JFSA Survey Indicates More Preparations Required for LIBOR Transition
JFSA presented the results of a joint survey it conducted with BOJ on the quantitative London Inter-bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) exposures and the qualitative LIBOR transition progress. The survey was conducted on 278 financial institutions, including banks, securities companies, and insurance companies. The survey results highlight that, since the LIBOR transition requires comprehensive actions, specific preparations are needed with responsible and active involvement of management officials. As the next steps, JFSA and BOJ will monitor whether financial institutions take necessary actions in view of the time limit of end-2021. To this end, the two entities will deliberate on the need to set more specific core targets and conduct on-site monitoring, taking into account the progress in financial institutions’ preparations for LIBOR transition.
As per the assessment, the key actions needed are as follows:
- Financial institutions with a large number of contracts maturing beyond end-2021 with no fallback provisions should press ahead with necessary actions for customers given the limited time available. They need to promptly set policies on new products referencing risk-free rat and on new contracts referencing LIBOR, so that the number of contracts referencing LIBOR will not increase.
- Financial institutions with a larger number of contracts need to strengthen coordination among customer services, back office, and legal sections as they may incur more costs on those sections than anticipated. Even if they have fallback provisions, if they take the “amendment approach,” they need to prepare for scenarios where a number of consultations with customers can arise at one time.
- Financial institutions that have not identified IT systems requiring upgrades need to do so promptly. Considering the time required to complete such upgrades, they need to prioritize which systems to upgrade first, clarify the schedule, and secure sufficient budgets for such upgrades.
- Financial institutions that have issued bonds referencing LIBOR must take procedures according to the applicable laws of each jurisdiction to revise contractual terms; in principle, they need to host bondholders’ meetings for those issued in Japan, based on the Companies Act.
- If financial institutions use LIBOR for their asset-liability management and other risk management, they need to consider reviewing their management framework.
- Financial institutions need to identify issues and concerns associated with accounting and discuss them with outside auditors.
The two-fold aim of this survey is to allow supervisory authorities to identify the financial institutions’ quantification of LIBOR exposure (the number of contracts referencing LIBOR), these institutions' progress toward transition from LIBOR to alternative reference rates, and their internal preparedness for this transition. The survey is planned to be conducted regularly to follow up the progress and status of LIBOR transition.
Keywords: Asia Pacific, Japan, Banking, Insurance, Securities, LIBOR, Risk-Free Rates, Interest Rate Benchmarks, Derivatives, Benchmark Reforms, BOJ, JFSA
Previous Article
FASB Proposes Improvements to Credit Losses Standard in USRelated Articles
NGFS Updates Address Short-Term Climate Scenarios and Transition Plans
The Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) is exploring the development of short-term climate scenarios to complement its existing scenario framework of long-term climate scenarios.
ISSB Updates Address ESG Issues while IASB Consults on Impairments
The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) is seeking feedback, until August 09, 2023, on the exposure draft that sets out the methodology proposed by ISSB to amend the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Standards' metrics
OSFI to Review Liquidity Adequacy Guidelines and Policy Architecture
The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) is consulting, until June 21, 2023, on a review of the liquidity treatment provided in the Liquidity Adequacy Requirements (LAR) Guideline for wholesale funding sources with retail-like characteristics.
ESRB Publishes Report on Cryptos and DeFi; ECB Updates on Digital Euro
The European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB) published a report that outlines the systemic implications of crypto markets and proposes policy options to address the risks stemming from crypto-assets and decentralized finance or DeFi.
EU Agencies Issue Updates on DORA, ESAP, and Crowdfunding Regulation
The European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) published a discussion paper on their joint advice to the European Commission (EC) on proposals to specify criteria for critical information and communication technology (ICT) third-party service providers
ESAs Propose ESG Disclosure on STS Securitization, Issue Other Updates
The Joint Committee of the three European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) proposed to amend the Implementing Regulation 2016/1799 on the mapping of External Credit Assessment Institutions' (ECAIs) credit assessments.
UK Authorities Issue Updates, Finalize Policy on Model Risk Management
The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) finalized the model risk management principles for banks, the policy statement PS5/23 on risks from contingent leverage, and PS4/23 on moving senior managers regime forms from the PRA Rulebook.
APRA Revises Implementation Timeline for Operational Risk Standard
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) updated the implementation date of the new cross-industry prudential standard CPS 230 on operational risk management
BCBS Consults on Basel FAQs and Amendments, Issues Other Updates
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) published a report assessing implementation of the global Basel standards on net stable funding ratio (NSFR) and large exposures (LEX) in South Africa
EBA Announces Multiple Regulatory and Reporting Updates in April 2023
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published consultations on the amendments to the guidelines on risk-based anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) supervision
