APRA Specifies Capital Treatment of Equity Investments in ABGF
APRA published a letter to the authorized deposit-taking institutions outlining the regulatory capital treatment of their equity investments in the Australian Business Growth Fund (ABGF). APRA is adjusting its capital framework for authorized deposit-taking institutions to support the establishment of the ABGF. The ABGF is a joint initiative between the Australian government and financial investors to provide longer term equity funding to small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). APRA supports the establishment of the fund as an initiative to enhance financing options for SMEs.
An authorized deposit-taking institution that invests in the ABGF will be able to apply a risk-weight of 250% to their investment. This compares to the current capital treatment of a full deduction from common equity tier 1 (CET1) capital for these investments. The inclusion of the Australian government as a founding shareholder in the ABGF supports APRA providing a special treatment, subject to prudential safeguards, for this investment compared to other equity investments.
To ensure that risks, to authorized deposit-taking institutions, of investing in the ABGF are contained, an authorized deposit-taking institution will only be able to invest up to 2% of its Level 1 CET1 Capital in the ABGF. Any additional equity investment beyond that amount will not be eligible for the 250% risk-weight and would be treated according to APRA’s usual prudential requirement of deduction from CET1 Capital. Where an authorized deposit-taking institution investor in the ABGF has an undrawn contractual commitment to invest in the ABGF, it may assign a 20% credit conversion factor to this commitment for capital adequacy purposes. An authorized deposit-taking institution must notify its Responsible Supervisor if it is participating in the ABGF.
Related Links
Keywords: Asia Pacific, Australia, Banking, CET 1, Capital Framework, Regulatory Capital, Australian Business Growth Fund, Risk-Weighted Assets, Basel III, APRA
Featured Experts
María Cañamero
Skilled market researcher; growth strategist; successful go-to-market campaign developer
Nicolas Degruson
Works with financial institutions, regulatory experts, business analysts, product managers, and software engineers to drive regulatory solutions across the globe.
Patrycja Oleksza
Applies proficiency and knowledge to regulatory capital and reporting analysis and coordinates business and product strategies in the banking technology area
Previous Article
IMF Paper Studies Optimal Design of a Central Bank Digital CurrencyRelated Articles
EBA Publishes Standards on Disclosure of Investment Policy Under IFR
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published the final draft regulatory technical standards on disclosure of investment policy by investment firms, under the Investment Firms Regulation (IFR).
EBA Updates Filing Rules for Supervisory Reporting
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published version 5.1 of the filing rules for supervisory reporting.
ECB Amends Guideline on Procedures for Collection of AnaCredit Data
The European Central Bank (ECB) Guideline 2021/1829 on the procedures for the collection of granular credit and credit risk data has been published in the Official Journal of European Union.
APRA Finalizes Guidance for New Prudential Standard on Remuneration
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) published the prudential practice guide CPG 511 to assist banks, insurers, and superannuation licensees in meeting requirements of CPS 511, the new prudential standard on remuneration.
OCC Updated LIBOR Self-Assessment Tool for Banks
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) published a bulletin that provides an updated self-assessment tool for banks to evaluate their preparedness for cessation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR).
TCFD Updates Guidance for Financial Disclosures on Climate Risk
The Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a report that examines the progress made toward disclosures aligned with recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
BCBS Report Examines Progress on Adoption of Basel III Framework
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) published the progress report on adoption of the Basel III regulatory framework in member jurisdictions.
ACPR Implements Updates Related to DPM Version 3.1
The French Prudential Supervisory Authority (ACPR) has implemented, in its information system, updates linked to the Data Point Model (DPM) version 3.1.
EBA Note Examines Transition Risks of Benchmark Rates
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published a thematic note that aims to identify and raise awareness of the transition risks of benchmark rates, as the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and the Euro Overnight Index Average (EONIA) are close to being phased out.
OSFI to Communicate Next Steps on Climate Risk Policy in Early 2022
In a letter to the federally regulated financial institutions and pension plans, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) published a summary of the feedback received to the January 2021 discussion paper on ways to address climate risks.
