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Basel Framework

The Basel Framework is the full set of standards of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS), which is the primary global standard setter for the prudential regulation of banks. The membership of the BCBS has agreed to fully implement these standards and apply them to the internationally active banks in their jurisdictions. The background page describes the framework's structure and how to navigate it.

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DIS26

Capital distribution constraints

This chapter covers disclosures on capital distribution constraints, when required by national supervisors at a jurisdiction level.

  • Effective as of: 01 Jan 2022
  • Last update: 15 Dec 2019
  • Status Removed on 27 Mar 2020

Introduction

26.1

The disclosure requirement under this section is: Template CDC - Capital distribution constraints.

Template CDC: Capital distribution constraints

26.2

Template CDC provides the common equity tier 1 (CET1) capital ratios that would trigger capital distribution constraints. This disclosure extends to leverage ratio in the case of G-SIBs.

Purpose: To provide disclosure of the capital ratio(s) below which capital distribution constraints are triggered as required under the Basel framework (ie risk-based, leverage, etc) to allow meaningful assessment by market participants of the likelihood of capital distributions becoming restricted.

Scope of application: The table is mandatory for banks only when required by national supervisors at a jurisdictional level. Where applicable, the template may include additional rows to accommodate other national requirements that could trigger capital distribution constraints.

Content: Quantitative information. Includes the CET1 capital ratio that would trigger capital distribution constraints when taking into account (i) CET1 capital that banks must maintain to meet the minimum CET1 capital ratio, applicable risk-based buffer requirements (ie capital conservation buffer, G-SIB surcharge and countercyclical capital buffer) and Pillar 2 capital requirements (if CET1 capital is required); (ii) CET1 capital that banks must maintain to meet the minimum regulatory capital ratios and any CET1 capital used to meet Tier 1 capital, total capital and TLAC1 requirements, applicable risk-based buffer requirements (ie capital conservation buffer, G-SIB surcharge and countercyclical capital buffer) and Pillar 2 capital requirements (if CET1 capital is required); and (iii) the leverage ratio inclusive of leverage ratio buffer requirement.

Frequency: Annual.

Format: Fixed. Jurisdictions may add rows to supplement the disclosure to include other requirements that trigger capital distribution constraints.

Accompanying narrative: In cases where capital distribution constraints have been imposed, banks should describe the constraints imposed. In addition, banks shall provide a link to the supervisor's or regulator's website, where the characteristics of the relevant jurisdictions' national requirements governing capital distribution constraints are set out (eg stacking hierarchy of buffers, relevant time frame between breach of buffer and application of constraints, definition of earnings and distributable profits used to calculate restrictions). Further, banks may choose to provide any additional information they consider to be relevant for understanding the stated figures.

   

a

b

 

CET1 capital ratio that would trigger capital distribution constraints (%)

Current CET1 capital ratio (%)

1

CET1 minimum requirement plus capital buffers (not taking into account CET1 capital used to meet other minimum regulatory capital/ TLAC ratios)

   

2

CET1 capital plus capital buffers (taking into account CET1 capital used to meet other minimum regulatory capital/ TLAC ratios)

 
   

Leverage ratio that would trigger capital distribution constraints (%)

Current leverage ratio (%)

3

[Applicable only for G-SIBs]

Leverage ratio

   

Instructions

Row

number

Explanation

1

CET1 minimum plus capital buffers (not taking into account CET1 capital used to meet other minimum regulatory capital/TLAC ratios): CET1 capital ratio which would trigger capital distribution constraints, should the bank's CET1 capital ratio fall below this level. The ratio takes into account only CET1 capital that banks must maintain to meet the minimum CET1 capital ratio (4.5%), applicable risk-based buffer requirements (ie capital conservation buffer (2.5%), G-SIB surcharge and countercyclical capital buffer) and Pillar 2 capital requirements (if CET1 capital is required). The ratio does not take into account instances where the bank has used its CET1 capital to meet its other minimum regulatory ratios (ie Tier 1 capital, total capital and/or TLAC requirements), which could increase the CET1 capital ratio which the bank has to meet in order to prevent capital distribution constraints from being triggered.

2

CET1 minimum plus capital buffers (taking into account CET1 capital used to meet other minimum regulatory capital/TLAC ratios): CET1 capital ratio which would trigger capital distribution constraints, should the bank's CET1 capital ratio fall below this level. The ratio takes into account CET1 capital that banks must maintain to meet the minimum regulatory ratios (ie CET1, Tier 1, total capital requirements and TLAC requirements), applicable risk-based buffer requirements
(ie capital conservation buffer (2.5%), G-SIB surcharge and countercyclical capital buffer) and Pillar 2 capital requirements (if CET1 capital is required).

3

Leverage ratio: Leverage ratio which would trigger capital distribution constraints, should the bank's leverage ratio fall below this level.

Linkages across templates

Amount in [CDC:1/b] is equal to [KM1:5/a]

Amount in [CDC:3/b] is equal to [KM1:14/a]

         
1

RBC30.2 states that Common Equity Tier 1 must first be used to meet the minimum capital and TLAC requirements if necessary (including the 6% Tier 1, 8% total capital and 18% TLAC requirements), before the remainder can contribute to the capital conservation buffer.

Background to the Basel Framework

The Basel Framework is a consolidated version of the full set of standards of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS), which is the primary global standard setter for the prudential regulation of banks. The membership of the BCBS has agreed to fully implement these standards and apply them to the internationally active banks in their jurisdictions.

Structure

The framework comprises the 14 standards listed below. Each standard is divided into chapters, and many chapters have multiple versions, eg a chapter may have a version that is applicable now and one that will become applicable after the Basel III reforms have been implemented. The full breakdown of all chapters and versions is available here.

If you would like to explore the source material for the consolidated Basel Framework, there is a mapping table that links each of the paragraphs of the BCBS's original published standards to their locations within the first published version the framework.

Other features of the framework include:

  • Interactive cross-references to make it easier to navigate.
  • A "time traveller" feature, which lets you select a future date and see the framework as it is due to apply at that date.
  • Answers to frequently asked questions displayed directly underneath the paragraphs to which they relate.
  • A section to view all past and future planned changes to the Basel Framework.
  • An improved search function, which makes it easier to find specific content in each standard.

If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the consolidated Basel Framework, please let us know at baselcommittee@bis.org.

This standard describes the scope of application of the Basel Framework.

This standard describes the criteria that bank capital instruments must meet to be eligible to satisfy the Basel capital requirements, as well as necessary regulatory adjustments and transitional arrangements.

This standard describes the framework for risk-based capital requirements.

This standard describes how to calculate capital requirements for credit risk.

This standard describes how to calculate capital requirements for market risk and credit valuation adjustment risk.

This standard describes how to calculate capital requirements for operational risk.

This standard describes the simple, transparent, non-risk-based leverage ratio. This measure intends to restrict the build-up of leverage in the banking sector and reinforce the risk-based requirements with a simple, non-risk-based "backstop" measure.

This standard describes the Liquidity Coverage Ratio, a measure which promotes the short-term resilience of a bank's liquidity risk profile.

The net stable funding ratio requires banks to maintain a stable funding profile in relation to the composition of their assets and off-balance-sheet activities.

Large exposures regulation limits the maximum loss that a bank could face in the event of a sudden counterparty failure to a level that does not endanger the bank's solvency. This standard requires banks to measure their exposures to a single counterparty or a group of connected counterparties and limit the size of large exposures in relation to their capital.

This standard establishes minimum standards for margin requirements for non-centrally cleared derivatives. Such requirements reduce systemic risk with respect to non-standardised derivatives by reducing contagion and spillover risks and promoting central clearing.

The Pillar 2 supervisory review process ensures that banks have adequate capital and liquidity to support all the risks in their business, especially with respect to risks not fully captured by the Pillar 1 process, and encourages good risk management.

This standard sets out disclosure requirements, which aim to encourage market discipline.

The Basel Core Principles provide a comprehensive standard for establishing a sound foundation for the regulation, supervision, governance and risk management of the banking sector.

The Basel Framework homepage lists all 14 standards together with a short description of their content. The "effective as of" date is the date by which the members of the BCBS have agreed to implement the standards. By default, this date is set to the launch date of the consolidated framework for standards that were already in force at the launch of the framework. For standards that have chapters that are due to change in the future, a "next version" date is shown.

Click on the name of any standard to get the list of chapters that it contains. By default, you will see the current versions of the standards that are in effect as of the day you are using the website. In cases where new chapter versions are due to come into effect in the future, the chapter can be accessed by clicking the "new future version" link shown at the bottom of the chapter description.

Video 9 April 2019
Navigating the Basel Framework
This tutorial explains the features of the Basel Committee's consolidated framework, bringing global standards for bank regulation and supervision together in one place.

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