BoE and FCA Outline Next Steps for LIBOR Transition in 2020
BoE, FCA, and the Working Group on Sterling Risk-Free Reference Rates (RFRWG) have published a set of documents that outline the LIBOR transition priorities and milestones for 2020. The RFRWG has published a document on the 2020 priorities and milestones, a paper on the use cases of benchmark rates, lessons learned from recent conversions of legacy LIBOR contracts, and a factsheet titled "Calling time on LIBOR: Why you need to act now." Additionally, in December, a consultation was published on the approach to use to determine the credit adjustment spread for inclusion in sterling cash products referencing LIBOR. The comment period for this consultation closes on February 06, 2020.
This is a critical year for LIBOR transition. As the Financial Policy Committee (FPC) of BoE set out in December 2019, while good progress has been made, firms need to accelerate efforts to ensure they are prepared for LIBOR cessation by the end of 2021. To help achieve this, the RFRWG has published its priorities and an updated roadmap for the year ahead to highlight important events and clarify actions market participants should take to reduce LIBOR exposure and transition to alternative rates, including:
- Ceasing issuance of cash products linked to sterling LIBOR by the of end the third quarter of 2020
- Throughout 2020, taking steps that demonstrate that compounded SONIA is easily accessible and usable
- Taking steps to enable a further shift of volumes from LIBOR to SONIA in derivative markets
- Establishing a framework for the transition of legacy LIBOR products, to significantly reduce the stock of LIBOR referencing contracts by the first quarter of 2021
- Considering how best to address issues of “tough legacy” contracts
BoE and FCA support these objectives and have published two documents designed to further catalyze transition efforts:
- First, a joint letter that has been sent to major banks and insurers, supervised in the UK. This letter sets out the initial expectations of FCA and PRA of firms’ transition progress during 2020, including in relation to the targets set by the RFRWG, and highlights the FPC’s close monitoring of the steps being taken.
- Second, a statement from BoE and FCA encouraging market makers to switch the convention for sterling interest rate swaps from LIBOR to SONIA on March 02, 2020. This is designed to help progress transition in the derivatives market.
These publications, along with an update in December, are a comprehensive suite of materials that support the priorities and milestones of RFRWG.
Related Links
- BoE Press Release
- FCA Press Release
- Statement on LIBOR to SONIA Switch
- RFRWG Priorities and Other Published Documents
Comment Due Date: February 06, 2020
Keywords: Europe, UK, Banking, Insurance, Securities, Interest Rate Benchmark, LIBOR, SONIA, Risk-Free Rates, FCA, BoE
Previous Article
OJK Releases Its Strategic Policy for 2020Related Articles
EC Regulation Sets Out Standards for Reporting and Disclosure of MREL
EC published the Implementing Regulation 2021/763 that lays down implementing technical standards for supervisory reporting and public disclosure of the minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL).
APRA Decides to Standardize Submission Date for Quarterly Reporting
APRA announced the standardization of quarterly reporting due dates for authorized deposit-taking institutions.
ECB Working Group Publishes Recommendations on EURIBOR Fallbacks
The private sector working group of ECB on euro risk-free rates published the recommendations to address events that would trigger fallbacks in the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (EURIBOR)-related contracts, along with the €STR-based EURIBOR fallback rates (rates that could be used if a fallback is triggered).
Bundesbank Publishes Supporting Documentation for Reporting by Banks
Bundesbank published a list of "EntryPoints" that are accepted in its reporting system; the list provides taxonomy version and name of the module against each EntryPoint.
EBA Publishes Phase 1 of Reporting Framework 3.1
EBA published the phase 1 of its reporting framework 3.1, with the technical package covering the new reporting requirements for investment firms (under the implementing technical standards on investment firms reporting).
APRA to Finalize Capital Adequacy Standard Revisions by January 2022
Asia Pacific Australia Banking APS 111 Capital Adequacy Regulatory Capital Basel RBNZ APRA
ESMA Issues Guidelines on Outsourcing to Cloud Service Providers
ESMA published the final guidelines on outsourcing to cloud service providers.
EBA Publishes Data on Deposit Guarantee Schemes
EBA published annual data for two key concepts and indicators in the Deposit Guarantee Schemes (DGS) Directive—available financial means and covered deposits.
OSFI Sets Out Plan for Future Guidance on Managing Technology Risk
OSFI has set out the schedule for release of draft guidance on the management of technology risks by federally regulated financial institutions and private pension plans.
MAS Updates Housing Loan Rules, Proposes Corporate Governance Guidance
MAS updated rules for new housing loans by banks and finance companies.
