Application

Part

GENPRU General Prudential sourcebook

Chapter

Application

Printed on: 19/04/2025

Rulebook at: 31/12/2011

GENPRU 1

Application

GENPRU 1.1

Application

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.1.1

There is no overall application statement for GENPRU. Each chapter or section has its own application statement.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.1.2

Broadly speaking however, GENPRU applies to:

(1) an insurer;
(2) a bank;
(3) a building society;
(4) a BIPRU investment firm; and
(5) groups containing such firms.

31/12/2006

Scope

GENPRU 1.1.3

GENPRU applies to a firm in relation to the whole of its business, except where a particular provision provides for a narrower scope.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2

Adequacy of financial resources

31/12/2006

Application

GENPRU 1.2.1

This section applies to:

(1) a BIPRU firm; and
(2) an insurer, unless it is:

(a) a non-directive friendly society; or
(b) a Swiss general insurer; or
(c) an EEA-deposit insurer; or
(d) an incoming EEA firm; or
(e) an incoming Treaty firm.

(3) [deleted]

01/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.2A

In relation to any provision in this section which applies to a BIPRU firm, a reference in that provision to "financial resources" does not constitute a reference to "liquidity resources".

01/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.3A

In relation to:

(1) a BIPRU firm;
(2) an incoming EEA firm which:

(a) is a full BCD credit institution; and
(b) has a branch in the United Kingdom; and

(3) a third country BIPRU firm which:

(a) is a bank; and
(b) has a branch in the United Kingdom;

BIPRU 12 contains rules and guidance in relation to the adequacy of that firm's liquidity resources.

01/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.6

If an insurer carries on:

(1) long-term insurance business; and
(2) general insurance business;

This section applies separately to each type of business.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.7

The guidance in this section is drafted with respect to a firm to which this section and the other provisions of GENPRU and BIPRU (except BIPRU 12) referred to in this section apply in full.

01/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.10

The scope of application of this section is not restricted to insurers that are subject to the relevant EU Directives.

01/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.11

The adequacy of a firm's financial resources needs to be assessed in relation to all the activities of the firm and the risks to which they give rise and so this section applies to a firm in relation to the whole of its business. In the case of a UCITS investment firm this means that this section is not limited to designated investment business excluding scheme management activity. It also applies to scheme management activity and to activities that are not designated investment business.

01/12/2009

Purpose

GENPRU 1.2.12

Adequate financial resources and adequate systems and controls are necessary for the effective management of prudential risks. This section therefore has requirements relating to both of these topics.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.13

This section amplifies Principle 4, under which a firm must maintain adequate financial resources. It is concerned with the adequacy of the financial resources that a firm needs to hold in order to be able to meet its liabilities as they fall due. These resources include both capital and liquidity resources. As noted in GENPRU 1.2.3A G, however, the FSA's rules and guidance in relation to the adequacy of the liquidity resources of a BIPRU firm are set out in BIPRU 12.

01/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.14

In the case of a bank or building society this section implements Article 123 and (in part) Annex XI of the Banking Consolidation Directive. In the case of a BIPRU investment firm this section implements Article 34 of the Capital Adequacy Directive so far as that Article applies Article 123 of the Banking Consolidation Directive.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.15

This section also has rules requiring a firm to identify and assess risks to its being able to meet its liabilities as they fall due, how it intends to deal with those risks, and the amount and nature of financial resources that the firm considers necessary. GENPRU 1.2.60 R provides that a firm should document that assessment. The FSA will review that assessment as part of its own assessment of the adequacy of a firm's capital under its supervisory review and evaluation process (SREP). When forming a view of any individual capital guidance to be given to the firm, the FSA will also review the ARROW risk assessment and any other issues arising from day-to-day supervision.

06/04/2008

GENPRU 1.2.16

This section also has rules requiring a firm to carry out appropriate stress tests and scenario analyses for the risks it has previously identified and to establish the amount of financial resources needed in each of the circumstances and events considered in carrying out the stress tests and scenario analyses. In the case of a BIPRU firm, the FSA will consider as part of its SREP whether the BIPRU firm should hold a capital planning buffer and, in such a case, the amount and quality of that buffer. The capital planning buffer is an amount separate, though related to, the individual capital guidance, insofar as its purpose is to ensure that a BIPRU firm is able to continue to meet the overall financial adequacy rule throughout the relevant capital planning period in the face of adverse circumstances, after allowing for realistic management actions. Therefore, when forming its view on a BIPRU firm's capital planning buffer, the FSA will take into account the assessment made in relation to the firm's ICG.

24/09/2010

GENPRU 1.2.17

The basic requirements in this section are drafted to apply to a firm on a solo basis. This section then goes on to describe when its requirements do and do not apply on a solo basis and on a consolidated basis (see GENPRU 1.2.45 R to GENPRU 1.2.47 R and GENPRU 1.2.57 R to GENPRU 1.2.58 R). It also sets out some details about how the solo requirements are adjusted when they are applied on a consolidated basis (see GENPRU 1.2.48 R to GENPRU 1.2.56 G and GENPRU 1.2.29 G).

31/12/2006

Outline of other related provisions

GENPRU 1.2.18

GENPRU 2.1 sets out the minimum capital resources requirements for a firm. GENPRU 2.2 sets out how capital resources are defined and measured for the purpose of meeting the requirements of GENPRU 2.1.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.19

(1) BIPRU 2.2 (Internal capital adequacy standards) and INSPRU 7.1 (Individual capital assessment) set out detailed guidance on how a firm should carry out the assessment referred to in GENPRU 1.2.15 G. The more thorough, objective, and prudent a firm's assessment is, and can be demonstrated as being, the more reliance the FSA will be able to place on the results of that assessment.
(2) BIPRU 2.2 and INSPRU 7.1 also have information on how the FSA will review and respond to the assessments referred to in GENPRU 1.2.15 G and, in the case of BIPRU firms, in GENPRU 1.2.16 G. In particular they deal with the giving of individual capital guidance to a firm, which is guidance about the amount and quality of capital resources that the FSA thinks a firm should hold at all times under the overall financial adequacy rule as it applies on a solo level and a consolidated level. BIPRU 2.2. also deals with the giving of a capital planning buffer to a BIPRU firm on a solo level and a consolidated level.

24/09/2010

GENPRU 1.2.20

SYSC sets out general rules and guidance on the establishment and maintenance of systems and controls.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.21

(1) SYSC 11 sets out material on systems and controls that apply specifically to liquidity risk as that concept relates to an insurer.
(2) [deleted]
(2A) BIPRU 12 sets out material on systems and controls that apply specifically to liquidity risk in relation to a BIPRU firm, a branch of an incoming EEA firm that is a full BCD credit institution and a branch of a third country BIPRU firm that is a bank.
(3) [deleted]
(4) SYSC 11.1.21 E is an evidential provision relating to the general stress and scenario testing rule concerning stress testing and scenario analyses. SYSC 11.1.24 E is an evidential provision relating to the overall Pillar 2 rule about contingency funding plans. Both of these evidential provisions apply only to an insurer to which that section of SYSC applies.
(5) GENPRU 2.2 (Adequacy of financial resources) requires certain BIPRU investment firms to deduct illiquid assets when calculating their capital resources.

01/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.22

BIPRU 2.3 contains rules and guidance on interest rate risk in the non-trading book. That material elaborates on the general obligation in the overall Pillar 2 rule.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.23

For a BIPRU firm using a VaR model BIPRU 7.10.72 R (Risk management standards: Stress testing) sets out certain stress tests that the firm should carry out.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.24

BIPRU 10.2.22 R (Stress testing of credit risk concentrations) sets out further stress tests that a firm should carry out if it uses certain approaches to collateral for the purposes of the rules about large exposures.

31/12/2010

GENPRU 1.2.25

For a BIPRU firm using the IRB approach BIPRU 4.3.39 R to BIPRU 4.3.40 R set out a recession credit rating migration stress test that the firm should carry out. Further rules and guidance on such stress tests are set out in BIPRU 2.2 (Internal capital adequacy standards).

31/12/2006

Requirement to have adequate financial resources

GENPRU 1.2.26

A firm must at all times maintain overall financial resources, including capital resources and liquidity resources, which are adequate, both as to amount and quality, to ensure that there is no significant risk that its liabilities cannot be met as they fall due.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.26A

BIPRU 12 contains rules and guidance in relation to the adequacy of a BIPRU firm's liquidity resources. Consistent with GENPRU 1.2.2A R, in assessing the adequacy of its liquidity resources, a BIPRU firm should do so by reference to the overall liquidity adequacy rule, rather than the overall financial adequacy rule.

01/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.27

The liabilities referred to in the overall financial adequacy rule include a firm's contingent and prospective liabilities. They exclude liabilities that might arise from transactions that a firm has not entered into and which it could avoid, for example, by taking realistic management actions such as ceasing to transact new business after a suitable period of time has elapsed. They include liabilities or costs that arise both in scenarios where the firm is a going concern and those where the firm ceases to be a going concern. They also include claims that could be made against a firm, which ought to be paid in accordance with fair treatment of customers, even if such claims could not be legally enforced.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.28

A firm should therefore make its assessment of adequate financial resources on realistic valuation bases for assets and liabilities taking into account the actual amounts and timing of cash flows under realistic adverse projections.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.29

Risks may be addressed through holding capital to absorb losses that unexpectedly materialise. The ability to pay liabilities as they fall due also requires liquidity. Therefore, in assessing the adequacy of a firm's financial resources, both capital and liquidity needs should be considered. A firm should also consider the quality of its financial resources such as the loss-absorbency of different types of capital and the time required to liquidate different types of asset. SYSC 11.1.24 E is an evidential provision relating to the overall financial adequacy rule concerning contingency funding plans.

31/12/2006

Systems, strategies, processes and reviews

GENPRU 1.2.30

A firm must have in place sound, effective and complete processes, strategies and systems:

(1) to assess and maintain on an ongoing basis the amounts, types and distribution of financial resources, capital resources and internal capital that it considers adequate to cover:

(a) the nature and level of the risks to which it is or might be exposed;
(b) the risk in the overall financial adequacy rule; and
(c) the risk that the firm might not be able to meet its CRR in the future; and

(2) that enable it to identify and manage the major sources of risks referred to in (1), including the major sources of risk in each of the following categories where they are relevant to the firm given the nature and scale of its business:

(a) credit risk;
(b) market risk;
(c) liquidity risk;
(d) operational risk;
(e) insurance risk;
(f) concentration risk;
(g) residual risk;
(h) securitisation risk;
(i) business risk;
(j) interest rate risk (including, in the case of a BIPRU firm, interest rate risk in the non-trading book);
(k) pension obligation risk; and
(l) group risk.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.31

(1) This rule defines some of the terms used in the overall Pillar 2 rule.
(2) Residual risk means the risk that credit risk mitigation techniques used by the firm prove less effective than expected.
(3) Securitisation risk includes the risk that the capital resources held by a firm in respect of assets which it has securitised are inadequate having regard to the economic substance of the transaction, including the degree of risk transfer achieved.
(4) Business risk means any risk to a firm arising from changes in its business, including the risk that the firm may not be able to carry out its business plan and its desired strategy. It also includes risks arising from a firm's remuneration policy (see also the Remuneration Code which applies to BIPRU firms and the detailed application of which is set out in SYSC 19A.1).
(5) Pension obligation risk is the risk to a firm caused by its contractual or other liabilities to or with respect to a pension scheme (whether established for its employees or those of a related company or otherwise). It also means the risk that the firm will make payments or other contribution to or with respect to a pension scheme because of a moral obligation or because the firm considers that it needs to do so for some other reason.

01/01/2011

GENPRU 1.2.32

(1) This paragraph gives guidance on some of the terms used in the overall Pillar 2 rule.
(2) Insurance risk refers to the inherent uncertainties as to the occurrence, amount and timing of insurance liabilities.
(3) Interest rate risk in the non-trading book is explained in BIPRU 2.3 (Interest rate risk in the non-trading book).
(4) In a narrow sense, business risk is the risk to a firm that it suffers losses because its income falls or is volatile relative to its fixed cost base. However, in a broader sense, it is exposure to a wide range of macro-economic, geopolitical, industry, regulatory and other external risks that might deflect a firm from its desired strategy and business plan. GENPRU 1.2.73 G provides further guidance on business risk.
(5) Further material on pension obligation risk can be found in GENPRU 1.2.79 G - GENPRU 1.2.86 G.
(6) Group risk is the risk that the financial position of a firm may be adversely affected by its relationships (financial or non-financial) with other entities in the same group or by risks which may affect the financial position of the whole group, for example reputational contagion. Further guidance on group risk can be found in GENPRU 1.2.87 G to GENPRU 1.2.91 G.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.33

(1) This rule amplifies some of the obligations in the overall Pillar 2 rule.
(2) In the case of a BIPRU firm the processes, strategies and systems relating to concentration risk must include those necessary to ensure compliance with BIPRU 10 (Large exposures requirements).
(3) As part of its obligations in respect of market risk, a BIPRU firm must consider whether the value adjustments and provisions taken for positions and portfolios in the trading book enable the firm to sell or hedge out its positions within a short period without incurring material losses under normal market conditions.
(4) The processes, strategies and systems required by the overall Pillar 2 rule must take into account stress tests and scenario analyses that the firm is required to carry out under any other provision of the Handbook.

31/12/2010

GENPRU 1.2.34

In the overall Pillar 2 rule, internal capital refers to the financial resources of a firm which it treats as being held against the risks listed in the overall Pillar 2 rule. The obligation in that rule to assess the distribution of such capital refers, in relation to a firm making an assessment on a solo basis, for example, to the need to take account of circumstances where part of a firm's financial resources are held by a branch of that firm which are subject to restrictions on its ability to transfer that capital. An assessment of internal capital distribution might also take account of such of a firm's financial resources as may be ring-fenced in the event of its insolvency.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.35

The processes, strategies and systems required by the overall Pillar 2 rule must be comprehensive and proportionate to the nature, scale and complexity of the firm's activities.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.36

As part of its obligations under GENPRU 1.2.30R (1) (Main requirement relating to risk processes, strategies and systems), a firm must identify separately the amount of tier one capital, tier two capital, tier three capital, other capital eligible to form part of its capital resources and each category of capital (if any) that is not eligible to form part of its capital resources which it considers adequate for the purposes described in GENPRU 1.2.30R (1).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.37

The processes and systems required by the overall Pillar 2 rule must:

(1) include an assessment of how the firm intends to deal with each of the major sources of risk identified in accordance with GENPRU 1.2.30R (2);
(2) take into account the impact of diversification effects and how such effects are factored into the firm's systems for measuring and managing risks; and
(3) include an assessment of the firm-wide impact of the risks identified in accordance with GENPRU 1.2.30R (2), to which end a firm must aggregate the risks across its various business lines and units, making appropriate allowance for the correlation between risks.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.38

Certain risks such as systems and controls weaknesses may not be adequately addressed by, for example, holding additional capital and a more appropriate response would be to rectify the weakness. In such circumstances, the amount of financial resources required to address these risks might be zero. However, a firm should consider whether holding additional capital might be an appropriate response until the identified weaknesses are rectified. A firm, should, in accordance with GENPRU 1.2.60 R (Documentation of risk assessments), document the approaches taken to manage these risks.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.39

A firm must:

(1) carry out regularly the assessments required by the overall Pillar 2 rule; and
(2) carry out regularly assessments of the processes, strategies and systems required by the overall Pillar 2 rule to ensure that they remain compliant with GENPRU 1.2.35 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.40

A firm should carry out assessments of the sort described in the overall Pillar 2 rule and GENPRU 1.2.39 R at least annually, or more frequently if changes in the business, strategy, nature or scale of its activities or operational environment suggest that the current level of financial resources is no longer adequate. The appropriateness of the internal process, and the degree of involvement of senior management in the process, will be taken into account by the FSA when reviewing a firm's assessment as part of the FSA's own assessment of the adequacy of a firm's financial resources. The processes and systems should ensure that the assessment of the adequacy of a firm's financial resources is reported to its senior management as often as is necessary.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.41

The assessments undertaken by firms in run-off may not need to be as comprehensive or frequent compared to a firm not in run off since this may better reflect the reduced nature and complexity of its business and reduced access to new capital. Whilst a firm in run-off will still need to carefully monitor the progress of the run off, a more comprehensive assessment may only be appropriate on commencement of the run off or when considering a reduction in capital through the payment of a dividend or other capital distribution or if the firm's circumstances change materially.

31/12/2006

Stress and scenario tests

GENPRU 1.2.42

(1) As part of its obligation under the overall Pillar 2 rule, a firm must, for the major sources of risk identified in accordance with GENPRU 1.2.30R (2), carry out stress tests and scenario analyses that are appropriate to the nature, scale and complexity of those major sources of risk and to the nature, scale and complexity of the firm's business.

(a) [deleted]
(b) [deleted]

(i) [deleted]
(ii) [deleted]
(iii) [deleted]
(iv) [deleted]

(2) In carrying out the stress tests and scenario analyses in (1), a firm must identify an appropriate range of adverse circumstances of varying nature, severity and duration relevant to its business and risk profile and consider the exposure of the firm to those circumstances, including:

(a) circumstances and events occurring over a protracted period of time;
(b) sudden and severe events, such as market shocks or other similar events; and
(c) some combination of the circumstances and events described in (a) and (b), which may include a sudden and severe market event followed by an economic recession.

(3) In carrying out the stress tests and scenario analyses in (1), the firm must estimate the financial resources that it would need in order to continue to meet the overall financial adequacy rule and the CRR in the adverse circumstances being considered.
(4) In carrying out the stress tests and scenario analyses in (1), the firm must assess how risks aggregate across business lines or units, any material non-linear or contingent risks and how risk correlations may increase in stressed conditions.
(5) As part of its obligation under the overall Pillar 2 rule, a BIPRU firm must also incorporate and take into account any stress tests and scenario analyses that it is required to carry out under BIPRU. In particular, a BIPRU firm with an IRB permission must incorporate and take into account the stress test required to be carried out under BIPRU 4.3.40 R (2).

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.42A

In order to comply with the general stress and scenario testing rule, a firm should undertake a broad range of stress tests which reflect a variety of perspectives, including sensitivity analysis, scenario analysis and stress testing on an individual portfolio as well as a firm-wide level.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.42B

A BIPRU firm with an IRB permission which has any material credit exposures excluded from its IRB models should also include these exposures in its stress and scenario testing to meet its obligations under the general stress and scenario testing rule. A BIPRU firm without an IRB permission, or an insurer that has any material credit and counterparty credit risk exposures, should conduct analyses to assess risks to the credit quality of its counterparties, including any protection sellers, considering both on and off-balance sheet exposures.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.42C

An insurer may choose to carry out its ICA through the use of stress testing and scenario analyses (see INSPRU 7.1.10 G and INSPRU 7.1.68 G). If it does so, in carrying out the stress tests and scenario analyses referred to in GENPRU 1.2.42 R, an insurer should take into account the stress tests it uses for its ICA.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.42D

In carrying out the stress tests and scenario analyses required by GENPRU 1.2.42R (1), a firm should also consider any impact of the adverse circumstances on its capital resources. In particular, a firm should consider the capital resources gearing rules where its tier one capital is eroded by the event.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.42E

A firm should assign adequate resources, including IT systems, to stress testing and scenario analysis, taking into account the stress testing techniques employed, so as to be able to accommodate different and changing stress tests at an appropriate level of granularity.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.42F

GENPRU 1.2.63 G to GENPRU 1.2.78 G provide additional guidance on stress testing and scenario analyses. In particular, GENPRU 1.2.73A G provides specific guidance on capital planning.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.43

Stress tests and scenario analyses should be carried out at least annually. A firm should, however, consider whether the nature of the major sources of risks identified by it in accordance with GENPRU 1.2.30R (2) (Main requirement relating to risk processes, strategies and systems) and their possible impact on its financial resources suggest that such tests and analyses should be carried out more frequently. For instance, a sudden change in the economic outlook may prompt a firm to revise the parameters of some of its stress tests and scenario analyses. Similarly, if a firm has recently become exposed to a particular sectoral concentration, it may wish to add some stress tests and scenario analyses in order to reflect that concentration. SYSC 11.1.21 E is an evidential provision relating to the general stress and scenario testing rule concerning scenario analysis in relation to liquidity risk.

31/12/2006

Application of this section on a solo and consolidated basis: General

GENPRU 1.2.44

(1) GENPRU 1.2.45 R - GENPRU 1.2.56 G explain when the ICAAP rules apply on a solo basis and when they apply on a consolidated basis. This material also explains how the ICAAP rules are adjusted to apply on a consolidated basis.
(2) GENPRU 1.2.57 R - GENPRU 1.2.59 R provide that the overall financial adequacy rule always applies on a solo basis. They also explain when and how it applies on a consolidated basis.

31/12/2006

Application of this section on a solo and consolidated basis: Processes and tests

GENPRU 1.2.45

If an insurer is a member of an insurance group and INSPRU 6.1.9 R, INSPRU 6.1.10 R or INSPRU 6.1.15 R (Requirement to maintain group capital) apply to it with respect to that insurance group the ICAAP rules:

(1) apply to that insurer on a consolidated basis; and
(2) do not apply to it on a solo basis.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.46

The ICAAP rules do not apply on a solo basis to a BIPRU firm to which the ICAAP rules:

(1) apply on a consolidated basis under BIPRU 8.2.1 R (Basic consolidation rule for a UK consolidation group); or
(2) apply on a sub-consolidated basis under BIPRU 8.3.1 R (Basic consolidation rule for a non-EEA sub-group).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.47

The ICAAP rules apply on a solo basis:

(1) to an insurer to which those rules do not apply on a consolidated basis under GENPRU 1.2.45 R;
(2) to a BIPRU investment firm to which those rules do not apply on a consolidated or sub-consolidated basis as referred to in GENPRU 1.2.46 R (including a BIPRU investment firm with an investment firm consolidation waiver); and
(3) a firm referred to in GENPRU 1.2.2 R (Application of this section to certain non-EEA firms).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.48

The requirements of the ICAAP rules as they apply on a consolidated basis must be carried out on the basis of the consolidated position of:

(1) (if GENPRU 1.2.45 R applies) that insurance group;
(2) (if BIPRU 8.2.1 R (Basic consolidation rule for a UK consolidation group) applies) the UK consolidation group of which the firm is a member; and
(3) (if BIPRU 8.3.1 R (Basic consolidation rule for a non-EEA sub-group) applies) the non-EEA sub-group of which the firm is a member.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.49

(1) In accordance with the general principles in GENPRU 1.2.48 R and BIPRU 8 (Group risk - consolidation), for the purpose of the ICAAP rules as they apply on a consolidated basis:

(a) the firm must ensure that the relevant group as defined in (2) have the processes, strategies and systems required by the overall Pillar 2 rule;
(b) the risks to which the overall Pillar 2 rule and the general stress and scenario testing rule refer are those risks as they apply to each member of the relevant group;
(c) the reference in the overall Pillar 2 rule to amounts and types of financial resources, capital resources and internal capital (referred to in this rule as resources) must be read as being to the amounts and types that the firm considers should be held by the members of the relevant group as defined in (2);
(d) other references to resources must be read as being to resources of the members of the relevant group as defined in (2);
(e) references to the CRR are to the consolidated capital requirements applicable to the relevant group under BIPRU 8 (Group risk - consolidation) or, as the case may be, INSPRU 6 (Group risk: Insurance groups);
(f) the reference in the overall Pillar 2 rule to the distribution of resources must be read as including a reference to the distribution between members of the relevant group as defined in (2); and
(g) the reference in the overall Pillar 2 rule to the overall financial adequacy rule must be read as being to that rule as adjusted under GENPRU 1.2.59 R (Application of the overall financial adequacy rule on a consolidated basis).

(2) For the purpose of this rule the relevant group is the group referred to in GENPRU 1.2.48 R and the members of that group are those undertakings that are included in the scope of consolidation with respect to the insurance group, UK consolidation group or, as the case may be, non-EEA sub-group in question.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.50

GENPRU 1.2.49 R means that non-financial members of the firm's group are excluded from the group assessment. Notwithstanding the scope of GENPRU 1.2.49 R, a firm should nevertheless take account of risks arising from the activities of those excluded members in its overall assessment of risk.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.51

(1) This rule relates to the assessment of the amounts, types and distribution of financial resources, capital resources and internal capital (referred to in this rule as "resources") under the overall Pillar 2 rule as applied on a consolidated basis and to the assessment of diversification effects as referred to in GENPRU 1.2.37R (2) as applied on a consolidated basis.
(2) A firm must be able to explain how it has aggregated the risks referred to in the overall Pillar 2 rule and the resources required by each member of the relevant group as referred to in GENPRU 1.2.49R (2) and how it has taken into account any diversification benefits with respect to the group in question.
(3) In particular, to the extent that the transferability of resources affects the assessment in (2), a firm must be able to explain how it has satisfied itself that resources are transferable between members of the group in question in the stressed cases and the scenarios referred to in the general stress and scenario testing rule.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.52

(1) A firm must allocate the total amount of financial resources, capital resources and internal capital identified as necessary under the overall Pillar 2 rule (as applied on a consolidated basis) between different parts of the relevant group (as defined in GENPRU 1.2.49 R). GENPRU 1.2.36 R (Identifying different tiers of capital) does not apply to this allocation.
(2) The firm must carry out the allocation in (1) in a way that adequately reflects the nature, level and distribution of the risks to which the group is subject and the effect of any diversification benefits.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.53

A firm must also allocate the total amount of financial resources, capital resources and internal capital (referred to in this rule as "resources") identified as necessary under the overall Pillar 2 rule as applied on a consolidated basis between each firm which is a member of the relevant group (as defined in GENPRU 1.2.49 R) on the following basis:

(1) the amount allocated to each firm must be decided on the basis of the principles in GENPRU 1.2.52R (2); and
(2) if the process in (1) were carried out for each group member, the total so allocated would equal the total amount of resources identified as necessary under the overall Pillar 2 rule as applied on a consolidated basis.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.54

A firm to which the ICAAP rules apply on a consolidated basis need not prepare a consolidated basis assessment if such an assessment has been prepared by another member of its group. Where that is the case, a firm may adopt such an assessment as its own. A firm nevertheless remains responsible for the assessment.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.55

The purpose of GENPRU 1.2.51 R - GENPRU 1.2.53 R is to enable the FSA to assess the extent, if any, to which a firm's assessment, calculated on a consolidated basis, is lower than it would be if each separate legal entity were to assess the amount of capital it would require to mitigate its risks (to the same level of confidence) were it not part of a group subject to consolidated supervision under BIPRU 8 (Group risk - consolidation) or INSPRU 6.1 (Group risk: Insurance groups). The reason the FSA wishes to make this assessment is so that individual capital guidance which it gives is fair and comparable as between different firms and groups. Group diversification benefits which a firm might assert exist can be a material consideration in a capital adequacy assessment. Understanding the methods used to aggregate the different risks (for example, the correlation assumptions) is crucial to a proper evaluation of such benefits.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.56

Whereas a single legal entity can generally use its capital to absorb losses wherever they arise, there are often practical and legal restrictions on the ability of a group to do so. For instance:

(1) capital which is held by overseas regulated firms may not be capable of being remitted to a firm in the UK which has suffered a loss;
(2) a firm which is insolvent or likely to become so may be obliged to look to the interests of its creditors first before transferring capital to other group companies; and
(3) a parent company may have to balance the interests of its shareholders against the protection of the creditors of a subsidiary undertaking which is or might become insolvent and may, rationally, conclude that a subsidiary undertaking should be allowed to fail rather than provide capital to support it.

31/12/2006

Application of this section on a solo and consolidated basis: Adequacy of resources

GENPRU 1.2.57

The overall financial adequacy rule applies to a firm on a solo basis whether or not it also applies to the firm on a consolidated basis.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.58

The overall financial adequacy rule applies to a firm on a consolidated basis if the ICAAP rules apply to it on a consolidated basis.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.59

(1) When the overall financial adequacy rule applies on a consolidated basis, the firm must ensure that at all times its group maintains overall financial resources, including capital resources and liquidity resources, which are adequate, both as to amount and quality, to ensure that there is no significant risk that the liabilities of any members of its group cannot be met as they fall due.
(2) The group referred to in (1) is the relevant group as defined in GENPRU 1.2.49 R.
(3) The members of the group referred to in (1) must be identified in accordance with GENPRU 1.2.49 R.

31/12/2006

Documentation of risk assessments

GENPRU 1.2.60

A firm must make a written record of the assessments required under this section. These assessments include assessments carried out on a consolidated basis and on a solo basis. In particular it must make a written record of:

(1) the major sources of risk identified in accordance with GENPRU 1.2.30R (2) (Main requirement relating to risk processes, strategies and systems);
(2) how it intends to deal with those risks; and
(3) details of the stress tests and scenario analyses carried out, including any assumptions made in relation to scenario design, and the resulting financial resources estimated to be required in accordance with the general stress and scenario testing rule.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.61

A firm must retain the records of its assessments referred to in GENPRU 1.2.60 R for at least three years.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.62

Where a firm assesses the adequacy of its CRR in its particular circumstances in accordance with BIPRU 2.2 (Internal capital adequacy standards) and INSPRU 7.1 (Individual capital assessment) as a basis for deciding what financial resources are adequate, it should include this in the documentation produced in accordance with GENPRU 1.2.60 R.

31/12/2006

Additional guidance on stress tests and scenario analyses

GENPRU 1.2.63

The general stress and scenario testing rule requires a firm to carry out stress tests and scenario analyses as part of its obligations under the overall Pillar 2 rule. Both stress tests and scenario analyses are undertaken by a firm to further a better understanding of the vulnerabilities that it faces under adverse conditions. They are based on the analysis of the impact of a range of events of varying nature, severity and duration. These events can be financial, operational or legal or relate to any other risk that might have an economic impact on the firm.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.64

Stress testing typically refers to shifting the values of individual parameters that affect the financial position of a firm and determining the effect on the firm's financial position.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.65

Scenario analysis typically refers to a wider range of parameters being varied at the same time. Scenario analyses often examine the impact of adverse events on the firm's financial position, for example, simultaneous movements in a number of risk categories affecting all of a firm's business operations, such as business volumes, investment values and interest rate movements.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.66

There are three broad purposes of stress testing and scenario analysis. Firstly, it can be used as a means of quantifying how much capital might be absorbed if an adverse event or events occurred. As such it represents a simple 'what if' approach to estimating exposure to risks. This might be a proportionate approach to risk management for an unsophisticated business. Secondly, it can be used to provide a check on the outputs and accuracy of risk models; particularly, in identifying non-linear effects when aggregating risks. Thirdly, it can be used to explore the sensitivities in longer term business plans and how capital needs might change over time.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.68

Subject to GENPRU 1.2.76 G, the purpose of stress tests and scenario analyses under the general stress and scenario testing rule is to test the adequacy of overall financial resources. Scenarios need only be identified, and their impact assessed, in so far as this facilitates that purpose. In particular, the nature, depth and detail of the analysis depend, in part, upon the firm's capital strength and the robustness of its risk prevention and risk mitigation measures.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.69

Both stress testing and scenario analyses are forward-looking analysis techniques, which seek to anticipate possible losses that might occur if an identified risk crystallises. In applying them, a firm should decide how far forward to look. This should depend upon:

(1) how quickly it would be able to identify events or changes in circumstances that might lead to a risk crystallising resulting in a loss; and
(2) after it has identified the event or circumstance, how quickly and effectively it could act to prevent or mitigate any loss resulting from the risk crystallising and to reduce exposure to any further adverse event or change in circumstance.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.70

Where a firm is exposed to market risk, the time horizon over which stress tests and scenario analyses should be carried out will depend on, among other things, the maturity and liquidity of the positions stressed. For example, for the market risk arising from the holding of investments, this will depend upon:

(1) the extent to which there is a regular, open and transparent market in those assets, which would allow fluctuations in the value of the investment to be more readily and quickly identified; and
(2) the extent to which the market in those assets is sufficiently liquid (and would remain liquid in the changed circumstances contemplated in the stress test or scenario analysis) to allow the firm, if needed, to sell, hedge or otherwise mitigate the risks relating to its holding so as to prevent or reduce exposure to future price fluctuations. In devising stress tests and scenario analyses for market risk, a BIPRU firm should also take into account BIPRU 7.1.17 R to BIPRU 7.1.20 G.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.71

In identifying scenarios, and assessing their impact, a firm should take into account, where material, how changes in circumstances might impact upon:

(1) the nature, scale and mix of its future activities; and
(2) the behaviour of counterparties, and of the firm itself, including the exercise of choices (for example, options embedded in financial instruments or contracts of insurance).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.72

In determining whether it would have adequate financial resources in the event of each identified realistic adverse scenario, a firm should:

(1) only include financial resources that could reasonably be relied upon as being available in the circumstances of the identified scenario; and
(2) take account of any legal or other restriction on the use of financial resources.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.73

(1) [deleted]
(1A) [deleted]
(2) [deleted]
(3) [deleted]
(4) [deleted]
(5) [deleted]

14/12/2009

Capital planning

GENPRU 1.2.73A

(1) In identifying an appropriate range of adverse circumstances and events in accordance with GENPRU 1.2.42R (2):

(a) a firm will need to consider the cycles it is most exposed to and whether these are general economic cycles or specific to particular markets, sectors or industries;
(b) for the purposes of GENPRU 1.2.42R (2)(a), the amplitude and duration of the relevant cycle should include a severe downturn scenario based on forward looking hypothetical events, calibrated against the most adverse movements in individual risk drivers experienced over a long historical period;
(c) the adverse scenarios considered should in general be acyclical and, accordingly, the scenario should not become more severe during a downturn and less severe during an upturn. However, the FSA does expect scenarios to be updated with relevant new economic data on a pragmatic basis to ensure that the scenario continues to be relevant; and
(d) the adverse scenarios considered should reflect a firm's risk tolerance of the adverse conditions through which it expects to remain a going concern.

(2) In making the estimate required by GENPRU 1.2.42R (3), a firm should project both its capital resources and its required capital resources over a time horizon of 3 to 5 years, taking account of its business plan and the impact of relevant adverse scenarios. In making the estimate, the firm should consider both the capital resources required to meet its CRR and the capital resources needed to meet the overall financial adequacy rule. The firm should make these projections in a manner consistent with its risk management processes and systems as set out in GENPRU 1.2.37 R.
(3) In projecting its financial position over the relevant time horizon, the firm should:

(a) reflect how its business plan would "flex" in response to the adverse events being considered, taking into account factors such as changing consumer demand and changes to new business assumptions;
(b) consider the potential impact on its stress testing of dynamic feedback effects and second order effects of the major sources of risk identified in accordance with GENPRU 1.2.30R (2);
(c) estimate the effects on the firm's financial position of the adverse event without adjusting for management actions;
(d) separately, identify any realistic management actions that the firm could and would take to mitigate the adverse effects of the stress scenario; and
(e) estimate the effects of the stress scenario on the firm's financial position after taking account of realistic management actions.

(4) A firm should identify any realistic management actions intended to maintain or restore its capital adequacy. These could include ceasing to transact new business after a suitable period has elapsed, balance sheet shrinkage, restricting distribution of profits or raising additional capital. A firm should reflect management actions in its projections only where it could and would take such actions, taking account of factors such as market conditions in the stress scenario and any effects upon the firm's reputation with its counterparties and investors. The combined effect on capital and retained earnings should be estimated. In order to assess whether prospective management actions in a stress scenario would be realistic and to determine which actions the firm would and could take, the firm should take into account any preconditions that might affect the value of management actions as risk mitigants and analyse the difference between the estimates in (3)(c) and (3)(e) in sufficient detail to understand the implications of taking different management actions at different times, particularly where they represent a significant divergence from the firm's business plan.
(5) The firm should document its stress testing and scenario analysis policies and procedures, as well as the results of its tests in accordance with GENPRU 1.2.60 R. These records should be included within the firm's ICAAP or ICA submission document.
(6) The FSA will review the firm's records referred to in (5) as part of its SREP. The purpose of examining these is to enable the FSA to judge whether a firm will be able to continue to meet its CRR and the overall financial adequacy rule throughout the projection period.
(7) If, after taking account of realistic management actions, a firm's stress testing management plan shows that the firm's projected capital resources are less than those required to continue to meet its CRR or less than those needed to continue to meet the overall financial adequacy rule over the projection period, the FSA may require the firm to set out additional countervailing measures and off-setting actions to reduce such difference or to restore the firm's capital adequacy after the stress event.
(8) The firm's senior management or governing body should be actively involved and engaged in all relevant stages of the firm's stress testing and scenario analysis programme. This would include establishing an appropriate stress testing programme, reviewing the programme's implementation (including the design of scenarios) and challenging, approving and actioning the results of the stress tests.
(9) For an insurer:

(a) the treatment of new business when making capital projections is likely to be different from its ICA. In projecting its financial position, an insurer should take account of new business based on the firm's business plan, but flexed to take account of potential changes in trading conditions and strategy. When assessing its current capital adequacy under its ICA, an insurer should take account of the effects of closure to new business (see GENPRU 1.2.27 G, GENPRU 1.2.73AG (3) and (4)and INSPRU 7.1.16 G to INSPRU 7.1.19 G). Also, an insurer may use methods that are more approximate than used for its ICA (for example, in projecting the with-profits insurance capital component for realistic basis life firms and the capital resources needed to meet the overall financial adequacy rule); and
(b) where management discretion is exercised as a normal part of an insurer's business (for example, in changing bonus rates or surrender values in accordance with the PPFM for with-profits business), under (3)(c) the insurer does not need to estimate the effect of an adverse event on its financial position without adjusting for such changes. However, the effect on the financial position of varying such actions should be estimated and understood.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.73B

The FSA may formulate macroeconomic and financial market scenarios which a firm may use as an additional input to its ICAAP or ICA submission. In addition, the FSA may also ask a firm to apply specific scenarios directly in its ICAAP or ICA submission.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.74

A firm may consider scenarios in which expected future profits will provide capital reserves against future risks. However, it would only be appropriate to take into account profits that can be foreseen with a reasonable degree of certainty as arising before the risk against which they are being held could possibly arise. In estimating future reserves, a firm should deduct future dividend payment estimates from projections of future profits.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.75

(1) [deleted]
(2) Stress and scenario analyses should, in the first instance, be aligned with the risk appetite of the firm, as well as the nature, scale and complexity of its business and of the risks that it bears. The calibration of the stress and scenario analyses should be reconciled to a clear statement setting out the premise upon which the firm's internal capital assessment under the overall Pillar 2 rule is based.
(3) [deleted]
(4) In identifying adverse circumstances and events in accordance with GENPRU 1.2.42R (2), a firm should consider the results of any reverse stress testing conducted in accordance with SYSC 20. Reverse stress testing may be expected to provide useful information about the firm's vulnerabilities and variations around the most likely ruin scenarios for the purpose of meeting the firm's obligations under GENPRU 1.2.42 R. In addition, such a comparison may help a firm to assess the sensitivity of its financial position to different stress calibrations.

14/12/2010

GENPRU 1.2.76

A firm should use the results of its stress testing and scenario analysis not only to assess capital needs, but also to decide if measures should be put in place to minimise the adverse effect on the firm if the risk covered by the stress or scenario test actually materialises. Such measures might be a contingency plan or might be more concrete risk mitigation steps.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.77

Additional guidance on stress tests and scenario analyses for the assessment of capital resources is available in BIPRU 2.2 (Internal capital adequacy standards) and INSPRU 7.1 (Individual capital assessment).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.78

Additional guidance in relation to stress tests and scenario analysis for liquidity risk as that concept relates to an insurer is available in SYSC 11 (Liquidity risk systems and controls). BIPRU 12 sets out the main Handbook provisions in relation to liquidity risk for a BIPRU firm.

01/12/2009

Pension obligation risk

GENPRU 1.2.79

GENPRU 1.2.80 G to GENPRU 1.2.86 G contain guidance on the assessment required by GENPRU 1.2.30R (2)(k) for a firm exposed to pension obligation risk as defined in GENPRU 1.2.31R (5).

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.80

The pension scheme itself (i.e. the scheme's assets and liabilities) is not the focus of the risk assessment but rather the firm's obligations towards the pension scheme. A firm should include in its estimate of financial resources both its expected obligations to the pension scheme and any increase in obligations that may arise in a stress scenario.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.81

If a firm has a current funding obligation in excess of normal contributions or there is a risk that such a funding obligation will arise then, when calculating available capital resources, it should reverse out any accounting deficit and replace this in its capital adequacy assessment with its best estimate, calculated in discussion with the scheme's actuaries or trustees, of the cash that will need to be paid into the scheme in addition to normal contributions over the foreseeable future. This may differ from the approach taken in assessing pension scheme risks for the purposes of calculating resources to meet the CRR, where a firm may not need to consider funding obligations beyond the next five years.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.82

A firm should also assess the risks that may increase its current funding obligations towards the pension scheme and that might lead to the firm not being able to pay its other liabilities as they fall due.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.83

A firm may wish to consider the following scenarios:

(1) one in which the firm gets into difficulties with an effect on its ability to fund the pension scheme; and
(2) one in which the pension scheme position deteriorates (for example, because investment returns fall below expected returns or because of increases in life expectancy) with an effect on the firm's funding obligations; taking into account the management actions the firm could and would take.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.83A

A firm is expected to determine where the scope of any stress test impacts upon its pension obligation risk and estimate how the relevant measure of pension obligation risk will change in the scenario in question. For example, in carrying out stress tests under GENPRU 1.2.42 R a firm must consider how a stress scenario, such as an economic recession, would impact on the firm's current obligations towards its pension scheme and any potential increase in those obligations. Risks such as interest rate risk or reduced investment returns may have a direct impact on a firm's financial position as well as an indirect impact resulting from an increase in the firm's pension scheme obligations. Both effects should be taken into account in a firm's estimate of financial resources under GENPRU 1.2.30 R.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.84

Scenarios in which a firm's employees suffer a loss or members of a pension scheme suffer a loss do not necessarily affect the firm's ability to pay its liabilities as they fall due.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.85

A firm should consider issues such as:

(1) the extent to which trustees of the pension scheme or a pension regulator (such as the one created under the Pensions Act 2004) can compel a certain level of contributions or a one-off payment in adverse financial situations or in order to meet the minimum legal requirements under the scheme's trust deed and rules or under the applicable laws relating to the pension scheme;
(2) whether the valuation bases used to set pension scheme contribution rates are consistent with the firm's current business plans and anticipated changes in the workforce; and
(3) which valuation basis is appropriate given the expected investment return on scheme assets and actions the firm can take if those returns do not materialise.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.2.86

A firm should carry out analyses only to a degree of sophistication and complexity which is commensurate with the materiality of its pension risks.

31/12/2006

Group risk

GENPRU 1.2.87

GENPRU 1.2.88G to GENPRU 1.2.91G contain additional guidance on the assessment required by GENPRU 1.2.30R (2)(l) (Group risk).

06/04/2010

GENPRU 1.2.88

A firm should include in the written record referred to in GENPRU 1.2.60 R a description of the broad business strategy of the insurance group, the UK consolidation group or the non-EEA sub-group of which it is a member, the group's view of its principal risks and its approach to measuring, managing and controlling the risks. This description should include the role of stress testing, scenario analysis and contingency planning in managing risk at the solo and consolidated level.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.89

A firm should satisfy itself that the systems (including IT) of the insurance group, the UK consolidation group or the non-EEA sub-group of which it is a member are sufficiently sound to support the effective management and, where applicable, the quantification of the risks that could affect the insurance group, the UK consolidation group or the non-EEA sub-group, as the case may be.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.90

In performing stress tests and scenario analyses, a firm should take into account the risk that its group may have to bring back on to its consolidated balance sheet the assets and liabilities of off-balance sheet entities as a result of reputational contagion, notwithstanding the appearance of legal risk transfer.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.2.91

A firm should carry out stress tests and scenario analyses to a degree of sophistication which is commensurate with the complexity of its group and the nature of its group risk.

14/12/2009

GENPRU 1.3

Valuation

31/12/2006

Application

GENPRU 1.3.1

(1) This section of the Handbook applies to an insurer, unless it is:

(a) non-directive friendly society;
(b) an incoming EEA firm; or
(c) an incoming Treaty firm.

(2) This section of the Handbook applies to a BIPRU firm.
(3) This section of the Handbook applies to a UK ISPV.

31/12/2006

Purpose

GENPRU 1.3.2

This section sets out, for the purposes of GENPRU, BIPRU and INSPRU, rules and guidance as to how a firm should recognise and value assets, liabilities, exposures, equity and income statement items.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.3

(1) In the case of a BIPRU firm, this section implements Article 74 of the Banking Consolidation Directive, Articles 64(4) and 64(5) of the Banking Consolidation Directive (Own funds) and Article 33 and Part B of Annex VII of the Capital Adequacy Directive.
(2) In the case of an insurer, GENPRU 1.3.4 R implements the requirements of Articles 23.3(viii) and 24.2(iv) of the Consolidated Life Directive.

31/12/2011

General requirements: Accounting principles to be applied

GENPRU 1.3.4

Subject to GENPRU 1.3.9 R to GENPRU 1.3.10 R and GENPRU 1.3.36 R, except where a rule in GENPRU, BIPRU or INSPRU provides for a different method of recognition or valuation, whenever a rule in GENPRU, BIPRU or INSPRU refers to an asset, liability, exposure, equity or income statement item, a firm must, for the purpose of that rule, recognise the asset, liability, exposure, equity or income statement item and measure its value in accordance with whichever of the following are applicable:

(1) the insurance accounts rules, or the Friendly Societies (Accounts and Related Provisions) Regulations 1994;
(2) Financial Reporting Standards and Statements of Standard Accounting Practice issued or adopted by the Accounting Standards Board;
(3) Statements of Recommended Practice, issued by industry or sectoral bodies recognised for this purpose by the Accounting Standards Board;
(4) the Building Societies (Accounts and Related Provisions) Regulation 1998;
(5) international accounting standards;
(6) the Companies Act 1985; and
(7) the Companies Act 2006;

as applicable to the firm for the purpose of its external financial reporting (or as would be applicable if the firm was a company with its head office in the United Kingdom).

06/06/2008

GENPRU 1.3.5

Except where a rule in GENPRU, BIPRU or INSPRU makes different provision, GENPRU 1.3.4 R applies whenever a rule in GENPRU, BIPRU or INSPRU refers to the value or amount of an asset, liability, exposure, equity or income statement item, including:

(1) whether, and when, to recognise or de-recognise an asset or liability;
(2) the amount at which to value an asset, liability, exposure, equity or income statement item; and
(3) which description to place on an asset, liability, exposure, equity or income statement item.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.6

In particular, unless an exception applies, GENPRU 1.3.4 R should be applied for the purposes of GENPRU, BIPRU or INSPRU to determine how to account for:

(1) netting of amounts due to or from the firm;
(2) the securitisation of assets and liabilities (see also GENPRU 1.3.7 G);
(3) leased tangible assets;
(4) assets transferred or received under a sale and repurchase or stock lending transaction; and
(5) assets transferred or received by way of initial or variation margin under a derivative or similar transaction.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.7

In the case of an insurer or a UK ISPV, where assets or liabilities are securitised, GENPRU 1.3.4 R only permits de-recognition where Financial Reporting Standards (or, where applicable, International Accounting Standards) permit either de-recognition or the linked presentation. However, the FSA will consider granting a waiver to permit de-recognition in other circumstances provided that the firm can demonstrate that securitisation has effectively transferred risk

31/12/2008

GENPRU 1.3.8

Articles 23.3(viii) and 24.2(iv) of the Consolidated Life Directive require assets of an insurer that are managed on its behalf by a subsidiary undertaking to be taken into account for the purposes of determining the insurer's admissible assets and its assets in excess of concentration limits. The application of GENPRU 1.3.4 R will result in such assets remaining on the balance sheet of the insurer.

31/12/2006

General requirements: Adjustments to accounting values

GENPRU 1.3.9

For the purposes of GENPRU, BIPRU or INSPRU, except where a rule in GENPRU, BIPRU or INSPRU provides for a different method of recognition or valuation:

(1) when a firm, upon initial recognition, designates its liabilities as at fair value through profit or loss, it must always adjust any value calculated in accordance with GENPRU 1.3.4 R by subtracting any unrealised gains or adding back in any unrealised losses which are not attributable to changes in a benchmark interest rate;
(2) in respect of a defined benefit occupational pension scheme:

(a) a firm must derecognise any defined benefit asset;
(b) a firm may substitute for a defined benefit liability the firm's deficit reduction amount.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.10

An election made under GENPRU 1.3.9R (2) must be applied consistently for the purposes of GENPRU, BIPRU or INSPRU in respect of any one financial year.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.11

A firm should keep a record of and be ready to explain to its supervisory contacts in the FSA the reasons for any difference between the deficit reduction amount and any commitment the firm has made in any public document to provide funding in respect of a defined benefit occupational pension scheme.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.12

The provisions of GENPRU 1.3.9 R to GENPRU 1.3.10 R and GENPRU 1.3.36 R apply only to the extent that the items referred to in those paragraphs would otherwise be recognised under the accounting requirements applicable to the firm. Some of those requirements may only be relevant to a firm subject to international accounting standards.

31/12/2006

General requirements: Methods of valuation and systems and controls

GENPRU 1.3.13

(1) Except to the extent that GENPRU, BIPRU or INSPRU provide for another method of valuation, GENPRU 1.3.14 R to GENPRU 1.3.34 R (Marking to market, Marking to model, Independent price verification, Valuation adjustments or, in the case of an insurer or a UK ISPV, valuation adjustments or reserves) apply:

(a) for the purposes set out in GENPRU 1.3.41 R;
(b) for the purposes set out in GENPRU 1.3.39 R; and
(c) to any balance sheet position measured at market value or fair value.

(2) A firm must establish and maintain systems and controls sufficient to provide prudent and reliable valuation estimates.
(3) Systems and controls under (2) must include at least the following elements:

(a) documented policies and procedures for the process of valuation, including clearly defined responsibilities of the various areas involved in the determination of the valuation, sources of market information and review of their appropriateness, frequency of independent valuation, timing of closing prices, procedures for adjusting valuations, month-end and ad-hoc verification procedures, and, in the case of a BIPRU firm, guidelines for the use of unobservable inputs reflecting the firm's assumptions of what market participants would use in pricing the position; and
(b) reporting lines for the department accountable for the valuation process that are:

(i) clear and independent of the front office; and
(ii) ultimately to a main board executive director.

31/12/2011

General requirements: Marking to market

GENPRU 1.3.14

Wherever possible, a firm must use mark to market in order to measure the value of the investments and positions to which this rule applies under GENPRU 1.3.13 R and GENPRU 1.3.38 R to GENPRU 1.3.41 R. Marking to market is valuation (on at least a daily basis in the case of the trading book positions of a BIPRU firm) at readily available close out prices from independent sources.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.15

For the purposes of GENPRU 1.3.14 R, examples of readily available close out prices include exchange prices, screen prices, or quotes from several independent reputable brokers.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.16

(1) When marking to market, a firm must use the more prudent side of bid/offer unless the firm is a significant market maker in a particular position type and it can close out at the mid-market price.
(2) When calculating the current exposure value of a credit risk exposure for counterparty credit risk purposes:

(a) a firm must use the more prudent side of bid/offer or the mid-market price and the firm must be consistent in the basis it chooses; and
(b) where the difference between the more prudent side of bid/offer and the mid-market price is material, the firm must consider making adjustments or, in the case of an insurer or a UK ISPV, making adjustments or establishing reserves.

31/12/2011

General requirements: Marking to model

GENPRU 1.3.17

Where marking to market is not possible, a firm must (in the case of a BIPRU firm, conservatively) use mark to model in order to measure the value of the investments and positions to which this rule applies under GENPRU 1.3.13 R and GENPRU 1.3.38 R to GENPRU 1.3.41 R. Marking to model is any valuation which has to be benchmarked, extrapolated or otherwise calculated from a market input. GENPRU 1.3.18 R to GENPRU 1.3.25 R apply when marking to model.

31/12/2011

GENPRU 1.3.18

When the model used is developed by the firm, that model must be:

(1) based on appropriate assumptions which have been assessed and challenged by suitably qualified parties independent of the development process;
(2) independently tested, including validation of the mathematics, assumptions, and software implementation; and
(3) (in the case of a BIPRU firm) developed or approved independently of the front office.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.19

A firm must ensure that its senior management are aware of the positions which are subject to mark to model and understand the materiality of the uncertainty this creates in the reporting of the performance of the business of the firm and the risks to which it is subject.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.20

A firm must source market inputs in line with market prices so far as possible and assess the appropriateness of the market inputs for the position being valued and the parameters of the model on a frequent basis.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.21

A firm must use generally accepted valuation methodologies for particular products where these are available.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.22

A firm must establish formal change control procedures, hold a secure copy of the model, and periodically use that model to check valuations.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.23

A firm must ensure that its risk management functions are aware of the weaknesses of the models used and how best to reflect those in the valuation output.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.24

A firm must periodically review the model to determine the accuracy of its performance.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.25

Examples of periodical review are assessing the continued appropriateness of the assumptions, analysis of profit and loss versus risk factors and comparison of actual close out values to model outputs.

31/12/2006

General requirements: Independent price verification

GENPRU 1.3.26

In addition to marking to market or marking to model, a firm must perform independent price verification. This is the process by which market prices or model inputs are regularly verified for accuracy and independence.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.27

For independent price verification, where independent pricing sources are not available or pricing sources are more subjective (for example, only one available broker quote), prudent measures such as valuation adjustments may be appropriate.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.28

In the case of the trading book positions of a BIPRU firm, while daily marking to market may be performed by dealers, verification of market prices and model inputs must be performed by a unit independent of the dealing room, at least monthly (or, depending on the nature of the market/trading activity, more frequently).

31/12/2006

General requirements: Valuation adjustments or, in the case of an insurer or a UK ISPV, valuation adjustments or reserves

GENPRU 1.3.29

The recognition of any gains or losses arising from valuations subject to GENPRU 1.3.13 R and GENPRU 1.3.38 R to GENPRU 1.3.41 R must be recognised for the purpose of calculating capital resources in accordance with GENPRU 1.3.14 R to GENPRU 1.3.34 R (Marking to market, Marking to model, Independent price verification, Valuation adjustments or, in the case of an insurer or a UK ISPV, valuation adjustments or reserves). However if GENPRU, BIPRU or INSPRU provide for another treatment of such gains or losses, that other treatment must be applied.

31/12/2011

GENPRU 1.3.30

A firm must establish and maintain procedures for considering valuation adjustments or, in the case of an insurer or a UK ISPV, valuation adjustments or reserves. These procedures must be compliant with the requirements set out in GENPRU 1.3.33 R.

31/12/2011

GENPRU 1.3.31

A firm using third-party valuations, or marking to model, must consider whether valuation adjustments are necessary.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.32

A firm must consider the need for making adjustments or, in the case of an insurer or a UK ISPV, establishing reserves for less liquid positions and, on an ongoing basis, review their continued appropriateness in accordance with the requirements set out in GENPRU 1.3.33 R. Less liquid positions could arise from both market events and institution-related situations e.g. concentration positions and/or stale positions.

31/12/2011

GENPRU 1.3.33

(1) This paragraph sets out the requirements referred to in GENPRU 1.3.30 R and GENPRU 1.3.32 R.
(2) A firm must consider the following adjustments or, in the case of an insurer or a UK ISPV, adjustments or reserves: unearned credit spreads, close-out costs, operational risks, early termination, investing and funding costs, future administrative costs and, where appropriate, model risk.
(3)

(a) In the case of a BIPRU firm, a firm must establish and maintain procedures for calculating adjustments to the current valuation of less liquid positions. Those adjustments must, where necessary, be in addition to any changes to the value of the position required for financial reporting purposes and must be designed to reflect the illiquidity of the position.
(b) A firm must consider several factors when determining whether a valuation adjustment or, in the case of an insurer or a UK ISPV, valuation adjustment or reserve is necessary for less liquid positions. These factors include the amount of time it would take to hedge out the position/risks within the position; the average and volatility of bid/offer spreads; the availability of market quotes (number and identity of market makers); the average and volatility of trading volumes; market concentrations; the ageing of positions; the extent to which valuation relies on marking to model and the impact of other model risks.

(4) With regard to complex products including, but not limited to, securitisation exposures and nth-to-default credit derivatives, a BIPRU firm must explicitly consider the need for valuation adjustments for model risk arising from using a valuation which may be incorrect or the risk from using unobservable calibration parameters in the valuation model.

31/12/2011

GENPRU 1.3.34

If the result of making adjustments or, in the case of an insurer or a UK ISPV, making adjustments or establishing reserves under GENPRU 1.3.29 R to GENPRU 1.3.33 R is a valuation which differs from the fair value determined in accordance with GENPRU 1.3.4 R, a firm must reconcile the two valuations.

31/12/2011

GENPRU 1.3.35

Reconciliation differences under GENPRU 1.3.34 R should not be reflected in the valuations under GENPRU 1.3 but should be disclosed to the FSA in prudential returns.

31/12/2006

Specific requirements: BIPRU firms

GENPRU 1.3.36

Adjustments to accounting values

(1) For the purposes of GENPRU and BIPRU, the adjustments in (2) and (3) apply to values calculated pursuant to GENPRU 1.3.4 R in addition to those required by GENPRU 1.3.9 R to GENPRU 1.3.10 R.
(2) A BIPRU firm must not recognise either:

(a) the fair value reserves related to gains or losses on cash flow hedges of financial instruments measured at amortised cost; or
(b) any unrealised gains or losses on debt instruments held, or formerly held, in the available-for-sale category.

(3) A BIPRU investment firm must deduct any asset in respect of deferred acquisition costs and add back in any liability in respect of deferred income (but exclude from the deduction or addition any asset or liability which will give rise to future cash flows), together with any associated deferred tax.
(4) The items referred to in (2) and (3) must be excluded from capital resources.

06/08/2009

GENPRU 1.3.37

Provisions for equity instruments held in the available-for-sale category can be found in GENPRU 2.2.185 R.

31/12/2006

Trading book and other fair-valued positions, and revaluations

GENPRU 1.3.38

GENPRU 1.3.39 R to GENPRU 1.3.40 R apply only to a BIPRU firm.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.39

Both trading book positions and other fair-valued positions are subject to prudent valuation rules as specified in GENPRU 1.3.14 R to GENPRU 1.3.34 R (Marking to market, Marking to model, Independent price verification, Valuation adjustments or, in the case of an insurer or a UK ISPV, valuation adjustments or reserves). In accordance with those rules, a firm must ensure that the value applied to each of its trading book positions and other fair-valued positions appropriately reflects the current market value. This value must contain an appropriate degree of certainty having regard to the dynamic nature of trading book positions, the demands of prudential soundness and the mode of operation and purpose of capital requirements in respect of trading book positions and other fair-valued positions.

31/12/2011

GENPRU 1.3.40

Trading book positions must be re-valued at least daily.

31/12/2006

Investments, derivatives and quasi-derivatives

GENPRU 1.3.41

(1) For the purposes of GENPRU and INSPRU, an insurer or a UK ISPV must apply GENPRU 1.3.14 R to GENPRU 1.3.34 R (Marking to market, Marking to model, Independent price verification, Valuation adjustments or, in the case of an insurer or a UK ISPV, valuation adjustments or reserves) to account for:

(a) investments that are, or amounts owed arising from the disposal of:

(i) debt securities, bonds and other money- and capital-market instruments;
(ii) loans;
(iii) shares and other variable yield participations;
(iv) units in UCITS schemes, non-UCITS retail schemes, recognised schemes and any other collective investment scheme falling within paragraph(1)(A)(d)(iv) of GENPRU 2 Annex 7; and

(b) derivatives and quasi-derivatives

(2) In the case of an insurer, (1) is subject to GENPRU 1.3.43 R.

31/12/2011

Shares in and debts due from related undertakings

GENPRU 1.3.42

GENPRU 1.3.43 R to GENPRU 1.3.57 R apply only to insurers.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.43

GENPRU 1.3.13 R and GENPRU 1.3.41 R do not apply to shares in, and debts due from a related undertaking that is:

(1) a regulated related undertaking;
(2) an ancillary services undertaking; or
(3) any other subsidiary undertaking, the shares of which a firm elects to value in accordance with GENPRU 1.3.47 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.44

The effect of GENPRU 1.3.43 R is that shares in, and debts due from, related undertakings of the types referred to are not valued on a mark to market basis by insurers. As a result, debts due from these undertakings, and shares in related undertakings which are ancillary services undertakings, are valued at their accounting book value in accordance with GENPRU 1.3.4 R. Shares in related undertakings referred to in GENPRU 1.3.43R (1) or (3) are valued by insurers in accordance with GENPRU 1.3.45 R to GENPRU 1.3.50 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.45

Except where the contrary is expressly stated in GENPRU, whenever a rule in GENPRU or INSPRU refers to shares held in, and debts due from, an undertaking referred to in GENPRU 1.3.43R (1) or GENPRU 1.3.43R (3), a firm must value the shares held in accordance with GENPRU 1.3.47 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.46

In relation to shares in, and debts due from, an undertaking referred to in GENPRU 1.3.43R (1), GENPRU 1.3.45 R does not apply for the purposes of GENPRU 2.2.256 R (Adjustments for regulated related undertakings other than insurance undertakings) and INSPRU 6.1 (Group risk: Insurance groups).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.47

For the purposes of GENPRU 1.3.45 R, the value of the shares held in an undertaking referred to in GENPRU 1.3.43R (1) or GENPRU 1.3.43R (3) is the sum of:

(1) the regulatory surplus value of that undertaking; less
(2) for the purposes of GENPRU 2.2.256 R (Adjustments for regulated related undertakings other than insurance undertakings), the book value of the total investments in the tier one capital resources and tier two capital resources of that undertaking by the firm and its related undertakings; or
(3) for other purposes in GENPRU and INSPRU, the sum of:

(a) the book value of the investments by the firm and its related undertakings in the tier two capital resources of the undertaking; and
(b) if the undertaking is an insurance undertaking, its ineligible surplus capital and any restricted assets of the undertaking which have been excluded under INSPRU 6.1.41R (1).

31/12/2007

GENPRU 1.3.48

For the purposes of GENPRU 1.3.47R (1), the regulatory surplus value of an undertaking referred to in GENPRU 1.3.43R (1) or GENPRU 1.3.43R (3) is, subject to GENPRU 1.3.49 R, the sum of:

(1) the total capital after deductions of the undertaking; less
(2) the individual capital resources requirement of the undertaking.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.49

(1) Subject to GENPRU 1.3.50 R, for the purposes of GENPRU 1.3.48 R, only the relevant proportion of the:

(a) total capital after deductions of the undertaking; and
(b) individual capital resources requirement of the undertaking;
is to be taken into account.

(2) In (1), the relevant proportion is the proportion of the total number of shares issued by the undertaking held, directly or indirectly, by the firm.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.50

If the individual capital resources requirement of an undertaking in GENPRU 1.3.43R (1) that is a subsidiary undertaking exceeds total capital after deductions, then the full amount of the items referred to in GENPRU 1.3.49R (1) must be taken into account for the purposes of GENPRU 1.3.48 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.51

For the purposes of GENPRU 1.3.47 R to GENPRU 1.3.50 R:

(1) in relation to an undertaking referred to in GENPRU 1.3.43R (1):

(a) subject to (2), individual capital resources requirement has the meaning given by INSPRU 6.1.34 R;
(b) total capital after deductions means:

(i) when used in relation to a regulated related undertaking that is subject to the capital resources table, the total capital after deductions (as calculated at stage M of the capital resources table) of the undertaking; and
(ii) when used in relation to a regulated related undertaking that is not subject to the capital resources table, the total capital after deductions calculated as if that undertaking were required to calculate its total capital after deductions in accordance with stage M of the calculation in the capital resources table, but with such adjustments being made to secure that the undertaking's calculation of its total capital after deductions complies with the relevant sectoral rules applicable to it; and

(2) in relation to an undertaking referred to in GENPRU 1.3.43R (3),

(a) the individual capital resources requirement is zero; and
(b) the total capital after deductions means the total capital after deductions of the undertaking calculated as if the undertaking were an insurance holding company required to calculate its total capital resources in accordance with the capital resources table but with such adjustments being made to secure that the undertaking's calculation of its total capital after deductions complies with the sectoral rules for the insurance sector.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.52

GENPRU 1.3.47 R to GENPRU 1.3.51 R set out several different valuation bases for an insurer's shares in related undertakings. The regulatory surplus value (defined in GENPRU 1.3.48 R) measures the related undertaking's own capital surplus or deficit. This is used: (i) in GENPRU 1.3.47 R as a basis for calculating the impact on the firm's position of its investments in related undertakings; and (ii) in INSPRU 6.1 as a starting point for the calculation of ineligible surplus capital.

31/12/2007

GENPRU 1.3.53

GENPRU 1.3.47 R determines how, for the purposes of the solo capital adequacy calculation of an insurer, that insurer's capital resources should be adjusted to take into account its investments in related undertakings.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.54

The rules that specify how, for the purposes of the adjusted solo capital calculation, an insurer should incorporate its related undertakings into its capital resources and capital resources requirement are set out in INSPRU 6.1.

31/12/2006

Insurance Special Purpose Vehicles

GENPRU 1.3.55

Except where a rule in GENPRU or INSPRU makes a different provision, an insurer must not place any value on amounts recoverable from an ISPV for the purposes of any rule in GENPRU or INSPRU.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.3.56

An insurer may value amounts recoverable from an ISPV if it obtains a waiver of GENPRU 1.3.55 R under section 148 of the Act. The conditions that will need to be met, in addition to the statutory tests under section 148(4) of the Act, before the FSA will consider granting such a waiver are set out in INSPRU 1.6.13 G to INSPRU 1.6.18 G.

31/12/2006

General insurance business: Community co-insurance operations -

GENPRU 1.3.57

Where a relevant insurer determines the amount of a liability in order to make provision for outstanding claims under a Community co-insurance operation, then, if the leading insurer has informed the relevant insurer of the amount of the provision made by the leading insurer for such claims, the amount determined by the relevant insurer:

(1) must be at least as great as the amount of the provision made by the leading insurer; or
(2) in a case where it is not the practice in the United Kingdom to make such provision separately, must be sufficient, when all liabilities are taken into account, to include provision at least as great as that made by the leading insurer for such claims,
due regard being had in either case to the proportion of the risk covered by the relevant insurer and by the leading insurer respectively.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.4

Actions for damages

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.4.1

A contravention of the rules in GENPRU does not give rise to a right of action by a private person under section 150 of the Act (and each of those rules is specified under section 150(2) of the Act as a provision giving rise to no such right of action).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.5

Application of GENPRU 1 to Lloyd's

31/12/2006

Application of GENPRU 1.2

GENPRU 1.5.1

GENPRU 1.2 applies to managing agents and to the Society in accordance with:

(1) for managing agents, INSPRU 8.1.4 R; and
(2) for the Society, INSPRU 8.1.2 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.5.2

GENPRU 1.5.7 R applies to members, pursuant to the insurance market direction in GENPRU 1.5.5 D.

31/12/2006

Insurance market direction

GENPRU 1.5.3

The insurance market direction in GENPRU 1.5.5 D is given under section 316(1) of the Act (Direction by Authority) and applies to members.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.5.4

The purpose of the insurance market direction in GENPRU 1.5.5 D is to enable the FSA to make the rule in GENPRU 1.5.7 R applying to members, in order to:

(1) protect policyholders against the risk that members may not have adequate financial resources to meet liabilities under or in respect of contracts of insurance as they fall due;
(2) promote confidence in the market at Lloyd's by requiring members to maintain financial resources which are adequate to meet their liabilities.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.5.5

With effect from 1 January 2005, Part X of the Act (Rules and Guidance) applies to the members of the Society taken together in relation to the insurance market activities of effecting and carrying out contracts of insurance written at Lloyd's, for the purpose of applying the rules and guidance in GENPRU 1.5.7 R to GENPRU 1.5.9 G.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.5.6

Part X of the Act is a core provision specified in section 317(1) of the Act (The core provisions). Section 317(2) provides that references in an applied core provision to an authorised person are to be read as references to a person in the class to which the insurance market direction applies. From 1 January 2005, references in Part X of the Act are to be read as references to members for the purposes of GENPRU 1.5.7 R to GENPRU 1.5.9 G.

31/12/2006

Members' obligation to maintain adequate financial resources

GENPRU 1.5.7

The members taken together must at all times maintain overall financial resources, including capital and liquidity resources, that are adequate, both as to amount and quality, to ensure that there is no significant risk that liabilities under or in respect of contracts of insurance written at Lloyd's will not be met as they fall due.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.5.8

Under GENPRU:

(1) managing agents must ensure that adequate financial resources are available to support the insurance business carried on through each syndicate that they manage; and
(2) the Society must, having regard to the availability and value of the central assets, ensure that the financial resources supporting the insurance business of each member are adequate at all times.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.5.9

In practice, compliance with the requirements described in GENPRU 1.5.8 G is likely to have the effect that members comply with GENPRU 1.5.7 R.

31/12/2006

Application of GENPRU 1.3

GENPRU 1.5.10

GENPRU 1.3 applies to managing agents and to the Society in accordance with:

(1) for managing agents, INSPRU 8.1.4 R; and
(2) for the Society, INSPRU 8.1.2 R.

31/12/2006

Amounts receivable but not yet received

GENPRU 1.5.11

When recognising and valuing assets that are available to meet liabilities arising from a member's insurance business, neither the Society nor managing agents may attribute any value to any amounts receivable but not yet received from that member or another member, except for:

(1) timing differences provided that a corresponding amount has been deducted from syndicate assets or funds at Lloyd's;
(2) the Society's callable contributions, which are valued according to GENPRU 1.5.17 R to GENPRU 1.5.18 R; and
(3) debts owed by a member to another member of the Society where the debt is a liability arising out of the insurance business he carries on at Lloyd's.

31/12/2006

Letters of credit, guarantees and life assurance policies

GENPRU 1.5.12

When recognising and valuing assets held as members' funds at Lloyd's the Society may, if the conditions in GENPRU 1.5.13 R are satisfied, attribute a value to letters of credit and guarantees that it holds in respect of a member's insurance business.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.5.13

The conditions referred to in GENPRU 1.5.12 R are that letters of credit and guarantees must be:

(1) in the form prescribed by the Society from time to time and notified to the FSA; and
(2) issued by a credit institution or an insurance undertaking.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.5.14

When recognising and valuing assets held as members' funds at Lloyd's the Society may attribute a value to verifiable sums arising out of life assurance policies.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.5.15

The Society must value any letter of credit, guarantee or life assurance policy at its net realisable value. The Society must make all appropriate deductions, including those in respect of:

(1) the expenses of realisation; and
(2) any reduction in value that would be likely to occur if the asset needed to be realised at short notice to meet liabilities falling due earlier than expected.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.5.16

If a member relies on a value attributed to a letter of credit or guarantee to meet any applicable capital resources requirement and that letter of credit or guarantee will expire in less than one month, the Society must take appropriate steps to ensure that the applicable capital resources requirement will continue to be met, including taking steps to ensure that sums due under the letter of credit or guarantee are drawn down when due and carried to the appropriate Lloyd's trust fund.

31/12/2006

The Society's callable contributions

GENPRU 1.5.17

For the purposes of GENPRU 1.5.15R (2), the amount assumed to be callable from a member must not exceed the lower of:

(1) the maximum callable contribution that member is or may be liable to make in that financial year; and
(2) the amount by which the member's own capital resources exceed the member's own capital resources requirement.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.5.18

The Society must value callable contributions taking appropriate account of any legal, constructive or other limits on its ability to call for contributions from members or to realise the amount called.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.5.19

The Society must give the FSA adequate advance notice if it proposes to change the maximum amount of the callable contribution that members may be liable to make in any financial year.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.5.20

The FSA would normally expect not less than six months' notice under GENPRU 1.5.19 R.

31/12/2006

Liabilities

GENPRU 1.5.21

Subject to GENPRU 1.5.22 R, the Society must recognise and value all of a member's liabilities in respect of its insurance business.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.5.22

The Society need not recognise or value a member's liabilities that are recognised and valued at syndicate level by managing agents in accordance with GENPRU 1.3.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.5.23

For the purposes of calculating a member's capital resources, when valuing a member's funds at Lloyd's the Society must deduct the value of a member's liabilities determined under GENPRU 1.5.21 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.5.24

The liabilities to be valued under GENPRU 1.5.21 R and deducted under GENPRU 1.5.23 R include:

(1) amounts owing to members' agents;
(2) amounts owing to the Society;
(3) an appropriate accrual for tax payable on any profits;
(4) (where required under any applicable accounting principle in accordance with GENPRU 1.3.4 R), any contingent liability relating to liabilities reinsured into Equitas Reinsurance Ltd; and
(5) amounts apportioned to members in respect of the credit equalisation provision in INSPRU 1.4.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.5.25

In recognising and valuing a member's liabilities, the Society and managing agents may, to the extent permitted by applicable accounting principles, leave out of account the liabilities in respect of 1992 and prior general insurance business reinsured by Equitas Reinsurance Limited.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 1.5.26

There may be contingent liabilities associated with the reinsurance into Equitas. GENPRU 1.3 requires managing agents and the Society to treat those contingent liabilities in accordance with applicable accounting principles: see GENPRU 1.3.4 R. Depending on the circumstances, managing agents or the Society may need to disclose or account for such a liability.

31/12/2006