PRA Proposes to Extend Temporary High Balances Coverage Amid COVID-19
PRA issued a proposal, via the consultation paper CP6/20, to extend coverage under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) for Temporary High Balances, from six months to twelve months from the date of deposit or from the first date the Temporary High Balance becomes legally transferable to the depositor. The proposed extension of coverage would be until, and including, January 31, 2021. This extension is being proposed in response to the impact of COVID-19 on residential property and investment markets and on access to banking services for some depositors. Temporary High Balance coverage would revert to six months from February 01, 2021. The comment period for this consultation ends on July 23, 2020.
The Temporary High Balance rules of PRA extend FSCS coverage from GBP 85,000 to GBP 1 million for six months from the point of deposit for certain qualifying life events, including the purchase and proceeds from residential properties. Depositor Protection Part of the PRA Rulebook sets out the list of categories of eligible deposits that may benefit from Temporary High Balance protection. The extension in Temporary High Balance coverage would be accompanied by consequential changes to the Depositor Protection Part of the PRA Rulebook (Appendix 1) and to paragraphs 30, 47a, and 47b of the Deposit Guarantee Scheme Statement of Policy. PRA would not require firms to update the information sheet in Annex 1 of Depositor Protection Part of the PRA Rulebook to reflect the extension to a twelve-month Temporary High Balance coverage. If firms do decide to amend their information sheets, then PRA would expect firms to ensure that the information sheet is changed back before February 01, 2021.
CP6/20 is relevant to retail financial consumers that are, or may become, Temporary High Balance depositors before February 01, 2021. CP6/20 is also relevant to the FSCS and to all PRA-authorized deposit-takers. The proposal has been designed in the context of withdrawal of UK from EU and entry into the transition period, during which time UK remains subject to the European law. PRA will keep the policy under review to assess whether any changes would be required due to changes in the UK regulatory framework at the end of the transition period, including those arising once any new arrangements with the EU take effect. PRA has assessed that the proposal would not need to be amended under the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018.
Related Links
Comment Due Date: July 23, 2020
Keywords: Europe, UK, Banking, COVID-19, FSCS, PRA Rulebook, Deposit Guarantee Scheme, Residential Property, Credit Risk, CP6/20, Temporary High Balance Coverage, PRA
Previous Article
IAIS Sets Out Recommendations for Benchmark Transition for InsurersRelated Articles
BCBS Consults on Principles for Operational Risk and Resilience
BCBS is consulting on the principles for operational resilience and the revisions to the principles for sound management of operational risk for banks.
FSI Note Discusses Challenges Associated with COVID Relief Measures
The Financial Stability Institute (FSI) of BIS published a brief note that examines the supervisory challenges associated with certain temporary regulatory relief measures introduced by BCBS and prudential authorities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
HKMA Announces Repayment Deferment Under Payment Holiday Scheme
HKMA, together with the Banking Sector Small and Medium-Size Enterprise (SME) Lending Coordination Mechanism, announced a ninety-day repayment deferment for trade facilities under the Pre-approved Principal Payment Holiday Scheme.
ESRB Paper Presents Alternative Approach to EBA Stress Test Proposal
The Advisory Scientific Committee of ESRB published a response, in the form of an Insights Paper, to the EBA proposals for reforms to the stress testing framework in EU.
MAS Announces Key Initiatives to Support Adoption of SORA
MAS announced several initiatives to support adoption of the Singapore Overnight Rate Average (SORA), which is administered by MAS.
BoE Updates Template and Definitions for Form ER
BoE updated the reporting template for Form ER as well as the Form ER definitions, which contain guidance on the methodology to be used in calculating annualized interest rates.
PRA to Extend Temporary High Balance Coverage Amid COVID Crisis
PRA published the policy statement PS19/20 on the final policy for extending coverage under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) for Temporary High Balance.
EBA Publishes Standards on Disclosure and Reporting of MREL and TLAC
EBA published the final draft implementing technical standards for disclosures and reporting on the minimum requirements for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL) and the total loss-absorbing capacity (TLAC) requirements in EU.
EBA Releases Erratum for Phase 2 Package on Reporting Framework 2.10
EBA published an erratum for the phase 2 of technical package on the reporting framework 2.10.
EC Sets Out Updated Technical Information for Solvency II Calculations
EC published the Implementing Regulation 2020/1145, which lays down technical information for calculation of technical provisions and basic own funds.
