PRA Explains Supervisory Approach to Credit Unions Amid COVID Crisis
PRA issued a letter explaining its supervisory focus and priorities for credit unions during the period of stress caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. The letter informs about the regulatory reporting extensions granted to credit unions and sets out the details of a PRA rule modification available to all credit unions until January 01, 2021. Credit unions have the option to consent to this modification such that the minimum provisioning requirements for bad debt will be reduced in line with the rates set out in the letter. Additionally, BoE announced that the Term Funding Scheme with additional incentives for Small and Medium-Size Enterprises (TFSME) will open for drawings on April 15, 2020. The scheme allows eligible banks and building societies to access four-year funding at rates very close to the Bank Rate and supports households and businesses during this period of economic disruption.
PRA has consistently stressed the importance of sound governance, risk management, and general prudence in its past communications with the credit union sector. The letter states that it is crucial for credit unions to be mindful of these principles, especially in light of the current challenges. PRA is mindful of the operational challenges that may make certain aspects of credit union operations and compliance increasingly challenging. Thus, PRA will accept delayed submission for regulatory reports due on or before May 31, 2020. A two-month extension is being granted for annual returns and accounts. A one-month extension is being granted for quarterly returns. However these extensions should only be utilized where a credit union is experiencing challenges.
Additionally, where a credit union is either already below its capital requirement or projects to be so, it should notify PRA immediately as required by the Credit Union Rulebook Part 8.6. On receipt of that notification, PRA will engage with credit unions on a case-by-case basis. The starting point for that supervisory dialog is to seek assurance from the credit union on its plan to restore its capital. PRA also highlights that credit unions should be mindful of the liquidity requirements and that it expects credit unions to consider their specific liquidity situation, along with the associated risks, and act accordingly. PRA reiterates that it expects all credit unions to be mindful of their continuing and existing regulatory requirements, as set out in the PRA Credit Union Rulebook Part. PRA rules set out obligations with respect to credit risk management, credit control, record-keeping and the collection of adequate management information.
Related Links
- Notification on Letter to Credit Unions
- Letter to Credit Unions (PDF)
- Press Release on Funding Scheme
Keywords: Europe, UK, Banking, COVID-19, SME, Credit Unions, Reporting, Reporting, Regulatory Capital, Liquidity Risk, Term Funding Facility, PRA, BoE
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.

Pierre-Etienne Chabanel
Brings expertise in technology and software solutions around banking regulation, whether deployed on-premises or in the cloud.
Previous Article
MAS Amends Notices on NSFR and Guide on Margin Rules for DerivativesRelated Articles
BIS Examines Use of Big Data and Machine Learning at Central Banks
BIS published a paper that provides an overview on the use of big data and machine learning in the central bank community.
APRA Finalizes Reporting Standard for Operational Risk Requirements
APRA finalized the reporting standard ARS 115.0 on capital adequacy with respect to the standardized measurement approach to operational risk for authorized deposit-taking institutions in Australia.
ECB Publishes Guide for Determining Penalties for Regulatory Breaches
ECB published a guide that outlines the principles and methods for calculating the penalties for regulatory breaches of prudential requirements by banks.
MAS Sets Out Good Practices to Manage Operational Risks Amid COVID
MAS and The Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) jointly issued a paper that sets out good practices for the management of operational and other risks stemming from new work arrangements adopted by financial institutions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
ACPR Announces New Data Collection Application for Banks and Insurers
ACPR announced that a new data collection application, called DLPP (Datalake for Prudential), for collecting banking and insurance prudential data will go into production on April 12, 2021.
BCB Maintains CCyB at 0%, Initiates First Cycle of Regulatory Sandbox
BCB announced that the Financial Stability Committee decided to maintain the countercyclical capital buffer (CCyB) for Brazil at 0%, at least until the end of 2021.
EIOPA Launches Study on Non-Life Underwriting Risk in Internal Models
EIOPA has launched a European-wide comparative study on non-life underwriting risk in internal models, also kicking-off of the data collection phase.
SRB Publishes Overview of Resolution Tools Available in Banking Union
SRB published an overview of the resolution tools available in the Banking Union and their impact on a bank’s ability to maintain continuity of access to financial market infrastructure services in resolution.
EBA Consults on Pillar 3 Disclosure Standards for ESG Risks Under CRR
EBA is consulting on the implementing technical standards for Pillar 3 disclosures on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks, as set out in requirements under Article 449a of the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR).
ESAs Issue Advice on KPIs on Sustainability for Nonfinancial Reporting
ESAs Issue Advice on KPIs on Sustainability for Nonfinancial Reporting