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GENPRU 2.2 Capital resources

Application

GENPRU 2.2.1RRP

This section applies to:

  1. (1)

    a BIPRU firm; and

  2. (2)

    an insurer unless it is:

    1. (a)

      a non-directive friendly society; or

    2. (b)

      a Swiss general insurer; or

    3. (c)

      an EEA-deposit insurer; or

    4. (d)

      an incoming EEA firm; or

    5. (e)

      an incoming Treaty firm.

Purpose

GENPRU 2.2.2GRP

GENPRU 2.1 (Calculation of capital resources requirement) sets out minimum capital resources requirements for a firm. This section (GENPRU 2.2) sets out how, for the purpose of these requirements, capital resources are defined and measured.

GENPRU 2.2.3G

This section implements minimum EC standards for the composition of capital resources required to be held by an insurer undertaking business that falls within the scope of the Consolidated Life Directive (2002/83/EC), the First Non-Life Directive (1973/239/EEC) as amended or the Reinsurance Directive (2005/68/EC).

GENPRU 2.2.4GRP

This section also implements minimum EC standards for the composition of capital resources required to be held by a BIPRU firm. In particular it implements Articles 56 – 61, Articles 63 – 64, Article 66 and Articles 120 – 122 of the Banking Consolidation Directive (2006/48/EC) and Articles 12 – 16, Article 17 (in part), Article 22(1)(c) (in part) and paragraphs 13 - 15 of Part B of Annex VII of the Capital Adequacy Directive (2006/49/EC).

Contents guide

GENPRU 2.2.5G

The table in GENPRU 2.2.6 G sets out where the main topics in this section can be found.

Table: Arrangement of GENPRU 2.2

GENPRU 2.2.6GRP

This table belongs to GENPRU 2.2.5 G

Topic

Location of text

Application and purpose of the rules in this section

GENPRU 2.2.1 R to GENPRU 2.2.4 G

BIPRU firms that only have simple types of capital resources (simple capital issuers)

GENPRU 2.2.7 G

Principles underlying the definition of capital resources

GENPRU 2.2.8 G

Which method of calculating capital resources applies to which type of firm

GENPRU 2.2.17 R to GENPRU 2.2.19 R

Purpose of the limits on the use of different forms of capital

GENPRU 2.2.24 G

Use of higher tier capital in lower tiers

GENPRU 2.2.25 R to GENPRU 2.2.28 R

Calculation of capital resources for insurers

GENPRU 2.2.22 G to GENPRU 2.2.23 G; GENPRU 2 Annex 1

Limits on the use of different forms of capital for insurer (capital resources gearing rules for insurer)

GENPRU 2.2.29 R to GENPRU 2.2.41 R

Calculation of capital resources for banks

GENPRU 2 Annex 2

Calculation of capital resources for building societies

GENPRU 2 Annex 3

Limits on the use of different forms of capital for banks and building societies (certain types of capital resources cannot be used for certain purposes)

GENPRU 2.2.42 R8 to GENPRU 2.2.45 R; GENPRU 2.2.47 R to GENPRU 2.2.48 R

8

Limits on the use of different forms of capital for banks and building societies (capital resources gearing rules)

GENPRU 2.2.29 R to GENPRU 2.2.31 G; GENPRU 2.2.46 R; GENPRU 2.2.49 R

Calculation of capital resources for BIPRU investment firms

GENPRU 2.2.20 G to GENPRU 2.2.21 G; GENPRU 2 Annex 4 to GENPRU 2 Annex 6

Limits on the use of different forms of capital for BIPRU investment firms (certain types of capital resources cannot be used for certain purposes)

GENPRU 2.2.42 R to GENPRU 2.2.45 R; GENPRU 2.2.47 R to GENPRU 2.2.48 R

Limits on the use of different forms of capital for BIPRU investment firms (capital resources gearing rules)

GENPRU 2.2.29 R to GENPRU 2.2.31 G; GENPRU 2.2.46 R; GENPRU 2.2.50 R

Example of how the capital resources calculation for BIPRU firms works

GENPRU 2.2.51 G to GENPRU 2.2.59 G

Capital used to meet the base capital resources requirement for BIPRU firms

GENPRU 2.2.60 R to GENPRU 2.2.61 G

Tier one capital instruments: general

GENPRU 2.2.9 G to GENPRU 2.2.10 G; GENPRU 2.2.62 R to GENPRU 2.2.69 G; GENPRU 2.2.80 R to GENPRU 2.2.82 G

Core tier one capital: permanent share capital

GENPRU 2.2.83 R to GENPRU 2.2.84 G

Core tier one capital: profit and loss account and other reserves: material applicable to all firms

GENPRU 2.2.85 R; GENPRU 2.2.87 R to GENPRU 2.2.89 G; GENPRU 2.2.91 G

Core tier one capital: profit and loss account and other reserves: material specific to BIPRU firms

GENPRU 2.2.86 R; GENPRU 2.2.90 R; GENPRU 2.2.92 G

Core tier one capital: provisions relating to partnerships and limited liability partnerships

GENPRU 2.2.93 R to GENPRU 2.2.100 R

Core tier one capital: share premium account

GENPRU 2.2.101 R

Core tier one capital: externally verified interim net profits

GENPRU 2.2.102 R to GENPRU 2.2.103 G

Core tier one capital: valuation differences and fund for future appropriations for insurer

GENPRU 2.2.104 R to GENPRU 2.2.108 R

Tier one capital: perpetual non-cumulative preference shares

GENPRU 2.2.109 R to GENPRU 2.2.110 G

Tier one capital: PIBS

GENPRU 2.2.76 R; GENPRU 2.2.111 R to GENPRU 2.2.112 G

Innovative tier one capital (excluding issues through SPVs)

GENPRU 2.2.76 R; GENPRU 2.2.113 R to GENPRU 2.2.122 G

Innovative tier one capital (issues through SPVs)

GENPRU 2.2.123 R to GENPRU 2.2.137 R

Tier one capital: conversion ratio

GENPRU 2.2.138 R to GENPRU 2.2.144 G

Tier one capital: requirement to have sufficient unissued stock

GENPRU 2.2.145 R

Deductions from tier one capital resources

GENPRU 2.2.155 R to GENPRU 2.2.156 G

Tier two capital

GENPRU 2.2.11 G; GENPRU 2.2.157 G to GENPRU 2.2.197 G

Deductions from tier one capital resources and tier two capital resources

GENPRU 2.2.202 R to GENPRU 2.2.240 G

Tier three capital

GENPRU 2.2.12 G; GENPRU 2.2.241 R to GENPRU 2.2.249 R

Deductions from total capital resources

GENPRU 2.2.14 G to GENPRU 2.2.16 G; GENPRU 2.2.250 R to GENPRU 2.2.265 R

The effect of swaps

GENPRU 2.2.198 R to GENPRU 2.2.201 R

Step-ups (Tier one capital and tier two capital)

GENPRU 2.2.76 R; GENPRU 2.2.146 R to GENPRU 2.2.154 G

Redemption of tier one instruments

GENPRU 2.2.64R (3); GENPRU 2.2.70 R to GENPRU 2.2.79 G

Redemption of tier two instruments

GENPRU 2.2.172 R to GENPRU 2.2.174 R; GENPRU 2.2.177 R to GENPRU 2.2.178 R (upper tier two instruments); GENPRU 2.2.194 R to GENPRU 2.2.197 G (lower tier two instruments)

Non-standard capital instruments

GENPRU 2.2.13 G

Standard form documentation for subordinated debt

GENPRU 2.2.164 G

Public sector guarantees

GENPRU 2.2.276 R

Other capital resources for insurers: unpaid share capital or unpaid initial funds and calls for supplementary contributions

GENPRU 2.2.266 G to GENPRU 2.2.269 G

Additional requirements for insurer carrying on with-profits insurance business

GENPRU 2.2.270 R to GENPRU 2.2.275 G

Simple capital issuers

GENPRU 2.2.7GRP

Parts of this section are irrelevant to a BIPRU firm whose capital resources consist of straightforward capital instruments. Therefore the FSA's Personal handbooks facility available on its website allows a BIPRU firm to screen out those parts of this section that are not relevant to a simple capital issuer.

2

Principles underlying the definition of capital resources

GENPRU 2.2.8GRP

The FSA has divided its definition of capital into categories, or tiers, reflecting differences in the extent to which the capital instruments concerned meet the purpose and conform to the characteristics of capital listed in GENPRU 2.2.9 G. The FSA generally prefers a firm to hold higher quality capital that meets the characteristics of permanency and loss absorbency that are features of tier one capital. Capital instruments falling into core tier one capital can be included in a firm's regulatory capital without limit. Typically, other forms of capital are either subject to limits (see the capital resources gearing rules) or, in the case of some specialist types of capital, may only be included with the express consent of the FSA (which takes the form of a waiver under section 148 of the Act). Details of the individual components of capital are set out in the capital resources table.

Tier one capital

GENPRU 2.2.9GRP

Tier one capital typically has the following characteristics:

  1. (1)

    it is able to absorb losses;

  2. (2)

    it is permanent;

  3. (3)

    it ranks for repayment upon winding up, administration or similar procedure after all other debts and liabilities; and

  4. (4)

    it has no fixed costs, that is, there is no inescapable obligation to pay dividends or interest.

GENPRU 2.2.10GRP

The forms of capital that qualify for Tier one capital are set out in the capital resources table and include, for example, share capital, reserves, partnership and sole trader capital, verified interim net profits and, for a mutual, the initial fund plus permanent members' accounts. Tier one capital is divided into core tier one capital, perpetual non-cumulative preference shares, permanent interest bearing shares (PIBS) and innovative tier one capital.

Upper and lower tier two capital

GENPRU 2.2.11GRP

Tier two capital includes forms of capital that do not meet the requirements for permanency and absence of fixed servicing costs that apply to tier one capital. Tier two capital includes, for example:

  1. (1)

    capital which is perpetual (that is, has no fixed term) but cumulative (that is, servicing costs cannot be waived at the issuer's option, although they may be deferred – for example, cumulative preference shares); only perpetual capital instruments may be included in upper tier two capital;

  2. (2)

    capital which is not perpetual (that is, it has a fixed term) or which may have fixed servicing costs that cannot generally be either waived or deferred (for example, most subordinated debt); such capital should normally be of a medium to long-term maturity (that is, an original maturity of at least five years); dated capital instruments are included in lower tier two capital;

  3. (3)

    (for BIPRU firms) certain revaluation reserves such as reserves arising from the revaluation of land and buildings, including any net unrealised gains for the fair valuation of equities held in the available-for-sale financial assets category; and

  4. (4)

    (for BIPRU firms) general/collective provisions.

Tier three capital

GENPRU 2.2.12GRP

Tier three capital consists of forms of capital conforming least well to the characteristics of capital listed in GENPRU 2.2.9 G: either subordinated debt of short maturity (upper tier three capital) or net trading book profits that have not been externally verified (lower tier three capital).

Non-standard capital instruments

GENPRU 2.2.13GRP

There may be examples of capital instruments that, although based on a standard form, contain structural features that make the rules in this section difficult to apply. In such circumstances, a firm may seek individual guidance on the application of those rules to the capital instrument in question. See SUP 9 (Individual guidance) for the process to be followed when seeking individual guidance.

Deductions from capital

GENPRU 2.2.14GRP

Deductions should be made at the relevant stage of the calculation of capital resources to reflect capital that may not be available to the firm or assets of uncertain value (for example, holdings of intangible assets and assets that are inadmissible for an insurer., or, in the case of a bank or building society, where that firm has made investments in a subsidiary undertaking or in another financial institution or in respect of participations that it holds).

GENPRU 2.2.15GRP

Deductions should also be made, in the case of certain BIPRU investment firms for illiquid assets (see GENPRU 2.2.19 R).

GENPRU 2.2.16GRP

A full list of deductions from capital resources is shown in the capital resources table applicable to the firm.

Which method of calculating capital resources applies to which type of firm

GENPRU 2.2.17RRP

A firm must calculate its capital resources in accordance with the version of the capital resources table applicable to the firm, subject to the capital resources gearing rules. The version of the capital resources table that applies to a firm is specified in the table in GENPRU 2.2.19 R.

GENPRU 2.2.18RRP

In the case of a BIPRU firm the capital resources table also sets out how the capital resources requirement is deducted from capital resources in order to decide whether its capital resources equal or exceed its capital resources requirement.

Table: Applicable capital resources calculation

Calculation of capital resources: Which rules apply to BIPRU investmentfirms

GENPRU 2.2.20GRP

GENPRU 2.2.19 R sets out three different methods of calculating capital resources for BIPRU investment firms. The differences between the three methods relate to whether and how material holdings and illiquid assets are deducted when calculating capital resources. The method depends on whether a firm has an investment firm consolidation waiver. If a firm does have such a waiver, it should deduct illiquid assets, own group material holdings and certain contingent liabilities. If a firm does not have such a waiver, it should choose to deduct either material holdings or, subject to notifying the FSA, illiquid assets.

GENPRU 2.2.21GRP

A consequence of a firm deducting all of its illiquid assets under GENPRU 2 Annex 5 is that it is allowed a higher limit on short term subordinated debt under GENPRU 2.2.49 R.

Calculation of capital resources: Insurers

GENPRU 2.2.22G

Capital resources for an insurer can be calculated either as the total of eligible assets less foreseeable liabilities (which is the approach taken in the Insurance Directives) or by identifying the components of capital. Both calculations give the same result for the total amount of capital resources. The approach taken in this section has been to specify the components of capital and the relevant deductions. This is set out in the capital resources table. This approach is the same as that used for the calculation of capital resources for banks, building societies and BIPRU investment firms. A simple example, showing the reconciliation of the two methods, is given in the table in GENPRU 2.2.23 G.

Table: Approaches to calculating capital resources

GENPRU 2.2.23G

This table belongs to GENPRU 2.2.22 G

Liabilities

Assets

Borrowings

100

Admissible assets

350

Ordinary shares

200

Intangible assets

100

Profit and loss account and other reserves

100

Other inadmissible assets

100

Perpetual subordinated debt

150

Total

550

Total

550

Calculation of capital resources: eligible assets less foreseeable liabilities

Total assets

550

less intangible assets

(100)

less inadmissible assets

(100)

less liabilities (borrowings)

(100)

Capital resources

250

Calculation of capital resources: components of capital

Ordinary shares

200

Profit and loss account and other reserves

100

Perpetual subordinated debt

150

less intangible assets

(100)

less inadmissible assets

(100)

Capital resources

250

Limits on the use of different forms of capital: General

GENPRU 2.2.24GRP

As the various components of capital differ in the degree of protection that they offer the firm and its customers and consumers, restrictions are placed on the extent to which certain types of capital are eligible for inclusion in a firm's capital resources. These rules are called the capital resources gearing rules.

Limits on the use of different forms of capital: Use of higher tier capital in lower tiers

GENPRU 2.2.25RRP

A firm may include in a lower stage of capital, capital resources which are eligible for inclusion in a higher stage of capital if the capital resources gearing rules would prevent the use of that capital in that higher stage of capital. However:

  1. (1)

    the capital resources gearing rules applicable to that lower stage of capital apply to higher stage of capital included in that lower stage of capital; and

  2. (2)

    (subject to GENPRU 2.2.26 R) the rules in GENPRU governing the eligibility of capital in that lower stage of capital continue to apply.

GENPRU 2.2.26RRP

An item of tier one capital which is included in a firm's tier two capital resources under GENPRU 2.2.25 R is not subject to the requirement to obtain a legal opinion in GENPRU 2.2.159R (12).

GENPRU 2.2.27R

A BIPRU firm may include in a lower stage of capital, innovative tier one capital that it is prohibited from using under GENPRU 2.2.42 R (BIPRU firms may not use innovative tier one capital to meet the CRR). However:

  1. (1)

    the capital resources gearing rules applicable to that lower stage of capital apply to that innovative tier one capital; and

  2. (2)

    (subject to GENPRU 2.2.28 R) the rules in GENPRU governing the eligibility of capital in that lower stage of capital continue to apply.

GENPRU 2.2.28RRP

The requirement to obtain a legal opinion in GENPRU 2.2.159R (12) does not apply to innovative tier one capital treated under GENPRU 2.2.27 R but the requirements to obtain a legal opinion in GENPRU 2.2.118 R continue to apply.

Limits on the use of different forms of capital: Limits relating to tier one capital applicable to all firms except BIPRU investment firms

GENPRU 2.2.29R

In relation to the tier one capital resources of an insurer, bank or building society, calculated at stage F of the calculation in the capital resources table (Total tier one capital after deductions), at least 50% must be accounted for by core tier one capital.

Limits on the use of different forms of capital: Limits relating to tier one capital applicable to all firms

GENPRU 2.2.30R

In relation to the capital resources of an insurer,and subject to GENPRU 2.2.42 R (Restriction on the use of innovative tier one capital), those of a BIPRU firm, calculated at stage F of the calculation in the capital resources table (Total tier one capital after deductions), no more than 15% may be accounted for by innovative tier one capital.

Limits on the use of different forms of capital: Limits relating to tier one capital: Purpose of the requirements

GENPRU 2.2.31GRP

The purpose of the requirement in GENPRU 2.2.29 R is to ensure that at least 50% of the firm's tier one capital resources (net of tier one capital deductions) is met by core tier one capital which provides maximum loss absorbency on a going concern basis to protect the firm from insolvency. Although a perpetual non-cumulative preference share or a PIBS is in legal form a share, it behaves in many ways like a perpetual fixed interest debt instrument. Within the 50% limit on non-core tier one capital, GENPRU 2.2.30 R places a further sub-limit on the amount of innovative tier one capital that a firm may include in its tier one capital resources. This limit is necessary to ensure that most of a firm's tier one capital comprises items of capital of the highest quality.

Limits on the use of different forms of capital: Insurers

GENPRU 2.2.32R

At least 50% of an insurer's MCR must be accounted for by the sum of:

  1. (1)

    the amount calculated at stage A of the calculation in the capital resources table (Core tier one capital); and

  2. (2)

    notwithstanding GENPRU 2.2.29 R, the amount calculated at stage B of the calculation in the capital resources table (Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares);

less the amount calculated at stage E of the calculation in the capital resources table (Deductions from tier one capital).

GENPRU 2.2.33R

An insurer carrying on long-term insurance business must meet the higher of:

  1. (1)

    1/3 of the long-term insurance capital requirement; and

  2. (2)

    the base capital resources requirement;

with the sum of the items listed at stages A (Core tier one capital), B (Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares), G (Upper tier two capital) and H (Lower tier two capital) in the capital resources table less the sum of the items listed at stage E in the capital resources table (Deductions from tier one capital).

GENPRU 2.2.34R

An5 insurer carrying on general insurance business must meet the higher of:

  1. (1)

    1/3 of the general insurance capital requirement; and

  2. (2)

    the base capital resources requirement;

with the sum of the items listed at stages A (Core tier one capital), B (Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares), G (Upper tier two capital) and H (Lower tier two capital) in the capital resources table less the sum of the items listed at stage E (Deductions from tier one capital) in the capital resources table.

GENPRU 2.2.35R

In GENPRU 2.2.33 R andGENPRU 2.2.34 R:

  1. (1)

    items listed at stage B (Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares) in the capital resources table may be included notwithstanding GENPRU 2.2.29 R;

  2. (2)

    innovative tier one capital that meets the conditions (other than GENPRU 2.2.159R (12) (Requirement for a legal opinion)) for it to be included as upper tier two capital at stage G (Upper tier two capital) in the capital resources table may be treated as an item listed at stage G; and

  3. (3)

    an insurer must exclude from the calculation the higher of the following:

    1. (a)

      the amount (if any) by which the sum of the items listed at stages G (Upper tier two capital) and H (Lower tier two capital) in the capital resources table exceeds the total (net of deductions) of the remaining constituents of adjusted stage M; and

    2. (b)

      the amount (if any) by which the sum of the items listed at stage H in the capital resources table exceeds one-third of the total (net of deductions) of the remaining constituents of adjusted stage M;

    where adjusted stage M means the amount calculated at stage M of the calculation in the capital resources table (Total capital after deductions) less the amount of any innovative tier one capital that is not treated as upper tier two capital for the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.33 R orGENPRU 2.2.34 R, as the case may be.

GENPRU 2.2.36G

The purposes of the requirements in GENPRU 2.2.32 R to GENPRU 2.2.34 R are to comply with the Insurance Directives' requirement that insurer maintain a guarantee fund of higher quality capital resources items and to ensure that at least 50% of the insurer's capital resources needed to meet its MCR provide maximum loss absorbency to protect the insurer from insolvency.

GENPRU 2.2.37R

Subject to GENPRU 2.2.38 R, an insurer must exclude from the calculation of its capital resources the following:

  1. (1)

    the amount (if any) by which tier two capital resources exceed the amount calculated at stage F (Total tier one capital after deductions) of the calculation in the capital resources table; and

  2. (2)

    the amount (if any) by which lower tier two capital resources exceed 50% of the amount calculated at stage F of the calculation in the capital resources table.

GENPRU 2.2.38R

At least 75% of an insurer's MCR must be accounted for by the sum of:

  1. (1)

    the amount calculated at stage A (Core tier one capital) plus, notwithstanding GENPRU 2.2.29 R, the amount calculated at stage B (Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares) less the amount calculated at stage E (Deductions from tier one capital) of the calculation in the capital resources table; and

  2. (2)

    the amount calculated at stage G (Upper tier two capital) of the calculation in the capital resources table.

GENPRU 2.2.39G

In GENPRU 2.2.38 R the amount of any innovative tier one capital that meets the conditions for it to be included as upper tier two capital at stage G (Upper tier two capital) in the capital resources table may be included in the amount calculated at stage G.

GENPRU 2.2.40G

GENPRU 2.2.37 R and GENPRU 2.2.38 R give effect to the Insurance Directives' requirements that an insurer's tier two capital resources must not exceed its tier one capital resources and that no more than 25% of an insurer's "required solvency margin" should consist of lower tier two capital resources.

GENPRU 2.2.41R

An insurer that carries on both long-term insurance business and general insurance business must apply the relevant limits in GENPRU 2.2.32 R to GENPRU 2.2.38 R separately for each type of business.

Limits on the use of innovative tier one capital: BIPRU firm

GENPRU 2.2.42R
GENPRU 2.2.43G

A BIPRU firm may include innovative tier one capital in its tier one capital resources for the purpose of GENPRU 1.2 (Adequacy of financial resources) and BIPRU 10 (Concentration risk). A firm may also include it in its upper tier two capital resources under GENPRU 2.2.25 R (Limits on the use of different forms of capital: Use of higher tier capital in lower tiers) for all purposes as long as it meets the conditions for treatment as upper tier two capital.

Limits on the use of different kinds of capital: Purposes for which tier three capital may not be used (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.44RRP
GENPRU 2.2.45RRP

GENPRU 2.2.44 R (and the capital resources gearing rules that relate to it) also applies for the purposes of any other requirement in the Handbook for which it is necessary to calculate the capital resources of a BIPRU firm, except for the purposes described in GENPRU 2.2.47 R and except as may otherwise be stated in the relevant part of the Handbook.

Limits on the use of different kinds of capital: Tier two limits (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.46RRP

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.44 R:

  1. (1)

    the amount of the items which may be included in a BIPRU firm's tier two capital resources must not exceed the amount calculated at stage F of the calculation in the capital resources table (Total tier one capital after deductions); and

  2. (2)

    the amount of the items which may be included in a BIPRU firm's lower tier two capital resources must not exceed 50% of the amount calculated at stage F of the calculation in the capital resources table.

Limits on the use of different kinds of capital: Purposes for which tier three capital may be used (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.47RRP

For the purposes of meeting:

  1. (1)

    the market risk capital requirement;

  2. (2)

    the concentration risk capital component; and

  3. (3)

    the fixed overheads requirement (where applicable);

a BIPRU firm may only use the following parts of its capital resources:

  1. (4)

    tier one capital to the extent that it is not required to meet the requirements in GENPRU 2.2.44 R (GENPRU 2.2.48 R explains how to calculate how much tier one capital is required to meet the requirements in GENPRU 2.2.44 R);

  2. (5)

    tier two capital to the extent that it:

    1. (a)

      comes within the limits in GENPRU 2.2.46 R (100% limit for tier two capital resources and 50% limit for lower tier two capital resources); and

    2. (b)

      it is not required to meet the requirements in GENPRU 2.2.44 R;

    (GENPRU 2.2.48 R explains how to calculate how much tier two capital is required to meet the requirements in GENPRU 2.2.44 R);

  3. (6)

    tier two capital that cannot be used for the purposes in GENPRU 2.2.44 R because it falls outside the limits in GENPRU 2.2.46 R; and

  4. (7)

    tier three capital.

GENPRU 2.2.48RRP

The amount of tier one capital and tier two capital that is not used to meet the requirements in GENPRU 2.2.44 R as referred to in GENPRU 2.2.47R (4) and (5)(5) is equal to the amount calculated at stage N of the calculation in the capital resources table (Total tier one capital plus tier two capital after deductions) less the parts of the capital resources requirement deducted immediately after stage N of the capital resources table (the parts of the capital resources requirements listed in GENPRU 2.2.44 R).

Limits on the use of different kinds of capital: Combined tier two and tier three limits (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.49RRP

For the purpose of meeting the requirements in GENPRU 2.2.47R (1) to GENPRU 2.2.47R (3) and subject to GENPRU 2.2.50 R, a BIPRU firm must not include any item in either:

  1. (1)

    its tier two capital resources falling within GENPRU 2.2.47R (6) (excess tier two capital); or

  2. (2)

    its upper tier three capital resources;

to the extent that the sum of (1) and (2) would exceed 250% of the amount resulting from the following calculation:

  1. (3)

    calculate the amount at stage F of the calculation in the capital resources table (Total tier one capital after deductions); and

  2. (4)

    deduct from (3) those parts of the firm's tier one capital used to meet the requirements in GENPRU 2.2.44R (1) and (2)1 as established by GENPRU 2.2.48 R.

GENPRU 2.2.50RRP

In relation to a BIPRU investment firm which calculates its capital resources under GENPRU 2 Annex 4 (Capital resources table for a BIPRU investment firm deducting material holdings), the figure of 200% replaces that of 250% in GENPRU 2.2.49 R.

Example of how the capital resources calculation for BIPRU firms works

GENPRU 2.2.51G

GENPRU 2.2.52 G to GENPRU 2.2.59 G illustrate how to calculate a BIPRU firm's capital resources and how the capital resources gearing rules work. In this example the BIPRU firm has a combined credit, operational and counterparty1 risk requirement of £100 (of which £10 is due to counterparty risk)1 and a market risk requirement of £90, making a total capital requirement of £190. Its capital resources are as set out in the table in GENPRU 2.2.52 G.

Table: Example of the calculation of the capital resources of a BIPRU firm

GENPRU 2.2.52GRP

This table belongs to GENPRU 2.2.51 G

Description of the stage of the capital resources calculation

Stage in the capital resources table

Amount (£)

Total tier one capital after deductions (excluding innovative tier one instruments – see GENPRU 2.2.53 G)

Stage F

80

Total tier two capital (including innovative tier one instruments– see GENPRU 2.2.53 G)

Stage K

80

Deductions

Stage M

(20)

Total tier one capital and tier two capital after deductions

Stage N

140

Upper tier three capital (this example assumes the firm has no lower tier three capital (trading book profits))

Stage Q

50

Total capital resources

Stage T

190

GENPRU 2.2.53G

GENPRU 2.2.42 R (Limits on the use of innovative tier one capital) prohibits the inclusion of innovative tier one instruments in the tier one capital of a BIPRU firm for the purpose of meeting the capital resources requirement. Thus they are not included in the calculation of stage F of the capital resources table. Instead all innovative tier one instruments have been included in tier two capital in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.25 R (Use of higher tiers of capital in lower tiers).

GENPRU 2.2.54G

In the example in the table in GENPRU 2.2.52 G the firm has total tier one capital after deductions of £80. Its tier two capital of £80 is therefore the maximum permitted under GENPRU 2.2.46 R (Tier two limits), that is 100% of tier one capital.

GENPRU 2.2.55GRP

The combined credit, operational and counterparty1 risk capital requirement is deducted after stage N of the capital resources table and the market risk requirement following stage T of the capital resources table. These calculations are shown in the table in GENPRU 2.2.56 G.

Table: Example of how capital resources of a BIPRU firm are measured against its capital resources requirement

GENPRU 2.2.56GRP

This table belongs to GENPRU 2.2.55 G

Description of the stage of the capital resources calculation

Stage in the capital resources table

Amount (£)

Total tier one capital and tier two capital after deductions

Stage N

140

Credit, operational, and counterparty1 risk requirement

(100)

Tier one capital and tier two capital available to meet market risk requirement

40

Tier three capital

Stage Q

50

Total capital available to meet market risk requirement

90

Market risk requirement

(90)

Market risk requirement met subject to meeting gearing limit set out in GENPRU 2.2.49 R – see GENPRU 2.2.57 G

GENPRU 2.2.57GRP

The gearing limit in GENPRU 2.2.49 R (Combined tier two and tier three limits) requires that the upper tier three capital used to meet the market risk requirement does not exceed 250% of the relevant1 tier one capital1.

GENPRU 2.2.58GRP

In this example it is assumed that the maximum possible amount of tier one capital is carried forward to meet the market risk requirement. There are other options as to the allocation of tier one capital and tier two capital to the credit, operational, and counterparty1 risk requirement.1

In order to calculate the relevant tier one capital for the upper tier three gearing limit in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.49 R it is first necessary to allocate tier one capital and tier two capital to the individual credit, operational and counterparty risk requirements. This allocation process underlies the calculation of the overall amount referred to in GENPRU 2.2.48 R. The calculation in GENPRU 2.2.49R (3) and GENPRU 2.2.49R (4) then focuses on the tier one element of this earlier calculation.1

In this worked example, if it is assumed that the counterparty risk requirement has been met by tier one capital, the relevant tier one capital for gearing is £50. This is because the deductions of £20 and the credit and operational risk requirementsof £90 have been met by tier two capital in the first instance. However, the total sum of deductions and credit and operational risk requirementsexceed the tier two capital amount of £80 by £30. Hence the £80 of tier one capital has been reduced by £30 to leave £50.1

In practical terms, the same result is achieved for the relevant tier one capital for gearing by taking the amount carried forward to meet market risk of £40 and adding back the £10 in respect of the counterparty risk requirement. Again, there are other options as to the allocation to credit, operational, and counterparty risk of the constituent elements of Stage N of the capital resources table.1

The outcome of these calculations can be summarised as follows:1

  1. (1)

    the relevant1 tier one capital for the gearing calculation is £501;

  2. (2)

    250% of the relevant tier one capital is £1251; and

  3. (3)

    the upper tier three capital used to meet market risk is £50.

GENPRU 2.2.59GRP

The 250% gearing limit is met as the limit of £1251 is greater than the upper tier three capital of £50 used in this example.

Capital used to meet the base capital resources requirement (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.60RRP

A BIPRU firm may use the capital resources used to meet the base capital resources requirement to meet any other part of the capital resources requirement.

GENPRU 2.2.61GRP

The explanation for GENPRU 2.2.60 R can be found in GENPRU 2.2.43 G (Base capital resources requirement). In brief the reason is that the base capital resources requirement is not in practice meant to act as an additional capital resources requirement. It is meant to act as a floor to the capital resources requirement.

Tier one capital: General

GENPRU 2.2.62RRP

A firm may not include a capital instrument in its tier one capital resources unless it complies with the following conditions:

  1. (1)

    it is included in one of the categories in GENPRU 2.2.63 R;

  2. (2)

    it complies with the conditions set out in GENPRU 2.2.64 R;

  3. (3)

    i t is not excluded under GENPRU 2.2.65 R (Connected transactions); and

  4. (4)

    it is not excluded by any of the rules in GENPRU 2.2.

GENPRU 2.2.63RRP

The categories referred to in GENPRU 2.2.62R (1) are:

  1. (1)

    permanent share capital;

  2. (2)

    eligible partnership capital;

  3. (3)

    eligible LLP members' capital;

  4. (4)

    sole trader capital;

  5. (5)

    a perpetual non-cumulative preference share;

  6. (6)

    (in the case of a building society) PIBS; and

  7. (7)

    an innovative tier one instrument.

General conditions for eligibility as tier one capital

GENPRU 2.2.64RRP

The conditions that an item of capital of a firm must comply with under GENPRU 2.2.62R (2)1 are as follows:

  1. (1)

    it is issued by the firm;

  2. (2)

    it is fully paid and the proceeds of issue are immediately and fully available to the firm;

  3. (3)

    it:

    1. (a)

      cannot be redeemed at all or can only be redeemed on a winding up of the firm; or

    2. (b)

      complies with the conditions in GENPRU 2.2.70 R (Basic requirements for redeemability) and GENPRU 2.2.76 R (Redeemable instrument subject to a step-up);

  4. (4)

    the item of capital meets the following conditions in relation to any coupon:

    1. (a)

      the firm is under no obligation to pay a coupon; or

    2. (b)

      (if the firm is obliged to pay the coupon) the coupon is payable in the form of an item of capital that is included in a higher stage of capital or the same stage of capital as that first item of capital;

  5. (5)

    any coupon is either:

    1. (a)

      non-cumulative; or

    2. (b)

      (if it is cumulative) it must, if deferred, be paid by the firm in the form of tier one capital complying with (4)(b);

  6. (6)

    it is able to absorb losses to allow the firm to continue trading and in particular it complies with GENPRU 2.2.80 R to GENPRU 2.2.81 R (Loss absorption) and, in the case of an innovative tier one instrument, GENPRU 2.2.116 R to GENPRU 2.2.118 R (Innovative tier one instrument should not constitute a liability);

  7. (7)

    the amount of the item included must be net of any foreseeable tax charge at the moment of its calculation or must be suitably adjusted in so far as such tax charges reduce the amount up to which that item may be applied to cover risks or losses;

  8. (8)

    it is available to the firm for unrestricted and immediate use to cover risks and losses as soon as these occur;

  9. (9)

    it ranks for repayment upon winding up, administration or any other similar process no higher than a share of a company incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 or the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986(whether or not it is such a share); and

  10. (10)

    the description of its characteristics used in its marketing is consistent with the characteristics required to satisfy (1) to (9) and, where it applies, GENPRU 2.2.271 R (Other requirements: insurers carrying on with-profits business (Insurer only)).

GENPRU 2.2.65RRP

An item of capital does not qualify for inclusion as tier one capital if the issue of that item of capital by the firm is connected with one or more other transactions which, when taken together with the issue of that item, could result in that item of capital no longer displaying all of the characteristics set out in GENPRU 2.2.64R (1) to GENPRU 2.2.64R (9).

Guidance on certain of the general conditions for eligibility as tier one capital

GENPRU 2.2.66G

GENPRU 2.2.65 R is an example of the general principle in GEN 2.2.1 R (Purposive interpretation). Its purpose is to emphasise that an item of capital does not meet the conditions for inclusion in tier one capital if in isolation it does meet those requirements but it fails to meet those requirements when other transactions are taken into account. Examples of such connected transactions might include guarantees or any other side agreement provided to the holders of the capital instrument by the firm or a connected party or a related transaction designed, for example, to enhance their security or to achieve a tax benefit, but which may compromise the loss absorption capacity or permanence of the original capital item.

GENPRU 2.2.67GRP

GENPRU 2.2.64R (2) is stricter than the Companies Act definition of fully paid, which only requires an undertaking to pay.

GENPRU 2.2.68GRP

The FSA considers that dividend pushers diminish the quality of capital by breaching the principle of complete discretion over coupons set out in GENPRU 2.2.64R (4). A dividend pusher operates so that, in a given period of time, payments must be made on senior securities if payments have previously been made on junior securities or securities ranking pari passu. As such, dividend pushers may not be included in the terms of tier one capital, unless the firm has the option to fund the "pushed payment" in stock.

GENPRU 2.2.69GRP

An item of capital does not comply with GENPRU 2.2.64R (10) if it is marketed as a capital instrument that would only qualify for a lower level of capital or on the basis that investing in it is like investing in an instrument in a lower tier of capital. For example, an undated capital instrument should not be marketed as a dated capital instrument if the terms of the capital instrument include an option by the issuer to redeem the capital instrument at a specified date in the future.

Redemption of tier one instruments

GENPRU 2.2.70RRP

A firm may not include a capital instrument in its tier one capital resources, unless its contractual terms are such that:

  1. (1)

    (if it is redeemable other than in circumstances set out in GENPRU 2.2.64R (3)(a) (redemption on a winding up)) it is redeemable only at the option of the firm; and

  2. (2)

    the firm cannot exercise that redemption right:

    1. (a)

      before the fifth anniversary of its date of issue;

    2. (b)

      unless it has given notice to the FSA in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.74 R; and

    3. (c)

      unless at the time of exercise of that right it complies with GENPRU 2.1.13 R (the main capital adequacy rule for insurers) or2 the main BIPRU firm Pillar 1 rules and will continue to do so after redemption.

GENPRU 2.2.71RRP

A firm may include a term in a tier one instrument allowing the firm to redeem it before the date in GENPRU 2.2.70R (2)(a) if the following conditions are satisfied:

  1. (1)

    the other conditions in GENPRU 2.2.70 R are met;

  2. (2)

    the circumstance that entitles the firm to exercise that right is a change in law or regulation in any relevant jurisdiction or in the interpretation of such law or regulation by any court or authority entitled to do so;

  3. (3)

    it would be reasonable for the firm to conclude that it is unlikely that that circumstance will occur, judged at the time of issue or, if later, at the time that the term is first included in the terms of the tier one instrument; and

  4. (4)

    the firm's right is conditional on it obtaining the FSA's consent in the form of a waiver of GENPRU 2.2.72 R.

GENPRU 2.2.72RRP

A firm must not redeem a tier one instrument in accordance with a term included under GENPRU 2.2.71 R.

GENPRU 2.2.73GRP

The purpose of GENPRU 2.2.71 R to GENPRU 2.2.72 R is this. In general a tier one instrument should not be redeemable by the firm before its fifth anniversary. However there may be circumstances in which it would be reasonable for the firm to redeem it before then. GENPRU 2.2.71 R allows the firm to include a right to redeem the instrument before the fifth anniversary in certain circumstances. A tax call is an example of a term that may be allowed. GENPRU 2.2.71 R says that the terms of the tier one instrument should provide that the firm should not be able to exercise that right without the FSA's consent. Any such consent will be given in the form of a waiver allowing early repayment. Thus although a firm may include a right to redeem early in the terms of a tier one instrument without the need to apply for a waiver the actual exercise of that right will require a waiver.

GENPRU 2.2.74RRP

A firm must not redeem any tier one instrument that it has included in its tier one capital resources unless it has notified the FSA of its intention at least one month before it does so.

GENPRU 2.2.75RRP

If a firm gives notice of the redemption or repayment of any tier one instrument, the firm must no longer include that instrument in its tier one capital resources.

Step-ups and redeemable tier one instruments

GENPRU 2.2.76R

In relation to an innovative tier one instrument or a PIBS which is redeemable and which satisfies1 the following conditions:

  1. (1)

    it is or may become subject to a step-up; and1

  2. (2)

    a reasonable person would think that:

    1. (a)

      the firm is likely to redeem it before the tenth anniversary of its date of issue; or

    2. (b)

      the firm is likely to have an economic incentive to redeem it before the tenth anniversary of its date of issue;

    the redemption date in GENPRU 2.2.70R (2)(a) is amended by replacing "fifth anniversary" with "tenth anniversary".

Meaning of redemption

GENPRU 2.2.77RRP

  1. (1)

    This rule applies to a tier one instrument, tier two instrument or tier three instrument (instrument A) that under its terms is exchanged for or converted into another instrument or is subject to a similar process.

  2. (2)

    This rule also applies to instrument A if under its terms it is redeemed out of the proceeds of the issue of new securities.

  3. (3)

    If the instrument with which instrument A is replaced is included in the same stage of capital or a higher stage of capital as instrument A, instrument A is treated as not having been redeemed or repaid for the purposes of GENPRU 2.2.

  4. (4)

    (3) does not apply to GENPRU 2.2.114 R (Redeemable instrument likely to be repaid etc), GENPRU 2.2.74 R (Notice of redemption of tier one instruments), GENPRU 2.2.174 R (Notice of redemption of tier two instruments) or GENPRU 2.2.245 R (so far as it relates to notice of redemption of tier three instruments).

  5. (5)

    (3) only applies if it would be reasonable (taking into account the economic substance) to treat the original instruments as continuing in issue on the same or a more favourable basis. The question of whether that basis is more or less favourable must be judged from the point of view of the adequacy of the firm's capital resources.

GENPRU 2.2.78RRP

  1. (1)

    A share is not redeemable for the purposes of this section merely because the Companies Act 1985 or the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 allows the firm that issued it to purchase it.

  2. (2)

    A capital instrument is not redeemable for the purposes of this section merely because the firm that issued it has a right to purchase it similar to the right in (1).

GENPRU 2.2.79G

This section generally uses the term repay and redeem interchangeably.

Loss absorption

GENPRU 2.2.80RRP

A firm may not include a share in its tier one capital resources unless (in addition to complying with the other relevant rules in GENPRU 2.2):

  1. (1)

    (in the case of a firm that is a company as defined in the Companies Act 1985 or the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986)it is "called-up share capital" within the meaning given to that term in that Act or, as the case may be, that Order; or

  2. (2)

    (in the case of a building society) it is a "deferred share" as defined in the Building Societies (Deferred Shares) Order 1991; or

  3. (3)

    (in the case of any other firm) it is:

    1. (a)

      in economic terms; and

    2. (b)

      in its characteristics as capital (including loss absorbency, permanency, ranking for repayment and fixed costs);

    substantially the same as called-up share capital falling into (1).

GENPRU 2.2.81RRP

A firm may not include a capital instrument other than a share in its tier one capital resources unless it complies with GENPRU 2.2.80R (3).

GENPRU 2.2.82GRP

There are additional loss absorption requirements for innovative tier one capital in GENPRU 2.2.116 R to GENPRU 2.2.118 R (Innovative tier one instrument should not constitute a liability).

Core tier one capital: permanent share capital

GENPRU 2.2.83RRP

Permanent share capital means an item of capital which (in addition to satisfying GENPRU 2.2.64 R) meets the following conditions:

  1. (1)

    it is:

    1. (a)

      an ordinary share; or

    2. (b)

      a members' contribution; or

    3. (c)

      part of the initial fund of a mutual;

  2. (2)

    any coupon on it is not cumulative, the firm is under no obligation to pay a coupon in any circumstances and the firm has the right to choose the amount of any coupon that it pays; and

  3. (3)

    the terms upon which it is issued do not permit redemption and it is otherwise incapable of being redeemed to at least the same degree as an ordinary share issued by a company incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 or the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (whether or not it is such a share).

GENPRU 2.2.84G

GENPRU 2.2.83 R has the effect that the firm should be under no obligation to make any payment in respect of a tier one instrument if it is to form part of its permanent share capital unless and until the firm is wound up. A tier one instrument that forms part of permanent share capital should not therefore count as a liability before the firm is wound up. The fact that relevant company law permits the firm to make earlier repayment does not mean that the tier one instruments are not eligible. However, the firm should not be required by any contractual or other obligation arising out of the terms of that capital to repay permanent share capital. Similarly a tier one instrument may still qualify if company law allows dividends to be paid on this capital, provided the firm is not contractually or otherwise obliged to pay them. There should therefore be no fixed costs.

Core tier one capital: profit and loss account and other reserves: Losses

GENPRU 2.2.85RRP

  1. (1)

    Negative amounts, including any interim net losses (but in the case of a BIPRU investment firm, only material interim net losses), must be deducted from profit and loss account and other reserves.

  2. (2)

    For these purposes material interim net losses mean unaudited interim losses arising from a firm's trading book and non-trading book business which exceed 10% of the sum of its capital resources calculated at stages A (Core tier one capital) and B (Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares) in the capital resources table.

  3. (3)

    If interim losses as referred to in (2) exceed the 10% figure in (2) then a BIPRU investment firm must deduct the whole amount of those losses and not just the excess.

Core tier one capital: profit and loss account and other reserves: Losses arising from valuation adjustments (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.86RRP

  1. (1)

    This rule applies to trading book valuation adjustments or reserves referred to in GENPRU 1.3.29 R to GENPRU 1.3.35 G (Valuation adjustments and reserves). It applies to a BIPRU firm.

  2. (2)

    When valuation adjustments or reserves give rise to losses of the current financial year, a firm must treat them in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.85 R.

  3. (3)

    Valuation adjustments or reserves which exceed those made under the accounting framework to which a firm is subject must be treated in accordance with (2) if they give rise to losses and under GENPRU 2.2.248 R (Net interim trading book profits) otherwise.

Core tier one capital: profit and loss account and other reserves: Dividends

GENPRU 2.2.87RRP

Dividends must be deducted from reserves as soon as they are declared.

Core tier one capital: profit and loss account and other reserves: Capital contributions

GENPRU 2.2.88RRP

A firm must account for a capital contribution as an increase in reserves and may, notwithstanding GENPRU 2.2.63 R, count that increase in reserves as core tier one capital.

GENPRU 2.2.89GRP

An item of capital qualifies as a capital contribution if it is a gift of capital (and, as such, is not repayable) and a coupon is not payable on it.

Core tier one capital: profit and loss account and other reserves: Securitisation (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.90RRP

In the case of a BIPRU firm which is the originator of a securitisation, net gains arising from the capitalisation of future income from the securitised assets and providing credit enhancement to positions in the securitisation must be excluded from profit and loss account and other reserves.

Core tier one capital: profit and loss account and other reserves: Valuation

GENPRU 2.2.91GRP

Profit and loss account and other reserves should be valued in accordance with the rules in GENPRU 1.3 (Valuation).

Core tier one capital: profit and loss account and other reserves: Revaluation reserves (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.92GRP

A revaluation reserve is not included as part of a BIPRU firm's profit and loss account and other reserves. It is dealt with separately and forms part of a BIPRU firm's upper tier two capital.

Core tier one capital: partnership capital account (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.93RRP

Eligible partnership capital means a partners' account:

  1. (1)

    into which capital contributed by the partners is paid; and

  2. (2)

    from which under the terms of the partnership agreement an amount representing capital may be withdrawn by a partner only if:

    1. (a)

      he ceases to be a partner and an equal amount is transferred to another such account by his former partners or any person replacing him as their partner;

      2
    2. (b)

      the partnership is wound up or2 otherwise dissolved; or2

      2
    3. (c)

      the BIPRU firm has ceased to be authorised or no longer has a Part IV permission.2

Core tier one capital: Eligible LLP members' capital (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.94RRP

Eligible LLP members' capital means a members' account:

  1. (1)

    into which capital contributed by the members is paid; and

  2. (2)

    from which under the terms of the limited liability partnership agreement an amount representing capital may be withdrawn by a member only if:

    1. (a)

      he ceases to be a member and an equal amount is transferred to another such account by his former fellow members or any person replacing him as a member;

      2
    2. (b)

      the limited liability partnership is wound up or2 otherwise dissolved; or2

      2
    3. (c)

      the BIPRU firm has ceased to be authorised or no longer has a Part IV permission.2

Core tier one capital: Eligible LLP members' and partnership capital accounts (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.95RRP

A BIPRU firm that is a partnership or a limited liability partnership may not include eligible partnership capital or eligible LLP members' capital in its tier one capital resources unless (in addition to GENPRU 2.2.62 R (General conditions relating to tier one capital)) it complies with GENPRU 2.2.83R (2) (Coupons should not be cumulative or mandatory). However GENPRU 2.2.64R (3) (Redemption) is replaced by GENPRU 2.2.93 R or GENPRU 2.2.94 R.

GENPRU 2.2.96GRP

If a firm has surplus eligible partnership capital or eligible LLP members' capital that it wishes to repay in circumstances other than those set out in GENPRU 2.2.93 R or GENPRU 2.2.94 R it may apply to the FSA for a waiver to allow it to do so. If a firm applies for such a waiver the information that the firm supplies with the application might include:

  1. (1)

    a demonstration that the firm would have sufficient capital resources to meet its capital resources requirement immediately after the repayment;

  2. (2)

    a demonstration that the firm would have sufficient financial resources to meet any individual capital guidance and the firm's latest assessment under the overall Pillar 2 rule immediately after the repayment; and

  3. (3)

    a two to three year capital plan demonstrating that the firm would be able to meet the requirements in (1) and (2) at all times without needing further capital injections.

Core tier one capital: Other capital items for limited liability partnerships and partnerships (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.97RRP

The items permanent share capital and share premium account (which form part of core tier one capital) and perpetual non-cumulative preference shares (which forms stage B of the capital resources table) do not apply to a BIPRU firm that is a partnership or a limited liability partnership.

GENPRU 2.2.98RRP

Without prejudice to GENPRU 2.2.62 R (Tier one capital: General), the item other reserves (which forms part of the item profit and loss and other reserves) applies to a BIPRU firm that is a partnership or a limited liability partnership to the extent the reserves correspond to reserves that are eligible for inclusion as other reserves in the case of a BIPRU firm that is incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 or the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986.

GENPRU 2.2.99GRP

A BIPRU firm that is a partnership or a limited liability partnership should include profit and loss (taking into account interim losses or material interim net losses) in its core tier one capital.

Core tier one capital: partnership and limited liability partnership excess drawings (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.100RRP

A BIPRU firm which is a partnership or limited liability partnership must deduct at stage E of the calculation in the capital resources table (Deductions from tier one capital) the amount by which the aggregate of the amounts withdrawn by its partners or members exceeds the profits of that firm. Amounts of eligible partnership capital or eligible LLP members' capital repaid in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.93 R or GENPRU 2.2.94 R are not included in this calculation.

Core tier one capital: Share premium account

GENPRU 2.2.101RRP

  1. (1)

    A firm must include share premium account relating to the issue of a share forming part of its core tier one capital in its core tier one capital.

  2. (2)

    A firm must include share premium account relating to the issue of a share forming part of another tier of capital in that other tier.

  3. (3)

    A firm that is incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 or the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986may include its share premium account as core tier one capital notwithstanding (2) to the extent that the terms of issue of the share concerned provide that any premium is not repayable on redemption.

  4. (4)

    (3) applies to a firm that is not incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 or the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 if its share premium account is subject to substantially the same or greater restraints on use than a share premium account falling into (3).

Core tier one capital: externally verified interim net profits

GENPRU 2.2.102RRP

Externally verified interim net profits are interim profits which have been verified by a firm's external auditors after deduction of tax, declareddividends and other appropriations.

GENPRU 2.2.103GRP

A firm may include interim profits before a formal decision has been taken only if these profits have been verified, in accordance with the relevant Auditing Practices Board's Practice Note, by persons responsible for the auditing of the accounts.

Core tier one capital: valuation differences (insurer only)

GENPRU 2.2.104R
GENPRU 2.2.105R

Valuation differences are all differences between the valuation of assets and liabilities as valued in GENPRU and the valuation that the insurer uses for its external financial reporting purposes, except valuation differences which are dealt with elsewhere in the capital resources table. The sum of these valuation differences must either be added to (if positive) or deducted from (if negative) an insurer's capital resources in accordance with the capital resources table.

GENPRU 2.2.106G

Additions to and deductions from capital resources will arise from the application of asset and liability valuation and admissibility rules (see GENPRU 1.3 (Valuation), GENPRU 2.2.251 R (Deductions from total capital: Inadmissible assets) and GENPRU 2 Annex 7 (Admissible assets in insurance)). Downward adjustments include discounting of technical provisions for general insurance business (which is optional for financial reporting but not permitted for regulatory valuation – see GENPRU 2.2.107 R) and derecognition of any defined benefit asset in respect of a defined benefit occupational pension scheme (see GENPRU 1.3.9R (2) (General requirements: Adjustments to accounting values)). Details of valuation differences relating to technical provisions and liability adjustments for long-term insurance business are set out in INSPRU 1.2 (Mathematical reserves). In particular, contingent loans or other arrangements which are not valued as a liability under INSPRU 1.2.79 R (2) (Reinsurance) result in a positive valuation difference.

GENPRU 2.2.107R

  1. (1)

    Subject to (3), this rule applies to an insurer that carries on general insurance business and which discounts or reduces its technical provisions for claims outstanding.

  2. (2)

    An insurer of a kind referred to in (1) must deduct from its capital resources the difference between the undiscounted technical provisions or technical provisions before deductions, and the discounted technical provisions or technical provisions after deductions. This adjustment must be made for all general insurance business classes, except for risks listed under classes 1 and 2. For classes other than 1 and 2, no adjustment needs to be made in respect of the discounting of annuities included in technical provisions. For classes 1 and 2 (other than annuities), if the expected average interval between the settlement date of the claims being discounted and the accounting date is not at least four years, the insurer must deduct:

    1. (a)

      the difference between the undiscounted technical provisions and the discounted technical provisions; or

    2. (b)

      where it can identify a subset of claims such that the expected average interval between the settlement date of the claims and the accounting date is at least four years, the difference between the undiscounted technical provisions and the discounted technical provisions for the other claims.

  3. (3)

    This rule does not apply to a pure reinsurer which became a firm in run-off before 31 December 2006 and whose Part IV permission has not subsequently been varied to add back the regulated activity of effecting contracts of insurance.

Core tier one capital: fund for future appropriations (insurer only)

GENPRU 2.2.108R

In relation to an insurer the fund for future appropriations means the fund of the same name required by the insurance accounts rules, comprising all funds the allocation of which either to policyholders or to shareholders has not been determined by the end of the financial year, or the balance sheet items under international accounting standards which in aggregate represent as nearly as possible that fund.

Other tier one capital: perpetual non-cumulative preference shares

GENPRU 2.2.109R

A perpetual non-cumulative preference share may be included at stage B of the calculation in the capital resources table if (in addition to satisfying all the other requirements in relation to tier one capital) it satisfies the following conditions:

  1. (1)

    any coupon on it is not cumulative, and the firm is under no obligation to pay a coupon in any circumstances; and

  2. (2)

    it is not an innovative tier one instrument.

GENPRU 2.2.110G

The other main provisions relevant to the eligibility of a perpetual non-cumulative preference share for inclusion in tier one capital are GENPRU 2.2.62 R (Tier one capital: General), GENPRU 2.2.64 R (General conditions for eligibility as tier one capital), GENPRU 2.2.65 R (Connected transactions), GENPRU 2.2.70 R to GENPRU 2.2.75 R (Redemption of tier one instruments) and GENPRU 2.2.80 R (Loss absorption). The rules about innovative tier one capital are also relevant as they may result in perpetual non-cumulative preference shares being treated as innovative tier one capital. Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares should be perpetual and redeemable only at the firm's option. Perpetual preference shares should be non-cumulative if they are to be included at stage B of the calculation in the capital resources table. Any feature that, in conjunction with a call, would make a firm more likely to redeem perpetual non-cumulative preference shares would normally result in classification as an innovative tier one instrument. Such features would include, but not be limited to, a step-up, bonus coupon on redemption or redemption at a premium to the original issue price of the share.

Other tier one capital: permanent interest bearing shares (building societies only)

GENPRU 2.2.111R

A building society may include a PIBS at stage B of the calculation in the capital resources table if (in addition to satisfying all the other requirements in relation to tier one capital) it is a "deferred share" as defined in the Building Societies (Deferred Shares) Order 1991.

GENPRU 2.2.112G

The other main provisions relevant to inclusion of a PIBS in tier one capital are GENPRU 2.2.62 R (Tier one capital: General), GENPRU 2.2.64 R (General conditions for eligibility as tier one capital), GENPRU 2.2.65 R (Connected transactions), GENPRU 2.2.70 R to GENPRU 2.2.75 R (Redemption of tier one instruments), GENPRU 2.2.76 R (Step-ups and redeemable tier one instruments) and GENPRU 2.2.80 R (Loss absorption). However many of the rules in this section about features of capital instruments that result in treatment as innovative tier one capital do not apply.

Other tier one capital: innovative tier one capital: general

GENPRU 2.2.113R

If an item of capital is stated to be an innovative tier one instrument by the rules in GENPRU 2.2, it cannot be included in stages A (Core tier one capital) or B (Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares) of the calculation in the capital resources table.

Other tier one capital: innovative tier one capital: redemption

GENPRU 2.2.114R

If a tier one instrument, other than a PIBS:

  1. (1)

    is redeemable; and

  2. (2)

    a reasonable person would think that:

    1. (a)

      the firm is likely to redeem it; or

    2. (b)

      the firm is likely to have an economic incentive to redeem it;

that tier one instrument is an innovative tier one instrument.

GENPRU 2.2.115G

Any feature that in conjunction with a call would make a firm more likely to redeem a tier one instrument, other than a PIBS, would normally result in classification as innovative tier one capital resources. Innovative tier one instruments include but are not limited to those incorporating a step-up or principal stock settlement.

Other tier one capital: innovative tier one capital: loss absorption

GENPRU 2.2.116R

A firm may include a capital instrument that is not a share in its innovative tier one capital resources if (in addition to satisfying all the other requirements in relation to tier one capital and innovative tier one capital) it satisfies the condition in this rule. In addition a firm may not include any other capital in its innovative tier one capital resources unless it satisfies the condition in this rule. The condition in this rule is that the firm's obligations under the instrument either:

  1. (1)

    do not constitute a liability (actual, contingent or prospective) under section 123(2) of the Insolvency Act 1986; or

  2. (2)

    do constitute such a liability but the terms of the instrument are such that:

    1. (a)

      any such liability is not relevant for the purposes of deciding whether:

      1. (i)

        the firm is, or is likely to become, unable to pay its debts; or

      2. (ii)

        its liabilities exceed its assets;

    2. (b)

      a person (including, but not limited to, a holder of the instrument) is not able to petition for the winding up or administration of the firm or for any similar procedure in relation to the firm on the grounds that the firm is or may become unable to pay any such liability; and

    3. (c)

      the firm is not obliged to take into account such a liability for the purposes of deciding whether or not the firm is, or may become, insolvent for the purposes of section 214 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (wrongful trading).

GENPRU 2.2.117GRP

The effect of GENPRU 2.2.116 R is that if a potential tier one instrument does constitute a liability, this should only be the case when the firm is able to pay that liability but chooses not to do so. As tier one capital resources should be undated, this will generally only be relevant on a solvent winding up of the firm. The holder should agree that the firm has no liability (including any contingent or prospective liability) to pay any amount to the extent to which that liability would cause the firm to become insolvent if it made the payment or to the extent that its liabilities exceed its assets or would do if the payment were made. The terms of the capital instrument should be such that the directors can continue to trade in the best interests of the senior creditors even if this prejudices the interests of the holders of the instrument.

GENPRU 2.2.118RRP

A firm may not include an innovative tier one instrument, unless it is a preference share, in its tier one capital resources unless it has obtained a properly reasoned independent legal opinion from an appropriately qualified individual confirming that the criteria in GENPRU 2.2.64R (6) (Loss absorption) and GENPRU 2.2.80 R to GENPRU 2.2.81 R (Loss absorption) are met.

GENPRU 2.2.119GRP

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.118 R, an independent legal opinion may be given by an employee of that firm, but if an employee does so he should not be part of the business unit responsible for the transaction (including the drafting of the issue documentation).

Other tier one capital: innovative tier one capital: coupons

GENPRU 2.2.120R

A tier one instrument, other than a PIBS, with a cumulative or mandatory coupon is an innovative tier one instrument.

Other tier one capital: innovative tier one capital: step-ups

GENPRU 2.2.121R

If:

  1. (1)

    a potential tier one instrument, other than a PIBS, is or may become subject to a step-up; and

  2. (2)

    that potential tier one instrument is redeemable at any time (whether before, at or after the time of the step-up);

that potential tier one instrument is an innovative tier one instrument.

GENPRU 2.2.122G

Other tier one capital: innovative tier one capital: indirectly issued tier one capital (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.123RRP
GENPRU 2.2.124RRP
  1. (1)

    GENPRU 2.2.123 R - GENPRU 2.2.137 R apply to capital of a firm if:

    1. (a)

      either or both of the conditions in (2) are satisfied; and

    2. (b)

      any of the SPVs referred to in (2) is a subsidiary undertaking of the firm.

  2. (2)

    The conditions referred to in (1) are:

    1. (a)

      that capital is issued to an SPV; or

    2. (b)

      the subscription for the capital issued by the firm is funded directly or indirectly by an SPV.

  3. (3)

    A BIPRU firm may not include capital coming within this rule in its capital resources unless the requirements in the following rules are satisfied:

    1. (a)

      (if (2)(a) applies and (2)(b) does not) GENPRU 2.2.127 R, GENPRU 2.2.129 R and GENPRU 2.2.132 R; or

    2. (b)

      (in any other case) GENPRU 2.2.133 R.

GENPRU 2.2.125RRP

A BIPRU firm may only count capital to which GENPRU 2.2.124 R applies as innovative tier one capital.

GENPRU 2.2.126RRP

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.2, an SPV is, in relation to a BIPRU firm, any undertaking whose main activity is to raise funds for that firm or for a group to which that BIPRU firm belongs.

GENPRU 2.2.127RRP

The SPV referred to in GENPRU 2.2.124R (2)(a) must satisfy the following conditions:

  1. (1)

    it is controlled by the firm and may not operate independently of the firm;

  2. (2)

    the rights of investors in the SPV who do not belong to the group of the BIPRU firm in question are not such as to affect the ability of the firm to control the SPV; and

  3. (3)

    all or virtually all of its exposures (calculated by reference to the amount) consist of exposures to the firm or to that firm's group.

GENPRU 2.2.128GRP

An SPV could take the form of a limited partnership. In such an arrangement, holders of a capital instrument issued by the SPV which do not belong to the group of the BIPRU firm in question should have no right to participate in the management of the partnership, whether under the partnership's constitutional documents or the transaction documents. In general, this means that they should be treated as limited partners. It is expected that the general partner, having control of the SPV, would be the firm.

GENPRU 2.2.129RRP

The SPV referred to in GENPRU 2.2.124R (2)(a) must fund its subscription for the capital issued by the firm by the issue of capital that satisfies the following conditions:

  1. (1)

    it must comply with the conditions for qualification as tier one capital, as amended by GENPRU 2.2.130 R, as if the SPV was itself a firm seeking to include that capital in its tier one capital resources;

  2. (2)

    its terms must include an obligation on the firm to substitute for the instrument issued by the SPV a tier one instrument issued by that firm that is not an innovative tier one instrument when the capital resources of the firm fall below, or are likely to fall below, its capital resources requirement;

  3. (3)

    the conversion ratio in respect of the substitution described in (2) must be fixed when the SPV issues the capital instrument; and

  4. (4)

    to the extent that investors have the benefit of an obligation by a person other than the SPV:

    1. (a)

      that obligation must be one owed by a member of the firm's group; and

    2. (b)

      the extent of that obligation must be no greater than would be permitted by GENPRU if that obligation formed part of the terms of a capital instrument issued by that member which complied with the rules in GENPRU relating to innovative tier one capital.

GENPRU 2.2.130R

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.129 R and GENPRU 2.2.132 R, GENPRU 2.2.118 R (Requirement to obtain a legal opinion) does not apply.

GENPRU 2.2.131RRP

In relation to the obligation to substitute described in GENPRU 2.2.129R (2), a firm must take all reasonable steps to ensure that it has at all times authorised and unissued tier one instruments that are not innovative tier one instruments (and the authority to issue them) sufficient to discharge its obligation to substitute.

GENPRU 2.2.132RRP

The capital which the firm seeks to include in its capital resources under GENPRU 2.2.124R (3)(a) must satisfy the following conditions:

  1. (1)

    it meets the conditions for inclusion in tier one capital (subject to GENPRU 2.2.130 R);

  2. (2)

    its first call date (if any) must not arise before that on the instrument issued by the SPV; and

  3. (3)

    its terms relating to repayment must be the same as those of the instrument issued by the SPV.

GENPRU 2.2.133RRP

  1. (1)

    This rule deals with any transaction:

    1. (a)

      under which an SPV directly or indirectly funds the subscription for capital issued by the firm as described in GENPRU 2.2.124 R; or

    2. (b)

      that is directly or indirectly funded by a transaction in (1)(a).

  2. (2)

    Each undertaking that is a party to a transaction to which this rule applies (other than the firm) must be a subsidiary undertaking of the firm.

  3. (3)

    Each SPV that is a party to a transaction to which this rule applies must comply with GENPRU 2.2.127 R.

  4. (4)

    Any capital to which (1) applies (other than the capital that is to be included in the firm's capital resources) must be in the form of capital that complies with GENPRU 2.2.129R (1) and GENPRU 2.2.129R (4), whether or not issued by an SPV.

  5. (5)

    The obligations in GENPRU 2.2.129R (2) and GENPRU 2.2.129R (3) only apply to capital issued by an SPV at the end of the chain of transactions beginning with the issue of capital by the firm referred to in GENPRU 2.2.124 R.

  6. (6)

    GENPRU 2.2.132 R applies to the capital issued by the firm as referred to in GENPRU 2.2.124 R. For these purposes references in GENPRU 2.2.132 R to the instrument issued by the SPV are to the instrument referred to in (5).

GENPRU 2.2.134GRP

The purpose of GENPRU 2.2.133 R is to deal with a capital-raising under which the capital raised by a special purpose vehicle is passed through a number of undertakings before it is invested in the firm. If the capital resources of the firm fall below, or are likely to fall below, its capital resources requirement the firm should replace the capital issued by that first special purpose vehicle with a tier one instrument directly issued by the firm itself that is not an innovative tier one instrument.

GENPRU 2.2.135RRP

A firm which satisfies the conditions for the inclusion of capital set out in GENPRU 2.2.124 R, must, in addition, if that transaction is in any respect unusual, notify the FSA at least one Month in advance of the date on which the firm intends to include that capital in its capital resources.

GENPRU 2.2.136GRP

The FSA is likely to consider as unusual a transaction which involves the raising by the firm of tier one capital through a subsidiary undertaking of that firm that is not an SPV. The FSA would expect a firm to request individual guidance in such circumstances.

GENPRU 2.2.137RRP

A firm must ensure that, in relation to a transaction falling within GENPRU 2.2.124 R:

  1. (1)

    the marketing document for the transaction contains all the information which a reasonable third party would require to understand the transaction fully and its effect on the financial position of the firm and its group; and

  2. (2)

    the information in (1) and the transaction are easily comprehensible without the need for additional information about the firm and its group.

Tier one capital: Conversion ratio

GENPRU 2.2.138RRP

  1. (1)

    This rule applies to a potential tier one instrument if:

    1. (a)

      it is redeemable by the firm (ignoring GENPRU 2.2.77 R (Meaning of redemption));

    2. (b)

      it provides that if the issuer does not exercise that right or does not do so in specified circumstances the issuer must or may have to redeem it in whole or in part through the issue of shares eligible for inclusion in the firm's tier one capital resources or the instrument converts or may convert into such shares; and

    3. (c)

      GENPRU 2.2.77 R means that the obligation in (1)(b) is treated as not being inconsistent with GENPRU 2.2.70R (1) (Tier one capital should not be redeemable at the option of the holder).

  2. (2)

    A firm must not include a potential tier one instrument to which this rule applies in its tier one capital resources if:

    1. (a)

      the conversion ratio as at the date of redemption may be greater than the conversion ratio as at the time of issue by more than 200%; or

    2. (b)

      the market price of the conversion instruments issued in relation to one unit of the original capital item (plus any cash element of the redemption) may be greater than the issue price of that original capital item.

  3. (3)

    All determinations under this rule are made as at the date of issue of the original capital item.

GENPRU 2.2.139RRP

In GENPRU 2.2.138 R to GENPRU 2.2.142 R:

  1. (1)

    the original capital item means the capital item that is being redeemed; and

  2. (2)

    the conversion instrument means the tier one capital to be issued on its redemption.

GENPRU 2.2.140RRP

In GENPRU 2.2.138 R to GENPRU 2.2.142 R, the conversion ratio means the ratio of:

  1. (1)

    the number of units of the conversion instrument that the firm must issue to satisfy its redemption obligation (so far as it is to be satisfied by the issue of conversion instruments) in respect of one unit of the original capital item; to

  2. (2)

    one unit of the original capital item.

GENPRU 2.2.141RRP

In GENPRU 2.2.138 R to GENPRU 2.2.142 R, the conversion ratio as at the date of issue of the original capital item is calculated as if the original capital item were redeemable at that time.

GENPRU 2.2.142RRP

If the conversion instruments or the original capital item are subdivided or consolidated or subject to any other occurrence that would otherwise result in like not being compared with like, the conversion ratio calculation in GENPRU 2.2.138 R must be adjusted accordingly.

GENPRU 2.2.143GRP

  1. (1)

    The significance of the limitations on conversion in GENPRU 2.2.138R (2) can be seen in the example in this paragraph.

  2. (2)

    A firm issues innovative notes with a par value of £100 each. The terms of the instrument provide that if the instrument is not called at par at the first call date the notes convert into a variable number of ordinary shares.

  3. (3)

    If the market price of the ordinary shares is 400 pence per share on the day of issue of the innovative notes then the maximum number of ordinary shares (M) that a single £100 par value innovative note can be converted into is calculated as follows:

    1. (a)

      M = Par value of innovative instrument * 200% / market value of ordinary share;

    2. (b)

      M = £100 * 2 / £4 = 50 shares.

  4. (4)

    The practical effect is that conversion will result in the holder of an innovative capital note receiving ordinary shares equal to the par value of that note only when the market price of the ordinary shares remains above half the market price of the shares at the date of issue of the notes.

  5. (5)

    If the market price of the ordinary shares fell by half to 200 pence, the maximum permitted number of shares (50) would have to be issued in order to give an investor in the innovative note ordinary shares with a market value equal to £100. If the market price of the ordinary shares fell below 200 pence, the issue of the maximum permitted number of ordinary shares would have a market value below £100.

GENPRU 2.2.144GRP

  1. (1)

    In addition to the maximum conversion ratio of 200%,GENPRU 2.2.138R (2)(b) does not permit a firm to issue shares that would have a market value that exceeds the issue price of the instrument being redeemed.

  2. (2)

    In the example in GENPRU 2.2.143 G, if the market value of the ordinary shares was 250 pence at the conversion date, the maximum number of ordinary shares that may be issued to satisfy the redemption of one of the £100 par value innovative notes would be 40 (= £100 / £2.5).

Tier one capital: Requirement to have sufficient unissued stock

GENPRU 2.2.145RRP

  1. (1)

    This rule applies to a potential tier one instrument of a firm where either:

    1. (a)

      the redemption proceeds; or

    2. (b)

      any coupon on that capital item;

can be satisfied by the issue of another capital instrument.

  1. (2)

    A firm may only include an item of capital to which this rule applies in its tier one capital resources if the firm has authorised and unissued capital instruments of the kind in question (and the authority to issue them):

    1. (a)

      that are sufficient to satisfy all such payments then due; and

    2. (b)

      are of such amount as is prudent in respect of such payments that could become due in the future.

Step-ups: calculating the size of a step-up

GENPRU 2.2.146RRP

  1. (1)

    Where a rule in this section says that a particular treatment applies to an item of capital that is subject to a step-up of a specified amount, the question of whether that rule is satisfied must be judged by reference to the cumulative amount of all step-ups since the issue of that item of capital rather than just by reference to a particular step-up.

  2. (2)

    Where a step-up arises through a change from paying a coupon on a debt instrument to paying a dividend on a share issued in settlement of the coupon, any net cost to the firm arising from the different tax treatment of the dividend compared to the tax treatment of interest may be ignored for the purpose of assessing the effect of that step-up.

Step-ups: Limits on the amount of step-ups on tier one and two capital

GENPRU 2.2.147RRP

  1. (1)

    A firm may not include in its tier one capital resources a tier one instrument that is or may be subject to a step-up that does not meet the definition of moderate in the press release of the Basle Committee on Banking Supervision of 27th October 1998 called "Instruments eligible for inclusion in Tier 1 capital".

  2. (2)

    For the purpose of (1) the words in that press release "than, at national supervisory discretion, either" are replaced by "than the higher of the following two amounts".

  3. (3)

    The calculations required by this rule and GENPRU 2.2.151 R must be carried out as at the date of issue of the relevant instrument.

GENPRU 2.2.148GRP

The effect of GENPRU 2.2.147 R is that for inclusion in tier one capital resources, step-ups in instruments should be moderate. A moderate step-up for these purposes is one which results in an increase over the initial rate that is no greater than the higher of the following two amounts:

  1. (1)

    100 basis points, less the swap spread between the initial index basis and the stepped-up index basis; or

  2. (2)

    50% of the initial credit spread, less the swap spread between the initial index basis and the stepped-up index basis.

GENPRU 2.2.149GRP

If a coupon paid on an item of capital is initially set at a specified spread above an index (the initial index basis), and the coupon moves to being set relative to another index (the stepped up index basis), there will be an implied step-up (positive or negative) even if the specified spread does not change. This is because each index may itself include a spread relative to the risk free rate and this spread may differ between the two indexes. The deduction of the swap spread in GENPRU 2.2.148G (1) and (2) above adjusts for this difference.

GENPRU 2.2.150GRP

Where the step-up involves a conversion from fixed to floating (or vice versa), or a switch in basis index, the swap spread should be fixed at pricing date, reflecting the differential in pricing between indices at the time. The significance of deducting the swap spread can be seen by the following example:

  1. (1)

    the pricing date:

    1. (a)

      10 year gilts (G) = 5.5% (the initial index basis);

    2. (b)

      3 month LIBOR is the stepped up index basis and the 10 year mid swap rate (L) = 5.9%;

    3. (c)

      initial fixed coupon rate = G + 200bp;

    4. (d)

      swap spread = 0.4% (= 5.9% - 5.5%);

    5. (e)

      initial fixed coupon rate = 7.5%;

    6. (f)

      the swap spread shows that there is 40bps of spread in the stepped up index basis relative to the initial index basis; and

    7. (g)

      the initial fixed coupon rate of 7.5% is equivalent to the mid swap rate + 160bp, or L + 200bp – the swap spread;

  2. (2)

    pricing of stepped-up rate at year 10 with step-up of 100bp without deducting swap spread:

    1. (a)

      stepped-up floating rate = L + 200 + 100bp step-up = 8.9%; and

    2. (b)

      effective step-up from initial fixed rate of 140bp (= 8.9% - 7.5%); and

  3. (3)

    pricing of stepped-up rate at year 10 with step-up of 100bp with deduction of the swap spread:

    1. (a)

      stepped-up floating coupon rate = L + 200 less 40bp swap spread (difference between 5.5% and 5.9%) + 100bp step-up = 8.5%

    2. (b)

      effective step-up from initial rate of 100bp (= 8.5% - 7.5%).

GENPRU 2.2.151RRP

  1. (1)

    Subject to (2), if a tier two instrument is or may be subject to a step-up that does not meet the definition of moderate in the press release of the Basle Committee on Banking Supervision referred to in GENPRU 2.2.147R (1) as adjusted under GENPRU 2.2.147R (2), the first date that a step-up can take effect is deemed to be its final maturity date if that date is before its actual maturity date.

  2. (2)

    If a tier two instrument:

    1. (a)

      is or may be subject to a step-up during the period beginning on the fifth anniversary of the date of issue of that item and ending immediately before the tenth anniversary of the date of issue; and

    2. (b)

      the step-up or possible step-up is one which may result in an increase over the initial rate that is greater than 50 basis points, less the swap spread between the initial index basis and the stepped-up index basis (all these terms must be interpreted in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.147 R);

    the first date that a step-up can take effect is deemed to be its final maturity date if that date is before its actual maturity date.

GENPRU 2.2.152RRP

An instrument does not breach GENPRU 2.2.147 R or as the case may be, is not subject to a deemed maturity date under GENPRU 2.2.151 R, even though it is or may be subject to a step-up that exceeds the amount specified in those rules if:

  1. (1)

    the instrument is fungible with other instruments (the "existing stock") that are included in the firm's tier one capital resources (in the case of GENPRU 2.2.147 R) or tier two capital resources (in the case of GENPRU 2.2.151 R);

  2. (2)

    (if there has been no more than one previous issue of the existing stock) the existing stock complied with those limits on its date of issue;

  3. (3)

    (if there has been more than one previous issue of the existing stock) the first such issue of the existing stock complied with those limits on its date of issue; and

  4. (4)

    the result of the step-up on the instrument to which this rule applies is that the coupon on that instrument and the coupon on the existing stock is the same.

GENPRU 2.2.153RRP

  1. (1)

    A firm must not include in its tier one capital resources a potential tier one instrument that is or may become subject to a step-up if that step-up can arise earlier than the tenth anniversary of the date of issue of that item of capital.

  2. (2)

    A firm must not include in its tier two capital resources a capital instrument that is or may become subject to a step-up if that step-up can arise earlier than the fifth anniversary of the date of issue of that item of capital.

GENPRU 2.2.154GRP

Debt instruments containing embedded options, e.g. issues containing options for the interest rate after the step-up to be at a margin over the higher of two (or more) reference rates, or for the interest rate in the previous period to act as a floor, may affect the funding costs of the borrower and imply a step-up. In such circumstances, a firm may wish to seek individual guidance on the application of the rules relating to step-ups to the capital instrument in question. See SUP 9 (Individual guidance) for the process to be followed when seeking individual guidance.

Deductions from tier one: Intangible assets

GENPRU 2.2.155RRP

A firm must deduct from its tier one capital resources the value of intangible assets.

GENPRU 2.2.156GRP

Intangible assets include goodwill as defined in accordance with the requirements referred to in GENPRU 1.3.4 R (General requirements: accounting principles to be applied) applicable to the firm. The treatment of deferred acquisition cost assets for BIPRU investment firms is dealt with in GENPRU 1.3 (Valuation); they should not be deducted as an intangible asset.

Tier two capital: General

GENPRU 2.2.157GRP

Tier two capital resources are split into upper and lower tiers. A major distinction between upper and lower tier two capital is that only perpetual instruments may be included in upper tier two capital whereas dated instruments, such as fixed term preference shares and dated subordinated debt, may be included in lower tier two capital.

GENPRU 2.2.158GRP

Tier two instruments are capital instruments that combine the features of debt and equity in that they are structured like debt, but exhibit some of the loss absorption and funding flexibility features of equity.

General conditions for eligibility as tier two capital instruments

GENPRU 2.2.159RRP

A capital instrument must not form part of the tier two capital resources of a firm unless it meets the following conditions:

  1. (1)

    the claims of the creditors must rank behind those of all unsubordinated creditors;

  2. (2)

    the only events of default must be non-payment of any amount falling due under the terms of the capital instrument or the winding-up of the firm and any such event of default must not prejudice the subordination in (1);

  3. (3)

    to the fullest extent permitted under the laws of the relevant jurisdictions, the remedies available to the subordinated creditor in the event of non-payment or other breach of the terms of the capital instrument must (subject to GENPRU 2.2.161 R) be limited to petitioning for the winding-up of the firm or proving for the debt in the liquidation or administration;

  4. (4)

    any:

    1. (a)

      remedy permitted by (3);

    2. (b)

      remedy that cannot be excluded under the laws of the relevant jurisdictions as referred to in (3);

    3. (c)

      remedy permitted by GENPRU 2.2.161 R; and

    4. (d)

      terms about repayment as referred to in (5);

    must not prejudice the matters in (1) and (2) and in particular any damages permitted by (b) or (c) and repayment obligation must be subordinated in accordance with (1);

  5. (5)

    without prejudice to (1), the debt must not become due and payable before its stated final maturity date (if any) except on an event of default complying with (2) or as permitted by GENPRU 2.2.172 R (Repayment at the option of the issuer) or GENPRU 2.2.194R (2) (Repayment of lower tier two capital at the option of the holder) and any remedy described in (4)(a) to (c) must not prejudice this requirement;

  6. (6)

    the debt agreement or terms of the capital instrument are governed by the law of England and Wales, or of Scotland or of Northern Ireland;

  7. (7)

    to the fullest extent permitted under the laws of the relevant jurisdictions, creditors must waive their right to set off amounts they owe the firm against subordinated amounts included in the firm's capital resources owed to them by the firm;

  8. (8)

    the terms of the capital instrument must be set out in a written agreement that contains terms that provide for the conditions set out in (1) to (7);

  9. (9)

    the debt must be unsecured and fully paid up;

  10. (10)

    the description of its characteristics used in its marketing is consistent with the characteristics required to satisfy (1) to (9) and, where it applies, GENPRU 2.2.271 R (Other requirements: insurers carrying on with-profits business (Insurer only));

  11. (11)

    the amount of the item included must be net of any foreseeable tax charge at the moment of its calculation or must be suitably adjusted in so far as such tax charges reduce the amount up to which that item may be applied to cover risks or losses; and

  12. (12)

    the firm has obtained a properly reasoned independent legal opinion from an appropriately qualified individual stating that the requirements in (1) to (7) and (insofar as it relates to whether the capital instrument is unsecured) (9) have been met.

GENPRU 2.2.160RRP

A holder of a non-deferred share of a building society must be treated as a senior unsecured creditor of that building society for the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.159 R.

General conditions for eligibility as tier two capital instruments: Additional remedies

GENPRU 2.2.161RRP

A capital instrument may be included in a firm's tier two capital resources even though the remedies available to the subordinated creditor go beyond those referred to in GENPRU 2.2.159R (3), if the following conditions are satisfied:

  1. (1)

    those remedies are not available for failure to pay any amount of principal, interest or expenses or in respect of any other payment obligation; and

  2. (2)

    those remedies do not in substance amount to remedies to recover payment of the amounts in (1).

GENPRU 2.2.162GRP

If damages are a remedy that cannot be excluded as referred to in GENPRU 2.2.159R (3) those damages should be subordinated in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.159R (1). Damages permitted by GENPRU 2.2.161 R should also be subordinated in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.159R (1).

General conditions for eligibility as tier two capital instruments: Alternative governing laws

GENPRU 2.2.163RRP

GENPRU 2.2.159R (6) does not apply if the firm has obtained a properly reasoned independent legal opinion from an appropriately qualified individual confirming that the same degree of subordination has been achieved under the law that governs the debt and the agreement as that which would have been achieved under the laws of England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.

General conditions for eligibility as tier two capital instruments: Standard form documentation

GENPRU 2.2.164GRP

The FSA is more concerned that the subordination provisions listed in GENPRU 2.2.159 R should be effective than that they should follow a particular form. The FSA does not, therefore, prescribe that the loan agreement or capital instrument should be drawn up in a standard form.

Guidance on the general conditions for eligibility as tier two capital instruments

GENPRU 2.2.165GRP

For the purposes of GENPRU 2.2.159R (5) the debt agreement or terms of the instrument should not contain any clause which might require early repayment of the debt (e.g. cross default clauses, negative pledges and restrictive covenants). A cross default clause is a clause which says that the loan goes into default if any of the borrower's other loans go into default. It is intended to prevent one creditor being repaid before other creditors, e.g. obtaining full repayment through the courts. A negative pledge is a clause which puts the loan into default if the borrower gives any further charge over its assets. A restrictive covenant is a term of contract that directly, or indirectly, could lead to early repayment of the debt. Some covenants, e.g. relating to the provision of management information or ownership restrictions, are likely to comply with GENPRU 2.2.159R (3) as long as monetary redress is ruled out, or any payments are covered by the subordination clauses.

GENPRU 2.2.166GRP

GENPRU 2.2.159R (3) allows a capital instrument to form part of the tier two capital resources even though the laws of the relevant jurisdiction do not allow remedies to be limited in the way described there. For example it is not possible to limit certain remedies in the case of an issue in the United States that is SEC-registered and subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act.

GENPRU 2.2.167GRP

The purpose of GENPRU 2.2.159R (7) is to ensure that all of the firm's assets are available to consumers ahead of subordinated creditors. The waiver should apply both before and during liquidation or administration.

GENPRU 2.2.168GRP

The guidance in GENPRU 2.2.119 G (Employee may give legal opinion) also applies for the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.159R (12) and GENPRU 2.2.163 R.

Tier two capital instruments: Connected transactions

GENPRU 2.2.169RRP

An item of capital does not comply with GENPRU 2.2.159 R (General conditions for eligibility as tier two capital instruments) or GENPRU 2.2.177 R (Upper tier two capital: General) if the issue of that item of capital by the firm is connected with one or more other transactions which, when taken together with the issue of that item, could result in that item of capital no longer displaying all of the characteristics set out in whichever of those rules apply.

GENPRU 2.2.170G

GENPRU 2.2.66 G (Guidance on GENPRU 2.2.65 R) applies to GENPRU 2.2.169 R in the same way as it does to GENPRU 2.2.65 R (The equivalent of GENPRU 2.2.169 R in relation to tier one capital).

Amendment of tier two instruments

GENPRU 2.2.171RRP

A firm must not amend the terms of the capital or the documents referred to in GENPRU 2.2.159R (8) unless:

  1. (1)

    at least one Month before the amendment is due to take effect, the firm has given the FSA notice in writing of the proposed amendment and the FSA has not objected; and

  2. (2)

    that notice includes confirmation that the legal opinions referred to in GENPRU 2.2.159R (12) and, if applicable, GENPRU 2.2.163 R (General conditions for eligibility as tier two capital instruments: Alternative governing laws) and GENPRU 2.2.181 R (Legal opinions for upper tier two instruments), continue in full force and effect in relation to the terms of the debt and documents after any proposed amendment.

Redemption of tier two instruments

GENPRU 2.2.172RRP

A tier two instrument may be redeemable at the option of the firm, but any term of the instrument providing for the firm to have the right to exercise such an option must not provide for that right to be exercisable earlier than the fifth anniversary of the date of issue of the instrument.

GENPRU 2.2.173R

GENPRU 2.2.71 R to GENPRU 2.2.73 G (Tier one instruments may be redeemed by the issuer before the fifth anniversary in limited circumstances) apply to GENPRU 2.2.172 R in the same way as they do to GENPRU 2.2.70 R (The issuer should not redeem tier one capital before the fifth anniversary).

GENPRU 2.2.174RRP

In relation to a tier two instrument, a firm must notify the FSA:

  1. (1)

    in the case of an insurer, six Months; and

  2. (2)

    in the case of a BIPRU firm, one Month;

before the date of the proposed repayment (unless that firm intends to repay an instrument on its final maturity date) providing details of how it will meet its capital resources requirement after such repayment.

Tier two capital: step-ups

GENPRU 2.2.175GRP

Upper tier two capital: General

GENPRU 2.2.176GRP

Examples of capital instruments which may be eligible to count in upper tier two capital resources include the following:

  1. (1)

    perpetual cumulative preference shares;

  2. (2)

    perpetual subordinated debt; and

  3. (3)

    other instruments that have the same economic characteristics as (1) or (2).

GENPRU 2.2.177RRP

A capital instrument must (in addition to meeting the requirements of the rules about eligibility for inclusion in tier two capital) meet the following conditions before it can be included in a firm's upper tier two capital resources:

  1. (1)

    it must have no fixed maturity date;

  2. (2)

    the terms of the instrument must provide for the firm to have the option to defer any coupon on the debt, except that the firm need not have that right in the case of a coupon payable in the form of an item of capital that is included in the same stage of capital or a higher stage of capital as that first item of capital;

  3. (3)

    the terms of the instrument must provide for the loss-absorption capacity of the capital instrument and unpaid coupons, whilst enabling the firm to continue its business;

  4. (4)

    it meets the conditions in GENPRU 2.2.169 R (Connected transactions) and GENPRU 2.2.180 R (Loss absorption); and

  5. (5)

    the terms of the instrument are such that either the instrument or debt is not redeemable or repayable or it is repayable or redeemable only at the option of the firm.

GENPRU 2.2.178RRP

If a firm gives notice of the redemption or repayment of an upper tier two instrument, the firm must no longer include it in its upper tier two capital resources.

GENPRU 2.2.179GRP

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.177R (2), GENPRU 2.2.68 G (Dividend pushers) applies equally in relation to the inclusion of an instrument in upper tier two capital resources.

Upper tier two capital: Loss absorption

GENPRU 2.2.180RRP

A capital instrument may only be included in upper tier two capital resources if a firm's obligations under the instrument either:

  1. (1)

    do not constitute a liability (actual, contingent or prospective) under section 123(2) of the Insolvency Act 1986; or

  2. (2)

    do constitute such a liability but the terms of the instrument are such that:

    1. (a)

      any such liability is not relevant for the purposes of deciding whether:

      1. (i)

        the firm is, or is likely to become, unable to pay its debts; or

      2. (ii)

        its liabilities exceed its assets;

    2. (b)

      a person (including but not limited to a holder of the instrument) is not able to petition for the winding up or administration of the firm or for any similar procedure in relation to the firm on the grounds that the firm is or may become unable to pay any such liability; and

    3. (c)

      the firm is not obliged to take into account such a liability for the purposes of deciding whether or not the firm is, or may become, insolvent for the purposes of section 214 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (wrongful trading).

Upper tier two capital: Legal opinions

GENPRU 2.2.181RRP

A firm may not include an upper tier two instrument in its upper tier two capital resources unless it has obtained a properly reasoned independent legal opinion from an appropriately qualified individual confirming that the criteria in GENPRU 2.2.177R (3) and GENPRU 2.2.180 R (Loss absorption) are met. This rule does not apply to a perpetual cumulative preference share.

Upper tier two capital: Guidance

GENPRU 2.2.182G

GENPRU 2.2.180 R is an example of the general principle in GENPRU 2.2.177R (3).

GENPRU 2.2.183G

The guidance in GENPRU 2.2.117 G (There should be no liability to the extent that the firm would become insolvent, etc) also applies for the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.180 R.

GENPRU 2.2.184G

The guidance in GENPRU 2.2.119 G (Employee may give legal opinion) also applies for the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.181 R.

Upper tier two capital: Revaluation reserves (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.185RRP

  1. (1)

    This rule applies to a BIPRU firm.

  2. (2)

    A BIPRU firm must, in relation to equities held in the available-for-sale financial assets category:

    1. (a)

      deduct any net losses at stage E of the calculation in the capital resources table (Deductions from tier one capital); and

    2. (b)

      include any net gains (after deduction of deferred tax) in revaluation reserves at stage G of the calculation in the capital resources table (Upper tier two capital).

  3. (3)

    A BIPRU firm must include any net gains, after deduction of deferred tax, on revaluation reserves of investment properties at stage G of the calculation in the capital resources table. A firm must include any losses on such revaluation reserves in profit and loss account and other reserves.

  4. (4)

    A BIPRU firm must include any net gains, after deduction of deferred tax, on revaluation reserves of land and buildings at stage G of the calculation in the capital resources table. A firm must include any losses on such revaluation reserves in profit and loss account and other reserves.

  5. (5)

    (2) only applies to a firm to the extent that the category of asset referred to in that paragraph exists under the accounting framework that applies to the firm as referred to in GENPRU 1.3.4 R (General requirements: accounting principles to be applied).

  6. (6)

    (3) and (4) apply to a firm whatever the accounting treatment of those items is under the accounting framework that applies to the firm as referred to in GENPRU 1.3.4 R.

GENPRU 2.2.186GRP

Subject to GENPRU 2.2.185 R, a BIPRU firm should value its revaluation reserves in accordance with the rules in GENPRU 1.3 (Valuation).

Upper tier two capital: General/collective provisions (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.187RRP

A BIPRU firm which adopts the standardised approach to credit risk may include general/collective provisions in its tier two capital resources only if:

  1. (1)

    they are freely available to the firm;

  2. (2)

    their existence is disclosed in internal accounting records; and

  3. (3)

    their amount is determined by the management of the firm, verified by independent auditors and notified to the FSA.

GENPRU 2.2.188RRP

The value of general/collective provisions which a firm may include in its tier two capital resources as referred to in GENPRU 2.2.187 R may not exceed 1.25% of the sum of the following:

  1. (1)

    the sum of the market risk capital requirement and the operational risk capital requirement (if applicable), multiplied by a factor of 12.5; and

  2. (2)

    the sum of risk weighted assets under the standardised approach for credit risk.

GENPRU 2.2.189RRP

Where a firm is unable to determine whether collective/general provisions relate only to exposures on either the standardised approach or the IRB approach, that firm must allocate them on a basis which is reasonable and consistent.

Upper tier two capital: Surplus provisions (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.190RRP

A BIPRU firm calculating risk weighted exposure amounts under the IRB approach may include in its upper tier two capital resources positive amounts resulting from the calculation in BIPRU 4.3.8 R (Treatment of expected loss amounts), up to 0.6% of the risk weighted exposure amounts calculated under that approach.

GENPRU 2.2.191RRP

A BIPRU firm calculating risk weighted exposure amounts under the IRB approach may not include in its capital resources value adjustments and provisions included in the calculation in BIPRU 4.3.8 R (Treatment of expected loss amounts under the IRB approach for trading book exposures) or value adjustments and provisions for exposures that would otherwise have been eligible for inclusion in general/collective provisions other than in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.190 R.

GENPRU 2.2.192RRP

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.190 R and GENPRU 2.2.191 R, risk weighted exposure amounts must not include those calculated in respect of securitisation positions which have a risk weight of 1250%.

GENPRU 2.2.193RRP

If a BIPRU firm calculates risk weighted exposure amounts under the IRB approach for the purposes of BIPRU 14 (Capital requirements for settlement and counterparty risk) it must not include valuation adjustments referred to in BIPRU 14.2.18 R (1) (Treatment of expected loss amounts) in its capital resources except in accordance with that rule.

Lower tier two capital

GENPRU 2.2.194RRP

A firm may include a capital instrument in its lower tier two capital resources if (in addition to meeting the requirements of the rules about eligibility for inclusion in tier two capital) either the holder has no right to repayment or it satisfies either of the following conditions:

  1. (1)

    it has an original maturity of at least five years; or

  2. (2)

    it is redeemable on notice from the holder, but the period of notice of repayment required to be given by the holder is five years or more.

GENPRU 2.2.195GRP

A firm may include perpetual capital instruments that do not meet the conditions in GENPRU 2.2.177 R (Eligibility conditions for upper tier two capital) in lower tier two capital resources if they meet the general conditions described in GENPRU 2.2.159 R (General conditions for eligibility as tier two capital instruments).

GENPRU 2.2.196RRP

  1. (1)

    For the purposes of calculating the amount of a lower tier two instrument which may be included in a firm's capital resources:

    1. (a)

      in the case of an instrument with a fixed maturity date, in the final five years to maturity; and

    2. (b)

      in the case of an instrument with or without a fixed maturity date but where five years' or more notice of redemption or repayment has been given, in the final five years to the date of redemption or repayment;

    the principal amount must be amortised on a straight line basis.

  2. (2)

    If a firm gives notice of the redemption or repayment of a lower tier two instrument and (1) does not apply, the firm must no longer include it in its lower tier two capital resources.

GENPRU 2.2.197GRP

If a firm wishes to include in lower tier two capital resources an instrument with or without a fixed maturity date but where less than five years' notice of redemption or repayment has been given, it should seek individual guidance from the FSA.

The effect of swaps on debt capital

GENPRU 2.2.198RRP

GENPRU 2.2.198 R to GENPRU 2.2.201 R apply to a tier one instrument, tier two instrument or tier three instrument of a firm that is treated as a liability under the accounting framework to which it is subject as referred to in GENPRU 1.3.4 R (General requirements: accounting principles to be applied) (a "debt instrument").

GENPRU 2.2.199RRP

A firm must recognise for the purpose of this section any effect that changes in exchange rates or interest rates have on a debt instrument (as defined in GENPRU 2.2.198 R) under the accounting framework to which the firm is subject as referred to in GENPRU 1.3.4 R (General requirements: accounting principles to be applied).

GENPRU 2.2.200RRP

A firm must recognise, in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.201 R, the effect of a foreign currency hedge on a debt instrument (as defined in GENPRU 2.2.198 R) denominated in a foreign currency or of an interest rate hedge on a fixed rate coupon debt instrument if:

  1. (1)

    the accounting framework to which the firm is subject as referred to in GENPRU 1.3.4 R (General requirements: accounting principles to be applied) provides for a fair value hedge accounting relationship between a liability and its related hedge;

  2. (2)

    such a relationship exists under that accounting framework between that debt instrument and that hedge;

  3. (3)

    (if the debt instrument is a tier one instrument) the firm's obligations under that hedge comply with the conditions in GENPRU 2.2.64 R to GENPRU 2.2.65 R (General conditions for eligibility as tier one capital);

  4. (4)

    (if the debt instrument is a tier two instrument or an upper tier three instrument) the firm's obligations under that hedge comply with the conditions in GENPRU 2.2.159 R to GENPRU 2.2.169 R (General conditions for eligibility as tier two capital instruments) as modified, in the case of an upper tier three instrument, by GENPRU 2.2.244 R (Application of tier two capital rules to tier three capital debt) except as follows:

    1. (a)

      GENPRU 2.2.159R (9) only applies to the extent that it requires that hedge to be unsecured; and

    2. (b)

      GENPRU 2.2.159R (12) (legal opinion) does not apply.

GENPRU 2.2.201RRP

A firm must recognise the effect of a hedge as referred to in GENPRU 2.2.200 R by including the net accounting fair value of the hedging instrument in the valuation of the debt instrument (as defined in GENPRU 2.2.198 R).

Deductions from tiers one and two: Qualifying holdings (bank or building society only)

GENPRU 2.2.202RRP
GENPRU 2.2.203RRP

A qualifying holding is a direct or indirect holding of a bank or building society in a non-financial undertaking which represents 10% or more of the capital or of the voting rights or which makes it possible to exercise a significant influence over the management of that undertaking.

GENPRU 2.2.204RRP

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.203 R, a non-financial undertaking is an undertaking other than:

  1. (1)

    a credit institution or financial institution;

  2. (2)

    an undertaking whose exclusive or main activities are a direct extension of banking or concern services ancillary to banking, such as leasing, factoring, the management of unit trusts, the management of data processing services or any other similar activity; or

  3. (3)

    an insurer.

GENPRU 2.2.205RRP

The amount of qualifying holdings that a bank or building society must deduct in the calculation in the capital resources table is:

  1. (1)

    (if the firm has one or more qualifying holdings that exceeds 15% of its relevant capital resources) the sum of such excesses; and

  2. (2)

    to the extent not already deducted in (1), the amount by which the sum of each of that firm's qualifying holdings exceeds 60% of its relevant capital resources.

GENPRU 2.2.206RRP

The relevant capital resources of a firm mean for the purposes of this rule the sum of the amount of capital resources calculated at stages L (Total tier one capital plus tier two capital) and Q (Total tier three capital) of the calculation in the capital resources table as adjusted in accordance with the following:

  1. (1)

    the firm must not take into account the items referred to in any of the following:

    1. (a)

      GENPRU 2.2.190 R to GENPRU 2.2.193 R (surplus provisions); or

    2. (b)

      GENPRU 2.2.236 R (expected loss amounts and other negative amounts); or

    3. (c)

      GENPRU 2.2.237 R (securitisation positions);

  2. (2)

    the firm must make the deductions to be made at stage S of the calculation in the capital resources table (Deductions from total capital); and

  3. (3)

    the firm need not deduct any excess trading book position under (2).

GENPRU 2.2.207RRP

The following are not included as qualifying holdings:

  1. (1)

    shares that are not held as investments; or

  2. (2)

    shares that are held temporarily during the normal course of underwriting; or

  3. (3)

    shares held in a firm's name on behalf of others.

Deductions from tiers one and two: Material holdings (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.208RRP
GENPRU 2.2.209RRP

A material holding is:

  1. (1)

    a BIPRU firm's holdings of shares and any other interest in the capital of an individual credit institution or financial institution (held in the non-trading book or the trading book or both) exceeding 10% of the share capital of the issuer, and, where this is the case, any holdings of subordinated debt of the same issuer are also included as a material holding; the full amount of the holding is a material holding; or

  2. (2)

    a BIPRU firm's holdings of shares, any other interest in the capital and subordinated debt in an individual credit institution or financial institution (held in the non-trading book or the trading book or both) not deducted under (1) if the total amount of such holdings exceeds 10% of that firm's capital resources at stage N (Total tier one capital plus tier two capital after deductions) of the calculation in the capital resources table (calculated before deduction of its material holdings); only the excess amount is a material holding; or

  3. (3)

    a bank or building society's aggregate holdings in the non-trading book of shares, any other interest in the capital, and subordinated debt in all credit institutions or financial institutions not deducted under (1) or (2) if the total amount of such holdings exceeds 10% of that firm's capital resources at stage N of the calculation in the capital resources table (calculated before deduction of its material holdings); only the excess amount is a material holding; or

  4. (4)

    a material insurance holding.

GENPRU 2.2.210GRP

For the purpose of the definition of a material holding, share capital includes preference shares. Share premium should be taken into account when determining the amount of share capital.

GENPRU 2.2.211RRP

When calculating the size of its material holdings a firm must only include an actual holding (that is, a long cash position). A firm must not net such holdings with a short position.

GENPRU 2.2.212RRP

A material insurance holding means the holdings of a BIPRU firm of items of the type set out in GENPRU 2.2.213 R in any:

  1. (1)

    insurance undertaking; or

  2. (2)

    insurance holding company;

that fulfils one of the following conditions:

  1. (3)

    it is a subsidiary undertaking of that firm; or

  2. (4)

    that firm holds a participation in it.

GENPRU 2.2.213RRP

An item falls into this provision for the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.212 R if it is:

  1. (1)

    an ownership share; or

  2. (2)

    subordinated debt or another item of capital that falls into Article 16(3) of the First Non-Life Directive or, as applicable, Article 27(3) of the Consolidated Life Directive.

GENPRU 2.2.214RRP

The amount to be deducted with respect to each material insurance holding is the higher of:

  1. (1)

    the book value of the material insurance holding; and

  2. (2)

    the solo capital resources requirement for the insurance undertaking or insurance holding company in question calculated in accordance with Part 3 of GENPRU 3 Annex 1 (Method 3 of the capital adequacy calculations for financial conglomerates).

GENPRU 2.2.215RRP

For the purpose of the definition of a material holding, holdings must be valued using the valuation method which the holder uses for its external financial reporting purposes.

GENPRU 2.2.216GRP

  1. (1)

    This paragraph gives guidance on how the calculation under GENPRU 2.2.214R (1) should be carried out where an insurance undertaking is accounted for using the embedded value method.

  2. (2)

    On acquisition, any "goodwill" element (that is, the difference between the acquisition value according to the embedded value method and the actual investment) should be deducted from tier one capital resources.

  3. (3)

    The embedded value should be deducted from the total of tier one capital resources and tier two capital resources.

  4. (4)

    Post-acquisition, where the embedded value of the undertaking increases, the increase should be added to reserves, while the new embedded value is deducted from total capital resources.

  5. (5)

    This means that the net impact on the level of total capital resources is zero, although tier two capital resources headroom will increase with any increase in tier one capital resources reserves.

  6. (6)

    Embedded value is the value of the undertaking taking into account the present value of the expected future inflows from existing life assurance business.

Deductions from tiers one and two: Reciprocal cross holdings (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.217RRP
GENPRU 2.2.218RRP

A BIPRU firm must deduct at stage M of the calculation in the capital resources table (Deductions from the totals of tier one and two) any reciprocal cross-holdings. However a BIPRU firm must not deduct such holdings to the extent that they fall to be deducted at Part 1 of stage M of the calculation in the capital resources table (Deductions for material holdings, qualifying holdings and certain other items).

GENPRU 2.2.219RRP

A reciprocal cross-holding means a holding of the BIPRU firm of shares, any other interest in the capital, and subordinated debt, whether in the trading or non-trading book, in:

  1. (1)

    a credit institution; or

  2. (2)

    a financial institution;

that satisfies the following conditions:

  1. (3)

    the holding is the subject of an agreement or arrangement between the BIPRU firm and either the issuer of the instrument in question or a member of a group to which the issuer belongs;

  2. (4)

    under the terms of the agreement or arrangement described in (3) the issuer invests in the BIPRU firm or in a member of the group to which that BIPRU firm belongs; and

  3. (5)

    the effect of that agreement or arrangement on the capital position of the BIPRU firm, the issuer, or any member of a group to which either belongs, under any relevant rules is significantly more beneficial than it is in economic terms, taking into account the agreement or arrangement as a whole.

GENPRU 2.2.220RRP

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.219 R, a relevant rule means a rule in GENPRU, BIPRU or INSPRU or any other capital adequacy or solvency requirements of the FSA or any other regulator, territory or country.

Deductions from tiers one and two: Connected lending of a capital nature (bank only)

GENPRU 2.2.221RRP
GENPRU 2.2.222R
GENPRU 2.2.223RRP

A bank must not deduct any item as connected lending of a capital nature to the extent that it falls to be deducted at Part 1 of stage M of the calculation in the capital resources table (Deductions for material holdings, qualifying holdings and certain other items) or as a reciprocal cross-holding.

GENPRU 2.2.224RRP

For the purpose of the rules in this section about connected lending of a capital nature and in relation to a bank, a connected party means another person ("P") who fulfils at least one of the following conditions and is not solo-consolidated with the bank under BIPRU 2.1 (Solo consolidation):

  1. (1)

    P is closely related to the bank; or

  2. (2)

    P is an associate of the bank; or

  3. (3)

    the same persons significantly influence the governing body of P and the bank.

GENPRU 2.2.225RRP

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.224 R, in relation to a person ("P") to which a bank has an exposure when P is acting on his own behalf and also an exposure to P when P acts in his capacity as a trustee, custodian or general partner of an investment trust, unit trust, venture capital or other investment fund, pension fund or similar fund (a "fund") the bank may choose to treat this latter exposure as an exposure to the fund, unless such treatment would be misleading.

GENPRU 2.2.226G

BIPRU 10.3.13 G (Guidance on BIPRU 10.3.12 R) applies to GENPRU 2.2.225 R as it applies to BIPRU 10.3.12 R (Exposures to trustees for concentration risk purposes).

GENPRU 2.2.227RRP

A loan is connected lending of a capital nature if:

  1. (1)

    it is made by the bank to a connected party; and

  2. (2)

    it falls into GENPRU 2.2.228 R.

GENPRU 2.2.228RRP

A loan falls into this rule for the purposes of GENPRU 2.2.227R (2) if, whether through contractual, structural, reputational or other factors:

  1. (1)

    based on the terms of the loan and the other knowledge available to the bank, the borrower would be able to consider it from the point of view of its characteristics as capital as being similar to share capital or subordinated debt; or

  2. (2)

    the position of the lender from the point of view of maturity and repayment is inferior to that of the senior unsecured and unsubordinated creditors of the borrower.

GENPRU 2.2.229RRP

A loan is also connected lending of a capital nature if:

  1. (1)

    it funds directly or indirectly a loan to a connected party of the bank falling into GENPRU 2.2.228 R1 or an investment in the capital of a connected party of the bank; and

  2. (2)

    it falls into GENPRU 2.2.228 R.

GENPRU 2.2.230GRP

It is likely that a loan is not connected lending of a capital nature if:

  1. (1)

    it is secured by collateral that is eligible for the purposes of credit risk mitigation under the standardised approach to credit risk as set out in BIPRU 5.4 (Financial collateral) and BIPRU 5.5 (Other funded credit risk mitigation); or

  2. (2)

    it is repayable on demand (and should be treated as such for accounting purposes by the borrower and lender) and the bank can demonstrate that there are no potential obstacles to exercising the right to repay, whether contractual or otherwise.

GENPRU 2.2.231RRP

A guarantee is connected lending of a capital nature if it is a guarantee by the bank of a loan from a third party to a connected party of the bank and:

  1. (1)

    the loan meets the requirements of GENPRU 2.2.228 R; or

  2. (2)

    the rights that the bank would have against the borrower with respect to the guarantee meet the requirements of GENPRU 2.2.228R (2).

GENPRU 2.2.232RRP

A guarantee is also connected lending of a capital nature if it is a guarantee by the bank of a loan falling into GENPRU 2.2.229R (1); and

  1. (1)

    the loan meets the conditions in GENPRU 2.2.228 R; or

  2. (2)

    the guarantee meets the conditions in GENPRU 2.2.231R (2).

GENPRU 2.2.233RRP

The amount of a guarantee that constitutes connected lending of a capital nature that a firm must deduct is the amount guaranteed.

GENPRU 2.2.234GRP

A loan may initially fall outside the definition of connected lending of a capital nature but later fall into it. For example, if the initial lending to a connected party is subsequently downstreamed to another connected party the relationship between the bank and the ultimate borrower may be such that, looking at the arrangements as a whole, the undertaking to which the bank lends is able to regard the loan to it as being capable of absorbing losses.

GENPRU 2.2.235GRP

Lending to a connected party will not normally be connected lending of a capital nature where that party:

  1. (1)

    is acting as a vehicle to pass funding to an unconnected party; and

  2. (2)

    has no other creditors whose claims could be senior to those of the lender.

Deductions from tiers one and two: Expected losses and other negative amounts (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.236RRP

A BIPRU firm calculating risk weighted exposure amounts under the IRB approach must deduct:

  1. (1)

    any negative amounts arising from the calculation in BIPRU 4.3.8 R (Treatment of expected loss amounts); and

  2. (2)

    any expected loss amounts2 calculated in accordance with BIPRU 4.7.12 R (Expected loss amounts under the simple risk weight approach to calculating risk weighted exposure amounts for exposures belonging to the equity exposure IRB exposure class) or BIPRU 4.7.17 R (Expected loss amounts under the PD/LGD approach).

Deductions from tiers one and two: Securitisation positions (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.237RRP

A BIPRU firm calculating risk weighted exposure amounts under the IRB approach or the standardised approach to credit risk must deduct from its capital resources the exposure amount of securitisation positions which receive a risk weight of 1250% under BIPRU 9 (Securitisation), unless the firm includes the securitisation positions in its calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts (see BIPRU 9.10 (Reduction in risk-weighted exposure amounts)).

Deductions from tiers one and two: Special treatment of material holdings and other items (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.238RRP

GENPRU 2.2.238 R to GENPRU 2.2.241 R apply to a BIPRU firm and relate to the deductions in respect of:

  1. (1)

    material holdings;

  2. (2)

    expected loss amounts and other negative amounts referred to in GENPRU 2.2.236 R; and

  3. (3)

    securitisation positions referred to in GENPRU 2.2.237 R.

GENPRU 2.2.239RRP

  1. (1)

    The treatment in the capital resources table of the deductions in GENPRU 2.2.238 R only has effect for the purpose of the capital resources gearing rules.

  2. (2)

    In other cases (3) and (4) apply.

  3. (3)

    A BIPRU firm making the deductions described in GENPRU 2.2.238 R must deduct 50% of the total amount of those deductions at stage E (Deductions from tier one capital) and 50% at stage J (Deductions from tier two capital) of the calculation in the capital resources table after the application of the capital resources gearing rules.

  4. (4)

    To the extent that half of the total of:

    1. (a)

      material holdings;

    2. (b)

      expected loss amounts and other negative amounts; and

    3. (c)

      securitisation positions;

    exceeds the amount calculated at stage I (Total tier two capital) of that calculation, a firm must deduct that excess from the amount calculated at stage F (Total tier one capital after deductions) of the capital resources table.

GENPRU 2.2.240GRP

The alternative calculation in GENPRU 2.2.239R (3) to (4) is only relevant to BIPRU 11 (Pillar 3 disclosures) and certain reporting requirements under SUP. However the deduction of material holdings at Part 2 of stage E of the capital resources table in the case of a BIPRU investment firm with an investment firm consolidation waiver has effect for all purposes.

Tier three capital: upper tier three capital resources (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.241RRP
GENPRU 2.2.242RRP

A BIPRU firm may include subordinated debt in its upper tier three capital resources only if:

  1. (1)

    it has an original maturity of at least two years or is subject to at least two years' notice of repayment; and

  2. (2)

    payment of interest or principal is permitted only if, after that payment, the firm's capital resources would be not less than its capital resources requirement.

GENPRU 2.2.243RRP

A BIPRU firm which includes subordinated debt in its tier three capital resources must notify the FSA one month in advance of all payments of either interest or principal made when the firm's capital resources are less than 120% of its capital resources requirement.

GENPRU 2.2.244RRP

The rules in the table in GENPRU 2.2.245 R apply to short term subordinated debt that a BIPRU firm includes in its tier three capital resources in the same way that they apply to a firm's tier two capital resources with the adjustments in that table.

GENPRU 2.2.245RRP

Table: Application of tier two capital rules to tier three debt

This table belongs to GENPRU 2.2.244 R

Tier two capital rule

Adjustment

GENPRU 2.2.159 R (General conditions for eligibility as tier two capital)

The references in GENPRU 2.2.159R (5) (Capital must not become repayable prior to stated maturity date except in specified circumstances) to repayment at the option of the holder are replaced by a reference to GENPRU 2.2.242R (1) (Upper tier three capital should have maturity or notice period of at least two years)

The reference in GENPRU 2.2.159R (10) (Description of tier two capital in marketing documents) to

GENPRU 2.2.271 R (Other requirements: insurers carrying on with-profits business (Insurer only)) does not apply

GENPRU 2.2.160 R (Holder of a non-deferred share of a building society to be treated as a senior creditor)

GENPRU 2.2.161 R (Additional remedies)

GENPRU 2.2.163 R (Legal opinion where debt subject to a law of a country outside the United Kingdom)

GENPRU 2.2.169 R (Ineligibility as tier two capital owing to connected transactions)

The reference to GENPRU 2.2.177 R (General eligibility conditions for upper tier two capital) does not apply

GENPRU 2.2.171 R (Amendments to terms of the capital instrument)

GENPRU 2.2.172 R to GENPRU 2.2.173 R (Redeemability at the option of the issuer)

GENPRU 2.2.174 R (Notification of redemption)

References in the rules in the first column to the fifth anniversary are amended so as to refer to the second anniversary.

Tier three capital: lower tier three capital resources (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.246RRP
GENPRU 2.2.247RRP

A BIPRU firm's net interim trading book profits mean its net trading book profits adjusted as follows:

  1. (1)

    they are net of any foreseeable charges or dividends and less net losses on its other business; and

  2. (2)

    a firm must not take into account items that have already been included in the calculation of capital resources as part of the calculation of the following items:

    1. (a)

      interim net profits (see stage (A) of the capital resources table); or

    2. (b)

      interim net losses or material interim net losses (see stage (A) of the capital resources table); or

    3. (c)

      profit and loss and other reserves (see stage (A) of the capital resources table).

GENPRU 2.2.248RRP

Trading book profits and losses, other than those losses to which GENPRU 2.2.86R (2) (Valuation adjustment and reserves) refers, originating from valuation adjustments or reserves as referred to in GENPRU 1.3.29 R to GENPRU 1.3.35 G (Valuation adjustments or reserves) must be included in the calculation of net interim trading book profits and be added to or deducted from tier three capital resources.

GENPRU 2.2.249RRP

Trading book valuation adjustments or reserves as referred to in GENPRU 1.3.29 R to GENPRU 1.3.35 G which exceed those made under the accounting framework to which a firm is subject must be treated in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.248 R if not required to be treated under GENPRU 2.2.86R (2).

Deductions from total capital: Inadmissible assets (insurers only)

GENPRU 2.2.250R
GENPRU 2.2.251R

For the purposes of the capital resources table, an insurer which is not a pure reinsurer must deduct from total capital resources the value of any asset which is not an admissible asset as listed in GENPRU 2 Annex 7 (Admissible assets in insurance), unless the asset is held to cover property-linked liabilities or index-linked liabilities under INSPRU 3.1.57 R or INSPRU 3.1.58 R (Covering linked liabilities).

GENPRU 2.2.252G

GENPRU 2.2.251 R does not apply to intangible assets which should be deducted from tier one capital resources under GENPRU 2.2.155 R (Deductions from tier one: Intangible assets).

GENPRU 2.2.253G

The list of admissible assets has been drawn with the aim of excluding assets:

  1. (1)

    for which a sufficiently objective and verifiable basis of valuation does not exist; or

  2. (2)

    whose realisability cannot be relied upon with sufficient confidence; or

  3. (3)

    whose nature presents an unacceptable custody risk; or

  4. (4)

    the holding of which may give rise to significant liabilities or onerous duties.

Deductions from total capital: Adjustments for related undertakings

GENPRU 2.2.254R
GENPRU 2.2.255R

An insurer must deduct from its capital resources the value of its investments in each of its related undertakings that is an ancillary services undertaking.

GENPRU 2.2.256R

In relation to each of its related undertakings that is a regulated related undertaking (other than an insurance undertaking) an insurer must add to (if positive), at stage J in the capital resources table (Positive adjustments for related undertakings), or deduct from (if negative), at stage L in the capital resources table (Deductions from total capital), its capital resources the value of its shares in that undertaking calculated in accordance with GENPRU 1.3.47 R (Shares in and debts due from related undertakings).

GENPRU 2.2.257G

For the purposes of GENPRU 2.2.255 R, investments must be valued at their accounting book value in accordance with GENPRU 1.3.4 R (General requirements: accounting principles to be applied).

GENPRU 2.2.258G

Related undertakings which are also insurance undertakings are not included in GENPRU 2.2.256 R because an insurer that is a participating insurance undertaking is subject to the requirements of INSPRU 6.1 (Group Risk: Insurance Groups).

Deductions from total capital: Illiquid assets (BIPRU investment firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.259RRP
GENPRU 2.2.260RRP

Illiquid assets means illiquid assets including

  1. (1)

    tangible fixed assets (except land and buildings if they are used by a firm as security for loans, but this exclusion is only up to the value of the principal outstanding on the loans); or

  2. (2)

    any holdings in the capital resources of credit institutions or financial institutions, except to the extent that:

    1. (a)

      they have already been deducted as a material holding; or

    2. (b)

      they are shares which are included in a firm's trading book and included in the calculation of the firm's market risk capital requirement; or

  3. (3)

    holdings of other securities which are not readily realisable securities; or

  4. (4)

    deficiencies of net assets in subsidiary undertakings; or

  5. (5)

    deposits which are not repayable within 90 days (except for payments in connection with margined futures or options contracts); or

  6. (6)

    loans and other amounts owed to a firm except where they are due to be repaid within 90 days; or

  7. (7)

    physical stocks except for positions in physical commodities which are included in the calculation of a firm's commodity PRR.

GENPRU 2.2.261GRP

If a loan or other amount owing to a firm was originally due to be paid more than 90 days from the date of the making of the loan or the incurring of the payment obligation, as the case may be, it may be treated as liquid for the purposes of GENPRU 2.2.260R (6) where through the passage of time the remaining time to the contractual repayment date falls below 90 days.

GENPRU 2.2.262GRP

If a loan or other amount is due to be paid within 90 days (whether measured by reference to original or remaining maturity), a firm should consider whether it can reasonably expect the amount owing to be paid within that period. If the firm cannot reasonably expect it to be paid within that period the firm should treat it as illiquid.

Deductions from total capital: Excess trading book position (bank or building society only)

GENPRU 2.2.263RRP
GENPRU 2.2.264RRP

  1. (1)

    The excess trading book position is the excess of:

    1. (a)

      a bank or building society's aggregate net long (including notional) trading book positions in shares, subordinated debt or any other interest in the capital of credit institutions or financial institutions;

    over;

    1. (b)

      25% of that firm's capital resources calculated at stage T (Total capital after deductions) of the capital resources table (calculated before deduction of the excess trading book position).

  2. (2)

    Only the excess amount calculated under (1) must be deducted.

GENPRU 2.2.265RRP

The standard market risk PRR rules apply for establishing what is a net position and the amount and value of that position for the purposes of GENPRU 2.2.264 R, ignoring rules which would otherwise exclude such positions from BIPRU 7.2 (Interest rate PRR) or BIPRU 7.3 (Equity PRR and basic interest rate PRR for equity derivatives) on the basis that they are to be deducted from a bank or building society's capital resources, or for any other reason.

Other capital resources: Unpaid share capital or initial funds and calls for supplementary contributions (Insurer only)

GENPRU 2.2.266G
GENPRU 2.2.267G

Unpaid share capital or, in the case of a mutual, unpaid initial funds and calls for supplementary contributions are excluded from the capital resources of a firm except to the extent allowed in a waiver under section 148 of the Act (Modification or waiver of rules).

GENPRU 2.2.268G

Subject to a waiver, under the Insurance Directives a maximum of one half of unpaid share capital or, in the case of a mutual, one half of the unpaid initial fund may be included in an insurer's capital resources, once the paid-up part amounts to 25% of that share capital or fund, up to 50% of total capital resources.

GENPRU 2.2.269G

In the case of a mutual carrying on general insurance business and subject to a waiver, calls for supplementary contributions within the financial year may only be included in a firm's capital resources up to a maximum of 50% of the difference between the maximum contributions and the contributions actually called in, subject to a limit of 50% of total capital resources. In the case of a mutual carrying on long-term insurance business, the Consolidated Life Directive does not permit calls for supplementary contributions to be included in a firm's capital resources.

Other requirements: insurers carrying on with-profits business (Insurer only)

GENPRU 2.2.270R
GENPRU 2.2.271R

An insurer carrying on with-profits insurance business must, in addition to the other requirements in respect of capital resources elsewhere in GENPRU 2.2, meet the following conditions before a capital instrument can be included in that insurer's capital resources:

  1. (1)

    the insurer must manage the with-profits fund so that discretionary benefits under a with-profits insurance contract are calculated and paid disregarding, insofar as is necessary for its customers to be treated fairly, any liability the firm may have to make payments under the capital instrument;

  2. (2)

    the intention to manage the with-profits fund on the basis set out in (1) must be disclosed in the firm's Principles and Practices of Financial Management; and

  3. (3)

    no amounts, whether interest, principal, or other amounts, must be payable by the firm under the capital instrument if the firm's assets would then be insufficient to enable it to declare and pay under a with-profits insurance contract discretionary benefits that are consistent with the firm's obligations under Principle 6 (Customers' interests).

GENPRU 2.2.272G

The purpose of GENPRU 2.2.271 R is to achieve practical subordination of capital instruments if they are to qualify as capital resources to the liabilities an insurer has to with-profits policyholders, including liabilities which arise from the regulatory duty to treat customers fairly in setting discretionary benefits. (Principle 6 (Customers' interests) requires a firm to pay due regard to the interests of its customers and treat them fairly.) It is not sufficient for a capital instrument to be subordinated to such liabilities only on winding up of the firm because such liabilities to policyholders may have been reduced by the inappropriate use of management discretion to enable funds to be applied in repaying subordinated capital instruments before winding up proceedings commence.

GENPRU 2.2.273G

GENPRU 2.2.271 R is an additional requirement to all other rules in this section concerning the eligibility of a capital instrument to count as a component of an insurer's capital resources. Subordinated debt instruments will be the main type of capital instrument to which this rule is relevant, including both upper tier two (undated) and lower tier two (dated) subordinated debt instruments. Subordinated debt instruments which are issued by a related undertaking are not intended to be covered by this rule and may be included in group capital resources as appropriate if the other eligibility criteria are met.

GENPRU 2.2.274G

GENPRU 2.2.64R (10) and GENPRU 2.2.159R (10) contain provisions concerning the marketing of a capital instrument. In relation to a firm to which GENPRU 2.2.271 R applies, in order to comply with GENPRU 2.2.64R (10) and GENPRU 2.2.159R (10), it should draw to the attention of subscribers the risk that payments may be deferred or cancelled in order to operate the with-profits fund so as to give priority to the payment of discretionary benefits to with-profits policyholders.

GENPRU 2.2.275G

  1. (1)

    Upper tier two instruments should meet the requirements of GENPRU 2.2.177R (3) which goes beyond the requirement in GENPRU 2.2.271R (3) since it requires a firm to have the option to defer payments in all circumstances, not just if necessary to treat customers fairly. However, for lower tier two instruments, GENPRU 2.2.271R (3) represents an additional requirement since a failure to pay amounts of interest or principal on a due date must not constitute an event of default under GENPRU 2.2.159R (2) for firms carrying on with-profits insurance business.

  2. (2)

    For firms which are realistic basis life firms compliance with GENPRU 2.2.271R (3) would usually be achieved if the capital instrument provides that no amounts will be payable under it unless the firm's capital resources exceed its capital resources requirement. However, such firms should ensure that the terms of the capital instrument refer to FSA capital resources requirements in force from time to time, including the current realistic reserving requirements and are not restricted to former minimum capital requirements based only on the Insurance Directives' required minimum margin of solvency. For firms which are not realistic basis life firms, compliance with GENPRU 2.2.271R (3) will probably require specific reference to be made to treating customers fairly in the terms of the capital instrument.

Public sector guarantees

GENPRU 2.2.276RRP

A BIPRU firm may not include a guarantee from a state or public authority in its capital resources.