EBA Seeks Views on Proportionality Assessment Methodology

EBA developed a proportionality assessment methodology to set a high-level framework for assessing the need for applying proportional treatment of certain institutions in the relevant EBA Regulation. With this methodology, EBA intends to provide policy experts with a reference point that will assist them in the development of impact assessments that provides evidence on the need for applying proportional treatment of institutions. The proportionality assessment methodology entails the following two steps:

• Definition of classifications. The first step proposes three categorizations for credit institutions and a categorization for investment firms. Although all categorizations comprise a different mixture of size and risk profile discriminatory criteria, the discrimination according to size is more predominant in two categorizations of credit institutions (Classification I and Classification III), while the business model categorization (Classification II) addresses the risk profile of credit institutions as indicated by the business model (based on the stock of exposures), international activity, and systemic importance. Finally, the categorization of investment firms (Classification IV) constitutes a well-balanced mixture of size and risk profile discriminatory factors.
• Definition of metrics for proportionality assessment. This step aims to suggest a set of predefined metrics to evaluate the impact of regulations on institutions that could result in a proportional application of certain regulations. The predefined metrics suggested in the discussion paper evaluate the impact on regulatory capital and liquidity, impact on the cost structure of credit institutions and investment firms, and impact on the wider economy, including impact on lending and impact on stakeholders. As far as possible, EBA will use already existing data from its database of supervisory reporting without requesting additional input from competent authorities or institutions. However, for new pieces of regulation additional information requests are often the only viable source to gather reliable data. In case of need for additional information requests, EBA will evaluate whether there is need for a quantitative data collection, a qualitative questionnaire, or a combination of these tools for the conduct of the assessment. Depending on the regulation in question, additional tailor-made metrics could be useful and even necessary to either complement or replace the predefined metrics.

EBA already uses part of the proposed classifications in its work involved with the Basel III monitoring exercise—namely, Classification I and Classification II. However, EBA identified the need to expand the classifications to align with the classifications provided by the EU Regulation, such as the revised Capital Requirements Regulation (Classification III) and the Investment Firms Regulation (Classification IV). EBA intends to standardize the classifications and metrics for proportionality assessment, in an effort to enhance common understanding on how proportional treatment in the EBA Regulation is being assessed.

Related Links

• Press Release
• Discussion Paper (PDF)

Comment Due Date: October 22, 2021

Keywords: Europe, EU, Banking, Securities, Investment Firms, CRR2, IFR, Proportionality, Basel, Reporting, Regulatory Capital, EBA