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INSPRU 3.2 Derivatives in insurance

Application

INSPRU 3.2.1RRP

This section applies to an insurer, unless it is:

  1. (1)

    a non-directive friendly society; or

  2. (2)

    an incoming EEA firm; or

  3. (3)

    an incoming Treaty firm; or

  4. (4)

    a pure reinsurer.

INSPRU 3.2.2G

The scope of application of INSPRU 3.2 is not restricted to firms that are subject to the relevant EU4 directives.

4
INSPRU 3.2.3RRP
  1. (1)

    This section applies to a firm in relation to the whole of its business, except where a particular provision provides for a narrower scope.

  2. (2)

    Where a firm carries on both long-term insurance business and general insurance business, this section applies separately to each type of business.

INSPRU 3.2.3AG

8References in this section to GENPRU are to GENPRU in the PRA Handbook.

Purpose

INSPRU 3.2.4GRP

GENPRU 2.2.17 R requires a firm to calculate its capital resources for the purpose of GENPRU in accordance with the capital resources table, subject to the limits in GENPRU 2.2.32 R to GENPRU 2.2.41 R. The capital resources table and GENPRU 2.2.251 R require a firm to deduct from total capital resources the value of any asset included in an insurance fund which is not an admissible asset as listed in GENPRU 2 Annex 7. GENPRU 2 Annex 7 provides that a derivative, quasi-derivative or stock lending transaction will only be an admissible asset if it is approved. This section sets out the criteria for determining when a derivative, quasi-derivative or stock lending transaction is approved for this purpose. INSPRU 3.2.5 R to INSPRU 3.2.35 R set out the criteria for derivatives and quasi-derivatives. INSPRU 3.2.36 R to INSPRU 3.2.41 R set out the criteria for stock lending transactions.

Derivatives and quasi-derivatives

INSPRU 3.2.5RRP

For the purpose of GENPRU 2 Annex 7 (Admissible assets in insurance), and also in relation to permitted links,1 a derivative or quasi-derivative is approved if:

  1. (1)

    it is held for the purpose of efficient portfolio management (INSPRU 3.2.6 R to INSPRU 3.2.7 R) or reduction of investment risk (INSPRU 3.2.8 R to INSPRU 3.2.13 G);

  2. (2)

    it is covered (INSPRU 3.2.14 R to INSPRU 3.2.33 G); and

  3. (3)

    it is effected or issued:

    1. (a)

      on or under the rules of a regulated market; or

    2. (b)

      off-market with an approved counterparty and, except for a forward transaction, on approved terms and is capable of valuation (INSPRU 3.2.34 R to INSPRU 3.2.35 R).

INSPRU 3.2.5AGRP
  1. (1)

    3GENPRU 2 Annex 7 R (3) requires firms to consider first whether an asset is a derivative or quasi-derivative transaction notwithstanding that it is also capable of falling within one or more other categories in GENPRU 2 Annex 7 R (1). If it is a derivative or quasi-derivative transaction it is only admissible if it satisfies the conditions for it to be approved under INSPRU 3.2.5 R. Firms should be able to justify whether or not their assets are derivatives or quasi-derivatives.

  2. (2)

    A quasi-derivative is defined as a contract or asset that has the effect of a derivative contract. Quasi-derivatives may be regarded as those contracts or assets which are not derivatives but which effectively contain an embedded derivative component which significantly impacts the contracts or assets cash flow and risk profile so as to mirror the economic effect of a derivative. A derivative is defined in the Glossary as a contract for differences, a future or an option and includes a securitised derivative, which is an option or contract for differences that is listed. A securitised derivative may also be a debenture.

  3. (3)

    A deposit with interest or other return calculated by reference to an index or other factor is excluded from the definition of contract for differences by article 85(2) of the Regulated Activities Order. However, if the return on the deposit is in the nature of that on a derivative (for example, an option or a future) then the deposit is a quasi-derivative.

  4. (4)

    A holding in a fund investing in derivatives may or may not be a quasi-derivative depending on its ongoing investment policy and governance and any investment decisions from time to time which might deviate significantly from the investment policy. It should be treated as a quasi-derivative if its risk profile is such that the value of units in the fund is expected to mirror the value of a derivative.

  5. (5)

    The assets in the following list, which is illustrative and not exhaustive, all have features which could lead to their being assumed to be quasi-derivatives:

    1. (a)

      a bond whose redemption proceeds are directly linked to the performance of the FTSE 100 index but with a guaranteed minimum;

    2. (b)

      an investment fund that is managed to give high leverage that mirrors a call option;

    3. (c)

      an investment whose value it is reasonably foreseeable could become negative; and

    4. (d)

      a credit-linked note, that is, a security with an embedded credit default swap.

Efficient portfolio management

INSPRU 3.2.6RRP

A derivative or quasi-derivative is held for the purpose of efficient portfolio management if the firm reasonably believes the derivative or quasi-derivative (either alone or together with any other covered transactions) enables the firm to achieve its investment objectives by one of the following (or, in relation to permitted links, in a manner which includes but is not limited to)1:

  1. (1)

    generating additional capital or income in one of the ways described in INSPRU 3.2.7 R; or

  2. (2)

    reducing tax or investment cost in relation to admissible assets or permitted links1; or

  3. (3)

    acquiring or disposing of rights in relation to admissible assets or permitted links1, or their equivalent, more efficiently or effectively.

Generation of additional capital or income

INSPRU 3.2.7RRP

The generation of additional capital or income falls within INSPRU 3.2.6R (1) where it arises from:

  1. (1)

    taking advantage of pricing imperfections in relation to the acquisition and disposal (or disposal and acquisition) of rights in relation to assets the same as, or equivalent to, admissible assets or permitted links1; or

  2. (2)

    receiving a premium for selling a covered call option or its equivalent, the underlying of which is an admissible asset or permitted link1, even if that additional capital or income is obtained at the expense of surrendering the chance of greater capital or income.

Reduction of investment risk

INSPRU 3.2.8RRP

A derivative or quasi-derivative is held for the purpose of reducing investment risk if the derivative or quasi-derivative (either alone or together with other fully covered transactions) reduces any aspect of investment risk without significantly increasing any other aspect of that risk.

Significant increase in risk

INSPRU 3.2.9RRP

For the purposes of INSPRU 3.2.8 R, an increase in risk from a derivative or quasi-derivative is significant unless:

  1. (1)

    relative to any reduction in investment risk it is both small and reasonable; or

  2. (2)

    the risk is remote.

INSPRU 3.2.10GRP

INSPRU 3.2.8 R does not require that a derivative or quasi-derivative has no possible adverse consequences. Often a derivative or quasi-derivative is effected to protect against a severe adverse consequence that only arises in one circumstance. In all other circumstances it may itself lead to adverse consequences, even if only because it expires worthless resulting in the loss of the purchase price. Conversely a derivative or quasi-derivative may reduce risk in a wide range of circumstances but lead to adverse consequences when a particular circumstance arises, e.g. the default of the counterparty. Only rarely does a derivative or quasi-derivative give rise to no adverse consequences in any circumstances. The test is merely that the increase in risk should not be significant, that is it should be both small and reasonable, or the risk should be remote.

INSPRU 3.2.11G

Firms are reminded that INSPRU 2.1 (Credit risk in insurance) sets out the different types of loss mitigation techniques.

Investment risk

INSPRU 3.2.12RRP

For the purposes of INSPRU 3.2.8 R, investment risk is the risk that the assets held by a firm:

  1. (1)

    (where they are admissible assets held by the firm to cover its technical provisions) might not be:

    1. (a)

      of a value at least equal to the amount of those technical provisions as required by INSPRU 1.1.20 R; or

    2. (b)

      of appropriate safety, yield and marketability as required by INSPRU 1.1.34R (1)(a); or

    3. (c)

      of an appropriate currency match as required by INSPRU 3.1.53 R;

  2. (2)

    (where they are held to cover index-linked liabilities) might not be appropriate cover for those liabilities as required by INSPRU 3.1.58 R; and

  3. (3)

    (where they are held to cover property-linked liabilities) might not be appropriately selected in accordance with contractual and constructive liabilities as required by INSPRU 1.5.36 R and appropriate cover for those liabilities as required by INSPRU 3.1.57 R.

INSPRU 3.2.13GRP

In assessing whether investment risk is reduced, the impact of a transaction on both the assets and liabilities should be considered. In particular, where the amount of liabilities depends upon the fluctuations in an index or other factor, investment risk is reduced where assets whose value fluctuates in the same way match those liabilities. In appropriate circumstances this may include:

  1. (1)

    a derivative or quasi-derivative that is linked to the same index as the liabilities from the index-linked contracts; and

  2. (2)

    a derivative or quasi-derivative whose value depends upon the factors which give rise to general insurance claims, e.g. a weather quasi-derivative.

Cover

INSPRU 3.2.14RRP

A firm must cover an obligation to transfer assets or pay monetary amounts that arises from:

  1. (1)

    a derivative or quasi-derivative; or

  2. (2)

    a contract (other than a contract of insurance) for the purchase, sale or exchange of assets.

INSPRU 3.2.15RRP

An obligation to transfer assets or pay monetary amounts (see INSPRU 3.2.14 R) must be covered:

  1. (1)

    by assets, a liability or a provision (see INSPRU 3.2.16 R to INSPRU 3.2.24 R); or

  2. (2)

    by an offsetting transaction (see INSPRU 3.2.25 R to INSPRU 3.2.27 R).

INSPRU 3.2.16RRP

An obligation to transfer assets (other than money) or to pay monetary amounts based on the value of, or income from, assets is covered if the firm holds:

  1. (1)

    those assets; or

  2. (2)

    in the case of an index or basket of assets, a reasonable approximation to those assets.

INSPRU 3.2.17RRP

An obligation to pay a monetary amount (whether or not falling in INSPRU 3.2.16 R) is covered if:

  1. (1)

    the firm holds admissible assets or permitted links1 that are sufficient in value so that the firm reasonably believes that following reasonably foreseeable adverse variations (relying solely on cashflows from, or from realising, those assets) it could pay the monetary amount in the right currency when it falls due; or

  2. (2)

    the obligation to pay the monetary amount is offset by a liability. An obligation is offset by a liability where an increase in the amount of that obligation would be offset by a decrease in the amount of that liability; or

  3. (3)

    a provision at least equal to the value of the assets in (1) is implicitly or explicitly set up. A provision is implicitly set up to the extent that the obligation to pay the monetary amount is recognised under GENPRU 1.3 (Valuation) either by offset against an asset or as a separate liability. A provision is explicitly set up if it is in addition to an implicit provision.

INSPRU 3.2.18RRP

A firm must implicitly or explicitly set up a provision equal to the value of the assets or offsetting transactions held to cover a non-approved derivative or quasi-derivative transaction.

INSPRU 3.2.19GRP

A firm is required to cover a derivative under INSPRU 3.2.14R whether it satisfies the other conditions for approval under INSPRU 3.2.5R or not. Under INSPRU 3.2.17R a firm may cover an obligation to pay a monetary amount by setting up a provision. If the derivative is not covered at any time by other means then a provision needs to be set up to complete the cover taking into account obligations to pay monetary amounts that would arise if, for example, an obligation to transfer assets could not be met in full. By doing so, a derivative becomes covered. If it satisfies the other conditions under INSPRU 3.2.5R it is an approved derivative and may be taken into account for solvency purposes to the extent permitted by the large exposure limits and market risk and counterparty limits.2

2
INSPRU 3.2.20GRP

Exposure to a transaction includes exposure that arises from a right at the firm's (or its subsidiary undertaking's) option to dispose of assets.

INSPRU 3.2.21GRP

Cover serves three purposes. First, it protects against exposure to loss from the transaction which is being covered. The value of the cover increases (or if the cover is a liability the amount of that liability decreases) to match any increase in obligations under the transaction.

INSPRU 3.2.22GRP

The second purpose of cover is that it prevents excessive gearing in the investment portfolio by the use of options and their equivalent. A firm is required to cover all obligations under an admissible transaction including obligations that would arise only at the option of the firm, e.g. the liability to pay the exercise price under a bought option.

INSPRU 3.2.23GRP

The third purpose of cover is that it protects against the risk that the firm may not be able to deliver assets (including money in any currency) of the right type when the obligation falls due under the transaction. An obligation to deliver assets is covered only if the firm holds those assets or has entered into an offsetting transaction that would deliver those assets when needed. An obligation to pay money is offset only if the firm holds cash in the right currency, its equivalent or assets that could reliably be converted into cash in the right currency.

INSPRU 3.2.24RRP

Cover used for one transaction must not be used for cover in respect of another transaction or any other agreement to acquire, or dispose of, assets or to pay or repay money.

Offsetting transactions

INSPRU 3.2.25RRP

An offsetting transaction means:

  1. (1)

    an approved derivative, approved stock lending transaction or an approved quasi-derivative; or

  2. (2)

    a covered transaction with an approved counterparty for the purchase of assets.

INSPRU 3.2.26RRP

A transaction offsets an obligation to transfer assets away from the firm only if it provides for the transfer to the firm of those assets, or their value, at the time, or before, the obligation falls due.

INSPRU 3.2.27RRP

A transaction offsets an obligation to pay a monetary amount only if it provides for that monetary amount to be paid to the firm at or before the earliest date on which the obligation might fall due.

Lending and borrowing assets

INSPRU 3.2.28RRP

Assets that have been lent by the firm are not available for cover, unless:

  1. (1)

    they are non-monetary assets that have been lent under a transaction that fulfils the conditions in INSPRU 3.2.36 R; and

  2. (2)

    the firm reasonably believes the assets to be obtainable (by return or re-acquisition) in time to meet the obligation for which cover is required.

INSPRU 3.2.29RRP

Assets that have been borrowed by the firm are not available for cover except as allowed by INSPRU 3.2.30 R.

INSPRU 3.2.30RRP

Borrowed money may be used as cover only where:

  1. (1)

    the money has been advanced or an approved credit institution has committed itself to advance the money; and

  2. (2)

    the borrowing is or would be covered.

INSPRU 3.2.31GRP

INSPRU 3.2.30 R in effect allows borrowings to be used to bridge the gap between an obligation under a transaction that might fall due at one date and cash or its equivalent that would only become due at a later date. Borrowings may not be used to gear the investment portfolio.

Examples of cover requirements

INSPRU 3.2.32GRP

Examples of cover by assets for the purposes of INSPRU 3.2.16 R:

  1. (1)

    a bought put option (or a sold call option) on 1000 1 shares (fully paid) of ABC plc is covered by an existing holding in the fund of 1000 1 shares (fully paid) of ABC plc;

  2. (2)

    a bought call option (or sold put option) on 1000 ordinary 1 shares (fully paid) of ABC plc is covered by cash (or its equivalent) which is sufficient in amount to meet the purchase price of the shares on exercise of the option;

  3. (3)

    a bought or sold contract for differences on short-dated sterling is covered by cash (or its equivalent), the value of which together at least match the notional principal of the contract. For example, a LIFFE short sterling contract, or a successive series of such contracts, is covered by 500,000; and

  4. (4)

    a sold future on the FT-SE 100 index is covered by holdings of equities, which satisfy the reasonable approximation test for cover in INSPRU 3.2.16R (2) in relation to that future, and the values of which together at least match the current mark to market valuation of the future. For example, if the multiplier per full point is 10, and if the eventual obligation under the future is currently 2800, the valuation of the futures position is 2800 x 10 = 28,000.

INSPRU 3.2.33GRP

Examples of cover by offsetting transactions for the purpose of INSPRU 3.2.25 R would include a bought future which is guaranteed to deliver to the firm at the relevant time sufficient assets to cover liabilities under a sold call option.

Off-market transactions

INSPRU 3.2.34RRP

For the purpose of INSPRU 3.2.5R (3)(b), a derivative or quasi-derivative is on approved terms only if the firm reasonably believes that it could, in all reasonably foreseeable circumstances and under normal market conditions, readily enter into a further transaction with the counterparty or a third party to close out the derivative or quasi-derivative at a price not less than the value attributed to it by the firm, taking into account any valuation adjustments or reserves established by the firm under GENPRU 1.3.29 R to GENPRU 1.3.34 R.

INSPRU 3.2.34AGRP

In considering whether the first transaction could be readily closed out in all reasonably foreseeable circumstances under normal market conditions, the firm should satisfy itself that it cannot reasonably foresee any circumstances in which it would need to close out all or part of the contract at a few days' notice, and would not be able to do so.

INSPRU 3.2.35RRP

For the purpose of INSPRU 3.2.5R (3)(b), a derivative or quasi-derivative is capable of valuation only if the firm:

  1. (1)

    is able to value it with reasonable accuracy on a reliable basis in compliance with GENPRU 1.3.4 R; and

  2. (2)

    reasonably believes that it will be able to do so throughout the life of the transaction.

INSPRU 3.2.35AGRP

The purpose of INSPRU 3.2.34 R and INSPRU 3.2.35 R is to ensure the appropriate application of GENPRU 1.3 to derivatives and quasi-derivatives effected or issued off-market with an approved counterparty.

Stock lending

INSPRU 3.2.36RRP
  1. (1)

    For the purposes of GENPRU 2 Annex 7 (Admissible assets in insurance), a stock lending transaction (including a repo transaction) 3is approved if:

    1. (a)

      the assets lent are admissible assets;

    2. (b)

      , the counterparty is an authorised person, an approved counterparty, a person registered as a broker-dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America or a bank, or a branch of a bank, supervised, and authorised to deal in investments as principal, with respect to OTC derivatives by at least one of the following federal banking supervisory authorities of the United States of America:

      1. (i)

        the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency;

      2. (ii)

        the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;

      3. (iii)

        the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; and

      4. (iv)

        the Office of Thrift Supervision; and

    3. (c)

      adequate and sufficiently immediate collateral (INSPRU 3.2.38 R to INSPRU 3.2.41 R) is obtained to secure the obligation of the counterparty.

  2. (2)

    INSPRU 3.2.36R (1)(c) does not apply to a stock lending transaction made through Euroclear Bank SA/NV's Securities Lending and Borrowing Programme.

INSPRU 3.2.36ARRP
  1. (1)

    1For the purposes of the rules on permitted links, a stock lending transaction (including a repo transaction) is approved if:

    1. (a)

      the assets lent are permitted links;

    2. (b)

      the counterparty is an authorised person, an approved counterparty, a person registered as a broker-dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America or a bank, or a branch of a bank, supervised, and authorised to deal in investments as principal, with respect to OTC derivatives by at least one of the following federal banking supervisory authorities in the United States of America:

      1. (i)

        the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency;

      2. (ii)

        the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;

      3. (iii)

        the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; and

      4. (iv)

        the Office of Thrift Supervision; and

    3. (c)

      adequately and sufficiently immediate collateral (INSPRU 3.2.38 R to INSPRU 3.2.41 R) is obtained to secure the obligation of the counterparty; and

    4. (d)

      provided that, for the purposes of property-linked assets only:

      1. (i)

        where the linked policyholder bears the whole of the risk associated with the stock lending transaction, they must receive the whole of the recompense (net of fees and expenses);

      2. (ii)

        the extent of any risk that the linked policyholder bears in relation to the stock lending transaction must be disclosed to them; and

      3. (iii)

        where the risk associated with the stock lending transaction is borne outside the linked fund, the linked fund should receive a fair and reasonable recompense for the use of the linked policyholders' funds.

  2. (2)

    INSPRU 3.2.36R (1)(c) does not apply to a stock lending transaction made through Euroclear Bank SA/NVs Securities Lending and Borrowing Programme.

INSPRU 3.2.37GRP

INSPRU 3.2.36 R refers only to stock lending transactions where the firm is the lender. There are no special rules for a transaction under which the firm borrows securities.

Collateral

INSPRU 3.2.38RRP

For the purposes of INSPRU 3.2.36R (1)(c), collateral is adequate only if it:

  1. (1)

    is transferred to the firm or its agent or, in the case of a letter of credit, meets the conditions described in INSPRU 3.2.38A R;

  2. (2)

    is, at the time of the transfer or, in the case of a letter of credit, at the time of issue, at least equal in value to the value of the securities transferred, or consideration provided, by the firm; and

  3. (3)

    is of adequate quality.

INSPRU 3.2.38ARRP

The conditions referred to in INSPRU 3.2.38R (1) are that the letter of credit is:

  1. (1)

    direct, explicit, unconditional and irrevocable; and

  2. (2)

    issued by an undertaking which is:

    1. (a)

      not a related undertaking of the counterparty; and

    2. (b)

      either an approved credit institution or a bank, or a branch of a bank, whether chartered by the federal government of the United States of America or a US state, that is supervised and examined by at least one of the following US federal banking supervisory authorities:

      1. (i)

        the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency;

      2. (ii)

        the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;

      3. (iii)

        the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; and

      4. (iv)

        the Office of Thrift Supervision.

INSPRU 3.2.39GRP

For the purposes of assessing adequate quality in INSPRU 3.2.38R (3), reference should be made to the criteria for credit risk loss mitigation set out in INSPRU 2.1.16 R. The valuation rules in GENPRU 1.3 apply for the purpose of determining the value of both collateral received, and the securities transferred, by the firm. In addition, where collateral takes the form of assets transferred, under the rules in GENPRU any such asset that is not an admissible asset (see GENPRU 2 Annex 7) does not have a value.

INSPRU 3.2.40RRP

For the purposes of INSPRU 3.2.36R (1)(c), collateral is sufficiently immediate only if:

  1. (1)

    it is transferred or, in the case of a letter of credit, issued before, or at the same time as, the transfer of the securities by the firm; or

  2. (2)

    it will be transferred or, in the case of a letter of credit, issued, at latest, by the close of business on the day of the transfer.

INSPRU 3.2.41RRP

Collateral continues to be adequate only if its value is at all times at least equal to the value of the securities transferred by the firm. This will be satisfied in respect of collateral where the validity of the collateral or the firm's interest in the collateral is about to expire or has expired if sufficient collateral will again be transferred or issued at the latest by the close of business on the day of expiry.

INSPRU 3.2.42G

References in INSPRU 3.2.40R (2) and INSPRU 3.2.41 R to the close of business on the day of the transfer or the day of expiry are to close of business on that day in all time regions.