- Regulation
- Directive 2014/59/EU (BRRD)
- Article
- 48, para. 3, 5
- Topic
- Resolution tools and powers
- Submitted by
- Competent authority
- Submitted
- 2017-12-08
- Answered
- 2018-01-19
- Answer provided by
- ESAs (EBA, ESMA, EIOPA)
Background
Article 48(3) of Directive 2014/59/EU (BRRD) (Sequence of write down and conversion) provides that: “ Before applying the write down or conversion referred to in point (e) of paragraph 1, resolution authorities shall convert or reduce the principal amount on instruments referred to in points (b), (c) and (d) of paragraph 1 when those instruments contain the following terms and have not already been converted: (a) terms that provide for the principal amount of the instrument to be reduced on the occurrence of any event that refers to the financial situation, solvency or levels of own funds of the institution or entity referred to in point (b), (c) or (d) of Article 1(1); (b) terms that provide for the conversion of the instruments to shares or other instruments of ownership on the occurrence of any such event. ” Considering that the resolution authority can only reduce or convert the bail-inable liabilities referred to in point (e) of Article 48(1) if and only if the total reductions of the instruments referred to in points (a), (b), (c) and (d) is less than the sum of the amounts referred to in points (b) and (d) of Article 47(3) in what situations does Article 48(3) apply? How would the resolution authority write down or convert bail-inable liabilities referred to in point (e) of Article 48(1) without previously reducing or converting the other instruments, regardless of the terms mentioned in points (a) and (b) of Article 48(3)? In addition, it would be worth clarifying how to interpret "substantially" in Article 48(5).
Answer
In most of the cases the instruments referred to under Article 48(3) of Directive 2014/59/EU (BRRD) will have been converted into equity even before the application of bail-in, in line with the provisions in Articles 47(2) and 48(4). Article 48(3) represents a “catch-all” provision for any instrument, which may not have been converted or reduced before the application of the bail-in tool to the eligible bail-inable liabilities referred to in point (e) of paragraph 1. As regards the interpretation of "substantially" in Article 48(5) "substantially" should be understood as "fully". Disclaimer: This question goes beyond matters of consistent and effective application of the regulatory framework. A Directorate General of the Commission (Directorate General Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union) has prepared the answer, albeit that only the Court of Justice of the European Union can provide definitive interpretations of EU legislation. This is an unofficial opinion of that Directorate General, which the European Banking Authority publishes on its behalf. The answers are not binding on the European Commission as an institution. You should be aware that the European Commission could adopt a position different from the one expressed in such Q&As, for instance in infringement proceedings or after a detailed examination of a specific case or on the basis of any new legal or factual elements that may have been brought to its attention.
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