a securitisation position in accordance with the standardised approach to securitisations set out in BIPRU 9.9, BIPRU 9.10, BIPRU 9.11 and BIPRU 9.13.
(2) In all other cases it must calculate a risk weighted exposure amount in accordance with the IRB approach to securitisations set out in BIPRU 9.9, BIPRU 9.10, BIPRU 9.12, BIPRU 9.13 and BIPRU 9.14.

[Note: BCD Article 94]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.3

Requirements for originators

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.3.1

(1) Where significant credit risk associated with securitised exposures has been transferred from the originator in accordance with the terms of BIPRU 9.4 or BIPRU 9.5, that originator may:

(a) in the case of a traditional securitisation, exclude from its calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts and, as relevant, expected loss amounts, the exposures which it has securitised; and
(b) in the case of a synthetic securitisation, calculate risk weighted exposure amounts and, as relevant, expected loss amounts in respect of such exposures, in accordance with the provisions of BIPRU 9.5.

(2) Where (1) applies, the originator must calculate the risk weighted exposure amounts prescribed in this chapter for the positions it may hold in the securitisation.
(3) Where the originator fails to transfer significant credit risk in accordance with (1), it need not calculate risk weighted exposure amounts for any positions it may hold in the securitisation in question.

[Note: BCD Article 95]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.3.2

Subject to BIPRU 9.3.6 G, for the purposes of BIPRU 9.4.1 R and BIPRU 9.5.1 R the transfer of credit risk to third parties should only be considered significant if the proportion of risk transferred is broadly commensurate with, or exceeds, the proportion by which risk weighted exposure amounts are reduced.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.3.3

For measuring the reduction in risk and risk weighted exposure amounts, an originator should assess the securitisation positions it holds against the underlying exposures if they had never been securitised.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.3.4

An originator should use an appropriate method, consistent with its own internal processes, to assess whether the risk transferred is significant.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.3.5

If the result of,

(1) applying a risk weight of 1250% to all positions that an originator holds in the securitisation; or
(2) deducting all those positions from capital resources;

is a reduction in the originator's capital requirement compared to the capital requirements that would apply had it not transferred the securitised exposures, then the originator may treat the risk transferred as significant for the purposes of BIPRU 9.4.1 R and BIPRU 9.5.1 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.3.6

An originator should not adjust its assessment of the transfer of risk in order to reflect uncertainties related to the effectiveness of a securitisation under BIPRU 9.4 or BIPRU 9.5. Instead the originator should treat the terms of BIPRU 9.4 or BIPRU 9.5 as not having been satisfied.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.4

Traditional securitisation

01/01/2007

Minimum requirements for recognition of significant credit risk transfer

BIPRU 9.4.1

The originator of a traditional securitisation may exclude securitised exposures from the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts if significant credit risk associated with the securitised exposures has been transferred to third parties and the transfer complies with the conditions in BIPRU 9.4.2 R BIPRU 9.4.10 R.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 2 point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.4.2

The securitisation documentation must reflect the economic substance of the transaction.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 2 point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.4.3

The securitised exposures must be put beyond the reach of the originator and its creditors, including in bankruptcy and receivership. This must be supported by the opinion of qualified legal counsel.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 2 point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.4.4

Legal counsel's opinions should be reviewed as necessary. For example, an opinion should be reviewed if a relevant statutory provision is amended or where a new decision or judgment of a court might have a bearing on the conclusions reached.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.4.5

The securities issued must not represent payment obligations of the originator.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 2 point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.4.6

The transferee must be a securitisation special purpose entity.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 2 point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.4.7

The originator must not maintain effective or indirect control over the transferred exposures.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 2 point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.4.8

Where there is a clean-up call option, the following conditions must be satisfied:

(1) the clean-up call option is exercisable at the discretion of the originator;
(2) the clean-up call option may only be exercised when 10% or less of the original value of the exposures securitised remains unamortised; and
(3) the clean-up call option is not structured to avoid allocating losses to credit enhancement positions or other positions held by investors and is not otherwise structured to provide credit enhancement.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 2 point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.4.9

The securitisation documentation must not contain clauses that:

(1) other than in the case of early amortisation provisions, require positions in the securitisation to be improved by the originator including but not limited to altering the underlying credit exposures or increasing the yield payable to investors in response to a deterioration in the credit quality of the securitised exposures; or
(2) increase the yield payable to holders of positions in the securitisation in response to a deterioration in the credit quality of the underlying pool.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 2 point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.4.10

For the purposes of BIPRU 9.4.7 R, an originator will be considered to have maintained effective control over the transferred exposures if it has the right to repurchase from the transferee the previously transferred exposures in order to realise their benefits or if it is obligated to re-assume transferred risk. The originator's retention of servicing rights or obligations in respect of the exposures does not of itself constitute indirect control of the exposures.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 2 point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.5

Synthetic securitisation

01/01/2007

Minimum requirements for recognition of significant credit risk transfer

BIPRU 9.5.1

(1) An originator of a synthetic securitisation may calculate risk weighted exposure amount , and, as relevant, expected loss amounts, for the securitised exposures in accordance with BIPRU 9.5.3 R and BIPRU 9.5.4 R, if significant credit risk has been transferred to third parties, either through funded or unfunded credit protection, and the transfer complies with the conditions in (2)-(5).
(2) The securitisation documentation must reflect the economic substance of the transaction.
(3) The credit protection by which the credit risk is transferred must comply with the eligibility and other requirements under BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) and, so far as applicable, BIPRU 4.10 (Credit risk mitigation under the IRB approach) for the recognition of such credit protection. For the purposes of this rule, securitisation special purpose entities must not be recognised as eligible unfunded protection providers.
(4) The instruments used to transfer credit risk must not contain terms or conditions that:

(a) impose significant materiality thresholds below which credit protection is deemed not to be triggered if a credit event occurs;
(b) allow for the termination of the protection due to deterioration of the credit quality of the underlying exposures;
(c) other than in the case of early amortisation provisions, require positions in the securitisation to be improved by the originator; or
(d) increase the originator's cost of credit protection or the yield payable to holders of positions in the securitisation in response to a deterioration in the credit quality of the underlying pool.

(5) An opinion must be obtained from qualified legal counsel confirming the enforceability of the credit protection in all relevant jurisdictions.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 2 point 2]

01/01/2007

Originators' calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts for exposures securitised in a synthetic securitisation

BIPRU 9.5.2

BIPRU 9.5.3 R-BIPRU 9.5.8 R apply to the calculation by an originator of risk weighted exposure amounts for exposures securitised in a synthetic securitisation.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.5.3

(1) In calculating risk weighted exposure amounts for the securitised exposures, where the conditions in BIPRU 9.5.1 R are met, the originator of a synthetic securitisation must, subject to the treatment of maturity mismatches set out in BIPRU 9.5.6 R-BIPRU 9.5.8 R, use the relevant calculation methodologies set out in BIPRU 9.9-BIPRU 9.14and not those set out in BIPRU 3 (Standardised credit risk) or BIPRU 4 (IRB approach).
(2) For firms calculating risk weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts under the IRB approach, the expected loss amount in respect of such exposures must be zero.
(3) For clarity, this paragraph refers to the entire pool of exposures included in the securitisation.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 2 point 3 and point 4 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.5.4

Subject to the treatment of maturity mismatches set out in BIPRU 9.5.6 R-BIPRU 9.5.8 R, the originator must calculate risk weighted exposure amounts in respect of all tranches in the securitisation in accordance with the provisions of BIPRU 9.9-BIPRU 9.14. For example, where a tranche is transferred by means of unfunded credit protection to a third party, the risk weight of that third party must be applied to the tranche in the calculation of the originators risk weighted exposure amount.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 2 point 4 (part)]

01/01/2007

Treatment of maturity mismatches in synthetic securitisations

BIPRU 9.5.5

BIPRU 9.5.6 R-BIPRU 9.5.8 R apply to the treatment of maturity mismatches in a synthetic securitisation.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.5.6

For the purposes of calculating risk weighted exposure amounts in accordance with BIPRU 9.5.3 R, any maturity mismatch between the credit protection by which the tranching is achieved and the securitised exposures must be taken into consideration in accordance with BIPRU 9.5.7 R-BIPRU 9.5.8 R.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 2 point 5]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.5.7

The maturity of the securitised exposures must be taken to be the longest maturity of any of those exposures subject to a maximum of five years. The maturity of the credit protection must be determined in accordance with BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) and, so far as relevant, BIPRU 4.10 (Credit risk mitigation under the IRB approach).

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 2 point 6]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.5.8

(1) An originator must ignore any maturity mismatch in calculating risk weighted exposure amounts for tranches appearing pursuant to BIPRU 9.9-BIPRU 9.14 with a risk weight of 1250%. For all other tranches the maturity mismatch treatment prescribed in BIPRU 5.8 (Maturity mismatches) must be applied in accordance with the following formula:

RW* is [RW(SP) x (t-t*)/(T-t*)] + [RW(Ass) x (T-t)/(T-t*)]

(2) The following apply for the purposes of the formula in (1):

(a) RW* is risk weighted exposure amounts;
(b) RW(Ass) is risk weighted exposure amounts for exposures if they had not been securitised calculated on a pro-rata basis;
(c) RW(SP) is risk weighted exposure amounts calculated under BIPRU 9.6.3 G as if there was no maturity mismatch;
(d) T is maturity of the underlying exposures expressed in years;
(e) t is maturity of credit protection expressed in years; and
(f) t* is 0.25.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 2 point 7]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.6

Implicit support

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.6.1

An originator which, in respect of a securitisation, has made use of BIPRU 9.3.1 R in the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts, or a sponsor, must not, with a view to reducing potential or actual losses to investors, provide support to the securitisation beyond its contractual obligations.

[Note: BCD Article 101(1)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.6.2

If an originator or sponsor fails to comply with BIPRU 9.6.1 R in respect of a securitisation, it must:

(1) hold capital against all of the securitised exposures associated with the securitisation transaction as if they had not been securitised; and
(2) disclose publicly:

(a) that it has provided non-contractual support, and
(b) the regulatory capital impact of doing so.

[Note: BCD Article 101(2)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.6.3

(1) Securitisation documentation should make clear, where applicable, that any repurchase of securitised exposures or securitisation positions by the originator or sponsor beyond its contractual obligations is not mandatory and may only be made at fair market value. In general, any such repurchase should be subject to a firm's credit review and approval process, which should be adequate to ensure that the repurchase complies with BIPRU 9.6.1 R.
(2) If an originator or sponsor repurchases securitised exposures or securitisation positions, it should be able to satisfy the FSA that it has adequately considered the following:

(a) the price of the repurchase;
(b) the firm's capital and liquidity position before and after repurchase;
(c) the performance of the securitised exposures; and
(d) the performance of the issued securities;

and has concluded that, taking into account those factors and any other relevant factors, the repurchase is not structured to provide support.
(3) A firm should keep adequate records of the matters in (1) and (2).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.6.4

If a firm is found to have provided implicit support to a securitisation, that fact increases the expectation that the firm will provide future support to its securitisations thus failing to achieve a significant transfer of risk. The FSA will consider taking appropriate measures to reflect this increased expectation after an instance of implicit support is found.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.6.5

A firm may need to consider three main situations to determine whether there is a breach of the prohibition against implicit support in BIPRU 9.6.1 R:

(1) support given under a contractual obligation;
(2) support given under the contractual documentation for the securitisation which the firm is entitled, but not obliged, to give; and
(3) support which is not provided for under the contractual documentation for the securitisation.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.6.6

(1) The support described in BIPRU 9.6.5 G (1) is permitted by BIPRU 9.6.1 R.
(2) The support described in BIPRU 9.6.5 G (3) is not permitted by BIPRU 9.6.1 R.
(3) The support described in BIPRU 9.6.5 G (2) may be permitted by BIPRU 9.6.1 R under the following conditions:

(a) the fact that the firm may give it is expressly set out in the contractual and marketing documents for the securitisation;
(b) the nature of the support that the firm may give is precisely described in the documentation;
(c) the maximum degree of support that can be given can be ascertained at the time of the securitisation both by the firm and by a person whose only information comes from the marketing documents for the securitisation;
(d) the assessment of whether there has been significant risk transfer and the amount of that transfer is made on the basis that the firm will provide support to the maximum degree possible; and
(e) the firm's capital resources and capital resources requirement are adjusted at the time of the securitisation on the basis that the firm has provided support to the maximum degree possible, whether by an immediate deduction from capital or appropriate risk weighting.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.6.7

A waiver of the right to future margin income may not breach the prohibition against implicit support:

(1) the degree of support that can be given can be defined precisely by reference to the securitisation contractual documentation , albeit the amount of support may not be ascertainable in absolute monetary terms; and
(2) no adjustment to the firm's capital resources or capital resources requirement is required, as a firm should not in any case reflect future margin income in its income or capital resources.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.6.8

For the purposes of BIPRU 9.6.2 R (2), firms will be expected to include disclosure of implicit support in accordance with the general and technical requirements on public disclosure, as outlined in BIPRU 11 (Disclosure).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.7

Recognition of credit assessments of ECAIs

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.7.1

An ECAI's credit assessment may be used to determine the risk weight of a securitisation position in accordance with BIPRU 9.9 only if the ECAI is an eligible ECAI.

[Note: BCD Article 97(1)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.7.2

(1) A firm may not use a credit assessment of an eligible ECAI to determine the risk weight of a securitisation position in accordance with BIPRU 9.9 unless it complies with the principles of credibility and transparency as elaborated in (2) to (4).
(2) There must be no mismatch between the types of payments reflected in the credit assessment and the types of payment to which the firm is entitled under the contract giving rise to the securitisation position in question.
(3) The credit assessment must be available publicly to the market. Credit assessments may only be treated as publicly available if:

(a) they have been published in a publicly accessible forum, and
(b) they are included in the ECAI's transition matrix.

(4) Credit assessments that are made available only to a limited number of entities may not be treated as publicly available.

[Note: BCD Article 97(5) and Annex IX Part 3 point 1]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.7.3

The guidance in BIPRU 3.3 (Recognition of ratings agencies) applies for the purposes of BIPRU 9 as it does to exposure risk weighting in BIPRU 3, save that the reference in BIPRU 3.3 to the regulation 22 of the Capital Requirements Regulations 2006 should be read as a reference to regulation 23 of the Capital Requirements Regulations 2006 for the purposes of BIPRU 9.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.8

Use of ECAI credit assessments for the determination of applicable risk weights

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.8.1

The use of ECAIs' credit assessments for the calculation of a firm's risk weighted exposure amounts under BIPRU 9 must be consistent and in accordance with BIPRU 9.8.2 R BIPRU 9.8.7 R. Credit assessments must not be used selectively.

[Note: BCD Article 99]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.8.2

A firm may nominate one or more eligible ECAIs the credit assessments of which must be used in the calculation of its risk weighted exposure amounts under BIPRU 9 (a nominated ECAI).

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 3 point 2]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.8.3

Subject to BIPRU 9.8.5 R BIPRU 9.8.7 R, a firm must use credit assessments from nominated ECAIs consistently in respect of its securitisation positions.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 3 point 3]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.8.4

Subject to BIPRU 9.8.5 R and BIPRU 9.8.6 R, a firm must not use an ECAI's credit assessments for its positions in some tranches and another ECAI's credit assessments for its positions in other tranches within the same structure that may or may not be rated by the first ECAI.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 3 point 4]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.8.5

Where a position has two credit assessments by nominated ECAIs, the firm must use the less favourable credit assessment.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 3 point 5]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.8.6

Where a position has more than two credit assessments by nominated ECAIs, the two most favourable credit assessments must be used. If the two most favourable assessments are different, the least favourable of the two must be used.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 3 point 6]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.8.7

(1) Where credit protection eligible under BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) and, if applicable, BIPRU 4.10 (Credit risk mitigation under the IRB approach) is provided directly to the SSPE, and that protection is reflected in the credit assessment of a position by a nominated ECAI, the risk weight associated with that credit assessment may be used.
(2) If the protection is not eligible under BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) and, if applicable, BIPRU 4.10 (Credit risk mitigation under the IRB approach), the credit assessment must not be recognised.
(3) In the situation where the credit protection is not provided to the SSPE but rather is provided directly to a securitisation position, the credit assessment must not be recognised.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 3 point 7]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.9

Calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts for securitisation positions

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.9.1

To calculate the risk weighted exposure amount of a securitisation position, the relevant risk weight must be assigned to the exposure value of the position in accordance with BIPRU 9.9 - BIPRU 9.14 based on the credit quality of the position.

[Note: BCD Article 96(1) (part) and Annex IX, Part 4 point 1]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.9.2

For the purpose of BIPRU 9.9.1 R, the credit quality of a position may be determined by reference to an ECAI credit assessment or otherwise, as set out in BIPRU 9.9 BIPRU 9.14.

[Note: BCD Article 96(1) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.9.3

(1) Where there is an exposure to different tranches in a securitisation, the exposure to each tranche must be considered a separate securitisation position.
(2) The providers of credit protection to securitisation positions must be treated as holding positions in the securitisation.
(3) securitisation positions include exposures to a securitisation arising from interest rate or currency derivative contracts.

[Note: BCD Article 96(2)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.9.4

Subject to BIPRU 9.9.5 R,

(1) where a firm calculates risk weighted exposure amounts under the standardised approach to securitisations outlined in BIPRU 9.11, the exposure value of an on-balance sheet securitisation position must be its balance sheet value;
(2) where a firm calculates risk weighted exposure amounts under the IRB approach to securitisations outlined in BIPRU 9.12, the exposure value of an on-balance sheet securitisation position must be measured gross of value adjustments;
(3) the exposure value of an off-balance sheet securitisation position must be its nominal value multiplied by a conversion figure as prescribed in this chapter; and
(4) the conversion figure referred to in (3) must be 100% unless otherwise specified.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 2]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.9.5

The exposure value of a securitisation position arising from a financial derivative instrument must be determined in accordance with BIPRU 13 (Treatment of derivative instruments).

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 3]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.9.6

Where a securitisation position is subject to funded credit protection, the exposure value of that position may be modified in accordance with and subject to the requirements of BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) as further specified in BIPRU 9.11.13 R and BIPRU 9.14.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 4]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.9.7

Where a securitisation position is subject to funded or unfunded credit protection the risk weight to be applied to that position may be modified in accordance with BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) and, if applicable, BIPRU 4.10 (Credit risk mitigation under the IRB approach) read in conjunction with BIPRU 9.14.

[Note: BCD Article 96(3)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.9.8

(1) Where a firm has two or more overlapping positions in a securitisation the firm must, to the extent that the positions overlap, include in its calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts only the position, or portion of a position, producing the higher risk weighted exposure amounts.
(2) For the purposes of (1), overlapping means that the positions, wholly or partially, represent an exposure to the same risk such that to the extent of the overlap there is a single exposure.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 5]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.9.9

Subject to the provisions of GENPRU that deal with the deduction of securitisation positions at stage M in the relevant capital resources table, the risk weighted exposure amount must be included in the firm's total of risk weighted exposure amounts for the purposes of the calculation of its credit risk capital requirement.

[Note: BCD Article 96(4)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.10

Reduction in risk-weighted exposure amounts

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.10.1

BIPRU 9.10 applies as follows:

(1) BIPRU 9.10.2 R and BIPRU 9.10.3 R apply to both the standardised approach and the IRB approach; and
(2) BIPRU 9.10.4 R BIPRU 9.10.7 R apply to the IRB approach.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.10.2

In respect of a securitisation position in respect of which a 1250% risk weight is assigned, a firm may, as an alternative to including the position in its calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts, deduct from its capital resources the exposure value of the position. For these purposes, the calculation of the exposure value may reflect eligible funded protection in a manner consistent with BIPRU 9.14.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 points 35, 74 and 75(b)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.10.3

Where a firm applies BIPRU 9.10.2 R, 12.5 times the amount deducted in accordance with that paragraph must, for the purposes of BIPRU 9.11.5 R and BIPRU 9.12.8 R, be subtracted from the amount specified in whichever of those rules applies as the maximum risk weighted exposure amount to be calculated by a firm to which one of those rules applies.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 36 and point 76]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.10.4

The risk weighted exposure amount of a securitisation position to which a 1250% risk weight is assigned may be reduced by 12.5 times the amount of any value adjustments made by the firm in respect of the securitised exposures.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 72 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.10.5

To the extent that value adjustments are taken account of for the purposes of BIPRU 9.10.4 R they must not be taken account of for the purposes of the calculation indicated in BIPRU 4.3.8 R (Treatment of expected loss amounts).

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 72 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.10.6

The risk weighted exposure amount of a securitisation position may be reduced by 12.5 times the amount of any value adjustments made by the firm in respect of the position.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 73]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.10.7

For the purposes of BIPRU 9.10.2 R (as it applies to the IRB approach):

(1) the exposure value of the position may be derived from the risk weighted exposure amounts taking into account any reductions made in accordance with BIPRU 9.10.4 R BIPRU 9.10.6 R;
(2) where the supervisory formula method is used to calculate risk weighted exposure amounts and L K_IRBR and [L+T] > K_IRBR the position may be treated as two positions with L equal to K_IRBR for the more senior of the positions.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 75(a) and (c)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.11

Calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts under the standardised approach to securitisations

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.11.1

Subject to BIPRU 9.11.5 R, the risk weighted exposure amount of a rated securitisation position must be calculated by applying to the exposure value the risk weight associated with the credit quality step with which the credit assessment has been determined to be associated, as prescribed in BIPRU 9.11.2 R or BIPRU 9.11.3 R.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 6]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.11.2

Table: Positions other than ones with short-term credit assessments
This table belongs to BIPRU 9.11.1 R

Credit Quality step

5 and below

20%

50%

100%

350%

1250%

[Note: For mapping of the credit quality step to the credit assessments of eligible ECAIs, refer to: www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/international/ecais_securitisation.pdf Opens in a new window]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.11.3

Table: Positions with short-term credit assessments
This table belongs to BIPRU 9.11.1 R

All other credit assessments

Non-trading book exposure

20%

50%

100%

1250%

[Note: For mapping of the credit quality step to the credit assessments of eligible ECAIs, refer to: www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/international/ecais_securitisation.pdf Opens in a new window]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.11.4

Subject to BIPRU 9.11.6 R BIPRU 9.11.12 R, the risk weighted exposure amount of an unrated securitisation position must be calculated by applying a risk weight of 1250%.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 7]

01/01/2007

Originator and sponsor firms

BIPRU 9.11.5

For an originator or sponsor, the risk weighted exposure amounts calculated in respect of its positions in a securitisation may be limited to the risk weighted exposure amounts which would be calculated for the securitised exposures had they not been securitised subject to the presumed application of a 150% risk weight to all past due items and items belonging to regulatory high risk categories (see BIPRU 3.4.104 R and BIPRU 3 Annex 3 R) amongst the securitised exposures.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 8]

01/01/2007

Treatment of unrated securitisation positions

BIPRU 9.11.6

(1) A firm having an unrated securitisation position may apply the treatment set out in this paragraph for calculating the risk weighted exposure amount for that position provided the composition of the pool of exposures securitised is known at all times.
(2) A firm may apply the weighted-average risk weight that would be applied to the securitised exposures referred to in (1) under the standardised approach by a firm holding the exposures multiplied by a concentration ratio.
(3) This concentration ratio is equal to the sum of the nominal amounts of all the tranches divided by the sum of the nominal amounts of the tranches junior to, or pari passu with, the tranche in which the position is held including that tranche itself.
(4) The resulting risk weight must not be higher than 1250% or lower than any risk weight applicable to a rated more senior tranche.
(5) Where the firm is unable to determine the risk weights that would be applied to the securitised exposures under the standardised approach, it must apply a risk weight of 1250% to the position.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 points 9 and 10]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.11.7

(1) This provision contains guidance on the requirement in BIPRU 9.11.6 R (1) that the composition of the pool of exposures securitised must be known at all times.
(2) The composition should be known sufficiently at the time of purchase for the firm to be able accurately to calculate the risk weighted exposure amounts of the pool under the standardised approach.
(3) Thereafter, any change to the composition of the pool during the life of the transaction that would lead to an increase in the risk weighted exposure amount of the pool of exposures under the standardised approach should be either:

(a) prohibited by the documentation; or
(b) included in the firm's capital calculations.

(4) It would be sufficient for the purposes of (2) for the composition of the pool to be reported to the firm at least daily, via information service providers, secure web-sites or other appropriate sources.

01/01/2007

Treatment of securitisation positions in a second loss tranche or better in an ABCP programme

BIPRU 9.11.8

Subject to the availability of a more favourable treatment by virtue of the provisions concerning liquidity facilities in BIPRU 9.11.10 R BIPRU 9.11.12 R, a firm may apply to securitisation positions meeting the conditions set out in BIPRU 9.11.9 R a risk weight that is the greater of:

(1) 100%, or
(2) the highest of the risk weights that would be applied to any of the securitised exposures under the standardised approach by a firm holding the exposures.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 11]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.11.9

For the treatment in BIPRU 9.11.8 R to be available,:

(1) the securitisation position must be in an ABCP programme;
(2) the securitisation position must be in a tranche which is economically in a second loss position or better in the securitisation and the first loss tranche must provide meaningful credit enhancement to the second loss tranche;
(3) the securitisation position must be of a quality the equivalent of investment grade or better; and
(4) the firm in question must not hold a position in the first loss tranche.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 12]

01/01/2007

Treatment of unrated liquidity facilities

BIPRU 9.11.10

When the conditions in this paragraph have been met, and in order to determine its exposure value, a conversion figure of 20% may be applied to the nominal amount of a liquidity facility with an original maturity of one year or less and a conversion figure of 50% may be applied to the nominal amount of a liquidity facility with an original maturity of more than one year. The risk weight to be applied is the highest risk weight that would be applied to any of the securitised exposures under the standardised approach by a firm holding the exposures. Those conditions are as follows:

(1) the liquidity facility documentation must clearly identify and limit the circumstances under which the facility may be drawn;
(2) it must not be possible for the facility to be drawn so as to provide credit support by covering losses already incurred at the time of draw for example, by providing liquidity in respect of exposures in default at the time of draw or by acquiring assets at more than fair value;
(3) the facility must not be used to provide permanent or regular funding for the securitisation;
(4) repayment of draws on the facility must not be subordinated to the claims of investors other than to claims arising in respect of interest rate or currency derivative contracts, fees or other such payments, nor be subject to waiver or deferral;
(5) it must not be possible for the facility to be drawn after all applicable credit enhancements from which the liquidity facility would benefit are exhausted; and
(6) the facility must include a provision that results in an automatic reduction in the amount that can be drawn by the amount of exposures that are in default, where default has the meaning given to it for the purposes of the IRB approach, or where the pool of securitised exposures consists of rated instruments, that terminates the facility if the average quality of the pool falls below investment grade.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 13]

01/01/2007

Liquidity facilities that may be drawn only in the event of a general market disruption

BIPRU 9.11.11

To determine its exposure value a conversion figure of 0% may be applied to the nominal amount of a liquidity facility that may be drawn only in the event of a general market disruption (i.e. where more than one SSPE across different transactions are unable to roll over maturing commercial paper and that inability is not the result of an impairment of the SSPE's credit quality or of the credit quality of the securitised exposures), provided that the conditions set out in BIPRU 9.11.10 R are satisfied.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 14]

01/01/2007

Cash advance facilities

BIPRU 9.11.12

To determine its exposure value, a conversion figure of 0% may be applied to the nominal amount of a liquidity facility that is unconditionally cancellable provided that the conditions set out at BIPRU 9.11.10 R are satisfied and that repayment of draws on the facility are senior to any other claims on the cash flows arising from the securitised exposures.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 15]

01/01/2007

Standardised approach: recognition of credit risk mitigation on securitisation positions

BIPRU 9.11.13

Where a firm calculates the risk weighted exposure amount of a securitisation position under the standardised approach, where credit protection is obtained on a securitisation position, the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts may be modified in accordance with BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation).

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 34]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.12

Calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts under the IRB approach

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.12.1

BIPRU 9.12 applies to the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts of securitisation positions under the IRB approach.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 37 (part)]

01/01/2007

Hierarchy of methods

BIPRU 9.12.2

For a rated position or a position in respect of which an inferred rating may be used, the ratings based method must be used to calculate the risk weighted exposure amount.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 38]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.12.3

For an unrated position the supervisory formula method must be used except where a firm uses the ABCP internal assessment approach.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 39]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.12.4

In cases where both the ABCP internal assessment approach and the supervisory formula method are available, a firm should determine the most appropriate approach and apply that approach consistently.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.12.5

A firm other than an originator or a sponsor may not use the supervisory formula method unless its IRB permission expressly permits it to do so.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 40]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.12.6

Subject to any IRB permission of the type described in BIPRU 9.12.28 G, in the case of an originator or sponsor unable to calculate K_IRB and which has not obtained approval to use the ABCP internal assessment approach, and in the case of other firms where they have not obtained approval to use the supervisory formula method or, for positions in ABCP programmes, the ABCP internal assessment approach, a risk weight of 1250% must be assigned to securitisation positions which are unrated and in respect of which an inferred rating may not be used.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 41]

01/01/2007

Use of inferred ratings

BIPRU 9.12.7

When the following minimum operational requirements are satisfied a firm must attribute to an unrated position an inferred credit assessment equivalent to the credit assessment of those rated positions (the reference positions) which are the most senior positions which are in all respects subordinate to the unrated securitisation position in question:

(1) the reference positions must be subordinate in all respects to the unrated securitisation position;
(2) the maturity of the reference positions must be equal to or longer than that of the unrated position in question; and
(3) on an ongoing basis, any inferred rating must be updated to reflect any changes in the credit assessment of the reference positions.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 42]

01/01/2007

Maximum risk-weighted exposure amounts

BIPRU 9.12.8

For an originator, a sponsor, or for other firms which can calculate K_IRB, the risk weighted exposure amounts calculated in respect of its positions in a securitisation may be limited to that which would produce an amount in respect of its credit risk capital requirement equal to the sum of 8% of the risk weighted exposure amount which would be produced if the securitised assets had not been securitised and were on the balance sheet of the firm plus the expected loss amounts of those exposures.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 45]

01/01/2007

Ratings based method

BIPRU 9.12.9

BIPRU 9.12.10 R to BIPRU 9.12.19 R apply to the calculation of risk weighted exposure amount of securitisation positions under the ratings based method.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.12.10

Under the ratings based method, the risk weighted exposure amount of a rated securitisation position must be calculated by applying to the exposure value the risk weight associated with the credit quality step with which the credit assessment is associated as prescribed in BIPRU 9.12.11 R and BIPRU 9.12.12 R multiplied by 1.06.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 46]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.12.11

Table: Positions other than ones with short-term credit assessments
This table belongs to BIPRU 9.12.10 R

Credit Quality Step (CQS)

Risk weight

CQS 1

12%

20%

CQS 2

15%

25%

CQS 3

10%

18%

35%

CQS 4

12%

20%

CQS 5

20%

35%

CQS 6

35%

50%

CQS 7

60%

75%

CQS 8

100%

CQS 9

250%

CQS 10

425%

CQS 11

650%

Below CQS 11

1250%

[Note: For mapping of the credit quality step to the credit assessments of eligible ECAIs, refer to: www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/international/ecais_securitisation.pdf Opens in a new window]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.12.12

Table: Positions with short term credit assessments
This table belongs to BIPRU 9.12.10 R

Credit Quality Step (CQS)

Risk weight

CQS 1

12%

20%

CQS 2

12%

20%

35%

CQS 3

60%

75%

All other credit assessments

1250%

[Note: For mapping of the credit quality step to the credit assessments of eligible ECAIs, refer to: www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/international/ecais_securitisation.pdf Opens in a new window ]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.12.13

Subject to BIPRU 9.12.16 R and BIPRU 9.12.17 R, the risk weights in column A of each table in BIPRU 9.12.11 R and BIPRU 9.12.12 R must be applied where the position is in the most senior tranche of a securitisation.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 47(part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.12.14

When determining under BIPRU 9.12.13 R whether a tranche is the most senior for these purposes, a firm need not take into consideration amounts due under interest rate or currency derivative contracts, fees due, or other similar payments.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 47 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.12.15

A senior liquidity facility need not be taken into account for the purposes of determining the most senior tranche under BIPRU 9.12.13 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.12.16

A firm may apply a risk weight of 6% to a position in the most senior tranche of a securitisation where that tranche is senior in all respects to another tranche of the securitisation positions which would receive a risk weight of 12% under BIPRU 9.12.10 R, provided that:

(1) it can be demonstrated that this is justified due to the loss absorption qualities of subordinate tranches in the securitisation; and
(2) either the position has an external credit assessment which has been determined to be associated with credit quality step 1 in BIPRU 9.12.11 R and BIPRU 9.12.12 R or, if it is unrated, requirements (1) to (3) in BIPRU 9.12.7 R are satisfied where reference positions are taken to mean positions in the subordinate tranche which would receive a risk weight of 12% under BIPRU 9.12.10 R.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 48]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.12.17

The risk weights in column C of each table in BIPRU 9.12.11 R and BIPRU 9.12.12 R must be applied where the position is in a securitisation where the effective number of exposures securitised is less than six. In calculating the effective number of exposures securitised multiple exposures to one obligor must be treated as one exposure. The effective number of exposures is calculated as:
N = (((_i)(EAD_i))²)/((_i)(EAD_i²))
where EAD_i represents the sum of the exposure values of all exposures to the i^th obligor.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 49(part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.12.18

In the case of resecuritisation, the firm must look at the number of securitisation exposures in the pool and not the number of underlying exposures in the original pools from which the underlying securitisation exposures stem. If the portfolio share associated with the largest exposure, C₁, is available, the firm may compute N as 1/C₁.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 49 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.12.19

The risk weight in Column B in the tables in BIPRU 9.12.11 R and BIPRU 9.12.12 R must be applied to all other positions.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 50]

01/01/2007

The ABCP internal assessment approach

BIPRU 9.12.20

(1) If:

(a) a firm's IRB permission allows it to use this treatment; and
(b) the conditions in (2)(16) are satisfied,

a firm may attribute to an unrated position in an asset backed commercial paper programme a derived rating as laid down in (3).
(2) Positions in the commercial paper issued from the programme must be rated positions.
(3) Under the ABCP internal assessment approach, the unrated position must be assigned by the firm to one of the rating grades described in (5). The position must be attributed a derived rating that is the same as the credit assessments corresponding to that rating grade as laid down in (5). Where this derived rating is, at the inception of the securitisation, at the level of investment grade or better, it must be treated in the same way as an eligible credit assessment by an eligible ECAI for the purposes of calculating risk weighted exposure amounts.
(4) The internal assessment methodology must be used in the firms internal risk management processes, including its decision making, management information and capital allocation processes.
(5) The firms internal assessment methodology must include rating grades. There must be a correspondence between such rating grades and the credit assessments of eligible ECAIs. This correspondence must be explicitly documented.
(6) The firm must be able to satisfy the FSA that its internal assessment of the credit quality of the position reflects the publicly available assessment methodology of one or more eligible ECAIs, for the rating of securities backed by the exposures of the type securitised.
(7) If a firm's IRB permission permits this, a firm need not comply with the requirement for the assessment methodology of the ECAI to be publicly available where it can demonstrate that due to the specific features of the securitisation for example its unique structure - there is as yet no publicly available ECAI assessment methodology.
(8) The ECAIs, the methodology of which must be reflected as required by (6), must include those ECAIs which have provided an external rating for the commercial paper issued from the programme. Quantitative elements such as stress factors used in assessing the position to a particular credit quality must be at least as conservative as those used in the relevant assessment methodology of the ECAIs in question.
(9) In developing its internal assessment methodology the firm must take into consideration relevant published ratings methodologies of the eligible ECAIs that rate the commercial paper of the ABCP programme. This consideration must be documented by the firm and updated regularly, as outlined in (15).
(10) The ABCP programme must have collections policies and processes that take into account the operational capability and credit quality of the servicer. The programme must mitigate seller/servicer risk through various methods, such as triggers based on current credit quality that would preclude commingling of funds.
(11) The ABCP programme must incorporate structural features for example wind down triggers - into the purchase of exposures in order to mitigate potential credit deterioration of the underlying portfolio.
(12) The ABCP programme must incorporate underwriting standards in the form of credit and investment guidelines. In deciding on an asset purchase, the programme administrator must consider the type of asset being purchased, the type and monetary value of the exposures arising from the provision of liquidity facilities and credit enhancements, the loss distribution, and the legal and economic isolation of the transferred assets from the entity selling the assets. A credit analysis of the asset sellers risk profile must be performed and must include analysis of past and expected future financial performance, current market position, expected future competitiveness, leverage, cash flow, and interest coverage, and debt rating. In addition, a review of the sellers underwriting standards, servicing capabilities, and collection processes must be performed.
(13) The ABCP programme's underwriting standards must establish minimum asset eligibility criteria that, in particular,

(a) exclude the purchase of assets that are significantly past due or defaulted;
(b) limit excess concentration to individual obligor or geographic area; and
(c) limit the tenor of the assets to be purchased.

(14) The aggregated estimate of loss on an asset pool that the ABCP programme is considering purchasing must take into account all sources of potential risk, such as credit risk and dilution risk. If the seller-provided credit enhancement is sized based on only credit-related losses, then a separate reserve must be established for dilution risk, if dilution risk is material for the particular exposure pool. In addition, in sizing the required enhancement level, the programme must review several years of historical information, including losses, delinquencies, dilutions, and the turnover rate of the receivables.
(15) Internal or external auditors, an ECAI, or the firm's internal credit review or risk management function must perform regular reviews of the internal assessment process and the quality of the internal assessments of the credit quality of the firms exposures to an ABCP programme. If the firms internal audit, credit review, or risk management functions perform the review, then these functions must be independent of the ABCP programme business line, as well as the customer relationship.
(16) The firm must track the performance of its internal ratings over time to evaluate the performance of its internal assessment methodology and must make adjustments, as necessary, to that methodology when the performance of the exposures routinely diverges from that indicated by the internal ratings.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 points 43 and 44]

01/01/2007

Supervisory formula method

BIPRU 9.12.21

Subject to any permission of the type described in BIPRU 9.12.28 G, under the supervisory formula method, the risk weight for a securitisation position must be the greater of 7% or the risk weight to be applied in accordance with BIPRU 9.12.22 R.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 52]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.12.22

(1) Subject to any permission of the type described in BIPRU 9.12.28 G, the risk weight to be applied to the exposure amount must be:
12.5 (S[L+T] - S[L]) / T
(2) The remaining provisions of this paragraph define the terms used in the formulae in (1) and (3).
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
(14)
(15) In these expressions, Beta [x; a, b]refers to the cumulative beta distribution with parameters a and b evaluated at x.
(16) T (the thickness of the tranche in which the position is held) is measured as the ratio of (a) the nominal amount of the tranche to (b) the sum of the exposure values of the exposures that have been securitised. For these purposes the exposure value of a financial derivative instrument must, where the current replacement cost is not a positive value, be the potential future credit exposure calculated in accordance with BIPRU 13 (Treatment of derivative instruments).
(17) K_IRBR is the ratio of (a) K_IRB to (b) the sum of the exposure values of the exposures that have been securitised. K_IRBR is expressed in decimal form (for example, K_IRB equal to 15% of the pool would be expressed as K_IRBR of 0.15).
(18) L (the credit enhancement level) is measured as the ratio of the nominal amount of all tranches subordinate to the tranche in which the position is held to the sum of the exposure values of the exposures that have been securitised. Capitalised future income must not be included in the measured L. Amounts due by counterparties to financial derivative instruments that represent tranches more junior than the tranche in question may be measured at their current replacement cost (without the potential future credit exposures) in calculating the enhancement level.
(19) N is the effective number of exposures calculated in accordance with BIPRU 9.12.17 R - BIPRU 9.12.18 R.
(20) ELGD, the exposure-weighted average loss-given-default, is calculated as follows:
(21) In (20) LGD_i represents the average LGD associated with all exposures to the i^th obligor, where LGD is determined in accordance with BIPRU 4. In the case of resecuritisation, an LGD of 100% must be applied to the securitised positions. When default risk and dilution risk for purchased receivables are treated in an aggregate manner within a securitisation (e.g. a single reserve or over-collateralisation is available to cover losses from either source), the LGD input must be constructed as a weighted average of the LGD for credit risk and the 75% LGD for dilution risk. The weights are the stand-alone capital charges for credit risk and dilution risk respectively.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 53 (part)]

06/04/2007

Simplified inputs

BIPRU 9.12.23

(1) Under the supervisory formula method, if the exposure value of the largest securitised exposure, C₁, is no more than 3% of the sum of the exposure values of the securitised exposures, then for the purposes of the supervisory formula method the firm may set LGD equal 50% and N equal to either:

(a)
;or
(b) N=1/ C₁.

(2) C_m is the ratio of the sum of the exposure values of the largest 'm' exposures to the sum of the exposure values of the exposures securitised. The level of m may be set by the firm.
(3) For securitisations involving retail exposures, the supervisory formula method may be implemented using the simplifications: h = 0 and v = 0.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 53 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.12.24

Where a securitisation of retail exposures has a sufficiently low value of N for the simplification in BIPRU 9.12.23 R (3) to result in a material change in the capital charge as compared to the position if the approach in BIPRU 9.12.23 R were not taken, a firm should discuss with the FSA the suitability of its use.

01/01/2007

Liquidity Facilities

BIPRU 9.12.25

The provisions in BIPRU 9.12.26 R to BIPRU 9.12.28 G apply for the purposes of determining the exposure value of an unrated securitisation position in the form of certain types of liquidity facility.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 55]

01/01/2007

Liquidity facilities only available in the event of general market disruption

BIPRU 9.12.26

A conversion figure of 20% may be applied to the nominal amount of a liquidity facility that may only be drawn in the event of a general market disruption and that meets the conditions to be an eligible liquidity facility set out in BIPRU 9.11.10 R.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 56]

01/01/2007

Cash advance facilities

BIPRU 9.12.27

A conversion figure of 0% may be applied to the nominal amount of a liquidity facility that meets the conditions set out in BIPRU 9.11.12 R.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 57]

01/01/2007

Exceptional treatment for liquidity facilities where K_IRB cannot be calculated

BIPRU 9.12.28

(1) When it is not practical for the firm to calculate the risk weighted exposure amounts for the securitised exposures as if they had not been securitised and the position does not qualify for the ABCP internal assessment approach, a firm may apply to the FSA for a variation of its IRB permission under which, on an exceptional basis, it may temporarily apply the method in (2) for the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts for an unrated securitisation position in the form of a liquidity facility that meets the conditions to be a liquidity facility set out in BIPRU 9.11.10 R or that falls within the terms of BIPRU 9.12.26 R.
(2) Under the method in this paragraph, the highest risk weight that would be applied under the standardised approach to any of the securitised exposures had they not been securitised may be applied to the securitisation position represented by the liquidity facility. To determine the exposure value of the position a conversion figure of 50% may be applied to the nominal amount of the liquidity facility if the facility has an original maturity of one year or less. If the liquidity facility complies with the conditions in BIPRU 9.12.26 R a conversion figure of 20% may be applied. In other cases a conversion factor of 100% must be applied.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 points 58 and 59]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.13

Securitisations of revolving exposures with early amortisation provisions

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.13.1

Where there is a securitisation of revolving exposures subject to an early amortisation provision, the originator must calculate an additional risk weighted exposure amount in accordance with this section in respect of the risk that the levels of credit risk to which it is exposed may increase following the operation of the early amortisation provision. Accordingly this section sets out how an originator must calculate a risk weighted exposure amount when it sells revolving exposures into a securitisation that contains an early amortisation provision.

[Note: BCD Article 100(1), Annex IX Part 4 points 16 and 68]

01/01/2007

Additional capital requirements for securitisations of revolving exposures with early amortisation provisions

BIPRU 9.13.2

A firm must calculate a risk weighted exposure amount in respect of the sum of the originators interest and the investors interest.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.13.3

For securitisation structures where the securitised exposures comprise revolving exposures and non-revolving exposures, an originator must apply the treatment set out in this section to that portion of the underlying pool containing revolving exposures.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 18]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.13.4

For the purposes of this section, subject to BIPRU 9.13.6 R:

(1) originators interest means the exposure value of that notional part of a pool of drawn amounts sold into a securitisation, the proportion of which in relation to the amount of the total pool sold into the structure determines the proportion of the cash-flows generated by principal and interest collections and other associated amounts which are not available to make payments to those having securitisation positions in the securitisation;
(2) to qualify as such the originators interest may not be subordinate to the investors interest; and
(3) investors interest means the exposure value of the remaining notional part of the pool of drawn amounts.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 19]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.13.5

Subject to BIPRU 9.13.7 R, the exposure of the originator associated with its rights in respect of the originators interest must not be treated as a securitisation position but as a pro rata exposure to the securitised exposures as if they had not been securitised.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 20]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.13.6

(1) For firms using the IRB approach set out in BIPRU 4, this paragraph applies in place of BIPRU 9.13.4 R.
(2) For the purposes of this section, originators interest means the sum of:

(a) the exposure value of that notional part of a pool of drawn amounts sold into a securitisation, the proportion of which in relation to the amount of the total pool sold into the structure determines the proportion of the cash-flows generated by principal and interest collections and other associated amounts which are not available to make payments to those having securitisation positions in the securitisation; and
(b) the exposure value of that part of the pool of undrawn amounts of the credit lines, the drawn amounts of which have been sold into the securitisation, the proportion of which to the total amount of such undrawn amounts is the same as the proportion of the exposure value described in (a) to the exposure value of the pool of drawn amounts sold into the securitisation.

(3) To qualify as such the originators interest may not be subordinate to the investors interest.
(4) Investors interest means the exposure value of the notional part of the pool of drawn amounts not falling within (2)(a) plus the exposure value of that part of the pool of undrawn amounts of credit lines, the drawn amounts of which have been sold into the securitisation, not falling within (2)(b).

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 points 69 and 70]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.13.7

For firms using the IRB approach set out in BIPRU 4, this paragraph applies in place of BIPRU 9.13.5 R. The exposure of the originator associated with its rights in respect of that part of the originators interest described in BIPRU 9.13.6 R (2)(a) must not be treated as a securitisation position but as a pro rata exposure to the securitised drawn amounts as if they had not been securitised in an amount equal to that described in BIPRU 9.13.6 R (2)(a). The originator must also be considered to have a pro rata exposure to the undrawn amounts of the credit lines, the drawn amounts of which have been sold into the securitisation, in an amount equal to that described in BIPRU 9.13.6 R (2)(b).

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 71]

01/01/2007

Exemptions from early amortisation treatment

BIPRU 9.13.8

Originators of the following types of securitisation are exempt from the capital requirement in BIPRU 9.13.1 R:

(1) securitisations of revolving exposures whereby investors remain fully exposed to all future draws by borrowers so that the risk on the underlying facilities does not return to the originator even after an early amortisation event has occurred; and
(2) securitisations where any early amortisation provision is solely triggered by events not related to the performance of the securitised assets or the originator, such as material changes in tax laws or regulations.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 21]

01/01/2007

Maximum capital requirement

BIPRU 9.13.9

For an originator subject to the capital requirement in BIPRU 9.13.1 R the total of the risk weighted exposure amounts in respect of its positions in the investors interest (as defined in BIPRU 9.13.4 R or BIPRU 9.13.6 R) and the risk weighted exposure amounts calculated under BIPRU 9.13.1 R must be no greater than the greater of:

(1) the risk weighted exposure amounts calculated in respect of its positions in the investors interest (as so defined); and
(2) the risk weighted exposure amounts that would be calculated in respect of the securitised exposures by a firm holding the exposures as if they had not been securitised in an amount equal to the investors interest (as so defined).

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 22]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.13.10

Deduction of net gains, if any, arising from the capitalisation of future income required under GENPRU 2.2.90 R (Core tier one capital: profit and loss account and other reserves: Securitisation) must be treated outside the maximum amount indicated in BIPRU 9.13.9 R.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 23]

01/01/2007

Calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts

BIPRU 9.13.11

The risk weighted exposure amount to be calculated in accordance with BIPRU 9.13.1 R must be determined by multiplying the amount of the investors interest (as defined in BIPRU 9.13.4 R or BIPRU 9.13.6 R) by the product of:

(1) the appropriate conversion figure as indicated in BIPRU 9.13.16 R, BIPRU 9.13.19 R or BIPRU 9.13.20 R; and
(2) the weighted average risk weight that would apply to the securitised exposures if the exposures had not been securitised.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 24]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.13.12

An early amortisation provision must be treated as controlled for the purposes of this section where the following conditions are met:

(1) the originator has an appropriate capital/liquidity plan in place to ensure that it has sufficient capital and liquidity available in the event of an early amortisation;
(2) throughout the duration of the transaction there is a pro rata sharing between the originators interest and the investors interest (as defined in BIPRU 9.13.4 R or BIPRU 9.13.6 R) of payments of interest and principal, expenses, losses and recoveries based on the balance of receivables outstanding at one or more reference points during each month;
(3) the amortisation period is considered sufficient for 90% of the total debt (originators and investors interest (as defined in BIPRU 9.13.4 R or BIPRU 9.13.6 R)) outstanding at the beginning of the early amortisation period to have been repaid or recognised as in default; and
(4) the speed of repayment is no more rapid than would be achieved by straight-line amortisation over the period set out in (3).

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 25]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.13.13

In the case of a securitisation meeting the following conditions:

(1) it is subject to an early amortisation provision;
(2) the securitisation is of retail exposures which are uncommitted and unconditionally cancellable without prior notice; and
(3) the early amortisation is triggered by the excess spread level falling to a specified level

a firm must, to calculate the appropriate conversion figure referred to in BIPRU 9.13.11 R, compare the three-month average excess spread level with the excess spread levels at which excess spread is required to be trapped.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 26]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.13.14

Where the securitisation does not require excess spread to be trapped, the trapping point is deemed to be 4.5 percentage points greater than the excess spread level at which an early amortisation is triggered.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 27]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.13.15

The conversion figure to be applied must be determined by the level of the actual three month average excess spread in accordance with BIPRU 9.13.16 R.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 28]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.13.16

Table: Conversion figures
This table belongs to BIPRU 9.13.15 R

Securitisations subject to a controlled early amortisation provision

Securitisation subject to a non-controlled early amortisation provision

3 months average excess spread

Conversion figure

Above level A

Level A

Level B

15%

Level C

10%

50%

Level D

20%

100%

Level E

40%

100%

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.13.17

In BIPRU 9.13.16 R:

(1) Level A means levels of excess spread less than 133.33% of the trapping level of excess spread but not less than 100% of that trapping level;
(2) Level B means levels of excess spread less than 100% of the trapping level of excess spread but not less than 75% of that trapping level;
(3) Level C means levels of excess spread less than 75% of the trapping level of excess spread but not less than 50% of that trapping level;
(4) Level D means levels of excess spread less than 50% of the trapping level of excess spread but not less than 25% of that trapping level; and
(5) Level E means levels of excess spread less than 25% of the trapping level of excess spread.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 29]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.13.18

In the case of a securitisation meeting the conditions in this paragraph, a firm may apply to the FSA for a waiver that would allow a treatment which approximates closely to that prescribed in BIPRU 9.13.13 R to BIPRU 9.13.17 R for determining the conversion figure indicated. If a firm wants such a waiver, it should satisfy the FSA that:

(1) the securitisation is subject to an early amortisation provision of retail exposures;
(2) those retail exposures are uncommitted and unconditionally cancellable without prior notice;
(3) the early amortisation is triggered by a quantitative value in respect of something other than the three month average excess spread;
(4) the firm can establish a quantitative measure equivalent, in relation to the value in (3), to the trapping level of excess spread; and
(5) that treatment is a prudent measure of the risk that the levels of credit risk to which it is exposed may increase following the operation of the early amortisation provision (referred to in BIPRU 9.13.1R).

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 30]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.13.19

All other securitisations subject to a controlled early amortisation provision of revolving exposures are subject to a credit conversion figure of 90%.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 32]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.13.20

All other securitisations subject to a non-controlled early amortisation provision of revolving exposures are subject to a credit conversion figure of 100%.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 33]

01/01/2007

Liquidity plans

BIPRU 9.13.21

A firm which is an originator of a revolving securitisation transaction involving early amortisation provisions should have liquidity plans to address the implications of both scheduled and early amortisation.

[Note: BCD Annex V point 9]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.14

Recognition of credit risk mitigation on securitisation positions under the IRB approach

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.14.1

This section applies to credit risk mitigation in relation to a securitisation position for a firm calculating risk weighted exposure amounts using the IRB approach.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 37 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.14.2

Where a firm uses the ratings based method to calculate the risk weighted exposure amounts of securitisation positions, the firm may recognise credit risk mitigation in accordance with BIPRU 9.14.4 R to BIPRU 9.14.6 R.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 51]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.14.3

Where a firm uses the supervisory formula method to calculate the risk weighted exposure amounts of securitisation positions, the firm may recognise credit risk mitigation in accordance with BIPRU 9.14.4 R to BIPRU 9.14.5 R and BIPRU 9.14.7 R to BIPRU 9.14.13 R.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 54]

01/01/2007

Funded protection

BIPRU 9.14.4

Eligible funded protection is limited to that which is eligible for the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts under the standardised approach as laid down under BIPRU 5 and recognition is subject to compliance with the relevant minimum requirements as laid down under BIPRU 5.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 60]

01/01/2007

Unfunded credit protection

BIPRU 9.14.5

Eligible unfunded credit protection and unfunded protection providers are limited to those which are eligible under BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) and BIPRU 4.10 (Credit risk mitigation under the IRB approach) and recognition is subject to compliance with the relevant minimum requirements laid down under those provisions.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 61]

01/01/2007

Credit risk mitigation under the ratings based method

BIPRU 9.14.6

Where risk weighted exposure amounts are calculated using the ratings based method, the exposure value and/or the risk weighted exposure amount for a securitisation position in respect of which credit protection has been obtained may be modified in accordance with the provisions of BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) as they apply for the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts under the standardised approach set out in BIPRU 3.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 62]

01/01/2007

Credit risk mitigation under the supervisory formula method full credit protection

BIPRU 9.14.7

BIPRU 9.14.8 R BIPRU 9.14.10 R apply where risk weighted exposure amounts are calculated using the supervisory formula method where there is full credit protection.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 63 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.14.8

A firm must determine the effective risk weight of the position. It must do this by dividing the risk weighted exposure amount of the position by the exposure value of the position and multiplying the result by 100.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 63 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.14.9

In the case of funded credit protection, the risk weighted exposure amount of the securitisation position must be calculated by multiplying the funded protection-adjusted exposure amount of the position (E*, as calculated under BIPRU 5.4.28 R (3), taking the amount of the securitisation position to be E) by the effective risk weight.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 64]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.14.10

In the case of unfunded credit protection, the risk weighted exposure amount of the securitisation position must be calculated by multiplying G_A (the amount of the protection adjusted for any currency mismatch and maturity mismatch in accordance BIPRU 5.7.23 R (2)) by the risk weight of the protection provider; and adding this to the amount arrived at by multiplying the amount of the securitisation position minus G_A by the effective risk weight.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 65]

01/01/2007

Credit risk mitigation under the supervisory formula method partial protection

BIPRU 9.14.11

BIPRU 9.14.12 R BIPRU 9.14.13 R apply where risk weighted exposure amounts are calculated using the supervisory formula method where there is partial protection.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.14.12

If the credit risk mitigation covers the first loss or losses on a proportional basis on the securitisation position, a firm may apply BIPRU 9.14.7 R to BIPRU 9.14.10 R.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 66]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 9.14.13

In other cases the firm must treat the securitisation position as two or more positions with the uncovered portion being the position with the lower credit quality. For the purposes of calculating the risk weighted exposure amount for this position, the provisions in BIPRU 9.12.22 R to BIPRU 9.12.24 G apply subject to the modifications that T is adjusted to e* in the case of funded credit protection; and to T-g in the case of unfunded credit protection, where e* denotes the ratio of E* to the total notional amount of the underlying pool, where E* is the adjusted exposure amount of the securitisation position calculated in accordance with BIPRU 5.4.28 R (3) taking the amount of the securitisation position to be E; and g is the ratio of the nominal amount of credit protection (adjusted for any currency or maturity mismatch in accordance with the provisions of BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation)) to the sum of the exposure amounts of the securitised exposures. In the case of unfunded credit protection the risk weight of the protection provider must be applied to that portion of the position not falling within the adjusted value of T.

[Note: BCD Annex IX Part 4 point 67]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10

Concentration risk requirements

BIPRU 10.1

Application and Purpose

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 10.1.1

This chapter applies to a BIPRU firm. It applies irrespective of whether the firm adopts the standardised approach or the IRB approach. If it adopts the IRB approach, it applies irrespective of whether the firm adopts the foundation IRB approach or the advanced IRB approach.

01/01/2007

Purpose

BIPRU 10.1.2

This chapter sets out rules and guidance for large exposures and the concentration risk capital component (the CNCOM), implementing the large exposures requirements of articles 66(3) (in part) and 106 to 117 and paragraph 7 of Annex V of the Banking Consolidation Directive and articles 28 to 32 and Annex VI of the Capital Adequacy Directive.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.1.3

A large exposure may be in the form of a loan to a single borrower, or it may arise across many transactions involving different types of financial instruments with several counterparties within the same group of companies. Where a firm's exposure to its counterparty is large, it risks a large loss should the counterparty default. Such a loss may be sufficient on its own to threaten the solvency of the firm.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.1.4

The purpose of this chapter is to ensure that a firm manages its exposure to counterparties within appropriate limits set in relation to its capital resources.

01/01/2007

Restricted application for UCITS investment firms

BIPRU 10.1.5

This chapter only applies to a UCITS investment firm with respect to its designated investment business. For this purpose scheme management activity is excluded from designated investment business.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.2

Identification of exposures

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.2.1

Unless BIPRU 10.2.2 R applies, an exposure is any of the items included in BIPRU 3.2.9 R (Exposure classes for the purposes of the standardised approach) or the table in BIPRU 3.7.2 R (Classification of off-balance-sheet items for the purposes of the standardised approach), whether held in the trading book or the non-trading book, without application of the risk weight or degrees of risk there provided for.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.2.2

An exposure does not include:

(1) an exposure which is entirely deducted from a firm's capital resources;
(2) in the case of foreign currency transactions, exposures incurred in the ordinary course of settlement during the 48 hours following payment; or
(3) in the case of transactions for the purchase or sale of securities, exposures incurred in the ordinary course of settlement during the five working days following payment or delivery of the securities, whichever is earlier.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.2.3

An exposure does not include:

(1) a transaction entered into by a firm as trustee or agent without personal liability on the part of the firm;
(2) indemnities for lost share certificates; or
(3) (where the firm acts as lessor, mortgagee or owner of goods under a hire-purchase arrangement) contingent liabilities for injuries, damage or loss on the part of the counterparty to that arrangement in respect of the goods that are the subject of that arrangement.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.2.4

If a firm takes a credit risk charge against an exposure equal to the value of that exposure, this can count as a capital deduction for the purposes of BIPRU 10.2.2 R (1).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.3

Identification of counterparties

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.3.1

An individual counterparty may be a natural or legal person.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.3.2

Examples of a counterparty include:

(1) the customer or borrower; this includes governments, local authorities, public sector entities, individual trusts, corporations, unincorporated businesses (whether as sole traders or partnerships) and non-profit making bodies;
(2) where the firm is providing a guarantee, the person guaranteed;
(3) for a derivatives contract, the person with whom the contract was made;
(4) for exchange traded contracts novated through a central clearing mechanism, that central clearing mechanism;
(5) where a bill held by a firm has been accepted by a credit institution, the acceptor; and
(6) where a firm is funding the activities of a company that trades on an exchange (whether as principal or on behalf of clients), that company.

01/01/2007

Identification of counterparties for guaranteed exposures

BIPRU 10.3.3

(1) Where an exposure to a counterparty is guaranteed by a third party, a firm may treat the exposure as an exposure to the third party and not to the counterparty.
(2) In deciding whether or not to treat the exposure as an exposure to the third party a firm must ensure that the identification of counterparties for concentration risk purposes is applied in a consistent manner.
(3) Where the guarantee is denominated in a currency different from that in which the exposure is denominated, the amount of the exposure deemed to be covered must be calculated in accordance with the provisions on the treatment of currency mismatch for unfunded credit protection in BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) and, if applicable, BIPRU 4.10 (The IRB approach: Credit risk mitigation).
(4) A mismatch between the maturity of the exposure and the maturity of the protection must be treated in accordance with the provisions on the treatment for maturity mismatch in BIPRU 5 and, if applicable, BIPRU 4.10.
(5) Partial coverage must be treated in accordance with BIPRU 5 and, if applicable, BIPRU 4.10.
(6) A guarantee may only be treated in accordance with (1) if the firm complies with the eligibility requirements and other minimum requirements set out in BIPRU 5 and, if applicable, BIPRU 4.10 for the purposes of calculating risk weighted exposure amounts.
(7) For the purpose of this rule, guarantee includes a credit derivative recognised under BIPRU 5 and, if applicable, BIPRU 4.10, other than a credit linked note.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.3.4

An example of the eligibility requirements and other minimum requirements set out in BIPRU 5 as referred to in BIPRU 10.3.3 R (6) is the requirement for a legal review in BIPRU 5.2.3 R.

01/01/2007

Groups of connected clients

BIPRU 10.3.5

The Glossary defines a group of connected clients.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.3.6

Relationships between individual counterparties which might be considered to constitute a single risk for the purposes of the definition of group of connected clients include:

(1) undertakings in the same group;
(2) companies whose ultimate owner (whether wholly or significantly) is the same individual or individuals, and which do not have a formal group structure;
(3) companies having common directors or management; and
(4) counterparties linked by cross guarantees

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.3.7

The FSA would not regard the normal business relationships between companies which are competitors, and to which none of the relationships listed in BIPRU 10.3.6 G apply, as falling within the definition of group of connected clients.

01/01/2007

Connected counterparties

BIPRU 10.3.8

For the purposes of BIPRU 10, and in relation to a firm, a connected counterparty means another person ('P') to whom the firm has an exposure and who fulfils at least one of the following conditions:

(1) P is closely related to the firm; or
(2) P is an associate of the firm; or
(3) the same persons significantly influence the governing body of P and of the firm; or
(4) the firm has an exposure to P that was not incurred for the clear commercial advantage of the firm or the firm's group and which is not on an arm's length basis.

01/01/2007

Exposures to counterparties, groups of connected clients and connected counterparties

BIPRU 10.3.9

A firm's total exposure to a counterparty must be calculated by summing its exposures to that counterparty, including both trading book exposures and non-trading book exposures.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.3.10

A firm's total exposure to a group of connected clients must be calculated by summing its exposures to the individual persons within that group of connected clients, including both trading book exposures and non-trading book exposures.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.3.11

A firm's total exposure to connected counterparties must be calculated by summing its exposures to all the firm's connected counterparties, including both trading book exposures and non-trading book exposures.

01/01/2007

Exposures to trustees

BIPRU 10.3.12

If a firm has an exposure to a person ('A') when A is acting on his own behalf, and also an exposure to A when A acts in his capacity as trustee, custodian or general partner of an investment trust, unit trust, venture capital or other investment fund, pension fund or a similar fund (a "fund), the firm may treat the latter exposure as if it was to the fund, unless such a treatment would be misleading.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.3.13

When considering whether the treatment described in BIPRU 10.3.12 R is misleading, factors a firm should consider include:

(1) the degree of independence of control of the fund, including the relation of the fund's board and senior management to the firm or to other funds or to both;
(2) the terms on which the counterparty, when acting as trustee, is able to satisfy its obligation to the firm out of the fund of which it is trustee;
(3) whether the beneficial owners of the fund are connected to the firm, or related to other funds managed within the firm's group, or both; and
(4) for a connected counterparty, whether the exposure arises from a transaction entered into on an arm's length basis.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.3.14

In deciding whether a transaction is at arm's length for the purposes of BIPRU 10.3.8 R (4) and, BIPRU 10.3.13 G (4), the following factors should be taken into account:

(1) the extent to which the person to whom the firm has an exposure ('A') can influence the firm's operations, through e.g. the exercise of voting rights;
(2) the management role of A where A is also a director of the firm; and
(3) whether the exposure would be subject to the firm's usual monitoring and recovery procedures if repayment difficulties emerged.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4

Measurement of exposures to counterparties and issuers

01/01/2007

General

BIPRU 10.4.1

Unless specifically mentioned, BIPRU 10.4 applies both to non-trading book and trading book exposures.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.2

For the purpose of calculating the value of an exposure, exposures are divided into counterparty exposures and issuer exposures.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.3

When calculating a firm's total exposure to a counterparty it must sum the counterparty exposures and the issuer exposures to that counterparty.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.4

The same asset may give rise to a counterparty exposure and an issuer exposure. For example a purchased option creates an exposure to the other party to the option and the issuer of the underlying security.

01/01/2007

Definition of issuer exposures

BIPRU 10.4.5

The issuer exposure to an individual counterparty must be calculated by summing the following items:

(1) the excess where positive of the firm's long positions over its short positions in all the CRD financial instruments issued by the counterparty in question, in accordance with BIPRU 10.4.28 R (Further details about the calculation of issuer exposures: Establishing the net position in the non-trading book) and BIPRU 10.4.30 R (Further details about the calculation of issuer exposures: Establishing the net position in the trading book); and
(2) the firm's net underwriting exposure to that counterparty.

01/01/2007

Definition of issuer exposures: Position risk

BIPRU 10.4.6

An issuer exposure to a person in the non-trading book does not include an exposure that gives rise to a counterparty exposure to that person.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.7

In general an issuer exposure in the non-trading book means any exposure that, if it were in the trading book and subject to the standard market risk PRR rules:

(1) (in the case of a derivative in relation to a CRD financial instrument) would give rise to a notional position in the CRD financial instrument underlying that derivative; or
(2) would give rise to a similar notional position in a CRD financial instrument other than the one that the firm actually holds.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.8

A credit linked note may be an example of an instrument falling within BIPRU 10.4.7 G (2).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.9

A firm's long physical position in a security held in the non-trading book is generally included as a counterparty exposure rather than an issuer exposure.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.10

BIPRU 10.4.5 R (1) includes any exposure in the trading book or non-trading book that would give rise to a notional position under the standard market risk PRR rules.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.11

The netting of long and short positions under BIPRU 10.4.5 R (1) includes the notional positions in the underlying which arise from derivative transactions.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.12

For the purposes of BIPRU 10.4.5 R (1), a firm may, when calculating its net position in CRD financial instruments in the non-trading book, include counterparty exposures excluded from the issuer exposure calculation under BIPRU 10.4.6 R. However any counterparty exposure used in this way is still subject to the provisions of this chapter about counterparty exposures.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.13

This paragraph illustrates how BIPRU 10.4.12 R works. Say that a firm has a holding of shares in its non-trading book. Say that the firm has bought a put option over those shares, which it also holds in its non-trading book. The holding of shares gives rise to a counterparty exposure to the issuer of those shares and the option gives rise to a counterparty exposure to the person who wrote the option. The option also gives rise to an issuer exposure to the issuer of the shares. The firm may use BIPRU 10.4.12R to eliminate that issuer exposure by netting its position to zero by taking into account its long non-trading book position in those shares. If it does so, the firm will still have counterparty exposures to the issuer of the shares and the counterparty under the option.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.14

Another example of how BIPRU 10.4.12 R works is this. Say that a firm has a long non-trading book position in a debt security together with an offsetting credit derivative. If the conditions in BIPRU 10.3.3 R (Identification of counterparties for guaranteed exposures) are met the firm may, for the purposes of the calculation of the counterparty exposure, treat itself as having an exposure to the provider of the credit derivative rather than to the issuer of the debt security. This means that the counterparty exposure to the issuer of the debt security is zero. In calculating the issuer exposure the firm may net the long position in the debt security against the short notional position arising out of the credit derivative. The effect is that the issuer exposure to the issuer of the debt security is also zero. Hence the firm has no exposure to the issuer of the debt security.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.15

To the extent that BIPRU 10.4 does not otherwise explain what positions are included in BIPRU 10.4.5 R (1) or how to calculate a net position for the purpose of BIPRU 10.4.5 R (1), a firm must apply the provisions of the applicable standard market risk PRR rules or the ones that would apply if the position were in the trading book.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.16

A firm must not offset exposures in the non-trading book and trading book against each other for the purpose of calculating an issuer exposure except to the extent allowed by the standard market risk PRR rules.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.17

For the purposes of this chapter, the counterparties with respect to an exposure falling into BIPRU 10.4.5 R (1) are the persons who are or would be treated as an obligor under the standard market risk PRR rules in question.

01/01/2007

Definition of issuer exposures: Underwriting

BIPRU 10.4.18

In accordance with BIPRU 7.8 (Securities underwriting), a firm should include net underwriting exposures to an issuer in the calculation of its total exposure to that issuer.

01/01/2007

Definition of counterparty exposures

BIPRU 10.4.19

A counterparty exposure means, with respect to the non-trading book, any exposure as defined in BIPRU 10.2 (Identification of exposures) held in the non-trading book.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.20

A counterparty exposure means, with respect to the trading book, any exposure as defined in BIPRU 10.2 (Identification of exposures) due to the transactions, agreements and contracts referred to in BIPRU 14.2.2 R (List of trading book exposures that give rise to a counterparty risk credit charge) and held in the trading book, including credit derivatives.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.21

For example BIPRU 10.4.19 R to BIPRU 10.4.20 R mean that a share only gives rise to a counterparty exposure when it is held in the non-trading book.

01/01/2007

Calculation of counterparty exposures

BIPRU 10.4.22

Subject to BIPRU 10.4.23 R to BIPRU 10.4.24 R, the value of a firm's counterparty exposures, whether in its non-trading book or its trading book, is the amount at risk calculated in line with GENPRU 1.3 (Valuation).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.23

A firm must calculate the value of its counterparty exposures in its trading book in the manner laid down in BIPRU 14 (Capital requirements for settlement and counterparty risk) for the calculation of exposure values. For these purposes the reference in BIPRU 14.2.11 R (How to calculate exposure values and risk weighted exposure amounts for the purpose of calculating the counterparty risk capital component) to the provisions of the IRB approach does not apply.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.24

Counterparty exposures arising from financial derivative instruments must be calculated in accordance with one of the methods set out in BIPRU 13 (Financial derivatives, SFTs and long settlement transactions). For the purposes of this chapter, BIPRU 13.6.6 R (Scope of CCR internal model method) also applies.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.25

A firm must not offset exposures in the non-trading book and trading book for the purpose of calculating counterparty exposures except to the extent permitted under the standardised approach or, if applicable, the IRB approach.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.26

For the purposes of this chapter, the counterparty with respect to a counterparty exposure is the person who would be treated as the person to which the firm has the exposure under the standardised approach or, if applicable, the IRB approach.

01/01/2007

Further details about the calculation of issuer exposures: General

BIPRU 10.4.27

BIPRU 10.4.28 R to BIPRU 10.4.42 R apply to issuer exposures arising under BIPRU 10.4.5 R (1).

01/01/2007

Further details about the calculation of issuer exposures: Establishing the net position in the non-trading book

BIPRU 10.4.28

A firm must calculate the value of an exposure to the issuer of a CRD financial instrument which is held in the firm's non-trading book as the sum of the excess, where positive, of the book value of all long positions over all short positions (the net long position), for each identical CRD financial instrument issued by that issuer.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.29

For the purposes of BIPRU 10.4.28 R, short positions in one CRD financial instrument may be used to offset long positions in a non-identical CRD financial instrument issued by the same issuer if both the CRD financial instrument are denominated in the same currency, and:

(1) where both the CRD financial instrument are fixed rate, they are within the same residual maturity time band, one year or less, or over one year; or
(2) where both the CRD financial instrument are index linked, they are within the same residual maturity time band referred to in (1); or
(3) both the CRD financial instrument are floating rate.

01/01/2007

Further details about the calculation of issuer exposures: Establishing the net position in the trading book

BIPRU 10.4.30

A firm must calculate the value of an exposure to the issuer of a CRD financial instrument which is held in the firm's trading book by calculating the excess of the current market value of all long positions over all short positions in all the CRD financial instruments issued by that issuer.

01/01/2007

Further details about the calculation of issuer exposures: Netting

BIPRU 10.4.31

For the purposes of BIPRU 10.4.28 R and BIPRU 10.4.30 R, the short positions must be netted against the long positions in CRD financial instruments with the highest specific risk PRAs.

01/01/2007

Further details about the calculation of issuer exposures: Netting between different issuers

BIPRU 10.4.32

A firm must not offset an exposure to one issuer against an exposure to another issuer (whether in the trading book or the non-trading book) even where:

(1) the issuers are a group of connected clients; and
(2) the exposures are non-identical exposures which meet the conditions in BIPRU 10.4.29 R.

01/01/2007

Further details about the calculation of issuer exposures: Forward agreements

BIPRU 10.4.33

A firm must include as a long position a commitment by it to buy:

(1) a debt security or an equity at a future date; and
(2) under a note issuance facility, at the request of the issuer, a security which is unsold on the issue date.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.34

A firm must include as a short position a commitment by it to sell a debt security or an equity at a future date.

01/01/2007

Further details about the calculation of issuer exposures: Interest rate, foreign currency and equity swaps

BIPRU 10.4.35

An interest rate leg of an equity swap, or an interest rate or currency swap, does not generate an issuer exposure.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.36

Where the equity leg of an equity swap is based on the change in value of an individual equity, it must be treated as giving rise to an exposure to the issuer of the equity.

01/01/2007

Further details about the calculation of issuer exposures: Option positions

BIPRU 10.4.37

When determining its exposure to an issuer arising from an option, a firm must value an option as the amount of principal underlying the option.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.38

A firm must treat:

(1) a written put option as a long position in the underlying security valued at the strike price or the market price of the underlying security, whichever is lower;
(2) a purchased put option as a short position in the underlying security valued at the strike price or the market price of the underlying security, whichever is lower; and
(3) a purchased call option as a long position in the underlying security equal to the book value of the option provided that the contract has been given a book value in the firm's accounts.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.39

A written call option does not generate an issuer exposure.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.40

(1) This rule applies in relation to an option if a firm:

(a) has a CAD 1 permission;
(b) the scope of the CAD 1 waiver covers that option; and
(c) the CAD 1 permission is for a CAD 1 model for option risk aggregation as described in BIPRU 7.9.7 G (Types of CAD 1 model).

(2) This rule also applies in relation to an option if a firm:

(a) has a VaR model permission; and
(b) the scope of the VaR model permission covers that option.

(3) A firm may take as the exposure value of an option the delta weighted value of the notional underlying the option calculated using the models described in (1) and (2), to the extent that those values are relevant for the calculations in BIPRU 10.4.37 R.

01/01/2007

Further details about the calculation of issuer exposures: Indices and baskets of equities or securities

BIPRU 10.4.41

Subject to BIPRU 10.4.42 R, a firm must treat an index or basket of debt securities or equities as giving rise to a series of exposures to the issuers of the underlying securities or equities in accordance with the provisions of BIPRU 7.2 (Interest rate PRR) or BIPRU 7.3 (Equity PRR and basic interest rate PRR for equity derivatives).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.42

A qualifying equity index does not generate an exposure of the type described in BIPRU 10.4.41 R.

01/01/2007

Securities financing transactions

BIPRU 10.4.43

A firm with securities financing transactions in its trading book or its non-trading book must calculate its exposure to:

(1) the issuer of the security it has sold in a repurchase agreement; and
(2) the counterparty to the securities financing transaction (subject to BIPRU 10.3.3 R (Identification of counterparties for guaranteed exposures) and BIPRU 10.6 (Exemptions)).

01/01/2007

Treatment of accrued interest and dividends due

BIPRU 10.4.44

Subject to BIPRU 10.4.45 R, when calculating an exposure, a firm must include accrued interest and dividends due.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.45

A firm may use the following method of calculating the total amount of a firm's exposures in the non-trading book to a counterparty, connected counterparties or a group of connected clients as an alternative to that in BIPRU 10.4.44 R:

(1) if the total amount of the exposures is less than 20% of the firm's capital resources (ignoring accrued interest), the accrued interest element need not be included in the calculation of the amount of the exposures in the non-trading book; and
(2) if the total amount of the exposures (ignoring accrued interest) is more than 20% (but less than 25%) of the firm's capital resources, the firm must be able to demonstrate that the total amount of the exposures, including the accrued interest element, meet the limits in BIPRU 10.5 (Limits on exposures and large exposures) and that it meets any related CNCOM.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.4.46

The reason for BIPRU 10.4.45 R is the systems difficulties of including accrued interest in the total amount of exposures in the non-trading book.

01/01/2007

Exposures to undisclosed counterparties

BIPRU 10.4.47

A firm must not incur an exposure to an undisclosed counterparty unless:

(1) it has satisfied itself that it will continue to meet the limits in BIPRU 10.5 (Limits on exposures and large exposures) for non-trading book exposures and trading book exposures and will continue to meet any CNCOM; and
(2) it has made and retained a record of the steps it has taken to comply with (1).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.5

Limits on exposures and large exposures

01/01/2007

Definition of large exposure

BIPRU 10.5.1

A large exposure of a firm means its total exposure to a counterparty, connected counterparties or a group of connected clients, whether in the firm's non-trading book or trading book or both, which in aggregate equals or exceeds 10% of the firm's capital resources.

01/01/2007

Definition of capital resources

BIPRU 10.5.2

A firm must calculate its capital resources for the purposes of this chapter in accordance with GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources) and BIPRU 10.5.3 R to BIPRU 10.5.5 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.5.3

Subject to BIPRU 10.5.4 R, for the purposes of this chapter, a firm's capital resources mean capital resources calculated at stage (N) of the calculation in the capital resources table (Total tier one capital plus tier two capital after deductions).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.5.4

For the purposes of monitoring against the trading book limits and charge regime, as set out in BIPRU 10.5.11 R to BIPRU 10.5.22 R, and calculating a firm's CNCOM, a firm's capital resources may include tier three capital resources, in which case a firm's capital resources mean capital resources calculated at stage (T) of the capital resources table (Total capital after deductions).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.5.5

A firm must not take into account the following items:

(1) surplus provisions (see GENPRU 2.2.190 R to GENPRU 2.2.193 R); or
(2) expected loss amounts and other negative amounts (see GENPRU 2.2.236 R); or
(3) securitisation positions (see GENPRU 2.2.237 R).

01/01/2007

Non-trading book limits

BIPRU 10.5.6

A firm must ensure that the total amount of its exposures to the following does not exceed 25% of its capital resources (as determined under BIPRU 10.5.2 R, BIPRU 10.5.3 R and BIPRU 10.5.5 R):

(1) a counterparty; or
(2) a group of connected clients; or
(3) its connected counterparties.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.5.7

If a connected counterparty is also a member of a group of connected clients the limit in BIPRU 10.5.6 R covers the aggregate of the total amount of the firm's exposures to its connected counterparties and of the total amount of its exposures to that group of connected clients.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.5.8

A firm must not incur large exposures which in total exceed 800% of its capital resources (as determined under BIPRU 10.5.2 R, BIPRU 10.5.3 R and BIPRU 10.5.5 R).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.5.9

If a firm exceeds (or is aware that it will exceed) the limits in BIPRU 10.5.6 R or BIPRU 10.5.8 R it must notify the FSA without delay.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.5.10

A report under BIPRU 10.5.9 R should be made in exceptional circumstances only. A firm which makes such a report should also provide the FSA with an explanation as to how the limits came to be exceeded, and a plan of action for bringing its exposures within the limits. The FSA may, where the circumstances warrant it, allow a firm a limited period of time in which to comply with the limits.

01/01/2007

Trading book limits

BIPRU 10.5.11

Exposures in a firm's trading book are exempt from the 25% and 800% limits in BIPRU 10.5.6 R and BIPRU 10.5.8 R if:

(1) the total amount of the exposures on the firm's non-trading book to the same counterparty or group of connected clients or to its connected counterparties does not exceed the limits laid down in those rules, calculated with reference to the definition of capital resources set out in BIPRU 10.5.2 R, BIPRU 10.5.3 R and BIPRU 10.5.5 R, so that the excess arises entirely on the trading book; and
(2) the firm meets the additional capital requirements relating to the concentration risk capital component (CNCOM) in relation to the relevant trading book exposures.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.5.12

If a trading book concentration risk excess with respect to a counterparty or group of connected clients or to its connected counterparties has existed for 10 business days or less, the firm must ensure that the total amount of its trading book exposures to that counterparty or group of connected clients or to its connected counterparties does not exceed 500% of the firm's capital resources.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.5.13

A firm must ensure that the total amount of its trading book concentration risk excesses that have persisted for more than 10 business days does not exceed 600% of its capital resources.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.5.14

Within 30 business days of the end of each third Month, a firm must notify the FSA of all cases of trading book concentration risk excesses in that three Month period, giving the amount of the excess and the name of the counterparty.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.5.15

A trading book concentration risk excess is defined in BIPRU 10.5.20 R.

01/01/2007

How to calculate the concentration risk capital component

BIPRU 10.5.16

A firm's CNCOM should be calculated as part of its credit risk capital requirement (CRCR) in accordance with GENPRU 2.1 (Calculation of capital resources requirements).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.5.17

A firm's CNCOM is the sum of its individual counterparty CNCOMs.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.5.18

An individual counterparty CNCOMs is the amount a firm must calculate in accordance with BIPRU 10.5.20 R with respect to its exposures to a particular counterparty or a group of connected clients or to its connected counterparties.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.5.19

A CNCOM calculation on a trading book exposure is in addition to, and not instead of, any capital requirement arising under the market risk capital requirement or counterparty risk capital component.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.5.20

A firm must calculate its individual counterparty CNCOM for its exposures to a counterparty or group of connected clients or to its connected counterparties as follows:

(1) break down its total exposure into its trading book and non-trading book components;
(2) calculate 25% of the firm's capital resources and deduct those parts of the total exposure which are in the non-trading book;
(3) if the non-trading book exposures deducted in (2) equal 25% of the firm's capital resources, steps (4), (5) and (6) do not apply and if so the trading book concentration risk excess means, with respect to a counterparty, a group of connected clients or its connected counterparties, all trading book exposures to that counterparty or group of connected clients or to its connected counterparties;
(4) if the total amount of the non-trading book exposures deducted in (2) is less than 25% of the firm's capital resources, a firm must allocate (in the order set out in (6)) trading book exposures to the unutilised portion of the 25% limit to that counterparty or counterparties or to its connected counterparties;
(5) no further trading book exposures can be allocated once the 25% limit has been reached; the remaining trading book exposures constitute the trading book concentration risk excess with respect to that counterparty or group of connected clients or to its connected counterparties;
(6) for the purposes of (4), a firm must allocate first the individual trading book exposures with the lowest capital requirements for specific risk under the market risk capital requirement and/or the lowest capital requirements under the counterparty risk capital component and allocate those trading book exposures with the highest capital requirements last;
(7) the individual counterparty CNCOM is the sum of the capital requirements for each individual exposure included in the trading book concentration risk excess in accordance with (8) and (9) (each such capital requirement being an individual CNCOM);
(8) if the trading book concentration risk excess has persisted for 10 business days or less (irrespective of the age of each component part), the individual CNCOMs must be calculated in accordance with this formula:

each individual CNCOM = capital requirement referred to in (6) x 200%;

(9) if the trading book concentration risk excess has persisted for more than 10 business days (irrespective of the age of each component part), the individual CNCOMs must be calculated in accordance with this formula:

each individual CNCOM = capital requirement referred to in (6) x appropriate percentage in BIPRU 10.5.21 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.5.21

The appropriate percentage referred to in BIPRU 10.5.20 R (9) must be established in accordance with the following:

(1) the individual exposures included in the trading book concentration risk excess must be assigned to the bands in the first column of the table in BIPRU 10.5.22 R;
(2) the maximum amount that may be put in any band other than the last equals the percentage of the firm's capital resources in column 1 of that table;
(3) no amount may be allocated to the second or any later band unless the one before has been filled;
(4) exposures must be assigned to the bands in the order established by BIPRU 10.5.20 R (6); and
(5) for the purposes of (4), those exposures with the lowest capital requirements (as referred to in BIPRU 10.5.20 R (6)) must be assigned first and those with the highest last.

01/01/2007

Percentages applicable under BIPRU 10.5.21R

BIPRU 10.5.22

This table belongs to BIPRU 10.5.21 R

Excess exposure (as a percentage of the firm's capital resources)

Percentage

0% up to 40%

200%

Portion from 40% - 60%

300%

Portion from 60% - 80%

400%

Portion from 80% - 100%

500%

Portion from 100% - 250%

600%

Portion over 250%

900%

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.5.23

The table in BIPRU 10.5.24 G sets out an example of a CNCOM calculation.

01/01/2007

Example of a CNCOM calculation (all numbers 000s)

BIPRU 10.5.24

This table belongs to BIPRU 10.5.23 G

Capital resources position

(1)

An firm's capital resources comprises:

Tier one and tier two capital resources

1000

Eligible tier three capital resources

100

Amended capital resources

1100

(2)

The components of the large exposure comprise:

(a) Non-trading book exposure

200

(b) Mark to market value of trading book securities:

% specific risk weight

Short: qualifying bond

1.00

(20)

Long: qualifying commercial paper

0.25

100

Long: equity

4.00

150

Long: qualifying convertible

1.60

Total net long securities position:

260

Total net large exposures position [(a) + (b)]

460

Calculating the exposure for which incremental capital is needed

(3)

The short position in the qualifying bond is offset against the highest specific risk weight items in this case equities:

Net long equity position (150- 20)

130

(4)

The remaining items are ranked according to specific risk weight.

% specific risk weight

Security

0.25

Qualifying commercial paper

100

1.60

Qualifying convertible

4.00

Equity (net)

130

(5)

The 'headroom' between the non-securities exposure and 25% of the amended capital resources is calculated.

25% of amended capital base (1100)

275

200

Headroom

(6)

Applying the securities positions in ascending order of specific risk weight, 75 of the 100 qualifying commercial paper may be counted before 25% of the amended capital base is reached.
The remaining 25 of qualifying commercial paper, along with 30 qualifying convertible and 130 equity (net) are traded securities exposures in excess of the limit and should therefore be covered by incremental capital. The amount of incremental capital should be included in the calculation for determining how much trading book capital a firm should have.

(7)

If the excess exposure has been outstanding for 10 days or less, the specific risk weights for the elements over 25% of amended capital resources should be doubled.
The 25% limit (275) is taken up by 200 counterparty exposure and 75 securities exposure within the limit. These two items, when added to the items in bold below, total 460. 460 is the total net large exposures position as set out in (2) above.

Qualifying commercial paper

25 x 0.25% x 200% =

0.125

Qualifying convertible

30 x 1.60% x 200% =

0.960

Equity

130 x 4% x 200% +

10.400

Additional capital requirement

11.485

(8)

If the excess exposure has been outstanding for more than 10 days, the 25% limit (275) is taken up by 200 counterparty exposure and 75 securities exposure within the limit. These two items, when added to the items in bold below, total 460. 460 is the total net large exposures position as set out in (2) above.

(a)

Over 25% and up to 40% of amended capital base at 200% (40% of 1100 = 440)

Amount of trading book concentration risk excess = 185
Proportion of Capital Base= 16.8%
Appropriate % Multiplier Band = 200%

25 x 0.25% x 200% =

0.125

30 x 1.60% x 200% =

0.960

110 x 4.00% x 200% =

8.800

(b)

Excess exposure 40% - 60% of amended capital base at 300%

20 x 4.00% x 300% =

2.400

Additional capital requirement [(a)+(b)]

12.285

06/04/2007

BIPRU 10.6

Exemptions

01/01/2007

General exemptions

BIPRU 10.6.1

The exposures listed in BIPRU 10.6.3 R, whether trading book exposures or non-trading book exposures, are exempt from the limits described in BIPRU 10.5 (Limits on exposures and large exposures), provided that the exposures are to counterparties which are not connected counterparties.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.6.2

(1) In BIPRU 10.6.3 R and BIPRU 10.6.4 R, references to guarantees include credit derivatives recognised under BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) and, if applicable, BIPRU 4.10 (The IRB approach: Credit risk mitigation), other than credit linked notes.
(2) BIPRU 10.3.3 R (6) (Compliance with minimum credit risk mitigation requirements) applies for the purpose of BIPRU 10.6.3 R and BIPRU 10.6.4 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.6.3

The exposures referred to in BIPRU 10.6.1 R are as follows:

(1) asset items constituting claims on central governments or central banks which claims would unsecured receive a 0% risk weight under the standardised approach;
(2) asset items constituting claims on international organisations or multilateral development banks which claims would unsecured receive a 0% risk weight under the standardised approach;
(3) asset items constituting claims carrying the explicit guarantees of central governments, central banks, international organisations or multilateral development banks, where unsecured claims on the entity providing the guarantee would receive a 0% risk weight under the standardised approach;
(4) other exposures attributable to, or guaranteed by, central governments, central banks, international organisations or multilateral development banks where unsecured claims on the entity to which the exposure is attributable or by which it is guaranteed would receive a 0% risk weight under the standardised approach;
(5) asset items constituting claims on and other exposures to central governments or central banks not within (1), which are denominated and, where applicable, funded in the national currencies of the borrowers;
(6) asset items constituting claims on and other exposures to institutions, with a maturity of one year or less, but not constituting such institutions' capital resources;
(7) asset items constituting claims on EEA States' regional governments and local authorities which claims would receive a 0% risk weight under the standardised approach;
(8) other exposures to or guaranteed by EEA States' regional governments and local authorities claims on which would receive a 0% risk weight under the standardised approach;
(9) asset items constituting claims and other exposures on recognised third country investment firms, recognised clearing houses, designated clearing houses, recognised investment exchanges and designated investment exchanges in CRD financial instruments, with a maturity of one year or less, but not constituting such institutions' capital resources;
(10) covered bonds within the meaning of the second paragraph of that definition;
(11) loans secured by mortgages on residential property and leasing transactions under which the lessor retains full ownership of the residential property leased for as long as the lessee has not exercised his option to purchase, in all cases up to 50% of the value of the residential property concerned;
(12) the following, where they would receive a 50% risk weight under the standardised approach, and only up to 50% of the value of the property concerned:

(a) exposures secured by mortgages on offices or other commercial premises; and
(b) exposures related to property leasing transactions concerning offices or other commercial premises; and

(13) bill endorsements on bills with a maturity of 1 year or less already endorsed by another firm.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.6.4

For the purposes of BIPRU 10.6.3 R (11), the value of the property must be calculated on the basis of strict valuation standards laid down by law, regulation or administrative provisions. Valuation must be carried out at least once a year. For these purposes, residential property means a residence to be occupied or let by the borrower.

01/01/2007

Parental guarantees

BIPRU 10.6.5

A firm may treat as exempt from the limits in BIPRU 10.5 (Limits on exposures and large exposures) an exposure to a counterparty or to a group of connected clients if the following conditions are met:

(1) the parent undertaking of the firm guarantees that exposure;
(2) the total exposure to that counterparty or group of connected clients does not exceed 100% of the firm's capital resources;
(3) the total amount of the firm's exposures to connected counterparties does not exceed 200% of the firm's capital resources (any exposure treated as exempt under this rule or under BIPRU 10.6.7 R must be treated as being to the parent undertaking for the purpose of this paragraph (3) and included in the calculation of the limit in this paragraph (3));
(4) the firm complies with whichever of SYSC 3.1.1 R (Systems and controls) and SYSC 4.1.1 R (General organisational requirements) applies to it; and
(5) both the firm and the parent undertaking of the firm satisfy BIPRU 3.2.27 R (Consolidation condition relating to zero risk weights for intra-group exposures).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.6.6

For the purposes of BIPRU 10.6.5 R, BIPRU 10.3.3 R (3) to (6) (Provisions relating to the treatment of guaranteed exposures) apply.

01/01/2007

Capital maintenance arrangements

BIPRU 10.6.7

A firm may treat as exempt from the limits in BIPRU 10.5 (Limits on exposures and large exposures) an exposure to a counterparty which is not a connected counterparty if the following conditions are met:

(1) the exposure is subject to a legally binding agreement by the parent undertaking of the firm that it will promptly on demand by the firm increase the firm's capital resources by:

(a) an amount that is sufficient to reverse completely the effect of any loss the firm may sustain in connection with that exposure; or
(b) the amount required to ensure that the firm complies with GENPRU 2.1 (Calculation of capital resources requirements), BIPRU 10 and any other requirements relating to capital resources or concentration risk imposed on the firm by or under the regulatory system;

(2) the firm notifies the FSA in writing of its intention to enter into the agreement and of its terms at least one Month before the firm enters into it; and
(3) the conditions in BIPRU 10.3.3 R (6) (Compliance with minimum credit risk mitigation requirements) and BIPRU 10.6.5 R (2) to (5) are met.

01/01/2007

Collateral exemptions: Top slicing

BIPRU 10.6.8

(1) 'Top slicing' involves systematically collateralising only part of an exposure to bring it within the limits in BIPRU 10.5 (Limits on exposures and large exposures).
(2) The practice of top-slicing can give rise to concerns and will be subject to review by the FSA when carrying out the SREP.

01/01/2007

Exemptions for firms using the financial collateral simple method under the standardised approach

BIPRU 10.6.9

A firm which uses the financial collateral simple method under the standardised approach may treat the following exposures as exempt from the limits described in BIPRU 10.5 (Limits on exposures and large exposures):

(1) asset items and other exposures secured by collateral in the form of debt securities issued by central governments, central banks, international organisations, multilateral development banks or EEA States' regional governments or local authorities, which securities constitute claims on their issuer which would receive a 0% risk weight under the standardised approach;
(2) asset items and other exposures secured by collateral in the form of cash deposits placed with the lending firm or with a credit institution which is the parent undertaking or a subsidiary undertaking of the lending firm;
(3) asset items and other exposures secured by collateral in the form of certificates of deposit issued by the lending firm or by a credit institution which is the parent undertaking or a subsidiary undertaking of the lending firm and lodged with either of them; and
(4) exposures secured by collateral in the form of securities other than those referred to in (1).

06/04/2007

BIPRU 10.6.10

Cash received under a credit linked note issued by the firm and loans and deposits of a counterparty to or with the firm which are subject to an on-balance sheet netting agreement recognised under BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) must be treated as falling under BIPRU 10.6.9 R (2).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.6.11

For the purposes of BIPRU 10.6.9 R (4), the securities used as collateral must be valued at market price, have a value that exceeds the exposures guaranteed, and be either traded or effectively negotiable and regularly quoted on a recognised investment exchange or a designated investment exchange. The excess value required must be 100%. It must, however, be 150% in the case of shares and 50% in the case of debt securities issued by institutions, EEA States' regional governments or local authorities other than those referred to in BIPRU 10.6.9 R (1), and in the case of debt securities issued by multilateral development banks other than those receiving a 0% risk weight under the standardised approach. Where there is a mismatch between the maturity of the exposure and the maturity of the credit protection, the collateral must not be recognised. Where the issuer of securities used as collateral is an institution, such collateral may not constitute the institution's capital resources.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.6.12

A firm may only recognise collateral for the purpose of BIPRU 10.6.9 R if the collateral complies with the eligibility requirements and other minimum requirements set out in BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) for the purposes of calculating risk weighted exposure amounts under the standardised approach using the financial collateral simple method or, if applicable, the method in BIPRU 5.5 (Other funded credit risk mitigation). In particular a firm may not recognise collateral for that purpose if it is not eligible under the financial collateral simple method or other applicable method.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.6.13

As indicated in BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation), the financial collateral simple method will be available only to firms using the standardised approach and only in relation to exposures for which they adopt the standardised approach.

01/01/2007

Exemptions for firms using the financial collateral comprehensive method

BIPRU 10.6.14

A firm which uses the financial collateral comprehensive method under the standardised approach or the IRB approach (but not the advanced IRB approach) may calculate the value of its exposures to a counterparty or to a group of connected clients or to connected counterparties as being the fully-adjusted value of the exposures to the counterparty or group of connected clients calculated in accordance with the financial collateral comprehensive method under BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) and, if relevant, BIPRU 4.10 (The IRB approach: Credit risk mitigation), taking into account the credit risk mitigation, volatility adjustments and any maturity mismatch (E*) in accordance with those rules.

06/04/2007

BIPRU 10.6.15

Where BIPRU 10.6.14 R applies, BIPRU 10.6.9 R does not apply.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.6.16

A firm may only recognise collateral for the purpose of BIPRU 10.6.14 R if the collateral complies with the eligibility requirements and other minimum requirements set out in BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) and, if relevant, BIPRU 4.10 (The IRB approach: Credit risk mitigation) for the purposes of calculating risk weighted exposure amounts under the standardised approach or, if applicable, the IRB approach using the financial collateral comprehensive method. In particular a firm may not recognise collateral for that purpose if it is not eligible under the financial collateral comprehensive method.

01/01/2007

Exemptions for firms using own estimates of LGDs and conversion factors under the IRB approach

BIPRU 10.6.17

A firm that uses own estimates of LGDs and conversion factors under the IRB approach for an IRB exposure class may recognise the effects described in (1) in calculating the value of its exposures to a counterparty or to a group of connected clients or to connected counterparties for the purposes of BIPRU 10.5 (Limits on exposures and large exposures) if:

(1) the firm is able to satisfy the FSA that it can estimate the effects of financial collateral on its exposures separately from other LGD-relevant aspects;
(2) the firm is able to demonstrate the suitability of the estimates produced; and
(3) the firm's IRB permission specifically allows it.

06/04/2007

BIPRU 10.6.18

BIPRU 10.6.17 R (3) means that a firm with an IRB permission may not use the approach in BIPRU 10.6.17 R unless its IRB permission expressly says that it may do so.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.6.19

If a firm that uses own estimates of LGDs and conversion factors under the IRB approach uses its own estimates of the effects of financial collateral on its exposures for large exposures purposes, it must do so on a consistent basis and on a basis consistent with the approach adopted in the calculation of capital requirements. In particular, this approach must be adopted for all exposures the nominal value of which would be a large exposure. A firm may only use one of BIPRU 10.6.14 R and BIPRU 10.6.17 R. A firm must be able to satisfy the FSA that it is complying with this rule.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.6.20

A firm to which BIPRU 10.6.17 R applies must still report to the FSA the gross value of its exposures.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.6.21

If a firm relies on BIPRU 10.6.17 R the recognition of credit protection is subject to the relevant requirements of the IRB approach.

01/01/2007

Stress testing of credit risk concentrations

BIPRU 10.6.22

A firm which calculates the value of its exposures in accordance with BIPRU 10.6.17 R must conduct periodic stress tests of its credit risk concentrations including in relation to the realisable value of any collateral taken.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.6.23

The stress tests required by BIPRU 10.6.22 R must address:

(1) risks arising from potential changes in market conditions that could adversely impact the firm's adequacy of capital resources; and
(2) risks arising from the realisation of collateral in stressed situations.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.6.24

A firm must be able to satisfy the FSA that the stress tests that the firm carries out in accordance with BIPRU 10.6.22 R are adequate and appropriate for the assessment of such risks.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.6.25

In the event that a stress test carried out in accordance with BIPRU 10.6.22 R indicates a lower realisable value of collateral taken than would be permitted to be taken into account under BIPRU 10.6.17 R to BIPRU 10.6.21 R as appropriate, the value of collateral permitted to be recognised in calculating the value of exposures for the purposes of BIPRU 10.5 (Limits on exposures and large exposures) is the lower value.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.6.26

A firm to which BIPRU 10.6.22 R applies must include in its strategy to address concentration risk:

(1) policies and procedures to address risks arising from maturity mismatches between exposures and any credit protection on those exposures;
(2) policies and procedures in the event that a stress test indicates a lower realisable value of collateral than taken into account under BIPRU 10.6.17 R to BIPRU 10.6.21 R; and
(3) policies and procedures relating to concentration risk arising from the application of credit risk mitigation techniques, and in particular large indirect credit exposures (for example to a single issuer of securities taken as collateral).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.6.27

A firm should determine the frequency needed for the stress testing of its credit risk concentrations with emphasis on having sufficient frequency to maintain the currency of its capital calculations. In any case such testing should be carried out at least once a year.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.7

Treasury concession and intra-group securities financing transactions

01/01/2007

Treasury concession

BIPRU 10.7.1

Subject to BIPRU 10.11.1 R (Notification procedures for BIPRU 10.7 to BIPRU 10.10), a firm may treat as exempt from the limits in BIPRU 10.5 (Limits on exposures and large exposures) an exposure to a concentration risk group counterparty provided that one or more of the following conditions is satisfied:

(1) the exposure has an original maturity of one year or less and it is incurred in the course of the firm carrying on a treasury role for other members of its group;
(2) the following conditions are satisfied:

(a) the exposure is a cash loan to a parent undertaking of the firm or to another member of the firm's immediate group;
(b) (if the loan is to a member of the firm's immediate group other than a parent undertaking of the firm) that member carries on a treasury role for the firm's group;
(c) the cash lent is surplus to the needs of the firm; and
(d) the amount of the surplus fluctuates regularly; or

(3) the exposure arises from the firm or the counterparty operating a central risk management function for members of the firm's group for exposures arising from derivatives.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.7.2

The total amount of the exposures that a firm may treat as exempt under BIPRU 10.7.1 R must not exceed 50% of the firm's capital resources as set out in stage (N) of the capital resources table (Total tier one capital plus tier two capital after deductions).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.7.3

Any exposures that would, but for BIPRU 10.7.2 R, fall to be treated in accordance with BIPRU 10.7.1 R remain subject to the limits in BIPRU 10.5 (Limits on exposures and large exposures).

01/01/2007

Intra-group securities financing transactions

BIPRU 10.7.4

Subject to BIPRU 10.11.1 R (Notification procedures for BIPRU 10.7 to BIPRU 10.10), a firm may treat as exempt from the limits in BIPRU 10.5 (Limits on exposures and large exposures) an exposure in the form of a securities financing transaction provided that:

(1) the counterparty is a concentration risk group counterparty;
(2) the firm does not apply the CCR internal model method with respect to any securities financing transaction under this chapter;
(3) the exposure in question is collateralised by collateral whose value equals or exceeds 90% of the amount of the exposure; and
(4) (whether or not the firm uses the financial collateral comprehensive method) the collateral is eligible under the financial collateral comprehensive method and the firm meets the other minimum requirements under BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation) in relation to that collateral.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.7.5

The level of collateralisation referred to in BIPRU 10.7.4 R (3) must be measured by reference to the gross amount of the exposure without taking into account the effects of netting and without applying volatility adjustments or adjustments for maturity mismatches under the financial collateral comprehensive method.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.7.6

A firm using the exemption in BIPRU 10.7.4 R must be able to demonstrate to the FSA:

(1) (if the firm has an CCR internal model method permission) any roll-out programme as referred to in BIPRU 13.6.13 R (Sequential implementation of the CCR internal model method) or any combination of the CCR internal model method with either or both of the CCR mark to market method or the CCR standardised method;
(2) the selection of counterparties for securities financing transactions; and
(3) the booking of its securities financing transactions and the way that it carries on its business with respect to them;

are not designed or chosen wholly or mainly with a view to coming within the limits in BIPRU 10.5 (Limits on exposures and large exposures) or reducing capital requirements applicable to the firm under the regulatory system through the use of that exemption.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.8

UK integrated groups

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 10.8.1

This section applies to a firm if:

(1) it is a member of a UK integrated group; and
(2) it gives notice in accordance with BIPRU 10.11.1 R (Notification procedures for BIPRU 10.7 to BIPRU 10.10) that it will apply BIPRU 10.8.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.8.2

If this section applies to a firm, it must apply this section to all exposures to all its concentration risk group counterparties and not just some of them.

01/01/2007

Guidance about UK integrated groups

BIPRU 10.8.3

Guidance on the treatment of intra-group exposures under this chapter if this section applies can be found in BIPRU 10 Annex 1 G (Treatment of exposures under the integrated groups regime for concentration risk).

01/01/2007

Definition of UK integrated group

BIPRU 10.8.4

An undertaking is a member of a firm's UK integrated group if, in relation to the firm, that undertaking satisfies the following conditions:

(1) it is a concentration risk group counterparty;
(2) it is an institution, financial holding company, financial institution, asset management company or ancillary services undertaking;
(3) it is subject to the same risk evaluation, measurement and control procedures as the firm;
(4) it is established in the United Kingdom and either it is incorporated in the United Kingdom or (if that counterparty is of a type that falls within the scope of that Regulation) the centre of its main interests is situated within the United Kingdom within the meaning of the Council Regulation of 29 May 2000 on insolvency proceedings (Regulation 1346/2000/EC); and
(5) there is no current or foreseen material practical or legal impediment to the prompt transfer of capital resources or repayment of liabilities from the counterparty to the firm.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.8.5

Firms are referred to the guidance relating to 0% risk weights for intra-group exposures under the standardised approach as follows:

(1) BIPRU 3.2.28 G in respect of BIPRU 10.8.4 R (3) on same risk evaluation, measurement and control procedures; and

(2) BIPRU 3.2.30 G and BIPRU 3.2.31 G in respect of BIPRU 10.8.4 R (5) on prompt transfer of capital resources and repayment of liabilities.

29/06/2007

BIPRU 10.8.5A

The FSA may discuss with a firm that makes the notification required in BIPRU 10.8.1 R (2) the reasons why the firm believes it meets the conditions in BIPRU 10.8.4 R (Definition of UK integrated group).

29/06/2007

Revised concentration risk limits for a UK integrated group

BIPRU 10.8.6

A firm must ensure that the rules listed in BIPRU 10.8.7 R are complied with on a consolidated basis in accordance with the following:

(1) the rules apply in relation to the firm's UK integrated group rather than in relation to the firm;
(2) the rules apply in relation to exposures of members of the UK integrated group to members of the residual block; and
(3) the UK integrated group and the residual block must each be treated as a single undertaking.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.8.7

The rules referred to in BIPRU 10.8.6 R are:

(1) BIPRU 10.5.6 R (25% non-trading book limit);
(2) BIPRU 10.5.11 R (trading book limits) other than BIPRU 10.5.11 R (2) (CNCOM);
(3) BIPRU 10.5.12 R (500% limit for trading book excess exposures) with the deletion of the time limit set out in BIPRU 10.5.12 R; and
(4) BIPRU 10.7 (Treasury concession and intra-group securities financing transactions).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.8.8

Exposures between members of the UK integrated group are exempt if this section applies.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.8.9

The 800% limit in BIPRU 10.5.8 RR and the 600% limit in BIPRU 10.5.13 R do not apply to exposures to concentration risk group counterparties if this section applies.

01/01/2007

Adjustments to the Treasury concession exemption

BIPRU 10.8.10

A firm may only treat an exposure as exempt under BIPRU 10.7.1 R (Treasury Concession) as applied under this section if the exposure is or (if that rule applied to the member of the UK integrated group in question) would be exempt under BIPRU 10.7.1 R on a solo basis. The following adjustments apply:

(1) the exposure must be to a concentration risk group counterparty; and
(2) the limit in BIPRU 10.7.2 R (Exemption limited to 50% of a firm's capital resources) is calculated on a consolidated basis with respect to the UK integrated group.

01/01/2007

Adjustments to the exemption for securities financing transactions

BIPRU 10.8.11

A firm may only treat an exposure as exempt under BIPRU 10.7.4 R (Intra-group securities financing transactions) as applied under this section if the exposure is or (if that rule applied to the undertaking in question) would be exempt under BIPRU 10.7.4 R on a solo basis. BIPRU 10.7.6 R (Abuse of the exemption) continues to apply. The exemption is not available if the firm uses the CCR internal model method for securities financing transactions for the purpose of this chapter.

01/01/2007

Definition of residual block

BIPRU 10.8.12

For the purposes of this section, a member of the residual block means, in relation to a firm and its UK integrated group, a concentration risk group counterparty of the firm which is not a member of the firm's UK integrated group.

01/01/2007

Calculation of capital resources for a UK integrated group

BIPRU 10.8.13

For the purposes of this section, a firm must calculate the capital resources of the UK integrated group in accordance with GENPRU 3 Annex 1 R Part 2 (Method 2 of Annex I of the Financial Groups Directive (Deduction and aggregation Method)) and apply the limits set out in this section to those capital resources rather than the capital resources of the firm. For these purposes the definition of solo capital resources is adjusted so that the rules on which the calculation for each member of the UK integrated group is based are the ones that would apply under the procedure in BIPRU 8.6.6 R to BIPRU 8.6.9 R (Consolidated capital resources).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.8.14

The calculation of capital resources under GENPRU 3 Annex 1 R Part 2 (Method 2 of Annex I of the Financial Groups Directive (Deduction and aggregation Method)) is based on the solo capital resources of members of a financial conglomerate. The definition of solo capital resources depends on what type of undertakings the financial conglomerate contains. For instance, if a financial conglomerate contains a bank the solo capital resources calculation for every group member in the banking sector and the investment services sector is based on the capital resources calculation for banks. The purpose of BIPRU 10.8.13 R is to apply the corresponding procedure that applies under BIPRU 8.6 (Calculation of capital resources on a consolidated basis for BIPRU firms).

01/01/2007

Exemption for intra-group exposures on a solo basis

BIPRU 10.8.15

If this section applies to a firm, then subject to BIPRU 10.10 (Treatment of the trading book concentration risk excess under the integrated groups regime), it may, on a solo basis, treat an exposure to a concentration risk group counterparty as exempt from the limits in BIPRU 10.5 (Limits on exposures and large exposures).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.8.16

The purpose of BIPRU 10.8.15 R is to reflect the fact that the limits in BIPRU 10.5 (Limits on exposures and large exposures) so far as they apply to concentration risk group counterparties are calculated on a consolidated basis with respect to a firm's UK integrated group. It is therefore necessary to switch them off on a purely solo basis.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.9

Wider Integrated Group

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 10.9.1

This section applies to a BIPRU firm if:

(1) it has a wider integrated group waiver; and
(2) it is a member of a UK integrated group and of a wider integrated group.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.9.2

If this section applies, BIPRU 10.8 (UK Integrated Groups) does not apply.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.9.3

If this section applies to a firm, it must apply it to all exposures to all its concentration risk group counterparties and not just some of them.

01/01/2007

Guidance about wider integrated groups

BIPRU 10.9.4

Guidance on the treatment of intra-group exposures under BIPRU 10 if this section applies can be found in BIPRU 10 Annex 1 G (Treatment of exposures under the integrated groups regime for concentration risk).

01/01/2007

Definition of wider integrated group

BIPRU 10.9.5

The wider integrated group of a firm consists of each concentration risk group counterparty of the firm that is not a member of the firm's UK integrated group but satisfies all the conditions for membership of the firm's UK integrated group except for BIPRU 10.8.4 R (4) (Establishment in the United Kingdom).

01/01/2007

Definition of diverse block

BIPRU 10.9.6

For the purposes of this section, and in relation to a firm and its wider integrated group, a diverse block means all undertakings in the wider integrated group designated as a single diverse block by the applicable wider integrated group permission.

01/01/2007

Definition of residual block

BIPRU 10.9.7

For the purposes of this section, and in relation to a firm and its wider integrated group, a member of the residual block means a concentration risk group counterparty of the firm which is not a member of the firm's UK integrated group or wider integrated group.

01/01/2007

Revised concentration risk limits for a wider integrated group

BIPRU 10.9.8

A firm to which this section applies must ensure that the rules listed in BIPRU 10.9.9 R are complied with on a consolidated basis on the following basis:

(1) the rules apply in relation to the firm's UK integrated group rather than in relation to the firm;
(2) the rules apply in relation to exposures of the members of the UK integrated group to members of each of the following:

(a) each diverse block; and
(b) the residual block; and

(3) the UK integrated group, each diverse block and the residual block must each be treated as separate single undertakings.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.9.9

The rules referred to in BIPRU 10.9.8 R are:

(1) BIPRU 10.5.6 R (25% non-trading book limit);
(2) BIPRU 10.5.11 R (trading book limits) other than BIPRU 10.5.11 R (2) (CNCOM);
(3) BIPRU 10.5.12 R (500% limit for trading book excess exposures) with the deletion of the time limit set out in BIPRU 10.5.12 R; and
(4) BIPRU 10.7 (Treasury concession and intra-group securities financing transactions).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.9.10

Exposures between members of the UK integrated group are exempt if this section applies.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.9.11

The 800% limit in BIPRU 10.5.8 R and the 600% limit in BIPRU 10.5.13 R do not apply to exposures to concentration risk group counterparties if this section applies.

01/01/2007

Adjustments to the Treasury concession and securities financing exemptions

BIPRU 10.9.12

BIPRU 10.8.10 R (Adjustments to the Treasury concession exemption) and BIPRU 10.8.11 R (Adjustments to the exemption for securities financing transactions) apply for the purposes of this section in the same way that they apply for the purposes of BIPRU 10.8 (UK Integrated Groups).

01/01/2007

Calculation of capital resources for a UK integrated group

BIPRU 10.9.13

BIPRU 10.8.13 R (Calculation of capital resources for a UK integrated group) applies for the purposes of this section in the same way that it applies for the purposes of BIPRU 10.8 (UK Integrated Groups).

01/01/2007

How diverse blocks are chosen

BIPRU 10.9.14

As part of the process of applying for a wider integrated group waiver, a firm should agree with the FSA the number, nature and size of the diverse blocks. The basis of the diverse blocks will depend on the nature, scale and diversity of the business of the firm, its UK integrated group and its wider integrated group. The different diverse blocks are taken to reflect different groupings of risk, reflecting appropriately low levels of correlation. In general, the FSA will expect to permit a firm to establish no more than four diverse blocks. However, there may be circumstances in which the nature and scale of a firm, its UK integrated group and its wider integrated group would warrant the creation of additional diverse blocks. Each member of a firm's wider integrated group will be allocated to a diverse block. Blocks may be diverse according to geography, business or a combination of both.

01/01/2007

Exemption for intra-group exposures on a solo basis

BIPRU 10.9.15

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.9.16

The purpose of BIPRU 10.9.15 R is to reflect the fact that the limits in BIPRU 10.5 (Limits on exposures and large exposures) so far as they apply to concentration risk group counterparties are calculated on a consolidated basis with respect to a firm's UK integrated group. It is therefore necessary to switch them off on a purely solo basis.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.10

Treatment of the trading book concentration risk excess under the integrated groups regime

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.10.1

BIPRU 10.10 applies to a firm applying the treatments set out in BIPRU 10.8 (UK Integrated Groups) or BIPRU 10.9 (Wider Integrated Group).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.10.2

A firm must calculate the CNCOM that would have applied if BIPRU 10.5.11 R (2) (Additional capital requirements relating to the concentration risk capital component) applied in relation to the UK integrated group in question.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.10.3

A firm must then calculate the percentage of the amount calculated under BIPRU 10.10.2 R which is attributable to exposures of the firm.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.10.4

A firm must add the result of the calculation in BIPRU 10.10.3 R to the CNCOM applied to the firm on a solo basis in accordance with BIPRU 10.5.16 G to BIPRU 10.5.22 R (How to calculate the concentration risk capital component).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.11

Notification procedures for BIPRU 10.7 to BIPRU 10.10

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.11.1

(1) A firm may not apply BIPRU 10.7 (Treasury concession and intra-group securities financing transactions) or BIPRU 10.8 (UK integrated groups) unless it has given one Month's prior notice to the FSA that it intends do so.
(2) The written notice referred to in (1) must explain how the firm meets the conditions for the application of the treatment in question and how it will ensure that it will still meet the requirements of BIPRU 10 on a continuing basis when using the relevant treatment.
(3) A firm may stop applying BIPRU 10.7 or BIPRU 10.8 if it has given one Month's prior notice to the FSA that it intends do so.
(4) If a firm stops applying BIPRU 10.7 or BIPRU 10.8 it may start to apply it again if it notifies the FSA under (1) that it intends do so.
(5) A firm need only give the FSA the notice required in (1) once rather than with respect to each exposure.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.11.2

A firm must notify the FSA if it becomes aware that any exposure that it has treated as exempt under BIPRU 10.7 (Treasury concession and intra-group securities financing transactions) or any counterparty that it has been treating as a member of its UK integrated group or, if BIPRU 10.9 (Wider Integrated Group) applies, its wider integrated group has ceased to meet the conditions for application of the relevant treatment.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.12

Systems and controls and general

01/01/2007

Systems and controls

BIPRU 10.12.1

A firm must have sound administrative and accounting procedures and adequate internal control mechanisms for the purposes of identifying and recording all large exposures and subsequent changes to them, and for that of monitoring those large exposures in the light of the firm's own exposure policies.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.12.2

A firm must take reasonable care to establish and maintain adequate systems and controls to identify, monitor, and control exposures to a parent undertaking of the firm, a subsidiary undertaking of the firm, or a subsidiary undertaking of the firm's parent undertaking.

01/01/2007

Concentration risk policies

BIPRU 10.12.3

A firm must be able to demonstrate to the FSA that:

(1) it has written policies and procedures to address and control the concentration risk arising from:

(a) exposures to counterparties and groups of connected clients;
(b) counterparties in the same economic sector or geographic region;
(c) the same activity or commodity; and
(d) the application of credit risk mitigation techniques, including in particular risks associated with large indirect credit exposures (for example to a single collateral issuer); and

(2) those policies and procedures are implemented.

01/01/2007

Reporting

BIPRU 10.12.4

Other than in relation to repurchase transactions or securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions, exposures must be reported on a gross basis, not including the recognition of credit risk mitigation.

01/01/2007

Artificial transactions

BIPRU 10.12.5

In line with the general principle in GENPRU 2.2.1 R (Purposive interpretation) a firm must not, with a view to avoiding the additional capital requirements that it would otherwise incur on exposures exceeding the limits laid down in BIPRU 10.5 (Limits on exposures and large exposures) once those exposures have been maintained for more than ten business days:

(1) temporarily transfer the exposures in question to another person (whether in the same group or not); or
(2) undertake artificial transactions to close out the exposure during the ten business day period and create a new exposure.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10.12.6

A firm must notify the FSA if it enters into a transfer, transaction or arrangement of the type mentioned in BIPRU 10.12.5 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 10 Annex 1

Treatment of exposures under the integrated groups regime for concentration risk

01/01/2007

No UK Integrated Group and no Wider Integrated Group

Situation

Exposure from / to

Summary of the available modifications

Intra group exposures but no UKIG or WIG in place

The firm is not subject to an integrated groups treatment of large exposures. The normal large exposure limits (BIPRU 10.5) apply to connected exposures of the firm at the solo level. (This assumes that no other large exposure exemptions are utilised.)
Although a firm's exposures to connected counterparties may not qualify for an integrated groups treatment, they may still qualify for a treasury and intra-group securities financing transaction concession (BIPRU 10.7).

UK Integrated Group established but no Wider Integrated Group in place

Situation

Exposure from / to

Summary of the available modifications

UKIG firm to another UKIG firm (they are members of the same UKIG)
(No WIG in place)

Exposures between members of a firm's UKIG are exempt from the large exposure limits. This means that the 25%, 800%, 500% and 600% limits are disapplied and that the exposures are not included in the notional CNCOM. (BIPRU 10.8.8 G)

UKIG firm to an undertaking within its residual block (no WIG in place)

In situation 3, there is a UKIG and a residual block. But no WIG has been established.
The UKIG's exposures to undertakings within its residual block are exempt from the normal large exposures limits at the solo level. Instead, the total of the UKIG's exposures to its residual block is subject to the following limits (BIPRU 10.8.6 R -BIPRU 10.8.7 R):

BIPRU 10.5.6 R (25% non-trading book limit);BIPRU 10.5.11 R (trading book limits) other than BIPRU 10.5.11 R (2) (CNCOM);BIPRU 10.5.12 R (500% limit for excess trading book exposures) with the deletion of the time limit set out in BIPRU 10.5.12 R; and BIPRU 10.7 (Treasury concession and intra group securities financing transactions).

The capital resources to which the limits apply are those of the UKIG, rather than those of the solo firm (BIPRU 10.8.6 R (3) and BIPRU 10.8.13 R).
BIPRU 10.7 (Treasury concession and intra-group securities financing transactions) may be applied to exposures of the UKIG to its residual block if the requisite conditions are satisfied.
In respect of the treasury concession (BIPRU 10.7.1 R BIPRU 10.7.3 G), the UKIG's exposures to undertakings within its residual block may be exempt from the 25 % limit, subject to a maximum of 50% of the capital resources of the UKIG. These exempt exposures would also be exempt for the purposes of calculating the notional CNCOM. Any exposure that meets the treasury concession conditions but is above the 50% limit would not be exempt from the large exposure limits. They would not be exempt from the notional CNCOM. The UKIG exposures that were eligible for a treasury concession, but which, together with other such exposures, exceeded the 50% limit are not exempt and are treated as other exposures of the UKIG and remain subject to the 25% limit.

A firm in the residual block to another undertaking in the residual block

Not within the scope of the preferential large exposure treatments.

A firm in the residual block to an undertaking which is a member of the UKIG

UK Integrated Group in place, Wider Integrated Group waiver granted

Situation

Exposure from / to

Summary of the available modifications

UKIG firm to another UKIG member (within the same UKIG)
(WIG in place)

exposures between members of a firm's UKIG are exempt from the large exposure limits (BIPRU 10.9.8 R). (The modifications available are the same as those noted for Situation 2.)

UKIG firm to an undertaking in its WIG
(WIG in place)

In situation 7 there is a UKIG, WIG (comprising diverse blocks agreed under the WIG waiver) and a residual block.
The aggregate exposure of the UKIG to each individual diverse block within the WIG is subject to the following limits (BIPRU 10.9.8 R BIPRU 10.9.9 R9R):

BIPRU 10.5.6 R (25% non-trading book limit;);BIPRU 10.5.11 R (trading book limits) other that BIPRU 10.5.11 R (2) (CNCOM);BIPRU 10.5.12 R (500% limit for excess trading book exposures) with the deletion of the time limit set out in BIPRU 10.5.12 R; and BIPRU 10.7 (Treasury concession and intra-group securities financing transactions).

The capital resources to which these limits apply are those of the UKIG, rather than those of the solo firm (BIPRU 10.9.8 R (3) and BIPRU 10.9.13 R).
BIPRU 10.7 (Treasury concession and intra-group securities financing transactions) may also be applied to the exposures of the UKIG to each of its diverse blocks within the WIG if the requisite conditions are satisfied.
In respect of the treasury concession (BIPRU 10.7.1 R BIPRU 10.7.6 R6), where there is a WIG, the UKIG's exposures to each individual diverse block may be exempt from the 25% limit up to a maximum amount of 50% of the capital resources of the UKIG. Exempt exposures are also exempt for the purpose of calculating the notional CNCOM for each diverse block. The UKIG exposures to the individual diverse blocks that were eligible for the treasury concession, but which together with other such exposures exceed the 50% limit, are not exempt and are treated as otheor exposures of the UKIG and remain subject to the 25% limit.

UKIG firm to a undertaking within its residual block
(WIG in place)

In situation 8, there is a UKIG, WIG (comprising diverse blocks agreed under the WIG waiver) and residual block.
The UKIG's exposures to members of its residual block are exempt from the normal large exposures limits at the solo level. Instead, the total of the UKIG's exposures to the residual block is subject to the following limits (BIPRU 10.9.8 R BIPRU 10.9.11 G)

BIPRU 10.5.6 R (25 % non-trading book limit);BIPRU 10.5.11 R (trading book limits) other than BIPRU 10.5.11 R (2) (CNCOM);BIPRU 10.5.12 R (500% limit for excess trading book exposures) with the deletion of the time limit set out in BIPRU 10.5.12 R; and BIPRU 10.7 (Treasury concession and intragroup securities financing transactions).

The capital resources to which these limits apply are those of the UKIG, rather than those of the solo firm (BIPRU 10.9.8 R and BIPRU 10.9.13 R).
BIPRU 10.7 (Treasury concession and intra-group securities financing transactions may also be applied to exposures of the UKIG to its residual block if the requisite conditions are satisfied.
In respect of the treasury concession (BIPRU 10.7.1 R BIPRU 10.7.6 R), where, subject to meeting the treasury concession conditions, the UKIG's exposures to undertakings within its residual block may be exempt from the 25% limit, subject to a maximum of 50% of the capital resources of the UKIG. These exempt exposures would also be exempt for the purposes of calculating the notional CNCOM. Any exposure that meets the treasury concession conditions but is above the 50% limit would not be exempt from the large exposure limits. They would not be exempt from the notional CNCOM. UKIG exposures that were eligible for a treasury concession, but which, together with other such exposures, exceeded the 50% limit are not exempt and are treated as other exposures of the UKIG and remain subject to the 25% limit.

WIG firm to an undertaking in the UKIG

Not within the scope of the preferential large exposure treatments.

WIG firm to another undertaking in the same WIG
(either within the same diverse block or between diverse blocks)

WIG firm to an undertaking within the residual block

A firm within the residual block to an undertaking within the UKIG

A firm within the residual block to an undertaking within the WIG

A firm within the residual block to an undertaking in the residual block

This table assumes that BIPRU TP 17 and BIPRU TP 18 have not been applied.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 11

Disclosure (Pillar 3)

BIPRU 11.1

Application and purpose

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 11.1.1

BIPRU 11 applies to a BIPRU firm.

01/01/2007

Purpose

BIPRU 11.1.2

The purpose of BIPRU 11 is to implement:

(a) Article 68(3);
(b) Article 72;
(c) Articles 145 to 149; and
(d) Annex XII;

of the Banking Consolidation Directive; and
(2)

(a) Article 2, in part;
(b) Point 3 of Article 23, in part; and
(c) Article 39;

of the Capital Adequacy Directive.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 11.2

Basis of disclosures

01/01/2007

Disclosure on an individual basis

BIPRU 11.2.1

The following must comply with the obligations laid down in BIPRU 11.3 on an individual basis:

(1) a firm which is neither a parent undertaking nor a subsidiary undertaking;
(2) a firm which is excluded from a UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group pursuant to BIPRU 8.5; and
[Note: BCD Article 68(3)]
(3) a firm which is part of a group which has been granted an investment firm consolidation waiver under BIPRU 8.4;
[Note: CAD. Article 23]

01/01/2007

EEA parent institutions

BIPRU 11.2.2

A firm which is an EEA parent institution must comply with the obligations laid down in BIPRU 11.3 on the basis of its consolidated financial situation.

[Note: BCD Article 72(1)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 11.2.3

A firm which is a significant subsidiary of an EEA parent institution must disclose the information specified in BIPRU 11.4.5 R on an individual or sub-consolidated basis.

01/01/2007

Firms controlled by an EEA parent financial holding company

BIPRU 11.2.4

A firm controlled by an EEA parent financial holding company must comply with the obligations laid down in BIPRU 11.3 on the basis of the consolidated financial situation of that EEA parent financial holding company.

[Note: BCD Article 72(2)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 11.2.5

A firm which is a significant subsidiary of an EEA parent financial holding company must disclose the information specified in BIPRU 11.4.5 R on an individual or sub-consolidated basis.

01/01/2007

Waiver: Comparable disclosures provided on a consolidated basis by a parent undertaking established in a third country

BIPRU 11.2.6

A firm which is included within comparable disclosures provided on a consolidated basis by a parent undertaking whose head office is not in an EEA State may apply for a waiver from the relevant disclosure requirements in BIPRU 11.2.2 R - BIPRU 11.2.5 R. The FSA's approach to granting waivers is set out in the Supervision manual (see SUP 8).

[Note: BCD Article 72(3)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 11.2.7

A firm applying for a waiver from one or more of the disclosure requirements in BIPRU 11.2.2 R - BIPRU 11.2.5 R will need to:

(1) satisfy the FSA that it is included within comparable disclosures provided on a consolidated basis by a parent undertaking whose head office is not in an EEA State; and
(2) notify the FSA of the location where the comparable disclosures are provided.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 11.3

Disclosures: Information to be disclosed; Frequency, media and location of disclosures; Verification

01/01/2007

Information to be disclosed

BIPRU 11.3.1

A firm must publicly disclose the information laid down in BIPRU 11.5 subject to the provisions laid down in BIPRU 11.3.5 R to BIPRU 11.3.7 R.

[Note: BCD Article 145(1), CAD Article 39]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 11.3.2

(1) A firm which has an IRB permission must publicly disclose the information laid down in BIPRU 11.6.1 R to BIPRU 11.6.4 R.
(2) A firm which recognises credit risk mitigation in accordance with BIPRU 5 must publicly disclose the information laid down in BIPRU 11.6.5 R.
(3) A firm using the advanced measurement approach for the calculation of its operational risk capital requirement must publicly disclose the information laid down in BIPRU 11.6.6 R.

[Note: BCD Article 145(2), CAD Article 39]

01/01/2007

Disclosure policy

BIPRU 11.3.3

A firm must adopt a formal policy to comply with the disclosure requirements laid down in BIPRU 11.3.1 R and BIPRU 11.3.2 R and have policies for assessing the appropriateness of its disclosures, including their verification and frequency.

[Note: BCD Article 145(3)]

01/01/2007

Rating decisions

BIPRU 11.3.4

A firm must, if requested, explain its rating decisions to SMEs and other corporate applicants for loans, providing an explanation in writing when asked. The administrative costs of the explanation have to be at an appropriate rate to the size of the loan.

[Note: BCD Article 145(4)]

01/01/2007

Exemption from disclosure: Materiality

BIPRU 11.3.5

A firm may omit one or more of the disclosures listed in BIPRU 11.5 if the information provided by such disclosures is not, in the light of the criterion specified in BIPRU 11.4.1 R, regarded as material.

[Note: BCD Article 146(1)]

01/01/2007

Exemption from disclosure: Proprietary or confidential information

BIPRU 11.3.6

A firm may omit one or more items of information included in the disclosures listed in BIPRU 11.5 and BIPRU 11.6 if those items include information which, in the light of the criteria specified in BIPRU 11.4.2 R and BIPRU 11.4.3 R, is regarded as proprietary or confidential.

[Note: BCD Article 146(2)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 11.3.7

In the exceptional cases referred to in BIPRU 11.3.6 R, a firm must:

(1) state in its disclosures:

(a) the fact that the specific items of information are not disclosed; and
(b) the reason for non-disclosure; and

(2) publish more general information about the subject matter of the disclosure requirement, except where these are to be classified as secret or confidential under the criteria set out in BIPRU 11.4.2 R and BIPRU 11.4.3 R.

[Note: BCD Article 146(3)]

01/01/2007

Frequency of publication

BIPRU 11.3.8

A firm must:

(1) publish the disclosures required under BIPRU 11.3.1 R to BIPRU 11.3.5 R on an annual basis at a minimum;
(2) publish disclosures as soon as practicable.

[Note: BCD Article 147(1)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 11.3.9

A firm must also determine whether more frequent publication than is provided for in BIPRU 11.3.8 R is necessary in the light of the criteria set out in BIPRU 11.4.4 R.

[Note: BCD Article 147(2)]

01/01/2007

Media and location of publication

BIPRU 11.3.10

(1) A firm may determine the appropriate medium, location and means of verification to comply effectively with the disclosure requirements laid down in BIPRU 11.3.1 R to BIPRU 11.3.4 R.
(2) To the degree feasible, a firm must provide all disclosures in one medium or location.
(3) Equivalent disclosures made by a firm under accounting, listing or other requirements may be deemed to constitute compliance with BIPRU 11.3.1 R to BIPRU 11.3.4 R.
(4) If disclosures are not included in the financial statements, a firm must indicate where they can be found.

[Note: BCD Article 148]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 11.4

Technical criteria on disclosure: General criteria

01/01/2007

Criterion for materiality

BIPRU 11.4.1

A firm must regard information as material in disclosures if its omission or misstatement could change or influence the assessment or decision of a user relying on that information for the purpose of making economic decisions.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 1 point 1]

01/01/2007

Criteria: Proprietary or confidential information

BIPRU 11.4.2

(1) A firm must regard information as proprietary information if sharing that information with the public would undermine its competitive position.
(2) Proprietary information may include information on products or systems which, if shared with competitors, would render a firm's investments therein less valuable.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 1 point 2]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 11.4.3

A firm must regard information as confidential if there are obligations to customers or other counterparty relationships binding the firm to confidentiality.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 1 point 3]

01/01/2007

Criteria: Frequency of publication

BIPRU 11.4.4

(1) A firm must assess the need to publish some or all disclosures more frequently than annually in the light of the relevant characteristics of its business such as:

(a) scale of operations;
(b) range of activities;
(c) presence in different countries;
(d) involvement in different financial sectors;
(e) participation in international financial markets; and
(f) participation in payment, settlement and clearing systems.

(2) In making its assessment under (1) a firm must pay particular attention to the possible need for more frequent disclosure of:

(a) items of information laid down in BIPRU 11.5.3 R (2) and BIPRU 11.5.3 R (5), and BIPRU 11.5.4 R (2) - BIPRU 11.5.4 R (5);
(b) information on risk exposure and other items prone to rapid change.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 1 point 4]

01/01/2007

Disclosures: Significant subsidiaries

BIPRU 11.4.5

A firm which is a significant subsidiary of:

(1) an EEA parent institution; or
(2) an EEA parent financial holding company;

must disclose the information specified in BIPRU 11.5.3 R to BIPRU 11.5.4 R on an individual or sub-consolidated basis.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 1 point 5]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 11.5

Technical criteria on disclosure: General requirements

01/01/2007

Disclosure: Risk management objectives and policies

BIPRU 11.5.1

A firm must disclose its risk management objectives and policies for each separate category of risk, including the risks referred to under BIPRU 11.5.1 R to BIPRU 11.5.17 R. These disclosures must include:

(1) the strategies and processes to manage those risks;
(2) the structure and organisation of the relevant risk management function or other appropriate arrangements;
(3) the scope and nature of risk reporting and measurement systems; and
(4) the policies for hedging and mitigating risk, and the strategies and processes for monitoring the continuing effectiveness of hedges and mitigants.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 2 point 1]

01/01/2007

Disclosure: Scope of application of directive requirements

BIPRU 11.5.2

A firm must disclose the following information regarding the scope of application of the requirements of the Banking Consolidation Directive:

(1) the name of the firm which is the subject of the disclosures;
(2) an outline of the differences in the basis of consolidation for accounting and prudential purposes, with a brief description of the entities that are:

(a) fully consolidated;
(b) proportionally consolidated;
(c) deducted from capital resources;
(d) neither consolidated nor deducted;

(3) any current or foreseen material practical or legal impediment to the prompt transfer of capital resources or repayment of liabilities among the parent undertaking and its subsidiary undertakings;
(4) the aggregate amount by which the actual capital resources are less than the required minimum in all subsidiary undertakings not included in the consolidation, and the name or names of such subsidiary undertakings; and
(5) if applicable, the circumstance of making use of the provisions laid down in BIPRU 2.1 (Solo consolidation waiver).

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 2 point 2]

01/01/2007

Disclosure: Capital resources

BIPRU 11.5.3

A firm must disclose the following information regarding its capital resources:

(1) summary information on the terms and conditions of the main features of all capital resources items and components thereof;
(2) tier one capital resources less any innovative tier one capital resources, with separate disclosure of all positive items and deductions;
(3) the total amount (for the purposes of (3), the total amount must be stated gross of deductions) of:

(a) tier two capital resources plus any innovative tier one capital resources; and
(b) tier three capital resources;

(4) deductions from tier one capital resources and tier two capital resources, with separate disclosure of items referred to in GENPRU 2.2.236 R; and
(5) total capital resources, net of deductions in GENPRU 2.2 and limits laid down in GENPRU 2.2.25 R to GENPRU 2.2.30 R and GENPRU 2.2.42 R to GENPRU 2.2.50 R.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 2 point 3]

01/01/2007

Disclosure: Compliance with BIPRU 3, BIPRU 4, BIPRU 6, BIPRU 7, BIPRU 10 and the overall Pillar 2 rule

BIPRU 11.5.4

A firm must disclose the following information regarding compliance with BIPRU 3, BIPRU 4, BIPRU 6, BIPRU 7, BIPRU 10 and the overall Pillar 2 rule:

(1) a summary of the firm's approach to assessing the adequacy of its internal capital to support current and future activities;
(2) for a firm calculating risk weighted exposure amounts in accordance with the standardised approach to credit risk, 8% of the risk weighted exposure amounts for each of the standardised credit risk exposure classes;
(3) for a firm calculating risk weighted exposure amounts in accordance with the IRB approach, 8% of the risk weighted exposure amounts for each of the IRB exposure classes;
[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 2 point 4 (part)]
(4) the firm's minimum capital requirements for the following:

(a) in respect of its trading-book business, its:

(i) interest rate PRR;
(ii) equity PRR;
(iii) option PRR;
(iv) collective investment schemes PRR;
(v) counterparty risk capital component;
(vi) concentration risk capital component; and

(b) in respect of all of its business activities, its:

(i) commodity PRR; and
(ii) foreign currency PRR;

(5) its operational risk capital requirement calculated in accordance with the basic indicator approach, the standardised approach and the advanced measurement approach and disclosed separately.
[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 2 point 4(part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 11.5.5

For retail exposures, the requirement under BIPRU 11.5.4 R (3) applies to each of the following categories:

(1) exposures to retail SMEs;
(2) retail exposures secured by real estate collateral;
(3) qualifying revolving retail exposures; and
(4) other retail exposures.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 2 point 4(part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 11.5.6

For equity exposures, the requirement under BIPRU 11.5.4 R (3) applies to:

(1) each of the approaches ( the simple risk weight approach, the PD/LGD approach and the internal models approach) provided for in BIPRU 4.7.5 R to BIPRU 4.7.6 R, BIPRU 4.7.9 R to BIPRU 4.7.11 R, BIPRU 4.7.14 R to BIPRU 4.7.16 R, BIPRU 4.7.24 R to BIPRU 4.7.25 R;
(2) exchange traded exposures, private equity exposures in sufficiently diversified portfolios, and other exposures;
(3) exposures subject to supervisory transition regarding capital requirements; and
(4) exposures subject to grandfathering provisions regarding capital requirements.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 2 point 4(part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 11.5.7

A firm must disclose the following information regarding its exposure to counterparty credit risk:

(1) a discussion of the methodology used to assign internal capital and credit limits for counterparty credit exposures;
(2) a discussion of policies for securing collateral and establishing credit reserves;
(3) a discussion of policies with respect to wrong-way risk exposures;
(4) a discussion of the impact of the amount of collateral the firm would have to provide given a downgrade in its credit rating;
(5) gross positive fair value of contracts, netting benefits, netted current credit exposure, collateral held and 'net derivatives credit exposure', where 'net derivatives credit exposure' is the credit exposure on derivatives transactions after considering both the benefits from legally enforceable netting agreements and collateral arrangements;
(6) measures for exposure value under the CCR mark to market method, the CCR standardised method or the CCR internal model method, whichever is applicable;
(7) the notional value of credit derivative hedges, and the distribution of current credit exposure by types of credit exposure;
(8) credit derivative transactions (notional), segregated between use for the firm's own credit portfolio, as well as in its intermediation activities, including the distribution of the credit derivatives products used, broken down further by protection bought and sold within each product group; and
(9) the estimate of alpha (α) if the firm's CCR internal model method permission permits it to estimate α.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 2 point 5]

01/01/2007

Disclosure: Credit risk and dilution risk

BIPRU 11.5.8

A firm must disclose the following information regarding its exposure to credit risk and dilution risk:

(1) the definitions for accounting purposes of past due and impaired;
(2) a description of the approaches and methods adopted for determining value adjustments and provisions;
(3) the total amount of exposures after accounting offsets and without taking into account the effects of credit risk mitigation, and the average amount of the exposures over the period broken down by different types of exposure classes;
(4) the geographic distribution of the exposures, broken down in significant areas by material exposure classes, and further detailed if appropriate;
(5) the distribution of the exposures by industry or counterparty type, broken down by exposure classes, and further detailed if appropriate;
(6) the residual maturity breakdown of all the exposures, broken down by exposure classes, and further detailed if appropriate;
(7) by significant industry or counterparty type, the amount of:

(a) impaired exposures and past due exposures, provided separately;
(b) value adjustments and provisions; and
(c) charges for value adjustments during the period;

(8) the amount of the impaired exposures and past due exposures, provided separately, broken down by the significant geographical areas including, if practical, the amounts of value adjustments and provisions related to each geographical area;
(9) the reconciliation of changes in the value adjustments and provisions for impaired exposures, shown separately; and
(10) value adjustments and recoveries recorded directly to the income statement must be disclosed separately.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 2 point 6 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 11.5.9

The information to be disclosed under BIPRU 11.5.8 R (9) must comprise:

(1) a description of the type of value adjustments and provisions;
(2) the opening balances;
(3) the amounts taken against the provisions during the period;
(4) the amounts set aside or reversed for estimated probable losses on exposures during the period, any other adjustments including those determined by exchange rate differences, business combinations, acquisitions and disposals of subsidiary undertakings, and transfers between provisions; and
(5) the closing balances.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 2 point 6 (part)]

01/01/2007

Disclosure: Firms calculating risk weighted exposure amounts in accordance with the standardised approach

BIPRU 11.5.10

For a firm calculating risk weighted exposure amounts in accordance with the standardised approach to credit risk, the following information must be disclosed for each of the standardised credit risk exposure classes;

(1) the names of the nominated ECAIs and export credit agencies and the reasons for any changes;
(2) the standardised credit risk exposure classes for which each ECAI or export credit agency is used;
(3) a description of the process used to transfer the issuer and issue credit assessments onto items not included in the trading book;
(4) the association of the external rating of each nominated ECAI or export credit agency with the credit quality steps prescribed in BIPRU 3, taking into account that this information need not be disclosed if the firm complies with the credit quality assessment scale; and
(5) the exposure values and the exposure values after credit risk mitigation associated with each credit quality step prescribed in BIPRU 3, as well as those deducted from capital resources.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 2 point 7]

01/01/2007

Disclosure: Firms calculating risk weighted exposure amounts using the IRB approach

BIPRU 11.5.11

A firm calculating risk weighted exposure amounts for specialised lending exposures in accordance with BIPRU 4.5.8 R to BIPRU 4.5.10 R or equity exposures in accordance with BIPRU 4.7.9 R to BIPRU 4.7.10 R (the simple risk weight approach) must disclose the exposures assigned:

(1) to each category of the table in BIPRU 4.5.9 R; or
(2) to each risk weight mentioned in BIPRU 4.7.9 R to BIPRU 4.7.10 R.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 2 point 8]

01/01/2007

Disclosure: Market risk

BIPRU 11.5.12

A firm must disclose its capital resources requirements separately for each risk referred to in (1) and (2).

(1) in respect of its trading-book business, its:

(a) interest rate PRR;
(b) equity PRR;
(c) option PRR;
(d) collective investment schemes PRR;
(e) counterparty risk capital component; and
(f) concentration risk capital component; and

(2) in respect of all of its business activities, its:

(a) commodity PRR; and
(b) foreign currency PRR

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 2 point 9]

01/01/2007

Disclosure: Use of VaR model for calculation of market risk capital requirement

BIPRU 11.5.13

The following information must be disclosed by a firm which calculates its market risk capital requirement using a VaR model:

(1) for each sub-portfolio covered:

(a) the characteristics of the models used;
(b) a description of stress testing applied to the sub-portfolio;
(c) a description of the approaches used for backtesting and validating the accuracy and consistency of the internal models and modelling processes;

(2) the scope of the firm's VaR model permission; and
(3) a description of the extent and methodologies for compliance with the requirements set out in GENPRU 1.3.13 R (2) and GENPRU 1.3.13 R (3) and GENPRU 1.3.14 R to GENPRU 1.3.34 R.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 2 point 10]

01/01/2007

Disclosure: Operational risk

BIPRU 11.5.14

The following information must be disclosed by a firm on operational risk:

(1) the approaches for the assessment of the operational risk capital requirement that the firm qualifies for; and
(2) if the firm uses the advanced measurement approach:

(a) a description of the methodology used in the advanced measurement approach, including a discussion of relevant internal and external factors considered in the firm's measurement approach; and
(b) in the case of partial use, the scope and coverage of the different methodologies used.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 2 point 11]

01/01/2007

Disclosure: Non-trading book exposures in equities

BIPRU 11.5.15

A firm must disclose the following information regarding the exposures in equities not included in the trading book:

(1) the differentiation between exposures based on their objectives, including for capital gains relationship and strategic reasons, and an overview of the accounting techniques and valuation methodologies used, including key assumptions and practices affecting valuation and any significant changes in these practices;
(2) the balance sheet value, the fair value and, for those exchange-traded, a comparison to the market price where it is materially different from the fair value;
(3) the types, nature and amounts of exchange-traded exposures, private equity exposures in sufficiently diversified portfolios, and other exposures;
(4) the cumulative realised gains or losses arising from sales and liquidations in the period; and
(5) the total unrealised gains or losses, the total latent revaluation gains or losses, and any of these amounts included in tier one, tier two or tier three capital resources.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 2 point 12]

01/01/2007

Disclosures: Exposures to interest rate risk in the non-trading book

BIPRU 11.5.16

A firm must disclose the following information on its exposure to interest rate risk on positions not included in the trading book:

(1) the nature of the interest rate risk and the key assumptions (including assumptions regarding loan prepayments and behaviour of non-maturity deposits), and frequency of measurement of the interest rate risk; and
(2) the variation in earnings, economic value or other relevant measure used by the management for upward and downward rate shocks according to management's method for measuring the interest rate risk, broken down by currency.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 2 point 13]

01/01/2007

Disclosures: Securitisation

BIPRU 11.5.17

A firm calculating risk weighted exposure amounts in accordance with BIPRU 9 must disclose the following information:

(1) a description of the firm's objectives in relation to securitisation activity;
(2) the roles played by the firm in the securitisation process;
(3) an indication of the extent of the firm's involvement in each of them;
(4) the approaches to calculating risk weighted exposure amounts that the firm follows for its securitisation activities;
(5) a summary of the firm's accounting policies for securitisation activities, including:

(a) whether the transactions are treated as sales or financings;
(b) the recognition of gains on sales;
(c) the key assumptions for valuing retained interests; and
(d) the treatment of synthetic securitisations if this is not covered by other accounting policies;

(6) the names of the ECAIs used for securitisations and the types of exposure for which each agency is used;
(7) the total outstanding amount of exposures securitised by the firm and subject to the securitisation framework (broken down into traditional and synthetic), by exposure type;
(8) for exposures securitised by the firm and subject to the securitisation framework, a breakdown by exposure type of the amount of impaired and past due exposures securitised, and the losses recognised by the firm during the period;
(9) the aggregate amount of securitisation positions retained or purchased, broken down by exposure type;
(10) the aggregate amount of securitisation positions retained or purchased:

(a) broken down into a meaningful number of risk weight bands; and
(b) with separate disclosure of positions that have been risk weighted at 1250% or deducted;

(11) the aggregate outstanding amount of securitisated revolving exposures segregated by the originator's interest and the investors' interest; and
(12) a summary of the securitisation activity in the period, including the amount of exposures securitised (by exposure type), and recognised gain or loss on sale by exposure type.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 2 point 14]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 11.6

Qualifying requirements for the use of particular instruments or methodologies

01/01/2007

Disclosures: Firms using the IRB approach

BIPRU 11.6.1

A firm calculating risk weighted exposure amounts in accordance with the IRB approach must disclose the following information:

(1) the scope of the firm's IRB permission;
(2) an explanation and review of:

(a) the structure of internal rating systems and relation between internal and external ratings;
(b) the use of internal estimates other than for calculating risk weighted exposure amounts in accordance with the IRB approach;
(c) the process for managing and recognising credit risk mitigation; and
(d) the control mechanisms for rating systems including a description of independence, accountability, and rating systems review;

(3) a description of the internal ratings process, provided separately for the following IRB exposure classes:

(a) central governments and central banks;
(b) institutions;
(c) corporate, including SMEs, specialised lending and purchased corporate receivables;
(d) retail, for exposures to retail SMEs exposures, retail exposures secured by real estate collateral, qualifying revolving retail exposures, and other retail exposures; and
(e) equities;

(4) the exposure values for each of the IRB exposure classes;
(5) for each of the IRB exposure classes central governments and central banks, institutions, corporate and equity, and across a sufficient number of obligor grades (including default) to allow for a meaningful differentiation of credit risk, a firm must disclose:

(a) the total exposures (for the IRB exposure classes central governments and central banks, institutions and corporate exposures, the sum of outstanding loans and exposure values for undrawn commitments; for equity exposures, the outstanding amount);
(b) for a firm using own LGD estimates for the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts, the exposure-weighted average LGD in percentage;
(c) the exposure-weighted average risk weight; and
(d) for a firm using own estimates of conversion factors for the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts, the amount of undrawn commitments and exposure-weighted average exposure values for each IRB exposure class;

(6) for the retail exposure class and for each of the categories of:

(a) exposures to retail SMEs;
(b) retail exposures secured by real estate collateral;
(c) qualifying revolving retail exposures; and
(d) other retail exposures;

either the disclosures outlined under (5) (if applicable, on a pooled basis), or an analysis of exposures (outstanding loans and exposure values for undrawn commitments) against a sufficient number of EL grades to allow for a meaningful differentiation of credit risk (if applicable, on a pooled basis);
(7) the actual value adjustments in the preceding period for each IRB exposure class (for retail exposures, for each of the categories in (6)(a) to (d)) and how they differ from past experience;
(8) a description of the factors that impacted on the loss experience in the preceding period (for example, whether the firm experienced higher than average default rates, or higher than average LGDs and conversion factors); and
(9) the firm's estimates against actual outcomes over a longer period including, at a minimum, information on estimates of losses against actual losses in each IRB exposure class (for retail exposures, for each of the categories in (6)(a) to (d)) over a period sufficient to allow for a meaningful assessment of the performance of the internal rating processes for each IRB exposure class (for retail exposures, for each of the categories in (6)(a) to (d)).

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 3 point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 11.6.2

For the purposes of BIPRU 11.6.1 R (3), the description must include the types of exposure included in the IRB exposure class, the definitions, methods and data for estimation and validation of PD and, if applicable, LGD and conversion factors, including assumptions employed in the derivation of these variables, and the descriptions of material deviations from the definition of default, including the broad segments affected by such deviations.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 3 point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 11.6.3

For the purposes of BIPRU 11.6.1 R (4), where a firm uses its own estimates of LGDs or conversion factors for the calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts for exposures falling into the sovereign, institution and corporate IRB exposure class, the firm must disclose those exposures separately from exposures for which it does not use such estimates.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 3 point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 11.6.4

For the purposes of BIPRU 11.6.1 R (9), where appropriate, a firm must further decompose the information to provide analysis of PD and, for a firm using own estimates of LGDs and/or conversion factors, LGD and conversion factor outcomes against estimates provided in the quantitative risk assessment disclosures under BIPRU 11.6.1 R to BIPRU 11.6.4 R.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 3 point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

Disclosures: Credit risk mitigation

BIPRU 11.6.5

A firm applying credit risk mitigation techniques must disclose the following information:

(1) the policies and processes for, and an indication of the extent to which the firm makes use of, on- and off-balance sheet netting;
(2) the policies and processes for collateral valuation and management;
(3) a description of the main types of collateral taken by the firm;
(4) the main types of guarantor and credit derivative counterparty and their creditworthiness;
(5) information about market risk or credit risk concentrations within the credit mitigation taken;
(6) for firms calculating risk weighted exposure amounts using the standardised approach to credit risk or the IRB approach, but not providing own estimates of LGDs or conversion factors in respect of the exposure class, separately for each exposure class, the total exposure value (after, where applicable, on- or off-balance sheet netting) that is covered - after the application of volatility adjustments - by eligible financial collateral, and other eligible collateral; and
(7) for firms calculating risk weighted exposure amounts using the standardised approach or the IRB approach, separately for each exposure class, the total exposure (after, where applicable, on- or off-balance sheet netting) that is covered by guarantees or credit derivatives; for equity exposures, this requirement applies to each of the approaches ( the simple risk weight approach, the PD/LGD approach and the internal models approach) provided for in BIPRU 4.7.5 R to BIPRU 4.7.6 R, BIPRU 4.7.9 R to BIPRU 4.7.11 R, BIPRU 4.7.14 R to BIPRU 4.7.16 R, BIPRU 4.7.24 R to BIPRU 4.7.25 R.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 3 point 2]

01/01/2007

Disclosure: Insurance for the purpose of mitigating operational risk

BIPRU 11.6.6

A firm using the advanced measurement approach for the calculation of its operational risk capital requirement must disclose a description of the use of insurance for the purpose of mitigating the risk.

[Note: BCD Annex XII Part 3 point 3]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 12

To follow

BIPRU 12.1

To follow

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13

The calculation of counterparty risk exposure values for financial derivatives, securities financing transactions and long settlement transactions

BIPRU 13.1

Application and Purpose

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 13.1.1

BIPRU 13 applies to a BIPRU firm.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.1.2

(1) BIPRU 13 applies to items in the non-trading book.
(2) BIPRU 13 applies to trading book items for the purposes of BIPRU 14.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.1.3

The requirement to calculate the counterparty credit risk capital charge for trading book items is set out in BIPRU 14.

01/01/2007

Purpose

BIPRU 13.1.4

BIPRU 13 implements:

(1) Article 78(2) and (4);
(2) point 3 of Part 1, and Parts 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 of Annex III; and
(3) Annex IV;

of the Banking Consolidation Directive.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.1.5

BIPRU 13.3 sets out the calculations of exposure values for financial derivative instrument, long settlement transactions and certain other transactions under the standardised approach and, subject to BIPRU 4, under the IRB approach. BIPRU 13.4, 13.5 and 13.6 set out the provisions relating to the CCR mark to market method, the CCR standardised method and the CCR internal model method in turn.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.1.6

BIPRU 13.8 sets out a summary of the treatment of securities financing transactions.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.2

Unusual Transactions

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.2.1

If the calculation of the amount of an exposure or of a combination of exposures under BIPRU 13 would materially understate the amount of the counterparty credit risk the firm must increase the amount of the credit risk capital requirement by an amount sufficient to compensate for that understatement.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.2.2

If a firm in relation to an exposure covered by BIPRU 13:

(1) has an exposure of a non-standard type; or
(2) an exposure that is part of a non-standard arrangement; or
(3) has an exposure that, taken together with other exposures (whether or not they are subject to BIPRU 13), gives rise to a non-standard counterparty credit risk; or
(4) is subject to the rule in BIPRU 13.2.1 R;

it must notify the FSA as soon as practicable of that fact, the counterparty involved, the nature of the exposure or arrangement and the treatment of those exposures it has adopted for the purpose of the calculation of the credit risk capital requirement.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.2.3

BIPRU 13.2.2 R does not apply to exposures which are within the scope of a firm's CCR internal model method permission.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.2.4

A firm must judge the question of what is non-standard for the purposes of BIPRU 13.2.2 R by reference to the standards:

(1) prevailing at the time the rule is being applied; and
(2) of firms generally who carry on business which might give rise to exposures covered by BIPRU 13 rather than merely by reference to the firm's own business.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.2.5

The methodologies which have been developed assume instruments with standard characteristics. There are many examples, however, of instruments which, although based on a standard contract, contain structural features which make the rules, as stated, inappropriate. In such circumstances a firm should consult the FSA.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.3

Calculation of exposure values for financial derivatives and long settlement transactions: General provisions

01/01/2007

Financial derivative instruments

BIPRU 13.3.1

A firm must determine the exposure value of a financial derivative instrument in accordance with BIPRU 13, with the effects of contracts of novation and other netting agreements taken into account for the purposes of those methods in accordance with BIPRU 13.

[Note: BCD Article 78(2) first sentence]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.3.2

Subject to BIPRU 13.3, a firm must determine the exposure value for financial derivative instruments with the CCR mark to market method, the CCR standardised method or the CCR internal model method.

[Note: BCD Annex III, Part 2 point 1]

01/01/2007

Definition of financial derivative instrument

BIPRU 13.3.3

Each of the following is a financial derivative instrument:

(1) an interest-rate contract, being:

(a) a single-currency interest rate swap;
(b) a basis-swap;
(c) a forward rate agreement;
(d) an interest-rate future;
(e) a purchased interest-rate option; and
(f) other contracts of similar nature.

(2) a foreign currency contract or contract concerning gold, being:

(a) a cross-currency interest-rate swap;
(b) a forward foreign currency contract;
(c) a currency future;
(d) a currency option purchased;
(e) other contracts of a similar nature; and
(f) a contract concerning gold of a nature similar to (2)(a) to (e).

(3) a contract of a nature similar to those in 1(a) to (e) and 2(a) to (d) concerning other reference items or indices, including as a minimum all instruments specified in points 4 to 7, 9 and 10 of Section C of Annex I to the MIFID not otherwise included in (1) or (2).

[Note: BCD Annex IV]

01/01/2007

Long settlement transactions

BIPRU 13.3.4

Long settlement transaction means a transaction where a counterparty undertakes to deliver a security, a commodity, or a foreign currency amount against cash, other financial instruments, or commodities, or vice versa, at a settlement or delivery date that is contractually specified as more than the lower of the market standard for this particular transaction and five business days after the date on which the firm enters into the transaction.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 1 point 3]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.3.5

A firm must calculate the exposure value of a long settlement transaction in accordance with either:

(1) BIPRU 13; or
(2) the master netting agreement internal models approach, if it has a master netting agreement internal models approach waiver which permits it to apply that approach.

[Note: BCD Article 78(2) second sentence, in respect of long settlement transaction]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.3.6

A firm may determine exposures arising from long settlement transactions using any of the CCR mark to market method, the CCR standardised method and the CCR internal model method, regardless of the methods chosen for treating financial derivatives instruments and repurchase transactions, securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions, and margin lending transactions. In calculating capital requirements for long settlement transactions, a firm that uses the IRB approach may apply the risk weights under the standardised approach on a permanent basis and irrespective of the materiality of such positions.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 2 point 7]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.3.7

A firm is not required to calculate the exposure value of a transaction as a long settlement transaction for the purposes of BIPRU 13 if the transaction is a financial derivative instrument or a securities financing transaction and the firm chooses to calculate the capital requirement for the transaction according to the methods applicable to those exposures.

01/01/2007

General netting

BIPRU 13.3.8

Under the CCR mark to market method, the CCR standardised method and the CCR internal model method, a firm must determine the exposure value for a given counterparty as equal to the sum of the exposure values calculated for each netting set with that counterparty.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 2 point 5]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.3.9

A firm may only recognise netting for the purposes of BIPRU 13.4, BIPRU 13.5 and BIPRU 13.6 if the requirements in BIPRU 13.7 are met.

01/01/2007

Combined use

BIPRU 13.3.10

The combined use of the CCR mark to market method, the CCR standardised method and the CCR internal model method is not permitted. The combined use of the CCR mark to market method and the CCR standardised method is permitted where one of the methods is used for the cases set out in BIPRU 13.5.9 R to BIPRU 13.5.10 R.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 2 point 1(part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.3.11

The combined use of different approaches may be used across a group as described in BIPRU 8.7.8 G and BIPRU 8.7.9 G.

01/01/2007

Exposure to a central counterparty

BIPRU 13.3.12

Notwithstanding BIPRU 13.3.1 R and BIPRU 13.3.5 R, a firm may determine the exposure value of a credit risk exposure outstanding with a central counterparty in accordance with BIPRU 13.3.13 R, provided that the central counterparty's counterparty credit risk exposure with all participants in its arrangements are fully collateralised on a daily basis.

[Note: BCD Article 78(4) in respect of financial derivatives and long settlement transactions]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.3.13

A firm may attribute an exposure value of zero for CCR to derivative contracts and long settlement transactions, or to other exposures arising in respect of those contracts or transactions (but excluding an exposure arising from collateral held to mitigate losses in the event of the default of other participants in the central counterparty's arrangements) where they are outstanding with a central counterparty and have not been rejected by the central counterparty.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 2 point 6 in respect of financial derivatives and long settlement transactions]

01/01/2007

Exceptions

BIPRU 13.3.14

When a firm purchases credit derivative protection against a non-trading book, exposure or against a CCR exposure, it must compute its capital requirement for the hedged asset in accordance with:

(1) BIPRU 5.7.16 R to BIPRU 5.7.25 R and BIPRU 4.10.49 R (4) to (6) (Unfunded credit protection: Valuation and calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts and expected loss amounts);
(2) BIPRU 4.4.79 R (Double default); or
(3) BIPRU 4.10.40 R to BIPRU 4.10.48 R (Unfunded credit protection: Minimum requirements for assessing the effect of guarantees and credit derivatives).

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 2 point 3 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.3.15

In the cases in BIPRU 13.3.14 R, a firm must set the exposure value for CCR for these credit derivatives to zero.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 2 point 3 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.3.16

A firm must set the exposure value for CCR from sold credit default swaps in the non-trading book, where they are treated as credit protection provided by the firm and subject to a capital requirement for credit risk for the full notional amount, to zero.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 2 point 4]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.4

CCR mark to market method

01/01/2007

General

BIPRU 13.4.1

The rules in BIPRU 13.4 set out the CCR mark to market method.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.4.2

A firm must obtain the current replacement cost of all contracts with positive values by attaching current market values to contracts (marking to market).

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 3, Step (a)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.4.3

A firm must obtain a figure for potential future credit exposure by multiplying the notional principal amounts or underlying values by the percentages in the table in BIPRU 13.4.5 R.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 3, Step (b) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.4.4

BIPRU 13.4.3 R does not apply in the case of single-currency "floating/floating" interest rate swaps.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 3, Step (b) (part)]

01/01/2007

Table: multiples to be applied to notional principal amounts or underlying values

BIPRU 13.4.5

This table belongs to BIPRU 13.4.5 R

Residual maturity

Interest-rate contracts

Contracts concerning foreign currency rates and gold

Contracts concerning equities

Contracts concerning precious metals except gold

Contracts concerning commodities other than precious metals

One year or less

10%

Over one year, not exceeding five years

0,5%

12%

Over five years

1.5%

7.5%

10%

15%

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 3, Table 1]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.4.6

A firm must treat a contract which does not fall within one of the five categories indicated in the table in BIPRU 13.4.5 R as a contract concerning commodities other than precious metals.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 3, Table 1 footnote 25]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.4.7

For contracts with multiple exchanges of principal, a firm must multiply the percentages in the table in BIPRU 13.4.5 R by the number of remaining payments still to be made according to the contract.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 3, Table 1 footnote 26]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.4.8

For contracts that are structured to settle outstanding exposure following specified payment dates and where the terms are reset such that the market value of the contract is zero on these specified dates, a firm must treat the residual maturity as equal to the time until the next reset date.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 3, Table 1 footnote 27 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.4.9

In the case of interest-rate contracts that meet the criteria in BIPRU 13.4.8 R and have a remaining maturity of over one year, a firm must apply a percentage no lower than 0.5%.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 3, Table 1 footnote 27 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.4.10

For the purpose of calculating the potential future credit exposure in accordance with BIPRU 13.4.3 R a firm may apply the percentages in the table in BIPRU 13.4.11 R instead of those prescribed in the table in BIPRU 13.4.5 R provided that it makes use of the commodity extended maturity ladder approach for contracts relating to commodities other than gold.

01/01/2007

Table: alternative multiples to be applied to notional principal amounts or underlying values

BIPRU 13.4.11

This table belongs to BIPRU 13.4.10 R

Residual maturity

Precious metals (except gold)

Base metals

Agricultural products (softs)

Other, including energy products

One year or less

2,5%

Over one year, not exceeding five years

Over five years

7.5%

10%

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 3, Table 2]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.4.12

A firm must calculate the exposure value as the sum of:

(1) the current replacement cost calculated under BIPRU 13.4.2 R; and
(2) the potential future credit exposure calculated under BIPRU 13.4.3 R.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 3, Step (c)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.4.13

Contracts with a negative replacement cost should still be subject to an add-on if there is a possibility of the replacement costs becoming positive before maturity. Written options should therefore be exempt from add-ons.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.4.14

For the purposes of calculating the replacement cost, where an exposure relates to collateral posted to cover a negative mark to market position on a derivative contract, the negative mark to market exposure may be offset against the collateral exposure if the requirements in BIPRU 5 are met.

01/01/2007

Alternative approach

BIPRU 13.4.15

A firm must ensure that the notional amount to be taken into account is an appropriate yardstick for the risk inherent in the contract. Where, for instance, the contract provides for a multiplication of cash flows, a firm must adjust the notional amount in order to take into account the effects of the multiplication on the risk structure of that contract.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 2 point 8]

01/01/2007

Netting: Contracts for novation

BIPRU 13.4.16

The single net amounts fixed by contracts for novation, rather than the gross amounts involved, may be weighted. For the purposes of the CCR mark to market method, a firm may obtain:

(1) in BIPRU 13.4.2 R, the current replacement cost; and
(2) in BIPRU 13.4.3 R, the notional principal amounts or underlying values;

by taking account of the contract for novation.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 7 point c(i)]

01/01/2007

Netting: Other netting agreements

BIPRU 13.4.17

In application of the CCR mark to market method:

(1) in BIPRU 13.4.2 R a firm may obtain the current replacement cost for the contracts included in a netting agreement by taking account of the actual hypothetical net replacement cost which results from the agreement; in the case where netting leads to a net obligation for the firm calculating the net replacement cost, the current replacement cost is calculated as "0"; and
(2) in BIPRU 13.4.3 R a firm may reduce the figure for potential future credit exposure for all contracts included in a netting agreement according to the following formula:

PCE_red = 0.4 * PCE_gross + 0.6 * NGR * PCE_gross,
where:

(a) PCE_red = the reduced figure for potential future credit exposure for all contracts with a given counterparty included in a legally valid bilateral netting agreement;
(b) PCE_gross =the sum of the figures for potential future credit exposure for all contracts with a given counterparty which are included in a legally valid bilateral netting agreement and are calculated by multiplying their notional principal amounts by the percentages set out in the table in BIPRU 13.4.5 R; and
(c) NGR = "net-to-gross ratio": the quotient of the net replacement cost for all contracts included in a legally valid bilateral netting agreement with a given counterparty (numerator) and the gross replacement cost for all contracts included in a legally valid bilateral netting agreement with that counterparty (denominator).

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 7 point c(ii) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.4.18

For the calculation of the potential future credit exposure according to the formula in BIPRU 13.4.17 R perfectly matching contracts included in the netting agreement may be taken into account as a single contract with a notional principal equivalent to the net receipts.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 7 point c(ii) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.4.19

For the purposes of BIPRU 13.4.18 R a perfectly matching contract is a forward foreign currency contract or similar contract in which a notional principal is equivalent to cash flows if the cash flows fall due on the same value date and fully or partly in the same currency.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 7 point c(ii) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.5

CCR standardised method

01/01/2007

Scope

BIPRU 13.5.1

A firm may use the CCR standardised method only for financial derivative instruments and long settlement transactions.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

Derivation of risk position: payment legs

BIPRU 13.5.2

(1) When a financial derivative instrument transaction with a linear risk profile stipulates the exchange of a financial instrument for a payment, the payment Part is referred to as the payment leg.
(2) Transactions that stipulate the exchange of payment against payment consist of two payment legs.
(3) The payment legs consist of the contractually agreed gross payments, including the notional amount of the transaction.
(4) A firm may disregard the interest rate risk from payment legs with a remaining maturity of less than one year for the purposes of the calculations in BIPRU 13.5.
(5) A firm may treat transactions that consist of two payment legs that are denominated in the same currency, such as interest rate swaps, as a single aggregate transaction. The treatment for payment legs applies to the aggregate transaction.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 2]

01/01/2007

Derivation of risk position: mapping

BIPRU 13.5.3

(1) Transactions with a linear risk profile with equities (including equity indices), gold, other precious metals or other commodities as the underlying financial instruments must be mapped to a risk position in the respective equity (or equity index) or commodity (including gold and other precious metals) and an interest rate risk position for the payment leg.
(2) If the payment leg is denominated in a foreign currency, it must be additionally mapped to a risk position in the respective currency.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 3]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.5.4

(1) Transactions with a linear risk profile with a debt instrument as the underlying instrument must be mapped to an interest rate risk position for the debt instrument and another interest rate risk position for the payment leg.
(2) Transactions with a linear risk profile that stipulate the exchange of payment against payment, including foreign exchange forwards, must be mapped to an interest rate risk position for each of the payment legs.
(3) If the underlying debt instrument is denominated in a foreign currency, the debt instrument must be mapped to a risk position in that foreign currency.
(4) If a payment leg is denominated in foreign currency, the payment leg must be again mapped to a risk position in that foreign currency.
(5) The exposure value to be assigned to a foreign exchange basis swap transaction is zero.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 4]

01/01/2007

Derivation of risk position: calculating the size of the risk position

BIPRU 13.5.5

A firm must calculate the risk position of the transaction or instrument in column 1 of the table in BIPRU 13.5.6 R in accordance with column 2 of that table.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.5.6

This table belongs to BIPRU 13.5.5 R.

Transaction or instrument

Calculation of size of risk position

Transaction with linear risk profile except for debt instruments.

The effective notional value (market price multiplied by quantity) of the underlying financial instruments (including commodities) converted to the firm's domestic currency.

Debt instruments and payment legs.

The effective notional value of the outstanding gross payments (including the notional amount) converted to the firm's base currency, multiplied by the modified duration of the debt instrument, or payment leg, respectively.

Credit default swap

The notional value of the reference debt instrument multiplied by the remaining maturity of the credit default swap.

Subject to BIPRU 13.5.9 R to BIPRU 13.5.10 R, financial derivative instrument with a non-linear risk profile, including options and swaptions except in the case of an underlying debt instrument.

Equal to the delta equivalent effective notional value of the financial instrument that underlies the transaction.

Subject to BIPRU 13.5.9 R to BIPRU 13.5.10 R, financial derivative instrument with a non-linear risk profile, including options and swaptions, of which the underlying is a debt instrument or a payment leg.

Equal to the delta equivalent effective notional value of the financial instrument or payment leg multiplied by the modified duration of the debt instrument, or payment leg, respectively.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 points 5 to 9]

01/01/2007

Derivation of risk position: effective notional value

BIPRU 13.5.7

A firm may use the following formulae to determine the size and sign of a risk position:

(1) for all instruments other than debt instruments:

effective notional value, or delta equivalent
notional value = p_ref((V)/(p))
where:

(a) P_ref = price of the underlying instrument, expressed in the reference currency;
(b) V = value of the financial instrument (in the case of an option this is the option price; in the case of a transaction with a linear risk profile this is the value of the underlying instrument itself);
(c) p = price of the underlying instrument, expressed in the same currency as V;

(2) for debt instruments and the payment legs of all transactions:

effective notional value multiplied by the modified duration, or delta equivalent in notional value multiplied by the modified duration
(V)/(r)
where:

(a) V = value of the financial instrument (in the case of an option this is the option price; in the case of a transaction with a linear risk profile this is the value of the underlying instrument itself or of the payment leg, respectively);
(b) r = interest rate level.

(3) If V is denominated in a currency other than the reference currency, the derivative must be converted into the reference currency by multiplication with the relevant exchange rate.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 11]

01/01/2007

Derivation of risk position: treatment of collateral

BIPRU 13.5.8

For the determination of risk positions, a firm must treat collateral received from a counterparty like a claim on the counterparty under a derivative contract (long position) that is due today, while collateral posted must be treated as an obligation to the counterparty (short position) that is due today.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 10]

01/01/2007

Derivation of risk position: non-linear risks

BIPRU 13.5.9

A firm must apply the CCR mark to market method to transactions with a non-linear risk profile or for payment legs and transactions with debt instruments as underlying if:

(1) the firm does not have a CAD 1 model permission or a VaR model permission; or
(2) where the firm does have a CAD 1 model permission or a VaR model permission but cannot determine the delta or the modified duration, respectively, with its CAD 1 model permission or VaR model permission.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 19 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.5.10

A firm must not recognise netting for the purpose of applying the CCR mark to market method to an exposure treated under BIPRU 13.5.9 R (that is, the exposure value must be determined as if there were a netting set that comprises just the individual transaction).

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 19 (part)]

01/01/2007

Hedging sets: assignment

BIPRU 13.5.11

A firm must group the risk positions into hedging sets and, for each hedging set, compute the absolute value amount of the sum of the resulting risk positions. This sum is termed the net risk position and is represented by:
((_i)(RPT_ij) - (_l)(RPC_lj))
in the formulae set out in BIPRU 13.5.24 R.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 12]

01/01/2007

Hedging sets: description

BIPRU 13.5.12

For interest rate risk positions from money deposits received from the counterparty as collateral, from payment leg and from underlying debt instruments, to which according to the table in BIPRU 7.2.44R a capital charge of 1.60% or less applies, there are six hedging sets for each currency, as set out in the table in BIPRU 13.5.13 R. Hedging sets are defined by a combination of the criteria maturity and referenced interest rates.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 13]

01/01/2007

Table: Hedging sets

BIPRU 13.5.13

This table belongs to BIPRU 13.5.12 R:

Government referenced interest rates

Non-government referenced interest rates

Maturity

<= 1 year

Maturity

>1 <= 5 years

Maturity

> 5 years

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 Table 4]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.5.14

For interest rate risk positions from underlying debt instruments or payment legs for which the interest rate is linked to a reference interest rate that represents a general market interest level, the remaining maturity is the length of the time interval up to the next re-adjustment of the interest rate. In all other cases, it is the remaining life of the underlying debt instrument, or in the case of a payment leg the remaining life of the transaction.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 14]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.5.15

There is one hedging set for each issuer of a reference debt instrument that underlies a credit default swap.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 15]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.5.16

Underlying financial instruments other than debt instruments must be assigned by a firm to the same respective hedging sets only if they are identical or similar instruments. In all other cases a firm must assign them to separate hedging sets.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 17 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.5.17

(1) The similarity of instruments for the purposes of BIPRU 13.5.16 R is established in accordance with (2) to (5).
(2) For equities, similar instruments are those of the same issuer. An equity index is treated as a separate issuer.
(3) For precious metals, similar instruments are those of the same metal. A precious metal index is treated as a separate precious metal.
(4) For electric power, similar instruments are those delivery rights and obligations that refer to the same peak or off-peak load time interval within any 24 hour interval.
(5) For commodities, similar instruments are those of the same commodity. A commodity index is treated as a separate commodity.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 17 (part)]

01/01/2007

Hedging sets: collateral

BIPRU 13.5.18

(1) For interest rate risk positions from money deposits that are posted with a counterparty as collateral when that counterparty does not have debt obligations of low specific risk outstanding and from underlying debt instruments, to which according to the table in BIPRU 7.2.44 R a capital charge of more than 1.60% applies, there is one hedging set for each issuer.
(2) When a payment leg emulates such a debt instrument, there is also one hedging set for each issuer of the reference debt instrument.
(3) A firm may assign risk positions that arise from debt instruments of a certain issuer, or from reference debt instruments of the same issuer that are emulated by payment legs, or that underlie a credit default swap, to the same hedging set.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 16]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.5.19

A firm that makes use of collateral to mitigate its CCR must have internal procedures to verify that, prior to recognising the effect of collateral in its calculations, the collateral meets the legal certainty standards set out in BIPRU 5 modified, where relevant, by BIPRU 4.10.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 21]

01/01/2007

Hedging sets: netting

BIPRU 13.5.20

A firm must have internal procedures to verify that, prior to including a transaction in a hedging set, the transaction is covered by a legally enforceable netting contract that meets the requirements set out in BIPRU 13.7.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 20]

01/01/2007

Credit conversion factors : Table

BIPRU 13.5.21

A firm must apply the CCR multipliers for the different hedging set categories according to the Table in BIPRU 13.5.22 R.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 18]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.5.22

This table belongs to BIPRU 13.5.21 R.

Hedging set categories

CCR Multiplier (CCRM)

(1)

Interest Rates

0.2%

(2)

Interest Rates for risk positions from a reference debt instrument that underlies a credit default swap and to which a capital charge of 1.60%, or less, applies under BIPRU 7.2.44 R.

0.3%

(3)

Interest Rates for risk positions from a debt instrument or reference debt instrument to which a capital charge of more than 1.60% applies under BIPRU 7.2.44 R.

0.6%

(4)

Exchange Rates

2.5%

(5)

Electric power

4.0%

(6)

Gold

5.0%

(7)

Equity

7.0%

(8)

Precious Metals (except gold)

8.5%

(9)

Other commodities (excluding precious metals and electricity power)

10.0%

(10)

Underlying instruments of financial derivative instruments that are not in any of the above categories.

10.0%

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 Table 5]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.5.23

A firm must assign underlying instruments of financial derivatives instruments (in line 10 of the Table in BIPRU 13.5.22 R) to separate individual hedging sets for each category of underlying instrument.

01/01/2007

Exposure value

BIPRU 13.5.24

A firm must calculate the exposure value separately for each netting set.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 1, second sentence]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.5.25

A firm must determine the exposure value net of collateral, as follows:
exposure value = *max(CMV-CMC;(_j)((_i)(RPT_ij)-(_l)(RPC_lj))*CCRM_j)
where:
CMV = current market value of the portfolio of transactions within the netting set with a counterparty gross of collateral.
That is, where:
CMV = (_i)(CMV_i)
where:
CMVi = the current market value of transaction i;
CMC = the current market value of the collateral assigned to the netting set.
That is, where:CMC = (_l)(CMC_l)
where
CMCl = the current market value of collateral l;
i = index designating transaction;
l = index designating collateral;
j = index designating hedging set category. These hedging sets correspond to risk factors for which risk positions of opposite sign can be offset to yield a net risk position on which the exposure measure is then based;
RPTij = risk position from transaction i with respect to hedging set j;
RPClj = risk position from collateral l with respect to hedging set j;
CCRMj = CCR Multiplier set out in the Table in BIPRU 13.5.22R with respect to the hedging set j;
= 1.4.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.5.26

Collateral received from a counterparty has a positive sign; collateral posted to a counterparty has a negative sign.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.5.27

A firm may only recognise collateral for this method if it is collateral that is eligible under BIPRU 5.4.8 R and BIPRU 14.2.12 G to BIPRU 14.2.13 R.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 5 point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.5.28

A worked example showing a US Dollar (USD)-based firm, single counterparty, single netting set, Risk-positions RPij by hedging sets j is set out in BIPRU 13 Annex 1 G

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6

CCR internal model method

01/01/2007

Introduction

BIPRU 13.6.1

BIPRU 13.6 sets out the rules relating to the CCR internal model method.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.2

A firm may only use the CCR internal model method if it has a CCR internal model method permission.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.3

BIPRU 1.3 sets out the process for applying for a CCR internal model method permission.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.4

A firm's CCR internal model method permission will modify BIPRU 13.6.2 R and will require the firm to use only the CCR internal model method, except to the extent that BIPRU 13 permits the firm to combine the use of the CCR internal model method with one or more other methods.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.5

(1) A reference in the Handbook to a provision of the CCR internal model method, in relation to a firm:

(a) excludes any provision of the CCR internal model method set out in the Handbook which is not applied to that firm by its CCR internal model method permission;
(b) includes any additional provision contained in the CCR internal model method permission; and
(c) takes into account any other amendments made to the provisions in the Handbook relating to the CCR internal model method made by the CCR internal model method permission.

(2) To the extent that a firm's CCR internal model method permission does not allow it to use a particular approach in the Handbook relating to the CCR internal model method, the Handbook provision does not apply to the firm.

01/01/2007

Scope

BIPRU 13.6.6

A firm may determine the exposure value for:

(1) financial derivative instruments;
(2) repurchase transactions;
(3) securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions;
(4) margin lending transactions; and
(5) long settlement transactions

using the CCR internal model method.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 2 point 2]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.7

A firm may use the CCR internal model method to calculate the exposure value for:

(1) the transactions in BIPRU 13.6.6 R (1); or
(2) the transactions in BIPRU 13.6.6 R (2), (3) and (4); or
(3) the transactions in BIPRU 13.6.6 R (1) to (4).

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.8

In each of BIPRU 13.6.7 R (1), (2) and (3), a firm may include long settlement transactions as well.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

Use of other models

BIPRU 13.6.9

Point 2 of Part 6 of Annex III of the Banking Consolidation Directive provides that a firm using the CCR internal model method may use a type of model other than the type set out in BIPRU 13.6. If the FSA agrees to this the details of the model and the necessary calculations will be set out in the CCR internal model method permission, which will modify BIPRU 13.6 to the extent necessary. The FSA would not expect to agree to such a request unless the firm was able to satisfy the FSA that the method was at least as conservative as the method set out in BIPRU 13.6 and in particular that, for every counterparty, any method was more conservative than alpha multiplied by effective EPE calculated according to the equation in BIPRU 13.6.27 R.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 2 (second sentence) and point 11]

01/01/2007

Partial use

BIPRU 13.6.10

For all financial derivative instruments and for long settlement transactions which are outside the scope of a firm's CCR internal model method permission, a firm must use the CCR mark to market method or the CCR standardised method.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 3 first sentence]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.11

Under BIPRU 13.6.10 R, combined use of the CCR mark to market method and the CCR standardised method is only permitted where one of the methods is used for the cases set out in BIPRU 13.5.9 R to BIPRU 13.5.10 R.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 3 second sentence]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.12

Notwithstanding BIPRU 13.3.10 R (Combined use), a firm may choose not to apply the CCR internal model method to exposures that are immaterial in size and risk.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 1 third sentence]

06/04/2007

BIPRU 13.6.13

If permitted by its CCR internal model method permission, and subject to its terms, a firm may carry out the implementation of the CCR internal model method sequentially across different transaction types; and during this period the firm may use the CCR mark to market method or the CCR standardised method.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 2]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.14

After the initial period following the granting of its CCR internal model method permission, as referred to in BIPRU 13.6.13 R, a firm should extend the use of the CCR internal model method to cover any new business within a product category covered by its CCR internal model method permission. Subject to BIPRU 13.6.10 R to BIPRU 13.6.13 R, the firm should do so within a reasonable period of time. If the firm decides to exclude any business on, for example, the basis of materiality, it should document its reasons clearly.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.15

In principle, the use of different measures of exposure within the CCR internal model method is possible within the same product category, including on a permanent basis. The FSA may allow a firm, through the CCR internal model method permission, to use a more conservative measure of exposure that is less risk sensitive (for instance a measure based on conservative haircuts) for certain parts of the business if justified on a cost-benefit basis. However, a firm would still need to meet the use test for these more conservative measures and would need to demonstrate that the aggregation of CCR exposures that come from different approaches and have different degrees of conservatism makes sense and is used for its CCR management purposes.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.16

The FSA may, through the CCR internal model method permission, require a firm to apply a multiplier to the measures of exposures coming out of a less risk-sensitive approach to calculating exposures as referred to in BIPRU 13.6.15 G where the FSA considers this to be appropriate due to the complexity of the business or the nature of the risks involved.

01/01/2007

Use of CCR internal model method

BIPRU 13.6.17

Subject to BIPRU 13.6.10 R to BIPRU 13.6.16 G, a firm that has a CCR internal model method permission must not use the CCR mark to market method or the CCR standardised method for transactions within the scope of the firm's CCR internal model method permission.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 4 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.18

A firm which wishes to revert to the CCR mark to market method or the CCR standardised method will need to request the FSA to revoke or vary its CCR internal model method permission.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 4 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.19

The FSA will not agree to a firm's request to revoke or vary its CCR internal model method permission except for demonstrated good cause.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 4 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.20

If a firm ceases to comply with the requirements set out in BIPRU 13.6, it must either present to the FSA a plan for a timely return to compliance or demonstrate that the effect of non-compliance is immaterial.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 4 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.21

If a firm ceases to comply with the requirements set out in BIPRU 13.6, the FSA may revoke the CCR internal model method permission or take other appropriate supervisory action.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 4 (part)]

01/01/2007

Exposure value

BIPRU 13.6.22

(1) A firm must measure the exposure value at the level of the netting set.
(2) The model must specify the forecasting distribution for changes in the market value of the netting set attributable to changes in market variables, such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates.
(3) The model must then compute the exposure value for the netting set at each future date given the changes in the market variables.
(4) For margined counterparties, the model may also capture future collateral movements.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 5]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.23

A firm may include eligible financial collateral as defined in BIPRU 5.4.8 R (Eligible collateral under financial collateral comprehensive method) and BIPRU 14.2.15 R to BIPRU 14.2.17 R in its forecasting distributions for changes in the market value of the netting set, if the quantitative, qualitative and data requirements for the CCR internal model method are met for the collateral.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 6]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.24

A firm must calculate the exposure value as the product of alpha (), as set out in BIPRU 13.6.31 R, times effective EPE:
Exposure value = effective EPE

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 7 first part]

01/01/2007

Effective EPE

BIPRU 13.6.25

A firm must compute effective EPE by estimating expected exposure (EEt) as the average exposure at future date t, where the average is taken across possible future values of relevant market risk factors. The model estimates EE at a series of future dates t1, t2, t3, etc.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 7 third part]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.26

A firm must compute effective EE recursively as:
Effective EEtk = max(effective EEtk-1; EEtk)
where:
the current date is denoted as t0 and Effective EEt0 equals current exposure.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 8]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.27

For the purposes of BIPRU 13.6.25 R:

(1) effective EPE is the average effective EE during the first year of future exposure;
(2) if all contracts in the netting set mature within less than one year, effective EPE is the average of effective EE until all contracts in the netting set mature.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 9, first part]

06/04/2007

BIPRU 13.6.28

A firm must compute effective EPE as a weighted average of effective EE:
Effective EPE = (_k=1^{min(1 year;maturity)})((Effective EE_tk)*(t_k))
where:
the weights ?tk = tk tk-1 allow for the case when future exposure is calculated at dates that are not equally spaced over time.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 9, second part]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.29

A firm must calculate EE or peak exposure measures based on a distribution of exposures that accounts for the possible non-normality of the distribution of exposures.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 10]

01/01/2007

Alpha

BIPRU 13.6.31

For the purposes of BIPRU 13.6.24 R, alpha () is 1.4 or any higher amount specified in the firm's CCR internal model method permission.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 7 second part]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.32

If the FSA does specify an alpha greater than 1.4, the reasons will be set out in the firm's CCR internal model method permission.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.33

If a firm's CCR internal model method permission permits it, the firm may use its own estimates of, subject to a floor of 1.2, where must equal the ratio of internal capital from a full simulation of CCR exposure across counterparties (numerator) and internal capital based on EPE (denominator).

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 12 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.34

For the purposes of BIPRU 13.6.33 R:

(1) in the denominator, EPE must be used as if it were a fixed outstanding amount;
(2) a firm must be able to demonstrate that its internal estimates of capture in the numerator material sources of stochastic dependency of distribution of market values of transactions or of portfolios of transactions across counterparties;
(3) internal estimates of must take account of the granularity of portfolios.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 12 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.35

A firm must ensure that the numerator and denominator of are computed in a consistent fashion with respect to the modelling methodology, parameter specifications and portfolio composition. The approach used must be based on the firm's internal capital approach, be well-documented and be subject to independent validation. In addition, a firm must review their estimates on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when the composition of the portfolio varies over time. A firm must also assess the model risk.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 13]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.35A

Where appropriate, volatilities and correlations of market risk factors used in the joint simulation of market risk and credit risk must be conditioned on the credit risk factor to reflect potential increases in volatility or correlation in an economic downturn.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 14]

29/06/2007

BIPRU 13.6.36

In reviewing its estimate of, a firm may not need to perform a full recalculation each quarter if it can demonstrate by other means that the estimate would not be materially different. A full recalculation should however be performed at least annually. If there is a structural change in the firm's portfolio that is likely to have the effect that the existing estimate of will be inappropriate, the firm should also recalculate it. A firm should have procedures in place to identify any such structural changes.

01/01/2007

Maturity adjustment

BIPRU 13.6.37

A firm using the IRB approach for risk weighting of exposures arising from a CCR internal model method should also apply a different maturity adjustment as set out in BIPRU 4.4.67 R BIPRU 4.4.70 R.

01/01/2007

Margin agreement

BIPRU 13.6.38

If the netting set is subject to a margin agreement, a firm must use one of the following EPE measures:

(1) effective EPE without taking into account the margin agreement;
(2) the margin threshold, if positive, under the margin agreement plus an add-on that reflects the potential increase in exposure over the margin period of risk:

(a) the add-on is computed as the expected increase in the netting set's exposure beginning from a current exposure of zero over the margin period of risk;
(b) a floor of five business days for netting sets consisting only of repo-style transactions subject to daily remargining and daily mark-to-market, and ten business days for all other netting sets is imposed on the margin period of risk used for this purpose.

(3) if the model captures the effects of margining when estimating EE, the model's EE measure may be used directly in the equation in BIPRU 13.6.28 R (Computation of effective EE), unless the firm's CCR internal model method permission does not apply this provision or does not permit that use.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 15]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.39

Where the effects of margining are captured by the model itself, the FSA does not prescribe any floors for the margin period of risk but will challenge a firm that looks to use periods shorter than 5 days for repurchase agreements or reverse repurchase agreements or 10 days for financial derivative instruments.

01/01/2007

Operational requirements: General

BIPRU 13.6.40

A firm's EPE model must meet the operational requirements set out in BIPRU 13.6.41 R to BIPRU 13.6.66 R.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 16]

01/01/2007

Operational requirements: CCR control

BIPRU 13.6.41

(1) The firm must have a control unit that is responsible for the design and implementation of its CCR management system, including the initial and on-going validation of the model.
(2) This unit must control input data integrity and produce and analyse reports on the output of the firm's risk measurement model, including an evaluation of the relationship between measures of risk exposure and credit and trading limits.
(3) This unit must be:

(a) independent from units responsible for originating, renewing or trading exposures and free from undue influence;
(b) it must be adequately staffed; and
(c) it must report directly to the senior management of the firm.

(4) The work of this unit must be closely integrated into the day-to-day credit risk management process of the firm; its output must, accordingly, be an integral part of the process of planning, monitoring and controlling the firm's credit and overall risk profile.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 17]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.42

(1) A firm must have CCR management policies, processes and systems that are conceptually sound and implemented with integrity.
(2) A sound CCR management framework must include the identification, measurement, management, approval and internal reporting of CCR.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 18]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.43

(1) A firm's risk management policies must take account of market risk, liquidity risk, and legal and operational risk that can be associated with CCR.
(2) The firm must not undertake business with a counterparty without assessing its creditworthiness and must take due account of settlement and pre-settlement credit risk.
(3) These risks must be managed as comprehensively as practicable at the counterparty level (aggregating CCR exposures with other credit exposures) and at the firm-wide level.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 19]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.44

A firm's governing body and senior management must be actively involved in the CCR control process and must regard this as an essential aspect of the business to which significant resources need to be devoted. Senior management must be aware of the limitations and assumptions of the model used and the impact these can have on the reliability of the output. Senior management must also consider the uncertainties of the market environment and operational issues and be aware of how these are reflected in the model.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 20]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.45

A firm must ensure that the daily reports prepared on its exposures to CCR are reviewed by a level of management with sufficient seniority and authority to enforce both reductions of positions taken by individual credit managers or traders and reductions in the firm's overall CCR exposure.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 21]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.46

(1) A firm's CCR management system must be used in conjunction with internal credit and trading limits.
(2) A firm must ensure that its credit and trading limits are related to its risk measurement model in a manner that is:

(a) consistent over time; and
(b) well understood by credit managers, traders and senior management.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 22]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.47

(1) A firm's measurement of CCR must include measuring daily and intra-day usage of credit lines.
(2) The firm must measure current exposure gross and net of collateral.
(3) At portfolio and counterparty level, the firm must calculate and monitor peak exposure or potential future exposure (PFE) at the confidence interval chosen by the firm.
(4) The firm must take account of large or concentrated positions, including by groups of related counterparties, by industry, by market, etc.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 23]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.48

(1) A firm must have a routine and rigorous program of stress testing in place as a supplement to the CCR analysis based on the day-to-day output of the firm's risk measurement model.
(2) The results of this stress testing must be reviewed periodically by senior management and must be reflected in the CCR policies and limits set by management and the governing body.
(3) Where stress tests reveal particular vulnerability to a given set of circumstances, prompt steps must be taken to manage those risks appropriately.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 24]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.49

(1) A firm must have a routine in place for ensuring compliance with a documented set of internal policies, controls and procedures concerning the operation of the CCR management system.
(2) The firm's CCR management system must be well documented and must provide an explanation of the empirical techniques used to measure CCR.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 25]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.50

A firm must conduct an independent review of the CCR management system regularly through its own internal auditing process. This review must include both the activities of the business units referred to in BIPRU 13.6.41 R and of the independent CCR control unit. A review of the overall CCR management process must take place at regular intervals and must specifically address, at a minimum:

(1) the adequacy of the documentation of the CCR management system and process;
(2) the organisation of the CCR control unit;
(3) the integration of CCR measures into daily risk management;
(4) the approval process for risk pricing models and valuation systems used by front and back-office personnel;
(5) the validation of any significant change in the CCR measurement process;
(6) the scope of CCR captured by the risk measurement model;
(7) the integrity of the management information system;
(8) the accuracy and completeness of CCR data;
(9) the verification of the consistency, timeliness and reliability of data sources used to run models, including the independence of such data sources;
(10) the accuracy and appropriateness of volatility and correlation assumptions;
(11) the accuracy of valuation and risk transformation calculations; and
(12) the verification of the model's accuracy through frequent back-testing.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 26]

01/01/2007

Operational requirements: Use test

BIPRU 13.6.51

The distribution of exposures generated by the model used to calculate effective EPE must be closely integrated into the day-to-day CCR management process of the firm. The model's output must accordingly play an essential role in the credit approval, CCR management, internal capital allocation, and corporate governance of the firm.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 27]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.52

A firm must have a track record in the use of models that generate a distribution of exposures to CCR. Thus, the firm must be able to demonstrate that it has been using a model to calculate the distribution of exposures upon which the EPE calculation is based that meets, broadly, the minimum requirements set out in BIPRU 13.6 for at least one year prior to the date of its CCR internal model method permission.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 28]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.53

(1) A firm must ensure that the model used to generate a distribution of exposures to CCR is part of a CCR management framework that includes the identification, measurement, management, approval and internal reporting of CCR. This framework must include the measurement of usage of credit lines (aggregating CCR exposures with other credit exposures) and internal capital allocation.
(2) In addition to EPE, a firm must measure and manage current exposures.
(3) Where appropriate, the firm must measure current exposure gross and net of collateral.
(4) The use test is satisfied if a firm uses other CCR measures, such as peak exposure or PFE (see BIPRU 13.6.47 R), based on the distribution of exposures generated by the same model to compute EPE.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 29]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.54

A firm must have the systems capability to estimate EE daily if necessary, unless it is able to demonstrate to the FSA that its exposures to CCR warrant less frequent calculation. The firm must compute EE along a time profile of forecasting horizons that adequately reflects the time structure of future cash flows and maturity of the contracts and in a manner that is consistent with the materiality and composition of the exposures.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 30]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.55

(1) Exposure must be measured, monitored and controlled over the life of all contracts in the netting set (not just to the one year horizon).
(2) A firm must have procedures in place to identify and control the risks for counterparties where the exposure rises beyond the one-year horizon.
(3) A firm must input the forecast increase in exposure into the firm's internal capital model.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 31]

01/01/2007

Operational requirements: Stress testing

BIPRU 13.6.56

(1) A firm must have in place sound stress testing processes for use in the assessment of capital adequacy for CCR.
(2) These stress measures must be compared with the measure of EPE and considered by the firm as part of the process set out in GENPRU 1.2.42 R.
(3) Stress testing must also involve identifying possible events or future changes in economic conditions that could have unfavourable effects on a firm's credit exposures and an assessment of the firm's ability to withstand such changes.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 32]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.57

(1) A firm must stress test its CCR exposures, including jointly stressing market risk and credit risk factors.
(2) In its stress tests of CCR, a firm must consider concentration risk (to a single counterparty or groups of counterparties), correlation risk across market risk and credit risk, and the risk that liquidating the counterparty's positions could move the market.
(3) In its stress tests a firm must also consider the impact on its own positions of such market moves and integrate that impact in its assessment of CCR.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 33]

01/01/2007

Operational requirements: Wrong-way risk

BIPRU 13.6.58

A firm must give due consideration to exposures that give rise to a significant degree of general wrong-way risk.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 34]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.59

A firm must have procedures in place to identify, monitor and control cases of specific wrong-way risk, beginning at the inception of a transaction and continuing through the life of the transaction.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 35]

01/01/2007

Operational requirements: Integrity of modelling process

BIPRU 13.6.60

A firm must ensure that:

(1) the model reflects transaction terms and specifications in a timely, complete, and conservative fashion;
(2) such terms include at least:

(a) contract notional amounts;
(b) maturity;
(c) reference assets;
(d) margining arrangements; and
(e) netting arrangements;

(3) the terms and specifications are maintained in a database that is subject to formal and periodic audit;
(4) the process for recognising netting arrangements requires:

(a) signoff by legal staff to verify the legal enforceability of netting and
(b) input into the database by an independent unit;

(5) the transmission of transaction terms and specifications data to the model is also subject to internal audit; and
(6) formal reconciliation processes are in place between the model and source data systems to verify on an ongoing basis that transaction terms and specifications are being reflected in EPE correctly or at least conservatively.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 36]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.61

A firm must ensure that:

(1) the model employs current market data to compute current exposures;
(2) when using historical data to estimate volatility and correlations, at least three years of historical data are used and updated quarterly or more frequently if market conditions warrant;
(3) the data covers a full range of economic conditions, such as a full business cycle;
(4) a unit independent from the business unit validates the price supplied by the business unit;
(5) the data is acquired independently of the lines of business, fed into the model in a timely and complete fashion, and maintained in a database subject to formal and periodic audit;
(6) it has a well-developed data integrity process to clean the data of erroneous and/or anomalous observations; and
(7) to the extent that the model relies on proxy market data, including for new products where three years of historical data may not be available, internal policies identify suitable proxies and the firm demonstrates empirically that the proxy provides a conservative representation of the underlying risk under adverse market conditions.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 37]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.62

If the model includes the effect of collateral on changes in the market value of the netting set, a firm must have adequate historical data to model the volatility of the collateral.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.63

A firm must ensure that the model is subject to a validation process which:

(1) is clearly articulated in firms' policies and procedures;
(2) specifies the kind of testing needed to ensure model integrity
(3) identifies conditions under which assumptions are violated and may result in an understatement of EPE; and
(4) includes a review of the comprehensiveness of the model.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 38]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.64

A firm must monitor the appropriate risks and have processes in place to adjust its estimation of EPE when those risks become significant. This includes the following:

(1) the firm must identify and manage its exposures to specific wrong-way risk;
(2) for exposures with a rising risk profile after one year, the firm must compare on a regular basis the estimate of EPE over one year with EPE over the life of the exposure; and
(3) for exposures with a residual maturity below one year, the firm must compare on a regular basis the replacement cost (current exposure) and the realised exposure profile, and/or store data that would allow such a comparison.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 39]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.65

A firm must have internal procedures to verify that, prior to including a transaction in a netting set, the transaction is covered by a legally enforceable netting contract that meets the requirements set out in BIPRU 13.7.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 40]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.66

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 41]

01/01/2007

Validation requirements

BIPRU 13.6.67

(1) A firm's CCR internal model method model must meet the validation requirements in (2) to (8).
(2) The qualitative validation requirements set out in BIPRU 7.10 must be met.
(3) Interest rates, foreign currency rates, equity prices, commodities, and other market risk factors must be forecast over long time horizons for measuring CCR exposure. The performance of the forecasting model for market risk factors must be validated over a long time horizon.
(4) The pricing models used to calculate CCR exposure for a given scenario of future shocks to market risk factors must be tested as part of the CCR internal model method model validation process. Pricing models for options must account for the nonlinearity of option value with respect to market risk factors.
(5) The CCR internal model method model must capture transaction-specific information in order to aggregate exposures at the level of the netting set. A firm must verify that transactions are assigned to the appropriate netting set within the model.
(6) The CCR internal model method model must also include transaction-specific information to capture the effects of margining. It must take into account both the current amount of margin and margin that would be passed between counterparties in the future. Such a model must account for the nature of margin agreements (unilateral or bilateral), the frequency of margin calls, the margin period of risk, the minimum threshold of unmargined exposure the firm is willing to accept, and the minimum transfer amount. Such a model must either model the mark-to-market change in the value of collateral posted or apply the rules set out in BIPRU 5 as modified, where relevant, by BIPRU 4.10.
(7) Static, historical backtesting on representative counterparty portfolios must be part of the CCR internal model method model validation process. At regular intervals, a firm must conduct such backtesting on a number of representative counterparty portfolios (actual or hypothetical). These representative portfolios must be chosen based on their sensitivity to the material risk factors and correlations to which the firm is exposed.
(8) If backtesting indicates that the CCR internal model method model is not sufficiently accurate, a firm must increase the credit risk capital component and, where BIPRU 13 is applied for the purposes of BIPRU 14, the counterparty risk capital component by an amount which is conservatively estimated to compensate for the inaccuracy of the model.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 42 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.6.68

If backtesting indicates that the CCR internal model method model is not sufficiently accurate, the FSA may revoke a firm's CCR internal model method permission or take appropriate measures to ensure that the model is improved promptly. Measures taken by the FSA may include the use of its own-initiative power to require the firm to hold more capital resources.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 6 point 42 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.7

Contractual netting

01/01/2007

Scope

BIPRU 13.7.1

BIPRU 13.7 applies for the purpose of:

(1) the CCR mark to market method;
(2) the CCR standardised method;
(3) if the firm has a CCR internal model method permission, the CCR internal model method.

01/01/2007

Types of netting recognised

BIPRU 13.7.2

For the purpose of BIPRU 13.7:

(1) counterparty means any entity (including natural persons) that has the power to conclude a contractual netting agreement; and
(2) contractual cross product netting agreement means a written bilateral agreement between a firm and a counterparty which creates a single legal obligation covering all included bilateral master agreements and transactions belonging to different product categories.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 7 point (a) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.7.3

Contractual cross product netting agreements do not cover netting other than on a bilateral basis.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 7 point (a) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.7.4

For the purposes of cross product netting, the following are considered different product categories:

(1) repurchase transactions, reverse repurchase transactions, securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions;
(2) margin lending transactions; and
(3) financial derivative instruments.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 7 point (a) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.7.5

A firm may recognise as risk-reducing the following types of contractual netting:

(1) bilateral contracts for novation between a firm and its counterparty under which mutual claims and obligations are automatically amalgamated in such a way that this novation fixes one single net amount each time novation applies and thus creates a legally binding, single new contract extinguishing former contracts;
(2) other bilateral agreements between a firm and its counterparty; and
(3) a firm that has a CCR internal model method permission may recognise Contractual cross product netting agreements for transactions falling within the scope of its CCR internal model method permission; netting across transactions entered by members of a group is not recognised for the purposes of calculating capital requirements.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 7 point (a) (part)]

01/01/2007

Conditions for recognition

BIPRU 13.7.6

A firm may treat contractual netting as risk-reducing only under the following conditions:

(1) the firm must have a contractual netting agreement with its counterparty which creates a single legal obligation, covering all included transactions, such that, in the event of a counterparty's failure to perform owing to default, bankruptcy, liquidation or any other similar circumstance, the firm would have a claim to receive or an obligation to pay only the net sum of the positive and negative mark-to-market values of included individual transactions;
(2) the firm must be in a position to provide to the FSA, if requested, written and reasoned legal opinions to the effect that, in the event of a legal challenge, the relevant courts and administrative authorities would, in the cases described under (1), find that the firm's claims and obligations would be limited to the net sum, as described in (1), under:

(a) the law of the jurisdiction in which the counterparty is incorporated and, if a foreign branch of an undertaking is involved, also under the law of the jurisdiction in which the branch is located; or
(b) the law that governs the individual transactions included; or
(c) the law that governs any contract or agreement necessary to effect the contractual netting;

(3) the firm must have procedures in place to ensure that the legal validity of its contractual netting is kept under review in the light of possible changes in the relevant laws;
(4) the firm must maintain all required documentation in its files;
(5) the effects of netting must be factored into the firm's measurement of each counterparty's aggregate credit risk exposure and the firm must manage its CCR on such a basis; and
(6) the firm must aggregate credit risk to each counterparty to arrive at a single legal exposure across transactions; this aggregation must be factored into credit limit purposes and internal capital purposes.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 7 point (b) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.7.7

If any of the competent authorities concerned is not satisfied that the contractual netting is legally valid under the law of each of the relevant jusrisdictions, the firm must not treat the contractual netting agreement as risk-reducing.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 7 point (b) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.7.8

A legal opinion required under BIPRU 13.7.6 R (2) may be in the form of a reasoned legal opinion drawn up by type of contractual netting.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 7 point (b) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.7.9

A firm must not recognise as risk-reducing any contract containing a provision which permits a non-defaulting counterparty to make limited payments only, or no payments at all, to the estate of the defaulter, even if the defaulter is a net creditor (a "walkaway" clause).

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 7 point (b) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.7.10

In addition to the requirements in BIPRU 13.7.2 R to BIPRU 13.7.9 R, for contractual cross product netting agreements the following criteria must be met:

(1) the net sum referred to in BIPRU 13.7.6 R (1) must be the net sum of the positive and negative close out values of any included individual bilateral master agreement and of the positive and negative mark-to-market value of the individual transactions (the Cross-Product Net Amount);
(2) the written and reasoned legal opinions referred to in BIPRU 13.7.6 R (2) must address the validity and enforceability of the entire contractual cross product netting agreement under its terms and the impact of the netting arrangement on the material provisions of any included individual bilateral master agreement; a legal opinion must be generally recognised as such by the legal community in the United Kingdom or a memorandum of law that addresses all relevant issues in a reasoned manner;
(3) the firm must have procedures in place under BIPRU 13.7.6 R (3) to verify that any transaction which is to be included in a netting set is covered by a legal opinion; and
(4) taking into account the contractual cross product netting agreement, the firm must continue to comply with the requirements for the recognition of bilateral netting and the requirements of BIPRU 4.10 and BIPRU 5 for the recognition of credit risk mitigation, as applicable, with respect to each included individual bilateral master agreement and transaction.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 7 point (b) (part)]

01/01/2007

Effects of recognition

BIPRU 13.7.11

For the purposes of the CCR mark to market method, the CCR standardised method and the CCR internal model method a firm must recognise netting as set out in BIPRU 13.3 and BIPRU 13.6.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 7 point (b) (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.8

Securities financing transactions

01/01/2007

Purpose

BIPRU 13.8.1

BIPRU 13.8 summarises the treatment for securities financing transactions.

01/01/2007

Calculation of exposure value for SFTs

BIPRU 13.8.2

Subject to BIPRU 13.8.3 R, in respect of a securities financing transaction, if a firm:

(1) has a CCR internal model method permission which covers the transaction; or
(2) has a master netting agreement internal models approach permission which covers the transaction;

then the firm must use the CCR internal model method approach or the master netting agreement internal models approach, as applicable, to calculate the exposure value for that transaction unless an exception in BIPRU 13 or BIPRU 5 allows the firm to use another method.

[Note: BCD Article 78(2), second sentence, in respect of SFTs]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.8.3

If a firm has a CCR internal model method permission and a master netting agreement internal models approach permission, and both cover a securities financing transaction, then the firm may choose which of those approaches it wishes to use to calculate the exposure value for that transaction.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.8.4

Where BIPRU 13.8.2 R does not apply, a firm must use one of the following approaches to determine the exposure value of a securities financing transaction, as appropriate:

(1) if the transaction is covered by a master netting agreement which satisfies the requirements for recognition set out in BIPRU 5.6.1 R to BIPRU 5.6.3 R, a firm may calculate the exposure value under the master netting agreement method set out in BIPRU 5.6.5 R to BIPRU 5.6.11 R (Calculation of the fully adjusted exposure value: the supervisory volatility adjustments approach and the own estimates of volatility adjustments approach);
(2) otherwise, a firm must calculate the exposure value of the transaction as its on-balance sheet value.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.8.5

A firm calculating risk weighted exposure amounts under the standardised approach to credit risk will not be eligible to use the approach in BIPRU 13.8.4 R (1) if it is using the financial collateral simple method to determine the effects of credit risk mitigation, as set out in BIPRU 5.4.16 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.8.6

If a firm calculates the exposure value of a securities financing transaction as its on-balance sheet value, in accordance with BIPRU 13.8.4 R (2), it may recognise the effects of financial collateral in the same way as for its other exposures, for example by using either the financial collateral simple method or the financial collateral comprehensive method. However firms should note that the financial collateral simple method is not available:

(1) to a firm using the IRB approach (BIPRU 5.4.16 R); or
(2) for securities financing transactions in the trading book (BIPRU 14.2.11 R).

01/01/2007

Exposure to a central counterparty

BIPRU 13.8.7

Notwithstanding BIPRU 13.8.2 R, a firm must determine the exposure value of a credit risk exposure outstanding with a central counterparty in accordance with BIPRU 13.8.8 R, provided that the central counterparty's counterparty credit risk exposures with all participants in its arrangements are fully collateralised on a daily basis.

[Note: BCD Article 78(4) in respect of SFTs]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13.8.8

A firm may attribute an exposure value of zero for CCR to a securities financing transaction or to any other exposures in respect of that transaction (but excluding an exposure arising from collateral held to mitigate losses in the event of the default of other participants in the central counterparty's arrangements) which is outstanding with a central counterparty and has not been rejected by the central counterparty.

[Note: BCD Annex III Part 2 point 6 in respect of SFTs]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 13 Annex 1

01/01/2007

Interest rate risk hedging sets

FX risk hedging sets

Equity risk

Trans-action type

Effective notional

Modified duration

CMV

USD non-gov M<1

USD non-gov M>5

EUR non-gov M<1

EUR non-gov M>5

JPY non-gov M>5

EUR/USD

JPY/USD

DAX

$ million

years

$ million

effective notional x modified

effective notional x modified duration

effective notional (+ = long, - = short)

USD

IR swap

receiver leg

-6

640

USD

IR swap

payer leg

-0.25

-20

USD

IR swap

receiver leg

300

0.125

37.5

USD

IR swap

payer leg

300

-6

-1800

EUR

FX swap

receiver leg

100

1500

100

USD

FX swap

payer leg

100

-0.125

-12.5

EUR

cross ccy swap

receiver leg

420

JPY

cross ccy swap

payer leg

-7

-420

-60

DAX

Total return swap in EUR

receiver leg

150

0.125

18.75

150

DAX

Total return swap in EUR

payer leg

150

not applicable

-150

Sum of risk positions RPTij by hedging setj

-1160

18.75

1920

-420

310

-60

-150

Absolute amount |sum of RPTij| of risk positions by hedging setj

1160

18.75

1920

420

310

150

Credit conversion factors CCFj by hedging setj

0.20%

2.50%

CCFj x |sum of RPTij|: CCF-weighted absolute amounts of risk positions by hedging set

0.0100

2.3200

0.0375

3.8400

0.8400

7.7500

1.5000

10.5000

Sum of (CCFj x |sum of RPTij|)

26.7975

CMV: sum of current market values CMVi of the transactions

1.000

Max(CMV, sum of (CCFj x |sum of RPTij))

26.7975

Beta:

1.4000

EAD

37.5165

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14

Capital requirements for settlement and counterparty risk

BIPRU 14.1

Application and purpose

01/01/2007

Application

BIPRU 14.1.1

BIPRU 14 applies to a BIPRU firm.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.1.2

(1) BIPRU 14.2 deals with the calculation of the capital requirement for CCR for trading book positions arising from financial derivative instruments, securities financing transactions and long settlement transactions. The approaches used to calculate exposure values and risk weighted exposure amounts for these positions are largely based on the approaches applicable to non-trading book positions (BIPRU 3, BIPRU 4, BIPRU 5 and BIPRU 13). However, there are some treatments that are specific to the trading book. These are set out in BIPRU 14.2.
(2) The calculation of the capital requirement for CCR for trading book positions is the first element of the counterparty risk capital component in BIPRU 14.2.1 R. The second element of the counterparty risk capital component is for unsettled transactions in both the trading book and the non-trading book. It is calculated under BIPRU 14.3.
(3) BIPRU 14.4 sets out the treatment for free deliveries.

01/01/2007

Purpose

BIPRU 14.1.3

BIPRU 14 implements:

(1) Article 3(1)(h), Article 17(1), and Article 40; and
(2) Annex II;

of the Capital Adequacy Directive.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.2

Calculation of the capital requirement for CCR

01/01/2007

Calculation of the counterparty risk capital component

BIPRU 14.2.1

A firm must calculate the counterparty risk capital component as the sum of:

(1) the capital requirement calculated under BIPRU 14.2.13 R; and
(2) the amount calculated under BIPRU 14.3.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.2.2

A firm must hold capital calculated in accordance with BIPRU 14.2.13 R against the CCR arising from exposures arising in the trading book due to the following:

(1) free deliveries (where BIPRU 14.4 requires it to be treated as an exposure);
(2) financial derivative instruments and credit derivatives;
(3) repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, securities or commodities lending or borrowing transaction based on securities or commodities included in the trading book;
(4) margin lending transactions based on securities or commodities; and
(5) long settlement transactions.

[Note: CAD Annex II point 5]

01/01/2007

Credit derivatives

BIPRU 14.2.3

For the purposes of the calculation of the counterparty risk capital component, a financial derivative instrument means:

(1) an item falling within BIPRU 13.3.3 R other than an item to which an exposure value of zero is attributed under BIPRU 13.3.13 R or BIPRU 13.8.8 R (Exposure to a central counterparty); and
(2) a credit derivative.

[Note: CAD Article 3(1)(h) and Annex II point 7 first sentence]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.2.4

BIPRU 14.2.5 R to BIPRU 14.2.8 R apply for the purposes of BIPRU 13.4 (CCR mark to market method).

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.2.5

In the case of total return swap credit derivatives and credit default swap credit derivatives, a firm must obtain a figure for potential future credit exposure by multiplying the nominal amount of the instrument by the following percentages:

(1) 5% where the reference obligation is one that if it gave rise to a direct exposure of the firm would be a qualifying debt security for the purposes of BIPRU 7.2;
(2) 10 % where the reference obligation is one that if it gave rise to a direct exposure of the firm would not be a qualifying debt security for the purposes of BIPRU 7.2.

[Note: CAD Annex II point 7 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.2.6

In the case of a credit default swap, a firm the exposure of which arising from the swap represents a long position in the underlying may use a figure of 0% for potential future credit exposure, unless the credit default swap is subject to closeout upon the insolvency of the entity the exposure of which arising from the swap represents a short position in the underlying, even though the underlying has not defaulted.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.2.7

BIPRU 14.2.6 R permits the seller of credit protection to determine potential future credit exposure as 0%, unless the protection is subject to close-out on the insolvency of the buyer.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.2.8

Where the credit derivative provides protection in relation to 'nth to default' amongst a number of underlying obligations, a firm must apply the percentage figure in BIPRU 14.2.5 R applicable to the obligation with the nth lowest credit quality determined by whether it is one that if incurred by the firm would be a qualifying debt security for the purposes of BIPRU 7.2.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.2.9

The operation of BIPRU 14.2.8 R can be illustrated by an example as follows: where the credit derivative is a first to default transaction, the appropriate percentage for the potential future credit exposure will be determined by the lowest credit quality of the underlying obligations in the basket. If there are non-qualifying items in the basket, the percentage applicable to the non-qualifying reference obligation should be used. For second and subsequent to default transactions, underlying assets should continue to be allocated according to credit quality: i.e. for a second to default transaction, the applicable percentage figure is the percentage applicable to the second lowest credit quality.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.2.10

Where a credit derivative included in the trading book forms part of an internal hedge and the credit protection is recognised for the purposes of the calculation of the credit risk capital component, there is deemed to be no counterparty risk arising from the position in the credit derivative.

[Note: CAD Annex II point 11]

01/01/2007

Calculation

BIPRU 14.2.11

Subject to BIPRU 14.2.3 R to BIPRU 14.2.5 R and BIPRU 14.2.14 R to BIPRU 14.2.17 R, a firm must calculate exposure values and risk weighted exposure amounts for the exposures falling under BIPRU 14.2.2 R (1) to BIPRU 14.2.2R (5) in accordance with:

(1) the standardised approach to credit risk; or
(2) if the firm has an IRB permission, the IRB approach in accordance with the terms of the firm's IRB permission.

[Note: CAD Annex II point 6]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.2.12

For the purpose of calculating counterparty exposure values for financial derivative instruments, securities financing transactions and long settlement transactions, or for credit risk mitigation, the effect of BIPRU 14.2.11 R is to direct a firm to BIPRU 13 or BIPRU 5 as appropriate.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.2.13

A firm must calculate the capital requirement for the purposes of BIPRU 14.2.2 R as 8% of the total risk weighted exposure amounts.

[Note: CAD Annex II point 12]

01/01/2007

Collateral

BIPRU 14.2.14

For the purposes of BIPRU 14.2.11 R, in calculating risk weighted exposure amounts a firm must not use the financial collateral simple method for the recognition of the effects of financial collateral.

[Note: CAD Annex II point 8]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.2.15

For the purposes of BIPRU 14.2.11 R:

(1) in the case of repurchase transactions and securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions booked in the trading book, all CRD financial instruments and commodities that are eligible to be included in the trading book may be recognised as eligible collateral;
(2) for exposures due to financial derivative instruments and long settlement transactions booked in the trading book, commodities that are eligible to be included in the trading book may also be recognised as eligible collateral;
(3) for the purposes of calculating volatility adjustments where such CAD financial instruments or commodities which are not eligible under BIPRU 5 and BIPRU 4.10 are lent, sold or provided, or borrowed, purchased or received by way of collateral or otherwise under such a transaction, and the firm is using the supervisory volatility adjustments approach, such instruments and commodities must be treated in the same way as non-main index equities listed on a recognised investment exchange or a designated investment exchange.

[Note: CAD Annex II point 9 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.2.16

(1) Where a firm is using the own estimates of volatility adjustments approach in respect of CAD financial instruments or commodities which are not eligible under BIPRU 5 and BIPRU 4.10 it must calculate volatility adjustments for each individual item.
(2) Where a firm is using the master netting agreement internal models approach set out in BIPRU 5, it may also apply this approach in the trading book.

[Note: CAD Annex II point 9 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.2.17

For the purposes of BIPRU 14.2.11 R, in relation to the recognition of master netting agreements covering repurchase transactions and/or securities or commodities lending or borrowing transactions and/or other capital market-driven transactions netting across positions in the trading book and the non-trading book may only be recognised when the netted transactions fulfil the following conditions:

(1) all transactions are marked to market daily;
(2) any items borrowed, purchased or received under the transactions may be recognised as eligible financial collateral under BIPRU 5 and BIPRU 4.10 without the application of BIPRU 14.2.14 R to BIPRU 14.2.15 R.

[Note: CAD Annex II point 9 (part)]

01/01/2007

Treatment of expected loss amounts under the IRB approach

BIPRU 14.2.18

Where a firm calculates risk weighted exposure amounts for the purposes of BIPRU 14 in accordance with the IRB approach, then for the purposes of the calculation provided for in BIPRU 4.4.79 R (Double default), the following apply:

(1) value adjustments made to take account of the credit quality of the counterparty may be included in the sum of value adjustments and provisions made for the exposures indicated in BIPRU 14; and
(2) unless the firm's IRB permission does not permit it, if the credit risk of the counterparty is adequately taken into account in the valuation of a position included in the trading book the expected loss amount for the counterparty risk exposure must be zero.

[Note: CAD Article 17(1)]

01/01/2007

Exposures to recognised third-country investment firms, recognised clearing houses and designated investment exchanges

BIPRU 14.2.20

For the purposes of the calculation of the counterparty risk capital component, without prejudice to BIPRU 13.3.13 R and BIPRU 13.8.8 R (Exposure to a central counterparty) exposures to recognised third-country investment firms and exposures incurred to recognised clearing houses and designated investment exchanges must be treated as exposures to institutions.

[Note: CAD Article 40]

01/01/2007

Netting of trading book exposures against non-trading book exposures

BIPRU 14.2.21

For the purposes of counterparty credit risk, a firm may net exposures arising from items in the trading book against exposures arising from items in the non-trading book.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.2.22

Where a firm carries out netting under BIPRU 14.2.21 R, it must allocate the net exposure to:

(1) the trading book for the purposes of the calculation under BIPRU 14.2.11 R, if the gross trading book exposures exceed gross non-trading book exposures; and
(2) the non-trading book for the purposes of BIPRU 13, if the gross non-trading book exposures exceed gross trading book exposures.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.2.23

A firm may only net exposures under BIPRU 14.2.21 R if it continues to meet other GENPRU and BIPRU requirements applicable to the trading book or non-trading book in respect of those exposures.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.2.24

For example, in relation to BIPRU 14.2.23 R, collateral which is eligible only against trading book exposures will not be applicable against non-trading book exposures; and the large exposures limits on non-trading book positions will also remain applicable.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.3

Unsettled transactions

01/01/2007

Scope

BIPRU 14.3.1

BIPRU 14.3 applies in respect of items in the trading book and the non-trading book.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.3.2

The capital requirement for unsettled transactions is an element of the counterparty risk capital component set out in BIPRU 14.2.1 R.

01/01/2007

Calculation

BIPRU 14.3.3

In the case of transactions in which debt instruments, equities, foreign currencies and commodities (excluding repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements and securities or commodities lending and securities or commodities borrowing) are unsettled after their due delivery dates, a firm must calculate the price difference to which it is exposed, being the difference between the agreed settlement price for the debt instrument, equity, foreign currency or commodity in question and its current market value, where the difference could involve a loss for the firm.

[Note: CAD Annex II point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.3.4

A firm must multiply the price difference calculated under BIPRU 14.3.3 R by the appropriate factor in column A of the Table in BIPRU 14.3.4 R in order to calculate its capital requirement for the purposes of BIPRU 14.3.

[Note: CAD Annex II point 1 (part)]

01/01/2007

Table: Factors for the multiplication of price differences

BIPRU 14.3.5

This table belongs to BIPRU 14.3.4 R

Number of working days after due settlement date

Column A (%)

5 - 15

16 - 30

31 - 45

46 or more

100

[Note: CAD Annex II Table 1]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.3.5

In cases of a system wide failure of a settlement or clearing system, a firm should refer to the emergency provisions in GEN 1.3. Where the requirements of GEN 1.3.2 R are met, until the situation is rectified failure of a counterparty to settle a trade will not be deemed a default for purposes of credit risk.

[Note: CAD Annex II point 4]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.4

Free deliveries

01/01/2007

Scope

BIPRU 14.4.1

BIPRU 14.4 applies in respect of items in the trading book and the non-trading book.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.4.2

A firm must hold capital resources with respect to a free delivery, as set out in the Table in BIPRU 14.4.3 R, if:

(1) it has paid for securities, foreign currencies or commodities before receiving them or it has delivered securities foreign currencies or commodities before receiving payment for them; and
(2) in the case of cross-border transactions, one day or more has elapsed since it made that payment or delivery.

[Note: CAD Annex II point 2]

01/01/2007

Exposure

BIPRU 14.4.3

Table: Capital treatment for free deliveries
This table belongs to BIPRU 14.4.2 R.

Transaction Type

Up to first contractual payment leg or delivery leg

From first contractual payment leg or delivery leg up to four days after second contractual payment leg or delivery leg

From 5 business days post second contractual payment leg or delivery leg until extinction of the transaction

Free delivery

No capital charge in the trading book

Treat as an exposure

Deduct value transferred plus current positive exposure from capital resources

[Note: CAD Annex II Table 2]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.4.4

(1) In the case of the non-trading book, a firm must treat an exposure falling into columns 2 and 3 of the table in BIPRU 14.4.3 R in accordance with the relevant provisions of the standardised approach to credit risk or the IRB approach, as the case may be.
(2) In the case of the trading book, a firm must apply the treatment set out in BIPRU 14.4.5 R.

[Note: CAD Annex II point 3 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.4.5

(1) In applying a risk weight to free delivery exposures treated according to column 3 of the table in BIPRU 14.4.3 R, a firm using the IRB approach may assign PD to counterparties, for which they have no other non-trading book exposure, on the basis of the counterparty's external rating.
(2) A firm using own estimates of LGDs may apply the LGD set out in BIPRU 4.4.34 R to BIPRU 4.4.35 R BIPRU 4.4.35 R (IRB foundation approach: LGDs) to free delivery exposures treated according to column 3 of the table in BIPRU 14.4.3 R, provided that it applies it to all such exposures.
(3) Alternatively, a firm using the IRB approach may apply the risk weights, as set out in the standardised approach to credit risk provided that it applies them to all such exposures or may apply a 100% risk weight to all such exposures.

[Note: CAD Annex II point 3 (part)]

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.4.6

If the amount of positive exposure resulting from free delivery transactions is not material, a firm may apply a risk weight of 100% to these exposures.

01/01/2007

BIPRU 14.4.7

01/01/2007

Transitional Provisions and Schedules

BIPRU TP 1

Applicable chapter of IPRU and other general provisions

TP 1

Applicable chapter of IPRU and other general provisions

Application

1.1

BIPRU TP 1 applies to:

(1)

a BIPRU firm; and

(2)

any firm to which BIPRU 8 (Group risk - consolidation) applies.

Version of IPRU to be used

1.2

Any reference in BIPRU TP to IPRU is to the version in force on 31 December 2006.

Categorisation of BIPRU investment firms

1.3

For the purposes of BIPRU TP the definitions of securities and futures firm, investment management firm and personal investment firm are amended as follows:

(1)

if a firm fell into one of those categories on 31 December 2006 it remains in that category unless changed under (2);

(2)

if a firm has got a permission that includes a requirement that it comply with the provisions of BIPRU TP applicable to one of those categories, that firm falls into that category; and

(3)

a BIPRU investment firm that is not an investment management firm, UCITS investment firm or a personal investment firm is a securities and futures firm.

Applicable part of IPRU on a solo basis

1.4

(1)

This rule identifies which part of IPRU applies where BIPRU TP applies IPRU to a firm on a solo basis.

(2)

IPRU(BANK) applies to a bank.

(3)

IPRU(BSOC) applies to a building society.

(4)

IPRU(INV) applies to a BIPRU investment firm as follows:

(a)

Chapter 5 applies to an investment management firm;

(b)

Chapter 7 applies to a UCITS investment firm;

(c)

Chapter 10 applies to a securities and futures firm; and

(d)

Chapter 13 applies to a personal investment firm.

General provisions about consolidation

1.5

Each provision of BIPRU TP that applies on a solo basis also applies for the purposes of BIPRU 8 (Group risk - consolidation). This is subject to the provisions of BIPRU TP concerned.

1.6

Many sections of BIPRU TP deal specifically with when and how they apply on a consolidated basis. However BIPRU TP will still apply for consolidation purposes even where this is not the case. BIPRU TP 1.5R does not apply to BIPRU TP 2.1 (Solo consolidation) as solo consolidation is a concept that only applies to solo requirements.

Classification of groups for certain consolidation rules

1.7

(1)

This rule sets out how to classify a UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group ("group") to which consolidated requirements are applied under certain parts of BIPRU TP.

(2)

If the answer to the question at stage 1 of the decision tree in BIPRU 8 Annex 5R (Decision tree for identifying the consolidated capital resources requirement of a UK consolidation group or a non-EEA sub-group) with respect to the group is Yes and there is a building society in the group, the group is referred to in BIPRU TP as a building society group.

(3)

If a non-EEA sub-group is part of a UK consolidation group that is a building society group then the non-EEA sub-group is also a building society group. However a firm may use (2) for the purposes of calculating the consolidated capital resources of the non-EEA sub-group where capital resources are calculated under IPRU.

(4)

If the answer to the question at stage 1 of the decision tree in BIPRU 8 Annex 2R with respect to the group is Yes and the group is not a building society group, the group is referred to in BIPRU TP as a banking group.

(5)

In any other case the group is referred to in BIPRU TP as an investment services group.

01/01/2007

BIPRU TP 2

Capital floors for a firm using the IRB or AMA approaches

Application

2.1

Subject to BIPRU TP 2.2R, this section applies to a BIPRU firm that applies the IRB approach or the advanced measurement approach.

2.2

BIPRU TP 2.30R to BIPRU TP 2.34G apply to any firm to which BIPRU 8 (Group risk - consolidation) applies and which applies the IRB approach or the advanced measurement approach on a consolidated basis.

Purpose

2.3

This section implements Articles 152(1) - (7) of the Banking Consolidation Directive and Article 43 of the Capital Adequacy Directive.

2.4

The purpose of this section is to limit the amount of capital reduction arising from the implementation of the Banking Consolidation Directive and the Capital Adequacy Directive compared with the requirements arising from the previous versions of those Directives. As such it is effectively a comparison of the capital resource requirements arising from BIPRU with those arising from the appropriate IPRU sourcebook that would have applied as at 31 December 2006. However the effect of changes to the market risk requirements is removed by requiring BIPRU 7 (Market risk) to be used for both sides of the comparison.

How to apply the capital floors

2.5

This section does not require a firm to continue to have capital resources equal to a fixed percentage of the capital requirement that applied to it as at 31 December 2006. Instead a firm should apply the requirements in this section to its business as it changes over time. So for example if a firm is calculating its capital requirements as at 31 December 2008 it will have two calculations. The first is carried out under BIPRU and GENPRU. The second is carried out under IPRU and this section. Both sets of requirements are applied to the firm's figures as at 31 December 2008.

2.6

The Directive provisions on which this section is based are written as a floor on a firm's capital resources requirement. This section however is written as a second capital resources requirement that sits beside the general capital resources requirements of BIPRU and GENPRU. The reason for this is that a firm should meet the general capital resources requirements of BIPRU and GENPRU using capital resources calculated under GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources). On the other hand a firm should meet the capital resources requirements of this section (which are based on IPRU) using the relevant IPRU definition. In practice the two sets of definitions of capital resources are similar apart from the provisions about expected loss. Therefore as shown by the example in BIPRU TP 2.12G and BIPRU TP 2.13G, in practice a firm is subject to a single capital resources requirement.

2.7

BIPRU TP 9 explains how the general principle in this section is applied to a personal investment firm.

Capital floors: solo

2.8

A firm calculating risk weighted exposure amounts in accordance with the IRB approach must during the first, second and third twelve-month periods after 31 December 2006 provide capital resources that equal or exceed the following amounts:

(1)

for the first twelve-month period, 95%;

(2)

for the second twelve-month period, 90%; and

(3)

for the third twelve-month period, 80%;

of the solo capital resources requirement that applies to the firm under whichever part of IPRU applies under BIPRU TP 1.4R.

2.9

A firm using the advanced measurement approach must, during the second and third twelve-month periods after 31 December 2006, provide capital resources which are at all times more than or equal to the amounts indicated in BIPRU TP 2.8R(2) and BIPRU TP 2.8R(3).

Capital resources: solo

2.10

A firm must calculate its capital resources in accordance with whichever part of IPRU applies under BIPRU TP 1.4R.

2.11

Compliance with the requirements of this section must be on the basis of amounts of capital resources fully adjusted to reflect differences in the calculation of capital resources under IPRU and the calculation of capital resources under GENPRU and BIPRU deriving from the separate treatments of expected loss and unexpected loss under the IRB approach.

Explanation of the calculation

2.12

The following provides an illustrative example of the application of this section to a bank in a period in which BIPRU TP 2.8R(1) applies (i.e. the 95% requirement). Say that under IPRU(BANK) the firm's capital resources requirement would be £8.00mn and this would be met in part by general/collective provisions of £0.5mn. This establishes the capital resources requirement under this section at 95% times (£8.0mn less £0.5mn), which equals £7.125mn.

2.13

Say that in the absence of this section, the Pillar 1 capital resources requirement of the firm in BIPRU TP 2.12G would be £6.4m, and the sum of value adjustments and provisions are £0.25mn less than expected losses. For the purposes of the expected loss calculation, if the result is negative (i.e. value adjustments and provisions are less than expected losses) that amount is deducted from capital resources (which is equivalent to an increase in the capital resources requirement). If the result is positive it is added to capital resources (which is equivalent to a decrease in the capital resources requirement). In this example the result is negative. As the sum of these two amounts (£6.65mn) is still less than the IPRU capital resources requirement of £7.125mn, the effect of this section is that the firm is subject to the (higher) IPRU requirement. If the sum of the BIPRU requirements had been greater than £7.125mn, then the firm would not have been subject to the capital resources requirement in this section.

Adjustments to the calculation of capital resources

2.14

A firm may treat any capital instrument that complies with the requirements of GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources) as complying with the corresponding requirements of IPRU.

2.15

An example of BIPRU TP 2.14R is that a firm may treat subordinated debt with a term of five years or over that qualifies as lower tier two capital for the purposes of GENPRU as complying with the corresponding provisions for five year subordinated debt under IPRU.

Market risk

2.16

A firm must substitute the requirements in BIPRU for the calculation of the market risk capital requirement (excluding those provisions to the extent that they would involve using the IRB approach) for the corresponding provisions of IPRU.

2.17

BIPRU TP 4 to BIPRU TP 9 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) explain which parts of IPRU correspond to the market risk capital requirement.

CAD 1 model and VaR model

2.18

If a firm has a CAD 1 permission or a VaR model permission it must also use it for the purposes of the capital floor calculations in this section.

2.19

In applying BIPRU TP 2.18R, a firm should not adjust the CAD 1 permission approach or VaR model approach (including the scope of the CAD 1 permission or VaR model permission) so that it is consistent with Directive 93/6 (the Capital Adequacy Directive) as it stood on 31 December 2006.

Individual capital guidance

2.20

The IPRU capital resources requirement does not include any individual capital ratio notified to a bank under Chapter CO of IPRU(BANK) or any similar notification by the FSA to any other firm.

2.21

Any further capital resource requirements that a firm is required to meet under GENPRU 1.2 (Adequacy of financial resources) (i.e. Pillar 2) should not be taken into account.

How to apply IPRU

2.22

If the part of IPRU that applies to a firm applies different calculations to different types of firm the firm must use the calculations that it would have to use under BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007).

2.23

If the part of IPRU that applies to a firm gives the firm a choice between methods of calculating capital resources or capital resources requirements it must exercise that choice consistently with the corresponding choices it makes in calculating capital resources or capital resources requirement under GENPRU and BIPRU.

2.24

BIPRU TP 4 to BIPRU TP 9 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) explain how concepts in IPRU and GENPRU map onto the ones in IPRU. This will enable a firm to decide which calculations it should use for the purposes of BIPRU TP 2.22R and BIPRU TP 2.23R.

2.25

An example of the effect of BIPRU TP 2.22R and BIPRU TP 2.23R is that a securities and futures firm that calculates its capital resources under GENPRU 2 Annex 4 R (Capital resources table for a BIPRU investment firm deducting material holdings) should calculate its capital resources under IPRU using table 10-62(2)A of chapter 10 of IPRU(INV).

2.26

For the purpose of calculating the part of the IPRU capital resources requirement that corresponds to the concentration risk capital component a firm may identify the trading book exposures on which that requirement is based using BIPRU 10(Concentration risk requirements) except to the extent that BIPRU 10 involves the IRB approach.

2.27

The concentration risk capital component is the capital requirement for a firm that chooses to have trading book exposures that exceed the concentration risk limits for the non-trading book. In most cases IPRU has a similar capital requirement. The purpose of BIPRU TP 2.26R is to allow a firm to calculate the amount of the excess trading book exposures for which it calculates the additional capital charge using BIPRU 10(Concentration risk requirements) in order to avoid having to apply the IPRU large exposure requirements for this purpose only.

2.28

The calculations under this section do not take into account the base capital resources requirement or the part of the IPRU solo capital resources requirement that corresponds to the base capital resources requirement.

Solo consolidation

2.29

If a firm has a solo consolidation waiver it also applies for the purpose of this section in place of any corresponding provision of IPRU.

Capital floors: consolidation

2.30

If a firm calculates risk weighted exposure amounts on a consolidated basis in accordance with the IRB approach or uses the advanced measurement approach on a consolidated basis, BIPRU TP 2.8R to BIPRU TP 2.27G apply on a consolidated basis in accordance with BIPRU TP 2.30R to BIPRU TP 2.31R.

2.31

A firm must calculate the consolidation requirements under BIPRU TP 2.30R for the group in question (the group in question is specified in BIPRU TP 2.32R) in accordance with the following:

(1)

if the group is a banking group as defined in BIPRU TP 1.7R (Classification of groups for certain consolidation rules), the consolidation provisions of IPRU(BANK) apply;

(2)

if the group is a building society group as defined in BIPRU TP 1.7R, the consolidation provisions of IPRU(BSOC) apply; and

(3)

if the group is an investment firm group as defined in BIPRU TP 1.7R, chapter 14 of IPRU(INV) applies.

2.32

The scope of the consolidation under BIPRU TP 2.30R and any exemption from consolidation is determined in accordance with BIPRU 8 (Group risk - consolidation) rather than IPRU. In particular, the following adjustments apply:

(1)

if a firm is a member of a UK consolidation group and applies the IRB approach or the AMA with respect to that UK consolidation group, BIPRU TP 2.30R applies with respect to that UK consolidation group; and

(2)

if a firm is a member of a non-EEA sub-group and applies the IRB approach or the AMA with respect to that non-EEA sub-group, BIPRU TP 2.30R applies with respect to that non-EEA sub-group.

2.33

If for example the consolidation rules that apply for the purposes of this section are those in chapter 14 of IPRU(INV) (Consolidated supervision of investment firms) then IPRU(INV) 14.1 (Application) and 14.2 (Scope of consolidation) do not apply. BIPRU 8.2 (Scope and basic consolidation requirements for UK consolidation groups), BIPRU 8.3 (Scope and basic consolidation requirements for non-EEA sub-groups), BIPRU 8.4 (CAD Article 22 groups and investment firm consolidation waiver) and BIPRU 8.5 (Basis of consolidation) apply instead.

Capital floors: waiver from consolidation

2.34

If a firm has an investment firm consolidation waiver and it is applying the IRB approach or the AMA, the waiver will explain how the investment firm consolidation waiver applies for the purpose of this section.

01/01/2007

BIPRU TP 3

Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007

Application

3.1

This section applies to a BIPRU firm.

Purpose

3.2

This section (together with BIPRU TP 4 - BIPRU TP 10) implements Articles 152(8) - (14) of the Banking Consolidation Directive and Article 50(1) of the Capital Adequacy Directive.

Duration of transitional

3.3

This section applies until 1 January 2008.

Continued use of IPRU

3.4

Unless a firm notifies the FSA to the contrary, a firm must use on a solo basis the credit risk rules in whichever part of IPRU applies to it under BIPRU TP 1 rather than the ones in BIPRU.

3.5

BIPRU TP 3 sets out, for all types of firm, which parts of GENPRU and BIPRU do and do not apply when BIPRU TP 3 applies.

3.6

BIPRU TP 4 - BIPRU TP 9 set out, for each category of BIPRU firm, which sections of the part of IPRU that applies to it do and do not apply during 2007 as follows:

(1)

BIPRU TP 4 applies to a bank;

(2)

BIPRU TP 5 applies to a building society;

(3)

BIPRU TP 6 applies to an investment management firm;

(4)

BIPRU TP 7 applies to a UCITS investment firm;

(5)

BIPRU TP 8 applies to a securities and futures firm; and

(6)

BIPRU TP 9 applies to a personal investment firm.

3.7

BIPRU TP 10 explains how this section is applied on a consolidated basis.

Disapplication of GENPRU and BIPRU

3.8

Table: Parts of GENPRU and BIPRU that apply in 2007
This table belongs to BIPRU TP 3.5R

GENPRU and BIPRU provisions

A Y denotes that the provision does apply
An N denotes that it does not apply

GENPRU TP (Transitional provisions)

GENPRU 1.1 (Application and scope)

GENPRU 1.2 (Adequacy of financial resources)

The overall financial adequacy rule

GENPRU 1.2 so far as it applies to liquidity risk

The rest of GENPRU 1.2 for purposes other than liquidity risk

GENPRU 1.3 (Valuation)

GENPRU 1.4 (Actions for damages)

GENPRU 1.5 (Application of GENPRU 1 to Lloyd's)

Not applicable as does not apply to BIPRU firms

GENPRU 2.1 (Calculation of capital resources requirements)

GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources)

GENPRU 2.3 (Application of GENPRU 2 to Lloyd's)

Not applicable as does not apply to BIPRU firms

GENPRU 3.1 (Cross sector groups)

GENPRU 3.2 (Third-country groups)

BIPRU TP (Transitional provisions)

BIPRU 1.1 (Application and scope)

BIPRU 1.2 (Definition of the trading book)

BIPRU 1.3 (Application for advanced approaches)

BIPRU 1.4 (Actions for damages)

BIPRU 2.1 (Solo consolidation)

BIPRU 2.2 (Adequacy of financial resources)

BIPRU 2.3 (Interest rate risk in the non-trading book);

BIPRU 3 (Standardised approach to credit risk)

BIPRU 4 (The IRB approach)

BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation)

BIPRU 6 (Operational risk)

BIPRU 7(Market risk)

BIPRU 7.2.43 R to BIPRU 7.2.49 R (Interest rate specific risk calculation)

N (BIPRU TP 4 - BIPRU TP 9 set out what applies in place of these rules)

BIPRU 7.11.18 R to BIPRU 7.11.58 R (Special treatment of credit default swaps)

Rest of BIPRU 7

BIPRU 8 (Group risk - consolidation)

BIPRU 9 (Securitisation)

BIPRU 10 (Concentration risk)

BIPRU 10.5.2 R to BIPRU 10.5.5 R (Capital resources)

BIPRU 10.5.14 R (Notification of trading book excesses)

Y Only applies if BIPRU TP 4 to BIPRU TP 10 allow excess exposures in the trading book.

The rest of BIPRU 10

(Disclosure) BIPRU 11

BIPRU 12

Chapter does not yet exist

BIPRU 13 (Financial derivatives, SFTs and long settlement transactions)

BIPRU 14 (Capital requirements for settlement and counterparty risk)

This table is subject to the adjustments set out in BIPRU TP 3.15R to BIPRU TP 3.21R when a firm also uses the IRB approach.

Application of BIPRU concentration risk rules for underwriting

3.9

Even though BIPRU 10 (Concentration risk) does not apply, the provisions in BIPRU 7.8 (Securities underwriting) about the calculation of the net underwriting exposures still apply.

How to interpret cross-references

3.10

If a provision in BIPRU or GENPRU that applies under this section refers to a provision of BIPRU or GENPRU that does not apply that reference must be read as referring to the IPRU provision that applies instead under this section (if any). If a provision in IPRU that applies under this section refers to a provision of IPRU that does not apply that reference must be read as referring to the corresponding provision in BIPRU or GENPRU that applies under this section.

3.11

BIPRU TP 4 - BIPRU TP 9 set out, for each category of BIPRU firm, some of the main examples of the sort of cross-references referred to in BIPRU TP 3.10R.

3.12

GENPRU 2.2.187 R and GENPRU 2.2.188 R (Upper tier two capital: General/collective provisions) still applies to a firm that uses BIPRU TP 3.4R. The reference to the sum of risk weighted assets under the standardised approach for credit risk should be read as being to the sum of risk-weighted assets under the provisions of IPRU that apply under this section.

Combination of IPRU with the standardised approach to credit risk

3.13

A firm may not combine the standardised approach to credit risk with the use of IPRU under BIPRU TP 3.4R.

Effect of switching off

3.14

If GENPRU 1.2 (Adequacy of financial resources) does not apply to a firm, stress and scenario testing obligations in other parts of the Handbook still apply. In particular these include stress and scenario tests required under the IRB approach (see in particular BIPRU 4.3.39 R to BIPRU 4.3.42 G (Stress tests used in assessment of capital adequacy) and BIPRU 2.2.41 R to BIPRU 2.2.45 G), under the VaR model approach and under BIPRU 10.6.22 R to BIPRU 10.6.27 G (Stress testing of credit risk concentrations).

Continued use of IPRU combined with the IRB approach

3.15

BIPRU TP 3.16R to BIPRU TP 3.21R only apply to a firm that is applying the IRB approach as well as using IPRU.

3.16

If a firm's IRB permission allows it to do this, a firm may combine the IRB approach with the use of IPRU under BIPRU TP 3.4R.

3.17

If an exposure comes within the scope of a firm's IRB permission the firm should use the IRB approach to calculate the credit risk capital component and the counterparty risk capital component with respect to that exposure in accordance with BIPRU rather than IPRU. In particular BIPRU 4 (The IRB approach), BIPRU 5 (Credit risk mitigation), BIPRU 9 (Securitisation), BIPRU 13 (Financial derivatives, SFTs and long settlement transactions) and BIPRU 14 (Capital requirements for settlement and counterparty risk) apply.

3.18

If a firm combines the IRB approach with the use of IPRU under BIPRU TP 3.14R, the disapplication of BIPRU 10 (Concentration risk) still applies. However in the case of exposures to which the firm applies the IRB approach:

(1)

BIPRU 10.6.14 R to BIPRU 10.6.26 R (Exemptions for firms using the financial collateral comprehensive method, Exemptions for firms using own estimates of LGDs and conversion factors under the IRB approach and Stress testing of credit risk concentrations) apply;

(2)

a firm may not recognise credit risk mitigation if it does not comply with BIPRU 5 and BIPRU 4.10 (Credit risk mitigation) to the extent they apply to BIPRU 10; and

(3)

BIPRU 5 and BIPRU 4.10 apply for the purpose of calculating the amount of credit risk mitigation to the extent that they apply to BIPRU 10.

3.19

BIPRU 11 (Disclosure) applies to exposures to which the firm applies the IRB approach. The rest of BIPRU 11 also applies except to the extent that it relates to parts of BIPRU and GENPRU that do not apply under this section.

3.20

BIPRU 7.11.18 R to BIPRU 7.11.58 R (Special treatment of credit default swaps) apply to exposures subject to the IRB approach.

Reduced operational risk capital requirement

3.21

Where BIPRU TP 3.4R applies, the operational risk capital requirement is reduced by the percentage representing the ratio of the value of the firm's exposures for which capital requirements are calculated in accordance with BIPRU TP 3.4R to the total value of its exposures.

06/04/2007

BIPRU TP 4

Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007: Banks

Application

4.1

BIPRU TP 4 applies to a BIPRU firm that is:

(1)

a bank; and

(2)

applying BIPRU TP 3.4R (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007).

Purpose of this section

4.2

BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) says that during 2007 a firm may apply the credit risk requirements of IPRU instead of the ones in BIPRU. For a bank this involves applying the credit risk requirements in IPRU(BANK). This section explains how this is done. In particular BIPRU TP 4 explains:

(1)

which parts of IPRU(BANK) should be treated as credit risk requirements for this purpose;

(2)

what parts of IPRU(BANK) apply during 2007 and what changes are made to IPRU(BANK) for that purpose; and

(3)

what changes are made to GENPRU and BIPRU to reflect the fact that IPRU(BANK) applies in place of parts of GENPRU and BIPRU.

Duration of transitional

4.3

This section applies until 1 January 2008.

Drafting approach in this section

4.4

4.5

The capital calculation for credit risk under BIPRU is made up of three elements, which are set out in GENPRU 2.1.51 R (Calculation of the credit risk capital requirement). These are the credit risk capital component, the counterparty risk capital component and the concentration risk capital component. So the approach in BIPRU TP 4.4G involves finding equivalents for these three elements in IPRU(BANK).

4.6

BIPRU TP 3.8R (Parts of GENPRU and BIPRU that apply in 2007) provides that GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources) applies during 2007. So a bank using BIPRU TP 3.4R (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) should calculate its capital resources under GENPRU 2.2, instead of calculating its capital under IPRU(BANK).

Parts of IPRU(BANK) that apply in 2007: Chapter GN

4.7

The parts of Chapter GN of IPRU(BANK) that do and do not apply during the period that BIPRU TP 3.4R applies are as set out in BIPRU TP 4.8R.

4.8

Table: Parts of Chapter GN of IPRU(BANK) that apply in 2007
This table belongs to BIPRU TP 4.7R

Provisions of Chapter GN of IPRU(BANK)

A Y denotes that the provision does apply
An N denotes that it does not apply

Remarks

GN 3.3.19R to GN 3.3.20G (requirement to have adequate systems and controls for monitoring, controlling and calculating LE)

GN 3.3.21R to GN 3.3.22G (requirement to notify FSA if breach or propose to breach the 25% limit)

Solo consolidation is dealt with by BIPRU 2.1 (Solo consolidation)

GN 3.4.1R to GN 3.4.2G (requirement to have written policy statement for LE)

GN 3.4.5R to GN 3.4.6G (requirement to have written provisioning policy statement)

The reference to rule 3.3.17 is replaced by a reference to the requirements in GENPRU 1.3.4 R (General requirements: Accounting principles to be applied)

GN 3.4.9E to GN 3.4.12R (Policy statement procedures

Applies in relation to large exposures and provisioning policy statements

GN 3.5.1R (Definitions)

Applies for the purpose of the provisions that continue in force under this table

GN 3.6.1 R (Transitional rule for policy statements)

Applies in relation to large exposures and provisioning policy statements

The parts of Chapter GN that remain in force even if the bank is not applying BIPRU TP 3.4R (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007)

See in particular rules 3.4.3 and 3.4.9 (Liquidity policy statement)

Rest of Chapter GN

A bank must calculate its capital for the purposes of the rules in this table about large exposures in accordance with BIPRU 10.5.2 R to BIPRU 10.5.5 R (Capital resources for concentration risk purposes).

Parts of IPRU(BANK) that apply in 2007

4.9

The parts of IPRU(BANK) that do and do not apply during the period that BIPRU TP 3.4R applies are as set out in BIPRU TP 4.11G. This section does not explain what parts of IPRU(BANK) do and do not apply to an overseas bank as this section only applies to a bank that is a BIPRU firm.

4.10

The table in BIPRU TP 4.11G assumes that the firm is not applying the IRB approach. BIPRU TP 4.40G to BIPRU TP 4.43G deal with a firm that does apply the IRB approach.

4.11

Table: Parts of IPRU(BANK) that apply in 2007
This table belongs to BIPRU TP 4.9G

Provisions of IPRU(BANK)

A Y denotes that the provision does apply
An N denotes that it does not apply

Remarks

GN (General)

See the table in BIPRU TP 4.8R

CO (Capital Adequacy Overview)

Sections 1-3

Section 4

CB (Trading Book/Banking Book Division)

CA (Definition of Capital)

BC (Credit Risk in the Banking Book)

BO (Proxies for Market Risk in Banking Book)

FX (Foreign Exchange Risk)

CM (Commodities Risk)

DU (Common Treatments for Counterparty Risk)

TI (Interest Rate Position Risk)

TE (Equity Position Risk)

TC (Counterparty Risk in the Trading Book)

TL (Incremental Capital for Large Exposures)

TU (Underwriting in Capital Adequacy Framework)

TS (CAD 1 Models)

TV (The Use of Internal Models)

LE (Large Exposures)

CD (Credit Derivatives)

(1) Applies for the purpose of credit risk (the calculation of the credit risk capital requirement)
(2) Applies for the purpose of large exposures to the extent set out in the chapter.
(3) Does not apply for the purpose position risk (calculation of the market risk capital requirement).

SE (Securitisation and Asset Transfers)

See BIPRU TP 4.17G to BIPRU TP 4.19G

LM (Mismatch Liquidity)

Subject to the other provisions of this section, applies in the same way as it does for a bank that does not use BIPRU TP 3.4R (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007).

LS (Sterling Stock Liquidity)

Subject to the other provisions of this section, applies in the same way as it does for a bank that does not use BIPRU TP 3.4R (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007).

AR (Accounting and Other Records and Internal Control Systems)

ST (Foreign Exchange -Risk-Based Supervision)

FR (Fraud)

CL (Comfort letters)

VA (Valuation)

Section 4

(1) Applies for the purpose of credit risk (the calculation of the credit risk capital requirement)
(2) Applies for the purpose of large exposures to the extent set out in the chapter.

Rest

NE (Collateral and Netting)

(1) Applies for the purpose of credit risk (the calculation of the credit risk capital requirement)
(2) Applies for the purpose of large exposures to the extent set out in the chapter.

CS (Consolidated Supervision)

Paragraph 2b) of Section 3

(1) Applies to the extent it provides for zero risk weighting for intra-group exposures on a solo basis.
(2) Applies for the purpose of the exemption for certain intra-group exposures for large exposure purposes on a solo basis (see paragraph 7 of section 9.2.2 of chapter LE of IPRU(BANK)).
(3) Otherwise does not apply.

Appendices C and D (equivalent third country prudential regimes

Only has effect to extent that these apply on a solo basis for the purposes of the parts of IPRU(BANK) that apply under this table. In particular applies for the purposes of IPRU(BANK) BC Section 3 paragraph 6 (f) a) regarding equivalent CAD regimes.

Rest

OS (Outsourcing)

PN (Provisioning Policy Statement)

General material about the parts of IPRU(BANK) that apply in 2007

4.12

Many of the chapters of IPRU(BANK) that apply under the table in BIPRU TP 4.11G (particularly the application sections) deal with the application of the material on a consolidated basis. However this does not apply for the purpose of this section as consolidation is dealt with under BIPRU TP 10 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a consolidated basis during 2007). Likewise those provisions also deal with solo consolidation but this material does not apply either as the provisions about solo consolidation in IPRU(BANK) do not apply for the purpose of this section. Nevertheless it is possible to combine the use of this section with solo consolidation under BIPRU 2.1 (Solo consolidation).

Status of material on credit risk charges

4.13

The credit risk provisions of IPRU(BANK) are mostly guidance on rule 3.3.13 of Chapter GN of IPRU(BANK). That rule does not apply in 2007. When the credit risk provisions of IPRU(BANK) are applied under this section they are guidance on the overall financial adequacy rule. In turn the overall financial adequacy rule is the rule on which the calculation of the capital requirements for credit risk under GENPRU and BIPRU is based for a bank under this section.

How to calculate credit risk charges

4.14

A bank should calculate the BIPRU credit risk charge for non-trading book items, called the credit risk capital component, by adding together the following:

(1)

the capital charge calculated under Chapter BC (taking into account the revised risk weights in Chapter BO);

(2)

the capital charge for OTC derivatives in the banking book under section 3 of Chapter DU;

(3)

the capital charge for free deliveries for banking book items in section 4 of Chapter DU; and

4.15

A bank should calculate the BIPRU credit risk charge for trading book items, called the counterparty risk capital component, by adding together the following:

(1)

the capital charge calculated under Chapter TU;

(2)

the capital charge for OTC derivatives in the trading book under section 3 of Chapter DU;

(3)

the capital charge for unsettled transactions and free deliveries for trading book items in section 4 of Chapter DU; and

(4)

the capital charge for unsettled transactions in the banking book calculated under Chapter TU (the calculation of the counterparty risk capital component includes a capital charge for unsettled transactions in the non-trading book as an exception to the principle that the counterparty risk capital component relates to the trading book).

4.16

BIPRU TP 4.28G deals with how to calculate the concentration risk capital component.

Adjustments to securitisation requirements

4.17

Under Chapter SE a bank should deduct certain credit enhancements from capital. A bank should deduct these credit enhancements at stage M of the calculation in the capital resources table (Deductions from the totals of tier one and two).

4.18

Paragraph 6 of section 10.4 of Chapter SE of IPRU(BANK) says that if a bank does not meet the policy on liquidity facilities provided by sponsors or repackagers it should fully consolidate the scheme. This does not apply under this section. Instead a bank should treat the scheme assets as being on its balance sheet.

4.19

The definition of investment grade for the purposes of Chapter SE (see in particular sections 3.2.2, 9.3 and 11.1) remains based on Chapter TI of IPRU(BANK).

Adjustments to counterparty credit risk: General

4.20

Broadly speaking the Directive transitional provisions that allow pre-2007 credit risk rules to be used in 2007 cover all credit risk rules. However the transitional provisions for trading book credit risk (Annex II of the Capital Adequacy Directive, which is implemented in BIPRU 14 (Capital requirements for settlement and counterparty risk)) is not quite as straightforward as that. In some cases pre-2007 requirements can be used. In others they cannot. One of the purposes of BIPRU TP 4.21G to BIPRU TP 4.25G is to reflect those cases in which the Directive requires the new requirements to apply from 1 January 2007.

Adjustments to counterparty credit risk: Free deliveries

4.21

A bank should include foreign currency and commodity transactions in the calculations under IPRU(BANK) Chapter DU section 4.2 (Free deliveries).

4.22

A bank should apply the capital treatment in the table in BIPRU 14.4.3 R and BIPRU 14.4.4 R (Capital treatment for free deliveries). But when the capital treatment in that table is that the firm must treat the transaction as an exposure, the bank should apply the treatment in IPRU(BANK) Chapter BC for non-trading book exposures or TC for trading book exposures rather than BIPRU 14 (Capital requirements for settlement and counterparty risk).

Adjustments to counterparty credit risk: Derivative transactions

4.23

A bank should treat a credit derivative in the trading book as a derivative to which section 3 of IPRU(BANK) Chapter TC (OTC derivatives) applies. However the capital treatment for credit derivatives as set out in BIPRU 14.2.5 R - BIPRU 14.2.8 R (Capital treatment for credit derivatives) does not apply; a bank should continue to use the treatment in IPRU(BANK) as adjusted by this section.

Adjustments to counterparty credit risk: Unsettled transactions

4.24

The alternative treatment set out in IPRU(BANK) DU 4.1.3 does not apply.

4.25

A bank should include foreign exchange and commodity transactions in the calculations under IPRU(BANK) Chapter DU section 4.1 (Unsettled transactions).

OTC derivatives

4.26

The treatment in section 3 of Chapter DU applies to the derivatives mentioned there whether or not they are off-balance sheet.

How to use the IPRU(BANK) large exposure rules

4.27

IPRU(BANK) Chapter LE (Large exposures) applies in place of BIPRU 10 (Concentration risk).

4.28

A bank should calculate the concentration risk capital component as being equal to the capital charge under IPRU(BANK) Chapter TL.

4.29

BIPRU 10.5.2 R to BIPRU 10.5.5 R (Capital resources for concentration risk purposes) apply in place of the corresponding provisions of IPRU(BANK). The provisions in IPRU(BANK) about the calculation of the large exposures capital base (LECB) do not apply.

4.30

Generally a bank should use the specific risk weights that apply under BIPRU 7 (Market risk) for the purposes of the incremental capital calculation under section 2.2 of Chapter TL and the net trading book position under paragraph 2(b) of section 7 of Chapter LE. However BIPRU TP 4.33G also applies for these purposes.

4.31

References in paragraph 4(d) of section 9.2.1 and paragraph 7 of section 9.2.2 of Chapter LE to the requirements in Chapter CS about zero-risk weighting intra-group exposures still apply.

4.32

When Chapter LE of IPRU(BANK) is applied under this section it is guidance on the overall financial adequacy rule as well as on the relevant provisions of Chapter GN of IPRU(BANK).

Interest rate PRR

4.33

A bank should use IPRU(BANK) as it applies under BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) and BIPRU TP 4 to calculate the specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR under BIPRU 7.2 (Interest rate PRR) to the extent that the relevant rules in BIPRU 7.2 require the use of the standardised approach to credit risk.

4.34

The reason for BIPRU TP 4.33G is that the calculation of the specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR under BIPRU 7 (Market risk) involves the use of the standardised approach to credit risk. The specific risk rules therefore need to be adjusted for a firm that is not using the standardised approach to credit risk in 2007 so as to apply the pre-2007 method of calculating specific risk.

Valuation

4.35

BIPRU TP 3.8R (Parts of GENPRU and BIPRU that apply in 2007) says that GENPRU 1.3 (Valuation) applies during 2007, so the values of assets and off balance sheet items used in the calculation of credit risk charges should be in accordance with GENPRU 1.3.

Definitions

4.36

Any reference to a qualifying debt security or qualifying equity in a part of BIPRU that applies during 2007 should be interpreted in accordance with IPRU(BANK). However BIPRU 7.2.50 R (Must not apply qualifying debt security treatment to risky assets) also applies.

4.37

The reason for BIPRU TP 4.36G is that the BIPRU definitions rely in part on the standardised approach to credit risk. The definitions therefore need to be adjusted for a bank that is not using the standardised approach to credit risk in 2007.

Mapping GENPRU and BIPRU concepts onto IPRU

4.38

Some of the parts of IPRU(BANK) that apply in 2007 refer to parts of IPRU that do not apply. BIPRU TP 3.10R explains that where this happens a firm should interpret that cross-reference in accordance with the provision in BIPRU or GENPRU that corresponds to the IPRU provision that does not apply in 2007. A firm should refer to IPRU in the case of cross-references in GENPRU and BIPRU to provisions in GENPRU and BIPRU that do not apply in 2007. BIPRU TP 4.39G sets out how certain concepts in IPRU(BANK) correspond to ones in GENPRU and BIPRU. The purpose of the table is to help firms to interpret such cross-references.

4.39

Table: Mapping GENPRU and BIPRU concepts onto ones in IPRU(BANK)
This table belongs to BIPRU TP 4.38G

GENPRU and BIPRU

Chapter CB

Chapter CA

Chapter TI

Chapter TE

Chapter TU

Chapter CM

Chapter FX

Chapter TV

Chapter CS

Chapter VA

Market risk capital component (excluding charges arising from FX and commodity banking book business) and the counterparty risk capital component, excluding unsettled transactions arising from the banking book.

Trading book capital requirements

Non-trading book

Banking book

Trading book

Capital resources calculated under BIPRU 10.5.2 R to BIPRU 10.5.5 R

Large exposures capital base (LECB)

Concentration risk capital component or the capital resources used to meet it

Incremental capital under Chapter TL

Financial derivative instruments and trading book credit derivatives

OTC derivatives

the overall financial adequacy rule

Rule GN 3.3.13R (Adequate capital)

individual capital guidance

individual capital ratio

Bank that calculates its capital requirements under BIPRU 1.2.17R (Firm with small trading book using non-trading book treatments for certain trading book items)

Bank to which the Capital Adequacy Directive does not apply

trading book concentration risk excess

Exposures over the 25% in the trading book under Chapter TL

Firms using the IRB approach during 2007: General

4.40

BIPRU TP 4.41G to BIPRU TP 4.43G only apply to a firm that is applying the IRB approach under BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) as well as using IPRU.

4.41

The effect of BIPRU TP 3.17G (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007 for firms also using the IRB approach) is that neither credit risk or counterparty risk requirements of IPRU(BANK) apply to an exposure to which the firm applies the IRB approach. The IRB approach requirements in BIPRU apply instead. The main requirements are listed in BIPRU TP 3.17G.

4.42

A firm should apply BIPRU 7.2.45 R - BIPRU 7.2.47 R (Using internal ratings to calculate specific risk and treatment of securitisations) to calculate the specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR to the extent that the obligor or exposure in question comes within the scope of its IRB permission.

4.43

The definitions of qualifying debt security and qualifying equity in the Glossary apply if the security or obligor in question comes within the scope of a firm's IRB permission.

01/01/2007

BIPRU TP 5

Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007: Building societies

Application

5.1

This section applies to a building society that is applying BIPRU TP 3.4R (Use of IPRU on a solo basis during 2007).

Purpose of this chapter

5.2

BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) says that during 2007 a firm may apply the credit risk requirements of IPRU instead of the ones in BIPRU. For a building society this involves applying the credit risk requirements in IPRU(BSOC). This section explains how this is done. In particular this section explains what parts of IPRU(BSOC) apply during 2007 and what changes are made to IPRU(BSOC) for that purpose.

Duration of transitional

5.3

This section applies until 1 January 2008.

Drafting approach in this chapter

5.4

5.5

The capital calculation for credit risk under BIPRU is made up of three elements, which are set out in GENPRU 2.1.51R (Calculation of the credit risk capital requirement). These are the credit risk capital component, the counterparty risk capital component and the concentration risk capital component. So the approach in BIPRU TP 5.4G involves determining which of these three elements apply, and then finding their equivalents (if any) in IPRU(BSOC).

5.6

5.7

The general approach in IPRU(BSOC) is different. A building society calculates the total of its own funds (after making the relevant deductions) and the total of its risk weighted assets and off balance sheet items (in the latter case, after applying credit conversion factors). The own funds total is divided by the risk weighted assets total and the quotient expressed as a percentage: this is the pre-CRD solvency ratio.

5.8

To enable a building society to use BIPRU TP 3.4R (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007), the calculation method set out in IPRU(BSOC), which is designed to produce the solvency ratio, needs adjustment so that it produces the credit risk capital component instead.

5.9

BIPRU TP 3.8R (Parts of GENPRU and BIPRU that apply in 2007) provides that GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources) applies during 2007. So a building society using BIPRU TP 3.4R (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) will calculate its capital resources under GENPRU 2.2, instead of calculating its own funds under IPRU(BSOC).

Rules in IPRU(BSOC) that apply in 2007

5.10

The rules in Chapter 7 of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC) (Large Exposures) apply during the period that BIPRU TP 3.4R applies. None of the other rules in IPRU(BSOC) apply except the rules in chapters 4 and 5 which apply to building societies generally whether or not they apply the treatment in this section.

Parts of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC) that apply in 2007

5.11

The parts of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC) that do and do not apply during the period that BIPRU TP 3.4R applies are set out in BIPRU TP 5.13G.

5.12

The table in BIPRU TP 5.13G assumes that the firm is not applying the IRB approach. BIPRU TP 5.36R to BIPRU TP 5.38R deal with a firm that does apply the IRB approach.

5.13

Table: Parts of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC) that apply in 2007
This table belongs to BIPRU TP 5.11G

IPRU(BSOC) rule

A Y denotes that the provision does apply
An N denotes that it does not apply

Remarks

Chapter X (Introduction)

Rule X.2.1 (Application)

BIPRU TP 5.1R applies in its place for the purposes of BIPRU TP 5. However see BIPRU TP 5.15G.

Definition of the BCD in X.7.1G

Other definitions in X.7

Apply to the extent used in the parts of IPRU(BSOC) that have effect under this section.

The rest of chapter X

Chapter 1 (Solvency)

Section 1.1 (Introduction)

Section 1.2 (Solvency rules)

Section 1.3 (Purpose of Capital)

Section 1.4 (EU Directives)

Section 1.5 (Threshold Ratios)

See BIPRU TP 5.25G to BIPRU TP 5.26G

Section 1.6 (Own Funds)

Section 1.7 (Minority Interests)

Section 1.8 (Deductions)

Section 1.9 (Limits on Tier 2 capital)

Section 1.10 (Solvency Ratio)

(1) Applies on a solo basis except to the extent BIPRU 2.1 (Solo consolidation) applies.
(2) Application on a consolidated basis is covered by BIPRU TP 10 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a consolidated basis during 2007).
(3) Requirement that the solvency ratio should be calculated on a consolidated basis where a building society has subsidiary undertakings does not otherwise apply.
(4) See BIPRU TP 5.20G to BIPRU TP 5.24G.

Section 1.11 (Solo consolidation)

Section 1.12 (Mortgage Subsidiaries)

Section 1.13 (Exclusions from consolidation)

Section 1.14 (Mortgage Indemnity Captives)

Section 1.15 (Securitisation)

See BIPRU TP 5.33G to BIPRU TP 5.35G

Section 1.16 (Deductions of holdings)

Section 1.17 (capital cost and pricing)

Section 1.18 (CAD)

Only applies to the extent that the relevant provisions of IPRU(BANK) apply to a building society under BIPRU TP 3.
See BIPRU TP 5.16R to BIPRU TP 5.19G.

Section 1.19 (Credit derivatives)

Annex 1A (Calculation of Own Funds)

Annex 1B (Risk Asset Weights)

See BIPRU TP 5.32G

Annex 1C (Off Balance Sheet Items)

The treatment of items under section 1C.5 (The treatment of off-balance sheet items using the "mark to market" approach) applies to the types of item listed in section 1C.7 whether they are on or off balance sheet.

Annex 1D (Deductions from own funds)

Annex 1E (Verification of Interim Profits)

Annex 1F (Definition of Relevant Authority)

Annex 1G (Definition of Zones A and B)

Annex 1H - Society Only Definitions

Annex 1J - Threshold Appraisal Sheet

Other chapters

Chapter 2 (Issued Capital)

Chapter 3 (Boards and Management)

Chapter 4 (Financial Risk Management)

Annex 4B (Credit derivatives)

The provisions in BIPRU TP 4 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007: Banks) about Chapter CD of IPRU(BANK) (Credit derivatives) apply.

The rest of Chapter 4

Subject to the other provisions of this section, applies in the same way as it does for a building society that does not use BIPRU TP 3.4R (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007). See BIPRU TP 5.15G.

Chapter 5 (Liquidity) (including Annexes 5A to 5C )

Chapter 6 (Lending)

Chapter 7 (Large Exposures)

(1) Applies on a solo basis except to the extent BIPRU 2.1 (Solo consolidation) applies.
(2) Application on a consolidated basis is covered by BIPRU TP 10 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a consolidated basis during 2007).
(3) Requirement that large exposures of a building society with subsidiary undertakings should, in general, be monitored on a fully consolidated basis does not otherwise apply.
(4) IPRU(BSOC) 7.7 (Systems) applies.
(5) See BIPRU TP 5.27R to BIPRU TP 5.30G.

Chapter 8 (Mortgage Indemnity Insurance)

Chapter 9 (Systems)

Chapter 10 (Securitisation)

The provisions in BIPRU TP 4 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007: Banks) about Chapter SE of IPRU(BANK) (Securitisation) apply.
See BIPRU TP 5.33G to BIPRU TP 5.35G

Chapter 11 (Outsourcing)

Volume 2 of IPRU(BSOC)

5.14

Volume 2 of IPRU(BSOC) does not apply to a building society that applies BIPRU TP 3.4R (Use of IPRU on a solo basis during 2007). It has been replaced by the Building Societies Regulatory Guide, which applies to all building societies, not just ones that apply BIPRU TP 3.4R.

Chapters 4 and 5 of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC)

5.15

(1)

Chapters 4 and 5 of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC) apply to all building societies, not just ones that apply BIPRU TP 3.4R (Use of IPRU on a solo basis during 2007). The version that applies to a building society that applies BIPRU TP 3.4R is the one in force at the relevant time, not the version in force on 31 December 2006. However there are some exceptions to this, as explained in (2) and (3).

(2)

As BIPRU 2.3 (Interest rate risk in the non-trading book) does not apply to a firm applying BIPRU TP 3.4R, references in Chapter 4 to BIPRU 2.3 should be disregarded (see in particular paragraphs 4.1.3G, 4.7.1G and 4.7.7G of chapter 4 of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC)).

(3)

As shown in the table in BIPRU TP 5.12G, Annex 4B (Credit derivatives) applies to a building society that applies BIPRU TP 3.4R.

(4)

rule X.2.1 of Chapter X of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC) (Application) applies to all building societies, not just ones that apply BIPRU TP 3.4R. However BIPRU TP 5.1R is the relevant application rule for the purpose of BIPRU TP 5.

The trading book

5.16

BIPRU TP 4 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007: Banks) applies for the purpose of calculating the counterparty credit risk component and the market risk capital requirement.

5.17

The reason for BIPRU TP 5.16R is explained in BIPRU TP 5.18G to BIPRU TP 5.19G.

5.18

(1)

Only exceptionally will a building society have a trading book. If a building society does not have a trading book, the calculations that a building society should carry out under BIPRU TP 3 (Use of IPRU on a solo basis during 2007) and this section are simplified as described in this paragraph.

(2)

A building society does not have to calculate a counterparty risk capital component (the capital charge for counterparty risk in the trading book) or a concentration risk capital component (the capital charge for exceeding concentration risk limits in the trading book).

(3)

BIPRU 7 (Market risk) does not apply for the most part. This is because most of it only applies to the trading book.

(4)

BIPRU 7.5 (Foreign currency PRR) will apply if a building society has foreign currency exposure even if the building society does not have a trading book.

(5)

BIPRU 7.6 (Option PRR) will apply if a building society has foreign currency option positions.

(6)

BIPRU 7.4 (Commodity PRR) and BIPRU 7.6 (Option PRR) apply to a firm's commodity positions in its non-trading book as well as its trading book. However a building society will not generally have commodity positions.

5.19

Paragraph 1.18.1G of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC) (CAD) says that a building society on the "Trading" approach to financial risk management (described in chapter 4 of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC) (Financial Risk Management)), under which it can trade securities and maintain unhedged foreign exchange positions within defined limits, should calculate the capital requirements for its trading book and foreign exchange positions separately in accordance with IPRU(BANK). Therefore if a building society does have a trading book and applies BIPRU TP 3.4R (Use of IPRU on a solo basis during 2007):

(1)

it should calculate its credit risk charge for items in the trading book using IPRU(BANK) as adjusted under BIPRU TP 4 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007: Banks);

(2)

it should calculate its capital requirements for foreign currency positions under BIPRU 7 (Market risk), particularly BIPRU 7.5 (Foreign currency PRR) as adjusted under BIPRU TP 4;

(3)

it should calculate its capital requirements for other market risks under BIPRU 7 as adjusted under BIPRU TP 4; and

(4)

even if a building society does have a trading book it still does not have to calculate a concentration risk capital component as IPRU(BSOC) does not allow a building society to exceed the limits in Chapter 7 of IPRU(BSOC) (Large exposures).

How to calculate a credit risk capital component under IPRU

5.20

A building society should calculate its credit risk capital component (under paragraph 1.10 of Volume 1 of chapter 1 of IPRU(BSOC) (Solvency)) by taking the total of its risk weighted assets and off balance sheet items (using the risk weights in Annex 1B and the credit conversion factors in Annex 1C) and multiplying this by 8%.

5.21

BIPRU TP 5.18G to BIPRU TP 5.19G explain why the counterparty risk capital component and the concentration risk capital component (which together with the credit risk capital component make up the credit risk capital requirement) are unlikely to apply to a building society.

5.22

BIPRU TP 3.8R (Parts of GENPRU and BIPRU that apply in 2007) says that GENPRU 1.3 (Valuation) applies during 2007, so the values of assets and off balance sheet items used in the calculation under BIPRU TP 5.20G should be in accordance with GENPRU 1.3.

5.23

In the light of BIPRU TP 5.9G , BIPRU TP 5.20G and BIPRU TP 5.22G, the first two sentences and the fourth sentence of paragraph 1.10 of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC) should be disregarded. The remainder of paragraph 1.10 gives useful detail on the credit risk calculations.

5.24

The solvency ratio provisions of IPRU(BSOC) are mostly guidance on rules 1.2.1 and 1.2.2 of Chapter 1 of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC). These rules do not apply in 2007. When the solvency ratio provisions of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC) are applied under this section they are guidance on the overall financial adequacy rule. In turn the overall financial adequacy rule is the rule on which the calculation of the capital requirements for credit risk under GENPRU and BIPRU is based for a building society under this section.

How to maintain the threshold ratio

5.25

A building society should maintain the amount of capital resources (calculated under GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources)) that corresponds to the result of multiplying the total of its risk weighted assets and off balance sheet items (as calculated for the purposes of BIPRU TP 5.20G) by its threshold ratio. Further transitional provisions about the threshold ratio can be found in GENPRU TP 9 (Individual capital guidance for BIPRU firms).

5.26

Complying with BIPRU TP 5.25G is treated as satisfying the expectation set out in section 1.5 of chapter 1 of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC) (Solvency) that a building society will maintain the threshold ratio. Maintaining the threshold ratio is in turn treated as satisfying the overall Pillar 2 rule so far as that rule requires a firm to maintain adequate capital resources.

Large exposures

5.27

Chapter 7 of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC) (Large exposures) applies in place of BIPRU 10 (Concentration risk).

5.28

BIPRU 10.5.2 R to BIPRU 10.5.3 R and BIPRU 10.5.5 R (Capital resources for concentration risk) apply for the purpose in BIPRU TP 5.27R. Although the table in BIPRU TP 3.8R (Parts of GENPRU and BIPRU that apply in 2007) says that BIPRU 10.5.14 R (Notification of trading book excesses) also applies, this is irrelevant to a building society as it relates to the regime for excess exposures in the trading book, which does not apply to a building society.

5.29

The effect of BIPRU TP 5.28R is that a building society should treat all references to own funds in chapter 7 of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC) (Large exposures) as references to capital resources under BIPRU 10.5.2 R to BIPRU 10.5.3 R and BIPRU 10.5.5 R (Capital resources for concentration risk). The last sentence of paragraph 7.3.1 of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC) should be disregarded.

5.30

Chapter 7 of IPRU(BSOC) is mostly guidance on rules 1.2.1 and 1.2.2 of Chapter 1 of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC). These rules do not apply in 2007. When the large exposures provisions of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC) are applied under this section they are guidance on the overall financial adequacy rule.

Operational risk

5.31

BIPRU TP 3.21R provides that the operational risk capital requirement is reduced where a firm uses BIPRU TP 3.4R (Capital floors for a firm using the IRB or AMA approaches). A building society (unless, exceptionally, it has a trading book) will apply BIPRU 3.4 to all its exposures. So the effect of BIPRU TP 3.21R in those cases will be to reduce the operational risk capital requirement to zero while BIPRU TP 3.4 applies.

Miscellaneous modifications of IPRU(BSOC)

5.32

When using Annex 1B of Chapter 1 of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC) (Risk Asset Weights) for the purposes of BIPRU TP 5.20G, the definition of "relevant authority" will be found in Annex 5A of Chapter 5 of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC) (Prudential Liquidity) instead.

5.33

BIPRU TP 5.12R says that chapter 10 of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC) (Securitisation) applies. Under that chapter a firm should deduct certain credit enhancements from capital. A building society should deduct these credit enhancements at stage M of the calculation in the capital resources table (Deductions from the totals of tier one and two).

5.34

Paragraph 6 of section 10.4 of Chapter SE of IPRU(BANK), which is applied to a building society by chapter 10 of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC) (Securitisation), says that if a firm does not meet the policy on liquidity facilities provided by sponsors or repackers it should fully consolidate the scheme. This does not apply under this section. Instead a building society should treat the scheme assets as being on its balance sheet.

5.35

The definition of investment grade for the purposes of Chapter SE (see in particular sections 3.2.2, 9.3 and 11.1) remains based on Chapter TI of IPRU(BANK).

Firms using the IRB approach during 2007: General

5.36

BIPRU TP 5.37G to BIPRU TP 5.38R only apply to a firm that is applying the IRB approach under BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) as well as using IPRU.

5.37

The effect of BIPRU TP 3.17G (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007 for firms also using the IRB approach) is that Section 1.10 of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC) (Solvency Ratio) does not apply to an exposure to which the firm applies the IRB approach. The IRB approach requirements in BIPRU apply instead. The main requirements are listed in BIPRU TP 3.17G.

5.38

A building society that has a trading book must apply the parts of BIPRU TP 4 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007: Banks) that deal with capital charges for items in the trading book for a bank that applies the IRB approach under BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) as well as using IPRU.

01/01/2007

BIPRU TP 6

Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007: Investment management firms

Application

6.1

This section applies to a BIPRU firm that:

(1)

is an investment management firm; and

(2)

is applying BIPRU TP 3.4R (Use of IPRU on a solo basis during 2007).

Purpose of this section

6.2

BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) says that during 2007 a firm may apply the credit risk requirements of IPRU instead of the ones in BIPRU. For an investment management firm this involves applying the credit risk requirements in chapter 5 of IPRU(INV). This section explains how this is done. In particular this section explains:

(1)

which parts of chapter 5 should be treated as credit risk requirements for this purpose;

(2)

what parts of chapter 5 apply during 2007 and what changes are made to chapter 5 for that purpose; and

(3)

what changes are made to GENPRU and BIPRU to reflect the fact that chapter 5 applies in place of parts of GENPRU and BIPRU.

Duration of transitional

6.3

This section applies until 1 January 2008.

Drafting approach in this section

6.4

The purpose of BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) is that the basic provisions of BIPRU and GENPRU should be in force from 1 January 2007. However a firm should be able to calculate the capital requirements for credit risk under IPRU and use the large exposures requirements in IPRU. This means that an investment management firm should slot the credit risk requirements of chapter 5 of IPRU(INV) into the general requirements of GENPRU and BIPRU.

6.5

The capital calculation for credit risk under BIPRU is made up of three elements, which are set out in GENPRU 2.1.51 R (Calculation of the credit risk capital requirement). These are the credit risk capital component, the counterparty risk capital component and the concentration risk capital component. So the approach in BIPRU TP 6.4G involves finding equivalents for these three elements in chapter 5 where this is possible.

6.6

Under GENPRU and BIPRU a firm calculating its capital resources may usually choose between deducting illiquid assets and material holdings. Only if it has a waiver from consolidated supervision need it deduct both. However under chapter 5, both illiquid assets and material holdings in credit and financial institutions are deducted.

6.7

The chapter 5 rules can still be made to work if a firm is allowed to choose between deducting illiquid assets and material holdings as any exposure that is not deducted is covered by the chapter 5 other assets requirement.

6.8

(1)

To make the GENPRU and BIPRU requirements compatible with chapter 5 for the purpose of BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007), this section takes the approach in this paragraph.

(2)

The illiquid assets and material holdings provisions of GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources) apply.

(3)

The chapter 5 counterparty risk requirement and the other assets requirement are used to calculate the BIPRU credit risk charge for non-trading book items (called the credit risk capital component) and the BIPRU credit risk charge for trading book items (called the counterparty risk capital component).

(4)

BIPRU 10 (Concentration risk) allows a firm to exceed the large exposure limits in the trading book. A firm that takes up that option is subject to an additional capital requirement, called the concentration risk capital component. Chapter 5 does not give a firm that option. Therefore the concentration risk capital component does not apply to a firm under this section.

Parts of chapter 5 of IPRU(INV) that apply in 2007

6.9

The parts of chapter 5 of IPRU(INV) that do and do not apply during the period that BIPRU TP 3.4R applies are set out in BIPRU TP 6.11R.

6.10

The table in BIPRU TP 6.11R assumes that the firm is not applying the IRB approach. BIPRU TP 6.31R to BIPRU TP 6.34R deal with a firm that does apply the IRB approach.

6.11

Table: Parts of chapter 5 of IPRU(INV) that apply in 2007
This table belongs to BIPRU TP 6.9R

Chapter 5 rule

A Y denotes that the provision does apply
An N denotes that it does not apply

Remarks

5.1.1(1)(a) and (b) (Application)

BIPRU TP 6.1R applies instead

Table 5.1.1(1)(a) (What parts of chapter 5 apply to what firm)

BIPRU TP 6.1R applies instead

5.1.1(1)(c) (Interpretation)

See BIPRU TP 6.26R to BIPRU TP 6.28G

5.2.1 (General requirement)

5.2.2 (Financial resources)

GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources) applies instead

5.2.3(1) (Determination of requirement)

5.2.3(2) (Exceptions from the liquid capital requirement)

5.2.3(3) (Own funds requirement)

5.2.3(4) (Liquid capital requirement)

5.2.3(5) (Total capital requirement)

Expenditure based requirement

Position risk requirement

Counterparty risk requirement

Foreign exchange requirement

Other assets requirement

5.2.4 (Annual audited expenditure)

5.2.5 (Qualifying subordinated loans)

5.2.6 (Qualifying property and qualifying undertakings)

5.2.7 (Large exposures)

See BIPRU TP 6.21R to BIPRU TP 6.22R

Table 5.2.2(1) (Calculation of own funds and liquid capital)

Table 5.2.3(3)(b) (Own funds requirement)

Table 5.2.3(5)(a) (Expenditure based requirement)

Table 5.2.3(5)(b) (Position risk requirement)

See BIPRU TP 6.254

Table 5.2.3(5)(c) (Counterparty risk requirement)

See BIPRU TP 6.13R to BIPRU TP 6.19G

Table 5.2.3(5)(c)(i) (Counterparty risk factor -cash settlements)

Table 5.2.3(5)(c)(ii) (Counterparty risk requirement)

Table 5.2.3(5)(c)(iii) (OTC derivatives calculation of credit equivalent amount)

See BIPRU TP 6.15G and BIPRU TP 6.18R to BIPRU TP 6.19G

Table 5.2.3(5)(d) (Foreign exchange requirement)

Table 5.2.3(5)(e) (Other assets requirement)

See BIPRU TP 6.20R

5.3.1 (Records)

Applied in part under BIPRU TP 23 (Record keeping transitionals)

5.5.1 (Financial notification)

5.7 (Consolidated supervision)

Glossary

See BIPRU TP 6.26R to BIPRU TP 6.28G

Categorisation

6.12

Each firm is an ISD firm for the purposes of chapter 5 of IPRU(INV) as applied by BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) and this section.

How to use the chapter 5 Counterparty Risk Requirement and the Other Assets Requirement

6.13

A firm must calculate the sum of the credit risk capital component and the counterparty risk capital component as being equal to the sum of the counterparty risk requirement under chapter 5 of IPRU(INV) and of the other assets requirement under chapter 5 of IPRU(INV).

6.14

If it is necessary to distinguish between the credit risk capital component and the counterparty risk capital component a firm must allocate:

(1)

any amount calculated for an exposure in the non-trading book to the credit risk capital component; and

(2)

any amount calculated for an exposure in the trading book to the counterparty risk capital component;

6.15

A firm may still apply the netting provisions for OTC derivatives in chapter 5 even though the OTC derivative calculation is split between the credit risk capital component and the counterparty risk capital component under BIPRU TP 6.14R. The net amount should be allocated to the credit risk capital component if the gross value of the non-trading book derivatives is bigger and to the counterparty risk capital component if the gross value of the trading book derivatives is bigger.

Adjustments to the Counterparty Risk Requirement calculations: General

6.16

Broadly speaking the Directive transitional provisions that allow pre-2007 credit risk rules to be used in 2007 cover all credit risk rules. However the transitional provisions for trading book credit risk (Annex II of the Capital Adequacy Directive, which is implemented in BIPRU 14 (Capital requirements for settlement and counterparty risk)) is not quite as straightforward as that. In some cases pre-2007 requirements can be used. In others they cannot. The purpose of BIPRU TP 6.17R to BIPRU TP 6.19G is to reflect those cases in which the Directive requires the new requirements to apply from 1 January 2007.

Adjustments to the Counterparty Risk Requirement calculations: Free deliveries

6.17

(1)

The calculation of the part of the counterparty risk requirement set out in section 3 of Table 5.2.3(5)(c) of chapter 5 of IPRU(INV) (Free deliveries) is amended in accordance with this rule for the purposes of trading book calculations.

(2)

A firm must include foreign currency and commodity transactions.

(3)

The capital treatment in the table in BIPRU 14.4.3 R (Capital treatment for free deliveries) applies. But when the capital treatment in that table is that the firm must treat the transaction as an exposure, the firm must apply the treatment in chapter 5 of IPRU(INV) rather than BIPRU 14 (Capital requirements for settlement and counterparty risk).

Adjustments to the Counterparty Risk Adjustments calculations: Credit derivative transactions

6.18

A firm must treat a credit derivative in the trading book as a derivative to which section 6 of Table 5.2.3(5)(c) of chapter 5 of IPRU(INV) (OTC derivatives) and table 5.2.3(5)(c)(iii) (OTC derivatives calculation of credit equivalent amount) apply.

6.19

The capital treatment for credit derivatives set out in BIPRU 14.2.5 R - BIPRU 14.2.8 R (Capital treatment for credit derivatives) does not apply.

Adjustments to the Other Assets Requirement calculations

6.20

A firm must include the items listed in section 4 of Chapter BC of IPRU(BANK) that are in the firm's non-trading book as off-balance sheet items in table 5.2.3(5)(e) (Other assets requirement) whether they are on or off balance sheet. A firm must include a credit derivative as a full risk item.

How to use the chapter 5 large exposure rules

6.21

Section 5.2.7 of chapter 5 of IPRU(INV) (Large exposures) applies in place of BIPRU 10 (Concentration risk).

6.22

BIPRU 10.5.2 R to BIPRU 10.5.5 R (Capital resources for concentration risk purposes) apply in place of the definition of own funds that applies under section 5.2.7 of chapter 5 of IPRU(INV).

Specific risk calculations

6.23

A firm must calculate the specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR in accordance with BIPRU TP 8.28R (Pre CRD interest rate PRR for securities and futures firms).

6.24

Any reference to a qualifying debt security in a part of BIPRU that applies during 2007 must be interpreted in accordance with the meaning it has when used in section A of Table 5.2.3(5)(b) of chapter 5 of IPRU(INV) (Position risk requirement for qualifying debt securities). However BIPRU 7.2.50 R (Must not apply qualifying debt security treatment to risky assets) also applies. Any reference to a qualifying equity in a part of BIPRU that applies during 2007 must be interpreted in accordance with the definition in the Glossary to chapter 10 of IPRU(INV).

6.25

The reason for BIPRU TP 6.23R and BIPRU TP 6.24R is that the calculation of the specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR under BIPRU 7 (Market risk) involves the use of the standardised approach to credit risk. The specific risk rules therefore need to be adjusted for a firm that is not using the standardised approach to credit risk in 2007 so as to apply the pre-2007 method of calculating specific risk. However chapter 5 does not use the concept of specific risk. The nearest equivalent is in chapter 10 of IPRU(INV) (Securities and futures firms). The definition of qualifying equity also depends in part on the standardised approach to credit risk.

Definitions

6.26

The definition of trading book is replaced with the definition in the Glossary.

6.27

A firm may treat a reference in the Glossary to Chapter 5 of IPRU(INV) to a financial supervision regime at least equivalent to the Second Consolidated Supervision Directive and the Capital Adequacy Directive (No. 93/6/EEC) as including one to a regime equivalent to the Banking Consolidation Directive and Directive 2006/49 (the new version of the Capital Adequacy Directive).

6.28

GENPRU 1.3 (Valuation) applies. The definition of exposure in the Glossary to chapter 5 should be read accordingly.

Mapping GENPRU and BIPRU concepts onto IPRU

6.29

Some of the parts of chapter 5 of IPRU(INV) that apply in 2007 refer to parts of chapter 5 that do not apply. BIPRU TP 3.10R explains that where this happens a firm should interpret that cross-reference in accordance with the provision in BIPRU or GENPRU that corresponds to the chapter 5 provision that does not apply in 2007. A firm should refer to IPRU in the case of cross-references in GENPRU and BIPRU to provisions in GENPRU and BIPRU that do not apply in 2007. BIPRU TP 6.30G sets out how certain concepts in chapter 5 of IPRU(INV) correspond to ones in GENPRU and BIPRU. The purpose of the table is to help firms to interpret such cross-references.

6.30

Table: Mapping GENPRU and BIPRU concepts onto ones in chapter 5 of IPRU(INV)
This table belongs to BIPRU TP 6.29G

GENPRU and BIPRU

Chapter 5 of IPRU(INV)

Illiquid asset

Material holding

Material holdings in credit and financial institutions (item 8 in Table 5.2.2(1) (Calculation of own funds and liquid capital))

Unsettled transaction under BIPRU 14.3

Delivery of cash against documents and settlements outstanding for 30 days or more (part of counterparty risk requirement)

Free deliveries under BIPRU 14.4

Free deliveries (part of counterparty risk requirement)

See BIPRU TP 6.8G

Counterparty risk requirement

See BIPRU TP 6.8G

Other assets requirement

Market risk capital requirement

The position risk requirement and the foreign exchange requirement

Trading book concentration risk excess

This concept does not apply in Chapter 5

Concentration risk capital component

Risk weights in Table 5.2.3(5)(c)(ii) (Counterparty risk requirement). In general where Table 5.2.3(5)(e) (Other assets requirement) applies a risk factor of 8% that is equivalent to applying a risk weight of 100%. Applying the 1.6% adjustment under that table is equivalent to applying a 20% risk weight under BIPRU together with the standard 8% BIPRU credit risk charge. The "NIL" adjustment under that table is equivalent to applying a 0% risk weight.

Firms using the IRB approach during 2007: General Firms using the IRB approach during 2007: General6.31R BIPRU TP 6.31R to BIPRU TP 6.34R only apply to a firm that is applying the IRB approach under BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) as well as using IPRU.6.32GThe effect of BIPRU TP 3.17G (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007 for firms also using the IRB approach) is that the counterparty risk requirement and the other assets requirement do not apply to an exposure to which the firm applies the IRB approach. The IRB approach requirements in BIPRU apply instead. The main requirements are listed in BIPRU TP 3.17G.6.33RA firm must apply BIPRU 7.2.45R - BIPRU 7.2.47R (Using internal ratings to calculate specific risk and treatment of securitisations) to calculate the specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR to the extent that the obligor or exposure in question comes within the scope of its IRB permission.6.34RThe definition of qualifying debt security and qualifying equity in the Glossary apply if the security or obligor in question comes within the scope of a firm's IRB permission.

01/01/2007

BIPRU TP 7

Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007: UCITS investment firms

Application

7.1

This section applies to a BIPRU firm that:

(1)

is a UCITS investment firm; and

(2)

is applying BIPRU TP 3 (Use of IPRU on a solo basis during 2007).

Purpose of this section

7.2

BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) says that during 2007 a firm may apply the credit risk requirements of IPRU instead of the ones in BIPRU. For a UCITS investment firm this involves applying the credit risk requirements in chapter 7 of IPRU(INV). This section explains how this is done.

Duration of transitional

7.3

This section applies until 1 January 2008.

Drafting approach

7.4

Chapter 7 of IPRU(INV) does not contain any credit risk rules. Instead it cross refers to the ones in chapter 5 (Interim prudential requirements for former IMRO firms). Therefore this section applies BIPRU TP 6 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007: Investment management firms).

Parts of chapter 7 of IPRU(INV) that apply in 2007

7.5

The parts of chapter 7 of IPRU(INV) that do and do not apply during the period that BIPRU TP 3.4R applies are set out in BIPRU TP 7.7R.

7.6

The table in BIPRU TP 7.7R assumes that the firm is not applying the IRB approach. BIPRU TP 6.31R to BIPRU TP 6.34R (which are applied to a UCITS investment firm by BIPRU TP 7.8R) deal with a firm that does apply the IRB approach.

7.7

Table: Parts of chapter 7 of IPRU(INV) that apply in 2007
This table belongs to BIPRU TP 7.5R

Chapter 7 rule

A Y denotes that the provision does apply
An N denotes that it does not apply

Remarks

7.1.1 (Application)

BIPRU TP 7.1R applies instead

7.1.2 and 7.1.3 (Guidance on types of UCITS management companies etc)

7.2.1 (General rule about financial resources and financial resources requirements)

7.2.2 (Financial resources requirement)

7.2.3 (Liquid capital resource requirement)

13/52 annual audited fixed expenditure requirement

Provision of paragraph (2) that says that requirements apply in respect of designated investment business other than when undertaking scheme management activity

Position risk requirement

Counterparty risk requirement

Foreign exchange requirement

Other assets requirement

7.2.4 to 7.2.5 (Calculation of annual expenditure)

7.3 (Method of calculation of financial resources)

GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources) applies instead

7.4.1 (Application of rules in chapter 5 of IPRU(INV) about qualifying subordinated loans etc)

The record keeping rules referred to in rule 7.4.1(1)(c) are applied under BIPRU TP 23 (Record keeping transitionals)

7.4.2 (Application of rules in chapter 5 of IPRU(INV) about large exposures)

7.5 (Financial notification)

7.6 (Records)

Applied under BIPRU TP 23 (Record keeping transitionals)

Application of BIPRU TP 6

7.8

BIPRU TP 6 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007: Investment management firms) applies for the purposes of this section.

01/01/2007

BIPRU TP 8

Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007: Securities and futures firms

Application

8.1

This section applies to a BIPRU firm that is:

(1)

a securities and futures firm; and

(2)

is applying BIPRU TP 3.4R (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007).

Purpose of this section

8.2

BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) says that during 2007 a firm may apply the credit risk requirements of IPRU instead of the ones in BIPRU. For a securities and futures firm this involves applying the credit risk requirements in chapter 10 of IPRU(INV). BIPRU TP 8 explains how this is done. In particular this section explains:

(1)

which parts of chapter 10 should be treated as credit risk requirements for this purpose;

(2)

what parts of chapter 10 apply during 2007 and what changes are made to chapter 10 for that purpose; and

(3)

what changes are made to GENPRU and BIPRU to reflect the fact that chapter 10 applies in place of parts of GENPRU and BIPRU.

Duration of transitional

8.3

BIPRU TP 8 applies until 1 January 2008.

Drafting approach in this section

8.4

The purpose of BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) is that the basic provisions of BIPRU and GENPRU should be in force from 1 January 2007. However a firm should be able to calculate the capital requirements for credit risk under IPRU and use the large exposures requirements in IPRU. This means that a securities and futures firm should slot the credit risk requirements of chapter 10 of IPRU(INV) into the general requirements of GENPRU and BIPRU. A firm that applies BIPRU TP 3.4R should not use chapter 3 as the source of its pre-2007 credit risk requirements even if it was subject to chapter 3 before becoming a BIPRU investment firm.

8.5

The capital calculation for credit risk under BIPRU is made up of three elements, which are set out in GENPRU 2.1.51 R (Calculation of the credit risk capital requirement). These are the credit risk capital component, the counterparty risk capital component and the concentration risk capital component. So the approach in BIPRU TP 8.4G involves finding equivalents for these three elements in chapter 10 where possible.

8.6

Under GENPRU and BIPRU a firm calculating its capital resources may usually choose between deducting illiquid assets and material holdings. Only if it has a waiver from consolidated supervision need it deduct both. This broadly corresponds to the approach in calculating financial resources under Tables 10-62(2)A to 10-62(2)C.

8.7

The financial resources requirements calculations under chapter 10 depend in part on which of the financial resources calculations in Tables 10-62(2)A to 10-62(2)C a firm uses. Where this is the case the firm should use the requirements calculation associated with the version of the tables in 10-62(2) that corresponds to the capital resources calculation the firm uses under GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources). BIPRU TP 8.33G explains how the capital resources calculations in GENPRU 2.2 map onto Tables 10-62(2)A to 10-62(2)C.

8.8

(1)

To make the GENPRU and BIPRU requirements compatible with chapter 10 for the purpose of BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007), this section takes the approach in this paragraph.

(2)

The illiquid assets and material holdings provisions of GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources) apply.

(3)

The 8% illiquid asset adjustment under IPRU(INV) 10-65 applies to a firm calculating its financial resources under Table 10-62(2)A. It is equivalent to a capital charge for credit risk under BIPRU. Therefore a firm using the capital resources calculation in GENPRU that corresponds to Table 10-62(2)A (GENPRU 2 Annex 4 R (Capital resources table for a BIPRU investment firm deducting material holdings)) should continue to apply that adjustment. It should be included as part of the non-trading book credit risk charge in BIPRU, which is called the credit risk capital component.

(4)

A 100% illiquid asset adjustment under IPRU(INV) 10-65 is equivalent to a deduction of illiquid assets under GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources). Therefore a firm should not use this adjustment. This is because, as explained in (2), the illiquid assets provisions in GENPRU 2.2 apply. Any item that would have been caught by IPRU(INV) 10-65 but is not caught by the illiquid assets deduction under GENPRU 2.2 should be dealt with under IPRU(INV) 10-66.

(5)

The IPRU(INV) 10-66 liquidity adjustment covers any asset that has not been subject to a liquidity adjustment for illiquid assets under IPRU(INV) 10-65. Therefore (subject to (3)) a firm should calculate the credit risk capital component (the non-trading book credit charge in BIPRU) by applying IPRU(INV) 10-66 to any asset not deducted as an illiquid assets under GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources).

(6)

The chapter 10 counterparty risk requirement is used to calculate the BIPRU credit risk charge for trading book items, called the counterparty risk capital component.

(7)

The chapter 10 LER calculation is used to calculate the concentration risk capital component.

Parts of chapter 10 of IPRU(INV) that apply in 2007

8.9

The parts of chapter 10 of IPRU(INV) that do and do not apply during the period that BIPRU TP 3.4R applies are as set out in BIPRU TP 8.11R.

8.10

The table in BIPRU TP 8.11R assumes that the firm is not applying the IRB approach. BIPRU TP 8.35R to BIPRU TP 8.38R deal with a firm that does apply the IRB approach.

8.11

Table: Parts of chapter 10 of IPRU(INV) that apply in 2007
This table belongs to BIPRU TP 8.9R

Chapter 10 rule

A Y denotes that the provision does apply
An N denotes that it does not apply

Remarks

10-A (Application of Chapter 10 Glossary)

See BIPRU TP 8.32R

10-B (Application)

BIPRU TP 8.1R applies instead

10.10 to 10.12 (Record keeping and Reconciliations)

Applied in part under BIPRU TP 23 (Record keeping transitionals)

10-32 (Defaulting repo counterparty and LE Notification Requirements)

10-41 (Repo and Valuation)

10-60 to 10-63 (Initial Capital and Financial Resources)

10-64 to 10-68 (Liquidity Adjustments, Charged Assets and Contingent Liabilities)

10-64(2) (Intangible assets)

GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources) applies instead

10-65(12) (Material holdings)

GENPRU 2.2 applies instead

The rest

See BIPRU TP 8.13R to BIPRU TP 8.19G. The requirement in 10-64(1)(c) for an illiquid asset adjustment for commodities to be calculated under appendix 6 (the PRR charge for commodities) does not apply

10-69 (Deficiencies in subsidiaries)

10-70 (Calculation of financial resources requirement)

10-71 (Primary requirement)

10-72 (Base requirement)

10-73 (Expenditure requirement)

10-74 (Secondary requirement)

BIPRU TP 3.10R and the table in BIPRU TP 8.34G explain how the terms used in rule 10-74 are to be interpreted

10-80 to 10-120 (PRR)

But see BIPRU TP 8.29R to BIPRU TP 8.31G

10-170 to 10-176 (CRR)

10-170(3) and (9) (Valuation) and 10-173(8) (Daily valuation)

The rest

See BIPRU TP 8.20R to BIPRU TP 8.25R

10-190 to 10-196 (Large exposures)

10-190(1) (Application)

BIPRU TP 10 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a consolidated basis during 2007) deals with consolidation

The rest

See BIPRU TP 8.26R to BIPRU TP 8.28R

10-200 to 10-204 (Consolidated supervision)

10-300 (ACMPs)

Applies to the extent relevant to the parts of chapter 10 that apply under BIPRU TP 8

Appendix 1 (Glossary of Terms for IPRU(INV) 10)

See BIPRU TP 8.32R

Appendices 4 to 11 (PRR)

Appendix 4 43R to 47R (Specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR)

The rest of Appendices 4 to 11

Appendix 20 (Guidance notes on reconciliation of firm's balances with a counterparty which is a member of an exchange (rule 10-11(4))

Appendix 21 (Note on the valuation of positions)

Appendix 43 (Guidance note on the financial resources and accounting treatment of soft commission agreements (rule 10-73 and 10-175))

Applies so far as relevant to CRR

Appendix 47 (Counterparty weights to be applied in calculating liquidity adjustment and CRR (rules 10-64 to 10-68, and 10-172 to 10-176))

Appendix 48 (Securities and Futures firms: Guidance notes on the secondary requirement)

Appendix 55 (Guidance notes on the application of adequate collateral or acceptable collateral to reduce counterparty exposures)

Appendix 56 (Guide to Adequate Credit Management Policy (ACMP) (rules 10-172 to 10-175, 10-300 and "ACMP"))

See remarks for 10-300

Appendix 57 (List of exchanges and clearing houses recognised for the purposes of IPRU(INV))

Appendix 58 (Verification of interim profits by external auditors)

Appendix 59 (List of regulators for the purposes of the definition of recognised third country investment firms)

Appendix 62 (Netting)

Appendix 63 (Guidance on Credit derivatives)

(1) Applies so far as relevant to CRR.
(2) Applies so far as relevant to liquidity adjustments.
(3) Does not apply so far as relevant to the PRR.
(4) If the firm is the protection seller in relation to a credit derivative in the non-trading book it must apply the treatment in IPRU(BANK).

Categorisation

8.12

Each firm is a Category A firm for the purposes of chapter 10 of IPRU(INV) as applied by BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) and this section.

How to use the chapter 10 liquidity adjustment rules

8.13

A firm must calculate the credit risk capital component by adding together the deductions under the liquidity adjustment rules that apply under BIPRU TP 8.11R.

8.14

The 100% liquidity adjustment in IPRU(INV) 10-65 (Liquidity adjustment on illiquid assets) does not apply.

8.15

The reason for BIPRU TP 8.14R is explained in BIPRU TP 8.8G.

8.16

IPRU(INV) 10-65 (Illiquid assets) only applies to a firm calculating capital resources under GENPRU 2 Annex 4 R (Capital resources table for a BIPRU investment firm deducting material holdings).

8.17

The reason for BIPRU TP 8.16R is explained in BIPRU TP 8.8G.

8.18

A firm must calculate the credit risk charge for commodities in the non-trading book as a liquidity adjustment under IPRU(INV) 10-64(1)(c) in accordance with the CRR rules in Chapter 10. A firm must include that amount in the calculation of the credit risk capital component.

8.19

A firm may still apply the CRR netting provisions for commodities in chapter 10 even though the calculation is split between the credit risk capital component and the counterparty risk capital component under BIPRU TP 8.18R and BIPRU TP 8.20R. The net amount should be allocated to the credit risk capital component if the gross value of the non-trading book commodities is bigger and to the counterparty risk capital component if the gross value of the trading book commodities is bigger.

How to use the chapter 10 CRR rules

8.20

Subject to BIPRU TP 8.18R, a firm must calculate the counterparty risk capital component as being equal to the capital charge under the CRR rules that apply under BIPRU TP 8.11R.

Adjustments to the CRR calculations: General

8.21

Broadly speaking the Directive transitional provisions that allow pre-2007 credit risk rules to be used in 2007 cover all credit risk rules. However the transitional provisions for trading book credit risk (Annex II of the Capital Adequacy Directive, which is implemented in BIPRU 14 (Capital requirements for settlement and counterparty risk)) is not quite as straightforward as that. In some cases pre-2007 requirements can be used. In others they cannot. The purpose of BIPRU TP 8.22R to BIPRU TP 8.25R is to reflect those cases in which the Directive requires the new requirements to apply from 1 January 2007.

Adjustments to the CRR calculations: Free deliveries

8.22

(1)

The calculations under rule 10-172 of IPRU(INV) (Free deliveries) are amended in accordance with this rule.

(2)

A firm must include foreign currency transactions.

(3)

The capital treatment in the table in BIPRU 14.4.3 R (Capital treatment for free deliveries) applies. But when the capital treatment in that table is that the firm must treat the transaction as an exposure, the firm must apply the treatment in rule 10-172 rather than BIPRU 14 (Capital requirements for settlement and counterparty risk).

Adjustments to the CRR calculations: Derivative transactions

8.23

A firm must treat a credit derivative in the trading book as a derivative to which rule 10-174 of IPRU(INV) (Derivative transactions) applies.

8.24

The capital treatment for credit derivatives set out in BIPRU 14.2.5 R - BIPRU 14.2.8 R (Capital treatment for credit derivatives) does not apply.

Adjustments to the CRR calculations: Cash against documents

8.25

A firm must include foreign currency transactions in the calculations under 10-171 of chapter 10 of IPRU(INV) (Cash against documents transactions).

How to use the chapter 10 large exposure rules

8.26

10-190 to 10-196 of chapter 10 of IPRU(INV) (Large exposures requirement) apply in place of BIPRU 10 (Concentration risk).

8.27

A firm must calculate the concentration risk capital component as being equal to the capital charge under the LER rules that apply under BIPRU TP 8.11R.

8.28

BIPRU 10.5.2 R to BIPRU 10.5.5 R (Capital resources for concentration risk purposes) apply in place of the corresponding provisions of chapter 10.

Specific risk calculations

8.29

A firm must use chapter 10 of IPRU(INV) as it applies under BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) and this section to calculate the specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR under BIPRU 7.2 (Interest rate PRR) to the extent that the relevant rules in BIPRU 7.2 require the use of the standardised approach to credit risk.

8.30

Any reference to a qualifying debt security or qualifying equity in a part of BIPRU that applies during 2007 must be interpreted in accordance with the definition in the Glossary to chapter 10 of IPRU(INV). However BIPRU 7.2.50 R (Must not apply qualifying debt security treatment to risky assets) also applies.

8.31

The effect of BIPRU TP 8.29R and BIPRU TP 8.30R is that a firm should apply rules 43R to 47R of Appendix 4 of Chapter 10 of IPRU(INV) (Specific risk portion of interest rate PRR) instead of BIPRU 7.2.43 R to BIPRU 7.2.49 R (Specific risk portion of interest rate PRR). The reason for this is that the calculation of the specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR under BIPRU 7 (Market risk) involves the use of the standardised approach to credit risk. The specific risk rules therefore need to be adjusted for a firm that is not using the standardised approach to credit risk in 2007 so as to apply the pre-2007 method of calculating specific risk. The definition of qualifying equity also depends in part on the standardised approach to credit risk.

Definitions

8.32

The definitions of trading book, non-trading book, commodity, financial institution, illiquid asset and material holding in the Glossary to chapter 10 of IPRU(INV) are replaced by the corresponding definitions in the Glossary.

Mapping GENPRU and BIPRU concepts onto IPRU

8.33

Some of the parts of chapter 10 of IPRU(INV) that apply in 2007 refer to parts of IPRU that do not apply. BIPRU TP 3.10R explains that where this happens a firm should interpret that cross-reference in accordance with the provision in BIPRU or GENPRU that corresponds to the IPRU provision that does not apply in 2007. A firm should refer to IPRU in the case of cross-references in GENPRU and BIPRU to provisions in GENPRU and BIPRU that do not apply in 2007. BIPRU TP 8.34G sets out how certain concepts in chapter 10 of IPRU(INV) correspond to ones in GENPRU and BIPRU. The purpose of the table is to help firms to interpret such cross-references.

8.34

Table: Mapping GENPRU and BIPRU concepts onto ones in chapter 10 of IPRU(INV)
This table belongs to BIPRU TP 8.33G

GENPRU and BIPRU

Chapter 10 of IPRU(INV)

Calculations of counterparty risk capital component and calculations under BIPRU 14 (Capital requirements for settlement and counterparty risk)

Calculation of CRR

Illiquid asset

Deduction from capital resources as an illiquid assets

100% liquidity adjustment

Calculation of the credit risk capital component

8% liquidity adjustment

LER

Unsettled transaction under BIPRU 14.3

Cash against documents (IPRU(INV) 10-171)

Free deliveries under BIPRU 14.4

Free deliveries (IPRU(INV) 10-172)

Calculation of PRR or of the market risk capital requirement

Calculation of PRR and the foreign exchange requirement

Capital resources calculations under GENPRU 2 Annex 4 R

Financial resources calculation under table 10-62(2)A

Capital resources calculations under GENPRU 2 Annex 6 R

Financial resources calculation under table 10-62(2)B

Capital resources calculations under GENPRU 2 Annex 5 R respectively

Financial resources calculation under table 10-62(2)C

Investment firm consolidation waiver

Exemption from consolidated supervision

Commodity extended maturity ladder approach

Modified maturity ladder approach (relevant to the CRR calculation - see 10-174)

The table in BIPRU 7.8.28 R (Net underwriting position reduction factors)

Table 27R of Appendix 7 (Net underwriting position reduction factors)

Consolidated supervision in accordance with rules 10-200 to 10-203 (see for example the reference in rule 10-192(1)(g))

Consolidated supervision under BIPRU 8 (Group risk - consolidation)

Initial capital

Tier one capital resources plus tier two capital resources after deductions (stage N of the capital resources table)

Own funds

Capital resources

Financial resources (as referred to for example in rule 10-74)

Externally verified interim net profits and losses and partners' capital as referred to in GENPRU 2.2.102 R

Interim profit and loss account (as referred to in rule 10-74)

Trading book concentration risk excess

Excess D under rule 10-194(3)

Market risk capital requirement

Counterparty weight.

Firms using the IRB approach during 2007: General

8.35

BIPRU TP 8.36G to BIPRU TP 8.38R only apply to a firm that is applying the IRB approach under BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) as well as using IPRU.

8.36

The effect of BIPRU TP 3.17G (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007 for firms also using the IRB approach) is that neither the illiquid asset adjustment nor the CRR requirements of chapter 10 apply to an exposure to which the firm applies the IRB approach. The IRB approach requirements in BIPRU apply instead. The main requirements are listed in BIPRU TP 3.17G.

8.37

A firm must apply BIPRU 7.2.45 R - 7.2.47R (Using internal ratings to calculate specific risk and treatment of securitisations) to calculate the specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR to the extent that the obligor or exposure in question comes within the scope of its IRB permission.

8.38

The definitions of qualifying debt security and qualifying equity in the Glossary apply if the security or obligor in question comes within the scope of a firm's IRB permission.

01/01/2007

BIPRU TP 9

Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007 and capital floors: Personal investment firms

Application

9.1

This section (except BIPRU TP 9.45R) applies to a BIPRU firm that:

(1)

is a personal investment firm; and

(2)

is applying BIPRU TP 3.4R (Use of IPRU on a solo basis during 2007).

9.2

BIPRU TP 9.45R applies to a BIPRU firm that:

(1)

is a personal investment firm; and

(2)

applies BIPRU TP 2 (Capital floors for a firm using the IRB or AMA approaches).

Purpose of this section

9.3

BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) says that during 2007 a firm may apply the credit risk requirements of IPRU instead of the ones in BIPRU. For a personal investment firm this involves applying the credit risk requirements in chapter 13 of IPRU(INV). This section explains how this is done. In particular this section explains:

(1)

which parts of chapter 13 should be treated as credit risk requirements for this purpose;

(2)

what parts of chapter 13 apply during 2007 and what changes are made to chapter 13 for that purpose; and

(3)

what changes are made to GENPRU and BIPRU to reflect the fact that chapter 13 applies in place of parts of GENPRU and BIPRU.

9.4

This section also explains how the obligation in BIPRU TP 2 (Capital floors for a firm using the IRB or AMA approaches) is applied to a personal investment firm.

Duration of transitional

9.5

This section applies until 1 January 2008.

Drafting approach in this section

9.6

9.7

The capital calculation for credit risk under BIPRU is made up of three elements, which are set out in GENPRU 2.1.51 R (Calculation of the credit risk capital requirement). These are the credit risk capital component, the counterparty risk capital component and the concentration risk capital component. So the approach in BIPRU TP 9.6G involves finding equivalents for these three elements in chapter 13 where possible.

9.8

The general approach to calculating the capital requirements for credit risk in GENPRU and BIPRU is to calculate the overall credit risk capital requirement (which is the sum of the three components listed in BIPRU TP 9.7G) - a monetary amount - and to compare it with capital resources, also a monetary amount. A firm calculating its capital resources may usually choose between deducting illiquid assets and material holdings. Only if it has a waiver from consolidated supervision need it deduct both.

9.9

The drafting approach of chapter 13 to calculating the capital requirement for credit risk is different from the one in GENPRU and BIPRU. A firm calculates financial resources by adjusting the assets in the balance sheet, taking into account liabilities. Financial resources are then used to test compliance with an own funds test, an expenditure based requirement test and a net asset test. The equivalent of a credit risk charge in Chapter 13 is the deduction of an asset as an Illiquid Adjustment or the deduction of a portion of an asset calculated using the Counterparty Risk Adjustment. Both illiquid assets and material holdings in credit institutions, investment firms and insurers are deducted under Chapter 13.

9.10

To make the GENPRU and BIPRU requirements compatible with chapter 13 for the purpose of BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007), this section takes the approach in BIPRU TP 9.11G to BIPRU TP 9.18G.

9.11

The illiquid assets and material holdings provisions of GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources) apply.

9.12

The chapter 13 Illiquid Adjustment and the chapter 13 Counterparty Risk Adjustment are used to calculate the BIPRU credit risk charge for non-trading book items (called the credit risk capital component) and the BIPRU credit risk charge for trading book items (called the counterparty risk capital component).

9.13

When this section requires a firm to apply an Illiquid Adjustment to an asset a firm should apply a credit risk charge to that asset equal to the amount of the Illiquid Adjustment under Chapter 13 and include that charge in the calculation of the total credit risk charge. The amount of that credit risk charge will generally be equal to the amount of that asset. This is equivalent to a deduction from capital. A firm should not apply an Illiquid Adjustment to the extent that the asset has already been included as an illiquid asset or material holding and deducted from capital resources under GENPRU 2.2.

9.14

The Chapter 13 Position Risk Adjustment no longer applies. If a firm has a trading book, an item in the trading book that would have received a Position Risk Adjustment is subject to a capital charge under BIPRU 7 (Market risk). An item in a firm's non-trading book that would have received a Position Risk Adjustment is subject under this section to an Illiquid Adjustment. A firm should approach its usual supervisory contact at the FSA if it believes that this treatment is disproportionate.

9.15

When this section requires a firm to apply a Counterparty Risk Adjustment to an asset a firm should apply a credit risk charge to that asset equal to the amount of the Counterparty Risk Adjustment under Chapter 13 and include that charge in the calculation of the total credit risk charge. The amount of that credit risk charge will generally be equal to the amount of that asset multiplied by the percentage in Table 13.5.4B or 13.5.4C. A firm should not apply a Counterparty Risk Adjustment to the extent that the asset has already been included as an illiquid asset or material holding and deducted from capital resources under GENPRU 2.2.

9.16

All non-trading book items are excluded under IPRU(INV) 13.8. This exclusion is incorporated in the calculations under this section as a credit risk charge of 100%. IPRU(INV) 13.8 does not apply if the firm does not have a trading book.

9.17

The calculation of the capital requirements for credit risk in GENPRU and BIPRU is based on applying a capital charge to the firm's assets. The credit risk charge in GENPRU and BIPRU in broad terms reflects the risk to a firm that it will suffer loss because its counterparties do not pay what they owe to the firm. Thus generally it is not necessary to continue the requirement in Table 13.5.4 to deduct liabilities. However it is still necessary to include other liabilities deducted as part of the calculation of financial resources under Chapter 13 if they are of the type listed in section 4 of Chapter BC of IPRU(BANK). This is because the Directive provisions that allow pre-2007 credit risk requirements to be used during 2007 require a capital charge for this type of item. In practice it is unlikely that these items will be relevant to a personal investment firm except for guarantees.

9.18

The chapter 13 Large exposure Adjustment is used to calculate the concentration risk capital component. This is only relevant to a firm with a trading book.

Parts of chapter 13 of IPRU(INV) that apply in 2007

9.19

The parts of chapter 13 of IPRU(INV) that do and do not apply during the period that BIPRU TP 3.4R applies are set out in BIPRU TP 9.21R.

9.20

The table in BIPRU TP 9.21R assumes that the firm is not applying the IRB approach. BIPRU TP 9.41R to BIPRU TP 9.44R deal with a firm that does apply the IRB approach.

9.21

Table: Parts of chapter 13 of IPRU(INV) that apply in 2007
This table belongs to BIPRU TP 9.19R

Chapter 13 rule

A Y denotes that the provision does apply
An N denotes that it does not apply

Remarks

13.1 (Application)

BIPRU TP 9.1R and BIPRU TP 9.2R apply instead

13.1.2 (General requirements)

13.1.3 to 13.1.6 (Professional Indemnity insurance)

13.1.7 to 13.1.9 (Notification)

13.1.10 to 13.1.17 (Record keeping)

Applied in part under BIPRU TP 23 (Record keeping transitionals)

13.2 (Financial Resources Tests)

13.3 (Financial Resources Test 1 - Own funds)

13.4 (Financial resources Test 1A - Adjusted net current assets)

13.5.1R to 13.5.3AG (Expenditure-based Requirement)

13.5.4 (Calculation of financial resources to meet Tests 1, 1A or 2)

Only applies for the purpose of deciding whether Table 13.5.4(1) or Table 13.5.4(2) applies

13.5.4A (Obligation to identify trading book items and special adjustments)

Does not apply to special adjustments that do not apply under this section

Part I of Tables 13.5.4(1) and (2) (Net assets requirement for firms in Category A): (Assets calculation)

Illiquid Adjustment

See BIPRU TP 9.23R to BIPRU TP 9.26G

Counterparty Risk Adjustment

See BIPRU TP 9.23R to BIPRU TP 9.31G

Position Risk Adjustment

If an exposure in the non-trading book would have been subject to a Position Risk Adjustment a firm must apply an Illiquid Adjustment to it.

Large exposure Adjustment

See BIPRU TP 9.34R

Part II of Tables 13.5.4(1) and (2) (Net assets requirement for firms in Category A): (Liabilities calculation)

Counterparty Risk Adjustments

See BIPRU TP 9.23R to BIPRU TP 9.31G

Liabilities if they are listed in section 4 of Chapter BC of IPRU(BANK) and are in the firm's non-trading book

(1) This applies whether they are on or off balance sheet.
(2) A firm must include liabilities under a credit derivative.
(3) See BIPRU TP 9.23R

Position Risk Adjustment

If an exposure in the non-trading book would have been subject to a Position Risk Adjustment a firm must apply an Illiquid Adjustment to it.

The rest

Table 13.5.4A (Position risk)

Table 13.5.4B (Unsettled securities transactions)

See BIPRU TP 9.28R

Table 13.5.4C (Counterparty risk)

See BIPRU TP 9.23R to BIPRU TP 9.31G

Table 13.5.4D (Over the counter derivatives)

See BIPRU TP 9.26G and BIPRU TP 9.30R to BIPRU TP 9.31G

Table 13.5.4E (Foreign exchange risk)

13.5.5 to 13.5.5C (Subordinated debt)

13.6 (Large exposures)

See BIPRU TP 9.32R to BIPRU TP 9.34R

13.7 (Consolidated Supervision of Group Companies)

13.8 (Trading book)

Table 13.8(1) (Definition of trading book)

The rest

See BIPRU TP 9.23R and BIPRU TP 9.38R

13.9 to 13.9.12 (Financial resources tests for Category B firms)

Glossary for chapter 13

See BIPRU TP 9.38R

Categorisation

9.22

Each firm is a Category A firm for the purposes of chapter 13 of IPRU(INV) as applied by BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) and this section.

How to use the chapter 13 Illiquid Adjustment and the Counterparty Risk Adjustment

9.23

A firm must calculate the sum of the credit risk capital component and the counterparty risk capital component as being equal to the sum of the following:

(1)

the amount of the Illiquid Adjustments under chapter 13 of IPRU(INV) so far as they are in force under BIPRU TP 9.21R;

(2)

the amount of any non-trading book assets that would be excluded under rule 13.8.2 of chapter 13 of IPRU(INV) (exclusion of non-trading book items from financial resources calculations);

(3)

the amount in relation to unsettled securities transactions (Cash against documents) specified in BIPRU TP 9.28R;

(4)

the amount in relation to unsettled securities transactions (Free deliveries) specified in BIPRU TP 9.29R;

(5)

the amount of the Counterparty Risk Adjustments under whichever is applicable of point 22 of Part II of Table 13.5.4(1) and point 22 of Part II of Table 13.5.4(2) of chapter 13 of IPRU(INV) (Liabilities adjustments relating to OTC derivatives for calculating financial resources);

(6)

the amount of the other Counterparty Risk Adjustments under whichever is applicable of Part I of Table 13.5.4(1) and Part I of Table 13.5.4(2) of chapter 13 of IPRU(INV) (Assets adjustments for calculating financial resources); and

(7)

the amount of any other liabilities under whichever is applicable of Part II of Table 13.5.4(1) and Part II of Table 13.5.4(2) of chapter 13 of IPRU(INV) but only to the extent provided by BIPRU TP 9.21R.

9.24

A firm must not apply a credit risk charge to an exposure under BIPRU TP 9.23R to the extent that it has already been deducted as an illiquid asset or a material holding under GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources).

9.25

If it is necessary to distinguish between the credit risk capital component and the counterparty risk capital component a firm must allocate:

(1)

any amount calculated for an exposure in the non-trading book to the credit risk capital component; and

(2)

any amount calculated for an exposure in the trading book to the counterparty risk capital component.

9.26

A firm may still apply the netting provisions for OTC derivatives in chapter 13 even though the OTC derivative calculation is split between the credit risk capital component and the counterparty risk capital component under BIPRU TP 9.25R. The net amount should be allocated to the credit risk capital component if the gross value of the non-trading book derivatives is bigger and to the counterparty risk capital component if the gross value of the trading book derivatives is bigger.

Adjustments to the Counterparty Risk Adjustments calculations: General

9.27

Broadly speaking the Directive transitional provisions that allow pre-2007 credit risk rules to be used in 2007 cover all credit risk rules. However the transitional provisions for trading book credit risk (Annex II of the Capital Adequacy Directive, which is implemented in BIPRU 14 (Capital requirements for settlement and counterparty risk)) is not quite as straightforward as that. In some cases pre-2007 requirements can be used. In others they cannot. The purpose of BIPRU TP 9.28R to BIPRU TP 9.31G is to reflect those cases in which the Directive requires the new requirements to apply from 1 January 2007.

Adjustments to the Counterparty Risk Adjustments calculations: Unsettled Securities Transactions

9.28

(1)

The calculation of the credit risk charge for unsettled securities transactions is based on the Counterparty Risk Adjustment for such transactions adjusted in accordance with this rule.

(2)

Subject to the rest of this rule, the amount of the credit risk charge is equal to the Counterparty Risk Adjustment under paragraphs (a) and (b) in the unsettled securities transactions sections of Table 13.5.4(1) or (2).

(3)

The credit risk charge applies where the firm is exposed to loss if the counterparty does not perform.

(4)

A firm must calculate the Counterparty Risk Adjustment for an unsettled securities transaction in the trading book under BIPRU 14.3 (Unsettled transactions) rather than under chapter 13 of IPRU(INV).

Adjustments to the Counterparty Risk Adjustments calculations: Free deliveries

9.29

(1)

The calculation of the credit risk charge for a free delivery is based on the Counterparty Risk Adjustment for such transactions adjusted in accordance with this rule.

(2)

Subject to the rest of this rule, the amount of the credit risk charge is equal to the Counterparty Risk Adjustment under paragraphs (a) and (b) in the free delivery sections of Table 13.5.4(1) or (2).

(3)

A firm must include foreign currency and commodity for the purpose of trading book calculations.

(4)

The capital treatment in the table in BIPRU 14.4.3 R (Capital treatment for free deliveries) applies for the purpose of trading book calculations. But when the capital treatment in that table is that the firm must treat the transaction as an exposure, the firm must calculate a credit risk charge equal to the amount in (2).

Adjustments to the Counterparty Risk Adjustments calculations: Derivative transactions

9.30

A firm must treat a credit derivative in the trading book as a derivative to which paragraph 22 of Part II of Table 13.5.4(1), paragraph 22 of Part II of Table 13.5.4(2) and table 13.5.4D of chapter 13 of IPRU(INV) (Over the counter derivatives) apply.

9.31

The capital treatment for a credit derivative set out in BIPRU 14.2.5 R - BIPRU 14.2.8 R (Capital treatment for credit derivatives) does not apply.

How to use the chapter 13 large exposure rules

9.32

Section 13.6 of chapter 13 of IPRU(INV) (Large exposures) applies in place of BIPRU 10 (Concentration risk).

9.33

The following adjustments are made to section 13.6 of chapter 13 of IPRU(INV) (Large exposures):

(1)

BIPRU 10.5.2 R to BIPRU 10.5.5 R (Capital resources for concentration risk purposes) apply in place of the definition of own funds that applies under section 13.6 of chapter 13 of IPRU(INV);

(2)

rule 13.6.2B (Excess over EBR should not be excluded) does not apply; and

(3)

BIPRU 10.5.14 R (Notification) applies instead of the notification requirement in 13.6.

9.34

A firm must calculate its concentration risk capital component as being equal to the sum of the Large exposure Adjustments under whichever is applicable of Part I of Table 13.5.4(1) and Part I of Table 13.5.4(2) of chapter 13 of IPRU(INV) (Assets adjustments for calculating financial resources).

Specific risk calculations

9.35

A firm must calculate the specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR in accordance with BIPRU TP 8.29R (Pre CRD interest rate PRR for securities and futures firms).

9.36

Any reference to a qualifying debt security in a part of BIPRU that applies during 2007 must be interpreted in accordance with the definition in the Glossary to chapter 13 of IPRU(INV). However BIPRU 7.2.50 R (Must not apply qualifying debt security treatment to risky assets) also applies. Any reference to a qualifying equity in a part of BIPRU that applies during 2007 must be interpreted in accordance with the definition in the Glossary to chapter 10 of IPRU(INV).

9.37

The reason for BIPRU TP 9.35R and BIPRU TP 9.36R is that the calculation of the specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR under BIPRU 7 (Market risk) involves the use of the standardised approach to credit risk. The specific risk rules therefore need to be adjusted for a firm that is not using the standardised approach to credit risk in 2007 so as to apply the pre-2007 method of calculating specific risk. However chapter 13 does not distinguish between specific risk and general market risk. The nearest equivalent is in chapter 10 of IPRU(INV) (Securities and futures firms). The definition of qualifying equity also depends in part on the standardised approach to credit risk.

Definitions

9.38

The definition of trading book is replaced with the definition in the Glossary. Section 13.8 of chapter 13 of IPRU(INV) (Trading book) and the definition in the Glossary to chapter 13 are amended accordingly.

Mapping GENPRU and BIPRU concepts onto IPRU

9.39

Some of the parts of chapter 13 of IPRU(INV) that apply in 2007 refer to parts of chapter 13 that do not apply. BIPRU TP 3.10R explains that where this happens a firm should interpret that cross-reference in accordance with the provision in BIPRU or GENPRU that corresponds to the chapter 13 provision that does not apply in 2007. A firm should refer to IPRU in the case of cross-references in GENPRU and BIPRU to provisions in GENPRU and BIPRU that do not apply in 2007. BIPRU TP 9.40G sets out how certain concepts in chapter 13 of IPRU(INV) correspond to ones in GENPRU and BIPRU. The purpose of the table is to help firms to interpret such cross-references.

9.40

Table: Mapping GENPRU and BIPRU concepts onto ones in chapter 13 of IPRU(INV)
This table belongs to BIPRU TP 9.39G

GENPRU and BIPRU

Chapter 13 of IPRU(INV)

See BIPRU TP 9.10G to BIPRU TP 9.17G

Illiquid Adjustment

See BIPRU TP 9.10G to BIPRU TP 9.17G

Counterparty Risk Adjustment

See BIPRU TP 9. 18G

Large exposure Adjustment

Material holding

The nearest equivalent is point 13 of Part I of Table 13.5.4(1) and (2) (All other assets)

Unsettled transaction under BIPRU 14.3

Cash against documents

Free deliveries under BIPRU 14.4

Free deliveries

The Position Risk Adjustment and the Foreign Exchange Risk Adjustment

Trading book concentration risk excess

Excess X in Table 13.6.2(2)

A firm should use the specific risk portion of the relevant PRR charge under BIPRU 7 (Market risk) (subject to the other provisions of this section about specific risk) where Chapter 13 as applied by this section requires the firm to apply position risk discounts.

Position risk discounts (particularly relevant for the purposes of Table 13.6.2(2))

Investment management firm

Where Chapter 13 requires an asset to be deducted from capital that is equivalent to applying a risk weight of 1250%. Applying the 1.6% adjustment under Table 13.5.4C is equivalent to applying a 20% risk weight under BIPRU together with the standard 8% BIPRU credit risk charge. The "NIL" adjustment under that table is equivalent to applying a 0% risk weight.

Firms using the IRB approach during 2007: General

9.41

BIPRU TP 9.42G to BIPRU TP 9.44R only apply to a firm that is applying the IRB approach under BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) as well as using IPRU.

9.42

The effect of BIPRU TP 3.17G (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007 for firms also using the IRB approach) is that the Counterparty Risk Adjustments do not apply to an exposure to which the firm applies the IRB approach. The IRB approach requirements in BIPRU apply instead. The main requirements are listed in BIPRU TP 3.17G. The same applies to the Illiquid Adjustments although illiquid assets or material holdings will still have to be deducted under GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources).

9.43

A firm must apply BIPRU 7.2.45 R - BIPRU 7.2.47 R (Using internal ratings to calculate specific risk and treatment of securitisations) to calculate the specific risk portion of the interest rate PRR to the extent that the obligor or exposure in question comes within the scope of its IRB permission.

9.44

The definition of qualifying debt security and qualifying equity in the Glossary apply if the security or obligor in question comes within the scope of a firm's IRB permission.

Calculation of capital floors under BIPRU TP 2

9.45

(1)

This paragraph sets out how the obligation in BIPRU TP 2 (Capital floors for a firm using the IRB or AMA approaches) is applied to a personal investment firm.

(2)

A firm must apply Financial Resources Test 2 (Expenditure-based Requirement) for the periods specified in BIPRU TP 2 by multiplying the Expenditure-based Requirement by the percentage figure in BIPRU TP 2.8R or BIPRU TP 2.9R.

(3)

BIPRU TP 2 does not apply to Financial Resources Test 1 (Own funds) or Financial Resources Test 1A (Adjusted net current assets).

01/01/2007

BIPRU TP 10

Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a consolidated basis during 2007

Application

10.1

This section applies to a firm to which BIPRU 8 (Consolidation) applies.

Purpose

10.2

This section sets out how BIPRU TP 3 - BIPRU TP 9 (Use of IPRU during 2007) are applied on a consolidated basis.

Duration of transitional

10.3

BIPRU TP 10 applies until 1 January 2008.

Main rule

10.4

A firm may apply BIPRU TP 3 to BIPRU TP 9 (Use of IPRU during 2007 on a solo basis) on a consolidated basis. Applying them on a consolidated basis means that BIPRU 8 (Group risk - Consolidation) is modified by applying the relevant parts of BIPRU TP 3 to BIPRU TP 9 (as defined in BIPRU TP 10.5R) in place of the corresponding BIPRU credit risk and other rules.

10.5

(1)

This rule sets out what the relevant parts of BIPRU TP 3 to BIPRU TP 9 (Use of IPRU during 2007 on a solo basis) are for the purposes of BIPRU TP 10.4R. The answer depends on the kind of UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group ("group") to which consolidated requirements are being applied.

(2)

If the group is a building society group as defined in BIPRU TP 1.7R, the relevant parts of BIPRU TP 3 to BIPRU TP 9 are those applicable to a building society.

(3)

If the group is a banking group as defined in BIPRU TP 1.7R, the relevant parts of BIPRU TP 3 to BIPRU TP 9 are those applicable to a bank.

(4)

If the group is an investment services group as defined in BIPRU TP 1.7R, the relevant parts of BIPRU TP 3 to BIPRU TP 9 are those applicable to the main BIPRU investment firm in that group. For these purposes the main BIPRU investment firm is identified in the same way as the "main firm" is identified under rule 14.4.2R(1) of chapter 14 IPRU(INV).

10.6

The application of BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) on a consolidated basis is not done by applying the relevant consolidation provisions in IPRU. BIPRU 8 (Group risk - Consolidation) still applies, as modified by this section. BIPRU TP 10.7G to BIPRU TP 10.12G summarise how BIPRU TP 3 works on a consolidated basis under this section assuming that the firm does not use the IRB approach.

10.7

The consolidated credit risk charge (called the consolidated credit risk requirement) is normally calculated under BIPRU 8 by applying the solo BIPRU credit risk charges on a consolidated basis. Under this section the IPRU credit risk charges are applied instead, as modified by BIPRU TP 3 to BIPRU TP 9 (Use of IPRU during 2007 on a solo basis).

10.8

Under this section the applicable IPRU large exposure requirements, as modified by BIPRU TP 3 to BIPRU TP 9, apply instead of the ones in BIPRU 10 (Concentration risk requirements). BIPRU TP 10.15R disapplies most of BIPRU 8.9 (Consolidated concentration risk requirements).

10.9

A firm should calculate the consolidated credit risk requirement so far as it relates to the concentration risk capital component using the relevant IPRU rules. In particular a firm should not use the capital requirements of a regulator other than the FSA for this purpose.

10.10

A firm should still base its capital resources calculation for consolidation purposes on BIPRU 8.6 (Consolidated capital resources) rather than using the IPRU capital resources calculations. In turn, BIPRU 8.6 is based on GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources). This applies for consolidated concentration risk purposes as well.

10.11

BIPRU 8.4 (CAD Article 22 groups and investment firm consolidation waiver) still applies.

10.12

The calculation of consolidated capital requirements under BIPRU 8.7 (Consolidated capital resources requirements) depends in part on whether the group contains banks, BIPRU limited activity firms or BIPRU limited licence firms. This continues to apply for the purpose of this section in addition to BIPRU TP 10.5R. So for instance, if a group contains only BIPRU limited licence firms the consolidated capital requirements for the group are based on the capital requirements for BIPRU limited licence firms. However in addition if, for example, the main firm (as defined in BIPRU TP 10.5R) is a personal investment firm the requirements for BIPRU limited licence firm are modified in accordance with BIPRU TP 9 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007 and capital floors: Personal investment firms). The calculation of notional capital resources requirements under BIPRU 8.4.13 R (Capital adequacy obligations relating to a CAD Article 22 group: Capital resources requirement) works in a similar way.

Consolidated capital resources requirement: Use of home state requirements for EEA firms

10.13

A firm may, for the purposes of BIPRU TP 10.4R, use the solo financial resources requirement to which an EEA firm is subject in accordance with BIPRU 8.7.34 R (Use of the solo requirements of another EEA competent authority) or the consolidated financial resources requirements of an EEA competent authority under BIPRU 8.7.37 R (Use of the consolidated requirements of another EEA competent authority). However those requirements must be ones that apply under the CRD implementation measures for Articles 152(8) - (14) of the Banking Consolidation Directive and Article 50(1) of the Capital Adequacy Directive for the relevant EEA State (Pre CRD capital requirements applying during 2007).

Consolidated capital resources requirement: Use of home state requirements for third country undertakings

10.14

(1)

A firm may, for the purposes of BIPRU TP 10.4R, use the solo financial resources requirement of a third country competent authority in accordance with BIPRU 8.7.35 R (Use of the solo requirements of a regulator outside the EEA) or the consolidated financial resources requirements of a third country competent authority under BIPRU 8.7.38 R (Use of the consolidated requirements of a regulator outside the EEA) in accordance with the adjustments in this rule.

(2)

The list in BIPRU 8 Annex 6 R (List of equivalent third country regulators) does not apply and instead:

(a)

if the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group is a banking group or building society group as defined in BIPRU TP 1.7R (Classification of groups for certain consolidation rules), the lists in Appendices C and D of chapter CS of IPRU(BANK) apply; and

(b)

if the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group is an investment firm group as defined in BIPRU TP 1.7R, the list in Appendix 59 of chapter 10 of IPRU(INV) applies.

(3)

The firm must apply the version of those requirements in force on 31 December 2006 or any later version that remains consistent with EEA prudential sectoral legislation for the banking sector or investment services sector in the form it was in on 31 December 2006.

(4)

The requirement in BIPRU 8.7.35 R (2) and the last sentence of BIPRU 8.7.38 R (2) (Requirement for calculation not to produce a lower figure than the FSA's rules) still applies.

Consolidated large exposures

10.15

A firm must apply the concentration risk requirements under BIPRU TP 3 to BIPRU TP 9 (Use of IPRU during 2007 on a solo basis) applicable to its UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group under BIPRU TP 10.4R as if it were a single undertaking. BIPRU 8.9.2 R (Definition of consolidated capital resources for concentration risk purposes) applies for the purpose of this rule. BIPRU 8.9 (Consolidated concentration risk requirements) does not otherwise apply.

01/01/2007

BIPRU TP 11

IRB transitionals

Application

11.1

BIPRU TP 11 applies to a BIPRU firm that uses the IRB approach.

Purpose

11.2

BIPRU TP 11 implements Articles 154(2), (3) and (5) of the Banking Consolidation Directive and (in part) Article 17 of the Capital Adequacy Directive.

Use requirement

11.3

In accordance with Article 154(2) of the Banking Consolidation Directive, for a firm applying for the use of the IRB approach before 2010, the three years' use requirement prescribed in BIPRU 4.2.11 R (Requirements concerning the experience requirement) is reduced to a period of one year until 31 December 2009.

11.4

In accordance with Article 154(3) of the Banking Consolidation Directive, for a firm applying for the use of own estimates of LGDs and/or conversion factors, the three year use requirement prescribed in BIPRU 4.2.13 R (Requirements concerning the experience requirement) is reduced to two years until 31 December 2008.

11.5

The transitional period in BIPRU TP 11.3R rather than that in BIPRU TP 11.4R applies to retail exposures.

Residential properties

11.6

In accordance with Article 154(5) of the Banking Consolidation Directive, until 31 December 2010, the exposure-weighted average LGD for all retail exposures secured by residential properties and not benefiting from guarantees from central governments must not be lower than 10%.

Expected loss

11.7

BIPRU TP 11.3R to BIPRU TP 11.6R also apply for the purpose of BIPRU 14.2.18 R and BIPRU 14.2.19 R (Treatment of expected loss amounts under the IRB approach) and GENPRU 2.2.193 R (Upper tier two capital: Surplus provisions).

01/01/2007

BIPRU TP 12

Operational risk transitionals: small trading book

Application

12.1

Subject to BIPRU TP 12.2R, BIPRU TP 12 applies to a BIPRU investment firm that satisfies the following conditions:

(1)

it is a full scope BIPRU investment firm;

(2)

it does not fall within the definition of limited licence firm or limited activity firm in BIPRU 1.1.11 R to BIPRU 1.1.12 R (Definitions of limited licence firm or limited activity firm);

(3)

its total trading book positions never exceed 50 million Euro;

(4)

the average number of its relevant employees during the financial year does not exceed 100; and

(5)

the firm has a waiver that modifies BIPRU 6 (Operational risk) so as to require the firm to calculate its ORCR in accordance with BIPRU TP 12.

12.2

BIPRU TP 12.12R to BIPRU TP 12.14G apply to any firm to which BIPRU 8 (Group risk - consolidation) applies.

Purpose

12.3

BIPRU TP 12 implements Article 46 of the Capital Adequacy Directive.

Duration of transitional

12.4

BIPRU TP 12 applies until 31 December 2011.

Calculation of number of employees

12.5

In calculating the average number of its relevant employees a firm must:

(1)

include all its directors, officers having executive responsibilities and senior managers;

(2)

include all staff whose responsibilities include front office responsibilities in relation to activities that give rise to positions in the trading book;

(3)

include all staff whose responsibilities include back office, compliance or risk management responsibilities in relation to activities that give rise to positions in the trading book;

(4)

include contractors of or persons seconded to the firm or carrying out functions for the firm who would be relevant employees if they were employed by the firm; and

(5)

take into account the methodology for calculating an average number of employees referred to in section 247(6) of the Companies Act 1985.

12.6

A firm must have a written policy for identifying persons who are relevant employees for the purpose of BIPRU TP 12.5R.

Purpose of BIPRU TP 12.1R(2)

12.7

The purpose of BIPRU TP 12.1R(2) is to exclude a firm that falls into the definition of full scope BIPRU investment firm because it has obtained a waiver or has a Part IV permission that enables it to calculate an ORCR instead of the fixed overheads requirement (see BIPRU 6.1.2 G).

Reduction of the ORCR

12.8

The ORCR of a firm to which this rule applies is the lower of:

(1)

the ORCR that would have applied but for this rule; and

(2)

12/88 of the higher of the following:

(a)

the sum of credit risk capital requirement and the market risk capital requirement; and

(b)

the fixed overheads requirement, notwithstanding that the fixed overheads requirement does not apply.

12.9

The fraction 12/88 in BIPRU TP 12.8R(2) increases in accordance with the table in BIPRU TP 12.10R.

12.10

Table: Increase in 12/88 fraction
This table belongs to BIPRU TP 12.9R

Date on which increase takes effect

Fraction

1 January 2008

27/88

1 January 2009

42/88

1 January 2010

57/88

1 January 2011

72/88

Minimum capital requirement

12.11

(1)

A firm must have capital resources at least equal to the capital resources requirement that applies to it under whichever part of IPRU applies to the firm under BIPRU TP 1.4R.

(2)

A firm must calculate its capital resources for the purposes of this rule in accordance with the same part of IPRU.

(3)

The following provisions of BIPRU TP 2 (Capital floors for a firm using the IRB or AMA approaches) apply for the purposes of this rule:

(a)

BIPRU TP 2.14R to BIPRU TP 2.15G (Adjustments to the calculation of capital resources);

(b)

BIPRU TP 2.18R to BIPRU TP 2.19G (CAD 1 model and VaR model);

(c)

BIPRU TP 2.20R to BIPRU TP 2.21G (Individual capital guidance);

(d)

BIPRU TP 2.22R to BIPRU TP 2.27G (How to apply IPRU for the purposes of the capital floor calculations); and

(e)

BIPRU TP 2.29R (Solo consolidation and the capital floor calculations).

Consolidation

12.12

A firm may only calculate the consolidated operational risk requirement with respect to its UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group in accordance with BIPRU TP 122 if the group in question satisfies the following conditions:

(1)

there is no credit institution in the group;

(2)

the consolidated capital resources requirement of the group is calculated in accordance with stage 2 in BIPRU 8 Annex 5 R (Consolidation requirements for a group containing a CAD full scope firm);

(3)

the group meets the conditions in BIPRU TP 12.1R(3) and (4) applied on a consolidated basis; and

(4)

the firm has a waiver that modifies BIPRU 8 (Group risk - consolidation) so as to require the firm to calculate its consolidated operational risk requirement in accordance with BIPRU TP 12.

Minimum consolidated capital requirement

12.13

If a firm applies BIPRU TP 12.12R to its UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group it must apply BIPRU TP 12.11R to that group in accordance with BIPRU TP 2.31R to BIPRU TP 2.33G (Consolidated capital floors for a firm using the IRB approach or AMA (advanced measurement approach)).

Changes in a firm's business

12.14

The Capital Adequacy Directive says that a competent authority may agree to reduce the capital floor implemented by BIPRU TP 12.11R and BIPRU TP 12.13R if such a reduction is prudentially justified by a reduction in the size of the firm's business. Those rules implement that option by requiring a firm to apply the IPRU requirements to its business as it changes over time.

06/04/2007

BIPRU TP 13

Other operational risk transitionals

Application

13.1

BIPRU TP 13 applies to a BIPRU firm.

Purpose

13.2

BIPRU TP 13 implements Articles 155 of the Banking Consolidation Directive and Article 44 of the Capital Adequacy Directive.

Relevant indicator

13.3

Until 31 December 2012, a percentage of 15% applies to the business line "Trading and Sales" of a firm whose relevant indicator (as referred to in BIPRU 6.4.6 R) for the business line "Trading and Sales" represents at least 50% of the total of the relevant indicators for all of the firm's business lines in accordance with BIPRU 6.4.6 R to BIPRU 6.4.16 G (Calculating the ORCR under the standardised approach to operational risk).

Reduced operational risk charge in 2007

13.4

BIPRU TP 3.21R (Reduced ORCR for a firm applying pre-CRD capital requirements in 2007) also contains a transitional rule about operational risk.

Systems and controls in 2007

13.5

A reference in BIPRU 6 (Operational risk) to SYSC 4 to SYSC 10 (referred to in this rule as the "common platform requirements") or a part of those requirements must be read as being to the corresponding provisions of SYSC 3. This rule ceases to have effect on 1 November 2007 or on any earlier date on which the firm elects to comply with the common platform requirements in accordance with SYSC.

01/01/2007

BIPRU TP 14

Market risk: VaR models

Application

14.1

BIPRU TP 14 applies to a BIPRU firm that:

(1)

has had a VaR model permission since 1 January 2007; and

(2)

on 31 December 2006 calculated its capital requirements under IPRU using the VaR model approach (as then in force) under a waiver or (in the case of a firm to which IPRU(BANK) or IPRU(BSOC) applied) written guidance (a "written concession").

Purpose

14.2

BIPRU TP 14 implements Article 47 of the Capital Adequacy Directive.

Duration of transitional

14.3

BIPRU TP 14 applies until 31 December 2009 or any earlier date specified in the firm's VaR model permission.

Specific risk calculations for VaR models

14.4

A firm may treat:

(1)

the VaR specific risk minimum requirements and the provisions about backtesting in relation to specific risk as being replaced by the provisions of the written concession referred to in BIPRU TP 14.1 relating to specific risk; and

(2)

the incremental default risk charge as being replaced by the provisions of that written concession relating to the calculation of capital requirements for specific risk.

01/01/2007

BIPRU TP 17

Large exposures: Exemptions for intra-group exposures for banks and investment firms

Application

17.1

This section applies to a BIPRU firm other than a building society.

Purpose

17.2

This section deals with the exemption or partial exemption of intra-group exposures from large exposure limits. It exempts some intra-group exposures. It allows a firm to use certain of the intra-group exemptions in IPRU for others. In some cases those IPRU exemptions apply in a modified form.

17.3

This section only applies to exposures to concentration risk group counterparties. This term broadly covers group members if they and the firm are subject to consolidated supervision by the FSA, another EEA competent authority or certain non-EEA regulators. The full definition can be found in the Glossary.

Duration of transitional

17.4

This section applies until 31 December 2009.

General rule

17.5

A firm may, to the extent permitted by this section, treat an exposure to a concentration risk group counterparty as exempt or partially exempt for the purposes of BIPRU 10 (Concentration risk) or, if the firm applies BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007), the relevant part of IPRU.

Effect of this section on intra-group concentration risk exemptions in BIPRU 10

17.6

If a firm applies this section, BIPRU 10.8 to BIPRU 10.10 (Integrated groups) do not apply.

17.7

The effect of BIPRU TP 17.6R is that a firm should not apply BIPRU 10.8 to BIPRU 10.10 (Integrated groups) to some exposures to concentration risk group counterparties and this section to others. The purpose of BIPRU TP 17.6R is that a firm should choose between treating intra-group exposures under the BIPRU 10 integrated group regime and treating them under the IPRU rules but that it should not mix the two approaches.

17.8

If a firm applies this section, BIPRU 10.7 (Treasury concession and intra-group securities financing transactions) continues to apply. However BIPRU 10.7 will not apply if the firm applies BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007).

Treatment of intra-group exposures

17.9

If a firm applies this section it must allocate each exposure to its concentration risk group counterparties to one of the categories in the table in BIPRU TP 17.10R and apply the applicable treatment in that table to it.

17.10

Table: Treatment for types of group counterparty
This table belongs to BIPRU TP 17.9R

Type of counterparty

Treatment

(1) Exposure to an undertaking that is a member of the firm's UK integrated group

Exempt

(2) Exposure to a domestic concentration risk group counterparty that is not a member of its UK integrated group

Not exempt or partially exempt unless an exemption outside this section is available

(3) An exposure to a foreign concentration risk group counterparty

Apply the treatment in the applicable part of the table in BIPRU TP 17.11R.
If it does not qualify as exempt or partially exempt under that table then it is not exempt or partially exempt unless an exemption outside this section is available

A domestic concentration risk group counterparty means a concentration risk group counterparties that meets the condition in BIPRU 10.8.4 R (4) (Establishment in the United Kingdom)

A foreign concentration risk group counterparty means a concentration risk group counterparty that does not meet the condition in BIPRU 10.8.4 R (4)

17.11

Table: Treatment of exposures to non-UK undertakings
This table belongs to BIPRU TP 17.10R

Category of firm

Treatment

Adjustments

Bank

Apply the treatment in BIPRU TP 17.15R

Treat exposure as exempt if it falls within paragraph (g) or (h) of the definition of exempt exposure in the Glossary to chapter 5 of IPRU(INV)
Treat exposure as partially exempt if it falls within paragraph (c) of the definition of partially exempt exposure in the Glossary to chapter 5 of IPRU(INV)

Paragraph (g) of the definition of exempt exposure is adjusted by replacing the reference to the Second Consolidated Supervision Directive and Directive 93/6 (the old version of the Capital Adequacy Directive) with a reference to the Banking Consolidation Directive and the Capital Adequacy Directive.

UCITS investment firm

Same as for investment management firm

Securities and futures firm

Treat exposure as exempt if it falls within rules 10-192(1)(g) or 10-192(1)(n) of chapter 10 of IPRU(INV)
Treat exposure as partially exempt if it falls within rule 10-192(2)(c) of chapter 10 of IPRU(INV)

Rule 10-192(1)(g) of chapter 10 of IPRU(INV) is adjusted by replacing the reference to rules 10-200 to 10-203 of chapter 10 of IPRU(INV) with a reference to BIPRU 8 and the consolidation provisions of BIPRU TP.

Personal investment firm

Treat exposure as exempt if it falls within item 11 in Table 13.6.2(1) of Chapter 13 of IPRU(INV)
Treat exposure as exempt or partially exempt if it falls within item 15 in Table 13.6.2(1) of Chapter 13 of IPRU(INV)

Note: A firm must apply any exemption or partial exemption in IPRU in accordance with the applicable IPRU rule.

17.12

The effect of BIPRU TP 17.9R to BIPRU TP 17.11R is that a firm may only apply the IPRU and other treatments in the table in BIPRU TP 17.11R to non-UK undertakings. An exposure to a UK undertaking is exempt if it is a member of the firm's UK integrated group. If the UK undertakings is not a member of the firm's UK integrated group no exemption is available even if an exemption would have been available under IPRU.

17.13

If an exposure to a concentration risk group counterparty is not exempt or partially exempt under the table in BIPRU TP 17.10R or BIPRU TP 17.11R the exemptions in BIPRU 10.5 (Excess exposures in the trading book), BIPRU 10.6 (General exemptions) and BIPRU 10.7 (Treasury concession and intra-group securities financing transactions) may be available. BIPRU 10.8 to BIPRU 10.10 (Integrated groups) do not apply. However none of the exemptions in BIPRU 10 will apply if the firm applies BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007).

17.14

BIPRU TP 1.3R explains whether a BIPRU investment firm is a securities and futures firm, an investment management firm or a personal investment firm.

Exemption for banks

17.15

An exposure of a bank coming within column 1 of row (3) of the table in BIPRU TP 17.10R is exempt if:

(1)

both the counterparty and the bank are in the same integrated banking group as defined in BIPRU TP 17.16R;

(2)

both the counterparty and the bank are included within the scope of consolidation on a full basis with respect to the same UK consolidation group;

(3)

the counterparty is not a member of that UK consolidation group in which no more than a participation is held;

(4)

BIPRU 8.2.1 R (Main consolidation rule for UK consolidation groups) applies to the firm with respect to that UK consolidation group; and

(5)

capital resources are freely transferable between the counterparty and the UK bank referred to in BIPRU TP 17.16R(1).

17.16

An integrated banking group means, in relation to a firm, a group of undertakings (the "potential integrated banking group") that satisfy the following conditions:

(1)

the potential integrated banking group is managed as an integrated banking business by a UK bank; and

(2)

the UK bank in (1) is the principal bank in the potential integrated banking group.

17.17

An undertaking is included within the scope of consolidation of a group on a full basis as referred to in BIPRU TP 17.15R(2) if it is at the head of the group or if its assets and liabilities are taken into account in full as referred to in BIPRU 8.5.4 R (Basis of inclusion of undertakings in consolidation).

Notification

17.18

A firm may not apply this section unless it has given one Month's prior notice to the FSA that it intends do so. That notice must specify which category of firm listed in the table in BIPRU TP 17.11R it belongs to.

17.19

A firm need only give the FSA the notice required in BIPRU TP 17.18R once rather than with respect to each exposure.

17.20

A firm may stop applying this section if it has given one Month's prior notice to the FSA that it intends to do so.

17.21

If a firm stops applying this section it may start to apply it again if it notifies the FSA under BIPRU TP 17.18R that it intends to do so.

17.22

A firm must notify the FSA if it becomes aware that any exposure that it has treated as exempt or partially exempt under this section has ceased to meet the conditions for that treatment.

Combination of this section with BIPRU TP 3

17.23

A firm may apply this section even if it also applies BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007). However such a firm may not apply the treatments in the table in BIPRU TP 17.11R but must instead apply the corresponding provisions in the part of IPRU that it is applying under BIPRU TP 3.

17.24

The part of IPRU(BANK) that corresponds to BIPRU TP 17.15R is paragraph 2b) of part 3.1.1 of section 3 of Chapter CS as applied by Chapter LE for large exposures purposes.

17.25

The reason for BIPRU TP 17.23R is that BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) already allows a firm to use the IPRU exemptions and partial exemptions listed in the table in BIPRU TP 17.11R so it is not necessary to give the firm an additional right to apply those treatments under this section.

17.26

In general this section does not give any exemption that is not available under IPRU. However the exemption in row (1) of the table in BIPRU TP 17.10R (exposures within the UK integrated group) is not in IPRU although in practice a firm may find that the IPRU exemptions will cover most or all the things covered by the exemption in the table in BIPRU TP 17.10R.

17.27

If row (2) of the table in BIPRU TP 17.10R (certain exposures to UK counterparties) treats an exposure as non-exempt a firm that applies BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) may still treat it as exempt if the relevant provisions of IPRU allow this.

Consolidation

17.28

The application of this section on a consolidated basis is dealt with in BIPRU TP 19 (Large exposures: Exemptions for intra-group exposures on a consolidated basis).

01/01/2007

BIPRU TP 18

Large exposures: Exemptions for intra-group exposures for building societies

Application

18.1

This section applies to a building society.

18.2

This section does not apply to a building society that applies BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007).

18.3

The reason for BIPRU TP 18.2 R is that BIPRU TP 18 reproduces (with amendments) part of the large exposures requirements of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC). If a firm applies BIPRU TP 3 (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a solo basis during 2007) all the large exposure requirements of IPRU(BSOC) will apply. There is therefore no need to apply BIPRU TP 18 in these circumstances.

Purpose

18.4

This section reproduces, with amendments, paragraphs 7.5.1 to 7.5.3 of Chapter 7 of volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC). However it does not carry forward the 300% limit in paragraph 7.4.2(2) of that volume.

Duration of transitional

18.5

This section applies until 31 December 2009.

General rule

18.6

BIPRU 10.5.6 R (25% exposure limit) does not apply to an exposure of a building society to a subsidiary undertaking of the building society. Instead the building society must ensure that:

(1)

the total amount of its exposures to any single subsidiary undertaking within the building society's UK consolidation group or to any sub-group of such subsidiary undertakings does not exceed 20% of its capital resources; and

(2)

the total amount of its exposures to its subsidiary undertakings that are not within the building society's UK consolidation group does not exceed 20% of its capital resources.

18.7

Exposures to subsidiary undertakings still count towards the overall limit of 800% of capital resources as set out in BIPRU 10.5.8 R unless otherwise exempted.

Effect of BIPRU TP 18 on concentration risk exemptions in BIPRU 10

18.8

A building society must choose between applying this section to all its exposures to its subsidiary undertakings or to none of them.

18.9

If a building society applies this section, BIPRU 10.8 to BIPRU 10.10 (Integrated groups) do not apply.

18.10

If a firm applies this section, BIPRU 10.7 (Treasury concession and intra-group securities financing transactions) continues to apply.

Notification

18.11

BIPRU TP 17.18R to BIPRU TP 17.22R (Notification) apply to this section as they do to BIPRU TP 17 (Large exposures: Exemptions for intra-group exposures for banks and investment firms).

Consolidation

18.12

The application of this section on a consolidated basis is dealt with in BIPRU TP 19 (Large exposures: Exemptions for intra-group exposures on a consolidated basis).

01/01/2007

BIPRU TP 19

Large exposures: Exemptions for intra-group exposures on a consolidated basis

Application

19.1

This section applies to any firm to which BIPRU 8 (Group risk - consolidation) applies.

Purpose

19.2

The purpose of this section is to deal with how BIPRU TP 17 (Large exposures: Exemptions for intra-group exposures for banks and investment firms) and BIPRU TP 18 (Large exposures: Exemptions for intra-group exposures for building societies) are applied on a consolidated basis.

Duration of transitional

19.3

(1) This section applies until 31 December 2009.

General rule

19.4

A firm may apply BIPRU TP 17 (Large exposures: Exemptions for intra-group exposures for banks and investment firms) and BIPRU TP 18 (Large exposures: Exemptions for intra-group exposures for building societies) on a consolidated basis with respect to a UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group for the purposes of BIPRU 8.9 (Consolidated concentration risk requirements). If a firm applies BIPRU TP 17 or BIPRU TP 18 on a consolidated basis, it must do so in the way set out in this section.

Effect of this section on exemptions for intra-group exposures under BIPRU 8.9

19.5

If a firm applies this section, BIPRU 8.9.8 R to BIPRU 8.9.26 R (Application of integrated groups policy on a consolidated basis) do not apply and a firm may not otherwise apply BIPRU 10.8 to BIPRU 10.10 (Integrated groups) on a consolidated basis.

19.6

The purpose of BIPRU TP 19.5R is that a firm should choose between applying the BIPRU 8.9 integrated group regime to intra-group exposures or applying the regime in this section but that it should not mix the two approaches.

Parts of BIPRU TP 17 and BIPRU TP 18 that apply on a consolidated basis

19.7

The table in BIPRU TP 19.8R sets out what parts of BIPRU TP 17 (Large exposures: Exemptions for intra-group exposures for banks and investment firms) and BIPRU TP 18 (Large exposures: Exemptions for intra-group exposures for building societies) are applied on a consolidated basis under BIPRU TP 19.4R. The answer depends on which of the categories in the first column of that table the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group in question falls into.

19.8

Table: Parts of BIPRU TP 17 and BIPRU TP 18 that apply on a consolidated basis
This table belongs to BIPRU TP 19.7R

Category of group

Applicable parts of BIPRU TP 17 and BIPRU TP 18

Remarks

Building society group

BIPRU TP 18 (Large exposures: Exemptions for intra-group exposures for building societies)

Banking group

The provisions in BIPRU TP 17 (Large exposures: Exemptions for intra-group exposures for banks and investment firms) that apply to a bank

If the group is a non-EEA sub-group, the exemption in BIPRU TP 17.15R (Integrated banking groups) applies.
If the group is a UK consolidation group, the exemption in BIPRU TP 17.15R does not apply.

Investment services group

The provisions in BIPRU TP 17 (Large exposures: Exemptions for intra-group exposures for banks and investment firms) that apply to the main BIPRU investment firm

Main BIPRU investment firm has the same meaning as it does in BIPRU TP 10.5R (Pre CRD capital requirements applying on a consolidated basis during 2007)

Note: The classes of group in the first column are defined in BIPRU TP 1.7R (Classification of groups for certain consolidation rules)

19.9

The reason that BIPRU TP 17.15R (Integrated banking groups) does not apply to a UK consolidation group is that BIPRU TP 17.15R requires the firm and the counterparty to be in the same UK consolidation group. The application of BIPRU TP 17.15R on a consolidated basis to a UK consolidation group would involve applying BIPRU TP 17.15R to exposures of members of the UK consolidation group to counterparties outside the UK consolidation group. Therefore the exemption in BIPRU TP 17.15R cannot apply to a UK consolidation group.

How this section applies to banking and investment services groups

19.10

(1)

If a firm applies BIPRU TP 17 (Large exposures: Exemptions for intra-group exposures for banks and investment firms) under this section it must do so in accordance with the principles in this rule.

(2)

A firm may only apply BIPRU TP 17 to exposures between members of its UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group and its consolidation concentration risk group counterparties.

(3)

A firm must treat each category of exposure in the first column of the table in BIPRU TP 19.11R in accordance with the corresponding treatment in the second column.

19.11

Table: Treatment for types of group counterparty
This table belongs to BIPRU TP 19.10R

Type of exposure

Treatment

(A) Exposures meeting the following conditions: (a) the member of the group that has the exposure is a domestic undertaking and (b) the exposure is to a consolidation concentration risk group counterparty that qualifies for inclusion in the group's consolidation UK integrated group

Exempt

(B) The exposure is to a consolidation concentration risk group counterparty that meets the following conditions: (a) the counterparty is a domestic undertaking and (b) the counterparty does not meet the other conditions for inclusion in the group's consolidation UK integrated group

Not exempt or partially exempt unless an exemption outside this section is available

(a)the exposure meets both the following conditions: (i) the member of the group that has the exposure is foreign and (ii) the consolidation concentration risk group counterparty qualifies for inclusion in the group's consolidation UK integrated group; or(b)the exposure is to a foreign consolidation concentration risk group counterparty

Exempt if would be exempt under BIPRU TP 17.11R (Treatment of non-UK intra-group exposures)
Partially exempt if would be partially exempt under BIPRU TP 17.11R
Not exempt or partially exempt if would not qualify as exempt or partially exempt under BIPRU TP 17.11R unless an exemption outside this section is available

"Group" means the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group in question

An undertaking is a domestic undertaking if it meets the condition in BIPRU 10.8.4 R (4) (Establishment in the United Kingdom)

An undertaking is foreign if it does not meet the condition in BIPRU 10.8.4 R (4)

19.12

This section as it applies to banking groups and investment services groups (as defined in BIPRU TP 1.7R (Classification of groups for certain consolidation rules)) feeds back into the calculations in BIPRU 8.9 (Consolidated concentration risk requirements). So if an intra-group exposure is exempt under this section it is exempt for the purposes of BIPRU 8.9. Likewise, if an intra-group exposure is partially exempt under this section it is partially exempt for the purposes of BIPRU 8.9.

19.13

(1)

This paragraph describes the effect of BIPRU TP 19.11R

(2)

An exposure between a UK member of the group and a UK counterparty that meets the consolidated integrated group conditions in BIPRU 8.9.9 R (Definition of consolidation UK integrated group) is exempt. Therefore this exemption is only available if both the group member and the counterparty are UK undertakings.

(3)

A firm may apply the IPRU treatments in the table in BIPRU TP 17.11R (Treatment of exposures to non-UK undertakings) to an exposure between an overseas member of the group and a UK counterparty that meets the consolidated integrated group conditions in BIPRU 8.9.9 R.

(4)

A firm may also apply the IPRU and other treatments in the table in BIPRU TP 17.11R if the counterparty is foreign.

(5)

exposures to UK undertakings that do not meet the consolidated integrated group conditions in BIPRU 8.9.9 R are not exempt. Nor do they benefit from the exemptions and partial exemptions under BIPRU TP 17.11R.

(6)

The treatment in this paragraph only relates to counterparties who fall within the definition of consolidation concentration risk group counterparty.

(7)

In this paragraph "group" means the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group in question.

19.14

(1)

A consolidation concentration risk group counterparty is defined in BIPRU 8.9.11 R. It is the equivalent of a concentration risk group counterparty for the purposes of consolidation. Basically it means a counterparty that is not a member of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group but is a parent undertaking of a member of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group or a subsidiary undertaking of such a parent undertaking. It also includes a subsidiary undertaking of a member of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group that is not itself a member of the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group.

(2)

The group and the counterparty should both be subject to consolidated supervision as part of a wider group by the FSA, another EEA competent authority or a third country competent authority that carries out consolidated supervision to equivalent standards. If this is not the case the counterparty is not a consolidation concentration risk group counterparty. exposures to such a counterparty fall outside this section.

(3)

In this paragraph "group" means the UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group.

Integrated banking groups

19.15

If BIPRU TP 17.15R (Integrated banking groups) applies on a consolidated basis, a firm may treat an exposure between a member of the non-EEA sub-group and a non-UK counterparty as exempt if the counterparty and the non-EEA sub-group are part of the same UK consolidation group and also part of the same integrated banking group. If the counterparty is set up in the UK the exposure will be exempt if it meets the conditions for inclusion in the group's consolidation UK integrated group, whether or not it meets the conditions in BIPRU TP 17.15R. If the counterparty is set up in the UK and does not meet the conditions for inclusion in the group's consolidation UK integrated group, there is no exemption, whether or not it meets the conditions in BIPRU TP 17.15R.

Building society groups

19.16

If BIPRU TP 18 (Large exposures: Exemptions for intra-group exposures for building societies) applies on a consolidated basis to a non-EEA sub-group under this section there are two limits. Firstly the total amount of the exposures of the non-EEA sub-group to any single subsidiary undertaking in the UK consolidation group of which the non-EEA sub-group forms part or any sub-group of such subsidiary undertakings should not exceed 20% of the consolidated capital resources of the non-EEA sub-group. Secondly the total amount of the exposures of members of the non-EEA sub-group to subsidiary undertakings of the parent building society who are not part of the UK consolidation group should not exceed 20% of the consolidated capital resources of the non-EEA sub-group.

19.17

If BIPRU TP 18 (Large exposures: Exemptions for intra-group exposures for building societies) applies on a consolidated basis to a UK consolidation group under this section the total amount of the exposures of the UK consolidation group to subsidiary undertakings of the parent building society who are not part of the UK consolidation group should not exceed 20% of the consolidated capital resources of the UK consolidation group. exposures within the UK consolidation group are eliminated on consolidation in the usual way.

19.18

The consolidated 25% exposure limit in BIPRU 8.9 (Consolidated concentration risk requirements) does not apply to subsidiary undertakings of the parent building society where the treatment described in BIPRU TP 19.16G or BIPRU TP 19.17G applies.

Notification

19.19

BIPRU TP 17.18R to BIPRU TP 17.22R (Notification) apply to this section as they do to BIPRU TP 17. The notice referred to in BIPRU TP 17.18R must state what kind of group listed in BIPRU TP 1.7R (Classification of groups for certain consolidation rules) the firm belongs to rather than what category the firm falls into.

01/01/2007

BIPRU TP 20

Standardised credit risk transitionals

Application

20.1

This section applies to a BIPRU firm.

Days past due

20.2

(1)

This rule applies to an exposure in another EEA State of a type to which a CRD implementation measure in that EEA State for the first paragraph of Article 154(1) of the Banking Consolidation Directive (Transitional rule for days past due for claims on PSEs and corporates and retail exposures) applies.

(2)

If the number of days past due set under that CRD implementation measure is greater than the number in BIPRU 3.4.96 R (Treatment of items past due for more than 90 days) that higher number applies.

20.3

BIPRU TP 20.2R applies until 31 December 2011 or any earlier date on which the relevant CRD implementation measure ceases to apply.

20.4

BIPRU TP 20.2R implements (in part) Article 154(1) of the Banking Consolidation Directive.

Central government exposures

20.5

Until 31 December 2012, a 0% risk weight applies to exposures to the central government of the United Kingdom and of the Bank of England denominated and funded in the currency of another EEA State.

20.6

If the CRD implementation measures of another EEA State apply a 0% risk weight to exposures to its central government or central bank denominated and funded in the domestic currency of another EEA State a firm must risk weight such exposures in the same manner.

20.7

BIPRU TP 20.6R applies until 31 December 2012 or any earlier date on which the relevant CRD implementation measure ceases to apply.

20.8

BIPRU TP 20.5R to BIPRU TP 20.7R implements (in part) Article 153 of the Banking Consolidation Directive.

01/01/2007

BIPRU TP 21

Close substitutes for commodities

Application

21.1

This section applies to a BIPRU firm that on 31 December 2006 was applying the approach referred to in the first column of the table in BIPRU TP 21.3R with respect to particular grades or brands of the same commodity-class.

Commodities: close substitutes

21.2

A notice given under the IPRU provision in the second column of the table in BIPRU TP 21.3R is treated as having been given under BIPRU 7.4.23 R (Notice to the FSA about treatment of different grades or brands of the same commodity) for the purposes of BIPRU 7.4.22 R (Treatment of different grades or brands of the same commodity) with respect to the commodity grades or brands referred to in BIPRU TP 21.1R.

21.3

Table: Commodity treatments under IPRU
This table belongs to BIPRU TP 21.2R

IPRU provisions setting out commodity approach

IPRU provisions under which notice given

Paragraph 22(2) of appendix 6 of chapter 10 of IPRU(INV)

Paragraph 23 of appendix 6 of chapter 10 of IPRU(INV)

Paragraph 22(2) of chapter CM of IPRU(BANK)

Paragraph 23 of chapter CM of IPRU(BANK)

Explanation

21.3

BIPRU 7.4.22 R (1)(b) says that a firm should treat positions in different grades or brands of the same commodity-class as different commodities unless they are close substitutes and have price movements which have exhibited a stable correlation coefficient of at least 0.9 over the last 12 months. BIPRU 7.4.23 R says that a firm should notify the FSA in writing at least 20 business days prior to the date the firm starts relying on this treatment. The purpose of this section is to allow a notice given under the corresponding provisions of chapter 10 of IPRU(INV) or IPRU(BANK) to continue to have effect without the firm having to serve a new notice under BIPRU 7.4.23 R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU TP 22

Solo consolidation

Application

22.1

This section applies to a BIPRU firm that:

(1)

is a bank or building society; and

(2)

on 31 December 2006, was, in accordance with the provision of IPRU referred to in BIPRU TP 22.2R and in accordance with a concession (as defined in BIPRU TP 22.8R), solo-consolidating a subsidiary undertaking.

22.2

The provisions of IPRU referred to in BIPRU TP 22.1R are:

(1)

(in the case of a bank) section 9 of chapter CS of IPRU(BANK); and

(2)

(in the case of a building society) section 1.11 of chapter 1 of volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC).

Deemed solo consolidation waiver

22.3

A concession referred to in BIPRU TP 22.1R is treated as a solo consolidation waiver with respect to the subsidiary undertaking to which it relates if the firm notifies the FSA that the firm wishes to apply the treatment in BIPRU 2.1 (Solo consolidation) to that subsidiary undertaking.

Notice to the FSA

22.4

The following requirements apply to a notice under BIPRU TP 22.3R:

(1)

the firm must give the FSA the notice on or after 1 June 2006 and on or before 29 December 2006;

(2)

the notice must contain details of the concession concerned;

(3)

the notice must give the name of the subsidiary undertaking concerned and say where it is incorporated and has its head office; and

(4)

the notice must say whether that subsidiary undertaking is a body corporate and state the legal form of that subsidiary undertaking.

Limitations

22.5

Any condition, limitation or requirement to which a concession referred to in BIPRU TP 22.1R is subject continues to apply to the extent that it is compatible with BIPRU. In particular, if the concession was only for the purpose of large exposures it only has effect for the purposes of BIPRU 10 (Concentration risk) and if it was only for the purposes of capital adequacy it only has effect for the purposes of GENPRU 2.1.13 R (Obligation to hold capital resources equal to or greater than the capital resources requirement) or GENPRU 2.1.60 R (Calculation of base capital resources requirement for banks authorised before 1993).

Obligation to meet other qualifying conditions

22.6

A firm with a deemed solo consolidation waiver under BIPRU TP 22.3R may not apply the treatment in BIPRU 2.1 (Solo consolidation) to the subsidiary undertaking concerned unless the conditions in BIPRU 2.1.20 R to BIPRU 2.1.24 R (Solo consolidation - Minimum standards) are met with respect to that subsidiary undertaking.

Notification of relevance etc of concession

22.7

A firm which has the benefit of a concession that has effect under BIPRU TP 22.3R must notify the FSA immediately if it becomes aware of any matter which is material to the relevance or appropriateness of the concession.

Meaning of concession

22.8

A concession means for the purposes of BIPRU TP 22:

(1)

a consent or approval by the FSA under the provisions of IPRU(BANK) or IPRU(BSOC) referred to in BIPRU TP 22.2R; and

(2)

a concession also means for the purposes of BIPRU TP 22 a written concession as defined in SUP TP 1.4 (Grandfathering of concessions granted by the FSA's predecessor regulators: rules in the Handbook) or SUP TP 1.2.6A (Grandfathering of concessions granted by the FSA's predecessor regulators: guidance in the Handbook) that had effect for the purposes of the provisions of IPRU(BANK) or IPRU(BSOC) referred to in BIPRU TP 22.2R.

22.9

BIPRU TP 22.8R(2) provides a mechanism for keeping in effect solo consolidation concessions granted by the Bank of England and the Building Societies Commission.

06/04/2007

BIPRU TP 23

Record keeping transitionals

Application

23.1

This section applies to a BIPRU investment firm.

Duration of transitional

23.2

This section applies until 1 November 2007.

Continuing record keeping requirements

23.3

A firm in the first column of the table in BIPRU TP 23.4R must comply with the rules in IPRU(INV) specified in the second column adjusted in accordance with BIPRU TP 23.5R.

23.4

Table: List of IPRU reporting rules
This table belongs to BIPRU TP 23.3R

Type of firm

IPRU(INV) rules

Investment management firm

Rule 5.3.1 of chapter 5

UCITS investment firm

Rules 7.4.1(c) and 7.6.2 of chapter 7

Securities and futures firm

Rules 10-10, 10-11 and 10-12 of chapter 10

Personal investment firm

Rules 13.1.10 to 13.1.17 of chapter 13

Adjustments

23.5

The adjustments referred to in BIPRU TP 23.3R are as follows:

(1)

a reference to a firm's financial resources requirements must be read as a reference to its obligations under GENPRU 2.1 (Calculation of capital resources requirement) and any capital resources requirement under BIPRU TP;

(2)

the terms trading book and non-trading book have the meanings in the Glossary; and

(3)

a reference to requirements in IPRU(INV) must be read as a reference to the requirements of GENPRU and BIPRU applicable to the firm concerned.

01/01/2007

BIPRU TP 24

Mid market valuations

Application

24.1

This section applies to a BIPRU firm.

Duration of transitional

24.2

This section applies until 1 January 2008.

Transitional rule

24.3

When marking to market (see GENPRU 1.3.14 R to GENPRU 1.3.16 R (General requirements: Marking to market)) for the purposes of valuing a trading book item for the purpose of BIPRU 14 (Capital requirements for settlement and counterparty risk), a firm may choose between using the mid market value and the more prudent side of bid/offer whether or not the firm is a significant market maker in the item concerned. A firm must be consistent in the basis it chooses.

01/01/2007

BIPRU TP 25

Exclusions from consolidation

Application

25.1

This section applies to a firm to which BIPRU 8 (Group risk - consolidation) applies.

Duration of transitional

25.2

This section applies until 1 January 2008. However BIPRU TP 25.8R continues in force until it is revoked.

Transitional rule

25.3

A firm may exclude a member of its UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group that would otherwise have been included under BIPRU 8.5 (Basis of consolidation) if, as at 31 December 2006, that member was excluded from the firm's UK consolidation group in accordance with any of the following:

(1)

bullet points one or three of paragraph 6 of section 4 of Chapter CS of IPRU(BANK) (exclusion from consolidation where inclusion would be inappropriate or misleading or where there are legal impediments to the transfer of information); or

(2)

section 1.13 of Chapter 1 of Volume 1 of IPRU(BSOC) (exclusion of subsidiary undertakings where inclusion in the consolidation would be misleading or inappropriate); or

(3)

IPRU(INV) 14.2.5R(2) (exclusion from consolidation where inclusion would be inappropriate or misleading); or

(4)

any waiver from the consolidation provisions of Chapter 14 of IPRU(INV) or (in the case of IPRU(BSOC)) a written consent or approval by the FSA on the ground set out in indent one of Article 52(3) of the Directive 2000/12 (the previous version of the Banking Consolidation Directive) (exclusion from consolidation where there are legal impediments to the transfer of information).

25.4

A firm may only apply BIPRU TP 25.3R to a member of its UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group if the firm or another member of its UK consolidation group notifies the FSA in writing that it intends to apply that rule to that member and the notice complies with the following requirements:

(1)

the FSA was notified on or after 1 November 2006 and on or before 29 December 2006;

(2)

the notice must give the name of the member concerned and say where it is incorporated and has its head office; and

(3)

the notice must say whether that member is a body corporate and state the legal form of that member.

Limitations

25.5

Any condition, limitation or requirement to which the treatment in BIPRU TP 25.3R is subject continues to apply to the extent that it is compatible with BIPRU.

Obligation to meet other qualifying conditions

25.6

A firm may only apply the treatment in BIPRU TP 25.3R if the conditions in whichever is applicable of Article 73(1)(a) (exclusion from consolidation where there are legal impediments to transfer of information) or Article 73(1)(c) (exclusion from consolidation where inclusion would be inappropriate or misleading) of the Banking Consolidation Directive continue to be satisfied.

Notification of relevance etc of concession

25.7

A firm must notify the FSA immediately if it becomes aware of any matter which is material to the relevance or appropriateness of the continuance of the treatment in BIPRU TP 25.3R.

Small balance sheet size exclusion

25.8

If a firm excluded a member of its UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group from the firm's UK consolidation group in accordance with:

(1)

bullet point two of paragraph 6 of section 4 of Chapter CS of IPRU(BANK) (exclusion from consolidation where combined balance sheet is below certain thresholds);

(2)

IPRU(INV) 14.2.5R(1) (exclusion from consolidation where combined balance sheet is below certain thresholds); or

(3)

a written consent or approval by the FSA under IPRU(BSOC) on the ground set out in indent two of Article 52(3) of the Directive 2000/12 (the previous version of the Banking Consolidation Directive) (exclusion from consolidation where combined balance sheet is below certain thresholds);

the firm need not notify the FSA under BIPRU 8.5.9 R (exclusion from consolidation where combined balance sheet is below certain thresholds) as long as it has notified the FSA of its intention to take advantage of this rule and that notice complies with BIPRU TP 25.4R.

01/01/2007

BIPRU Sch 1

Record keeping requirements

01/01/2007

1 The aim of the guidance in the following table is to give the reader a quick overall view of the relevant record keeping requirements.

2 It is not a complete statement of those requirements and should not be relied on as if it were.

3 Table

Handbook
reference

Subject of Record

Contents of Record

When record must be made

Retention Period

BIPRU 2.2.5 G

Firm's ICAAP

(1) The results of the ICAAP
(2) An explanation of the processes used
(3) How the process is used internally and for what purpose
(4) Internal governance
(5) The main sources of risk to which the firm is exposed
(6) How the firm is managing each of those risks
(7) Details of stress and scenario testing that has been conducted
(8) The rationale behind the chosen scenarios
(9) The results of those scenario tests

Annually

Not specified

BIPRU 5.2.3 R,
BIPRU 5.4.11 R (2),
BIPRU 9.5.1 R (5)

Legal opinions confirming enforceability

A record of the legal review showing enforceability of credit protection arrangements in all relevant jurisdictions

Not specified, but before risk mitigant is recognised

Review conducted as necessary

BIPRU 5.2.9 R

Risk management processes

Documented risk management processes to control the risks that firm may be exposed to as a result of carrying out credit risk mitigation

Not specified, but before risk mitigant is recognised

Not specified

BIPRU 5.4.12 R

Collateral procedures

(1) A clear and robust procedure for the liquidation of collateral
(2) Documented policies covering the types and amounts of collateral accepted

Not specified, but before collateral is recognised

Not specified

BIPRU 5.4.59 R,
BIPRU 5.4.60 R

Volatility adjustments for financial collateral

(1) Documentation of a system estimating volatility adjustments and the integration of the volatility adjustments in its risk management process
(2) Review of system estimating volatility adjustments

Not specified, but before own estimates of volatility adjustments approach is used for capital purposes

Not specified

BIPRU 5.7.8 R

System to manage concentration of risk arising from guarantees and credit derivatives

Documentation of a system to manage potential concentration risk arising from unfunded credit protection and how this interacts with its management of its overall risk profile

Not specified, but before unfunded credit protection is recognised

Not specified

BIPRU 7.10.53 R,
BIPRU 7.10.54 G

Material risks not captured in the firm's VaR model

Documented risks not captured in the VaR model and creation of a prudent incremental PRR charge for the risk not captured

Not specified

BIPRU 9.4.3 R

Legal opinions for securitised exposures

A record of the legal opinions confirming that the securitised exposures have been put beyond the reach of the originator

Not specified, but before securitised exposures are excluded from capital calculation

Review conducted as necessary

BIPRU 9.13.12 R (1)

Capital plan in case of early amortisation

For controlled amortisation, the capital/liquidity plan to ensure that sufficient capital and liquidity are available in the event of early amortisation

Not specified

BIPRU 9.13.21 R

Capital plan in case of either scheduled or early amortisation

The capital plan to address the capital implications of both scheduled and early amortisation

Not specified

BIPRU 10.4.47 R

Exposure to undisclosed counterparties

A record of the steps taken by the firm to satisfy itself that it will continue to meet the limits in BIPRU 10.5 for non-trading book exposures and trading book exposures

Not specified

BIPRU 13.6.48 R

Operation of CCR management system

Documented set of internal policies, controls and procedures concerning the operation of the CCR management system

Prior to application for CCR internal model method permission

Continuous

BIPRU 13.7.6 R (2)

Legal opinion regarding netting agreements

A record of legal opinions that, in the event of a legal challenge, relevant courts and administrative authorities would find that the firm's claims and obligations would be limited to the net sum in BIPRU 13.7.6 R (1)

On entering into a transaction and making use of netting agreements

While transaction held

01/01/2007

BIPRU Sch 2

Notification and reporting requirements

01/01/2007

1 The aim of the guidance in the following table is to give the reader a quick overall view of the relevant notification requirements.

2 It is not a complete statement of those requirements and should not be relied on as if it were.

3 Table

Handbook reference

Matter to be notified

Contents of notification

Trigger event

Time allowed

BIPRU 1.2.30 R

Adoption of or significant change to a trading book policy statement

Copy of the trading book policy statement

Adoption of or significant change to a trading book policy statement

Immediately

BIPRU 3.2.35 R (1), (4) and (5)

Intention to apply BIPRU 3.2.35 R

(1) and (4): Fact of intention
(5): Fact of exposure or firm ceasing to meet the conditions in BIPRU 3.2.35 R

(1) and (4): Intention to apply
(5): Ceasing to meet conditions

(1) and (4): One month's prior notice
(5): First report date after the obligation to notify becomes due

BIPRU 7.4.23 R

Intention to rely on approach in BIPRU 7.4.22 R (1)(b)

Fact of intention and details on which commodities the firm intends to treat as same commodity-class and justification

Intention to rely

At least 20 business days prior to the date the firm starts relying on BIPRU 7.4.23 R

BIPRU 7.5.4 R

Intention to use an exclusion under BIPRU 7.5.4 R (1)

Fact of intention and the terms on which the relevant item will be excluded from the firm's foreign currency PRR calculation

Intention to use

Before use of the exclusion

BIPRU 7.10.104 R

Occurrence of backtesting exception

Fact of backtesting exception

Backtesting exception

Orally within 2 business days, and written account of all backtesting exceptions that Month, within 5 business days after the Month

BIPRU 7.10.129 R

Operation of the VaR model, systems and controls relating to it and changes to the VaR model and those systems and controls

Documentation specified in the VaR model waiver/VaR model permission

FSA specified requirements

No later than number of business days after the end of each quarter specified in the VaR model permission

BIPRU 7.10.130 R

Details of significant planned changes to the VaR model

Information about the nature of the change and an estimate of the impact on VaR numbers and the incremental default risk charge

Intention to change

Prior to any changes being implemented

BIPRU 8.4.18 R(2)

Serious risk that could undermine the financial stability of the CAD Article 22 group

Fact of serious risk to group financial stability

Events/
activities leading to serious risk to group financial stability

As soon as the firm becomes aware of that risk

BIPRU 8.4.18 R (3)

Consolidated capital resources and consolidated capital resources requirement of the CAD Article 22 group as set out in the investment firm consolidation waiver

Amount of CAD Article 22 group consolidated capital resources and consolidated capital resources requirement

Periodically as set out in the investment firm consolidation waiver

Not specified

BIPRU 8.4.18 R (4)

Large exposures risks of the CAD Article 22 group including undertakings not located in a member State

Periodically as set out in the investment firm consolidation waiver

Not specified

BIPRU 8.5.9 R

Intention to exclude an undertaking from consolidation

Fact of intention and details of undertaking to be excluded

Intention to exclude

In accordance with SUP 15.7

BIPRU 8.7.16 R

(1) The choice of consolidation technique in BIPRU 8.7.13 R it applies for which consolidated requirement component: and
(2) to which members of the relevant group it is applying the different methods in BIPRU 8.7.13 R

(1) The choice of consolidation technique in BIPRU 8.7.13 R to be applied for each consolidated requirement component
(2) the members of the relevant group to which it is applying the different methods in BIPRU 8.7.13 R

See SUP 16

BIPRU 8.9.4 R, BIPRU 8.9.27 R

Use of Treasury concession in BIPRU 10.7 on a consolidated basis

Intention to use Treasury concession

BIPRU 8.9.8 R, BIPRU 8.9.27 R

Creation of a consolidation UK integrated group

Intention to form consolidation UK integrated group