EBA · 2015_1975 Final Q&A

CVA Risk Charge Calculation for derivatives in the banking book with local GAAP

Regulation
Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR)
Article
382, para. 1
Topic
Market risk
Submitted by
Industry association
Submitted
2015-04-29
Answered
2015-11-27
Answer provided by
ESAs (EBA, ESMA, EIOPA)

Question

Do institutions that use local GAAP for accounting purposes and do not mark-to-market derivatives in the banking book have to calculate a CVA Risk Charge for derivatives in the banking book?

Background

CRR indicates that institutions must calculate a CVA Risk Charge for derivatives. However, the scope and dependence on the respective accounting framework are not clear from the text of the CRR and requires interpretations. CRR per Article 24(1) basically acknowledges, that the valuation of all assets will be based on the applicable accounting framework. CRR Article 24(1) stipulates: "The valuation of assets and off-balance sheet items shall be effected in accordance with the applicable accounting framework." Given that according to (German) local GAAP derivatives in the banking book must not be marked-to-market and hence do not generate P&L nor CVA-P&L, for the purposes of the CRR the value of banking book derivatives then is zero. In Article 381 the CRR again defines Credit Valuation Adjustment as an adjustment to the mid-market valuation accounting for the current market value of credit risk. In doing so the CRR acknowledges that CVA is a market value and therefore subject to the provision of CRR Article 24(1). CRR Article 381 (Meaning of Credit Valuation Adjustment) stipulates: "For the purposes of this Title and Chapter 6 of Title II, 'Credit Valuation Adjustmen' or 'CVA' means an adjustment to the mid-market valuation of the portfolio of transactions with a counterparty." That adjustment reflects the current market value of the credit risk of the counterparty to the institution, but does not reflect the current market value of the credit risk of the institution to the counterparty. Under German local GAAP institutions do not account a market value of credit risk for their banking book derivatives positions. Therefore, the valuation of institutions’ banking book derivatives positions under local GAAP are not subject to fluctuations of market factors such as interest rates or credit spreads, i.e. there is no fluctuation in the valuation of these positions and hence no "risk". The CRR proceeds in Article 382(1) to define the scope of the application of the CVA risk requirements, referring to "all OTC derivatives instruments" (a specification on the type of the derivative, i.e. "OTC") and "all business activities" (a specification on the matrix of customers and markets). CRR Article 382 (1) (Scope) stipulates: "An institution shall calculate the own funds requirements for CVA risk in accordance with this Title for all OTC derivative instruments in respect of all of its business activities, other than credit derivatives recognised to reduce risk-weighted exposure amounts for credit risk." Note how the CRR does not re-define or even invalidate the requirements stipulated in Article 24 (1) with respect to the accounting framework. However, the wording in Article 382 (1) has puzzled some market participants as to the precise interpretation and coherence of the aforementioned articles of the CRR. The question that arises is: Must institutions that use local GAAP for Accounting purposes calculate a CVA Risk Charge for derivatives in the banking book?

Answer

According to Article 382(1) of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR), "an institution shall calculate own funds requirements for CVA risk in accordance with this Title for all OTC derivative instruments in respect of all its business activities, other than credit derivatives recognised to reduce risk-weighted exposure amounts for credit risk". Therefore, derivatives in the banking book other than credit derivatives recognised to mitigate credit risk and which are not exempted under paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 382, are included within the scope of the CVA charge, even though they are not marked-to-market.

Original source: European Banking Authority, Q&A ID 2015_1975

This Q&A is published by European Banking Authority and is non-binding. It does not constitute legal advice. Updated weekly from official ESA sources.

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