Regulation > Policy Statement 09/16 Stengthening liquidity standards October 2009

Published: 7th November 2009 by William Webster

Policy Statement 09/16 Strengthening liquidity standards refers to earlier consultation papers CP08/22, CP09/13 and CP09/14 and the comments received.

In general whilst the FSA acknowledges many of the issues raised little has altered in the final policy.

Firms will be expected to be self sufficient for liquidity purposes. Senior management is responsible for reviewing the level of liquidity, compliance and reporting to the Board.

The FSA highlights that many firms have been unable to identify and report contractual cash flows on a regular basis. This will be unacceptable. Non compliance will be treated with regulatory sanction.

How a firm is subject to Individual Liquidity Adequacy Standards (ILAS) depends on the size of the firm and the risks it presents.

The ILAS framework comprises an Individual Liquidity Adequacy Assessment (ILAA), a Supervisory Liquidity Review Process (SLRP) and Individual Liquidity Guidance (ILG).

Firms are obliged in the ILAA to undertake robust stress testing. The purpose of this is to show that the firm fully understands its liquidity risk. ILAS firms will need to report the stress test results in their ILAA. Liquidity management systems, controls and stress testing are all board responsibilities.

The ILG is the amount of liquid resources the FSA expects a firm to hold. This will contain "guidance" on the amount of the liquid asset buffer and the firm's funding profile. As an incentive for firms to improve their systems and controls, the FSA will increase the amount of liquidity the firm must hold.

Deposits at the central bank and tradable securities issued by the central bank will count towards the buffer. Holding currency denominated bonds should take into account potential problems in the FX market. For this reason a domestic bank with mainly sterling liabilities must hold its buffer in gilts.

The FSA now require firms to price the cost of liquidity into products. This should mean that the cost of holding the liquidity buffer is passed on to those customers that create a stressed outflow requirement.

The new regime will be phased in. The scope and application of the new rules will depend on the importance of the firm and its ability to create systemic risk.

Document Summary

Policy Statement 09/16 Strengthening liquidity standards. Liquidity is a senior management responsibility. The PS will impact on the way firms measure, manage and report liquidity. Explains key aspects of this FSA publication. 5 pages.

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