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Q&As refer to the provisions in force on the day of their publication. The EBA does not systematically review published Q&As following the amendment of legislative acts. Users of the Q&A tool should therefore check the date of publication of the Q&A and whether the provisions referred to in the answer remain the same.

Please note that the Q&As related to the supervisory benchmarking exercises have been moved to the dedicated handbook page. You can submit Q&As on this topic here.

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List of Q&A's

Calculation of the amount of holdings of own Common Equity Tier 1 instruments on the basis of the net long position

How should the condition in  Article 42 a) i)  “(i) the long and short positions are in the same underlying exposure and the short positions involve no counterparty risk”  be applied when there are long and short positions on the same underlying reference with the same counterparty under the same master netting agreement ?   Are the single net amounts fixed by such contracts to be considered rather than the gross amounts?  Explanatory note: The master netting agreement we are considering complies with the conditions required under CRR (Article 206)    

  • Legal act: Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR)
  • COM Delegated or Implementing Acts/RTS/ITS/GLs: Not applicable
  • ID: 2022_6410
  • Topic: Own funds
  • Date of submission:
  • Published as Rejected Q&A: 26/01/2023

Calculation of the amount of holdings of own Common Equity Tier 1 instruments on the basis of the net long position

Could it be assumed that short positions maintained with a Qualifying Central Counterparty do not involve counterparty risk according to Article 42 a) i) CRR and thus be netted for the purposes of the calculation of the amount of holdings of own Common Equity Tier I instruments to be deducted under point (f) of Article 36(1)?

  • Legal act: Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR)
  • COM Delegated or Implementing Acts/RTS/ITS/GLs: Not applicable
  • ID: 2022_6409
  • Topic: Own funds
  • Date of submission:
  • Published as Rejected Q&A: 26/01/2023

Reduction of own funds according to Article 78(1)(a) CRR

If an institution applies for an own funds reduction with replacement pursuant to Article 78(1)(a) CRR, may such institution include in its own funds at the same time both the replacing instruments and the replaced instruments? Or should a request for a permission under Art 77 CRR be assessed according to Article 78(1)(b) CRR if the institution includes both the replaced and the replacing instruments at any point in time simultaneously in own funds, considering the consequent decrease of own funds that will occur when the replaced instrument is finally called back/repurchased, or redeemed?

  • Legal act: Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR)
  • COM Delegated or Implementing Acts/RTS/ITS/GLs: Not applicable
  • ID: 2021_6022
  • Topic: Own funds
  • Date of submission:
  • Published as Rejected Q&A: 26/01/2023

Prudential filter on unrealised gains and losses corresponding to exposures to governments, local authorities and public sector entities and its interaction with hedging activities

Should institutions, remove from the calculation of their Common Equity Tier 1 items, the amount of unrealised gains and losses resulting from hedging the interest rate risk arising from exposures within the definition of paragraph 1of Article 468?

  • Legal act: Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR)
  • COM Delegated or Implementing Acts/RTS/ITS/GLs: Not applicable
  • ID: 2021_5683
  • Topic: Own funds
  • Date of submission:
  • Published as Rejected Q&A: 26/01/2023

Minimum loss coverage for non-performing exposures under Article 469a

Where the terms and conditions of an exposure which was originated prior to 26 April 2019 are modified in a way that increases the institution’s exposure to the obligor, are all exposures to the obligor that was originated prior to 26 April 2019 also considered as having been originated on the date of the modification and subject to the provisions on the minimum loss coverage for non-performing exposures?

  • Legal act: Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR)
  • COM Delegated or Implementing Acts/RTS/ITS/GLs: Not applicable
  • ID: 2021_6192
  • Topic: Own funds
  • Date of submission:
  • Published as Rejected Q&A: 21/11/2022

Treatment of "not designated elements" for the purpose of computing prudential capital requirements

Our entity will apply IFRS 9 provisions regarding hedge accounting to financial reporting starting from January 2022. IFRS 9 §6.5.15 and §6.5.16 introduce a new type of other comprehensive income: when using hedge accounting, an entity may separate some elements considered as a “cost of hedging”, and recognise them in other comprehensive income as “not designated elements”.  Commission Implementing Regulation 2021/451, in its template-related instructions (1.3 Equity §27), mentions that such elements shall be reported in a dedicated line “Hedging instruments [not designated elements]” for the purpose of FINREP. Specifically, this line is distinct from “Hedging derivatives. Cash flow hedges reserve [effective portion]”. However, cash flow hedge reserve and not designated elements are very similar elements: as an evidence, our entity will transfer amounts currently in cash flow hedge reserve to the new category “not designated elements”. We are therefore wondering the regulatory treatment  of “not designated elements” for the purpose of computing prudential capital requirements.  Cash flow hedges reserve shall not be included in any element of own funds (REGULATION (EU) No 575/2013 §33) Should “not designated elements” treatment be aligned on that of the cash flow hedge reserve ? or should “not designated elements” be included in prudential own funds ?  

  • Legal act: Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR)
  • COM Delegated or Implementing Acts/RTS/ITS/GLs: Not applicable
  • ID: 2022_6380
  • Topic: Own funds
  • Date of submission:
  • Published as Rejected Q&A: 23/09/2022

Clause of substitution of investor or remarketing for capital or internal MREL

In the context of a bond issued by a subsidiary to the parent company recognized as Own Funds or Eligible Liability, would it be possible to insert a clause of change of control that would allow the parent company, if it is no longer the owner of the subsidiary, to automatically sell the bond to the purchaser of the subsidiary?

  • Legal act: Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR)
  • COM Delegated or Implementing Acts/RTS/ITS/GLs: Not applicable
  • ID: 2021_6104
  • Topic: Own funds
  • Date of submission:
  • Published as Rejected Q&A: 07/09/2022

Netting of Financial Sector Entity (FSE) holdings

Is there a requirement to establish an additional credit risk exposure in case Financial Sector Entity (FSE) deduction amounts are reduced by netting with eligible short FSE positions?

  • Legal act: Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR)
  • COM Delegated or Implementing Acts/RTS/ITS/GLs: Not applicable
  • ID: 2022_6486
  • Topic: Own funds
  • Date of submission:
  • Published as Rejected Q&A: 26/07/2022

Early redemption options

Would an early redemption option exercisable by the holder of the instrument cause such instrument to be ineligible altogether or would it merely result in its maturity being deemed shortened in accordance with Article 72c(2)?

  • Legal act: Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR)
  • COM Delegated or Implementing Acts/RTS/ITS/GLs: Not applicable
  • ID: 2022_6456
  • Topic: Own funds
  • Date of submission:
  • Published as Rejected Q&A: 26/07/2022

Calculation of goodwill included in the valuation of significant investments in insurance undertakings

A. For the purposes of a deduction under Article 36(1)(b) CRR as per Article 37(b), should the goodwill (Article 4(1) no. 113 and 115 CRR) included in the valuation of significant investments calculated excluding goodwill booked under an insurance subsidiary given that this goodwill is not included in the valuation of a significant investment of the bank (i.e. goodwill not included in the prudential consolidation as per Articles 1, 11, 18 and 24 of CRR and EBA RTS on the methods of prudential consolidation)?  B. Can you confirm that the goodwill booked under an insurance subsidiary (which is excluded from the valuation of significant investments as per prudential consolidation) should be treated as part of the equity exposure of the bank to the insurance subsidiary and this be risk weighted as per Article 49(1) and Articles 133 or 155 (depending on Standardized or Advanced IRB method)?

  • Legal act: Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR)
  • COM Delegated or Implementing Acts/RTS/ITS/GLs: Not applicable
  • ID: 2022_6431
  • Topic: Own funds
  • Date of submission:
  • Published as Rejected Q&A: 26/07/2022

Calculation of goodwill included in the valuation of significant investments in insurance undertakings

A. For the purposes of a deduction under Article 36(1)(b) CRR as per Article 37(b), should the goodwill (Article 4(1) no. 113 and 115 CRR) included in the valuation of significant investments calculated excluding goodwill booked under an insurance subsidiary given that this goodwill is not included in the valuation of a significant investment of the bank (i.e. goodwill not included in the prudential consolidation as per Articles 1, 11, 18 and 24 of CRR and EBA RTS on the methods of prudential consolidation)?  B. Can you confirm that the goodwill booked under an insurance subsidiary (which is excluded from the valuation of significant investments as per prudential consolidation) should be treated as part of the equity exposure of the bank to the insurance subsidiary and this be risk weighted as per Article 49(1) and Articles 133 or 155 (depending on Standardized or Advanced IRB method)?

  • Legal act: Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR)
  • COM Delegated or Implementing Acts/RTS/ITS/GLs: Not applicable
  • ID: 2022_6419
  • Topic: Own funds
  • Date of submission:
  • Published as Rejected Q&A: 26/07/2022

Calculation of goodwill included in the valuation of significant investments in insurance undertakings

A. For the purposes of a deduction under Article 36(1)(b) CRR as per Article 37(b), should the goodwill (Article 4(1) no. 113 and 115 CRR) included in the valuation of significant investments calculated excluding goodwill booked under an insurance subsidiary given that this goodwill is not included in the valuation of a significant investment of the bank (i.e. goodwill not included in the prudential consolidation as per Articles 1, 11, 18 and 24 of CRR and EBA RTS on the methods of prudential consolidation)?  B. Can you confirm that the goodwill booked under an insurance subsidiary (which is excluded from the valuation of significant investments as per prudential consolidation) should be treated as part of the equity exposure of the bank to the insurance subsidiary and this be risk weighted as per Article 49(1) and Articles 133 or 155 (depending on Standardized or Advanced IRB method)?

  • Legal act: Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR)
  • COM Delegated or Implementing Acts/RTS/ITS/GLs: Not applicable
  • ID: 2022_6408
  • Topic: Own funds
  • Date of submission:
  • Published as Rejected Q&A: 26/07/2022

Reduction, distribution and reclassification of share premium accounts related to own funds instruments

May an institution announce to the holders of own funds instruments the reduction, distribution or reclassification of related share premium accounts before that institution has obtained the prior permission of the competent authority foreseen under Article 77(1)(b) CRR?

  • Legal act: Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR)
  • COM Delegated or Implementing Acts/RTS/ITS/GLs: Regulation (EU) No 241/2014 - RTS for Own Funds requirements for institutions
  • ID: 2021_6031
  • Topic: Own funds
  • Date of submission:
  • Published as Rejected Q&A: 20/06/2022

Scope of CRR definition of Financial Institution

Are deposits maintained by entities meeting the literal requirements of Article 4(1)(26) CRR excluded from the coverage of the Deposit Guarantee Schemes (DGS)?

  • Legal act: Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR)
  • COM Delegated or Implementing Acts/RTS/ITS/GLs: Not applicable
  • ID: 2022_6405
  • Topic: Own funds
  • Date of submission:
  • Published as Rejected Q&A: 20/06/2022

Calculation of the insufficient coverage for NPEs and capital absorptions related to Pillar 1 requirements on the same exposure

Regarding the applicable amount of the insufficient coverage to be deducted from own funds as per Article 36 (1) (m) CRR, to be determined at exposure level according to Article 47c(1) (b) of Regulation (EU) 2019/630, should the credit institutions applying the IRB approach consider the Pillar 1 capital absorptions already computed for credit risk for the calculation, on the same exposure, of the applicable amount to be deducted from CET 1 as per above, precisely to avoid any double-counting?

  • Legal act: Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR)
  • COM Delegated or Implementing Acts/RTS/ITS/GLs: Not applicable
  • ID: 2021_5739
  • Topic: Own funds
  • Date of submission:
  • Published as Rejected Q&A: 31/05/2022

Effective absence of set-off or netting arrangements

If a statutory set-off or netting right exists and cannot be contractually excluded, would an AT1, T2 or eligible liabilities instrument be automatically considered ineligible pursuant to, respectively, Article 52(1)(r), Article 63(p) or Article 72b(2)(f) of Regulation (EU) No. 575/2013 (CRR) or would the instrument be eligible as long as the conditions for such statutory set-off or netting are not fulfilled, in particular in cases where a counterclaim to be used for set-off or netting does not exist? If a statutory set-off or netting right exists, can be contractually excluded, but has not been excluded, would the instrument be automatically considered ineligible or would the instrument be eligible as long as the conditions for such statutory set-off or netting are not fulfilled, in particular in cases where a counterclaim to be used for set-off or netting does not exist?

  • Legal act: Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR)
  • COM Delegated or Implementing Acts/RTS/ITS/GLs: Not applicable
  • ID: 2021_6285
  • Topic: Own funds
  • Date of submission:
  • Published as Rejected Q&A: 29/04/2022

Common Equity Tier I Minority Interest Calculation

Should a specific level of profit distribution set by a third country competent authority, and communicated specifically to an institution, be considered “any additional local supervisory regulations in third countries insofar as those requirements are to be met by Common Equity Tier 1 capital” for the purposes of the minority interest calculation provided in Article 84 1 i) and ii))  when this limit has been set above legislative prudential requirements with the aim of preserving capital above an specific limit by the way of limiting profit distribution?

  • Legal act: Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR)
  • COM Delegated or Implementing Acts/RTS/ITS/GLs: Not applicable
  • ID: 2021_6262
  • Topic: Own funds
  • Date of submission:
  • Published as Rejected Q&A: 29/04/2022

Dutch Residential Real Estate Mortgages - covered by NHG - Nationale Hypotheek Garantie - National Mortgage Guarantee - Calculation of RWA within and outside the Netherlands

If a foreign bank, with a Dutch branch, is exempt from applying the rules from the Dutch NCA for the branch, would this not lead unfair competitive advantage?  

  • Legal act: Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR)
  • COM Delegated or Implementing Acts/RTS/ITS/GLs: Not applicable
  • ID: 2021_6105
  • Topic: Own funds
  • Date of submission:
  • Published as Rejected Q&A: 29/04/2022

Direct and indirect funding of capital instruments

Is Article 9(1)(c) of Commission Delegated Regulation 241/2014 (RTS) applicable to the funding granted to a borrower that passes the funding on to the ultimate investor for the purchase of an institution’s capital instrument which had been issued and acquired before the funding was granted (e.g. refinancing of the purchase)? The same issue may be raised with reference to Article 8(2) and 8(3) of RTS.

  • Legal act: Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR)
  • COM Delegated or Implementing Acts/RTS/ITS/GLs: Regulation (EU) No 241/2014 - RTS for Own Funds requirements for institutions
  • ID: 2021_6165
  • Topic: Own funds
  • Date of submission:
  • Published as Rejected Q&A: 22/02/2022

Consent solicitation to change the contractual ranking of an instrument to avoid so-called “infection risk“ posed by legacy instruments

Would a consent solicitation to amend the T&Cs of a legacy capital instrument (Tier 1 or Tier 2) in order to ‘promote’ an instrument in the subordination hierarchy entail the instrument to be deemed as a new issuance?

  • Legal act: Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (CRR)
  • COM Delegated or Implementing Acts/RTS/ITS/GLs: Not applicable
  • ID: 2020_5653
  • Topic: Own funds
  • Date of submission:
  • Published as Rejected Q&A: 22/02/2022