FSB Publishes Methodology to Assess Resolution Regimes for Insurers

The Key Attributes apply to resolution regimes for any type of financial institution that could be systemically significant or critical if it fails. Financial institutions include banks, insurers, investment and securities firms and financial market infrastructure. The Key Attributes also cover the resolution of financial groups and conglomerates and, therefore, extend to both holding companies of and nonregulated operational entities within a financial group or conglomerate. In other words, the Key Attributes constitute an "umbrella" standard for resolution regimes for all types of financial institutions. Implementation of the Key Attributes allows authorities to resolve financial institutions in an orderly manner without taxpayer exposure to loss from solvency support, while maintaining continuity of their vital economic functions. However, not all attributes are equally relevant for all sectors. This Key Attributes Assessment Methodology provides an insurance sector-specific interpretation of individual key attributes. It stresses that the insurance resolution regime of a jurisdiction should be proportionate to the size, structure, and complexity of the insurance system of a jurisdiction.

The methodology may also be a useful tool for a jurisdiction that is adopting new resolution regimes or reviewing, reforming, or making improvements to its existing regimes. For assessments, the following four-grade scale will be used:

• Compliant. A jurisdiction will be considered compliant with a Key Attribute when all applicable Essential Criteria are met without any significant deficiencies. 
• Largely compliant. The grade “largely compliant” can, in particular, be used when the regime does not meet all applicable Essential Criteria, but overall the regime is sufficiently robust and comprehensive and no material risks are left unaddressed. 
• Materially non-compliant. A jurisdiction will be considered materially non-compliant with a Key Attribute when there are severe shortcomings in the jurisdiction’s compliance with the relevant Key Attribute, including in instances where formal rules, regulations, and procedures exist but practical implementation of the Key Attribute has been weak. 
• Non-compliant. A jurisdiction will be considered non-compliant with a Key Attribute when there is no substantive implementation of the Key Attribute, several Essential Criteria are not complied with or the resolution regime is manifestly ineffective. If there is only one Essential Criterion for a Key Attribute and the jurisdiction does not meet that criterion, then the jurisdiction will be considered noncompliant with respect to that Key Attribute.
  

FSB also issued a note explaining the application of the insurance Key Attributes Assessment Methodology and the Key Attributes during the period of suspension of the designation of Global Systemically Important Insurers (G-SIIs). It states that the Key Attributes continue to apply during the suspension period to any insurer that could be systemically significant or critical in failure. National authorities may apply to certain insurers the requirements specific to G-SIIs, which are the requirements for a crisis management group, institution-specific cross-border cooperation agreements, and resolvability assessments. In the event of a 2022 decision by FSB to discontinue the G-SII list, FSB will review the scope of application of G-SII-specific requirements in consultation with the IAIS.  The insurance Key Attributes Assessment Methodology was developed in collaboration with experts from FSB jurisdictions, relevant standard-setting bodies, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. 

Related Links

• Press Release
• Methodology (PDF)

Keywords: International, Insurance, Resolution Regime, Key Attributes, Insurance KaaM, Systemic Risk, G-SII, FSB