Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

[X1 [F1 CHAPTER 5 U.K. Securitisation

Section 1 U.K. Definitions and criteria for simple, transparent and standardised securitisations

Article 242 U.K. Definitions

For the purposes of this Chapter, the following definitions apply:

(1) ‘ clean-up call option ’ means a contractual option that entitles the originator to call the securitisation positions before all of the securitised exposures have been repaid, either by repurchasing the underlying exposures remaining in the pool in the case of traditional securitisations or by terminating the credit protection in the case of synthetic securitisations, in both cases when the amount of outstanding underlying exposures falls to or below certain pre-specified level;

(2) ‘ credit-enhancing interest-only strip ’ means an on-balance sheet asset that represents a valuation of cash flows related to future margin income and is a subordinated tranche in the securitisation;

(3) ‘ liquidity facility ’ means a liquidity facility as defined in point (14) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2402;

(4) ‘ unrated position ’ means a securitisation position which does not have an eligible credit assessment in accordance with Section 4;

(5) ‘ rated position ’ means a securitisation position which has an eligible credit assessment in accordance with Section 4;

(6) ‘ senior securitisation position ’ means a position backed or secured by a first claim on the whole of the underlying exposures, disregarding for these purposes amounts due under interest rate or currency derivative contracts, fees or other similar payments, and irrespective of any difference in maturity with one or more other senior tranches with which that position shares losses on a pro-rata basis;

(7) ‘ IRB pool ’ means a pool of underlying exposures of a type in relation to which the institution has permission to use the IRB Approach and is able to calculate risk- weighted exposure amounts in accordance with Chapter 3 for all of these exposures;

(8) ‘ mixed pool ’ means a pool of underlying exposures of a type in relation to which the institution has permission to use the IRB Approach and is able to calculate risk- weighted exposure amounts in accordance with Chapter 3 for some, but not all, of the exposures;

(9) ‘ overcollateralisation ’ means any form of credit enhancement by virtue of which underlying exposures are posted in value which is higher than the value of the securitisation positions;

(10) ‘ simple, transparent and standardised securitisation ’ or ‘ STS securitisation ’ means—

[F2 (a)] a securitisation that meets the requirements set out in Article 18 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2402 [F3 ; or

[F4 (b) an overseas STS securitisation as defined in regulation 12(2) of the Securitisation Regulations 2024;]

[F4 (b) an STS equivalent non-UK securitisation as defined in point (A9) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2402;]]

(11) ‘ asset-backed commercial paper programme ’ or ‘ ABCP programme ’ means an asset backed commercial paper programme or ABCP programme as defined in point (7) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2402;

(12) ‘ asset-backed commercial paper transaction ’ or ‘ ABCP transaction ’ means an asset-backed commercial paper transaction or ABCP transaction as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2402;

(13) ‘ traditional securitisation ’ means a traditional securitisation as defined in point (9) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2402;

(14) ‘ synthetic securitisation ’ means a synthetic securitisation as defined in point (10) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2402;

(15) ‘ revolving exposure ’ means a revolving exposure as defined in point (15) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2402;

(16) ‘ early amortisation provision ’ means an early amortisation provision as defined in point (17) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2402;

(17) ‘ first loss tranche ’ means a first loss tranche as defined in point (18) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2402;

(18) ‘ mezzanine securitisation position ’ means a position in the securitisation which is subordinated to the senior securitisation position and more senior than the first loss tranche, and which is subject to a risk weight lower than 1 250  % and higher than 25 % in accordance with Subsections 2 and 3 of Section 3;

[F5 (19) “promotional entity” means any undertaking or entity—

(a) which is established by a government department or devolved administration or by a local authority in any part of the United Kingdom (“the establishing body”);

(b) which grants promotional loans or guarantees;

(c) whose primary goal is not to make profit or maximise market share, but is to promote public policy objectives of the establishing body; and

(d) in relation to which F6 ...—

(i) the establishing body is obliged to protect its economic basis and maintain its viability throughout its lifetime; or

(ii) at least 90% of its original capital or funding or the promotional loan it grants is directly or indirectly guaranteed by a government department, a devolved administration or a local authority in any part of the United Kingdom.]

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in Art. 242(10) renumbered as Art. 242(10)(a) (29.8.2023) by Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (c. 29), s. 86(3), Sch. 2 para. 38(a) (with s. 2(3)); S.I. 2023/779, reg. 4(zz)(iii)

F3 Art. 242(10)(b) and word inserted (29.8.2023) by Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (c. 29), s. 86(3), Sch. 2 para. 38(b) (with s. 2(3)); S.I. 2023/779, reg. 4(zz)(iii)

F4 Art. 242(10)(b) substituted (30.1.2024 for specified purposes) by The Securitisation Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/102), reg. 2(1)(e)(2), Sch. 2 para. 2 (with Sch. 3)

F5 Art. 242(19) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 42 (as amended by S.I. 2020/1301, regs. 1, 3, Sch. para. 35(g) and with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F6 Words in Art. 242(19) omitted (31.12.2020 immediately after IP completion day) by virtue of The State Aid (Revocations and Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1470), reg. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 3(3) (with Sch. 3)

Article 243 U.K. Criteria for STS securitisations qualifying for differentiated capital treatment

1. Positions in an ABCP programme or ABCP transaction that qualify as positions in an STS securitisation shall be eligible for the treatment set out in Articles 260, 262 and 264 where the following requirements are met:

(a) the underlying exposures meet, at the time of their inclusion in the ABCP programme, to the best knowledge of the originator or the original lender, the conditions for being assigned, under the Standardised Approach and taking into account any eligible credit risk mitigation, a risk weight equal to or smaller than 75 % on an individual exposure basis where the exposure is a retail exposure or 100 % for any other exposures; and

(b) the aggregate exposure value of all exposures to a single obligor at ABCP programme level does not exceed 2 % of the aggregate exposure value of all exposures within the ABCP programme at the time the exposures were added to the ABCP programme. For the purposes of this calculation, loans or leases to a group of connected clients, to the best knowledge of the sponsor, shall be considered as exposures to a single obligor.

In the case of trade receivables, point (b) of the first subparagraph shall not apply where the credit risk of those trade receivables is fully covered by eligible credit protection in accordance with Chapter 4, provided that in that case the protection provider is an institution, [F7 an investment firm,] an insurance undertaking or a reinsurance undertaking. For the purposes of this subparagraph, only the portion of the trade receivables remaining after taking into account the effect of any purchase price discount and overcollateralisation shall be used to determine whether they are fully covered and whether the concentration limit is met.

In the case of securitised residual leasing values, point (b) of the first subparagraph shall not apply where those values are not exposed to refinancing or resell risk due to a legally enforceable commitment to repurchase or refinance the exposure at a pre-determined amount by a third party eligible under Article 201(1).

By way of derogation from point (a) of the first subparagraph, where an institution applies Article 248(3) or has been granted permission to apply the Internal Assessment Approach in accordance with Article 265, the risk weight that institution would assign to a liquidity facility that completely covers the ABCP issued under the programme is equal to or smaller than 100 %.

2. Positions in a securitisation, other than an ABCP programme or ABCP transaction, that qualify as positions in an STS securitisation, shall be eligible for the treatment set out in Articles 260, 262 and 264 where the following requirements are met:

(a) at the time of inclusion in the securitisation, the aggregate exposure value of all exposures to a single obligor in the pool does not exceed 2 % of the exposure values of the aggregate outstanding exposure values of the pool of underlying exposures. For the purposes of this calculation, loans or leases to a group of connected clients shall be considered as exposures to a single obligor.

In the case of securitised residual leasing values, the first subparagraph of this point shall not apply where those values are not exposed to refinancing or resell risk due to a legally enforceable commitment to repurchase or refinance the exposure at a pre-determined amount by a third party eligible under Article 201(1);

(b) at the time of their inclusion in the securitisation, the underlying exposures meet the conditions for being assigned, under the Standardised Approach and taking into account any eligible credit risk mitigation, a risk weight equal to or smaller than:

(i)

40 % on an exposure value-weighted average basis for the portfolio where the exposures are loans secured by residential mortgages or fully guaranteed residential loans, as referred to in point (e) of Article 129(1);

(ii)

50 % on an individual exposure basis where the exposure is a loan secured by a commercial mortgage;

(iii)

75 % on an individual exposure basis where the exposure is a retail exposure;

(iv)

for any other exposures, 100 % on an individual exposure basis;

(c) where points (b)(i) and (b)(ii) apply, the loans secured by lower ranking security rights on a given asset shall only be included in the securitisation where all loans secured by prior ranking security rights on that asset are also included in the securitisation;

(d) where point (b)(i) of this paragraph applies, no loan in the pool of underlying exposures shall have a loan-to-value ratio higher than 100 %, at the time of inclusion in the securitisation, measured in accordance with point (d)(i) of Article 129(1) and Article 229(1).

Textual Amendments

F7 Words in Art. 243(1) inserted (1.1.2022) by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), s. 49(5), Sch. 1 para. 32; S.I. 2021/671, reg. 5(1)(b) (with reg. 5(2)) (as amended by S.I. 2021/1163, regs. 1(2), 2)

Section 2 U.K. Recognition of significant risk transfer

Article 244 U.K. Traditional securitisation

1 . The originator institution of a traditional securitisation may exclude underlying exposures from its calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts and, where relevant, expected loss amounts if either of the following conditions is fulfilled:

( a ) significant credit risk associated with the underlying exposures has been transferred to third parties;

( b ) the originator institution applies a 1 250  % risk weight to all securitisation positions it holds in the securitisation or deducts these securitisation positions from Common Equity Tier 1 items in accordance with point (k) of Article 36(1).

2 . Significant credit risk shall be considered as transferred in either of the following cases:

( a ) the risk-weighted exposure amounts of the mezzanine securitisation positions held by the originator institution in the securitisation do not exceed 50 % of the risk-weighted exposure amounts of all mezzanine securitisation positions existing in this securitisation;

( b ) the originator institution does not hold more than 20 % of the exposure value of the first loss tranche in the securitisation, provided that both of the following conditions are met:

(i)

the originator can demonstrate that the exposure value of the first loss tranche exceeds a reasoned estimate of the expected loss on the underlying exposures by a substantial margin;

(ii)

there are no mezzanine securitisation positions.

Where the possible reduction in risk-weighted exposure amounts, which the originator institution would achieve by the securitisation under points (a) or (b), is not justified by a commensurate transfer of credit risk to third parties, [F8 the competent authority] may decide on a case-by-case basis that significant credit risk shall not be considered as transferred to third parties.

3 . By way of derogation from paragraph 2, [F9 the competent authority] may allow originator institutions to recognise significant credit risk transfer in relation to a securitisation where the originator institution demonstrates in each case that the reduction in own funds requirements which the originator achieves by the securitisation is justified by a commensurate transfer of credit risk to third parties. Permission may only be granted where the institution meets both of the following conditions:

( a ) the institution has adequate internal risk management policies and methodologies to assess the transfer of credit risk;

( b ) the institution has also recognised the transfer of credit risk to third parties in each case for the purposes of the institution’s internal risk management and its internal capital allocation.

4 . In addition to the requirements set out in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, all of the following conditions shall be met:

( a ) the transaction documentation reflects the economic substance of the securitisation;

( b ) the securitisation positions do not constitute payment obligations of the originator institution;

( c ) the underlying exposures are placed beyond the reach of the originator institution and its creditors in a manner that meets the requirement set out in Article 20(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2402;

( d ) the originator institution does not retain control over the underlying exposures. It shall be considered that control is retained over the underlying exposures where the originator has the right to repurchase from the transferee the previously transferred exposures in order to realise their benefits or if it is otherwise required to re-assume transferred risk. The originator institution’s retention of servicing rights or obligations in respect of the underlying exposures shall not of itself constitute control of the exposures;

( e ) the securitisation documentation does not contain terms or conditions that:

(i)

require the originator institution to alter the underlying exposures to improve the average quality of the pool; or

(ii)

increase the yield payable to holders of positions or otherwise enhance the positions in the securitisation in response to a deterioration in the credit quality of the underlying exposures;

( f ) where applicable, the transaction documentation makes it clear that the originator or the sponsor may only purchase or repurchase securitisation positions or repurchase, restructure or substitute the underlying exposures beyond their contractual obligations where such arrangements are executed in accordance with prevailing market conditions and the parties to them act in their own interest as free and independent parties (arm’s length);

( g ) where there is a clean-up call option, that option shall also meet all of the following conditions:

(i)

it can be exercised at the discretion of the originator institution;

(ii)

it may only be exercised when 10 % or less of the original value of the underlying exposures remains unamortised;

(iii)

it is not structured to avoid allocating losses to credit enhancement positions or other positions held by investors in the securitisation and is not otherwise structured to provide credit enhancement;

( h ) the originator institution has received an opinion from a qualified legal counsel confirming that the securitisation complies with the conditions set out in point (c) of this paragraph.

F10 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F11 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F8 Words in Art. 244(2) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 41(a) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F9 Words in Art. 244(3) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 41(b) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F10 Art. 244(5) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 43 (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F11 Art. 244(6) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 43 (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 245 U.K. Synthetic securitisation

1 . The originator institution of a synthetic securitisation may calculate risk-weighted exposure amounts, and, where relevant, expected loss amounts with respect to the underlying exposures in accordance with Articles 251 and 252, where either of the following conditions is met:

( a ) significant credit risk has been transferred to third parties either through funded or unfunded credit protection;

( b ) the originator institution applies a 1 250  % risk weight to all securitisation positions that it retains in the securitisation or deducts these securitisation positions from Common Equity Tier 1 items in accordance with point (k) of Article 36(1).

2 . Significant credit risk shall be considered as transferred in either of the following cases:

( a ) the risk-weighted exposure amounts of the mezzanine securitisation positions held by the originator institution in the securitisation do not exceed 50 % of the risk-weighted exposure amounts of all mezzanine securitisation positions existing in this securitisation;

( b ) the originator institution does not hold more than 20 % of the exposure value of the first loss tranche in the securitisation, provided that both of the following conditions are met:

(i)

the originator can demonstrate that the exposure value of the first loss tranche exceeds a reasoned estimate of the expected loss on the underlying exposures by a substantial margin;

(ii)

there are no mezzanine securitisation positions.

Where the possible reduction in risk-weighted exposure amounts, which the originator institution would achieve by the securitisation, is not justified by a commensurate transfer of credit risk to third parties, [F12 the competent authority] may decide on a case-by-case basis that significant credit risk shall not be considered as transferred to third parties.

3 . By way of derogation from paragraph 2, [F13 the competent authority] may allow originator institutions to recognise significant credit risk transfer in relation to a securitisation where the originator institution demonstrates in each case that the reduction in own funds requirements which the originator achieves by the securitisation is justified by a commensurate transfer of credit risk to third parties. Permission may only be granted where the institution meets both of the following conditions:

( a ) the institution has adequate internal risk-management policies and methodologies to assess the transfer of risk;

( b ) the institution has also recognised the transfer of credit risk to third parties in each case for the purposes of the institution’s internal risk management and its internal capital allocation.

4 . In addition to the requirements set out in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, all of the following conditions shall be met:

( a ) the transaction documentation reflects the economic substance of the securitisation;

( b ) the credit protection by virtue of which credit risk is transferred complies with Article 249;

( c ) the securitisation documentation does not contain terms or conditions that:

(i)

impose significant materiality thresholds below which credit protection is deemed not to be triggered if a credit event occurs;

(ii)

allow for the termination of the protection due to deterioration of the credit quality of the underlying exposures;

(iii)

require the originator institution to alter the composition of the underlying exposures to improve the average quality of the pool; or

(iv)

increase the institution’s cost of credit protection or the yield payable to holders of positions in the securitisation in response to a deterioration in the credit quality of the underlying pool;

( d ) the credit protection is enforceable in all relevant jurisdictions;

( e ) where applicable, the transaction documentation makes it clear that the originator or the sponsor may only purchase or repurchase securitisation positions or repurchase, restructure or substitute the underlying exposures beyond their contractual obligations where such arrangements are executed in accordance with prevailing market conditions and the parties to them act in their own interest as free and independent parties (arm’s length);

( f ) where there is a clean-up call option, that option meets all the following conditions:

(i)

it may be exercised at the discretion of the originator institution;

(ii)

it may only be exercised when 10 % or less of the original value of the underlying exposures remains unamortised;

(iii)

it is not structured to avoid allocating losses to credit enhancement positions or other positions held by investors in the securitisation and is not otherwise structured to provide credit enhancement;

( g ) the originator institution has received an opinion from a qualified legal counsel confirming that the securitisation complies with the conditions set out in point (d) of this paragraph;

F14 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F15 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F12 Words in Art. 245(2) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 41(c) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F13 Words in Art. 245(3) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 41(d) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F14 Art. 245(5) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 44 (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F15 Art. 245(6) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 44 (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 246 U.K. Operational requirements for early amortisation provisions

Where the securitisation includes revolving exposures and early amortisation provisions or similar provisions, significant credit risk shall only be considered transferred by the originator institution where the requirements laid down in Articles 244 and 245 are met and the early amortisation provision, once triggered, does not:

(a)

subordinate the institution’s senior or pari passu claim on the underlying exposures to the other investors’ claims;

(b)

subordinate further the institution’s claim on the underlying exposures relative to other parties’ claims; or

(c)

otherwise increase the institution’s exposure to losses associated with the underlying revolving exposures.

Section 3 U.K. Calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts

Subsection 1 U.K. General Provisions

Article 247 U.K. Calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts

1. Where an originator institution has transferred significant credit risk associated with the underlying exposures of the securitisation in accordance with Section 2, that institution may:

(a) in the case of a traditional securitisation, exclude the underlying exposures from its calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts, and, as relevant, expected loss amounts;

(b) in the case of a synthetic securitisation, calculate risk-weighted exposure amounts, and, where relevant, expected loss amounts, with respect to the underlying exposures in accordance with Articles 251 and 252.

2. Where the originator institution has decided to apply paragraph 1, it shall calculate the risk-weighted exposure amounts as set out in this Chapter for the positions that it may hold in the securitisation.

Where the originator institution has not transferred significant credit risk or has decided not to apply paragraph 1, it shall not be required to calculate risk-weighted exposure amounts for any position it may have in the securitisation but shall continue including the underlying exposures in its calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts and, where relevant, expected loss amounts as if they had not been securitised.

3. Where there is an exposure to positions in different tranches in a securitisation, the exposure to each tranche shall be considered a separate securitisation position. The providers of credit protection to securitisation positions shall be considered as holding positions in the securitisation. Securitisation positions shall include exposures to a securitisation arising from interest rate or currency derivative contracts that the institution has entered into with the transaction.

4. Unless a securitisation position is deducted from Common Equity Tier 1 items pursuant to point (k) of Article 36(1), the risk-weighted exposure amount shall be included in the institution’s total of risk-weighted exposure amounts for the purposes of Article 92(3).

5. The risk-weighted exposure amount of a securitisation position shall be calculated by multiplying the exposure value of the position, calculated as set out in Article 248, by the relevant total risk weight.

6. The total risk weight shall be determined as the sum of the risk weight set out in this Chapter and any additional risk weight in accordance with Article 270a.

Article 248 U.K. Exposure value

1. The exposure value of a securitisation position shall be calculated as follows:

(a) the exposure value of an on-balance sheet securitisation position shall be its accounting value remaining after any relevant specific credit risk adjustments on the securitisation position have been applied in accordance with Article 110;

(b) the exposure value of an off-balance sheet securitisation position shall be its nominal value less any relevant specific credit risk adjustments on the securitisation position in accordance with Article 110, multiplied by the relevant conversion factor as set out in this point. The conversion factor shall be 100 %, except in the case of cash advance facilities. To determine the exposure value of the undrawn portion of the cash advance facilities, a conversion factor of 0 % may be applied to the nominal amount of a liquidity facility that is unconditionally cancellable provided that repayment of draws on the facility are senior to any other claims on the cash flows arising from the underlying exposures and the institution has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the competent authority that it is applying an appropriately conservative method for measuring the amount of the undrawn portion;

(c) the exposure value for the counterparty credit risk of a securitisation position that results from a derivative instrument listed in Annex II, shall be determined in accordance with Chapter 6;

(d) an originator institution may deduct from the exposure value of a securitisation position which is assigned 1 250  % risk weight in accordance with Subsection 3 or deducted from Common Equity Tier 1 in accordance with point (k) of Article 36(1), the amount of the specific credit risk adjustments on the underlying exposures in accordance with Article 110, and any non-refundable purchase price discounts connected with such underlying exposures to the extent that such discounts have caused the reduction of own funds.

The [F16 [F17 PRA may] make] technical standards to specify what constitutes an appropriately conservative method for measuring the amount of the undrawn portion referred to in point (b) of the first subparagraph.

F18 ...

2. Where an institution has two or more overlapping positions in a securitisation, it shall include only one of the positions in its calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts.

Where the positions partially overlap, the institution may split the position into two parts and recognise the overlap in relation to one part only in accordance with the first subparagraph. Alternatively, the institution may treat the positions as if they were fully overlapping by expanding for capital calculation purposes the position that produces the higher risk-weighted exposure amounts.

The institution may also recognise an overlap between the specific risk own funds requirements for positions in the trading book and the own funds requirements for securitisation positions in the non-trading book, provided that the institution is able to calculate and compare the own funds requirements for the relevant positions.

For the purposes of this paragraph, two positions shall be deemed to be overlapping where they are mutually offsetting in such a manner that the institution is able to preclude the losses arising from one position by performing the obligations required under the other position.

3. Where point (d) of Article 270c applies to positions in an ABCP, the institution may use the risk weight assigned to a liquidity facility in order to calculate the risk-weighted exposure amount for the ABCP, provided that the liquidity facility covers 100 % of the ABCP issued by the ABCP programme and the liquidity facility ranks pari passu with the ABCP in a manner that they form an overlapping position. The institution shall notify [F19 the competent authority] where it has applied the provisions laid down in this paragraph. For the purposes of determining the 100 % coverage set out in this paragraph, the institution may take into account other liquidity facilities in the ABCP programme, provided that they form an overlapping position with the ABCP.

Textual Amendments

F16 Words in Art. 248(1) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 45(a) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F17 Words in Art. 248(1) substituted (1.1.2022) by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), s. 49(5), Sch. 1 para. 47; S.I. 2021/671, reg. 5(1)(b) (with reg. 5(2)) (as amended by S.I. 2021/1163, regs. 1(2), 2)

F18 Words in Art. 248(1) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 45(b) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F19 Words in Art. 248(3) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 41(e) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 249 U.K. Recognition of credit risk mitigation for securitisation positions

1. An institution may recognise funded or unfunded credit protection with respect to a securitisation position where the requirements for credit risk mitigation laid down in this Chapter and in Chapter 4 are met.

2. Eligible funded credit protection shall be limited to financial collateral which is eligible for the calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts under Chapter 2 [F20 of this Regulation and Articles 132a to 132c of Chapter 3 of the Standardised Approach and Internal Ratings Based Approach to Credit Risk (CRR) Part of the PRA Rulebook] as laid down under Chapter 4 and recognition of credit risk mitigation shall be subject to compliance with the relevant requirements as laid down under Chapter 4.

Eligible unfunded credit protection and unfunded credit protection providers shall be limited to those which are eligible in accordance with Chapter 4 and recognition of credit risk mitigation shall be subject to compliance with the relevant requirements as laid down under Chapter 4.

3. By way of derogation from paragraph 2, the eligible providers of unfunded credit protection listed in points (a) to (h) of Article 201(1) shall have been assigned a credit assessment by a recognised ECAI which is credit quality step 2 or above at the time the credit protection was first recognised and credit quality step 3 or above thereafter. The requirement set out in this subparagraph shall not apply to qualifying central counterparties.

Institutions which are allowed to apply the IRB Approach to a direct exposure to the protection provider may assess eligibility in accordance with the first subparagraph based on the equivalence of the PD for the protection provider to the PD associated with the credit quality steps referred to in Article 136.

4. By way of derogation from paragraph 2, SSPEs shall be eligible protection providers where all of the following conditions are met:

(a) the SSPE owns assets that qualify as eligible financial collateral in accordance with Chapter 4;

(b) the assets referred to in point (a) are not subject to claims or contingent claims ranking ahead or pari passu with the claim or contingent claim of the institution receiving unfunded credit protection; and

(c) all the requirements for the recognition of financial collateral set out in Chapter 4 are met.

5. For the purposes of paragraph 4, the amount of the protection adjusted for any currency and maturity mismatches (Ga) in accordance with Chapter 4 shall be limited to the volatility adjusted market value of those assets and the risk weight of exposures to the protection provider as specified under the Standardised Approach (g) shall be determined as the weighted-average risk weight that would apply to those assets as financial collateral under the Standardised Approach.

6. Where a securitisation position benefits from full credit protection or a partial credit protection on a pro-rata basis, the following requirements shall apply:

(a) the institution providing credit protection shall calculate risk-weighted exposure amounts for the portion of the securitisation position benefiting from credit protection in accordance with Subsection 3 as if it held that portion of the position directly;

(b) the institution buying credit protection shall calculate risk-weighted exposure amounts in accordance with Chapter 4 for the protected portion.

7. In all cases not covered by paragraph 6, the following requirements shall apply:

(a) the institution providing credit protection shall treat the portion of the position benefiting from credit protection as a securitisation position and shall calculate risk-weighted exposure amounts as if it held that position directly in accordance with Subsection 3, subject to paragraphs 8, 9 and 10;

(b) the institution buying credit protection shall calculate risk-weighted exposure amounts for the protected portion of the position referred to in point (a) in accordance with Chapter 4. The institution shall treat the portion of the securitisation position not benefiting from credit protection as a separate securitisation position and shall calculate risk-weighted exposure amounts in accordance with Subsection 3, subject to paragraphs 8, 9 and 10.

8. Institutions using the Securitisation Internal Ratings Based Approach (SEC-IRBA) or the Securitisation Standardised Approach (SEC-SA) under Subsection 3 shall determine the attachment point (A) and detachment point (D) separately for each of the positions derived in accordance with paragraph 7 as if these had been issued as separate securitisation positions at the time of origination of the transaction. The value of K _IRB or K _SA , respectively, shall be calculated taking into account the original pool of exposures underlying the securitisation.

9. Institutions using the Securitisation External Ratings Based Approach (SEC-ERBA) under Subsection 3 for the original securitisation position shall calculate risk-weighted exposure amounts for the positions derived in accordance with paragraph 7 as follows:

(a) where the derived position has the higher seniority, it shall be assigned the risk weight of the original securitisation position;

(b) where the derived position has the lower seniority, it may be assigned an inferred rating in accordance with Article 263(7). In that case, thickness input T shall only be computed on the basis of the derived position. Where a rating may not be inferred, the institution shall apply the higher of the risk weight resulting from either:

(i)

applying the SEC-SA in accordance with paragraph 8 and Subsection 3; or

(ii)

the risk weight of the original securitisation position under the SEC-ERBA.

10. The derived position with the lower seniority shall be treated as a non-senior securitisation position even if the original securitisation position prior to protection qualifies as senior.

Textual Amendments

F20 Words in Art. 249(2) inserted (1.1.2022) by The Financial Services Act 2021 (Prudential Regulation of Credit Institutions and Investment Firms) (Consequential Amendments and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1376), regs. 1(3), 25(27)

Article 250 U.K. Implicit support

1 . A sponsor institution, or an originator institution which in respect of a securitisation has made use of Article 247(1) and (2) in the calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts or has sold instruments from its trading book to the effect that it is no longer required to hold own funds for the risks of those instruments shall not provide support, directly or indirectly, to the securitisation beyond its contractual obligations with a view to reducing potential or actual losses to investors.

2 . A transaction shall not be considered as support for the purposes of paragraph 1 where the transaction has been duly taken into account in the assessment of significant credit risk transfer and both parties have executed the transaction acting in their own interest as free and independent parties (arm’s length). For these purposes, the institution shall undertake a full credit review of the transaction and, at a minimum, take into account all of the following items:

( a ) the repurchase price;

( b ) the institution’s capital and liquidity position before and after repurchase;

( c ) the performance of the underlying exposures;

( d ) the performance of the securitisation positions;

( e ) the impact of support on the losses expected to be incurred by the originator relative to investors.

3 . The originator institution and the sponsor institution shall notify the competent authority of any transaction entered into in relation to the securitisation in accordance with paragraph 2.

F21 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5 . If an originator institution or a sponsor institution fails to comply with paragraph 1 in respect of a securitisation, the institution shall include all of the underlying exposures of that securitisation in its calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts as if they had not been securitised and disclose:

( a ) that it has provided support to the securitisation in breach of paragraph 1; and

( b ) the impact of the support provided in terms of own funds requirements.

Textual Amendments

F21 Art. 250(4) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 46 (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 251 U.K. Originator institutions’ calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts securitised in a synthetic securitisation

1. For the purpose of calculating risk-weighted exposure amounts for the underlying exposures, the originator institution of a synthetic securitisation shall use the calculation methodologies set out in this Section where applicable instead of those set out in Chapter 2 [F22 of this Regulation and Articles 132a to 132c of Chapter 3 of the Standardised Approach and Internal Ratings Based Approach to Credit Risk (CRR) Part of the PRA Rulebook]. For institutions calculating risk-weighted exposure amounts and, where relevant, expected loss amounts with respect to the underlying exposures under Chapter 3, the expected loss amount in respect of such exposures shall be zero.

2. The requirements set out in paragraph 1 of this Article shall apply to the entire pool of exposures backing the securitisation. Subject to Article 252, the originator institution shall calculate risk-weighted exposure amounts with respect to all tranches in the securitisation in accordance with this Section, including the positions in relation to which the institution is able to recognise credit risk mitigation in accordance with Article 249. The risk weight to be applied to positions which benefit from credit risk mitigation may be amended in accordance with Chapter 4.

Textual Amendments

F22 Words in Art. 251(1) inserted (1.1.2022) by The Financial Services Act 2021 (Prudential Regulation of Credit Institutions and Investment Firms) (Consequential Amendments and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1376), regs. 1(3), 25(28)

Article 252 U.K. Treatment of maturity mismatches in synthetic securitisations

For the purposes of calculating risk-weighted exposure amounts in accordance with Article 251, any maturity mismatch between the credit protection by which the transfer of risk is achieved and the underlying exposures shall be calculated as follows:

(a)

the maturity of the underlying exposures shall be taken to be the longest maturity of any of those exposures subject to a maximum of 5 years. The maturity of the credit protection shall be determined in accordance with Chapter 4;

(b)

an originator institution shall ignore any maturity mismatch in calculating risk-weighted exposure amounts for securitisation positions subject to a risk weight of 1 250  % in accordance with this Section. For all other positions, the maturity mismatch treatment set out in Chapter 4 shall be applied in accordance with the following formula:

where:

RW*

=

risk-weighted exposure amounts for the purposes of point (a) of Article 92(3);

RW _Ass

=

risk-weighted exposure amounts for the underlying exposures as if they had not been securitised, calculated on a pro-rata basis;

RW _SP

=

risk-weighted exposure amounts calculated under Article 251 as if there was no maturity mismatch;

T

=

maturity of the underlying exposures, expressed in years;

t

=

maturity of credit protection, expressed in years;

t*

=

0,25

Article 253 U.K. Reduction in risk-weighted exposure amounts

1. Where a securitisation position is assigned a 1 250  % risk weight under this Section, institutions may deduct the exposure value of such position from Common Equity Tier 1 capital in accordance with point (k) of Article 36(1) as an alternative to including the position in their calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts. For that purpose, the calculation of the exposure value may reflect eligible funded credit protection in accordance with Article 249.

2. Where an institution makes use of the alternative set out in paragraph 1, it may subtract the amount deducted in accordance with point (k) of Article 36(1) from the amount specified in Article 268 as maximum capital requirement that would be calculated in respect of the underlying exposures as if they had not been securitised.

Subsection 2 U.K. Hierarchy of methods and common parameters

Article 254 U.K. Hierarchy of methods

1 . Institutions shall use one of the methods set out in Subsection 3 to calculate risk-weighted exposure amounts in accordance with the following hierarchy:

( a ) where the conditions set out in Article 258 are met, an institution shall use the SEC-IRBA in accordance with Articles 259 and 260;

( b ) where the SEC-IRBA may not be used, an institution shall use the SEC-SA in accordance with Articles 261 and 262;

( c ) where the SEC-SA may not be used, an institution shall use the SEC-ERBA in accordance with Articles 263 and 264 for rated positions or positions in respect of which an inferred rating may be used.

2 . For rated positions or positions in respect of which an inferred rating may be used, an institution shall use the SEC-ERBA instead of the SEC-SA in each of the following cases:

( a ) where the application of the SEC-SA would result in a risk weight higher than 25 % for positions qualifying as positions in an STS securitisation;

( b ) where the application of the SEC-SA would result in a risk weight higher than 25 % or the application of the SEC-ERBA would result in a risk weight higher than 75 % for positions not qualifying as positions in an STS securitisation;

( c ) for securitisation transactions backed by pools of auto loans, auto leases and equipment leases.

3 . [F23 The third and fourth subparagraphs apply where, on or before 17 November 2018, an institution notified the competent authority of a relevant decision.“A relevant decision” is a decision made under the first subparagraph, as it had effect on 17 November 2018 by virtue of the first subparagraph of Article 3 (entry into force), to apply the SEC-ERBA instead of the SEC-SA to all its rated securitisation positions or positions in respect of which an inferred rating may be used.]

Any subsequent decision to further change the approach applied to all of its rated securitisation positions shall be notified by the institution to its competent authority before the 15th November immediately following that decision.

In the absence of any objection by the competent authority by 15 December immediately following the deadline referred to in the second or third subparagraph, as appropriate, the decision notified by the institution shall take effect from 1 January of the following year and shall be valid until a subsequently notified decision comes into effect. An institution shall not use different approaches in the course of the same year.

4 . By way of derogation from paragraph 1, [F24 the competent authority] may prohibit institutions, on a case by case basis, from applying the SEC-SA when the risk-weighted exposure amount resulting from the application of the SEC-SA is not commensurate to the risks posed to the institution or to financial stability, including but not limited to the credit risk embedded in the exposures underlying the securitisation. In the case of exposures not qualifying as positions in an STS securitisation, particular regard shall be had to securitisations with highly complex and risky features.

5 . Without prejudice to paragraph 1 of this Article, an institution may apply the Internal Assessment Approach to calculate risk-weighted exposure amounts in relation to an unrated position in an ABCP programme or ABCP transaction in accordance with Article 266, provided that the conditions set out in Article 265 are met. Where an institution has received permission to apply the Internal Assessment Approach in accordance with Article 265(2), and a specific position in an ABCP programme or ABCP transaction falls within the scope of application covered by such permission, the institution shall apply that approach to calculate the risk-weighted exposure amount of that position.

6 . For a position in a re-securitisation, institutions shall apply the SEC-SA in accordance with Article 261, with the modifications set out in Article 269.

7 . In all other cases, a risk weight of 1 250  % shall be assigned to securitisation positions.

F25 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F23 Words in Art. 254(3) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 47(a) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F24 Words in Art. 254(4) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 41(f) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F25 Art. 254(8) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 47(b) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 255 U.K. Determination of K _IRB and K _SA

1. Where an institution applies the SEC-IRBA under Subsection 3, the institution shall calculate K _IRB in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 5.

2. Institutions shall determine K _IRB by multiplying the risk-weighted exposure amounts that would be calculated under Chapter 3 in respect of the underlying exposures as if they had not been securitised by 8 % divided by the exposure value of the underlying exposures. K _IRB shall be expressed in decimal form between zero and one.

3. For K _IRB calculation purposes, the risk-weighted exposure amounts that would be calculated under Chapter 3 in respect of the underlying exposures shall include:

(a) the amount of expected losses associated with all the underlying exposures of the securitisation including defaulted underlying exposures that are still part of the pool in accordance with Chapter 3; and

(b) the amount of unexpected losses associated with all the underlying exposures including defaulted underlying exposures in the pool in accordance with Chapter 3.

4. Institutions may calculate K _IRB in relation to the underlying exposures of the securitisation in accordance with the provisions set out in Chapter 3 for the calculation of capital requirements for purchased receivables. For these purposes, retail exposures shall be treated as purchased retail receivables and non-retail exposures as purchased corporate receivables.

5. Institutions shall calculate K _IRB separately for dilution risk in relation to the underlying exposures of a securitisation where dilution risk is material to such exposures.

Where losses from dilution and credit risks are treated in an aggregate manner in the securitisation, institutions shall combine the respective K _IRB for dilution and credit risk into a single K _IRB for the purposes of Subsection 3. The presence of a single reserve fund or overcollateralisation available to cover losses from either credit or dilution risk may be regarded as an indication that these risks are treated in an aggregate manner.

Where dilution and credit risk are not treated in an aggregate manner in the securitisation, institutions shall modify the treatment set out in the second subparagraph to combine the respective K _IRB for dilution and credit risk in a prudent manner.

6. Where an institution applies the SEC-SA under Subsection 3, it shall calculate K _SA by multiplying the risk-weighted exposure amounts that would be calculated under Chapter 2 [F26 of this Regulation and Articles 132a to 132c of Chapter 3 of the Standardised Approach and Internal Ratings Based Approach to Credit Risk (CRR) Part of the PRA Rulebook] in respect of the underlying exposures as if they had not been securitised by 8 % divided by the value of the underlying exposures. K _SA shall be expressed in decimal form between zero and one.

For the purposes of this paragraph, institutions shall calculate the exposure value of the underlying exposures without netting any specific credit risk adjustments and additional value adjustments in accordance with Articles 34 and 110 and other own funds reductions.

7. For the purposes of paragraphs 1 to 6, where a securitisation structure involves the use of an SSPE, all the SSPE’s exposures related to the securitisation shall be treated as underlying exposures. Without prejudice to the preceding, the institution may exclude the SSPE’s exposures from the pool of underlying exposures for K _IRB or K _SA calculation purposes if the risk from the SSPE’s exposures is immaterial or if it does not affect the institution’s securitisation position.

In the case of funded synthetic securitisations, any material proceeds from the issuance of credit-linked notes or other funded obligations of the SSPE that serve as collateral for the repayment of the securitisation positions shall be included in the calculation of K _IRB or K _SA if the credit risk of the collateral is subject to the tranched loss allocation.

F27 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9. The [F28 [F29 PRA may] make] technical standards to further specify the conditions to allow institutions to calculate K _IRB for the pools of underlying exposures in accordance with paragraph 4, in particular with regard to:

(a) internal credit policy and models for calculating K _IRB for securitisations;

(b) use of different risk factors relating to the pool of underlying exposures and, where sufficient accurate or reliable data on that pool are not available, of proxy data to estimate PD and LGD; and

(c) due diligence requirements to monitor the actions and policies of sellers of receivables or other originators.

F30 ...

Textual Amendments

F26 Words in Art. 255(6) inserted (1.1.2022) by The Financial Services Act 2021 (Prudential Regulation of Credit Institutions and Investment Firms) (Consequential Amendments and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1376), regs. 1(3), 25(29)

F27 Art. 255(8) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 48(2) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F28 Words in Art. 255(9) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 48(3)(a) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F29 Words in Art. 255(9) substituted (1.1.2022) by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), s. 49(5), Sch. 1 para. 47; S.I. 2021/671, reg. 5(1)(b) (with reg. 5(2)) (as amended by S.I. 2021/1163, regs. 1(2), 2)

F30 Words in Art. 255(9) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 48(3)(b) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 256 U.K. Determination of attachment point (A) and detachment point (D)

1. For the purposes of Subsection 3, institutions shall set the attachment point (A) at the threshold at which losses within the pool of underlying exposures would start to be allocated to the relevant securitisation position.

The attachment point (A) shall be expressed as a decimal value between zero and one and shall be equal to the greater of zero and the ratio of the outstanding balance of the pool of underlying exposures in the securitisation minus the outstanding balance of all tranches that rank senior or pari passu to the tranche containing the relevant securitisation position including the exposure itself to the outstanding balance of all the underlying exposures in the securitisation.

2. For the purposes of Subsection 3, institutions shall set the detachment point (D) at the threshold at which losses within the pool of underlying exposures would result in a complete loss of principal for the tranche containing the relevant securitisation position.

The detachment point (D) shall be expressed as a decimal value between zero and one and shall be equal to the greater of zero and the ratio of the outstanding balance of the pool of underlying exposures in the securitisation minus the outstanding balance of all tranches that rank senior to the tranche containing the relevant securitisation position to the outstanding balance of all the underlying exposures in the securitisation.

3. For the purposes of paragraphs 1 and 2, institutions shall treat overcollateralisation and funded reserve accounts as tranches and the assets comprising such reserve accounts as underlying exposures.

4. For the purposes of paragraphs 1 and 2, institutions shall disregard unfunded reserve accounts and assets that do not provide credit enhancement, such as those that only provide liquidity support, currency or interest rate swaps and cash collateral accounts related to those positions in the securitisation. For funded reserve accounts and assets providing credit enhancement, the institution shall only treat as securitisation positions the parts of those accounts or assets that are loss-absorbing.

5. Where two or more positions of the same transaction have different maturities but share pro rata loss allocation, the calculation of the attachment points (A) and the detachment points (D) shall be based on the aggregated outstanding balance of those positions and the resulting attachment points (A) and detachment points (D) shall be the same.

Article 257 U.K. Determination of tranche maturity (M _T )

1 . For the purposes of Subsection 3 and subject to paragraph 2, institutions may measure the maturity of a tranche (M _T ) as either:

( a ) the weighted average maturity of the contractual payments due under the tranche in accordance with the following formula:

where CF _t denotes all contractual payments (principal, interests and fees) payable by the borrower during period t; or

( b ) the final legal maturity of the tranche in accordance with the following formula:

where M _L is the final legal maturity of the tranche.

2 . For the purposes of paragraph 1, the determination of a tranche maturity (M _T ) shall be subject in all cases to a floor of 1 year and a cap of 5 years.

3 . Where an institution may become exposed to potential losses from the underlying exposures by virtue of contract, the institution shall determine the maturity of the securitisation position by taking into account the maturity of the contract plus the longest maturity of such underlying exposures. For revolving exposures, the longest contractually possible remaining maturity of the exposure that might be added during the revolving period shall apply.

F31 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F31 Art. 257(4) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 49 (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Subsection 3 U.K. Methods to calculate risk-weighted exposure amounts

Article 258 U.K. Conditions for the use of the Internal Ratings Based Approach (SEC-IRBA)

1 . Institutions shall use the SEC-IRBA to calculate risk-weighted exposure amounts in relation to a securitisation position where the following conditions are met:

( a ) the position is backed by an IRB pool or a mixed pool, provided that, in the latter case, the institution is able to calculate K _IRB in accordance with Section 3 on a minimum of 95 % of the underlying exposure amount;

( b ) there is sufficient information available in relation to the underlying exposures of the securitisation for the institution to be able to calculate K _IRB ; and

( c ) the institution has not been precluded from using the SEC-IRBA in relation to a specified securitisation position in accordance with paragraph 2.

2 . [F32 The competent authority] may on a case-by-case basis preclude the use of the SEC-IRBA where securitisations have highly complex or risky features. For these purposes, the following may be regarded as highly complex or risky features:

( a ) credit enhancement that can be eroded for reasons other than portfolio losses;

( b ) pools of underlying exposures with a high degree of internal correlation as a result of concentrated exposures to single sectors or geographical areas;

( c ) transactions where the repayment of the securitisation positions is highly dependent on risk drivers not reflected in K _IRB ; or

( d ) highly complex loss allocations between tranches.

Textual Amendments

F32 Words in Art. 258(2) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 41(g) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 259 U.K. Calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts under the SEC-IRBA

1. Under the SEC-IRBA, the risk-weighted exposure amount for a securitisation position shall be calculated by multiplying the exposure value of the position calculated in accordance with Article 248 by the applicable risk weight determined as follows, in all cases subject to a floor of 15 %:

RW = 1 250  %	when D ≤ K IRB
	when A ≥ K IRB
	when A < K IRB < D

where:

K _IRB

is the capital charge of the pool of underlying exposures as defined in Article 255

D

is the detachment point as determined in accordance with Article 256

A

is the attachment point as determined in accordance with Article 256

where:

a

=

– (1/(p * K _IRB ))

u

=

D – K _IRB

l

=

max (A – K _IRB ; 0)

where:

where:

N

is the effective number of exposures in the pool of underlying exposures, calculated in accordance with paragraph 4;

LGD

is the exposure-weighted average loss-given-default of the pool of underlying exposures, calculated in accordance with paragraph 5;

M _T

is the maturity of the tranche as determined in accordance with Article 257.

The parameters A, B, C, D, and E shall be determined according to the following look-up table:

		A	B	C	D	E
Non-retail	Senior, granular (N ≥ 25)	0	3,56	-1,85	0,55	0,07
	Senior, non-granular (N < 25)	0,11	2,61	-2,91	0,68	0,07
	Non-senior, granular (N ≥ 25)	0,16	2,87	-1,03	0,21	0,07
	Non-senior, non-granular (N < 25)	0,22	2,35	-2,46	0,48	0,07
Retail	Senior	0	0	-7,48	0,71	0,24
	Non-senior	0	0	-5,78	0,55	0,27

2. If the underlying IRB pool comprises both retail and non-retail exposures, the pool shall be divided into one retail and one non-retail subpool and, for each subpool, a separate p-parameter (and the corresponding input parameters N, K _IRB and LGD) shall be estimated. Subsequently, a weighted average p-parameter for the transaction shall be calculated on the basis of the p-parameters of each subpool and the nominal size of the exposures in each subpool.

3. Where an institution applies the SEC-IRBA to a mixed pool, the calculation of the p-parameter shall be based on the underlying exposures subject to the IRB Approach only. The underlying exposures subject to the Standardised Approach shall be ignored for these purposes.

4. The effective number of exposures (N) shall be calculated as follows:

where EAD _i represents the exposure value associated with the ith exposure in the pool.

Multiple exposures to the same obligor shall be consolidated and treated as a single exposure.

5. The exposure-weighted average LGD shall be calculated as follows:

where LGD _i represents the average LGD associated with all exposures to the ith obligor.

Where credit and dilution risks for purchased receivables are managed in an aggregate manner in a securitisation, the LGD input shall be construed as a weighted average of the LGD for credit risk and 100 % LGD for dilution risk. The weights shall be the stand-alone IRB Approach capital requirements for credit risk and dilution risk, respectively. For these purposes, the presence of a single reserve fund or overcollateralisation available to cover losses from either credit or dilution risk may be regarded as an indication that these risks are managed in an aggregate manner.

6. Where the share of the largest underlying exposure in the pool (C ₁ ) is no more than 3 %, institutions may use the following simplified method to calculate N and the exposure-weighted average LGDs:

LGD = 0,50

where

C _m

denotes the share of the pool corresponding to the sum of the largest m exposures; and

m

is set by the institution.

If only C ₁ is available and this amount is no more than 0,03, then the institution may set LGD as 0,50 and N as 1/C ₁ .

7. Where the position is backed by a mixed pool and the institution is able to calculate K _IRB on at least 95 % of the underlying exposure amounts in accordance with point (a) of Article 258(1), the institution shall calculate the capital charge for the pool of underlying exposures as:

where

d is the share of the exposure amount of underlying exposures for which the institution can calculate K _IRB over the exposure amount of all underlying exposures.

8. Where an institution has a securitisation position in the form of a derivative to hedge market risks, including interest rate or currency risks, the institution may attribute to that derivative an inferred risk weight equivalent to the risk weight of the reference position calculated in accordance with this Article.

For the purposes of the first subparagraph, the reference position shall be the position that is pari passu in all respects to the derivative or, in the absence of such pari passu position, the position that is immediately subordinate to the derivative.

Article 260 U.K. Treatment of STS securitisations under the SEC-IRBA

Under the SEC-IRBA, the risk weight for a position in an STS securitisation shall be calculated in accordance with Article 259, subject to the following modifications:

risk-weight floor for senior securitisation positions = 10 %

Article 261 U.K. Calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts under the Standardised Approach (SEC-SA)

1. Under the SEC-SA, the risk-weighted exposure amount for a position in a securitisation shall be calculated by multiplying the exposure value of the position as calculated in accordance with Article 248 by the applicable risk weight determined as follows, in all cases subject to a floor of 15 %:

RW = 1 250  %	when D ≤ K A
	when A ≥ K A
	when A < K A < D

where:

D

is the detachment point as determined in accordance with Article 256;

A

is the attachment point as determined in accordance with Article 256;

K _A

is a parameter calculated in accordance with paragraph 2;

where:

a

=

– (1/(p · K _A ))

u

=

D – K _A

l

=

max (A – K _A ; 0)

p

=

1 for a securitisation exposure that is not a re-securitisation exposure

2. For the purposes of paragraph 1, K _A shall be calculated as follows:

where:

K _SA is the capital charge of the underlying pool as defined in Article 255;

W = ratio of:

(a)

the sum of the nominal amount of underlying exposures in default, to

(b)

the sum of the nominal amount of all underlying exposures.

For these purposes, an exposure in default shall mean an underlying exposure which is either: (i) 90 days or more past due; (ii) subject to bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings; (iii) subject to foreclosure or similar proceeding; or (iv) in default in accordance with the securitisation documentation.

Where an institution does not know the delinquency status for 5 % or less of underlying exposures in the pool, the institution may use the SEC-SA subject to the following adjustment in the calculation K _A :

Where the institution does not know the delinquency status for more than 5 % of underlying exposures in the pool, the position in the securitisation must be risk-weighted at 1 250  %.

3. Where an institution has a securitisation position in the form of a derivative to hedge market risks, including interest rate or currency risks, the institution may attribute to that derivative an inferred risk weight equivalent to the risk weight of the reference position calculated in accordance with this Article.

For the purposes of this paragraph, the reference position shall be the position that is pari passu in all respects to the derivative or, in the absence of such pari passu position, the position that is immediately subordinate to the derivative.

Article 262 U.K. Treatment of STS securitisations under the SEC-SA

Under the SEC-SA the risk weight for a position in an STS securitisation shall be calculated in accordance with Article 261, subject to the following modifications:

• risk-weight floor for senior securitisation positions = 10 %

• p = 0,5

Article 263 U.K. Calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts under the External Ratings Based Approach (SEC-ERBA)

1. Under the SEC-ERBA, the risk-weighted exposure amount for a securitisation position shall be calculated by multiplying the exposure value of the position as calculated in accordance with Article 248 by the applicable risk weight in accordance with this Article.

2. For exposures with short-term credit assessments or when a rating based on a short-term credit assessment may be inferred in accordance with paragraph 7, the following risk weights shall apply:

Table 1

Credit Quality Step	1	2	3	All other ratings
Risk weight	15  %	50  %	100  %	1 250  %

3. For exposures with long-term credit assessments or when a rating based on a long-term credit assessment may be inferred in accordance with paragraph 7 of this Article, the risk weights set out in Table 2 shall apply, adjusted as applicable for tranche maturity (M _T ) in accordance with Article 257 and paragraph 4 of this Article and for tranche thickness for non-senior tranches in accordance with paragraph 5 of this Article:

Table 2

Credit Quality Step	Senior tranche		Non-senior (thin) tranche
	Tranche maturity (M T )		Tranche maturity (M T )
	1 year	5 years	1 year	5 years
1	15  %	20  %	15  %	70  %
2	15  %	30  %	15  %	90  %
3	25  %	40  %	30  %	120  %
4	30  %	45  %	40  %	140  %
5	40  %	50  %	60  %	160  %
6	50  %	65  %	80  %	180  %
7	60  %	70  %	120  %	210  %
8	75  %	90  %	170  %	260  %
9	90  %	105  %	220  %	310  %
10	120  %	140  %	330  %	420  %
11	140  %	160  %	470  %	580  %
12	160  %	180  %	620  %	760  %
13	200  %	225  %	750  %	860  %
14	250  %	280  %	900  %	950  %
15	310  %	340  %	1 050  %	1 050  %
16	380  %	420  %	1 130  %	1 130  %
17	460  %	505  %	1 250  %	1 250  %
All other	1 250  %	1 250  %	1 250  %	1 250  %

4. In order to determine the risk weight for tranches with a maturity between 1 and 5 years, institutions shall use linear interpolation between the risk weights applicable for 1 and 5 years maturity respectively in accordance with Table 2.

5. In order to account for tranche thickness, institutions shall calculate the risk weight for non-senior tranches as follows:

where

T = tranche thickness measured as D – A

where

D

is the detachment point as determined in accordance with Article 256

A

is the attachment point as determined in accordance with Article 256

6. The risk weights for non-senior tranches resulting from paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 shall be subject to a floor of 15 %. In addition, the resulting risk weights shall be no lower than the risk weight corresponding to a hypothetical senior tranche of the same securitisation with the same credit assessment and maturity.

7. For the purposes of using inferred ratings, institutions shall attribute to an unrated position an inferred rating equivalent to the credit assessment of a rated reference position which meets all of the following conditions:

(a) the reference position ranks pari passu in all respects to the unrated securitisation position or, in the absence of a pari passu ranking position, the reference position is immediately subordinate to the unrated position;

(b) the reference position does not benefit from any third-party guarantees or other credit enhancements that are not available to the unrated position;

(c) the maturity of the reference position shall be equal to or longer than that of the unrated position in question;

(d) on an ongoing basis, any inferred rating shall be updated to reflect any changes in the credit assessment of the reference position.

8. Where an institution has a securitisation position in the form of a derivative to hedge market risks, including interest rate or currency risks, the institution may attribute to that derivative an inferred risk weight equivalent to the risk weight of the reference position calculated in accordance with this Article.

For the purposes of the first subparagraph, the reference position shall be the position that is pari passu in all respects to the derivative or, in the absence of such pari passu position, the position that is immediately subordinate to the derivative.

Article 264 U.K. Treatment of STS securitisations under the SEC-ERBA

1. Under the SEC-ERBA, the risk weight for a position in an STS securitisation shall be calculated in accordance with Article 263, subject to the modifications laid down in this Article.

2. For exposures with short-term credit assessments or when a rating based on a short-term credit assessment may be inferred in accordance with Article 263(7), the following risk weights shall apply:

Table 3

Credit Quality Step	1	2	3	All other ratings
Risk weight	10  %	30  %	60  %	1 250  %

3. For exposures with long-term credit assessments or when a rating based on a long-term credit assessment may be inferred in accordance with Article 263(7), risk weights shall be determined in accordance with Table 4, adjusted for tranche maturity (M _T ) in accordance with Article 257 and Article 263(4) and for tranche thickness for non-senior tranches in accordance with Article 263(5):

Table 4

Credit Quality Step	Senior tranche		Non-senior (thin) tranche
	Tranche maturity (M T )		Tranche maturity (M T )
	1 year	5 years	1 year	5 years
1	10  %	10  %	15  %	40  %
2	10  %	15  %	15  %	55  %
3	15  %	20  %	15  %	70  %
4	15  %	25  %	25  %	80  %
5	20  %	30  %	35  %	95  %
6	30  %	40  %	60  %	135  %
7	35  %	40  %	95  %	170  %
8	45  %	55  %	150  %	225  %
9	55  %	65  %	180  %	255  %
10	70  %	85  %	270  %	345  %
11	120  %	135  %	405  %	500  %
12	135  %	155  %	535  %	655  %
13	170  %	195  %	645  %	740  %
14	225  %	250  %	810  %	855  %
15	280  %	305  %	945  %	945  %
16	340  %	380  %	1 015  %	1 015  %
17	415  %	455  %	1 250  %	1 250  %
All other	1 250  %	1 250  %	1 250  %	1 250  %

Article 265 U.K. Scope and operational requirements for the Internal Assessment Approach

1 . Institutions may calculate the risk-weighted exposure amounts for unrated positions in ABCP programmes or ABCP transactions under the Internal Assessment Approach in accordance with Article 266 where the conditions set out in paragraph 2 of this Article are met.

Where an institution has received permission to apply the Internal Assessment Approach in accordance with paragraph 2 of this Article, and a specific position in an ABCP programme or ABCP transaction falls within the scope of application covered by such permission, the institution shall apply that approach to calculate the risk-weighted exposure amount of that position.

2 . [F33 The competent authority] shall grant institutions permission to apply the Internal Assessment Approach within a clearly defined scope of application where all of the following conditions are met:

( a ) all positions in the commercial paper issued from the ABCP programme are rated positions;

( b ) the internal assessment of the credit quality of the position reflects the publicly available assessment methodology of one or more ECAIs for the rating of securitisation positions backed by underlying exposures of the type securitised;

( c ) the commercial paper issued from the ABCP programme is predominantly issued to third-party investors;

( d ) the institution’s internal assessment process is at least as conservative as the publicly available assessments of those ECAIs which have provided an external rating for the commercial paper issued from the ABCP programme, in particular with regard to stress factors and other relevant quantitative elements;

( e ) the institution’s internal assessment methodology takes into account all relevant publicly available rating methodologies of the ECAIs that rate the commercial paper of the ABCP programme and includes rating grades corresponding to the credit assessments of ECAIs. The institution shall document in its internal records an explanatory statement describing how the requirements set out in this point have been met and shall update such statement on a regular basis;

( f ) the institution uses the internal assessment methodology for internal risk management purposes, including in its decision-making, management information and internal capital allocation processes;

( g ) internal or external auditors, an ECAI, or the institution’s internal credit review or risk management function perform regular reviews of the internal assessment process and the quality of the internal assessments of the credit quality of the institution’s exposures to an ABCP programme or ABCP transaction;

( h ) the institution tracks the performance of its internal ratings over time to evaluate the performance of its internal assessment methodology and makes adjustments, as necessary, to that methodology when the performance of the exposures routinely diverges from that indicated by the internal ratings;

( i ) the ABCP programme includes underwriting and liability management standards in the form of guidelines to the programme administrator on, at least:

(i)

the asset eligibility criteria, subject to point (j);

(ii)

the types and monetary value of the exposures arising from the provision of liquidity facilities and credit enhancements;

(iii)

the loss distribution between the securitisation positions in the ABCP programme or ABCP transaction;

(iv)

the legal and economic isolation of the transferred assets from the entity selling the assets;

( j ) the asset eligibility criteria in the ABCP programme provide for, at least:

(i)

exclusion of the purchase of assets that are significantly past due or defaulted;

(ii)

limitation of excessive concentration to individual obligor or geographic area; and

(iii)

limitation of the tenor of the assets to be purchased;

( k ) an analysis of the asset seller’s credit risk and business profile is performed including, at least, an assessment of the seller’s:

(i)

past and expected future financial performance;

(ii)

current market position and expected future competitiveness;

(iii)

leverage, cash flow, interest coverage and debt rating; and

(iv)

underwriting standards, servicing capabilities, and collection processes;

( l ) the ABCP programme has collection policies and processes that take into account the operational capability and credit quality of the servicer and comprises features that mitigate performance-related risks of the seller and the servicer. For the purposes of this point, performance-related risks may be mitigated through triggers based on the seller or servicer’s current credit quality to prevent commingling of funds in the event of the seller’s or servicer’s default;

( m ) the aggregated estimate of loss on an asset pool that may be purchased under the ABCP programme takes into account all sources of potential risk, such as credit and dilution risk;

( n ) where the seller-provided credit enhancement is sized based only on credit-related losses and dilution risk is material for the particular asset pool, the ABCP programme comprises a separate reserve for dilution risk;

( o ) the size of the required enhancement level in the ABCP programme is calculated taking into account several years of historical information, including losses, delinquencies, dilutions, and the turnover rate of the receivables;

( p ) the ABCP programme comprises structural features in the purchase of exposures in order to mitigate potential credit deterioration of the underlying portfolio. Such features may include wind-down triggers specific to a pool of exposures;

( q ) the institution evaluates the characteristics of the underlying asset pool, such as its weighted-average credit score, and identifies any concentrations to an individual obligor or geographic area and the granularity of the asset pool.

3 . Where the institution’s internal audit, credit review, or risk management functions perform the review provided for in point (g) of paragraph 2, those functions shall be independent from the institution’s internal functions dealing with ABCP programme business and customer relations.

4 . Institutions which have received permission to apply the Internal Assessment Approach shall not revert to the use of other methods for positions that fall within scope of application of the Internal Assessment Approach unless both of the following conditions are met:

( a ) the institution has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the competent authority that the institution has good cause to do so;

( b ) the institution has received the prior permission of the competent authority.

Textual Amendments

F33 Words in Art. 265(2) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 41(h) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 266 U.K. Calculation of risk-weighted exposure amounts under the Internal Assessment Approach

1. Under the Internal Assessment Approach, the institution shall assign the unrated position in the ABCP programme or ABCP transaction to one of the rating grades laid down in point (e) of Article 265(2) on the basis of its internal assessment. The position shall be attributed a derived rating which shall be the same as the credit assessments corresponding to that rating grade as laid down in point (e) of Article 265(2).

2. The rating derived in accordance with paragraph 1 shall be at least at the level of investment grade or better at the time it was first assigned and shall be regarded as an eligible credit assessment by an ECAI for the purposes of calculating risk-weighted exposure amounts in accordance with Article 263 or Article 264, as applicable.

Subsection 4 U.K. Caps for securitisation positions

Article 267 U.K. Maximum risk weight for senior securitisation positions: look-through approach

1. An institution which has knowledge at all times of the composition of the underlying exposures may assign the senior securitisation position a maximum risk weight equal to the exposure-weighted-average risk weight that would be applicable to the underlying exposures as if the underlying exposures had not been securitised.

2. In the case of pools of underlying exposures where the institution uses exclusively the Standardised Approach or the IRB Approach, the maximum risk weight of the senior securitisation position shall be equal to the exposure-weighted-average risk weight that would apply to the underlying exposures under [F34 Chapter 2 of this Regulation and Articles 132a to 132c of Chapter 3 of the Standardised Approach and Internal Ratings Based Approach to Credit Risk (CRR) Part of the PRA Rulebook or Chapter 3], respectively, as if they had not been securitised.

In the case of mixed pools the maximum risk weight shall be calculated as follows:

(a) where the institution applies the SEC-IRBA, the Standardised Approach portion and the IRB Approach portion of the underlying pool shall each be assigned the corresponding Standardised Approach risk weight and IRB Approach risk weight respectively;

(b) where the institution applies the SEC-SA or the SEC-ERBA, the maximum risk weight for senior securitisation positions shall be equal to the Standardised Approach weighted-average risk weight of the underlying exposures.

3. For the purposes of this Article, the risk weight that would be applicable under the IRB Approach in accordance with Chapter 3 shall include the ratio of:

(a) expected losses multiplied by 12,5 to

(b) the exposure value of the underlying exposures.

4. Where the maximum risk weight calculated in accordance with paragraph 1 results in a lower risk weight than the risk-weight floors set out in Articles 259 to 264, as applicable, the former shall be used instead.

Textual Amendments

F34 Words in Art. 267(2) substituted (1.1.2022) by The Financial Services Act 2021 (Prudential Regulation of Credit Institutions and Investment Firms) (Consequential Amendments and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1376), regs. 1(3), 25(30)

Article 268 U.K. Maximum capital requirements

1. An originator institution, a sponsor institution or other institution using the SEC-IRBA or an originator institution or sponsor institution using the SEC-SA or the SEC-ERBA may apply a maximum capital requirement for the securitisation position it holds equal to the capital requirements that would be calculated under [F35 Chapter 2 of this Regulation and Articles 132a to 132c of Chapter 3 of the Standardised Approach and Internal Ratings Based Approach to Credit Risk (CRR) Part of the PRA Rulebook or Chapter 3 of this Regulation] in respect of the underlying exposures had they not been securitised. For the purposes of this Article, the IRB Approach capital requirement shall include the amount of the expected losses associated with those exposures calculated under Chapter 3 and that of unexpected losses.

2. In the case of mixed pools, the maximum capital requirement shall be determined by calculating the exposure-weighted average of the capital requirements of the IRB Approach and Standardised Approach portions of the underlying exposures in accordance with paragraph 1.

3. The maximum capital requirement shall be the result of multiplying the amount calculated in accordance with paragraphs 1 or 2 by the largest proportion of interest that the institution holds in the relevant tranches (V), expressed as a percentage and calculated as follows:

(a) for an institution that has one or more securitisation positions in a single tranche, V shall be equal to the ratio of the nominal amount of the securitisation positions that the institution holds in that given tranche to the nominal amount of the tranche;

(b) for an institution that has securitisation positions in different tranches, V shall be equal to the maximum proportion of interest across tranches. For these purposes, the proportion of interest for each of the different tranches shall be calculated as set out in point (a).

4. When calculating the maximum capital requirement for a securitisation position in accordance with this Article, the entire amount of any gain on sale and credit-enhancing interest-only strips arising from the securitisation transaction shall be deducted from Common Equity Tier 1 items in accordance with point (k) of Article 36(1).

Textual Amendments

F35 Words in Art. 268(1) substituted (1.1.2022) by The Financial Services Act 2021 (Prudential Regulation of Credit Institutions and Investment Firms) (Consequential Amendments and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1376), regs. 1(3), 25(31)

Subsection 5 U.K. Miscellaneous provisions

Article 269 U.K. Re-securitisations

1. For a position in a re-securitisation, institutions shall apply the SEC-SA in accordance with Article 261, with the following changes:

(a) W = 0 for any exposure to a securitisation tranche within the pool of underlying exposures;

(b) p = 1,5;

(c) the resulting risk weight shall be subject to a risk-weight floor of 100 %.

2. K _SA for the underlying securitisation exposures shall be calculated in accordance with Subsection 2.

3. The maximum capital requirements set out in Subsection 4 shall not be applied to re-securitisation positions.

4. Where the pool of underlying exposures consists of a mix of securitisation tranches and other types of assets, the K _A parameter shall be determined as the nominal exposure weighted-average of the K _A calculated individually for each subset of exposures.

[F36 Article 269a U.K. NPE securitisations

1. The risk weight for a position in an NPE securitisation calculated in accordance with this Chapter is subject to the requirements laid down in the Non-Performing Exposures Securitisation (CRR) Part of the PRA Rulebook.

2. In this Article:

• ‘non-performing exposure’ means an exposure that meets any of the conditions set out in Article 47a(3);

• ‘NPE securitisation’ means a securitisation backed by a pool of non-performing exposures the nominal value of which makes up not less than 90% of the entire pool’s nominal value at the time of origination and at any later time where assets are added to or removed from the underlying pool due to replenishment or restructuring.]

Textual Amendments

F36 Art. 269a inserted (1.1.2022) by The Financial Services Act 2021 (Prudential Regulation of Credit Institutions and Investment Firms) (Consequential Amendments and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1376), regs. 1(3), 25(32)

Article 270 U.K. Senior positions in SME securitisations

An originator institution may calculate the risk-weighted exposure amounts in respect of a securitisation position in accordance with Articles 260, 262 or 264, as applicable, where the following conditions are met:

(a) the securitisation meets the requirements for STS securitisation set out in Chapter 4 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2402 as applicable, other than [F37 Articles 18 and] 20(1) to (6) of that Regulation;

[F38 (aa) the originator, sponsor and SSPE must be established in the United Kingdom;]

(b) the position qualifies as the senior securitisation position;

(c) the securitisation is backed by a pool of exposures to undertakings, provided that at least 70 % of those in terms of portfolio balance qualify as SMEs within the meaning of Article 501 at the time of issuance of the securitisation or in the case of revolving securitisations at the time an exposure is added to the securitisation;

(d) the credit risk associated with the positions not retained by the originator institution is transferred through a guarantee or a counter-guarantee meeting the requirements for unfunded credit protection set out in Chapter 4 for the Standardised Approach to credit risk;

(e) the third party to which the credit risk is transferred is one or more of the following:

(i) the central government or the central bank of [F39 the United Kingdom], a multilateral development bank, an international organisation or a promotional entity, provided that the exposures to the guarantor or counter-guarantor qualify for a 0 % risk weight under Chapter 2;

(ii) an institutional investor as defined in point (12) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2402 provided that the guarantee or counter-guarantee is fully collateralised by cash on deposit with the originator institution.

Textual Amendments

F37 Words in Art. 270(a) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 50(a) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F38 Art. 270(aa) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 50(b) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F39 Words in Art. 270(e)(i) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 50(c) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 270a U.K. Additional risk weight

1. Where an institution does not meet the requirements in Chapter 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2402 in any material respect by reason of negligence or omission by the institution, [F40 the competent authority] shall impose a proportionate additional risk weight of no less than 250 % of the risk weight, capped at 1 250  %, which shall apply to the relevant securitisation positions in the manner specified in Article 247(6) or Article 337(3) of this Regulation respectively. The additional risk weight shall progressively increase with each subsequent infringement of the due diligence and risk management provisions. [F40 The competent authority] shall take into account the exemptions for certain securitisations provided for in Article 6(5)) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2402 by reducing the risk weight they would otherwise impose under this Article in respect of a securitisation to which Article 6(5) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2402 applies.

2. The [F41 [F42 PRA may] make] technical standards to facilitate the convergence of supervisory practices with regard to the implementation of paragraph 1, including the measures to be taken in the case of breach of the due diligence and risk management obligations. F43 ...

F44 ...

Textual Amendments

F40 Words in Art. 270a(1) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 41(i) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F41 Words in Art. 270a(2) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 51(a) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F42 Words in Art. 270a(2) substituted (1.1.2022) by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), s. 49(5), Sch. 1 para. 47; S.I. 2021/671, reg. 5(1)(b) (with reg. 5(2)) (as amended by S.I. 2021/1163, regs. 1(2), 2)

F43 Words in Art. 270a(2) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 51(a) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F44 Words in Art. 270a(2) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 51(b) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Section 4 U.K. External credit assessments

Article 270b U.K. Use of credit assessments by ECAIs

Institutions may use only credit assessments to determine the risk weight of a securitisation position in accordance with this Chapter where the credit assessment has been issued or has been endorsed by an ECAI in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009.

Article 270c U.K. Requirements to be met by the credit assessments of ECAIs

For the purposes of calculating risk-weighted exposure amounts in accordance with Section 3, institutions shall only use a credit assessment of an ECAI where all of the following conditions are met:

(a)

there is no mismatch between the types of payments reflected in the credit assessment and the types of payments to which the institution is entitled under the contract giving rise to the securitisation position in question;

(b)

the ECAI publishes the credit assessments and information on loss and cash-flow analysis, sensitivity of ratings to changes in the underlying ratings assumptions, including the performance of underlying exposures, and on the procedures, methodologies, assumptions, and key elements underpinning the credit assessments in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009. For the purposes of this point, information shall be considered as publicly available where it is published in accessible format. Information that is made available only to a limited number of entities shall not be considered as publicly available;

(c)

the credit assessments are included in the ECAI’s transition matrix;

(d)

the credit assessments are not based or partly based on unfunded support provided by the institution itself. Where a position is based or partly based on unfunded support, the institution shall consider that position as if it were unrated for the purposes of calculating risk-weighted exposure amounts for this position in accordance with Section 3;

(e)

the ECAI has committed to publishing explanations on how the performance of underlying exposures affects the credit assessment.

Article 270d U.K. Use of credit assessments

1. An institution may decide to nominate one or more ECAIs the credit assessments of which shall be used in the calculation of its risk-weighted exposure amounts under this Chapter (a ‘ nominated ECAI ’ ).

2. An institution shall use the credit assessments of its securitisation positions in a consistent and non-selective manner and, for these purposes, shall comply with the following requirements:

(a) an institution shall not use an ECAI’s credit assessments for its positions in some tranches and another ECAI’s credit assessments for its positions in other tranches within the same securitisation that may or may not be rated by the first ECAI;

(b) where a position has two credit assessments by nominated ECAIs, the institution shall use the less favourable credit assessment;

(c) where a position has three or more credit assessments by nominated ECAIs, the two most favourable credit assessments shall be used. Where the two most favourable assessments are different, the less favourable of the two shall be used;

(d) an institution shall not actively solicit the withdrawal of less favourable ratings.

3. Where the exposures underlying a securitisation benefit from full or partial eligible credit protection in accordance with Chapter 4, and the effect of such protection has been reflected in the credit assessment of a securitisation position by a nominated ECAI, the institution shall use the risk weight associated with that credit assessment. Where the credit protection referred to in this paragraph is not eligible under Chapter 4, the credit assessment shall not be recognised and the securitisation position shall be treated as unrated.

4. Where a securitisation position benefits from eligible credit protection in accordance with Chapter 4 and the effect of such protection has been reflected in its credit assessment by a nominated ECAI, the institution shall treat the securitisation position as if it were unrated and calculate the risk-weighted exposure amounts in accordance with Chapter 4.

Article 270e U.K. Securitisation mapping

[F45 The PRA may] [F46 make] technical standards to map in an objective and consistent manner the credit quality steps set out in this Chapter relative to the relevant credit assessments of all ECAIs. [F47 For the purposes of this Article, the PRA shall] in particular:

(a)

differentiate between the relative degrees of risk expressed by each assessment;

(b)

consider quantitative factors, such as default or loss rates and the historical performance of credit assessments of each ECAI across different asset classes;

(c)

consider qualitative factors such as the range of transactions assessed by the ECAI, its methodology and the meaning of its credit assessments in particular whether such assessments take into account expected loss or first Euro loss, and timely payment of interests or ultimate payment of interests;

(d)

seek to ensure that securitisation positions to which the same risk weight is applied on the basis of the credit assessments of ECAIs are subject to equivalent degrees of credit risk.

F48 ...]]

Textual Amendments

F45 Words in Art. 270e substituted (1.1.2022) by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), s. 49(5), Sch. 1 para. 33(2); S.I. 2021/671, reg. 5(1)(b) (with reg. 5(2)) (as amended by S.I. 2021/1163, regs. 1(2), 2)

F46 Words in Art. 270e substituted (31.12.2020) by The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 52(a) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F47 Words in Art. 270e substituted (1.1.2022) by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), s. 49(5), Sch. 1 para. 33(3); S.I. 2021/671, reg. 5(1)(b) (with reg. 5(2)) (as amended by S.I. 2021/1163, regs. 1(2), 2)

F48 Words in Art. 270e omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 52(b) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Editorial Information

X1 Substituted by Corrigendum to Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 (OJ L 176, 27.6.2013, p. 1).

Textual Amendments

F1 Substituted by Regulation (EU) 2017/2401 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2017 amending Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms.