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06.06.2023
Deep Dive into CRR3 - Real Estate in the revised Standardised Approach

Explore the impacts and challenges associated with the revised Standardised Approach, concerning real estate exposures. The implementation of Basel IV, specifically the 3rd Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR3), is rapidly approaching and has become a growing concern for banks. CRR3 – the EU translation of the Basel IV standards – aims to address the deficiencies of the pre-crisis package and enhance the credibility and comparability of banks’ capital ratios. One of the significant changes introduced by CRR3 is the limitation on the use of internal models, with an Output Floor restricting the benefits to 72.5% of risk-weighted assets (RWA) calculated using the Standardised Approach.

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05.06.2023
Solvency II 2020 Review

The European Commission has conducted a comprehensive review of the Solvency II Directive, based on the work of EIOPA. The proposed changes have been submitted to the European Parliament and Council for approval, expected in 2023. Member states will have 18 months to transpose it into national law. Updates to Delegated Acts and Implementing Technical Standards will be applicable soon. The proposed changes cover various key topics, including risk margin estimation, volatility adjustment, interest rate risk, and extrapolation of the risk-free yield curve.

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30.05.2023
Integration of transition risks into PD

Discover a pragmatic approach to integrating climate risk into credit risk models in this informative article. Since the release of the ECB Guidelines on Climate-Related and Environmental (C&E) risks, banks have been exploring ways to incorporate these risks into their frameworks. Stress testing and client-acceptance frameworks have been employed, but direct integration into risk models remains challenging. Finalyse offers a solution by presenting a conceptual framework that allows banks to make necessary adjustments during the model development phase. Learn how this approach addresses the limitations of historical data and enables banks to account for the dynamic nature of climate-related risks. Dive into the details of this data-driven implementation and enhance your understanding of the topic.

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22.05.2023
EMIR Refit Reporting

Discover the revised reporting requirements for derivatives under EMIR effective from April 2024. Learn how the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR) aims to enhance transparency and reduce risks in OTC derivatives markets. Explore the two categories of counterparties, the clearing obligations for CCPs, and the methods used to determine the types of OTC derivatives subject to clearing duty. Stay informed and compliant with the evolving EMIR framework and its impact on financial and non-financial entities.

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16.05.2023
Finalyse Physical Risk Prototype - A case study on fluvial flood risk for residential real estate exposures in Belgium, France and the Netherlands

Finalyse Flood Risk Prototype was created in response to the supervisory expectations set by the European Central Bank (ECB) regarding effective management of climate and environmental risks. The ECB published these expectations in November 2020, followed by the release of the thematic review results and a compendium of good practices in November 2022. The article highlights the practical implementation of the Finalyse Flood Risk Prototype specifically for the exposure class of commercial and residential real estate mortgage loans (CRRE). The objective of the exercise is to evaluate the impact of fluvial flood risk on capital requirements for financial institutions, specifically by considering the impact on their Risk-Weighted Assets (RWA). Overall, the development and implementation of the Finalyse Flood Risk Prototype address the ECB’s supervisory expectations and provide banks with a practical tool to assess and manage physical risks associated with flooding, with potential for expansion into other areas of risk assessment.

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12.04.2023
Unlocking the Power of Vendor Models: Your Guide to IFRS9 Compliance

This article discusses the risks associated with the use of vendor models for IFRS9 compliance by financial institutions, which have increasingly turned to external agencies for model development. While these models are complex and require rigorous evaluation, evaluating vendor models can be particularly challenging due to the proprietary components that vendors may choose not to disclose. The article highlights four types of risks related to vendor models: vendor-specific, institution-specific, implementation-related, and business continuity-related, and outlines different industry-standard approaches to mitigate these risks. The considerations specific to IFRS9 usage of vendor models will help users align their model risk management policies and practices with regulatory guidance. The article emphasizes the need for caution when incorporating vendor models into IFRS9 compliance strategy and recommends Finalyse Risk Advisory team as a trusted partner to guide financial institutions through the complex process of vendor model usage.

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03.04.2023
Why ALM matters: the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) case

In this article we explore the impact of increasing interest rates on Asset and Liability Management (ALM) and offer best practices for effective ALM, using the recent case of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) as an example. In today’s unpredictable world, marked by events such as the 2008 financial crisis, the ongoing global health crisis, and geopolitical changes, financial institutions as well as their management and decision boards have a crucial responsibility to deploy best practices to protect the interests of their shareholders and customers. Managing the mismatches between assets and liabilities, both in terms of interest rate and liquidity risks is essential to maintain a healthy balance sheet.

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21.03.2023
Low Default Portfolios: Modelling and Calibration Approaches

The accurate estimation of the credit risk parameters is crucial for provisioning under IFRS9 and capital requirements (when using an IRB approach) as well as for setting up strategies for pricing, risk appetite setting, etc. Due to their unique characteristics, Low Default Portfolios (LDPs) pose distinct challenges that require modellers to explore different modelling and calibration approaches. The application of any alternative modelling technique for LDPs must be independently evaluated for each case based on various factors such as portfolio characteristics, segment, data availability, rating homogeneity, etc. This blog post elaborates on the relevant regulatory landscape, challenges and potential solutions for dealing with the LDPs.

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14.12.2022
Achieving sound, comprehensive, and effective climate-related and environmental risk assessment practices - Thoughts on the results of the ECB thematic review

In November 2022, the ECB published the “Walking the talk: Banks gearing up to manage risks from climate change and environmental degradation” report, which concludes that implemented practices do not always reach the desired level of soundness, comprehensiveness, or effectiveness. This article focuses on climate risk management. We argue that, whilst sophisticated practices are necessary, banks could optimise their approaches based on the structure of their portfolios without compromising their existing Net-Zero commitments. We discuss how to meet the regulator’s required level of maturity for materiality and credit risk assessments, whilst considering business logic and strategy in selecting the appropriate solutions to implement.

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12.12.2022
Bermuda Monetary Authority Guidance Note - CLIMATE CHANGE RISK MANAGEMENT FOR INSURERS

In August 2022, the Bermuda Monetary Authority (“BMA”) published the Guidance Note on management of climate change risks (“the guidance”) which outlines the BMA’s expectations for commercial insurers and insurance groups. This is a part of a wider movement in the insurance and banking sectors to recognise climate change risk and begin to analyse exposures and vulnerabilities. The BMA guidance presents a broad view of the expectations, including Board responsibilities and governance, strategy, risk monitoring and escalation regimes, staff training requirements, as well as the ORSA and scenario analysis expectations.

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