[X1 [F1Section 4 U.K. External credit assessments
Article 270b U.K. Use of credit assessments by ECAIs
Institutions may use only credit assessments to determine the risk weight of a securitisation position in accordance with this Chapter where the credit assessment has been issued or has been endorsed by an ECAI in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009.
Article 270c U.K. Requirements to be met by the credit assessments of ECAIs
For the purposes of calculating risk-weighted exposure amounts in accordance with Section 3, institutions shall only use a credit assessment of an ECAI where all of the following conditions are met:
there is no mismatch between the types of payments reflected in the credit assessment and the types of payments to which the institution is entitled under the contract giving rise to the securitisation position in question;
the ECAI publishes the credit assessments and information on loss and cash-flow analysis, sensitivity of ratings to changes in the underlying ratings assumptions, including the performance of underlying exposures, and on the procedures, methodologies, assumptions, and key elements underpinning the credit assessments in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009. For the purposes of this point, information shall be considered as publicly available where it is published in accessible format. Information that is made available only to a limited number of entities shall not be considered as publicly available;
the credit assessments are included in the ECAI’s transition matrix;
the credit assessments are not based or partly based on unfunded support provided by the institution itself. Where a position is based or partly based on unfunded support, the institution shall consider that position as if it were unrated for the purposes of calculating risk-weighted exposure amounts for this position in accordance with Section 3;
the ECAI has committed to publishing explanations on how the performance of underlying exposures affects the credit assessment.
Article 270d U.K. Use of credit assessments
1. An institution may decide to nominate one or more ECAIs the credit assessments of which shall be used in the calculation of its risk-weighted exposure amounts under this Chapter (a ‘ nominated ECAI ’ ).
2. An institution shall use the credit assessments of its securitisation positions in a consistent and non-selective manner and, for these purposes, shall comply with the following requirements:
(a) an institution shall not use an ECAI’s credit assessments for its positions in some tranches and another ECAI’s credit assessments for its positions in other tranches within the same securitisation that may or may not be rated by the first ECAI;
(b) where a position has two credit assessments by nominated ECAIs, the institution shall use the less favourable credit assessment;
(c) where a position has three or more credit assessments by nominated ECAIs, the two most favourable credit assessments shall be used. Where the two most favourable assessments are different, the less favourable of the two shall be used;
(d) an institution shall not actively solicit the withdrawal of less favourable ratings.
3. Where the exposures underlying a securitisation benefit from full or partial eligible credit protection in accordance with Chapter 4, and the effect of such protection has been reflected in the credit assessment of a securitisation position by a nominated ECAI, the institution shall use the risk weight associated with that credit assessment. Where the credit protection referred to in this paragraph is not eligible under Chapter 4, the credit assessment shall not be recognised and the securitisation position shall be treated as unrated.
4. Where a securitisation position benefits from eligible credit protection in accordance with Chapter 4 and the effect of such protection has been reflected in its credit assessment by a nominated ECAI, the institution shall treat the securitisation position as if it were unrated and calculate the risk-weighted exposure amounts in accordance with Chapter 4.
Article 270eU.K. Securitisation mapping
[F2The PRA may] [F3make] technical standards to map in an objective and consistent manner the credit quality steps set out in this Chapter relative to the relevant credit assessments of all ECAIs. [F4For the purposes of this Article, the PRA shall] in particular:
differentiate between the relative degrees of risk expressed by each assessment;
consider quantitative factors, such as default or loss rates and the historical performance of credit assessments of each ECAI across different asset classes;
consider qualitative factors such as the range of transactions assessed by the ECAI, its methodology and the meaning of its credit assessments in particular whether such assessments take into account expected loss or first Euro loss, and timely payment of interests or ultimate payment of interests;
seek to ensure that securitisation positions to which the same risk weight is applied on the basis of the credit assessments of ECAIs are subject to equivalent degrees of credit risk.
F5...]]
Textual Amendments
F2Words in Art. 270e substituted (1.1.2022) by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), s. 49(5), Sch. 1 para. 33(2); S.I. 2021/671, reg. 5(1)(b) (with reg. 5(2)) (as amended by S.I. 2021/1163, regs. 1(2), 2)
F3Words in Art. 270e substituted (31.12.2020) by The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 52(a) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F4Words in Art. 270e substituted (1.1.2022) by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), s. 49(5), Sch. 1 para. 33(3); S.I. 2021/671, reg. 5(1)(b) (with reg. 5(2)) (as amended by S.I. 2021/1163, regs. 1(2), 2)
F5Words in Art. 270e omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Securitisation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/660), regs. 1(2), 52(b) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Editorial Information
X1Substituted by Corrigendum to Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 (OJ L 176, 27.6.2013, p. 1).
Textual Amendments