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INSPRU 3.1 Market risk in insurance

INSPRU 3.1.1 R RP

1 INSPRU 3.1 applies to an insurer, unless it is:

  1. (1)

    a non-directive friendly society; or

  2. (2)

    [deleted]9

  3. (3)

    [deleted]9

    77
  4. (4)

    a Solvency II firm.7

Purpose

INSPRU 3.1.7 G RP

INSPRU 3.1 addresses the impact of market risk on insurance business in the ways set out below:

  1. (1)

    Any firm that carries on long-term insurance business is required8 to hold capital to cover market risk. INSPRU 3.1.26R makes particular provision for assets invested outside the UK.8

    2
  2. (2)

    Firms carrying on long-term insurance business that have property-linked liabilities or index-linked liabilities must cover these liabilities by holding appropriate assets. INSPRU 3.1.57R and INSPRU 3.1.58R set out these cover requirements.8

  3. (3)

    INSPRU 3.1.61AR(1) applies to pure reinsurers "prudent person" investment principles in relation to the investment of their assets.8

2

Market risk scenario for assets invested outside the United Kingdom

INSPRU 3.1.26 R RP

Where the assets of a firm invested in a significant territory for the purposes of PRA Rulebook: Non-Solvency II firms: Capital Resources Requirements, 20.10,8 represent less than 0.5% of the firm'slong-term insurance assets (excluding assets held to cover index-linked liabilities or property-linked liabilities), measured by market value, the firm may assume for those assets the market risk scenario for assets of that kind invested in the United Kingdom set out in8PRA Rulebook: Non-Solvency II firms: Capital Resources Requirements, 20.10 instead of the other market risk scenarios set out in that provision8.

Covering linked liabilities

INSPRU 3.1.57 R RP

A firm must cover its property-linked liabilities with:

  1. (1)

    (as closely as possible) the assets to which those liabilities are linked; or

  2. (2)

    a property-linked reinsurance contract; or

  3. (3)

    a combination of (1) and (2).

INSPRU 3.1.58 R RP

A firm must cover its index-linked liabilities with:

  1. (1)

    either:

    1. (a)

      the assets which represent that index; or

    2. (b)

      assets of appropriate security and marketability which correspond, as closely as possible, to the assets which are comprised in, or which form, the index or other reference of value to which those liabilities are linked; or

  2. (2)

    a portfolio of assets whose value or yield is reasonably expected to correspond closely with the index-linked liability; or

  3. (3)

    an index-linked reinsurance contract; or

  4. (4)

    an index-linked approved derivative; or

  5. (5)

    an index-linked approved quasi-derivative; or

  6. (6)

    a combination of any of (1) to (5).

INSPRU 3.1.59 G RP

For the purposes of INSPRU 3.1.57 R and INSPRU 3.1.58 R, a firm is not permitted to hold different assets and to cover the mismatch by holding excess assets.

INSPRU 3.1.60 G RP

If a firm has incurred a policy liability which cannot be exactly matched by appropriate assets (for example the Limited Price Index (LPI)), the firm should seek to match assets that at least cover the liabilities. For example, an LPI limited to 5% per annum may be matched by an RPI bond or a fixed interest investment matching cash flows increasing at 5% per annum compound. Orders made by the Department for Work and Pensions under section 148 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992, and which are limited to 5% per annum, may also be matched by a fixed interest investment matching cash flows increasing at 5% per annum compound8.

4
INSPRU 3.1.61 G RP

In selecting the appropriate cover, the firm should ensure that both credit risk, and the risk that the value or yield in the assets will not, in all circumstances, match fluctuations in the relevant index, are within acceptable limits.8

INSPRU 3.1.61-A G RP

4Where liabilities are linked to orders made under section 148 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 the risks associated with the business8 may be mitigated by holding assets to cover an alternative index which is reasonably expected to at least cover the section 148 order (e.g. RPI plus a margin) over the duration of the link. The firm's exposure to an order under section 148 exceeding this index should be appropriately limited by putting a cap on the liabilities linked to the order so that risks are within acceptable limits.

10 10

Pure reinsurers

INSPRU 3.1.61A R RP

A pure reinsurer must invest its assets in accordance with the following requirements:

  1. (1)

    the assets must take account of the type of business carried out by the firm, in particular the nature, amount and duration of expected claims payments, in such a way as to secure the sufficiency, liquidity, security, quality, profitability and matching of its investments;

  2. (2)

    the firm must ensure that the assets are diversified and adequately spread and allow the firm to respond adequately to changing economic circumstances, in particular developments in the financial markets and real estate markets or major catastrophic events; the firm must assess the impact of irregular market circumstances on its assets and must diversify the assets in such a way as to reduce such impact;

  3. (3)

    investment in assets which are not admitted to trading on a regulated market must be kept to prudent levels;

  4. (4)

    investment in derivatives and quasi-derivatives must contribute to a reduction of investment risks or facilitate efficient portfolio management and such investments must be valued on a prudent basis, taking into account the underlying assets, and included in the valuation of the firm's assets. The firm must avoid excessive risk exposure to a single counterparty and to other derivative or quasi-derivative operations;

  5. (5)

    the assets must be properly diversified in such a way as to avoid:

    1. (a)

      excessive reliance on any one particular asset, issuer or group of undertakings; and

    2. (b)

      accumulations of risk in the portfolio as a whole.

    Investments in assets issued by the same issuer or by issuers belonging to the same group must not expose the firm to excessive risk concentration; and

  6. (6)

    (5) does not apply to investment in government bonds.

INSPRU 3.2 Derivatives in insurance

Application

INSPRU 3.2.1 R RP

This section applies to an insurer, unless it is:

  1. (1)

    a non-directive friendly society; or

  2. (2)

    [deleted]7

  3. (3)

    [deleted]7

  4. (4)

    a pure reinsurer; or5

    5
  5. (5)

    a Solvency II firm.5

INSPRU 3.2.2 G

[deleted]6

4 4
INSPRU 3.2.3 R RP
  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 3.2.3A G

[deleted]6

8

Purpose

INSPRU 3.2.4 G RP

PRA Rulebook: Non-Solvency II firms: Insurance Company – Capital Resources 136 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 3.2.5 R RP

For the purpose of PRA Rulebook: Non-Solvency II firms: Insurance Company – Capital Resources 136 (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 3.2.5A G RP
  1. (1)

    PRA Rulebook: Non-Solvency II firms: Insurance Company – Capital Resources 13.36 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 PRA Rulebook: Non-Solvency II firms: Insurance Company – Capital Resources 13.16. 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.

    3
  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 3.2.6 R RP

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 3.2.7 R RP

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 3.2.8 R RP

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 3.2.9 R RP

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 3.2.10 G RP

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 3.2.11 G

[deleted]6

Investment risk

INSPRU 3.2.12 R RP

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 PRA Rulebook: Non-Solvency II firms: Insurance Company – Technical Provisions, 46; or

    2. (b)

      of appropriate safety, yield and marketability as required by PRA Rulebook: Non-Solvency II firms: Insurance Company – Technical Provisions, 6.2(1)6; or

    3. (c)

      of an appropriate currency match as required by PRA Rulebook:Non-Solvency II firms: Insurance Company – Risk Management, 3.26;

  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 liabilities6 and appropriate cover for those liabilities as required by PRA Rulebook: Non-Solvency II firms: Insurance Company – Risk Management, in particular the definition of ‘investment risk’6.

INSPRU 3.2.13 G RP

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 3.2.14 R RP

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 3.2.15 R RP

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 3.2.16 R RP

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 3.2.17 R RP

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 PRA Rulebook: Non Solvency II firms: Insurance Company – Overall Resources and Valuation, in particular chapters 3-7,6 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 3.2.18 R RP

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 3.2.19 G RP

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 3.2.20 G RP

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 3.2.21 G RP

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 3.2.22 G RP

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 3.2.23 G RP

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 3.2.24 R RP

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 3.2.25 R RP

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 3.2.26 R RP

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 3.2.27 R RP

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 3.2.28 R RP

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 3.2.29 R RP

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

INSPRU 3.2.30 R RP

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 3.2.31 G RP

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 3.2.32 G RP

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 3.2.33 G RP

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 3.2.34 R RP

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 PRA Rulebook: Non-Solvency II firms: Insurance Company – Overall Resources and Valuation, in particular chapter 76.

INSPRU 3.2.34A G RP

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 3.2.35 R RP

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 PRA Rulebook: Non-Solvency II firms: Insurance Company – Overall Resources and Valuation, 3.16; and

  2. (2)

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

INSPRU 3.2.35A G RP

The purpose of INSPRU 3.2.34 R and INSPRU 3.2.35 R is to ensure the appropriate application of PRA Rulebook: Non-Solvency II firms: Insurance Company – Overall Resources and Valuation,6 to derivatives and quasi-derivatives effected or issued off-market with an approved counterparty.

Stock lending

INSPRU 3.2.36 R RP
  1. (1)

    For the purposes of PRA Rulebook: Non-Solvency II firms: Insurance Company – Capital Resources 136 (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

        6

    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 3.2.36A R RP
  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

        6

    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 3.2.37 G RP

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 3.2.38 R RP

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 3.2.38A R RP

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 System6

INSPRU 3.2.39 G RP

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 PRA Rulebook: Non-Solvency II firms: Insurance Company – Overall Resources and Valuation6 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 the PRA Rulebook: Non-Solvency II firms: Insurance Company – Capital Resources 136 any such asset that is not an admissible asset6 does not have a value.

INSPRU 3.2.40 R RP

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 3.2.41 R RP

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 3.2.42 G

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.