The Basel II capital framework recognises that credit risk mitigation techniques can significantly reduce credit risk at a bank. In particular, paragraph 140 of the framework establishes that where guarantees or credit derivatives are direct, explicit, irrevocable and unconditional, and supervisors are satisfied that banks fulfil certain minimum operational conditions relating to risk management processes, banks may take account of such credit protection in calculating capital requirements.
The Committee has previously expressed concerns about potential regulatory capital arbitrage related to certain credit protection transactions. At that time it noted that it would continue to monitor developments with respect to such transactions and would consider imposing a globally harmonised minimum capital Pillar 1 requirement if necessary. After further consideration, the Committee decided to move forward with a more comprehensive Pillar 1 proposal.
While the Committee recognises that the purchase of credit protection can be an effective risk management tool, the proposed changes are intended to ensure that the costs, and not just the benefits, of purchased credit protection are appropriately recognised in regulatory capital. It does this by requiring that banks, under certain circumstances, calculate the present value of premia paid for credit protection, which should be considered as an exposure amount of the protection-purchasing bank and be assigned a 1,250 per cent risk weight.
Comments on the proposals should be submitted by 21 June, 2013.
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