BASEL-III:
Originally set in 1974, the most recent set of norms, called Basel III. These are common set of global standards to be implemented by banks across countries. In India, lenders have to adhere to these regulations from 2019. After the 2008 financial crisis, need arose to strengthen the banking system further so that they could meet further risks. To meet these dangers, banks were asked to maintain a certain minimum level of capital and not lend all the money they receive from deposits. This acts as a buffer during hard times.
The Basel III norms also consider liquidity risk. The capital norms recommend Capital Adequacy ratio (CAR) be increased to 8 per cent internationally, while in India it is 9 per cent. CAR is a ratio of a bank‘s capital to its risk. This capital is further classified into two – Tier 1 (the main portion of the banks‘ capital, usually in the form of equity shares) and Tier 2 capital.
Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs):
D-SIB means that the bank is too big to fail. According to the RBI, some banks become systemically important due to their size, cross-jurisdictional activities, complexity and lack of substitute and interconnection. Banks whose assets exceed 2% of GDP are considered part of this group. The RBI stated that should such a bank fail, there would be significant disruption to the essential services they provide to the banking system and the overall economy.
The too-big-to-fail tag also indicates that in case of distress, the government is expected to support these banks. Due to this perception, these banks enjoy certain advantages in funding.It also means that these banks have a different set of policy measures regarding systemic risks and moral hazard issues.
As per the framework, from 2015, every August, the central bank has to disclose names of banks designated as D-SIB. It classifies the banks under five buckets depending on order of importance. ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank are in bucket one while SBI falls in bucket three. Based on the bucket in which a D-SIB is, an additional common equity requirement applies. Banks in bucket one need to maintain a 0.15% incremental tier-I capital from April 2018. Banks in bucket three have to maintain an additional 0.45%.
"Too big to fail" describes the concept whereby a business has become so large that a government will provide assistance to prevent its failure because not doing so would have a disastrous ripple effect throughout the economy.
Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR):
Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) is also known as Capital to Risk (Weighted) Assets Ratio (CRAR) is the ratio of a bank‘s capital to its risk. Central Bank regulates bank‘s CAR to ensure that it can absorb a reasonable amount of loss and complies with statutory Capital requirements.
It is a measure of a bank's capital. It is expressed as a percentage of a bank's risk weighted credit exposures.
This ratio is used to protect depositors and promote stability and efficiency of financial systems around the world.
Two types of capital are measured: tier one capital, which can absorb losses without a bank being required to cease trading, and tier two capital, which can absorb losses in the event of a winding-up and so provides a lesser degree of protection to depositors.
CAR = Tier I Capital + Tier II Capital / Risk Weighted Assets
TIER 1 CAPITAL = (paid up capital + statutory reserves + disclosed free reserves) - (equity investments in subsidiary + intangible assets + current & brought-forward losses)
TIER 2 CAPITAL = A) Undisclosed Reserves + B) General Loss reserves + C) hybrid debt capital instruments and subordinated debts
The Basel III norms stipulated a capital to risk weighted assets of 8%. However, as per RBI norms, Indian scheduled commercial banks are required to maintain a CAR of 9% while Indian public sector banks are emphasized to maintain a CAR of 12%.
Credit Risk:
Credit risk refers to the risk that a borrower may not repay a loan and that the lender may lose the principal of the loan or the interest associated with it or both.
This can occur on account of poor financial condition of the borrower, and it represents a risk for the lender.
Credit risks are calculated based on the borrowers' overall ability to repay. To assess credit risk on a consumer loan, lenders look at the five C's: an applicant's credit history, his capacity to repay, his capital, the loan's conditions and associated collateral
Operational Risk:
Operational risk is the prospect of loss resulting from inadequate or failed procedures, systems or policies.
Employee errors
Systems failures
Fraud or other criminal activity
Any event that disrupts business processes
This definition includes legal risk but excludes strategic and reputational risk.
Operational risk can play a key role in developing overarching (comprehensive) risk management programs that include business continuity and disaster recovery planning, and information security and compliance measures.
A first step in developing an operational risk management strategy can be creating a risk map -- a plan that identifies, assesses, communicates and mitigates risk.
Market Risk:
Market risk is the risk of losses in positions arising from movements in market prices.
There is no unique classification as each classification may refer to different aspects of market risk. Nevertheless, the most commonly used types of market risk are
Equity Risk: The risk that stock or stock indices prices or their implied volatility will change.
Interest rate Risk: The risk that interest rates or their implied volatility will change.
Currency Risk: The risk that foreign exchange rates or their implied volatility will change.
Commodity Risk: The risk that commodity prices (e.g. corn, crude oil) or their implied volatility will change.
Liquidity Risk:
Liquidity risk is the risk that a company or bank may be unable to meet short term financial demands. This usually occurs due to the inability to convert a security or hard asset to cash without a loss of capital and/or income in the process.
Liquidity risk generally arises when a business or individual with immediate cash needs, holds a valuable asset that it cannot trade or sell at market value due to a lack of buyers, or due to an inefficient market where it is difficult to bring buyers and sellers together.
Reputational Risk:
Reputational risk is the risk of damage to a bank‘s image and public standing that occurs due to some dubious actions taken by the bank. Sometimes reputational risk can be due to perception or negative publicity against the bank and without any solid evidence of wrongdoing. Reputational risk leads to the public‘s loss of confidence in a bank.
The bank‘s failure to honor commitments to the government, regulators, and the public at large lowers a bank‘s reputation. It can arise from any type of situation relating to mismanagement of the bank‘s affairs or non-observance of the codes of conduct under corporate governance.
Risks emerging from suppression of facts and manipulation of records and accounts are also instances of reputational risk. Bad customer service, inappropriate staff behavior, and delay in decisions create a bad bank image among the public and hamper business development.
RCSA:
RCSA (Risk Control Self-Assessment) is an empowering method/process by which management and staff of all levels collectively identify and evaluate risks and associated controls. It is a technique that adds value by increasing an operating unit‘s involvement in designing and maintaining control and risk systems as well as identifying risk exposures and determining corrective action. It aims to integrate risk management practices and culture into the way staff undertake their jobs, and business units achieve their objectives. It provides a framework and tools for management and employees to:
Identify and prioritize their business objectives
Assess and manage high risk areas of business processes
Self-evaluate the adequacy of controls
Develop risk treatment action plans
Ensure that the identification, recognition and evaluation of business objectives and risks are consistent across all levels of the organization
Paripassu Charge:
A ‗Paripassu‘ charge gives lenders a right to the property on which a charge is created in proportion to the amount lent to the debtor. Let us assume two banks ‗X‘ and ‗Y‘ have lent to a company with the outstanding at Rs 70 lakh and Rs 30 lakh respectively and have‗paripassu‘ charge over the assets hypothecated. In case of liquidation of that company, the lenders ‗X‘ and ‗Y‘ will share the proceeds from liquidation in proportion to the outstanding loan amount, that is, 70:30
Reverse Mortgage and how does it work:
A reverse mortgage is a loan extended to senior citizens against the security of a house property owned by them. The loan is given in lump sum or in installments and it provides important cash flow to the senior citizens who require money during their old age. They continue to be the owners of the house and occupy it. The loan obligation is deferred till the death of the homeowner. The legal heirs of senior citizens can repay the loan amount after the death of the borrower and the bank will release the security on the house property.
