BCBS and FSB Set Out Recommendations for Benchmark Transition

The survey results highlight that, compared to FSB jurisdictions, non-FSB jurisdictions are less likely to foresee significant risks in LIBOR transition, mainly due to perceptions of less frequent use of LIBOR in their financial systems. Most FSB jurisdictions have a strategy to address LIBOR transition, as opposed to only half of the surveyed non-FSB jurisdictions. Authorities in LIBOR jurisdictions are relatively more advanced in taking initiatives to facilitate and monitor benchmark transition. Financial institutions in these jurisdictions have shown better progress, although significant challenges remain. In light of the expected cessation of LIBOR after the end of 2021, authorities should strengthen their efforts in facilitating financial and non-financial institutions to transition away from LIBOR. The report includes three sets of recommendations to support LIBOR transition that should generally be applicable to all jurisdictions with LIBOR exposures:

• Identification of transition risks and challenges—Authorities and standard-setting bodies are recommended to issue public statements to promote awareness of LIBOR cessation and associated risks, both within financial institutions and across the financial system. Authorities should evaluate the need and then undertake regular surveys to monitor financial institutions’ exposure to LIBOR and identify possible areas of risk concentration. Supervisory authorities should take follow up actions in light of survey results. Authorities are also recommended to request regular updates from regulated financial institutions on key risks and action plans as well as on steps already taken, including identification of senior management responsible for transition.
• Facilitation of LIBOR transition—Authorities should establish a formal transition strategy supported by adequate resources and industry dialog. Supervisory authorities should consider increasing the intensity of supervisory actions when the preparatory work of individual banks is unsatisfactory.
• Coordination—Authorities are recommended to promote industry-wide coordination, maintain dialog on the adoption of fallback language, consider identifying legislative solutions where necessary, and exchange information on best practices and challenges. 

As part of the next steps, FSB, in collaboration with other international bodies and standard-setting bodies, will design a simple set of key metrics or indicators to update the global LIBOR exposures and transition status and will identify a list of qualitative questions to monitor the progress in implementing the above recommendations. The aim is to provide another assessment of the transition progress by early next year. FSB will continue to monitor the evolving impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ongoing benchmark transition. FSB will incorporate the findings from its monitoring exercise into the annual progress report of FSB on the implementation of recommendations to reform major interest rate benchmarks (a report that is to be published before the G20 Summit in November).

Related Links

• Press Release
• Report (PDF)

Keywords: International, Banking, Securities, Interest Rate Benchmark, LIBOR, Risk-Free Rates, IBOR Transition, OTC Derivatives, Basel, BCBS, FSB