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  • VIII. Market Risk

    • I. Introduction and Scope

      1.This section supports the Market risk standards in clarifying the calculation of the market risk capital requirement.

      2.The capital charges for interest rate related instruments and equities will apply to the trading book. The capital charges for foreign exchange risk and for commodities risk will apply to banks’ total currency and commodity positions (i.e. entire book).

      3.Capital requirements for market risk apply on a consolidated basis. Note that the capital required for general and specific market risk under these Standards is in addition to, not in place of, any capital required under other Central Bank Standards. Banks should follow the requirements of all other applicable Central Bank standards to determine overall capital adequacy requirements.

    • II. Identifying Market Risk Drivers

      4.For a particular instrument, the risk drivers that influence the market prices of that instrument must be identified. In a portfolio, the correlations between instruments also influence the risk profile of the entire portfolio (i.e. Banking and Trading book).

      5.The market price of an asset incorporates virtually all known information concerning that asset. In practice; however, it is very difficult to clearly separate the main sources that influence an instrument's market price and risk level.

      As a simplification, the following are generally recognised as the main market risk drivers:

      • A. Interest Rate Risk

        6.Interest rate risk is the potential for losses in on- or off-balance sheet positions from adverse changes in interest rates. Instruments covered by the standardised approach for interest rate risk include all fixed rate and floating rate related instruments, such as debt securities, swaps, forwards and futures.

        7.The standardised approach provides a framework for measuring interest rate risk. It takes into account the maturity or duration of the positions, basis risk, and certain correlations among risk factors.

        8.Duration is a measure of the average maturity of a debt instrument's cash flows from both coupons and principal repayment. It is expressed in years and allows debt instruments with different coupons and maturities to be compared. Based on the duration, the sensitivity of a fixed income security's price with respect to a small change in its yield can be determined.

        9.When hedging positions, basis risk is a key risk for the hedged position and needs to be managed and closely monitored.

        Typically, two distinct components of market risk are recognised:

           1.General Market Risk

        10.General market risk refers to changes in market prices resulting from general market behavior.

        For example, in the case of an equity position, general market risk can arise from a change in a stock market index. In the case of a fixed income instrument, general market risk is driven by a change in the yield curve.

        The capital charge for general market risk is designed to capture the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market interest rates.

        There are two steps for calculating the general market risk capital charge:

        Step 1: Map each interest rate position to a time band

        Interest rate positions have different price sensitivities to interest rate shifts depending on their residual maturity. Interest rate shifts are changes in the yield curve. Each interest rate position is mapped to a time band.

        There are two methods for mapping interest rate positions:

        a)Maturity method maps each position to a maturity ladder based on the residual maturity of each position.

        Fixed weightings are used to adjust the positions for sensitivity to the changes in interest rates as per the relevant table under the standard.

        Time Bands for the Maturity Method

        1. Fixed income instruments with low coupons have higher sensitivity to changes in the yield curve than fixed income instruments with high coupons, all other things being equal.
        2. Fixed income instruments with long maturities have higher sensitivity to changes in the yield curve than fixed income instruments with short maturities, all other things being equal.

        This is why the maturity method uses a finer grid of time bands for low coupon instruments (less than 3%) with long maturities.

        Fixed and Floating Rate Instruments

        Fixed rate instruments are mapped according to the residual term to maturity. Floating rate instruments are allocated according to the residual term to the next repricing date.

        b)Duration method

        11.This method maps each position according to its duration to a duration ladder. Duration is a measure of the average maturity of a debt instrument’s cash flows from both coupons and principal repayment. It is expressed in years and allows debt instruments with different coupons and maturities to be compared. The duration method allows banks the necessary capability to calculate price sensitivity based on an instruments’ duration (with the supervisory consent).

        Step 2: Calculate the capital charge

        The capital charge is the sum of four components calculated from amounts in each time band:

        :

        1. A charge on the net short or long position in the whole trading book:
        2. A vertical disallowance charge:

        It is a charge, which is levied on the matched position in each time band. This charges accounts for basis risk and gap risk, which can arise because each time band includes different instruments with different maturities. Gap risk, or interest mismatch risk, is the risk of losses due to interest rate changes that arise when the periods over which assets and liabilities are priced, differs. This charge is levied on the matched position in each time band at:

        1. 10% if the bank uses the maturity method
        2. 5% of the bank uses the duration method

        The matched position is the smaller absolute value of the long and short positions. For example: if you have a long position of 1,200 and a short position of 700, the matched position is 700 (the net open position is long 500).

        1. A horizontal disallowance charge:

        It is a charge against correlation among the different time bands. It is allowed for correlation to offset positions across different time bands.

        There are three rounds of horizontal disallowance:

        1. Round 1 levies a charge on the matched position in each zone. The charge is:
          1. o40% for zone 1
          2. o30% for zone 2 and zone 3
        2. Round 2 levies a charge of 40% on the matched positions between adjacent zones. The adjacent zones are:
          1. oZone 1 and zone 2
          2. oZone 2 and zone 3
        3. Round 3 levies a charge of 100% on the matched position between zone 1 and zone 3.
        4. Where applicable, a net charge for positions in options.
           2.Specific Risk

        12.Specific risk refers to changes in market prices specific to an instrument owing to factors related to the issuer of that instrument.

        13.Specific risk does not affect foreign exchange- and commodities-related instruments. This is because changes in FX rates and commodities prices are dependent on general market movements.

        14.The charge for specific risk protects against price movements in a security owing to factors related to the individual issuer, that is, price moves that are not initiated by the general market.

        a)Offsetting

        15.When specific risk is measured, offsetting between positions is restricted.

        1. Offsetting is only permitted for matched positions in an identical issue.
        2. Offsetting is not allowed between different issues, even if the issuer is the same. This is because differences in coupon rates, liquidity, call features, and so on, mean that prices may diverge in the short run.
        b)Specific Risk – Capital Charge

        16.Under the standardised approach, market risk exposures are categorised according to external credit assessments (ratings) and based on those assessments a capital charge is assigned. This broad methodology for calculating the specific risk capital charge was not changed by Basel 2.5.

        17.The capital charges assigned to those external credit assessments are similar to the credit risk charges under the standardised approach to credit risk.

        Categorisation of Securities

        18.Consistent with other sections, a lower specific risk charge can be applied to government paper denominated in the domestic currency and funded by the bank in the same currency. The national discretion is limited to GCC Sovereigns. This use of national discretion aligns the Market Risk Standards with the similar treatment under the credit risk standards. The Market Risk Standard is also aligned to the Credit Risk Standard when it comes to the transition period permitted for USD funded and denominated exposures of the individual Emirates.

        Qualifying includes securities issued by public sector entities and multilateral development banks, plus other securities that are rated with investment grades by two rating agencies. Unrated securities can also be included, subject to supervisory approval (such as securities deemed to be of comparable investment quality).

        Other securities comprise of securities that do not meet the definition of government or the definition of qualifying securities. This category receives the same risk charge as non-investment grade borrowers under the standardised approach to credit risk. However, it is recognised that for some high yielding debt instruments, an 8% specific risk charge may underestimate the specific risk.

        Calculating the Capital Requirement for Market and Credit Risk

        19.The standards contain different processes for calculating the capital requirement for market and credit risk. For credit risk, assets are first risk weighted (by multiplying them by a risk weight) and then a capital requirement is applied. In contrast, for market risk, exposures are simply multiplied by a specific risk capital charge. For an exposure with a given external credit assessment (rating), the specific risk capital charge is the same as the capital requirement calculated under the standardised approach for credit risk.

        Specific Risk – Capital Charge for Positions Covered Under the Securitisation Framework

        20.Following the 2009 enhancements to the BCF, the specific risk of securitisation positions held in the trading book are generally calculated in the same way as securitisation positions in the banking book.

        21.Specific risk – the capital charges for positions covered under the standardised approach for securitisation exposures.

        22.The default position for unrated securitisations can be thought of as a capital charge of 100 percent (that is, equivalent to a risk weight of 1250 percent where the capital charge is 8 percent).

        23.Where the specific risk capital charge for an exposure is 100% such that capital is held for the full value of the exposure, it may be excluded from the calculation of the capital charge for general market risk. For further details, please refer to the securitisation framework.

        Treatment of Interest Rate Derivatives

        24.The interest rate risk measurement system should include all interest rate derivatives and off-balance sheet instruments assigned to the trading book that are sensitive to changes in interest rates.

        25.The derivatives are converted into positions in the relevant underlying. These positions are subject to the general market risk charges and, where applicable, the specific risk charges for interest rate risk. The amounts reported should be the market value of the principal amount of the underlying or notional underlying.

        26.For instruments where the apparent notional amount differs from the effective notional amount, banks will use the effective notional amount.

        Interest rate derivatives include:

        1. forward rate agreements (FRAs)
        2. other forward contracts
        3. bond futures
        4. interest rate swaps
        5. cross currency swaps
        6. forward foreign exchange positions
        7. interest rate options

        Refer to the examples below in this section for numerical illustrations

      • B. Equity Risk

        27.Market risk can be influenced by changes in equity prices, that is, equity risk.

        28.Equity risk is the risk that movement in equity prices will have a negative effect on the value of equity positions. The capital charge for equity risk is the sum of the charges for general and specific market risk.

        29.The Central Bank sets out a minimum capital standard to cover the risk of equity positions held in the trading book. It applies to long and short positions in all instruments that exhibit behavior similar to equities, with the exception of non-convertible preference shares, which fall under interest rate risk requirements.

           1.Capital Charges for Equity Risk

        30.To calculate the minimum capital charge for equity risk, you must calculate two separate charges:

        1. A general market risk charge of 8% is applied to the net overall position.
        2. A specific risk charge of 8% is applied to the gross equity position. After offsetting long and short positions in the same issue, a bank's gross equity position is the sum of the absolute values of all long equity positions and all short equity positions.

        31.Since banks may hold equities in different national markets, separate calculations for general and specific risk must be carried out for each of these markets.

        Offsetting

        Long and short positions in the same issue can be fully offset, resulting in a single net long or short position.

           2.Treatment of Equity Derivatives

        32.Equity derivatives and off-balance-sheet positions that are affected by changes in equity prices should be included in the measurement system, with the exception of certain options positions. This includes futures and swaps on both individual equities and on stock indices.

        33.Positions in these equity derivatives should be converted into notional positions in the relevant underlying stock or portfolio of stocks. For example, stock index futures should be reported as the marked-to-market value of the notional underlying equity portfolio. A stock index future is an agreement to buy or sell a standard quantity of a specific stock index, on a recognised exchange, at a price agreed between two parties, and with delivery to be executed on a standardised future settlement date. As it is obviously not feasible to deliver an actual stock index, stock index futures contracts are settled by cash, calculated with reference to the difference between the purchase price and the level of the index at settlement.

        34.An equity swap is an agreement between two counterparties to swap the returns on a stock or a stock index for a stream of payments based on some other form of asset return. Often, one payment leg is determined by a stock index with the second leg determined by a fixed or floating rate of interest. Alternatively, the second leg may be determined by some other stock index (often referred to as a relative performance swap).

        35.Equity swaps should be treated as two notional positions. For example, in an equity swap where a bank is receiving an amount based on the change in value of one stock index and paying an amount based on a different index, the bank is regarded as having a long position in the former index and a short position in the latter index.

        36.In addition to the general market risk requirement, a further capital charge of 2% will be applied to the net long or short position in index contracts on a diversified portfolio of equities, to cover factors such as execution risk. As the standard stated.

        Refer to the examples below in this section for numerical illustrations

      • C. Foreign Exchange Rates

        37.Market risk can be influenced by changes in foreign exchange rates, that is, foreign exchange risk.

        38.Foreign exchange risk is the risk that the value of foreign exchange positions may be adversely affected by movements in currency exchange rates. Foreign exchange positions or exposures incur only general market risk. The capital charge for foreign exchange risk also include a charge for positions in gold. For purposes of market risk capital requirements, the Central Bank takes into account the stable relationship between the AED and the US dollar, with the result that no capital is charged for open positions in USD. Foreign currency is any currency other than the bank's reporting currency.

        39.Two steps are required to calculate the overall net open position:

        Step 1: Determine the Exposure in Each Currency

        The first step is to calculate the bank's open position, long or short in each currency.

        The open position in each currency is the sum of:

        1. the net spot FX position (Includes also all asset items less all liability items, including accrued interest, denominated in the currency)
        2. the net forward FX position (Because forward FX rates reflect interest rate differentials, forward positions are normally valued at current spot exchange rates. The net forward position in an exposure should consist of all amounts to be received less all amounts to be paid under forward FX transactions, including currency futures and the principal on currency swaps not included in the spot position. For banks that base their management accounting on the net present values (NPVs), the NPV of each position should be used; discounted using current interest rates and valued at current spot rates)
        3. guarantees and similar instruments that are certain to be called and are likely to be irrecoverable.
        4. net future income and expenses not yet accrued but already fully hedged
        5. any other item representing a profit or loss in foreign currencies
        6. the net delta-based equivalent of the total book of foreign currency options

        Step 2: Determine the Overall Net Open Position across FX Exposures

        The second step in calculating the capital requirement for FX risk is to measure the risk in the bank's portfolio of foreign currency and gold positions.

        You can determine the overall net open position of the portfolio by first converting the exposure in each foreign currency into the reporting currency at the spot rates. Then, calculate the overall net position by summing the following:

        1. the greater of the sum of the net short positions or the sum of the net long positions (excluding the net open position in the US dollar
        2. Take the larger of the two sums, from the step above, and add the absolute value of the net position (short or long) in gold.

        The capital charge for foreign exchange market risk is 8% of the position resulting from the calculation above.

        Foreign Exchange (FX) Exceptions

        40.The Central Bank of UAE may allow banks to exclude certain FX positions from the capital charges calculation. Banks have to comply with both the requirement of para 70 of the Market Risk section of the standards.

        41.Items that are deducted from a bank’s capital when calculating its capital base, such as investments in non-consolidated subsidiaries, or other long-term participations denominated in foreign currencies, which are reported in the published accounts at historic cost, do not need to be included as foreign currency exposures for the foreign exchange risk calculation.

        42.Banks with negligible business in foreign currencies and with no FX positions taken for their own account may exclude their FX positions if they meet both of the following requirements:

        1. their FX business (the greater of the sum of their gross long positions and the sum of their gross short positions) does not exceed 100% of total capital (Tier 1 + Tier 2)
        2. their overall net open position does not exceed 2% of its total capital
      • D. Commodity Risk

        43.Market risk can be influenced by changes in commodity prices, that is, commodity risk. Commodity risk is the risk that on- or off-balance sheet positions will be adversely affected by movements in commodity prices.

        44.A commodity is defined as a physical product that can be traded on a secondary market, for example, agricultural products, minerals and precious metals. Gold; however, is covered under the framework for foreign exchange.

        45.Price risk in commodities is often more complex and volatile than price risk associated with currencies and interest rates. One reason for this is that commodity prices are influenced by natural events such as floods and droughts. Changes in supply and demand also have more dramatic effects on price and volatility, and commodity markets often lack liquidity.

        46.Commodity risk only has a general market risk component because commodity prices are not influenced by specific risk.

        47.Banks using portfolio strategies involving forward and derivative contracts on commodities are exposed to a variety of additional risks, such as:

        1. Basis risk. the risk of changes in the cost of carry for forward positions and options. Cost of carry is a margin and refers to the net effect of borrowing funds for a certain period of time and investing them in a financial instrument or commodity for the same period of time. If the interest earned on the instrument or commodity is greater than the cost of borrowing, then the cost of carry is positive. The cost of carry can also be negative if the cost of borrowing is greater than the interest earned.
        2. Forward gap risk. This is the risk wherein forward prices may change for reasons other than a change in interest rates.

        48.It is important to note that these risks could well exceed the risk associated with changes in spot prices of commodities.

           1.Treatment of Commodities
        Offsetting

        49.When measuring risk in commodities, offsetting between positions is restricted.

        1. Offsetting is allowed between long and short positions in exactly the same commodity to calculate open positions.
        2. In general, offsetting is not allowed between positions in different commodities. However, the Central Bank may permit offset between different sub-categories of the same commodity, for example, different categories of crude oil, if:
          1. they are deliverable against each other
          2. they are close substitutes for each other, with a minimum correlation of 0.9 between price movements over a period of at least one year
        Correlations

        50.Banks using correlations between commodities to offset commodity positions must have obtained prior approval from the Central bank of UAE.

           2.Calculating the Capital Charge

        51.Two alternative approaches for calculating the capital charge for commodities are set out by the standardised measurement method:

        a)Simplified Approach

        52.Under the simplified approach, banks must express each commodity position, spot plus forward, in terms of the standard unit of measurement (barrels, kilos, grams, and so on).

        The capital charge is the sum of two charges:

        1. 15% of the net position in each commodity. All commodity derivatives and off-balance sheet positions affected by changes in commodity prices should be included.
        2. 3% of the bank's gross commodity positions, that is, the sum of the net long plus net short positions in each commodity, calculated using the current spot price. This charge addresses basis risk, interest rate risk and forward gap risk.
        b)Maturity Ladder Approach

        53.There are seven steps involved in calculating the capital charge for commodities using the maturity ladder approach. A separate maturity ladder must be used for each commodity.

        The maturity ladder approach
        Step 1Express each commodity position in terms of the standard unit of measurement, and value in the reporting currency at the current spot price
        Step 2Slot each position into a time band in the maturity ladder according to remaining maturity
        Step 3Apply a capital charge of 1.5% to the sum of the matched long and short positions in each time band to capture spread risk. Instead of applying the 1.5% spread risk charge to the sum of matched long and short positions in each time band, some countries apply a 3% spread risk charge to the matched position.
        Step 4Apply a capital charge of 0.6% to the residual net position carried forward to the next relevant time band, multiplied by the number of time bands it is carried.
        Step 5Repeat step 3 and step 4 for each time band.
        Step 6Apply a capital charge of 15% to the overall long or short net open position.
        Step 7Derive the total capital charge by summing the charges for spread risk, for positions carried forward and for the overall net open position.
           3.Treatment of Commodity Derivatives

        54.All commodity derivatives and off-balance sheet positions affected by changes in commodity prices should be included in the commodities risk measurement framework. This includes commodity futures, commodity swaps, and options where the “delta plus” method is used.

      • E. Options

        Treatment of Options

        55.There is a section of the market risk framework devoted to the treatment of options.

        The market risk charge for options can be calculated using one of the following methods:

        1. the simplified approach
        2. an intermediate approach: the delta-plus method

        56.The more significant a bank's trading activities, the more sophisticated the approach it should use. The following table shows which methods a bank can use:

         Simplified approachIntermediate approach
          Delta- plus method
        Bank uses purchased options only
        Bank writes optionsx

         

        57.Banks that solely use purchased options are free to use the simplified approach, whereas banks that also write options are expected to use the intermediate approach. If a bank has option positions, but all of those written options are hedged by perfectly matched long positions in exactly the same options, no capital is required for market risk on those options. However, banks need to report the hedged options in the respective sheet.

        a)Simplified Approach

        58.Option positions and their associated underlying (cash or forward) are 'carved out' from other risk types in the standardised approach. They are subject to separately calculated capital charges that incorporate both general market risk and specific risk. These charges are then added to the capital charges for the relevant risk categories: interest rate risk, equities risk, foreign exchange risk or commodities risk.

        59.In some cases, such as foreign exchange, it may be unclear which side is the “underlying security.” In such cases, the asset that would be received if the option were exercised should be considered as the underlying. In addition, the nominal value should be used for items where the market value of the underlying instrument could be zero, such as caps and floors, swaptions, or similar instruments.

        60.The capital charges under the simplified approach are as follows:

        Simplified approach : capital charges
        PositionTreatment
        Hedged positions: long cash position in the underlying instrument and long put or short cash position in the underlying instrument and long callThe capital charge is the market value of the underlying security multiplied by the sum of specific and general market risk charges for the underlying, less the amount the option is in-the-money (if any) bounded at zero.
        Outright option positions: long call or long putThe capital charge is the lesser of:
        1. The market value of the underlying security multiplied by the sum of specific and general market risk charges for the underlying
        2. The market value of the option
        b)Intermediate Approach

        61.The procedure for general market risk is explained below. The specific risk capital charges are determined separately by multiplying the delta-equivalent of each option by the specific risk charges for each risk category.

           The delta-plus method

        62.The delta-plus method uses the sensitivity parameters or Greek letters associated with options to measure their market risk and capital requirements.

        63.Options should be included in market risk calculations for each type of risk as a delta- weighted position equal to the market value of the underlying multiplied by the delta.

        64.The delta-equivalent position of each option becomes part of the standardised approach, with the delta-equivalent amount subject to the applicable market risk capital charges. Separate capital charges are then applied to the gamma and Vega risks of the option positions.

        Greek Letters: Five coefficients are used to help explain how option values behave in relation to changes in market parameters (price of the underlying asset, the strike price, the volatility of the underlying, the time to maturity and the risk-free interest rate). These are represented by the Greek letters delta, gamma, Vega, theta and rho, and are referred to as the 'option Greeks'.

        1. Delta (Δ) measures the rate of change in the value of an option with respect to a change in the price of the underlying asset.
        2. Gamma (Γ) measures the rate of change in the delta of an option with respect to a change in the price of the underlying asset.
        3. Vega (Λ) measures the rate of change in an option price with respect to a change in market volatility for the underlying asset price.
    • III. Shari’ah Implementation:

      65.Bank that conduct all or part of their activities in accordance with the provisions of Shari’ah and have exposure to risks similar to those mentioned in the Market Risk Standard, shall, for the purpose of maintaining an appropriate level of capital, calculate the relevant risk weighted asset (RWA) in line with these guidelines. This must be done in a manner compliant to the Shari’ah.

      66.This is applicable until relevant standards and/or guidelines in respect of these transactions are issued specifically for banks offering Islamic financial services.

    • IV. Frequently Asked Questions

      Question 1: Are issues rated AA- or better by Supranational issuers qualify for 0% specific risk charge? For such issues, the Country of Risk = SNAT as classification in Bloomberg would be considered as Supranational
      No, there is no specification to supranational and thereby low risk charge.

      Question 2: Please clarify whether futures or options on ETFs and volatility indices such as VIX are treated as equity index instrument.
      Yes, it will be part of equity and reported under equity derivative. Please refer to the Market risk section of the standards for further guidance.

      Question 3: Under the treatment of interest rate derivatives for general market risk, in reference to table 3, credit derivatives have not been listed. Kindly advise if these products are excluded from the capital requirement stipulated under general market risk.
      Credit derivatives (including CDS and TRS) are subject to the general market risk treatment for interest rate risk if the instrument involves periodic payments of interest. Credit derivatives are subject to specific risk capital as described in paragraphs 26 and 27 of the Market Risk section of the Standards. Note that Table 3 in the text covers only interest rate derivatives, and therefore credit derivatives should not be included. Credit derivatives must be analysed whether they are subject to the general market risk treatment for interest rate risk. For example, Credit Default Swaps are usually not subject to general interest rate risk, whereas Total Return Swaps and credit linked notes are usually subject to general market risk. Please note, that the analysis to which risk types a specific instrument type is exposed, must be provided to the Central Bank upon request.

      Question 4: Clarity is needed on what constitutes trading book. For example, Investment Grade bonds classified as AFS, however with no active trading and a holding period of almost till maturity (e.g. callable, decision to sell closer to maturity) does this need to be banking book? Similarly, HTM under this description can be either trading or banking book.
      The Market Risk Standard as published does not change the definition of trading book. The requirements of BCBS 128 paragraphs 685 to 689 have been applied in the text of the Standards. Please refer to the Market Risk Regulation under Notice 3018/2018 for the full definition of trading book.

      Question 5: For Qualifying category, if the issuer of the security is a rated corporate by any one of rated agencies i.e. Moody's, S&P, Fitch with investment grade. Should it be included under Qualifying Category?
      Yes, this will fall under qualifying category as long as it rated investment grade by at least two credit rating agencies.

      Question 6: Should general criteria for all investment grade securities other than Government Issuers be taken under the category of Qualifying?
      Yes, these instruments will be classified as qualifying provided in paragraphs 16-19.

      Question 7: As per the Standards, "the separate legs of cross-currency swaps or forward foreign exchange deals are to be treated as notional positions in the relevant instruments and included in the appropriate calculation for each currency". Under which method these are required to be included in MR-3 i.e Maturity method or Duration method.
      General risk can be computed using Maturity and Duration approach. Paragraph 41 on "Allowable offsetting of matched positions" of the market risk standard applies to both approaches and depends on what approach the bank uses for reporting.

      Question 8: If the options are hedged, do we need to input the numbers in the template.
      If it is fully micro hedged, then Net Forward Purchase (Sales) & Delta weighted positions for Options will be zero. Refer to VII Appendix: Prudent Valuation Guidance as part of Market risk standard.

      Question 9: Banks have the possibility to include the repo transactions in the trading book for regulatory capital calculation even though they are accounted in the banking book?
      Term trading-related repo-style transactions that meet the requirements for trading-book treatment may be included in the bank’s trading book for regulatory capital purposes even if a bank accounts for those transactions in the banking book. If the bank does so, all such repo-style transactions must be included in the trading book, and both legs of such transactions, either cash or securities, must be included in the trading book. Regardless of where they are booked, all repo-style transactions are subject to a credit risk capital requirement under the Central Bank’s Standards for Credit Risk Capital. The secured part of the exposure is risk weighted based on the credit rating/type of the issuer the security serving as collateral, and the unsecured part is risk weighted based on the credit rating/type (bank-sovereign-corporate) of the counterparty. In addition, how/where the reporting should be under which risk type (e.g. interest rate risk (Specific and/or General), FX, Equity, etc.) depends on the nature of the cash placement (one ‘leg’) and that of the security/collateral (other ‘leg’). The two legs are reportable to the relevant market risk type. For example, if the cash placement is floating rate and denominated in foreign currency it would be reported under FX. In regards to position risk (interest rate and equity risk types), it would be under General risk.

      Question 10: How do we treat the capital charge when an exposure in the Banking book is hedged via a derivative in the trading book?
      As long as the position got an open leg under one of the two books (i.e. Banking or trading), applicable capital charge should be taken in place. When a bank hedges a banking book credit risk exposure using a credit derivative booked in its trading book (i.e. using an internal hedge), the banking book exposure is not deemed to be hedged for capital purposes unless the bank purchases from an eligible third party protection provider a credit derivative meeting the requirements in the Central Bank’s Standards for Credit Risk. Where such third party protection is purchased and is recognised as a hedge of a banking book exposure for regulatory capital purposes, neither the internal nor external credit derivative hedge would be included in the trading book for regulatory capital purposes.

      Question 11: BCBS standards provides banks two options to include large swap books in the maturity or duration ladder (Convert the payments into their present values or to calculate the sensitivity of the net present value). It would be useful to clarify which methods are acceptable.
      Currently both methods are acceptable but to move forward with sensitivity or NPV approach, the bank shall seek Central Bank approval by providing all relevant documents.

      Question 12: How to treat Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), PSEs and GREs that qualify 0% risk weight as per Credit Risk Section of the Standards for the “Qualifying” criteria of Specific Risk?
      All MDBs are considered “qualifying” for this purpose and will receive a RW of 0%.

      PSE that meets the conditions to be treated like a sovereign for credit risk can be considered “government" for specific risk.

      Commercial GREs that are treated as corporates for credit risk should also be treated as corporates for market risk, for consistency.

      Question 13: Can the securities issued by local government be reported under government? If yes, what capital charge will be applied?
      Only if they qualify for treatment as “sovereign” under the credit risk framework, a 0% can be applied.

      Question 14: What is meant by 'broadly' in paragraphs 23 and 24 of the Market Risk Standard. Any threshold for the size of the movement e.g. a negative correlation of more than 0.6?
      No, there is no specific threshold. "Broadly" in this context means "with close approximation," to allow for minor deviations from perfect correlation. The bank should have a sensible policy to ensure that objective, which should be subject to supervisory review.

      Question 15: What is meant by "long term participation"? What is included in it?
      Long-term participations could take a number of forms, but a typical example would be investments accounted at historical cost (and in this context, denominated in a foreign currency). Paragraph 65 edited for clear understanding.

      Question 16: Do the banks have to meet certain criteria to apply duration or maturity approach or is the choice of method fully within the bank's discretion?
      Maturity approach shall be the initial approach to be used. In case the bank requires to apply Duration approach, then banks will have to seek Central Bank consent to switch between the approaches.

      Question 17: Under Specific interest rate risk, what will be the treatment for the debt securities that are denominated and funded in domestic currency or foreign currency?
      The preferential treatment/national discretion will be applicable to GCC sovereign’s papers denominated and funded in local currency. In addition, exposures to the Federal Government and Emirates Government receive 0% risk weight, if such exposures are denominated and funded in AED or USD for a transition period of 7 years from the date of implementation of this Standard. After the transition period, 0% risk weights are only applied to exposures that are denominated and funded in AED. Elsewise (if denominated and funded in foreign currency and if the debt security is not GCC sovereign paper) rating and residual maturity shall be applied.

      Question 18: Interest Rate Risk: How are derivatives treated from a market risk and credit risk perspective that a foreign branch has with its head office and other branches of the group? Are all the derivative transactions under the umbrella of the group, can such derivatives be excluded from the capital charge?

      1. Exemption is not eligible; all derivatives are to be included under credit and market risk.
      2. If the branch and the head office both have the same ISDA contract, netting and collateral will not be eligible. However, if the ISDA contract contains only the deals from the branch, then netting and collateral would be eligible.
      3. From Market risk perspective, if the bank's transactions are fully hedged, i.e. certain derivatives with UAE customers are fully hedged back to back with the head office, then the bank can offset for example the general and specific interest rate risks (based on paragraphs 41 to 45). However, counterparty credit risk is still to be considered.

      Question 19: Treatment of Options: Do banks have to meet certain criteria to apply the simplified approach or the delta plus method? Or is the choice of method fully within bank's discretion?
      As per Para 82 (Standard), two alternative approaches apply to options. Banks that only purchase options (rather than written options) can choose to use a simplified approach. Unless all written option positions (under the simplified approach) are hedged by perfectly matched long positions in exactly the same options, in which case no capital charge for market risk is required. Banks with more complex option positions that also write options must use the delta-plus approach rather than the simplified approach.

      Question 20: Specific Interest Rate Risk: When the securities are not externally credit rated, does the Central Bank have a list of specific treatment for issuers/ issues that are unrated?
      The Central Bank does not have a discretionary list of customers that do receive a special treatment if an external rating is not available.

      1. The standard is exhaustive for all special treatments. For example: UAE and GCC sovereign exposure that are funded and denominated in the domestic currency receive 0% RW (independent of the external rating of that sovereign)
      2. Exposures to the Federal Government and Emirates Government receive 0% risk weight, if such exposures are denominated and funded in AED or USD for a transition period of 7 years from the date of implementation of this Standard. After the transition period, 0% risk weights are only applied to exposures that are denominated and funded in AED.

      Question 21: If a bank has exposure in equity investments in the trading book, how will this exposure be treated under Market risk?
      Risk-weighted assets for equity exposures arising from bank investments in funds that are held in the trading book are subject to the market risk capital rules. Equity investments in funds will be allocated to the trading book if the bank is able to “look through” to the fund’s underlying assets (i.e. determine capital requirements based on the underlying positions held by the fund), or where the bank has access both to daily price quotes and to the information contained in the mandate of the fund. The reporting is based on the underlying positions held by the fund; it could be covered under different areas of the market risk (e.g. FX, IRR and equity risk).

      Question 22: As per paragraph 21 of the Market Risk Standard, it is mentioned that a securitisation exposure subject to a risk weight of 1250% under the Central Bank requirements (and therefore to a 100% specific risk charge under this Standard) may be excluded from the calculation of capital for general market risk. Should the cap for the UAE be 1250% or 952% as mentioned in paragraph 5 of the Introduction of the standards?
      Yes, the RW has to be capped at 952% as mentioned in the introduction of the standards.

    • V. Examples

      Note that capital charges calculated in all examples below still need to be converted into risk weighted assets via Section IV in the Market Risk Standards.

      • A. Interest Rate Risk

           1.Calculating the General Market risk charge

        Calculate the general market risk capital charge for XYZ bank’s interest rate positions using the maturity method.

        Long position in a qualifying bond: Market value AED 13.33m. Residual maturity 8 years & coupon 8%

        Long position in a government bond: Market value AED 75m. Residual maturity 2 months & coupon 7%

        Interest rate swap: Notional value AED 150m. Residual life of swap 8 years & bank receives floating rate interest and pays fixed. Next interest fixing after 9 months

        Long position in interest rate government bond future: Contract size AED 50mn.

        The treatment of interest rate future positions assume a bank is exposed to a long position in a 6-month interest rate future bought today and settled in two months' time. The long position in interest rates needs to be slotted into the 6-12 months’ time band because the maturity of the long position is considered to be eight months. This is because the position is taken on today and will be settled in two months with a maturity of six months.

        Delivery date after 6 months & remaining maturity of the CTD government security 3.5 years.

        Cheapest to deliver CTD refers to the underlying instrument that result in the greatest profit or the least loss when delivered in satisfaction of futures contracts.

        Calculating the general market risk capital charge comprises two main steps and a number of sub-steps.

        Step 1: Map each interest rate position

        We are using the maturity method to map the positions. None of the bank’s positions have a coupon of less than 3%, so we will use a ladder of 13 time bands. Each position is mapped to the appropriate time band according to its residual maturity.

        Step 2: calculate the total capital charge

        Overall net open position

         Zone 1 (months)Zone 2 (years)Zone 3 (years)
        Time band0-11-33-66-121-22-33-44-55-77-1010-1515-20>20
        Weighted position (AED m) +0.15-0.2+1.05  +1.125  -5.625+0.5   

         

        The net open position is the sum of all the positions across all the time bands. The net open position is AED 3m short, which leads to a capital charge at 100% of AED 3,000,000.

        Calculation:

        +75*0.2%=+0.15

        -50*0.4%=-0.2

        +150*0.7%=+1.05

        +50*2.25%=+1.125

        -150*3.75%=-5.625

        +13.33*3.75%=+0.5

        Vertical disallowance

        The long position of AED 0.5m is offset against the short position of AED 5.625m as per the marked area. The matched position is AED 0.5m and the net open position is AED -5.125m.

        This leads to a capital charge of 10% of AED 0.5m, or AED 50,000

         Zone 1 (months)Zone 2 (years)Zone 3 (years)
        Time band0-11-33-66-121-22-33-44-55-77-1010-1515-20>20
        Weighted position (AED m) +0.15-0.2+1.05  +1.125  -5.625+0.5   
        Vertical disallowance         -5.125   
        Calculation

        Matched position = 0.5

        Net open position = -5.625+0.5= -5.125

        Horizontal disallowance

        The third part of the capital charge is a charge for the horizontal disallowance. There are three rounds of horizontal offsetting.

        In round 1, the horizontal disallowance within each zone is calculated. In this example, charge applies to zone 1 only because it is the only zone with a long and a short position. (With more than one position). The short position, -0.2 is offset against the total long position, +1.2. The matched position is 0.2 and the net open position is +1.

        The capital charge for the horizontal disallowance within zone 1 is 40% of AED 0.2m, or AED 80,000

        In round 2, calculate the horizontal disallowance between adjacent zones, i.e., between:

        Zone 1 and zone 2

        Zone 2 and zone 3

        In this example, zone 1 and zone 2 both contain long positions, so there is no matched position and therefore no offsetting between these zones. The long position of 1.125 in zone 2 is offset against the short position of -5.125 in zone 3. The matched position is 1.125 and the net open position is -4. The capital charge for the horizontal disallowance between zones 2 and 3 is 40% of AED 1.125m= AED 450,000.

        In round 3, we calculate the horizontal disallowance between zones 1 and 3.

        In this example, the long position of 1 in zone 1 is offset against the short position of -4 in zone 3. The matched position is 1 and the net open position is -3. The capital charge for the horizontal disallowance between zones 1 and 3 is 100% of AED 1m = AED 1m.

        After the three rounds of horizontal offsetting, the total charge for the horizontal disallowance is AED 80,000 + AED 450,000 + AED 1,000,000 = AED 1,530,000

        Having completed the horizontal and vertical offsetting, the remaining overall net open position is AED 3m, which is equivalent to the overall net open position we calculated across all time bands when we calculated the first part of the capital charge.

         Zone 1 (months)Zone 2 (years)Zone 3 (years)
        Time band0-11-33-66-121-22-33-44-55-77-1010-1515-20>20
        Weighted position (AED m) +0.15-0.2+1.05  +1.125  -5.625+0.5   
        Vertical disallowance -5.125 
        Horizontal disallowance Round 1+1 
        Horizontal disallowance Round 2    -4
        Horizontal disallowance Round 3     -3

         

        We have now calculated the total capital charge for general market risk for this example.

        Capital chargeAED
        1A charge for the net open position3,000,000
        2A charge for the vertical disallowance50,000
        3A charge for horizontal disallowance 
        Round 1: Charge for the horizontal disallowance within each zone80,000 
        Round 2: Charge for the horizontal disallowance between adjacent zones450,000 
        Round 3: Charge for the horizontal disallowance between zones 1 and 31,000,0001,530,000
         net charge for positions in options 0
         Total capital charge 4,580,000
           2.Specific Market Risk – Example

        Relate to the same example as above.

        Given that, the government bonds are AAA-rated and that the qualifying bond is BBB-rated.

        The interest rate swap does not incur a specific risk charge. The AAA-rate government bonds incur a 0% specific risk charge. The qualifying bond has a residual maturity of 8 years and is BBB-rated, so if has a specific risk charge of 1.6%

        The capital charge is 1.6% of AED 13.33m, or AED 213,280.

      • B. Equity Risk – Calculating the Capital Charge

        Bank XYZ has the following positions in its equity portfolio for a particular national market.

        CompanyPositionNo. of sharesMarket price (AED)Market value (AED)
        A Corp.Long10,00035350,000
        B Corp.Short20,00025500,000
        C Corp.Short5,00050250,000
        D Corp.Long15,00020300,000
        E Corp.Short2,00060120,000

         

        To calculate the general market risk charge, we must first determine the overall net open position. The sum of the net long positions is AED 650,000 and the sum of the net short positions is AED 870,000. The overall net open position is short AED 220,000.

        The capital charge for general market risk is 8% of AED 220,000, or AED 17,600.

        Next, we must work out the specific risk charge.

        The capital charge for specific risk is 8% of AED 1,520,000 or AED 121,600.

        That lead to, overall capital charge for this portfolio is AED 17,600 + AED 121,000, or AED 139,200.

      • C. FX Risk – Calculating the Capital Charge

        Below is an example of calculating the capital charge for FX risk.

        A bank has the following positions that have been converted at spot rates into its reporting currency, United Arab dirhams (AED).

        CurrencyJPYEURGBPAUDUSDGold
        Net position (AEDm)+50+100+150-20-180-35

         

        The higher of the sum of the net long and net short currency positions is AED 300m.

        The capital charge is therefore calculated as 8% of AED 300m, plus the net position in gold (AED 35m):

        Capital charge = 8% of AED 335m = AED 26.8m

        Another example;

        A bank has the following positions that have been converted at spot rates into its reporting currency (AED)

        CurrencyEURJPYGBPAUDSGD
        Net position (AEDm)+150-100+75-30-15

         

        The sum of the net long positions is AED 225m and the sum of the net short positions is -AED 145m. The capital charge is calculated as 8% of the higher of these two positions, so the charge is 8% of AED 225m, or AED 18m.

      • D. Commodity Risk

           1.Simplified approach

        XYZ bank is exposed to a number of positions in the same commodity. The bank’s reporting currency is AED. The following positions are held in EUR:

        PositionStandard units (kg)Maturity
        Long1284 months
        Short-1605 months
        Long9613 months
        Short-964 years

         

        Firstly, calculate the current value for these positons in the reporting currency.

        The following is the current situation:

        Current spot price of the commodity per unit (kg) in local currency5.00EUR per kg
        Current EUR/AED FX spot rate4.251 EUR = 4.25 AED

         

        Further calculation to the position after conversion to local reporting bank’s currency

        PositionStandard units (kg)Spot priceValue (EUR)FX spot rate 1 EUR = 4.25 AEDValue (AED)Maturity
        Long1285.006404.252,7204 months
        Short-1605.00-8004.25-3,4005 months
        Long965.004804.252,04013 months
        Short-965.00-4804.25-2,0404 years

         

        640*4.25=2,720
        -800*4.25=-3,400
        480*4.25=2,040
        -480*4.25=-2,040

        Calculate the capital charge, first a capital charge of 15% of the overall net open position in the commodity is required.

        The overall net position is the sum of the long and short positions:
        AED 2,720 – AED 3,400 + AED 2,040 – AED 2,040 = - AED 680
        The overall net positon is short AED 680. This leads to a capital charge of AED 102 (680 * 15%) Next, a capital charge of 3% of the bank’s gross positon in the commodity is required.
        The gross position is the sum of the absolute values of the long and short positions:
        AED 2,720 + AED 3,400 + AED 2,040 + AED 2,040 = AED 10,200

        XYZ bank’s gross position is AED 10,200. This leads to a capital charge of AED 306 (10,200 * 3%).
        Now, sum the charges to find the total capital charge for this commodity. The charge for the overall net open position is AED 102, and the charge for the bank’s gross position in the commodity is AED 306.
        Therefore, XYZ bank’s total market risk capital charge for positions held in this commodity is AED 102 + AED 306, or AED 408.

           2.Maturity ladder approach

        Recall that XYZ bank is exposed to a number of positions in the same commodity. The bank’s reporting currency is AED. The following positions are held in EUR:

        PositionStandard units (kg)Maturity
        Long1284 months
        Short-1605 months
        Long9613 months
        Short-964 years

         

        Step 1:

        First express each commodity position in terms of the standard unit of measurement, and value in the reporting currency at the current spot price.

        The following is the current situation:

        Current spot price of the commodity per unit (kg) in local currency5.00EUR per kg
        Current EUR/AED FX spot rate4.251 EUR = 4.25 AED

        This is done the same way as for the simplified approach.

        PositionStandard units (kg)Spot priceValue (EUR)FX spot rate 1 EUR = 4.25 AEDValue (AED)Maturity
        Long1285.006404.252,7204 months
        Short-1605.00-8004.25-3,4005 months
        Long965.004804.252,04013 months
        Short-965.00-4804.25-2,0404 years

         

        Step 2:

        Slot each position into a time band in the maturity ladder according to its remaining maturity. Physical stocks should be allocated to the first time band.

        Maturity ladder
        Time bandsPositions (AED)
         LongShort
        0-1 months  
        1-3 months  
        3-6 months2,720-3,400
        6-12 months  
        1-2 years2,040 
        2-3 years  
        Over 3 years -2,040

         

        Step 3:

        Apply a capital charge: of 1.5% to the sum of the matched long and short positions in each time band to capture spread risk.

        Maturity ladderMatched positionCapital charge for spread risk rate = 1.5%
        Time bandsPositions (AED)
         LongShort
        0-1 months    
        1-3 months    
        3-6 months2,720-3,4002,72081.6*
        6-12 months    
        1-2 years2,040   
        2-3 years    
        Over 3 years -2,040  

        *start with the 3-6 months’ time band.
        Multiply the sum of the ling and short matched positions by the spread rate 1.5%, to calculate the capital charge: (AED 2,720 + AED 2,720) * 1.5% = AED 81.6

        Step 4:

        Apply a capital charge of 0.6% to the residual net position carried forward to the next relevant time band, multiplied by the number of time bands it is carried forward.

        The maturity ladder approach allows for netting between unmatched long and short positions across time bands. The residual net position in a time band can be carried forward to the next relevant time band, thus offsetting exposures in time bands further out. Because this is imprecise, resulting in an “imperfect hedge”; a capital charge is required.

        The residual net position in the 3-6 months’ band is short AED 680. This net position is carried forward two time bands to offset exposures in the next relevant time band, the 1-2 years’ band.

        Maturity ladderMatched positionNet positionCapital charge for spread risk rate = 1.5%Capital charge for positions carried forward rate = 0.6%
        Time bandsPositions (AED)
         LongShort
        0-1 months      
        1-3 months      
        3-6 months2,720-3,4002,720-680 (3400-2720)81.68.16*
        6-12 months      
        1-2 years2,040-680    
        2-3 years      
        Over 3 years -2,040    

        *The capital charge is calculated as follows: AED 680 * 2 * 0.6% = AED 8.16

        Step 5:

        Repeat step 3 and step 4 for each time band.

        When determining the matched position in each time band, take into account the residual net position carried forward.

        Maturity ladderMatched positionNet positionCapital charge for spread risk rate = 1.5%Capital charge for positions carried forward rate = 0.6%
        Time bandsPositions (AED)
         LongShort
        0-1 months      
        1-3 months      
        3-6 months2,720-3,4002,720-680 (3400-2720)81.68.16
        6-12 months      
        1-2 years2,040-6806801,36020.4*16.32**
        2-3 years      
        Over 3 years1,360-2,0401,360- 68040.8*** 

        *(680+680)*1.5% = AED 20.4
        **(1,360*2*0.6%) = AED 16.32
        ***(1,360+1360) *1.5% = AED 40.8

        Step 6:

        Apply a capital charge of 15% to the overall long or short net open position.

        The net position in the final time band is subject to a capital charge of 15% as to say 680 * 15% = AED 102

        Step 7:

        Derive the total capital charge by summing the charges for spread risk, for positions carried forward and for the overall net open position.

        Capital chargesAED
        Charge for spread risk142.8
        Charge for the positions carried forward24.48
        Charge for the overall net position102
        Total capital charge269.28

        In this example, the capital charge calculated using the maturity ladder approach; AED 269.28 is significantly lower than that calculated using the simplified approach, AED 408.

      • E. Options

           Simplified approach

        A bank holds 100 shares currently valued at USD 10, and also holds an equivalent number of put options with a strike price of USD 11 (each option entitles the bank to sell one share).
        Since these are equity options, they are subject to the capital charges for general market risk and specific risk according to the standardised framework for equity risk. The capital charge is levied at 8% for general market risk and 8% for specific risk, giving a summed charge of 16%.

        Market value of 100 shares = USD 1,000

        First, multiply the market value by the sum of general market risk and specific risk charges.
        USD 1,000 x 16% = USD 160
        Then, calculate the amount the option is in-the-money.

        (USD 11 - USD 10) x 100 = USD 100

        The capital charge is the general market risk and specific risk charge less the amount the option is in-the-money.
        USD 160 - USD 100 = USD 60

        A similar methodology applies for options whose underlying is a foreign currency, an interest rate related instrument or a commodity.

        Another example for simplified approach
        A bank holds 500 shares currently valued at USD 25.50 and holds an equivalent number of put options with a strike price of USD 26.25 (each option entitles the bank to sell one share).

        The capital charge is calculated as follows:
        Market value of 500 shares = USD 12,750
        USD 12,750 x 16% (that is, 8% specific plus 8% general market risk) = USD 2,040

        The amount the option is in-the-money = (USD 26.25 - USD 25.50) x 500 = USD 375.
        This gives a capital charge of USD 2,040 - USD 375 = USD 1,665