Citation and commencement

1.-(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Capital Requirements (Capital Buffers and Macro-prudential Measures) (Amendment) Regulations 2015.

(2) Regulation 2(4) comes into force on 31st May 2016 in so far as it relates to the insertion of the following provisions of the Capital Requirements (Capital Buffers and Macro-prudential Measures) Regulations 2014-

(a)regulations 34A to 34D, 34F, 34N(1) to (2); and

(b)regulation 34O so far as it relates to the FPC.

(3) Regulation 2(4) comes into force on 1st January 2019 in so far as it relates to the insertion of the following provisions of the Capital Requirements (Capital Buffers and Macro-prudential Measures) Regulations 2014-

(a)regulations 34E, 34G to 34M, 34N(3) to (8), and 34P; and

(b)regulation 34O so far as it relates to the PRA and FCA.

(4) The remaining provisions of these Regulations come into force on 31st May 2016.

Amendments to the Capital Requirements (Capital Buffers and Macro-prudential Measures) Regulations 2014.

2.-(1) The Capital Requirements (Capital Buffers and Macro-prudential Measures) Regulations 2014(3) are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 1 (citation, commencement and cessation), in paragraph 4-

(a)at the end of sub-paragraph (a) omit "and";

(b)at the end of sub-paragraph (b) insert "; and"; and

(c)after sub-paragraph (b) insert-

"(c)1st January 2019 so far as it relates to the systemic risk buffer.".

(3) In regulation 2(1) (interpretation), after the definition of "O-SII buffer", insert-

""systemic risk buffer" has the meaning given by Article 128(5) of the capital requirements directive(4).".

(4) After regulation 34 insert-

"PART 5ASystemic Risk Buffer

CHAPTER 1Introduction

Meaning of "EEA buffer rate"

34A.  In this Part, an "EEA buffer rate" means a buffer rate set by an authority in an EEA State other than the United Kingdom pursuant to Article 133 (requirement to maintain a systemic risk buffer) of the capital requirements directive.

Meaning of "individual basis"

34B.  In this Part, "individual basis" has the same meaning as in Article 133(3) of the capital requirements directive.

Meaning of "mapping"

34C.  In this Part, a "mapping" means the correspondence between scores and buffer rates specified by the FPC in accordance with regulation 34F(5).

Meaning of "SRB institution"

34D.-(1) In this Part, an "SRB institution" means-

(a)a ring-fenced body within the meaning of section 142A of FSMA(5); or

(b)a body satisfying conditions A and B in paragraphs (2) and (3) below.

(2) Condition A is that the body is a building society within the meaning given by section 119 (interpretation) of the Building Societies Act 1986(6).

(3) Condition B is that the sum total of the following two values exceeds £25 billion-

(a)the value of shares issued by the body which are not deferred shares; and

(b)the value of deposits held in accounts with the body where one or more of the account holders is a small business.

(4) In paragraph (3)-

(a)"deferred shares", "deposit" and "share" have the meaning given by section 119 of the Building Societies Act 1986(7); and

(b)a person is a small business if and only if the person is a small business for the purposes of section 7(10) (the funding limit) of the Building Societies Act 1986(8).

Designated authorities

34E.  For the purposes of Article 133(2) of the capital requirements directive, the PRA and FCA are the designated authorities for each of the functions allocated to them by this Part.

CHAPTER 2United Kingdom rates

FPC: criteria, methodology and mapping

34F.-(1) The FPC must specify a set of criteria for assessing the extent to which the failure or distress of an SRB institution might pose a long term non-cyclical systemic or macro-prudential risk not covered by the capital requirements regulation(9).

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)-

(a)an SRB institution is in distress if and only if it experiences a significant deterioration in its financial situation; and

(b)a long term non-cyclical systemic or macro-prudential risk means a risk of disruption to the financial system with the potential to have serious negative consequences for the financial system and the real economy in the United Kingdom.

(3) Each criterion must-

(a)be measurable; and

(b)be capable of being applied to SRB institutions on an individual basis, sub-consolidated basis and consolidated basis(10).

(4) The FPC must create a methodology for measuring the criteria and giving an SRB institution a single score in relation to the criteria.

(5) For each score which SRB institutions may receive under the methodology, the FPC must specify a corresponding buffer rate for the systemic risk buffer(11).

(6) The only buffer rates which the FPC may specify are 0%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5% and 3%.

(7) The mapping-

(a)must be clear, precise and unambiguous;

(b)must ensure a score is mapped to only one buffer rate;

(c)may not be expressed in terms of a discretion conferred on a person or body (including the FPC itself); and

(d)may be expressed by way of a formula, an algorithm, a graph or a table.

PRA: applying the systemic risk buffer

34G.-(1) The PRA must apply the process set out in this regulation to each SRB institution.

(2) The PRA must choose one of the following bases on which to apply the criteria specified by the FPC in accordance with regulation 34F(1) to an SRB institution-

(a)an individual basis;

(b)a sub-consolidated basis;

(c)a consolidated basis.

(3) The PRA must then-

(a)apply the methodology created by the FPC in accordance with regulation 34F(4) to the SRB institution in order to obtain a score for the SRB institution; and

(b)derive the corresponding buffer rate for the SRB institution by applying the mapping.

(4) Except where paragraph (5) applies-

(a)where the PRA derives a buffer rate of 0% for an SRB institution, the PRA may not set a buffer rate for that SRB institution's systemic risk buffer;

(b)where the PRA derives a buffer rate of other than 0% for an SRB institution, the PRA must set that rate as the buffer rate for the SRB institution's systemic risk buffer.

(5) The PRA may, in exercise of sound supervisory judgement-

(a)set a buffer rate for an SRB institution's systemic risk buffer, notwithstanding the fact that the PRA has derived a buffer rate of 0% for that SRB institution;

(b)set a buffer rate for an SRB institution which is different to a buffer rate derived under paragraph (3)(b); or

(c)waive the requirement in paragraph (4)(b) to set a buffer rate for an SRB institution, and set no buffer rate for the SRB institution.

(6) Where the PRA sets a buffer rate for an SRB institution under paragraph (5)(a) or (b), the buffer rate must be 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5% or 3%.

Pre-notification to EEA and third country authorities

34H.-(1) Before the PRA sets a buffer rate for an SRB institution, the PRA must notify-

(a)the European Commission;

(b)the ESRB;

(c)the EBA;

(d)the competent authorities of the EEA States concerned which are responsible for exercising the duties of a competent authority under the capital requirements directive and capital requirements regulation;

(e)the authorities in the EEA States concerned which are designated for the purposes of Article 133(2) of the capital requirements directive; and

(f)the supervisory authorities of every country outside the EEA.

(2) The notification must describe in detail-

(a)the systemic or macro-prudential risk in the United Kingdom;

(b)the reasons why the scale of the systemic or macro-prudential risk which threatens the stability of the financial system at a national level justifies the proposed buffer rate;

(c)the justification for considering why the systemic risk buffer is likely to be an effective and proportionate way to mitigate those risks;

(d)an assessment of the likely positive or negative impact of the systemic risk buffer on the internal market, within the meaning of Article 26(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, based on information available to the United Kingdom;

(e)the justification for considering why none of the existing measures set out in the capital requirements regulation or the capital requirements directive, excluding Articles 458 and 459 of the capital requirements regulation, taken either alone or in combination and taking into account their relative efficacy, would be sufficient to address the macro-prudential or systemic risk which has been identified; and

(f)the proposed buffer rate and the SRB institution to which it will apply.

Appeals

34I.-(1) Where a person is aggrieved at a decision made by the PRA under regulation 34G, then the person may refer the matter to the Tribunal.

(2) The scope of such an appeal is limited to-

(a)the application of the methodology in accordance with regulation 34G(3)(a);

(b)the derivation of the buffer rate in accordance with regulation 34G(3)(b); and

(c)the exercise of the PRA's discretion in accordance with regulation 34G(5).

CHAPTER 3EEA rates

Recognition of EEA buffer rates

34J.-(1) This regulation applies where an EEA State other than the United Kingdom sets an EEA buffer rate.

(2) The PRA may recognise the EEA buffer rate for the purposes of requiring institutions(12) or a class of institutions which-

(a)are authorised in the United Kingdom under Part 4A of FSMA; and

(b)have exposures located in that EEA State;

to apply the EEA buffer rate in the calculation of their systemic risk buffers.

(3) When deciding whether to recognise an EEA buffer rate, the PRA must take into account the information set out in the notification submitted in relation to the EEA buffer rate under Article 133(11), (12) or (13) of the capital requirements directive.

(4) Where the PRA recognises an EEA buffer rate-

(a)the PRA must notify the FCA; and

(b)the PRA and FCA must decide, in respect of PRA-authorised persons and persons who are not PRA-authorised persons respectively, which institutions must apply the EEA buffer rate in the calculation of their systemic risk buffers.

(5) But the PRA may not require an SRB institution to apply the EEA buffer rate if-

(a)the PRA has set a buffer rate for that SRB institution under regulation 34G; and

(b)the buffer rate set by the PRA is greater than the EEA buffer rate.

Notification

34K.  Where the PRA recognises an EEA buffer rate, the PRA must notify-

(a)the European Commission;

(b)the ESRB;

(c)the EBA;

(d)the competent authorities of the EEA States concerned which are responsible for exercising the duties of a competent authority under the capital requirements directive and capital requirements regulation; and

(e)the authorities in the EEA States concerned which are designated for the purposes of Article 133(2) of the capital requirements directive.

CHAPTER 4Maintenance and calculation of systemic risk buffer

Maintenance of systemic risk buffer

34L.-(1) The authority specified in the second column of Table 1 must require the institutions specified in the first column of Table 1 to maintain a systemic risk buffer in the circumstances specified in the third column of Table 1.

(2) Where an institution is required to maintain a systemic risk buffer, the authority must require the institution to-

(a)calculate the systemic risk buffer in the manner set out in the fourth column of Table 1; and

(b)determine the value of its exposures for the purposes of that calculation by applying the level of consolidation specified in the fifth column of Table 1.

(3) Table 1 specifies the only circumstances in which an institution may be required to maintain a systemic risk buffer.

CHAPTER 5Miscellaneous

Date of application

34M.-(1) Where the PRA sets a buffer rate for an SRB institution under regulation 34G, the PRA must decide the date from which the SRB institution must apply the buffer rate in the calculation of its systemic risk buffer.

(2) Where the PRA decides that an SRB institution is no longer required to maintain a systemic risk buffer, the PRA must decide the date from which the SRB institution may cease to maintain the systemic risk buffer.

(3) Where the PRA or FCA decide that an institution must apply an EEA buffer rate under regulation 34J, the PRA or FCA (as the case may be) must decide the date from which the institution must apply the buffer rate in the calculation of its systemic risk buffer.

Publication

34N.-(1) The Bank must publish-

(a)the set of criteria specified by the FPC in accordance with regulation 34F(1);

(b)the methodology created by the FPC in accordance with regulation 34F(4);

(c)the mapping.

(2) When the Bank publishes a set of criteria, a methodology or a mapping, the Bank must also publish the FPC's justification for the set of criteria, methodology or mapping (as the case may be).

(3) Where the PRA sets a buffer rate for an SRB institution under regulation 34G, the PRA must publish-

(a)the buffer rate;

(b)the SRB institution to which the buffer rate applies;

(c)the justification for the systemic risk buffer;

(d)the date from which the SRB institution must apply the buffer rate;

(e)the level of consolidation which applies pursuant to regulation 34L; and

(f)the fact that the systemic risk buffer applies to exposures located anywhere in the world (subject to the application of EEA buffer rates recognised under regulation 34J).

(4) Where the PRA decides that an SRB institution is no longer required to maintain a systemic risk buffer under regulation 34G, the PRA must publish-

(a)the fact that the SRB is no longer required to maintain the systemic risk buffer;

(b)the justification for ceasing to apply the systemic risk buffer; and

(c)the date from which the SRB institution may cease to apply the buffer rate.

(5) The reference to the justification in paragraphs (3)(c) and 4(b) includes the PRA's reasons for doing any of the matters referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) of regulation 34G(5).

(6) Where the PRA recognises an EEA buffer rate under regulation 34J-

(a)the PRA must publish-

(i)the EEA buffer rate;

(ii)its decision under regulation 34J(4)(b) as to which institutions must apply the EEA buffer rate in the calculation of their systemic risk buffers;

(iii)the date from which those institutions must apply the EEA buffer rate;

(iv)the location of the exposures to which the EEA buffer rate applies;

(v)the level of consolidation which applies pursuant to regulation 34L; and

(vi)the justification for recognising the EEA buffer rate and for its decision under regulation 34J(4)(b);

(b)the FCA must publish-

(i)its decision under regulation 34J(4)(b) as to which institutions must apply the EEA buffer rate in the calculation of their systemic risk buffers;

(ii)the date from which those institutions must apply the EEA buffer rate;

(iii)the level of consolidation which applies pursuant to regulation 34L; and

(iv)the justification for its decision under regulation 34J(4)(b).

(7) The PRA and FCA must not publish any information pursuant to paragraph (3)(c), (4)(b), (6)(a)(vi) or (6)(b)(iv) if publication might jeopardise the stability of the financial system.

(8) The date on which the PRA publishes the buffer rate under paragraph (3) must be at least one month after the date on which the PRA gives notification under regulation 34H.

Review

34O.  The authority specified in the first column of Table 2 must review the matters set out in second column of Table 2 at least every second year.

Prohibition on affecting the internal market

34P.  The PRA and FCA must, in the exercise of their respective functions and discretions under this Part, ensure that a systemic risk buffer does not have a disproportionate adverse effect on the whole or any part of the financial system of other EEA States or the Union as a whole, such that the adverse effect forms or creates an obstacle to the functioning of the internal market within the meaning of Article 26(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.".

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations implement in part the provisions relating to systemic risk buffers at Articles 133 and 134 of Directive 2013/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions and investment firms (OJ no L176, 27/6/2013, p. 338; for corrigenda see OJ no L208, 2/8/2013, p.73). This directive ("the capital requirements directive") is part of a package of EU legislation commonly known as "CRD4".

The systemic risk buffer is one of a number of capital buffers set out at Articles 128 to 142, and 160 and 162, of the capital requirements directive. The capital conservation buffer, countercyclical capital buffer and G-SII buffer were implemented in part by the Capital Requirements (Capital Buffers and Macro-prudential Measures) Regulations 2014 (the "capital buffers regulations"). These Regulations amend the capital buffers regulations by inserting provisions relating to the systemic risk buffer. These provisions are concerned with what the Financial Policy Committee, the Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority are required to do. The remainder of the systemic risk buffer will be implemented by rules made, and individual requirements imposed, by the Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority under powers conferred by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. These rules and individual requirements will set out the requirements binding on individual institutions.

New regulation 34D of the capital buffers regulations defines "SRB institutions". SRB institutions are banks which are ring-fenced bodies within the meaning of section 142A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (c.8) or building societies above a specified size threshold.

New regulation 34F of the capital buffers regulations requires the Financial Policy Committee of the Bank of England to create a framework for identifying the extent to which the failure or distress of SRB institutions will pose certain long term non-cyclical systemic or macro-prudential risks. New regulation 34G requires the Prudential Regulation Authority to apply the framework to SRB institutions in order to determine whether they should hold a systemic risk buffer and, if so, decide the buffer rate.

Where another EEA State imposes a systemic risk buffer on its domestic banks or investment firms, the Prudential Regulation Authority may recognise that buffer rate under new regulation 34J, and the Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority must decide which institutions in the United Kingdom should apply that buffer rate in the calculation of their systemic risk buffers. Where such a buffer rate applies, it applies only to exposures located in the EEA State concerned.

A Transposition Table setting out how the relevant provisions of the capital requirements directive are transposed into UK law is available from Her Majesty's Treasury, 1 Horse Guards Road, London SW1A 2HQ.

An impact assessment on the effect of the proposals from the Independent Commission on Banking, including the systemic risk buffer, can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/223566/PU1488_Banking_reform_consultation_-_online-1.pdf