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.

Patrycja Oleksza
Applies proficiency and knowledge to regulatory capital and reporting analysis and coordinates business and product strategies in the banking technology area
Previous Article
EC Proposes Amendments to Benchmarks RegulationRelated Articles
BOE Sets Out Its Thinking on Regulatory Capital and Climate Risks
The Bank of England (BOE) published a working paper that aims to understand the climate-related disclosures of UK financial institutions.
OSFI Finalizes on Climate Risk Guideline, Issues Other Updates
The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) is seeking comments, until May 31, 2023, on the draft guideline on culture and behavior risk, with final guideline expected by the end of 2023.
BIS Paper Examines Impact of Greenhouse Gas Emissions on Lending
BIS issued a paper that investigates the effect of the greenhouse gas, or GHG, emissions of firms on bank loans using bank–firm matched data of Japanese listed firms from 2006 to 2018.
HMT Mulls Alignment of Ring-Fencing and Resolution Regimes for Banks
The HM Treasury (HMT) is seeking evidence, until May 07, 2023, on practicalities of aligning the ring-fencing and the banking resolution regimes for banks.
BCBS Report Examines Impact of Basel III Framework for Banks
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) published results of the Basel III monitoring exercise based on the June 30, 2022 data.
PRA Consults on Prudential Rules for "Simpler-Regime" Firms
Among the recent regulatory updates from UK authorities, a key development is the first-phase consultation, from the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), on simplifications to the prudential framework that would apply to the simpler-regime firms.
DNB Publishes Multiple Reporting Updates for Banks
DNB, the central bank of Netherlands, updated the list of additional reporting requests and published additional data quality checks and XBRL-Formula linkbase documents for the first quarter of 2023.
NBB Sets Out Climate Risk Expectations, Issues Reporting Updates
The National Bank of Belgium (NBB) published a communication on climate-related and environmental risks, issued an update on XBRL reporting
EBA Updates Address Securitization Standards and DGS Guidelines
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published the final draft of the regulatory technical standards that set out conditions for assessment of homogeneity of the underlying exposures in simple, transparent, and standardized (STS) securitizations.
FSB Publishes Letter to G20, Sets Out Work Priorities for 2023
The Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a letter intended for the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, highlighting the work that FSB will take forward under the Indian G20 Presidency in 2023