IFPRU 6.1 Market risk requirements
IFPRU 6 applies to an IFPRU investment firm, unless it is an exempt IFPRU commodities firm.
Purpose
Instruments for which no treatment specified
- (1)
Where a firm has a position in a financial instrument for which no treatment has been specified in the UK CRR1, it must calculate its own funds requirement by applying the most appropriate requirement relating to positions that are specified in the UK CRR1, if doing so is prudent and appropriate, and if the position is sufficiently similar to those covered by the relevant requirement.
- (2)
A firm must document its policies and procedures for calculating own funds for such positions in its trading book policy statement.
- (3)
If there are no appropriate treatments, the firm must calculate an own funds requirement of an appropriate percentage of the current value of the position. An appropriate percentage is either 100%, or a percentage that takes into account the characteristics of the position.
Use of internal models: risk capture
A firm which has a permission to use internal models in accordance with Part Three, Title IV, Chapter 5 of the UK CRR1 (Own funds requirements for market risk):
- (1)
must identify any material risk, or risks that when considered in aggregate are material, which are not captured by those models;
- (2)
must ensure that it holds own funds to cover those risk(s) in addition to those required to meet its own funds requirement calculated in accordance with Part Three, Title IV, Chapter 5 of the UK CRR1; and
- (3)
(where applicable) must ensure that it holds additional own funds requirements for VaR and stressed VaR models.
[Note: article 101 of CRD]
- (1)
The methodology for the identification of the risks in IFPRU 6.1.4 R and the calculation of those additional own funds for value-at-risk (VaR) and stressed value-at-risk (stressed VaR) models is called the "RNIV framework". A firm is responsible for identifying these additional risks and this should be an opportunity for risk managers and management to better understand the shortcomings of the firm's models. Following this initial assessment, the FCA will engage with the firm to provide challenge and ensure an appropriate outcome.
- (2)
The RNIV framework is intended to ensure that own funds are held to meet all risks which are not captured or not captured adequately, by the firm's VaR and stressed VaR models. These include, but are not limited to, missing and/or illiquid risk factors such as cross-risks, basis risks, higher-order risks, and calibration parameters. The RNIV framework is also intended to cover event risks that could adversely affect the relevant business.
- (3)
A firm should systematically identify and measure all non-captured or poorly captured risks. This analysis should be updated at least quarterly, or more frequently at the request of the FCA. The measurement of these risks should capture the losses that could arise due to the risk factor(s) of all products that are within the scope of the relevant internal model permission, but are not adequately captured by the relevant internal models.
- (4)
On a quarterly basis, the firm should identify and assess individual risk factors covered by the RNIV framework. The FCA will review the results of this exercise and may require that firms identify additional risk factors as being eligible for measurement.
- (5)
- (a)
Where sufficient data is available, and where it is appropriate to do so, the FCA expects a firm to calculate a VaR and stressed VaR metric for each risk factor within scope of the framework. The stressed period for the RNIV framework should be consistent with that used for stressed VaR. No offsetting or diversification may be recognised across risk factors included in the RNIV framework. The multipliers used for VaR and stressed VaR should be applied to generate an own funds requirement.
- (b)
If it is not appropriate to calculate a VaR and stressed VaR metric for a risk factor, a firm should instead measure the size of the risk based on a stress test. The confidence level and capital horizon of the stress test should be commensurate with the liquidity of the risk, and should be at least as conservative as comparable risk factors under the internal model approach. The capital charge should be at least equal to the losses arising from the stress test.
- (a)
Standardised approach for options
A firm that wishes to use own estimates for delta for the purposes of the standardised approach for options, should provide the FCA with confirmation that it meets the minimum standards set out in IFPRU 6.1.8 G to IFPRU 6.1.15 R (Minimum standards for own estimates of delta) for each type of option for which it calculates delta. Where a firm meets the minimum standards, it can expect to be permitted to use own estimates of delta for the relevant option.
If a firm is unable to provide assurance with regard to a particular option type which is currently within its permissions, a capital add-on may be applied and a rectification plan agreed. If a firm is unable to comply with the rectification plan within the mandated time-frame, further supervisory measures may be taken. This may include variation of a firm's Part 4A permission so that it is no longer allowed to trade those particular types of options for which it does not meet the minimum standards.
Minimum standards for own estimates of delta
The level of sophistication of the pricing models used to calculate own estimates of delta for use in the standardised approach for options should be proportionate to the complexity and risk of each option, and the overall risk of the firm's options trading business. In general, it is considered that the risk of sold options will be higher than the risk of the same options when bought.
The pricing model used to calculate delta should be:
- (1)
based on appropriate assumptions which have been assessed and challenged by suitably qualified parties independent of the development process;
- (2)
independently tested, including validation of the mathematics, assumptions, and software implementation; and
- (3)
developed or approved independently of the trading desk.
The IT systems used to calculate delta should be sufficient to ensure that delta can be reliably calculated accurately and reliably.
A firm should have adequate systems and controls in place when using pricing models to calculate deltas. This should include the following documented policies and procedures:
A firm should ensure its risk management functions are aware of weaknesses of the model used to calculate deltas. Where weaknesses are identified, the firm should ensure that estimates of delta result in prudent own funds requirements being held. The outcome should be prudent across the whole portfolio of options and underlying positions at a given time.
Netting: convertible
Under article 327(2) of the UK CRR1 (Netting), the netting of a convertible and an offsetting position in the underlying instrument is permitted.
For the purpose of IFPRU 6.1.15 R, the convertible should be:
- (1)
treated as a position in the equity into which it converts; and
- (2)
the firm's own funds requirement for the general and specific risk in its equity instruments should be adjusted by making:
- (a)
an addition equal to the current value of any loss which the firm would make if it did convert to equity; or
- (b)
a deduction equal to the current value of any profit which the firm would make if it did convert to equity (subject to a maximum deduction equal to the own funds requirements on the notional position underlying the convertible).
- (a)
Use of internal approaches
A significant IFPRU firm should consider developing internal specific risk assessment capacity and to increase use of internal models for calculating own funds requirements for specific risk of debt instruments in the trading book, together with internal models to calculate own funds requirements for default and migration risk where its exposures to specific risk are material in absolute terms and where it holds a large number of material positions in debt instruments of different issuers. This provision is without prejudice to the fulfilment of the criteria laid down in Part Three, Title IV, Chapter 5, Sections 1 to 5, of the UK CRR1 (Market risk).
[Note: article 77(3) of CRD]