RBNZ Supports OCR as Fallback Benchmark Interest Rate for New Zealand
RBNZ is supporting the selection of the Official Cash Rate (OCR) as the fallback benchmark interest rate in New Zealand. The New Zealand Financial Markets Association (NZFMA) has made changes to further improve reliability and robustness of the benchmark, in line with developments in the global best practices. As a part of these improvements, NZFMA, in conjunction with consultation from industry representatives, selected the OCR to act as the risk-free fallback benchmark interest rate for BKBM, which is benchmark interest rate of New Zealand. The new risk-free interest-rate benchmarks will be calculated independently to the BKBM fallback benchmark rate, with the NZFMA in the process of developing a term structure methodology.
In the first quarter of 2020, ISDA is expected to update its 2006 fallback provisions. Following this, it would be prudent for market participants to adopt them in contracts that reference the BKBM. ISDA will also publish a protocol to enable market participants to include fallback benchmark rates within legacy inter-bank offered rate trades, if they choose to. ISDA appointed Bloomberg Index Services to calculate and publish the term rate adjustment (using compounded setting in arrears) and credit spread adjustment (using a historical median) for the fallback benchmark rate, should it be needed. Furthermore, NZFMA advised that it intends to operate dual interest rate benchmarks, retaining BKBM and developing risk-free rates.
Internationally, it is widely recognized that the London Inter-bank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, will no longer be calculated and published beyond 2021. Market participants in New Zealand with contracts referencing LIBOR should continue to prepare for this by transitioning to the alternative benchmark rates and by adopting more robust fallback provisions in their contracts. While some banks have made good progress, market participants need to accelerate efforts to ensure they are prepared for LIBOR cessation by the end of 2021.
Related Link: Press Release
Keywords: Asia Pacific, New Zealand, Banking, LIBOR, IBOR, Fallback Provisions, NZFMA, Interest Rate Benchmark, OCR, BKBM, RBNZ
Previous Article
Megan Butler of FCA on Progress of Transition from LIBOR to SONIARelated Articles
ISSB Sustainability Standards Expected to Become Global Baseline
The finalization of the two sustainability disclosure standards—IFRS S1 and IFRS S2—is expected to be a significant step forward in the harmonization of sustainability disclosures worldwide.
IOSCO, BIS, and FSB to Intensify Focus on Decentralized Finance
Decentralized finance (DeFi) is expected to increase in prominence, finding traction in use cases such as lending, trading, and investing, without the intermediation of traditional financial institutions.
BCBS Assesses NSFR and Large Exposures Rules in US
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) published reports that assessed the overall implementation of the net stable funding ratio (NSFR) and the large exposures rules in the U.S.
Global Agencies Focus on ESG Data, Climate Litigation and Nature Risks
At the global level, supervisory efforts are increasingly focused on addressing climate risks via better quality data and innovative use of technologies such as generative artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain.
ISSB Standards Shine Spotlight on Comparability of ESG Disclosures
The finalization of the IFRS sustainability disclosure standards in late June 2023 has brought to the forefront the themes of the harmonization of sustainability disclosures
EBA Issues Several Regulatory and Reporting Updates for Banks
The European Banking Authority (EBA) recently issued several regulatory publications impacting the banking sector.
BCBS Proposes to Revise Core Principles for Banking Supervision
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) launched a consultation on revisions to the core principles for effective banking supervision, with the comment period ending on October 06, 2023.
US Proposes Final Basel Rules, Transition Period to Start in July 2025
The U.S. banking agencies (FDIC, FED, and OCC) recently proposed rules implementing the final Basel III reforms, also known as the Basel III Endgame.
FSB Report Outlines Next Steps for Climate Risk Roadmap
The Financial Stability Board (FSB) recently published the second annual progress report on the July 2021 roadmap to address climate-related financial risks.
EBA Plans on Ad-hoc ESG Data Collection and Climate Scenario Exercise
The recognition of climate change as a systemic risk to the global economy has further intensified regulatory and supervisory focus on monitoring of the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks.
