ESMA Highlights Supervisory Concerns and Risks for CLO Credit Ratings
ESMA published a thematic review on the credit ratings of collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) in EU. The assessment provides an overview of CLO rating practices and identifies the main supervisory concerns and medium-term risks in this asset class. The identified issues include credit rating agencies’ (CRAs) internal organization, their interactions with CLO issuers, operational risks, commercial influence on the rating process, and the need for proper analysis of CLOs. The report is based on information collected until March 2020 but it also highlights the impact that COVID-19 may have on CLO methodologies.
It is too early to assess the aggregated consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak as it will depend on the length of the health crisis and on the effects of the associated government interventions. In light of this, ESMA expects CRAs to continue to perform regular stress-testing simulations and to provide market participants with granular information on the sensitivity of CLO credit ratings to key economic variables affected by the pandemic. ESMA identified the following key risks in its thematic review:
- Internal organization of CRAs. The CLO rating process is segmented between a CLO analytical team and a corporate analytical team in all CRAs. A smooth and ongoing exchange of information between internal teams is key to ensure a holistic assessment of CLO creditworthiness. CRAs should ensure the capacity for the timely identification of all inherent risks to CLOs.
- Interactions with CLO issuers. As CLO arrangers and managers can identify which CRA may assign the best ratings for each CLO tranche, it is key that CRAs ensure the independence of their rating process from any influence from their commercial teams and/or arrangers.
- Model or third-party dependencies leading to potential operational risks. The dependency on rating models and data provided by third parties, along with the high automation of processes, present operational risks which need to be monitored by CRAs to avoid potential errors in credit ratings.
- Rating methodologies, modeling risks, and commercial influence. CLO methodologies are underpinned by assumptions and modelling approaches that can impact credit ratings. ESMA highlights the importance of transparency to market participants on the limitations of methodological approaches. In addition, CRAs should ensure that evolutions in CLO methodologies are not influenced by commercial interests.
- Thorough analysis of CLOs. CRAs should continue to monitor market trends and to perform a thorough analysis of all relevant developments in CLO contractual arrangements.
Related Links
Keywords: Europe, EU, Banking, Securities, Credit Rating Agencies, Collateralized Loan Obligations, Credit Ratings, Modeling Risk, Governance, ESMA
Previous Article
EC Issues Rule on Technical Information for Solvency II CalculationsRelated 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.
