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  1. Point in time
    2006-06-06

PRU 8.3 1Group Risk: Insurance Groups

Application

PRU 8.3.1R

PRU 8.3 applies to an insurer that is either2:

  1. (1)

    a participating insurance undertaking; or

  2. (2)

    a member of an insurance group which is not a participating insurance undertaking and which is not:2

    2
    1. (a)

      a pure reinsurer; or2

    2. (b)

      a non-EEA insurer; or2

    3. (c)

      a friendly society.2

PRU 8.3.2R
PRU 8.3.3G

PRU 8.3 applies to a firm:

  1. (1)

    on a solo basis, as an adjusted solo calculation, where that firm is a participating insurance undertaking; and

  2. (2)

    on a group basis where that firm is a member of an insurance group.

PRU 8.3.4G

For the purposes of PRU 8.3, an insurer includes a pure reinsurer, a friendly society (other than a non-directive friendly society) and a non-EEA insurer.

Purpose

PRU 8.3.5G

The purpose of this section is to implement the Insurance Groups Directive on supplementary supervision of firms in an insurance group, as amended by the Financial Groups Directive. The Financial Groups Directive (by amending the Insurance Directives and the Insurance Groups Directive) introduces specific requirements for the treatment of related undertakings of an insurance parent undertaking or a participating insurance undertaking that are credit institutions, investment firms or financial institutions.

PRU 8.3.6G

PRU 8.3 sets out the sectoral rules for insurers for:

  1. (1)

    firms that are participating insurance undertakings carrying out an adjusted solo calculation as contemplated by PRU 2.1.9 R (2);

  2. (2)

    insurance groups; and

  3. (3)

    insurance conglomerates.

PRU 8.3.7G

For a firm that is a participating insurance undertaking, the rules in PRU 8.3 set out the minimum capital adequacy requirements for the firm itself. A firm that satisfies the test in PRU 8.3.9 R in relation to its group capital resources is deemed by PRU 2.1.9 R (2) to be in compliance with the capital adequacy requirement set out in PRU 2.1.9 R (1).

Requirement to calculate GCR and GCRR

PRU 8.3.8R

A firm must on a regular basis calculate the group capital resources (GCR) and group capital resources requirement (GCRR) of each undertaking referred to in PRU 8.3.17 R.

Requirement to maintain group capital

PRU 8.3.9R

Where a firm is the undertaking referred to in PRU 8.3.17 R (1)(c) or PRU 8.3.17 R (2), it must maintain at all times tier one capital resources and tier two capital resources of such an amount that its group capital resources are equal to or exceed its group capital resources requirement.

PRU 8.3.10R

A firm that is both:

  1. (1)

    a composite firm; and

  2. (2)

    an undertaking referred to in PRU 8.3.17 R (1)(c) or PRU 8.3.17 R (2);

must comply with PRU 8.3.9 R separately in respect of its long-term insurance business and its general insurance business.

PRU 8.3.11R

For the purposes of PRU 8.3.10 R, a firm must include in the calculation of the group capital resources and group capital resources requirement of its long-term insurance business the regulated related undertakings and ancillary services undertakings that are long-term insurance assets.

PRU 8.3.12G

PRU 7.6 sets out the detailed requirements for the separation of long-term and general insurance business.

PRU 8.3.13G

In order to comply with PRU 8.3.10 R, a composite firm will need to:

  1. (1)

    establish the group capital resources requirement of its general insurance business and its long-term insurance business separately; and

  2. (2)

    allocate its group capital resources between its general insurance business and its long-term insurance business so that:

    1. (a)

      the group capital resources allocated to its general insurance business are equal to or in excess of the group capital resources requirement of its general insurance business; and

    2. (b)

      the group capital resources allocated to its long-term insurance business are equal to or in excess of the group capital resources requirement of its long-term insurance business.

PRU 8.3.14G

Surplus group capital resources in the long-term insurance business cannot be used towards meeting the requirements of the general insurance business (see PRU 8.3.41 R) but surplus group capital resources in the general insurance business may be used towards meeting the amount of the group capital resources requirement that relates to the long-term insurance business.

PRU 8.3.16G

Principle 4 requires a firm to maintain adequate financial resources, taking into account any activity of other members of the group of which the firm is a member. PRU 8.3 sets out provisions that deal specifically with the way the activities of other members of the group should be taken into account. This results in the firm being required to hold sufficient capital resources so that the group capital resources are at least equal to the group capital resources requirement. However, the adequacy of the group capital resources needs to be assessed both by the firm and the FSA. Firms are required to carry out an assessment of the adequacy of their financial resources (PRU 1.2.26 R) and the FSA will review this and may provide individual guidance on the amount and quality of capital resources the FSA considers adequate. As part of such reviews, the FSA may also form a view on the appropriateness of the group capital resources requirement and group capital resources. Where necessary, the FSA may also give individual guidance on the capital resources a firm should hold in order to comply with Principle 4 expressed by reference to PRU 8.3.9 R and PRU 8.3.15 R.

Scope - undertakings whose group capital is to be calculated and maintained

PRU 8.3.17R

The undertakings referred to in PRU 8.3.8 R, PRU 8.3.9 R, PRU 8.3.10 R and PRU 8.3.15 Rare:

  1. (1)

    for any firm that is not within (2), each of the following:

    1. (a)

      its ultimate insurance parent undertaking;

    2. (b)

      its ultimate EEA insurance parent undertaking (if different); and

    3. (c)

      the firm itself, if it is a participating insurance undertaking; and

  2. (2)

    the firm itself, where the firm is a participating insurance undertaking and is:

    1. (a)

      a pure reinsurer; or

    2. (b)

      a non-EEA insurer; or

    3. (c)

      a friendly society.

PRU 8.3.18G

Article 3(3) of the Insurance Groups Directive allows an undertaking to be excluded from supplementary supervision if:

  1. (1)

    its head office is in a non-EEA State where there are legal impediments to the transfer of the necessary information; or

  2. (2)

    in the opinion of the competent authority responsible for exercising supplementary supervision, having regard to the objectives of supplementary supervision:

    1. (a)

      its inclusion would be inappropriate or misleading; or

    2. (b)

      it is of neglible interest.

PRU 8.3.19G

If an application is made for a waiver, it is the policy of the FSA to consider the effect, in the circumstances described in PRU 8.3.18 G, of granting a waiver allowing the exclusion of a related undertaking from the calculation of group capital resources and the group capital resources requirement required by PRU 8.3.8 R.

PRU 8.3.20G

Examples of related undertakings which may be excluded from supplementary supervision by Article 3(3) of the Insurance Groups Directive include insurance holding companies in the insurance group that are not the ultimate insurance parent undertaking or, if different, the ultimate EEA insurance parent undertaking of a firm.

PRU 8.3.21G

If more than one member of the insurance group is to be excluded in the circumstances described in PRU 8.3.18 G (2)(b), they may only be excluded if, considered together, they are of negligible interest in the context of the insurance group.

PRU 8.3.22G

When giving a waiver in the circumstances described in PRU 8.3.18 G, the FSA may impose a condition requiring the firm to provide information about any member of the insurance group excluded pursuant to a waiver granted in the circumstances described in PRU 8.3.18 G.

Optional alternative method of calculation for firms subject to supplementary supervision by another EEA competent authority

PRU 8.3.23R

If the competent authority in an EEA State other than the United Kingdom has agreed to be the competent authority responsible for exercising supplementary supervision of an insurance group of which a firm is a member under Article 4(2) of the Insurance Groups Directive, the firm may prepare the calculations required under PRU 8.3.8 R in relation to the ultimate EEA insurance parent undertaking in accordance with the requirements of supplementary supervision in that EEA State.

PRU 8.3.24G

The FSA will notify the firm if it has reached agreement with the competent authority in an EEA State other than the United Kingdom in accordance with Article 4(2) of the Insurance Groups Directive.

Non-EEA ultimate insurance parent undertakings

PRU 8.3.25R

Where the ultimate insurance parent undertaking of a firm has its head office in a non-EEA State, the firm may:

  1. (1)

    calculate the group capital resources and the group capital resources requirement of its ultimate insurance parent undertaking in accordance with accounting practice applicable for the purposes of the regulation of insurance undertakings in the state or territory of the head office of the ultimate insurance parent undertaking adapted as necessary to apply the general principles set out in Annex I (1) paragraphs B, C and D of the Insurance Groups Directive; and

  2. (2)

    elect (see PRU 8.3.26 R) to carry out the calculation referred to in (1) in accordance with the accounting consolidation method set out in Annex I (3) of the Insurance Groups Directive.

PRU 8.3.26R

A firm may elect to use the calculation method referred to in PRU 8.3.25 R (2) if it has made the election by written notice to the FSA in a way that complies with the requirements for written notice in SUP 15.7.

PRU 8.3.27R

PRU 8.3.15 R does not apply in respect of the group capital resources of a firm's ultimate insurance parent undertaking if that ultimate insurance parent undertaking has its head office in a non-EEA State.

Proportional holdings

PRU 8.3.28R

Subject to PRU 8.3.30 R and PRU 8.3.31 R, when calculating group capital resources and the group capital resources requirement of an undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R, a firm must take only the relevant proportion of the following items ("calculation items") into account:

  1. (1)

    the solo capital resources of a regulated related undertaking;

  2. (2)

    the assets of a regulated related undertaking which are required to be deducted as part of the calculation of group capital resources; and

  3. (3)

    the individual capital resources requirement of a regulated related undertaking.

PRU 8.3.29R

In PRU 8.3.28 R, the relevant proportion is either:

  1. (1)

    the proportion of the total number of issued shares in the regulated related undertaking held, directly or indirectly, by the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R; or

  2. (2)

    where a consolidation Article 12(1) relationship exists between related undertakings within the insurance group, such proportion as the FSA determines in accordance with Article 28(5) of the Financial Groups Directive and Regulation 15 of the Financial Groups Directive Regulations.

PRU 8.3.30R

Where the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R is a firm, if the individual capital resources requirement of a regulated related undertaking that is a subsidiary undertaking and not an insurer exceeds the solo capital resources of that undertaking less the amount calculated in PRU 8.3.74 R (3) (if any), the full amount of the calculation items of that regulated related undertaking less the amount in PRU 8.3.74 R (3) must be taken into account in the calculation of group capital resources and the group capital resources requirement.

PRU 8.3.31R

Except where PRU 8.3.30 R applies, if the individual capital resources requirement of a regulated related undertaking that is a subsidiary undertaking of the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R exceeds its solo capital resources, the full amount of the calculation items of that regulated related undertaking must be taken into account in the calculation of group capital resources and the group capital resources requirement.

PRU 8.3.32R

For the purposes of PRU 8.3.10 R, where a composite firm that is an undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R (1)(c) or (2):

  1. (1)

    holds directly or indirectly shares in a regulated related undertaking; and

  2. (2)

    the shares in (1) are held partly by its long-term insurance business and partly by its general insurance business;

  3. (3)

    the relevant proportion of the calculation items calculated in accordance with PRU 8.3.29 R, subject to PRU 8.3.30 R and PRU 8.3.31 R, must be allocated between the long-term and general insurance business in proportion to their respective holdings, directly or indirectly, in the shares in that regulated related undertaking.

Calculation of the GCRR

PRU 8.3.34R

For the purposes of PRU 8.3, an individual capital resources requirement is:

  1. (1)

    in respect of an insurer that is not within (2):

    1. (a)

      its capital resources requirement calculated in accordance with PRU 2.1; less

    2. (b)

      where the capital resources requirements of both the insurer and its insurance parent undertaking that is an insurer include with-profits insurance capital components, any element of double-counting that may arise from the aggregation of the individual capital resources requirements for the purposes of PRU 8.3.33 R;

  2. (2)

    in respect of an insurer that is either a pure reinsurer or whose main business otherwise consists of reinsurance, and whose head office is in the United Kingdom, the capital resources requirement that would apply to the firm in accordance with PRU 2.1 if its insurance business was not restricted to reinsurance;

  3. (3)

    in respect of an insurance undertaking that is not within (1) or (2) and whose main business is reinsurance and whose head office is in a designated State or territory, either:

    1. (a)

      the proxy capital resources requirement that would apply to it if, in connection with its reinsurance activities, the permissions on the basis of which that proxy capital resources requirement is calculated were permissions to carry on insurance business that is not restricted to reinsurance; or

    2. (b)

      the solo capital resources requirement that would apply to it if, in connection with its reinsurance activities, the insurance undertaking were a regulated insurance entity whose insurance business is not restricted to reinsurance for the purposes of calculating the solo capital resources requirement in accordance with the relevant sectoral rules of the designated State or territory;

  4. (4)

    in respect of an insurance undertaking that is not within (1) to (3) and whose main business is reinsurance, the proxy capital resources requirement that would apply to it if, in connection with its reinsurance activities, the permissions on the basis of which that proxy capital resources requirement is calculated were permissions to carry on insurance business that is not restricted to reinsurance;

  5. (5)

    in respect of an EEA insurer, the equivalent of the capital resources requirement as calculated in accordance with the applicable requirements in its Home State;

  6. (6)

    in respect of an insurance undertaking that is not within (1) to (5) and whose head office is in a designated State or territory, either:

    1. (a)

      the solo capital resources requirement applicable to it in that designated State or territory; or

    2. (b)

      its proxy capital resources requirement;

  7. (7)

    in respect of an insurance undertaking that is not within (1) to (6), its proxy capital resources requirement;

  8. (8)

    in respect of a regulated entity with its head office in the EEA (excluding an insurance undertaking), its solo capital resources requirement calculated in accordance with the sectoral rules for the financial sector applicable to it in the EEA State in which it has its head office;

  9. (9)

    in respect of a regulated entity not within (8) (excluding an insurance undertaking), its solo capital resources requirement;

  10. (10)

    in respect of an asset management company, the solo capital resources requirement that would apply to it if, in connection with its activities, it were treated as an investment firm for the purposes of calculating the solo capital resources requirement;

  11. (11)

    in respect of a financial institution that is not a regulated entity (including a financial holding company), the solo capital resources requirement that would apply to it if, in connection with its activities, it were treated as being within the banking sector; and

  12. (12)

    in respect of an insurance holding company, zero.

PRU 8.3.34AG

2For the purposes of PRU 8.3.34 R (3)(b) and (6)(a), where the solo capital resources requirement in a designated State or territory is ascertained by reference to the trigger for regulatory intervention, the FSA considers that the solo capital resources requirement of the insurance undertaking in such a designated State or territory will generally correspond to the highest point at which any regulatory or corrective action is triggered or which is in effect most nearly equivalent to the capital resources requirement which would apply if the insurance undertaking were an insurer.

PRU 8.3.35G

The Insurance Groups Directive defines reinsurers in terms of the 'main business' they carry on. Under the directive, the individual capital resources requirements for reinsurers (including those whose head office is in the United Kingdom) are to be calculated on the basis of requirements analogous to those applicable to direct insurers (that is, insurers carrying on insurance business that is not restricted to reinsurance). Although insurers that are pure reinsurers are already subject to PRU, there are a number of respects in which the capital regime that applies to them differs from that applicable to insurers who are direct insurers. The effect of PRU 8.3.34 R (2) to (4) is to calculate the individual capital resources requirement for all reinsurers as if they were carrying on direct insurance. This applies to:

  1. (1)

    pure reinsurers whose head office is in the United Kingdom;

  2. (2)

    insurers whose head office is in the United Kingdom and whose main business is reinsurance (because an insurer that is not a pure reinsurer with their business restricted to reinsurance may nevertheless in principle still have reinsurance as its main business);

  3. (3)

    reinsurers whose head office is in another EEA State;

  4. (4)

    reinsurers whose head office is in a designated State or territory (other than an EEA State); and

  5. (5)

    reinsurers whose head office is outside the EEA.

Calculation of GCR

PRU 8.3.36R

For the purposes of PRU 8.3.8 R and subject to PRU 8.3.23 R and PRU 8.3.25 R, a firm must calculate the group capital resources of an undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R in accordance with the table in PRU 8.3.43 R, subject to the limits in PRU 8.3.45 R.

PRU 8.3.37R

For the purposes of PRU 8.3, the following expressions when used in relation to either an undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R or a regulated related undertaking which is not subject to PRU 2.2.14 R, are to be construed as if that undertaking were required to calculate its capital resources in accordance with PRU 2.2.14 R, but with such adjustments being made to secure that the undertaking's calculation of its solo capital resources complies with the relevant sectoral rules applicable to it:

  1. (1)

    tier one capital resources;

  2. (2)

    tier two capital resources;

  3. (3)

    upper tier two capital resources;

  4. (4)

    lower tier two capital resources;

  5. (5)

    innovative tier one capital resources; and

  6. (6)

    core tier one capital.

PRU 8.3.38R

For the purposes of PRU 8.3.37 R, the sectoral rules applicable to:

  1. (1)

    an insurance holding company are the sectoral rules that would apply to it if, in connection with its activities, it were treated as an insurer;

  2. (2)

    an asset management company are the sectoral rules that would apply to it if, in connection with its activities, it were treated as an investment firm; and

  3. (3)

    subject to PRU 8.3.39 R, a financial institution, that is not a regulated entity, are the sectoral rules that would apply to it if, in connection with its activities, it were treated as being within the banking sector.

PRU 8.3.39R

Where a financial institution, that is not a regulated entity, has invested in tier one capital or tier two capital issued by a parent undertaking that is:

  1. (1)

    an insurance holding company; or

  2. (2)

    an insurer;

the sectoral rules that apply to that financial institution are the sectoral rules for the insurance sector.

PRU 8.3.40R

For the purposes of PRU 8.3.36 R, the capital resources of a financial institution within PRU 8.3.39 R that can be included in the calculations in PRU 8.3.48 R (2), PRU 8.3.50 R (2), PRU 8.3.53 R (2), PRU 8.3.55 R (2) and PRU 8.3.57 R (2) are:

  1. (1)

    the issued tier one capital or tier two capital of that financial institution held, directly or indirectly, by its parent undertaking referred to in PRU 8.3.39 R; and

  2. (2)

    the lower of:

    1. (a)

      the tier one capital or tier two capital issued by the parent undertaking referred to in PRU 8.3.39 R pursuant to the investment by the financial institution; and

    2. (b)

      the tier one capital or tier two capital issued by the financial institution to raise funds for its investment in the capital resources of the parent undertaking referred to in (a).

PRU 8.3.41R
  1. (1)

    In calculating group capital resources, a firm must exclude the restricted assets of a regulated related undertaking except insofar as those assets are available to meet the individual capital resources requirement of that regulated related undertaking.

  2. (2)

    In (1), "restricted assets" means assets of a regulated related undertaking which are subject to a legal restriction or other requirement having the effect that those assets cannot be transferred or otherwise made available to another regulated related undertaking for the purposes of meeting its individual capital resources requirement without causing a breach of that legal restriction or requirement.

PRU 8.3.42G

For the purposes of PRU 8.3.41 R, in respect of an insurance undertaking that is a member of an insurance group, the assets of a long-term insurance fund are restricted assets within the meaning of PRU 8.3.41 R. Any excess of assets over liabilities in the long-term insurance business may only be included in the calculation of the group capital resources up to the amount of the capital resources requirement related to that long-term insurance business.

PRU 8.3.43R

Table: Group capital resources

Stage

Related text

Total group tier one capital

A

PRU 8.3.48 R

Total group tier two capital

B

PRU 8.3.50 R

Group capital resources before deductions

C=(A+B)

Total deductions of inadmissible assets

D

PRU 8.3.59 R

Total deductions under the requirement deduction method from group capital resources

E

PRU 8.3.62 R

Total deductions of ineligible surplus capital*

F

PRU 8.3.65 R

Deduction of assets in excess of market risk and counterparty exposure limits*

G

PRU 8.3.70 R

Group capital resources

H=(C-(D+E+F*+G*))

* = section (F) of the table (the deductions for ineligible surplus capital) and section (G) of the table (assets in excess of market risk and counterparty exposure limits) only apply and are required to be calculated for the purposes of the adjusted solo calculation of an undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R that is a participating insurance undertaking.

Calculation of GCR - Limits on the use of different forms of capital

PRU 8.3.44G

As the various components of capital differ in the degree of protection that they offer the insurance group, restrictions are placed on the extent to which certain types of capital are eligible for inclusion in the group capital resources of the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R. These restrictions are set out in PRU 8.3.45 R.

PRU 8.3.45R
  1. (1)

    For the purposes of PRU 8.3.9 R, PRU 8.3.10 R and PRU 8.3.15 R, a firm must ensure that at all times its tier one capital resources and tier two capital resources are of such an amount that the group capital resources of the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R comply with the following limits:

    1. (a)

      (P - Q) > ½ (R - S);

    2. (b)

      (P - Q + T - W) > Âľ (R - S);

    3. (c)

      V > ½ P;

    4. (d)

      Q < 15% of P;

    5. (e)

      T < P; and

    6. (f)

      W < ½ P

  2. (2)

    For the purposes of PRU 8.3.9 R and PRU 8.3.10 R, a firm must ensure that at all times its tier one capital resources and tier two capital resources are of such an amount that its group capital resources comply with the following limit, subject to (4)2:

    (P - Q + T) > 1/3 X + (R - S - U - X).

  3. (3)

    For the purposes of (1) and (2):

    1. (a)

      P is the total group tier one capital of the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R;

    2. (b)

      Q is the sum of the innovative tier one capital resources calculated in accordance with PRU 8.3.53 R;

    3. (c)

      R is the group capital resources requirement of the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R;

    4. (d)

      S is the sum of all the with-profits insurance capital components of an undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R that is an insurer and each of its regulated related undertakings that is an insurer;

    5. (e)

      T is the total group tier two capital of the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R;

    6. (f)

      U is the sum of all the resilience capital requirements of an undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R that is an insurer and each of its regulated related undertakings that is an insurer;

    7. (g)

      V is the sum of all the core tier one capital calculated in accordance with PRU 8.3.55 R;

    8. (h)

      W is the sum of the lower tier two capital resources calculated in accordance with PRU 8.3.57 R; and

    9. (i)

      X is the MCR of the firm less its resilience capital requirement, if any.

  4. (4)

    For the purposes of (2):2

    1. (a)

      PRU 8.3.45 R (1)(a) does not apply;2

    2. (b)

      the innovative tier one capital of the firm or its regulated related undertakings that meets the conditions for it to be upper tier two capital may be included as upper tier two capital for the purpose of the calculation in PRU 8.3.50 R; and2

    3. (c)

      the firm must exclude from the calculation of (P - Q + T) in (2) the higher of:2

      1. (i)

        any amount by which the total group tier two capital exceeds the group capital resources of the firm less any innovative tier one capital excluded by (b); and2

      2. (ii)

        any amount by which the sum of lower tier two capital resources calculated in accordance with PRU 8.3.57 R exceeds one third of the group capital resources of the firm less any innovative tier one capital excluded by (b).2

PRU 8.3.46G

The amount of any capital item excluded from group capital resources under PRU 8.3.45 R (1)(d) may form part of total group tier two capital calculated in accordance with PRU 8.3.50 R subject to the limits in PRU 8.3.45 R (1)(e) and (f).

PRU 8.3.47R

For the purposes of PRU 8.3.10 R, a firm must ensure that the tier one capital resources and tier two capital resources of each of its long-term insurance business and its general insurance business are of such an amount that the group capital resources of each its long-term insurance business and its general insurance business comply with the limits in PRU 8.3.45 R separately for each type of business.

Calculation of GCR - Total group tier one capital

PRU 8.3.48R

For the purposes of PRU 8.3.43 R, the total group tier one capital of an undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R is the sum of:

  1. (1)

    the tier one capital resources of the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R; and

  2. (2)

    subject to PRU 8.3.40 R, the tier one capital resources of each of the related undertakings of that undertaking that is a regulated related undertaking after the deduction in PRU 8.3.49 R.

PRU 8.3.49R

The deduction referred to in PRU 8.3.48 R is the sum of:

  1. (1)

    the book value of the investment by the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R in the tier one capital resources of each of its related undertakings that is a regulated related undertaking; and

  2. (2)

    the book value of the investments by related undertakings of the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R in the tier one capital resources of the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R and each of its related undertakings that is a regulated related undertaking.

Calculation of GCR - Total group tier two capital

PRU 8.3.50R
PRU 8.3.51R

The deduction referred to in PRU 8.3.50 R is the sum of:

  1. (1)

    the book value of the investments by the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R in the upper tier two capital resources and the lower tier two capital resources of each of its related undertakings that is a regulated related undertaking; and

  2. (2)

    the book value of the investments by related undertakings of the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R in the upper tier two capital resources and the lower tier two capital resources of the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R and each of its related undertakings that is a regulated related undertaking.

PRU 8.3.52G

For the purposes of PRU 8.3.50 R (2), the limits in PRU 2.2.23 R apply to the upper tier two capital resources and the lower tier two capital resources of any regulated related undertaking that is an insurer. Similar limits may apply to other regulated related undertakings under the relevant sectoral rules.

Calculation of GCR - Innovative tier one capital resources, lower tier two capital resources and core tier one capital

PRU 8.3.53R
PRU 8.3.54R

The deduction referred to in PRU 8.3.53 R is the sum of:

  1. (1)

    the book value of the investments by the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R in the innovative tier one capital resources of each of its related undertakings that is a regulated related undertaking; and

  2. (2)

    the book value of the investments by related undertakings of the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R in the innovative tier one capital resources of the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R and each of its related undertakings that is a regulated related undertaking.

PRU 8.3.55R

For the purposes of PRU 8.3.45R (3)(g), the core tier one capital is the sum of:

  1. (1)

    the core tier one capital of the undertaking of PRU 8.3.17 R; and

  2. (2)

    subject to PRU 8.3.40 R, the core tier one capital of each of the related undertakings of that undertaking that is a regulated related undertaking after the deduction in PRU 8.3.56 R.

PRU 8.3.56R

The deduction referred to in PRU 8.3.55 R is the sum of:

  1. (1)

    the book value of the investments by the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R in the core tier one capital of each of its related undertakings that is a regulated related undertaking; and

  2. (2)

    the book value of the investments by related undertakings of the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R in the core tier one capital of the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R and each of its related undertakings that is a regulated related undertaking.

PRU 8.3.57R

For the purposes of PRU 8.3.45R (3)(h), the lower tier two capital resources is the sum of:

  1. (1)

    the lower tier two capital resources of the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R; and

  2. (2)

    subject to PRU 8.3.40 R, the lower tier two capital resources of each of the related undertakings of that undertaking that is a regulated related undertaking after the deduction in PRU 8.3.58 R.

PRU 8.3.58R

The deduction referred to in PRU 8.3.57 R is the sum of:

  1. (1)

    the book value of the investments by the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R in the lower tier two capital resources of each of its related undertakings that is a regulated related undertaking; and

  2. (2)

    the book value of the investments by related undertakings of the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R in the lower tier two capital resources of the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R and each of its related undertakings that is a regulated related undertaking.

Calculation of GCR - Inadmissible assets

PRU 8.3.59R

For the purpose of PRU 8.3.43 R, a firm must deduct from the group capital resources before deduction (calculated at stage C in the table in PRU 8.3.43 R) of the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R, the value of all assets of the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R and each of its regulated related undertakings that are not admissible assets as set out in PRU 8.3.60 R.

PRU 8.3.60R

For the purposes of PRU 8.3.59 R, an asset is not an admissible asset if:

  1. (1)

    in respect of a regulated related undertaking or undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R that is an insurer, it is not an admissible asset as listed in PRU 2 Annex 1R;

  2. (2)

    in respect of a regulated related undertaking or undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R that is not an insurer, it is an asset of the undertaking that is not admissible for the purpose of calculating that undertaking's solo capital resources in accordance with the sectoral rules applicable to it.

PRU 8.3.61R

For the purposes of PRU 8.3.60 R (2), the sectoral rules applicable to:

  1. (1)

    an asset management company are the sectoral rules that would apply to it if, in connection with its activities, it were treated as an investment firm; and

  2. (2)

    a financial institution that is not a regulated entity are the sectoral rules that would apply to it if, in connection with its activities, it were treated as being within the banking sector.

Calculation of GCR - Deductions under requirement deduction method from group capital resources

PRU 8.3.62R

For the purposes of PRU 8.3.43 R, a firm must deduct from the group capital resources before deduction (calculated at stage C in the table in PRU 8.3.43 R) of an undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R, the sum of the value of the direct or indirect investments by the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R in each of its related undertakings which is an ancillary services undertaking, calculated in accordance with PRU 8.3.63 R.

PRU 8.3.63R

The value of an investment in an undertaking referred to in PRU 8.3.62 R is the higher of the book value of the direct or indirect investment by the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R and the notional capital resources requirement of that undertaking.

PRU 8.3.64R

For the purposes of PRU 8.3.63 R, the notional capital resources requirement is:

  1. (1)

    for an ancillary insurance services undertaking, zero;

  2. (2)

    for any other ancillary services undertaking, the capital resources requirement that would apply to that undertaking, if it were a regulated related undertaking, in accordance with the sectoral rules applicable to a regulated related undertaking whose activities are closest in nature and scope to the activities of that undertaking.

Calculation of GCR - Deductions of ineligible surplus capital

PRU 8.3.65R

Where the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R is a participating insurance undertaking, the firm must, for the purposes of PRU 8.3.43 R, deduct from its group capital resources before deduction (calculated at stage C in the table in PRU 8.3.43 R) the sum of the ineligible surplus capital of each of its regulated related undertakings that is an insurance undertaking, calculated in accordance with PRU 8.3.67 R.

PRU 8.3.66G

The purpose of PRU 8.3.65 R is to ensure that, where the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R is a firm, group capital resources are not overstated by the inclusion of capital that, although surplus to the requirements of the relevant regulated related undertaking that is an insurance undertaking, cannot practically be transferred to support requirements arising elsewhere in the group. Therefore, ineligible surplus capital in a regulated related undertaking that is an insurance undertaking is deducted in arriving at group capital resources. Surplus capital in such a regulated related undertaking is regarded as transferable only to the extent that:

  1. (1)

    it can be transferred without the regulated related undertaking breaching its own limits on the use of different forms of capital;

  2. (2)

    it does not contain assets that are restricted within the meaning of PRU 8.3.41 R; and

  3. (3)

    in the case of a regulated related undertaking that has a long-term insurance business, it does not contain any assets allocated to the capital resources of that undertaking for the purposes of the capital resources of its long-term insurance business meeting the capital resources requirement of its long-term insurance business.

PRU 8.3.67R

  1. (1)

    For the purposes of PRU 8.3.65 R, the ineligible surplus capital of a regulated related undertaking that is an insurance undertaking is calculated by deducting B from A where:

    1. (a)

      A is the regulatory surplus value of that insurance undertaking less any restricted assets of the insurance undertaking that have been excluded under PRU 8.3.41 R; and

    2. (b)

      B is the transferable capital of that undertaking.

  2. (2)

    If A minus B is negative, the ineligible surplus capital is zero.

PRU 8.3.68R

For the purposes of PRU 8.3.67 R (1)(b), the transferable capital is calculated by deducting the sum of the following from the tier one capital resources of the regulated related undertaking that is an insurance undertaking:

  1. (1)

    any restricted assets of that insurance undertaking that have been excluded under PRU 8.3.41 R;

  2. (2)

    any tier one capital resources of that insurance undertaking that have been allocated towards meeting the individual capital resources requirement of its long-term insurance business; and

  3. (3)

    the higher of:

    1. (a)

      50% of the individual capital resources requirement of the general insurance business of that insurance undertaking; and

    2. (b)

      the individual capital resources requirement of the general insurance business of that insurance undertaking less the difference between E and F where:

      1. (i)

        E is its tier two capital resources; and

      2. (ii)

        F is the amount of its tier two capital resources that have been allocated towards meeting the individual capital resources requirement of its long-term insurance business.

PRU 8.3.69G

Examples of transferable and ineligible surplus capital:

Example 1

Share capital

Audited reserves

FFA

Tier two

Requirement

30

20

0

40

50

  1. (i)

    Under PRU 8.3.68 R, transferable capital = tier one capital resources of 50, less the sum of:

    1. (1)

      restricted assets excluded under PRU 8.3.41 R = (none);

    2. (2)

      tier one capital resources allocated to the long-term insurance business = (none); and

    3. (3)

      higher of (50% of 50 = 25 and 50 - 40 = 10) = (25) = (50 - 25) = 25

  2. (2)

    Under PRU 8.3.67 R, ineligible surplus capital = regulatory surplus value (40) less restricted assets excluded under PRU 8.3.41 R (0) less transferable capital (25) = 15.

Example 2

Share capital

Audited reserves

FFA (of which 5 is restricted)

Tier two

Requirement (of which 4 relates to the long-term insurance business)

30

20

10

40

50

  1. (i)

    Under PRU 8.3.68 R, transferable capital = tier one capital resources of 60, less the sum of:

    1. (1)

      restricted assets excluded under PRU 8.3.41 R = (5);

    2. (2)

      tier one capital resources allocated to the long-term insurance business = (5); and

    3. (3)

      the higher of (50% of 45 = 22.5; and 45 - 40 = 5) = (22.5)= 60 - 32.5 = 27.5

  2. (ii)

    Under PRU 8.3.67 R, ineligible surplus capital = regulatory surplus value (50) - restricted assets excluded under PRU 8.3.41 R of (5) - transferable capital (27.5) = 17.5.

Example 3

Share capital

Audited reserves

FFA (of which 0 is restricted)

Tier two (40, of which 5 is excluded at the solo level - see below)

Requirement (of which 25 relates to the long-term insurance business)

20

10

20

35

50

The requirement relating to the long-term insurance business is met by the FFA of 20 and tier two capital resources of 5. Of the remaining tier two capital resources of 35, 5 is excluded at the solo level because the tier one capital resources allocated to the general insurance business are 30.

  1. (i)

    Under PRU 8.3.68 R, transferable capital = tier one capital resources of 50, less the sum of:

    1. (1)

      restricted assets excluded under PRU 8.3.41 R = (none);

    2. (2)

      tier one capital resources allocated to the long-term insurance business = (20); and

    3. (3)

      the higher of (50% of 25 = 12.5; and 25 - (35 - 5) = -5) = (12.5)= 50 - 32.5 = 17.5.

  2. (ii)

    Under PRU 8.3.67 R, ineligible surplus capital = regulatory surplus value (35) - restricted assets excluded under PRU 8.3.41 R of (0) - transferable capital (17.5) = 17.5.

Calculation of GCR - Assets in excess of market risk and counterparty exposure limits

PRU 8.3.70R

Where the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R is a participating insurance undertaking, the firm must deduct from its group capital resources before deduction (calculated at stage C in the table in PRU 8.3.43 R) the assets in excess of market risk and counterparty exposure limits calculated in accordance with PRU 8.3.74 R.

PRU 8.3.71G

For the purposes of PRU 8.3.43 R, where the undertaking in PRU 8.3.17 R is a participating insurance undertaking, the investments referred to in PRU 8.3.48 R and PRU 8.3.50 R are not subject to the market risk and counterparty exposure limits.

PRU 8.3.72R

The firm (A) must, subject to PRU 8.3.73 R, include in the calculation in PRU 8.3.74 R each related undertaking (B) that is:

  1. (1)

    a regulated related undertaking that is a subsidiary undertaking; or

  2. (2)

    a related undertaking where the firm has elected to value the shares held in that undertaking by the firm in accordance with PRU 1.3.35 R for the purposes of calculating the tier one capital resources of the firm.

PRU 8.3.73R

The related undertakings in PRU 8.3.72 R need only be included in the calculation in PRU 8.3.74 R if:

  1. (1)

    where B is a regulated related undertaking, the solo capital resources of that undertaking exceed its individual capital resources requirement; or

  2. (2)

    where B is an undertaking in PRU 8.3.72 R (2), its assets that fall within one or more of the categories in PRU 2 Annex 1R exceed its accounting liabilities.

PRU 8.3.74R

A's assets in excess of the market risk and counterparty exposure limits are calculated as follows:

  1. (1)

    Subject to (2), a firm must apply the market risk and counterparty exposure limits in PRU 3.2.22 R (3) to:

    1. (a)

      where B is an insurer, the admissible assets of B;

    2. (b)

      where B is a regulated related undertaking that is not an insurer, the assets of that undertaking less those assets identified in PRU 8.3.60 R (2) as not being admissible assets.

  2. (2)

    The market risk and counterparty exposure limits do not need to be applied to an undertaking in PRU 8.3.72 R (2).

  3. (3)

    Where the assets of B in PRU 8.3.74 R (1) exceed the limits in PRU 3.2.22 R (3), the assets of B in excess of the limits must be deducted by the firm from B's solo capital resources for the purposes of PRU 8.3.30 R.

  4. (4)

    After the application of (1) and (2), the surplus assets of B are aggregated with the admissible assets of A, where the surplus assets of B are:

    1. (a)

      where B is a firm, the admissible assets of B that represent the amount by which the capital resources of B exceed its capital resources requirement, subject to PRU 8.3.77 R, and limited to the amount of transferable capital calculated in accordance with PRU 8.3.68 R;

    2. (b)

      where B is a regulated related undertaking that is not a firm, the assets of the undertaking in PRU 8.3.74 R (1)(b) that represent the amount by which the solo capital resources of B exceed its individual capital resources requirement and, where B is an insurance undertaking that is not a firm, limited to the amount of transferable capital calculated in accordance with PRU 8.3.68 R; and

    3. (c)

      where B is an undertaking in PRU 8.3.72 R (2), the assets of the undertaking which represent those assets that fall within one or more of the categories in PRU 2 Annex 1R which exceed its accounting liabilities.

  5. (5)

    The market risk and counterparty exposure limits are then applied to the aggregate of A's admissible assets and the surplus assets in PRU 8.3.74 R (4).

PRU 8.3.75R

The firm (A) must then deduct the amount by which the admissible assets aggregated in accordance with PRU 8.3.74 R (5) exceed the market risk and counterparty exposure limits from A's group capital resources before deduction (calculated at stage C in the table in PRU 8.3.43 R) in accordance with PRU 8.3.70 R.

PRU 8.3.76R

In relation to any of its regulated related undertakings that is not an insurer, A may modify the calculation in PRU 8.3.74 R by:

  1. (1)

    omitting the calculation in PRU 8.3.74 R (1) and (3); and

  2. (2)

    aggregating all of the assets of B identified in PRU 8.3.74 R (1)(b) as admissible assets with the admissible assets of A in PRU 8.3.74 R (4).

PRU 8.3.77R

The admissible assets of either A or B that are part of a long-term insurance fund of A or B are excluded for the purposes of the calculation in PRU 8.3.74 R except insofar as those assets are available to meet the liabilities and capital resources requirement of that long-term insurance fund.

PRU 8.3.78R

If B is itself either a participating insurance undertaking or an insurance parent undertaking, the admissible assets of B for the purposes of PRU 8.3.74 R (1) must be calculated as in PRU 8.3.75 R but as if B were A.