PRA Issues Update on Temporary Approach to VAR Back-Testing Exceptions
PRA published an update to the temporary approach to value-at-risk (VAR) back-testing exceptions to mitigate the possibility of excessively pro-cyclical market risk capital requirements amid pandemic. In light of the amendments to the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR) in response to the COVID-19 outbreak (the CRR Quick Fix), PRA has decided to terminate its temporary approach to VAR back-testing exceptions from September 30, 2020. From October 01, 2020 onward, firms should no longer apply any commensurate reduction in risks-not-in-VAR (RNIV) capital requirements.
On March 30, 2020, PRA had published a statement on the temporary approach on VAR back-testing exceptions. PRA had set out that the exceptional levels of market volatility during the ongoing COVID-19 event have led to an elevated level of VAR back-testing exceptions across the industry. To mitigate the possibility of excessively pro-cyclical market risk capital requirements through the automatic application of a higher VAR multiplier, PRA will allow firms—on a temporary basis—to offset increases due to new exceptions through a commensurate reduction in RNIV capital requirements. PRA had also advised that it would conduct a review of the temporary approach that allows firms to offset increases due to new back-testing exceptions through a commensurate reduction in RNIV capital requirements. Consequent to this review, PRA has decided to terminate its temporary approach to VAR back-testing exceptions from September 30, 2020. For back-testing exceptions that occur between January 01, 2020 and December 31, 2021 that do not result from deficiencies in the internal model, firms should now apply to PRA, in accordance with CRR Article 500c, to exclude those exceptions from the calculation of their back-testing addend.
Related Links
Keywords: Europe, UK, Banking, COVID-19, Market Risk, Value-at-Risk, Regulatory Capital, CRR, Internal Models, Basel, PRA
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.
Related Articles
EU Amends CRD4 and CRD5 as Part of Capital Markets Recovery Package
EU published Directive 2021/338, which amends the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) II and the Capital Requirements Directives (CRD 4 and 5) to facilitate recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
EU Committee Recommends Systemic Risk Buffer of 4.5% in Norway
The Standing Committee of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) recommended that a systemic risk buffer level of 4.5% for domestic exposures can be considered appropriate for addressing the identified systemic risks to the stability of the financial system in Norway.
PRA Clarifies Approach to Onshoring of Credit Risk Rules for UK Banks
In a recent statement, PRA clarified its approach to the application of certain EU regulatory technical standards and EBA guidelines on standardized and internal ratings-based approaches to credit risk, following the end of the Brexit transition.
FSB Sets Out Work Priorities for 2021
In a recently published letter addressed to the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors, the FSB Chair Randal K. Quarles has set out the key FSB priorities for 2021.
EU Publishes Corrigendum to Revised Capital Requirements Regulation
EU published, in the Official Journal of the European Union, a corrigendum to the revised Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR2 or Regulation 2019/876).
ESAs Issue Statement on Application of Sustainability Disclosures Rule
ESAs published a joint supervisory statement on the effective and consistent application and on national supervision of the regulation on sustainability-related disclosures in the financial services sector (SFDR).
EC Consults on Crisis Management and Deposit Insurance Frameworks
EC published a public consultation on the review of crisis management and deposit insurance frameworks in EU.
HKMA Enhances Loan Guarantee Scheme to Alleviate Pressure on SMEs
HKMA announced that enhancements will be made to the Special 100% Loan Guarantee of the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme (SFGS) and the application period will be extended to December 31, 2021.
EBA Proposes Standards for Supervisory Cooperation Under IFD
EBA launched consultations on the regulatory and implementing technical standards on cooperation and information exchange between competent authorities involved in prudential supervision of investment firms.
BoE Addresses Banks in Scope of First Resolvability Assessment
BoE issued a letter to the CEOs of eight major UK banks that are in scope of the first Resolvability Assessment Framework (RAF) reporting and disclosure cycle.
