Capital

Part

GENPRU General Prudential sourcebook

Chapter

Capital

Printed on: 22/01/2025

Rulebook at: 06/08/2009

GENPRU 2

Capital

GENPRU 2.1

Calculation of capital resources requirements

31/12/2006

Application

GENPRU 2.1.1

This section applies to:

(1) a BIPRU firm; and

(2) an insurer, unless it is:

(a) a non-directive friendly society; or

(b) a Swiss general insurer; or

(d) an incoming EEA firm; or

(e) an incoming Treaty firm.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.2

The scope of application of this section is not restricted to firms that are subject to the relevant EC Directives.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.3

(1) This section applies to a firm in relation to the whole of its business, except where a particular provision provides for a narrower scope.

(2) Where an insurer carries on both long-term insurance business and general insurance business, except where a particular provision provides otherwise, this section applies separately to each type of business.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.4

The adequacy of a firm's capital resources needs to be assessed in relation to all the activities of the firm and the risks to which they give rise.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.5

The requirements in this section apply to a firm on a solo basis.

31/12/2006

Purpose

GENPRU 2.1.6

Principle 4 requires a firm to maintain adequate financial resources. GENPRU 2 sets out provisions that deal specifically with the adequacy of that part of a firm's financial resources that consists of capital resources. The adequacy of a firm's capital resources needs to be assessed both by that firm and the FSA . Through its rules, the FSA sets minimum capital resources requirements for firms. It also reviews a firm's own assessment of its capital needs, and the processes and systems by which that assessment is made, in order to see if the minimum capital resources requirements are appropriate (see GENPRU 1.2 (Adequacy of financial resources), BIPRU 2.2 (Internal capital adequacy standards) and INSPRU 7.1 (Individual capital assessment)).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.7

This section sets capital resources requirements for a firm. GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources) sets out how, for the purpose of meeting capital resources requirements, the amounts or values of capital, assets and liabilities are to be determined. More detailed rules relating to capital, assets and liabilities are set out in GENPRU 1.3 (Valuation) and, for an insurer, INSPRU and, for a BIPRU firm, BIPRU.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.8

(1) This section implements minimum EC standards for the capital resources required to be held by an insurer undertaking business that falls within the scope of the Consolidated Life Directive (2002/83/EC), the Reinsurance Directive (2005/68/EC) or the First Non-Life Directive (1973/239/EEC) as amended.

(2) This section also implements provisions of the Capital Adequacy Directive and Banking Consolidation Directive concerning the level of capital resources which a BIPRU firm is required to hold. In particular it implements (in part) Articles 9, 10 and 75 of the Banking Consolidation Directive and Articles 5, 9, 10 and 18 of the Capital Adequacy Directive.

(3) In the case of a UCITS investment firm this section implements (in part) Article 5aof the UCITS Directive.

31/12/2006

Monitoring requirements

GENPRU 2.1.9

A firm must at all times monitor whether it is complying with GENPRU 2.1.13 R (the main capital adequacy rule for insurer) or the main BIPRU firm Pillar 1 rules and be able to demonstrate that it knows at all times whether it is complying with those rules.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.10

For the purposes of GENPRU 2.1.9 R, a firm should have systems in place to enable it to be certain whether it has adequate capital resources to comply with GENPRU 2.1.13 R and the main BIPRU firm Pillar 1 rules (as applicable) at all times. This does not necessarily mean that a firm needs to measure the precise amount of its capital resources and its CRR on a daily basis. A firm should, however, be able to demonstrate the adequacy of its capital resources at any particular time if asked to do so by the FSA .

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.11

A firm must notify the FSA immediately of any breach, or expected breach, of GENPRU 2.1.13 R (in the case of an insurer) or the main BIPRU firm Pillar 1 rules (in the case of a BIPRU firm).

31/12/2006

Additional capital requirements

GENPRU 2.1.12

The FSA may impose a higher capital requirement than the minimum requirement set out in this section as part of the firm's Part IV permission (see GENPRU 1.2 (Adequacy of financial resources), BIPRU 2.2 (Internal capital adequacy standards) and INSPRU 7.1 (Individual capital assessment)).

31/12/2006

Main requirement: Insurers

GENPRU 2.1.13

(1) Subject to (2), an insurer must maintain at all times capital resources equal to or in excess of its capital resources requirement (CRR).

(2) An insurer which is a participating insurance undertaking and, in relation to its own group capital resources, is in compliance with INSPRU 6.1.9 R (Requirement to maintain group capital), is deemed to comply with this rule.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.14

An insurer must comply with GENPRU 2.1.13 R separately in respect of both its long-term insurance business and its general insurance business unless it is a pure reinsurer or a captive reinsurer which has a single MCR in respect of its entire business in accordance with GENPRU 2.1.26 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.15

In order to comply with GENPRU 2.1.14 R, an insurer carrying on both general insurance business and long-term insurance business will need to allocate its capital resources between its general insurance business and long-term insurance business so that the capital resources allocated to its general insurance business are equal to or in excess of its CRR for its general insurance business and the capital resources allocated to its long-term insurance business are equal to or in excess of its CRR for its long-term insurance business. Whereas long-term insurance assets cannot be used towards meeting a firm's CRR for its general insurance business, surplus general insurance assets may be used towards meeting the CRR for its long-term insurance business (see INSPRU 1.5.30 R to INSPRU 1.5.32 G). INSPRU 1.5 (Internal-contagion risk) sets out the detailed requirements for the separation of long-term and general insurance business.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.16

Insurers commonly use different terminology for the various GENPRU requirements. For example, the MCR is traditionally known as the required minimum margin.

31/12/2006

Calculation of the CRR for an insurer

GENPRU 2.1.17

The CRR for any insurer carrying on general insurance business is equal to the MCR in GENPRU 2.1.24 R or, for a pure reinsurer or a captive reinsurer carrying on both general insurance business and long-term insurance business, in GENPRU 2.1.26 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.18

The CRR for any insurer to which this rule applies (see GENPRU 2.1.19 R and GENPRU 2.1.20 R) is the higher of:

(1) the MCR in GENPRU 2.1.24A R; and

(2) the ECR in GENPRU 2.1.38 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.19

Subject to GENPRU 2.1.20 R, GENPRU 2.1.18 R applies to an insurer carrying on long-term insurance business, other than:

(1) a non-directive mutual;

(2) an insurer which has no with-profits insurance liabilities; and

(3) an insurer which has with-profits insurance liabilities that are, and at all times since 31 December 2004 (the coming into force of GENPRU 2.1.18 R) have remained, less than £500 million.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.20

GENPRU 2.1.18 R also applies to an insurer of a type listed in GENPRU 2.1.19R (3) if:

(1) the insurer makes an election that GENPRU 2.1.18 R is to apply to it; and

(2) that election is made by written notice given to the FSA in a way that complies with the requirements for written notice in SUP 15.7 (Form and method of notification).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.21

The effect of GENPRU 2.1.19R (3) is that an insurer to which GENPRU 2.1.18 R applies because it has with-profits insurance liabilities of £500 million or more, will continue to be subject to GENPRU 2.1.18 R even if its with-profits insurance liabilities fall below £500 million. However, if that happens, it may apply for a waiver from GENPRU 2.1.18 R under section 148 of the Act. In exercising its discretion under section 148 of the Act, the FSA will have regard (among other factors) to whether there has been a material and permanent change to the insurer's business and to the prospects of it continuing to have with-profits insurance liabilities of less than £500 million.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.22

An insurer that has always had with-profits insurance liabilities of less than £500 million since GENPRU 2.1.18 R came into force may wish to "opt in" to GENPRU 2.1.18 R and therefore become a realistic basis life firm. By doing so, it becomes obliged to calculate a with-profits insurance capital component (see GENPRU 2.1.38 R and INSPRU 1.3 (With-profits insurance capital component)), but it also becomes entitled to certain modifications to the way that a firm is required to calculate its mathematical reserves (see INSPRU 1.2.46 R (Future net premiums: adjustment for deferred acquisition costs) and INSPRU 1.2.76 R (Persistency assumptions)). The firm is also then required to report its liabilities on a realistic basis (see IPRU(INS) rule 9.31R(b)). In order to "opt in", the insurer must make an election under GENPRU 2.1.20 R that GENPRU 2.1.18 R is to apply to it. If an insurer that has elected to calculate and report its with-profits insurance liabilities on a realistic basis subsequently decides that it no longer wishes to do so, it may seek to "opt out" by applying for a waiver from GENPRU 2.1.18 R under section 148 of the Act. In exercising its discretion under section 148 of the Act, the FSA will have regard (among other factors) to whether there has been a material and permanent change to the firm's business and to whether it continues to have with-profits insurance liabilities of less than £500 million.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.23

The CRR for an insurer carrying on long-term insurance business, but to which GENPRU 2.1.18 R does not apply, is equal to the MCR in GENPRU 2.1.25 R or, for a pure reinsurer or a captive reinsurer carrying on both general insurance business and long-term insurance business, in GENPRU 2.1.26 R.

31/12/2006

Calculation of the MCR (Insurer only)

GENPRU 2.1.24

Subject to GENPRU 2.1.26 R, for an insurer carrying on general insurance business the MCR in respect of that business is the higher of:

(1) the base capital resources requirement for general insurance business applicable to that firm; and

(2) the general insurance capital requirement.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.24A

Subject to GENPRU 2.1.26 R, for an insurer carrying on long-term insurance business to which GENPRU 2.1.18 R applies the MCR in respect of that business is the higher of:

(1) the base capital resources requirement for long-term insurance business applicable to that firm; and

(2) the long-term insurance capital requirement.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.25

Subject to GENPRU 2.1.26 R, for an insurer carrying on long-term insurance business, but to which GENPRU 2.1.18 R does not apply, the MCR in respect of that business is the higher of:

(1) the base capital resources requirement for long-term insurance business applicable to that firm; and

(2) the sum of:

(a) the long-term insurance capital requirement; and

(b) the resilience capital requirement.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.26

For a pure reinsurer or a captive reinsurer carrying on both general insurance business and long-term insurance business:

(1) the MCR in respect of its general insurance business is the general insurance capital requirement; and

(2) the MCR in respect of its long-term insurance business is the sum of:

(a) the long-term insurance capital requirement; and

(b) the resilience capital requirement;

unless the sum of:

(3) the general insurance capital requirement; and

(4) the sum of:

(a) the long-term insurance capital requirement; and

(b) the resilience capital requirement;

is lower than the base capital resources requirement, in which case the firm has a single MCR in respect of its entire business equal to the base capital resources requirement.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.27

The MCR gives effect to the EC Directive minimum requirements. For general insurance business, the EC Directive minimum is the higher of the general insurance capital requirement and the relevant base capital resources requirement. For long-term insurance business, the EC Directive minimum is the higher of the long-term insurance capital requirement and the base capital resources requirement. For pure reinsurers and captive reinsurers carrying on both general insurance business and long-term insurance business, however, the base capital resources requirement is the EC Directive required minimum only when it is higher than the sum of the general insurance capital requirement and the long-term insurance capital requirement. The base capital resources requirement is the minimum guarantee fund for the purposes of article 29(2) of the Consolidated Life Directive (2002/83/EC), article 17(2) of the First Non-Life Directive (1973/239/EEC) as amended and article 40(2) of the Reinsurance Directive (2005/68/EC). The resilience capital requirement is an FSAminimumrequirement for long-term insurance business for regulatory basis only life firms that is additional to the EC minimum requirement for long-term insurance business.

06/04/2007

GENPRU 2.1.28

The calculation of the resilience capital requirement is set out in INSPRU 3.1 (Market Risk in insurance).

31/12/2006

Calculation of the base capital resources requirement for an insurer

GENPRU 2.1.29

The amount of an insurer's base capital resources requirement is set out in the table in GENPRU 2.1.30 R. If an insurer falls within one or more of the descriptions of type of firm set out in GENPRU 2.1.30 R, its base capital resources requirement is the highest amount set out against the different types of firm within whose description it falls.

31/12/2006

Table: Base capital resources requirement for an insurer

GENPRU 2.1.30

This table belongs to GENPRU 2.1.29 R

Firm category

Amount: Currency equivalent of

General insurance business

Liability insurer (classes 10-15)

Directive mutual

€2.4 million

Non-directive insurer

€300,000

Other (including mixed insurer but excluding pure reinsurer and captive reinsurer)

€3.2 million

Other insurer

Directive mutual

€1.65 million

Non-directive insurer (classes 1 to 8, 16 or 18)

€225,000

Non-directive insurer (classes 9 or 17)

€150,000

Mixed insurer

€3.2 million

Other (excluding pure reinsurer and captive reinsurer)

€2.2 million

Long-term insurance business

Mutual

Directive

€2.4 million

Non-directive mutual

€600,000

Any other insurer (including mixed insurer but excluding pure reinsurer and captive reinsurer)

€3.2 million

All business (general insurance business and long-term insurance business)

Pure reinsurer excluding captive reinsurer

€3.2 million

Captive reinsurer

€1 million

31/12/2008

GENPRU 2.1.31

(1) Under the Insurance Directives the amount of the base capital resources requirement specified in the last column of the table in GENPRU 2.1.30 R for an insurer which is not a Non-directive insurer is subject to annual review. The relevant amounts will be increased by the percentage change in the European index of consumer prices (comprising all EU member states, as published by Eurostat) from 20 March 2002, to the relevant review date, rounded up to a multiple of €100,000, provided that where the percentage change since the last increase is less than 5%, no increase will take place.

(2) Similar provisions for the index-linking of the base capital resources requirement are included in the Reinsurance Directive, although in that case the index-linking starts from 10 December 2005. However, to ensure consistency as between all firms affected by the index-linking of the base capital resources requirement under the Insurance Directives and the Reinsurance Directive, the FSA intends, so far as possible, to amend the amounts in GENPRU 2.1.30 R for all such firms (and GENPRU 2.3.9 R for the base capital resources requirements applying to Lloyd's) when an index-linked increase is required by the Insurance Directives. The FSA may, however, have to depart from this approach where the result would be that the base capital resources requirement required for any type of firm under GENPRU 2.1.30 R is less than the increased amount resulting from the operation of an index-linking provision to which it is subject.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.32

Any increases in the base capital resources requirement referred to in GENPRU 2.1.31 G will be published on the FSA website.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.33

In the case of an insurer and for the purposes of the base capital resources requirement, the exchange rate from the Euro to the pound sterling for each year beginning on 31 December is the rate applicable on the last day of the preceding October for which the exchange rates for the currencies of all the European Union member states were published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

31/12/2006

Calculation of the general insurance capital requirement (Insurer only)

GENPRU 2.1.34

An insurer must calculate its general insurance capital requirement as the highest of:

(1) the premiums amount;

(2) the claims amount; and

(3) the brought forward amount.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.35

The calculation of each of the premiums amount, claims amount and brought forward amount is set out in INSPRU 1.1 (Capital resources requirement and technical provisions for insurance business).

31/12/2006

Calculation of the long-term insurance capital requirement (Insurer only)

GENPRU 2.1.36

An insurer must calculate its long-term insurance capital requirement as the sum of:

(1) the insurance death risk capital component;

(2) the insurance health risk and life protection reinsurance capital component;

(3) the insurance expense risk capital component; and

(4) the insurance market risk capital component.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.37

The calculation of each of the capital components is set out in INSPRU 1.1 (Capital resources requirement and technical provisions for insurance business).

31/12/2006

Calculation of the ECR (Insurer only)

GENPRU 2.1.38

For an insurer carrying on long-term insurance business the ECR in respect of that business is the sum of:

(1) the long-term insurance capital requirement; and

(2) the with-profits insurance capital component.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.39

Details of the resilience capital requirement and the with-profits insurance capital component are set out in INSPRU 3.1 (Market Risk in insurance) and INSPRU 1.3 (With-profits insurance capital component) respectively.

31/12/2006

Main requirement: BIPRU firms

GENPRU 2.1.40

A BIPRU firm must maintain at all times capital resources equal to or in excess of the amount specified in the table in GENPRU 2.1.45 R (Calculation of the variable capital requirement for a BIPRU firm).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.41

A BIPRU firm must maintain at all times capital resources equal to or in excess of the base capital resources requirement (see the table in GENPRU 2.1.48 R).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.42

At the time that it first becomes a bank, building society or BIPRU investment firm, a firm must hold initial capital of not less than the base capital resources requirement applicable to that firm.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.43

The purpose of the base capital resources requirement for a BIPRU firm is to act as a minimum capital requirement or floor. It has been written as a separate requirement as there are restrictions in GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources) on the types of capital that a BIPRU firm may use to meet the base capital resources requirement which do not apply to some other parts of the capital requirement calculation. In order to preserve the base capital resources requirement's role as a floor rather than an additional requirement, GENPRU 2.2.60 R allows a BIPRU firm to meet the base capital resources requirement with capital that is also used to meet the variable capital requirements in GENPRU 2.1.40 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.44

The base capital resources requirement and the variable capital requirement in GENPRU 2.1.40 R are together called the capital resources requirement (CRR) in the case of a BIPRU firm.

31/12/2006

Calculation of the variable capital requirement for a BIPRU firm

GENPRU 2.1.45

Table: Calculation of the variable capital requirement for a BIPRU firm
This table belongs to GENPRU 2.1.40 R

Firm category

Capital requirement

Bank, building society or full scope BIPRU investment firm

the sum of the following:

(1)

the credit risk capital requirement;

(2)

the market risk capital requirement; and

(3)

the operational risk capital requirement.

BIPRU limited activity firm

the sum of the following:

(1)

the credit risk capital requirement;

(2)

the market risk capital requirement; and

(3)

the fixed overheads requirement.

BIPRU limited licence firm (including UCITS investment firm )

the higher of (1) and (2):

(1)

the sum of:

(a)

the credit risk capital requirement; and

(b)

the market risk capital requirement; and

(2)

the fixed overheads requirement.

31/12/2006

Adjustment of the variable capital requirement calculation for UCITS investment firms

GENPRU 2.1.46

When a UCITS investment firm calculates the credit risk capital requirement and the market risk capital requirement for the purpose of calculating the variable capital requirement under GENPRU 2.1.40 R it must do so only in respect of designated investment business. For this purpose scheme management activity is excluded from designated investment business.

06/04/2007

Calculation of the base capital resources requirement for a BIPRU firm

GENPRU 2.1.47

The amount of a BIPRU firm's base capital resources requirement is set out in the table in GENPRU 2.1.48 R.

31/12/2006

Table: Base capital resources requirement for a BIPRU firm

GENPRU 2.1.48

This table belongs to GENPRU 2.1.47 R

Firm category

Amount: Currency equivalent of

Bank

€5 million

Building society

The higher of €1 million and £1 million

BIPRU 730K firm

€730,000

BIPRU 125K firm

€125,000

BIPRU 50K firm

€50,000

UCITS investment firm

€125,000 plus, if the funds under management exceed €250,000,000, 0.02% of the excess, subject to a maximum of €10,000,000.

06/04/2007

Definition of BIPRU 730K firm, BIPRU 125K firm and BIPRU 50K firm

GENPRU 2.1.49

The terms BIPRU 730K firm, BIPRU 125K firm and BIPRU 50K firm are defined in BIPRU 1.1 (Application and purpose). However for convenience the table in GENPRU 2.1.50 G briefly summarises them.

31/12/2006

Table: Definition of BIPRU 730K firm, BIPRU 125K firm and BIPRU 50K firm

GENPRU 2.1.50

This table belongs to GENPRU 2.1.49 G

Category of BIPRU investment firm

Definition

BIPRU 50K firm

(1)

it does not deal in any financial instruments for its own account or underwrite issues of financial instruments on a firm commitment basis;

(2)

it offers one or more of the following services:

(a)

reception and transmission of investors' orders for financial instruments; or

(b)

the execution of investors' orders for financial instruments; or

(c)

the management of individual portfolios of investments in financial instruments; and

(3)

it does not hold clients' money and/or securities and it is not authorised to do so (it should have a limitation or requirement prohibiting the holding of client money and its permission should not include safeguarding and administering investments).

BIPRU 125K firm

(1)

it does not deal in any financial instruments for its own account or underwrite issues of financial instruments on a firm commitment basis;

(2)

it offers one or more of the following services:

(a)

reception and transmission of investors' orders for financial instruments; or

(b)

the execution of investors' orders for financial instruments; or

(c)

the management of individual portfolios of investments in financial instruments; and

(3)

it holds clients' money and/or securities or it is authorised to do so.

BIPRU 730K firm

is subject to the Capital Adequacy Directive and is neither a BIPRU 50K firm nor a BIPRU 125K firm.

31/12/2006

Calculation of the credit risk capital requirement (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.1.51

A BIPRU firm must calculate its credit risk capital requirement as the sum of:

(1) the credit risk capital component;

(2) the counterparty risk capital component; and

(3) the concentration risk capital component.

31/12/2006

Calculation of the market risk capital requirement (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.1.52

(1) A BIPRU firm must calculate its market risk capital requirement as the sum of:

(a) the interest rate PRR (including the basic interest rate PRR for equity derivatives set out in BIPRU 7.3 (Equity PRR and basic interest rate PRR for equity derivatives));

(b) the equity PRR;

(d) the foreign currency PRR;

(e) the option PRR; and

(f) the collective investment undertaking PRR.

(2) Any amount calculated under BIPRU 7.1.9 R - BIPRU 7.1.13 R (Instruments for which no PRR treatment has been specified) must be allocated between the PRR charges in (1) in the most appropriate manner.

31/12/2006

Calculation of the fixed overheads requirement (BIPRU investment firm only)

GENPRU 2.1.53

In relation to a BIPRU investment firm which is required to calculate a fixed overheads requirement, the amount of that requirementis equal to one quarter of the firm's relevant fixed expenditure calculated in accordance with GENPRU 2.1.54 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.54

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.1.53 R, and subject to GENPRU 2.1.55 R to GENPRU 2.1.57 R,a BIPRU investment firm's relevant fixed expenditure is the amount described as total expenditure in its most recent audited annual report and accounts, less the following items (if they are included within such expenditure):

(1) staff bonuses, except to the extent that they are guaranteed;

(2) employees' and directors' shares in profits, except to the extent that they are guaranteed;

(3) other appropriations of profits;

(4) shared commission and fees payable which are directly related to commission and fees receivable, which are included within total revenue;

(5) interest charges in respect of borrowings made to finance the acquisition of the firm's readily realisable investments;

(6) interest paid to customers on client money;

(7) interest paid to counterparties;

(8) fees, brokerage and other charges paid to clearing houses, exchanges and intermediate brokers for the purposes of executing, registering or clearing transactions;

(9) foreign exchange losses; and

(10) other variable expenditure.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.55

The relevant fixed expenditure of a firm in the following circumstances is:

(1) where its most recent audited annual report and accounts do not represent a twelve month period, an amount calculated in accordance with GENPRU 2.1.54 R, pro-rated so as to produce an equivalent annual amount; and

(2) where it has not completed twelve months' trading, an amount based on forecast expenditure included in the budget for the first twelve months' trading, as submitted with its application for authorisation.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.56

A firm must adjust its relevant fixed expenditure calculation so far as necessary if and to the extent that since the date covered by the most recent audited annual report and accounts or (if GENPRU 2.1.55R (2) applies) since the budget was prepared:

(1) its level of fixed expenditure changes materially; or

(2) its regulated activities comprised within its permission change.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.57

If a firm has a material proportion of its expenditure incurred on its behalf by third parties and such expenditure is not fully recharged to that firm then the firm must adjust its relevant fixed expenditure calculation by adding back in the whole of the difference between the amount of the expenditure and the amount recharged.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.58

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.1.57 R, the FSA would consider as material 10% of a firm's expenditure incurred on its behalf by third parties.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.59

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.1.54 R to 2.1.57 R, fixed expenditure is expenditure which is inelastic relative to fluctuations in a firm's levels of business. Fixed expenditure is likely to include most salaries and staff costs, office rent, payment for the rent or lease of office equipment, and insurance premiums. It may be viewed as the amount of funds which a firm would require to enable it to cease business in an orderly manner, should the need arise. This is not an exhaustive list of such expenditure and a firm will itself need to identify (taking appropriate advice where necessary) which costs amount to fixed expenditure.

31/12/2006

Calculation of base capital resources requirement for banks authorised before 1993

GENPRU 2.1.60

(1) This rule applies to a bank that meets the following conditions:

(a) on 31 December 2006 it had the benefit of IPRU(BANK) rule 3.3.12 (Reduced minimum capital requirement for a bank that is a credit institution which immediately before 1 January 1993 was authorised under the Banking Act 1987);

(b) the relevant amount (as referred to in IPRU(BANK) rule 3.3.12) applicable to it was below €5 million as at 31 December 2006; and

(c) on 1 January 2007 it did not comply with the base capital resources requirement as set out in the table in GENPRU 2.1.48 R (€5 million requirement).

(2) Subject to (3), the applicable base capital resources requirement as at any time (the "relevant time") is the higher of:

(a) the relevant amount applicable to it under IPRU(BANK) rule 3.3.12 as at 31 December 2006 as adjusted under GENPRU 2.1.62R (2); and

(b) the highest amount of eligible capital resources which that bank has held between 1 January 2007 and the relevant time.

(3) This rule ceases to apply when:

(a) that bank's eligible capital resources at any time since 1 January 2007 equal or exceed €5 million; or

(b) a person (other than an existing controller) becomes the parent undertaking of that bank.

(4) If this rule ceases to apply under (3)(a) it continues not to apply if the bank's eligible capital resources later fall below €5 million.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.61

Where two or more banks merge, all of which individually have the benefit of GENPRU 2.1.60 R, the FSA may agree in certain circumstances that the base capital resources requirement for the bank resulting from the merger may be the sum of the aggregate capital resources of the merged banks, calculated at the time of the merger, provided this figure is less than €5 million.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.1.62

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.1.60 R:

(1) an existing controller of a bank means:

(a) a person who has been a parent undertaking of that bank since 31 December 2006 or earlier; or

(b) a person who became a parent undertaking of that bank after 31 December 2006 but who, when he became a parent undertaking of that bank, was a subsidiary undertaking of an existing controller of that bank;

(2) the relevant amount of capital as referred to in GENPRU 2.1.60R (2)(a) is adjusted by identifying the time as of which the amount of capital it was obliged to hold under IPRU(BANK) rule 3.3.12 as referred to in GENPRU 2.1.60R (2)(a) was fixed and then recalculating the capital resources it held at that time in accordance with the definition of eligible capital resources (as defined in (3)); and

(3) eligible capital resources mean capital resources eligible under GENPRU 2.2 (Capital resources) to be used to meet the base capital resources requirement.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2

Capital resources

31/12/2006

Application

GENPRU 2.2.1

This section applies to:

(1) a BIPRU firm; and

(2) an insurer unless it is:

(a) a non-directive friendly society; or

(b) a Swiss general insurer; or

(d) an incoming EEA firm; or

(e) an incoming Treaty firm.

31/12/2006

Purpose

GENPRU 2.2.2

GENPRU 2.1 (Calculation of capital resources requirement) sets out minimum capital resources requirements for a firm. This section (GENPRU 2.2) sets out how, for the purpose of these requirements, capital resources are defined and measured.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.3

This section implements minimum EC standards for the composition of capital resources required to be held by an insurer undertaking business that falls within the scope of the Consolidated Life Directive (2002/83/EC), the First Non-Life Directive (1973/239/EEC) as amended or the Reinsurance Directive (2005/68/EC).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.4

This section also implements minimum EC standards for the composition of capital resources required to be held by a BIPRU firm. In particular it implements Articles 56 - 61, Articles 63 - 64, Article 66 and Articles 120 - 122 of the Banking Consolidation Directive (2006/48/EC) and Articles 12 - 16, Article 17 (in part), Article 22(1)(c) (in part) and paragraphs 13 - 15 of Part B of Annex VII of the Capital Adequacy Directive (2006/49/EC).

31/12/2006

Contents guide

GENPRU 2.2.5

The table in GENPRU 2.2.6 G sets out where the main topics in this section can be found.

31/12/2006

Table: Arrangement of GENPRU 2.2

GENPRU 2.2.6

This table belongs to GENPRU 2.2.5 G

Topic

Location of text

Application and purpose of the rules in this section

GENPRU 2.2.1 R to GENPRU 2.2.4 G

BIPRU firms that only have simple types of capital resources (simple capital issuers)

GENPRU 2.2.7 G

Principles underlying the definition of capital resources

GENPRU 2.2.8 G

Which method of calculating capital resources applies to which type of firm

GENPRU 2.2.17 R to GENPRU 2.2.19 R

Purpose of the limits on the use of different forms of capital

GENPRU 2.2.24 G

Use of higher tier capital in lower tiers

GENPRU 2.2.25 R to GENPRU 2.2.28 R

Calculation of capital resources for insurers

GENPRU 2.2.22 G to GENPRU 2.2.23 G; GENPRU 2 Annex 1

Limits on the use of different forms of capital for insurer (capital resources gearing rules for insurer)

GENPRU 2.2.29 R to GENPRU 2.2.41 R

Calculation of capital resources for banks

GENPRU 2 Annex 2

Calculation of capital resources for building societies

GENPRU 2 Annex 3

Limits on the use of different forms of capital for banks and building societies (certain types of capital resources cannot be used for certain purposes)

GENPRU 2.2.42 R to GENPRU 2.2.45 R; GENPRU 2.2.47 R to GENPRU 2.2.48 R

Limits on the use of different forms of capital for banks and building societies (capital resources gearing rules)

GENPRU 2.2.29 R to GENPRU 2.2.31 G; GENPRU 2.2.46 R; GENPRU 2.2.49 R

Calculation of capital resources for BIPRU investment firms

GENPRU 2.2.20 G to GENPRU 2.2.21 G; GENPRU 2 Annex 4 to GENPRU 2 Annex 6

Limits on the use of different forms of capital for BIPRU investment firms (certain types of capital resources cannot be used for certain purposes)

GENPRU 2.2.42 R to GENPRU 2.2.45 R; GENPRU 2.2.47 R to GENPRU 2.2.48 R

Limits on the use of different forms of capital for BIPRU investment firms (capital resources gearing rules)

GENPRU 2.2.29 R to GENPRU 2.2.31 G; GENPRU 2.2.46 R; GENPRU 2.2.50 R

Example of how the capital resources calculation for BIPRU firms works

GENPRU 2.2.51 G to GENPRU 2.2.59 G

Capital used to meet the base capital resources requirement for BIPRU firms

GENPRU 2.2.60 R to GENPRU 2.2.61 G

Tier one capital instruments: general

GENPRU 2.2.9 G to GENPRU 2.2.10 G; GENPRU 2.2.62 R to GENPRU 2.2.69 G; GENPRU 2.2.80 R to GENPRU 2.2.82 G

Core tier one capital: permanent share capital

GENPRU 2.2.83 R to GENPRU 2.2.84 G

Core tier one capital: profit and loss account and other reserves: material applicable to all firms

GENPRU 2.2.85 R; GENPRU 2.2.87 R to GENPRU 2.2.89 G; GENPRU 2.2.91 G

Core tier one capital: profit and loss account and other reserves: material specific to BIPRU firms

GENPRU 2.2.86 R; GENPRU 2.2.90 R; GENPRU 2.2.92 G

Core tier one capital: provisions relating to partnerships and limited liability partnerships

GENPRU 2.2.93 R to GENPRU 2.2.100 R

Core tier one capital: share premium account

GENPRU 2.2.101 R

Core tier one capital: externally verified interim net profits

GENPRU 2.2.102 R to GENPRU 2.2.103 G

Core tier one capital: valuation differences and fund for future appropriations for insurer

GENPRU 2.2.104 R to GENPRU 2.2.108 R

Tier one capital: perpetual non-cumulative preference shares

GENPRU 2.2.109 R to GENPRU 2.2.110 G

Tier one capital: PIBS

GENPRU 2.2.76 R; GENPRU 2.2.111 R to GENPRU 2.2.112 G

Innovative tier one capital (excluding issues through SPVs)

GENPRU 2.2.76 R; GENPRU 2.2.113 R to GENPRU 2.2.122 G

Innovative tier one capital (issues through SPVs)

GENPRU 2.2.123 R to GENPRU 2.2.137 R

Tier one capital: conversion ratio

GENPRU 2.2.138 R to GENPRU 2.2.144 G

Tier one capital: requirement to have sufficient unissued stock

GENPRU 2.2.145 R

Deductions from tier one capital resources

GENPRU 2.2.155 R to GENPRU 2.2.156 G

Tier two capital

GENPRU 2.2.11 G; GENPRU 2.2.157 G to GENPRU 2.2.197 G

Deductions from tier one capital resources and tier two capital resources

GENPRU 2.2.202 R to GENPRU 2.2.240 G

Tier three capital

GENPRU 2.2.12 G; GENPRU 2.2.241 R to GENPRU 2.2.249 R

Deductions from total capital resources

GENPRU 2.2.14 G to GENPRU 2.2.16 G; GENPRU 2.2.250 R to GENPRU 2.2.265 R

The effect of swaps

GENPRU 2.2.198 R to GENPRU 2.2.201 R

Step-ups (Tier one capital and tier two capital)

GENPRU 2.2.76 R; GENPRU 2.2.146 R to GENPRU 2.2.154 G

Redemption of tier one instruments

GENPRU 2.2.64R (3); GENPRU 2.2.70 R to GENPRU 2.2.79 G

Redemption of tier two instruments

GENPRU 2.2.172 R to GENPRU 2.2.174 R; GENPRU 2.2.177 R to GENPRU 2.2.178 R (upper tier two instruments); GENPRU 2.2.194 R to GENPRU 2.2.197 G (lower tier two instruments)

Non-standard capital instruments

GENPRU 2.2.13 G

Standard form documentation for subordinated debt

GENPRU 2.2.164 G

Public sector guarantees

GENPRU 2.2.276 R

Other capital resources for insurers: unpaid share capital or unpaid initial funds and calls for supplementary contributions

GENPRU 2.2.266 G to GENPRU 2.2.269 G

Additional requirements for insurer carrying on with-profits insurance business

GENPRU 2.2.270 R to GENPRU 2.2.275 G

31/12/2006

Simple capital issuers

GENPRU 2.2.7

Parts of this section are irrelevant to a BIPRU firm whose capital resources consist of straightforward capital instruments. Therefore the FSA's Personal handbooks facility available on its website allows a BIPRU firm to screen out those parts of this section that are not relevant to a simple capital issuer.

23/03/2007

Principles underlying the definition of capital resources

GENPRU 2.2.8

The FSA has divided its definition of capital into categories, or tiers, reflecting differences in the extent to which the capital instruments concerned meet the purpose and conform to the characteristics of capital listed in GENPRU 2.2.9 G. The FSA generally prefers a firm to hold higher quality capital that meets the characteristics of permanency and loss absorbency that are features of tier one capital. Capital instruments falling into core tier one capital can be included in a firm's regulatory capital without limit. Typically, other forms of capital are either subject to limits (see the capital resources gearing rules) or, in the case of some specialist types of capital, may only be included with the express consent of the FSA (which takes the form of a waiver under section 148 of the Act). Details of the individual components of capital are set out in the capital resources table.

31/12/2006

Tier one capital

GENPRU 2.2.9

Tier one capital typically has the following characteristics:

(1) it is able to absorb losses;

(2) it is permanent;

(3) it ranks for repayment upon winding up, administration or similar procedure after all other debts and liabilities; and

(4) it has no fixed costs, that is, there is no inescapable obligation to pay dividends or interest.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.10

The forms of capital that qualify for Tier one capital are set out in the capital resources table and include, for example, share capital, reserves, partnership and sole trader capital, verified interim net profits and, for a mutual, the initial fund plus permanent members' accounts. Tier one capital is divided into core tier one capital, perpetual non-cumulative preference shares, permanent interest bearing shares (PIBS) and innovative tier one capital.

31/12/2006

Upper and lower tier two capital

GENPRU 2.2.11

Tier two capital includes forms of capital that do not meet the requirements for permanency and absence of fixed servicing costs that apply to tier one capital. Tier two capital includes, for example:

(1) capital which is perpetual (that is, has no fixed term) but cumulative (that is, servicing costs cannot be waived at the issuer's option, although they may be deferred - for example, cumulative preference shares); only perpetual capital instruments may be included in upper tier two capital;

(2) capital which is not perpetual (that is, it has a fixed term) or which may have fixed servicing costs that cannot generally be either waived or deferred (for example, most subordinated debt); such capital should normally be of a medium to long-term maturity (that is, an original maturity of at least five years); dated capital instruments are included in lower tier two capital;

(3) (for BIPRU firms) certain revaluation reserves such as reserves arising from the revaluation of land and buildings, including any net unrealised gains for the fair valuation of equities held in the available-for-sale financial assets category; and

(4) (for BIPRU firms) general/collective provisions.

31/12/2006

Tier three capital

GENPRU 2.2.12

Tier three capital consists of forms of capital conforming least well to the characteristics of capital listed in GENPRU 2.2.9 G: either subordinated debt of short maturity (upper tier three capital) or net trading book profits that have not been externally verified (lower tier three capital).

31/12/2006

Non-standard capital instruments

GENPRU 2.2.13

There may be examples of capital instruments that, although based on a standard form, contain structural features that make the rules in this section difficult to apply. In such circumstances, a firm may seek individual guidance on the application of those rules to the capital instrument in question. See SUP 9 (Individual guidance) for the process to be followed when seeking individual guidance.

31/12/2006

Deductions from capital

GENPRU 2.2.14

Deductions should be made at the relevant stage of the calculation of capital resources to reflect capital that may not be available to the firm or assets of uncertain value (for example, holdings of intangible assets and assets that are inadmissible for an insurer., or, in the case of a bank or building society, where that firm has made investments in a subsidiary undertaking or in another financial institution or in respect of participations that it holds).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.15

Deductions should also be made, in the case of certain BIPRU investment firms for illiquid assets (see GENPRU 2.2.19 R).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.16

A full list of deductions from capital resources is shown in the capital resources table applicable to the firm.

31/12/2006

Which method of calculating capital resources applies to which type of firm

GENPRU 2.2.17

A firm must calculate its capital resources in accordance with the version of the capital resources table applicable to the firm, subject to the capital resources gearing rules. The version of the capital resources table that applies to a firm is specified in the table in GENPRU 2.2.19 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.18

In the case of a BIPRU firm the capital resources table also sets out how the capital resources requirement is deducted from capital resources in order to decide whether its capital resources equal or exceed its capital resources requirement.

31/12/2006

Table: Applicable capital resources calculation

GENPRU 2.2.19

This table belongs to GENPRU 2.2.17 R

Type of firm

Location of rules

Remarks

Insurer

GENPRU 2 Annex 1

Bank

GENPRU 2 Annex 2

Building society

GENPRU 2 Annex 3

BIPRU investment firm without an investment firm consolidation waiver

GENPRU 2 Annex 4 (Deducts material holdings)

Applies to a BIPRU investment firm not using GENPRU 2 Annex 5 or GENPRU 2 Annex 6

BIPRU investment firm without an investment firm consolidation waiver

GENPRU 2 Annex 5 (Deducts illiquid assets)

A BIPRU investment firm must give one Month's prior notice to the FSA before starting to use or stopping using this method

BIPRU investment firm with an investment firm consolidation waiver

GENPRU 2 Annex 6 (Deducts illiquid assets and material holdings)

A firm with an investment firm consolidation waiver must use this method. No other BIPRU investment firm may use it.

31/12/2006

Calculation of capital resources: Which rules apply to BIPRU investmentfirms

GENPRU 2.2.20

GENPRU 2.2.19 R sets out three different methods of calculating capital resources for BIPRU investment firms . The differences between the three methods relate to whether and how material holdings and illiquid assets are deducted when calculating capital resources. The method depends on whether a firm has an investment firm consolidation waiver. If a firm does have such a waiver, it should deduct illiquid assets, own group material holdings and certain contingent liabilities. If a firm does not have such a waiver, it should choose to deduct either material holdings or, subject to notifying the FSA , illiquid assets.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.21

A consequence of a firm deducting all of its illiquid assets under GENPRU 2 Annex 5 is that it is allowed a higher limit on short term subordinated debt under GENPRU 2.2.49 R.

31/12/2006

Calculation of capital resources: Insurers

GENPRU 2.2.22

Capital resources for an insurer can be calculated either as the total of eligible assets less foreseeable liabilities (which is the approach taken in the Insurance Directives) or by identifying the components of capital. Both calculations give the same result for the total amount of capital resources. The approach taken in this section has been to specify the components of capital and the relevant deductions. This is set out in the capital resources table. This approach is the same as that used for the calculation of capital resources for banks, building societies and BIPRU investment firms. A simple example, showing the reconciliation of the two methods, is given in the table in GENPRU 2.2.23 G.

31/12/2006

Table: Approaches to calculating capital resources

GENPRU 2.2.23

This table belongs to GENPRU 2.2.22 G

Liabilities

Assets

Borrowings

100

Admissible assets

350

Ordinary shares

200

Intangible assets

100

Profit and loss account and other reserves

100

Other inadmissible assets

100

Perpetual subordinated debt

150

Total

550

Total

550

Calculation of capital resources: eligible assets less foreseeable liabilities

Total assets

550

less intangible assets

(100)

less inadmissible assets

(100)

less liabilities (borrowings)

(100)

Capital resources

250

Calculation of capital resources: components of capital

Ordinary shares

200

Profit and loss account and other reserves

100

Perpetual subordinated debt

150

less intangible assets

(100)

less inadmissible assets

(100)

Capital resources

250

31/12/2006

Limits on the use of different forms of capital: General

GENPRU 2.2.24

As the various components of capital differ in the degree of protection that they offer the firm and its customers and consumers, restrictions are placed on the extent to which certain types of capital are eligible for inclusion in a firm's capital resources. These rules are called the capital resources gearing rules.

31/12/2006

Limits on the use of different forms of capital: Use of higher tier capital in lower tiers

GENPRU 2.2.25

A firm may include in a lower stage of capital, capital resources which are eligible for inclusion in a higher stage of capital if the capital resources gearing rules would prevent the use of that capital in that higher stage of capital. However:

(1) the capital resources gearing rules applicable to that lower stage of capital apply to higher stage of capital included in that lower stage of capital; and

(2) (subject to GENPRU 2.2.26 R) the rules in GENPRU governing the eligibility of capital in that lower stage of capital continue to apply.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.26

An item of tier one capital which is included in a firm's tier two capital resources under GENPRU 2.2.25 R is not subject to the requirement to obtain a legal opinion in GENPRU 2.2.159R (12).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.27

A BIPRU firm may include in a lower stage of capital, innovative tier one capital that it is prohibited from using under GENPRU 2.2.42 R (BIPRU firms may not use innovative tier one capital to meet the CRR). However:

(1) the capital resources gearing rules applicable to that lower stage of capital apply to that innovative tier one capital; and

(2) (subject to GENPRU 2.2.28 R) the rules in GENPRU governing the eligibility of capital in that lower stage of capital continue to apply.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.28

The requirement to obtain a legal opinion in GENPRU 2.2.159R (12) does not apply to innovative tier one capital treated under GENPRU 2.2.27 R but the requirements to obtain a legal opinion in GENPRU 2.2.118 R continue to apply.

31/12/2006

Limits on the use of different forms of capital: Limits relating to tier one capital applicable to all firms except BIPRU investment firms

GENPRU 2.2.29

In relation to the tier one capital resources of an insurer, bank or building society, calculated at stage F of the calculation in the capital resources table (Total tier one capital after deductions), at least 50% must be accounted for by core tier one capital.

31/12/2006

Limits on the use of different forms of capital: Limits relating to tier one capital applicable to all firms

GENPRU 2.2.30

In relation to the capital resources of an insurer,and subject to GENPRU 2.2.42 R (Restriction on the use of innovative tier one capital), those of a BIPRU firm, calculated at stage F of the calculation in the capital resources table (Total tier one capital after deductions), no more than 15% may be accounted for by innovative tier one capital.

31/12/2006

Limits on the use of different forms of capital: Limits relating to tier one capital: Purpose of the requirements

GENPRU 2.2.31

The purpose of the requirement in GENPRU 2.2.29 R is to ensure that at least 50% of the firm's tier one capital resources (net of tier one capital deductions) is met by core tier one capital which provides maximum loss absorbency on a going concern basis to protect the firm from insolvency. Although a perpetual non-cumulative preference share or a PIBS is in legal form a share, it behaves in many ways like a perpetual fixed interest debt instrument. Within the 50% limit on non-core tier one capital, GENPRU 2.2.30 R places a further sub-limit on the amount of innovative tier one capital that a firm may include in its tier one capital resources. This limit is necessary to ensure that most of a firm's tier one capital comprises items of capital of the highest quality.

31/12/2006

Limits on the use of different forms of capital: Insurers

GENPRU 2.2.32

At least 50% of an insurer's MCR must be accounted for by the sum of:

(1) the amount calculated at stage A of the calculation in the capital resources table (Core tier one capital); and

(2) notwithstanding GENPRU 2.2.29 R, the amount calculated at stage B of the calculation in the capital resources table (Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares);

less the amount calculated at stage E of the calculation in the capital resources table (Deductions from tier one capital).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.33

Subject to GENPRU 2.2.34A R, an insurer carrying on long-term insurance business must meet the higher of:

(1) 1/3 of the long-term insurance capital requirement; and

(2) the base capital resources requirement;

with the sum of the items listed at stages A (Core tier one capital), B (Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares), G (Upper tier two capital) and H (Lower tier two capital) in the capital resources table less the sum of the items listed at stage E in the capital resources table (Deductions from tier one capital).

31/12/2008

GENPRU 2.2.34

Subject to GENPRU 2.2.34A R, an insurer carrying on general insurance business must meet the higher of:

(1) 1/3 of the general insurance capital requirement; and

(2) the base capital resources requirement;

with the sum of the items listed at stages A (Core tier one capital), B (Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares), G (Upper tier two capital) and H (Lower tier two capital) in the capital resources table less the sum of the items listed at stage E (Deductions from tier one capital) in the capital resources table.

31/12/2008

GENPRU 2.2.34A

A pure reinsurer carrying on both long-term insurance business and general insurance business must meet the higher of:

(1) 1/3 of the sum of the long-term insurance capital requirement and the general insurance capital requirement; and

(2) the base capital resources requirement;

with the sum of the items listed at stages A (Core tier one capital), B (Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares), G (Upper tier two capital) and H (Lower tier two capital) in the capital resources table less the sum of the items listed at stage E (Deductions from tier one capital) in the capital resources table.

31/12/2008

GENPRU 2.2.35

In GENPRU 2.2.33 R, GENPRU 2.2.34 R and GENPRU 2.2.34A R:

(1) items listed at stage B (Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares) in the capital resources table may be included notwithstanding GENPRU 2.2.29 R;

(2) innovative tier one capital that meets the conditions (other than GENPRU 2.2.159R (12) (Requirement for a legal opinion)) for it to be included as upper tier two capital at stage G (Upper tier two capital) in the capital resources table may be treated as an item listed at stage G; and

(3) an insurer must exclude from the calculation the higher of the following:

(a) the amount (if any) by which the sum of the items listed at stages G (Upper tier two capital) and H (Lower tier two capital) in the capital resources table exceeds the total (net of deductions) of the remaining constituents of adjusted stage M; and

(b) the amount (if any) by which the sum of the items listed at stage H in the capital resources table exceeds one-third of the total (net of deductions) of the remaining constituents of adjusted stage M;

where adjusted stage M means the amount calculated at stage M of the calculation in the capital resources table (Total capital after deductions) less the amount of any innovative tier one capital that is not treated as upper tier two capital for the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.33 R, GENPRU 2.2.34 R or GENPRU 2.2.34A R, as the case may be.

31/12/2008

GENPRU 2.2.36

The purpose of the requirements in GENPRU 2.2.33 R to GENPRU 2.2.34A R is to comply with the requirements of the Insurance Directives and the Reinsurance Directive that an insurer must maintain a guarantee fund of higher quality capital resources items.

31/12/2008

GENPRU 2.2.37

Subject to GENPRU 2.2.38 R, an insurer must exclude from the calculation of its capital resources the following:

(1) the amount (if any) by which tier two capital resources exceed the amount calculated at stage F (Total tier one capital after deductions) of the calculation in the capital resources table; and

(2) the amount (if any) by which lower tier two capital resources exceed 50% of the amount calculated at stage F of the calculation in the capital resources table.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.38

At least 75% of an insurer's MCR must be accounted for by the sum of:

(1) the amount calculated at stage A (Core tier one capital) plus, notwithstanding GENPRU 2.2.29 R, the amount calculated at stage B (Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares) less the amount calculated at stage E (Deductions from tier one capital) of the calculation in the capital resources table; and

(2) the amount calculated at stage G (Upper tier two capital) of the calculation in the capital resources table.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.39

In GENPRU 2.2.38 R the amount of any innovative tier one capital that meets the conditions for it to be included as upper tier two capital at stage G (Upper tier two capital) in the capital resources table may be included in the amount calculated at stage G.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.40

GENPRU 2.2.32 R, GENPRU 2.2.37 R and GENPRU 2.2.38 R give effect to the requirements of the Insurance Directives and the Reinsurance Directive that no more than 50% of the amount which is the lesser of the available solvency margin and the required solvency margin should consist of tier two capital resources and that no more than 25% of that amount should consist of lower tier two capital resources.

31/12/2008

GENPRU 2.2.41

An insurer(other than a pure reinsurer)that carries on both long-term insurance business and general insurance business must apply the relevant limits in GENPRU 2.2.32 R to GENPRU 2.2.38 R separately for each type of business.

31/12/2008

Limits on the use of innovative tier one capital: BIPRU firm

GENPRU 2.2.42

For the purpose of meeting the main BIPRU firm Pillar 1 rules, a BIPRU firm may not include innovative tier one capital in its tier one capital resources.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.43

A BIPRU firm may include innovative tier one capital in its tier one capital resources for the purpose of GENPRU 1.2 (Adequacy of financial resources) and BIPRU 10 (Concentration risk). A firm may also include it in its upper tier two capital resources under GENPRU 2.2.25 R (Limits on the use of different forms of capital: Use of higher tier capital in lower tiers) for all purposes as long as it meets the conditions for treatment as upper tier two capital.

31/12/2006

Limits on the use of different kinds of capital: Purposes for which tier three capital may not be used (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.44

Tier one capital and tier two capital are the only type of capital resources that a BIPRU firm may use for the purpose of meeting:

(1) the credit risk capital component;

(2) the operational risk capital requirement;

(3) the counterparty risk capital component; and

(4) the base capital resources requirement.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.45

GENPRU 2.2.44 R (and the capital resources gearing rules that relate to it) also applies for the purposes of any other requirement in the Handbook for which it is necessary to calculate the capital resources of a BIPRU firm, except for the purposes described in GENPRU 2.2.47 R and except as may otherwise be stated in the relevant part of the Handbook.

31/12/2006

Limits on the use of different kinds of capital: Tier two limits (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.46

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.44 R:

(1) the amount of the items which may be included in a BIPRU firm's tier two capital resources must not exceed the amount calculated at stage F of the calculation in the capital resources table (Total tier one capital after deductions); and

(2) the amount of the items which may be included in a BIPRU firm's lower tier two capital resources must not exceed 50% of the amount calculated at stage F of the calculation in the capital resources table.

31/12/2006

Limits on the use of different kinds of capital: Purposes for which tier three capital may be used (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.47

For the purposes of meeting:

(1) the market risk capital requirement;

(2) the concentration risk capital component; and

(3) the fixed overheads requirement(where applicable);

a BIPRU firm may only use the following parts of its capital resources:

(4) tier one capital to the extent that it is not required to meet the requirements in GENPRU 2.2.44 R (GENPRU 2.2.48 R explains how to calculate how much tier one capital is required to meet the requirements in GENPRU 2.2.44 R);

(5) tier two capital to the extent that it:

(a) comes within the limits in GENPRU 2.2.46 R (100% limit for tier two capital resources and 50% limit for lower tier two capital resources); and

(b) it is not required to meet the requirements in GENPRU 2.2.44 R;

(GENPRU 2.2.48 R explains how to calculate how much tier two capital is required to meet the requirements in GENPRU 2.2.44 R);

(6) tier two capital that cannot be used for the purposes in GENPRU 2.2.44 R because it falls outside the limits in GENPRU 2.2.46 R; and

(7) tier three capital.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.48

The amount of tier one capital and tier two capital that is not used to meet the requirements in GENPRU 2.2.44 R as referred to in GENPRU 2.2.47R (4) and (5)(5) is equal to the amount calculated at stage N of the calculation in the capital resources table (Total tier one capital plus tier two capital after deductions) less the parts of the capital resources requirement deducted immediately after stage N of the capital resources table (the parts of the capital resources requirements listed in GENPRU 2.2.44 R).

31/12/2006

Limits on the use of different kinds of capital: Combined tier two and tier three limits (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.49

For the purpose of meeting the requirements in GENPRU 2.2.47R (1) to GENPRU 2.2.47R (3) and subject to GENPRU 2.2.50 R, a BIPRU firm must not include any item in either:

(1) its tier two capital resources falling within GENPRU 2.2.47R (6) (excess tier two capital); or

(2) its upper tier three capital resources;

to the extent that the sum of (1) and (2) would exceed 250% of the amount resulting from the following calculation:

(3) calculate the amount at stage F of the calculation in the capital resources table (Total tier one capital after deductions); and

(4) deduct from (3) those parts of the firm's tier one capital used to meet the requirements in GENPRU 2.2.44R (1) and (2) as established by GENPRU 2.2.48 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.50

In relation to a BIPRU investment firm which calculates its capital resources under GENPRU 2 Annex 4 (Capital resources table for a BIPRU investment firm deducting material holdings), the figure of 200% replaces that of 250% in GENPRU 2.2.49 R.

31/12/2006

Example of how the capital resources calculation for BIPRU firms works

GENPRU 2.2.51

GENPRU 2.2.52 G to GENPRU 2.2.59 G illustrate how to calculate a BIPRU firm's capital resources and how the capital resources gearing rules work. In this example the BIPRU firm has a combined credit, operational and counterparty risk requirement of £100 (of which £10 is due to counterparty risk) and a market risk requirement of £90, making a total capital requirement of £190. Its capital resources are as set out in the table in GENPRU 2.2.52 G.

31/12/2006

Table: Example of the calculation of the capital resources of a BIPRU firm

GENPRU 2.2.52

This table belongs to GENPRU 2.2.51 G

Description of the stage of the capital resources calculation

Stage in the capital resources table

Amount (£)

Total tier one capital after deductions (excluding innovative tier one instruments - see GENPRU 2.2.53 G)

Stage F

Total tier two capital(including innovative tier one instruments- see GENPRU 2.2.53 G)

Stage K

Deductions

Stage M

(20)

Total tier one capital and tier two capital after deductions

Stage N

140

Upper tier three capital (this example assumes the firm has no lower tier three capital (trading book profits))

Stage Q

Total capital resources

Stage T

190

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.53

GENPRU 2.2.42 R (Limits on the use of innovative tier one capital) prohibits the inclusion of innovative tier one instruments in the tier one capital of a BIPRU firm for the purpose of meeting the capital resources requirement. Thus they are not included in the calculation of stage F of the capital resources table. Instead all innovative tier one instruments have been included in tier two capital in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.25 R (Use of higher tiers of capital in lower tiers).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.54

In the example in the table in GENPRU 2.2.52 G the firm has total tier one capital after deductions of £80. Its tier two capital of £80 is therefore the maximum permitted under GENPRU 2.2.46 R (Tier two limits), that is 100% of tier one capital.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.55

The combined credit, operational and counterparty risk capital requirement is deducted after stage N of the capital resources table and the market risk requirement following stage T of the capital resources table. These calculations are shown in the table in GENPRU 2.2.56 G.

31/12/2006

Table: Example of how capital resources of a BIPRU firm are measured against its capital resources requirement

GENPRU 2.2.56

This table belongs to GENPRU 2.2.55 G

Description of the stage of the capital resources calculation

Stage in the capital resources table

Amount (£)

Total tier one capital and tier two capital after deductions

Stage N

140

Credit, operational, and counterparty risk requirement

(100)

Tier one capital and tier two capital available to meet market risk requirement

Tier three capital

Stage Q

Total capital available to meet market risk requirement

Market risk requirement

(90)

Market risk requirement met subject to meeting gearing limit set out in GENPRU 2.2.49 R - see GENPRU 2.2.57 G

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.57

The gearing limit in GENPRU 2.2.49 R (Combined tier two and tier three limits) requires that the upper tier three capital used to meet the market risk requirement does not exceed 250% of the relevanttier one capital.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.58

In this example it is assumed that the maximum possible amount of tier one capital is carried forward to meet the market risk requirement. There are other options as to the allocation of tier one capital and tier two capital to the credit, operational, and counterparty risk requirement.
In order to calculate the relevant tier one capital for the upper tier three gearing limit in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.49 R it is first necessary to allocate tier one capital and tier two capital to the individual credit, operational and counterparty risk requirements. This allocation process underlies the calculation of the overall amount referred to in GENPRU 2.2.48 R. The calculation in GENPRU 2.2.49R (3) and GENPRU 2.2.49R (4) then focuses on the tier one element of this earlier calculation.
In this worked example, if it is assumed that the counterparty risk requirement has been met by tier one capital, the relevant tier one capital for gearing is £50. This is because the deductions of £20 and the credit and operational risk requirementsof £90 have been met by tier two capital in the first instance. However, the total sum of deductions and credit and operational risk requirementsexceed the tier two capital amount of £80 by £30. Hence the £80 of tier one capital has been reduced by £30 to leave £50.
In practical terms, the same result is achieved for the relevant tier one capital for gearing by taking the amount carried forward to meet market risk of £40 and adding back the £10 in respect of the counterparty risk requirement. Again, there are other options as to the allocation to credit, operational, and counterparty risk of the constituent elements of Stage N of the capital resources table.
The outcome of these calculations can be summarised as follows:

(1) the relevanttier one capital for the gearing calculation is £50;

(2) 250% of the relevant tier one capital is £125; and

(3) the upper tier three capital used to meet market risk is £50.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.59

The 250% gearing limit is met as the limit of £125 is greater than the upper tier three capital of £50 used in this example.

31/12/2006

Capital used to meet the base capital resources requirement (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.60

A BIPRU firm may use the capital resources used to meet the base capital resources requirement to meet any other part of the capital resources requirement.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.61

The explanation for GENPRU 2.2.60 R can be found in GENPRU 2.2.43 G (Base capital resources requirement). In brief the reason is that the base capital resources requirement is not in practice meant to act as an additional capital resources requirement. It is meant to act as a floor to the capital resources requirement.

31/12/2006

Tier one capital: General

GENPRU 2.2.62

A firm may not include a capital instrument in its tier one capital resources unless it complies with the following conditions:

(1) it is included in one of the categories in GENPRU 2.2.63 R;

(2) it complies with the conditions set out in GENPRU 2.2.64 R;

(3) i t is not excluded under GENPRU 2.2.65 R (Connected transactions); and

(4) it is not excluded by any of the rules in GENPRU 2.2.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.63

The categories referred to in GENPRU 2.2.62R (1) are:

(1) permanent share capital;

(2) eligible partnership capital;

(3) eligible LLP members' capital;

(4) sole trader capital;

(5) a perpetual non-cumulative preference share;

(6) (in the case of a building society) PIBS; and

(7) an innovative tier one instrument.

31/12/2006

General conditions for eligibility as tier one capital

GENPRU 2.2.64

The conditions that an item of capital of a firm must comply with under GENPRU 2.2.62R (2) are as follows:

(1) it is issued by the firm;

(2) it is fully paid and the proceeds of issue are immediately and fully available to the firm;

(3) it:

(a) cannot be redeemed at all or can only be redeemed on a winding up of the firm; or

(b) complies with the conditions in GENPRU 2.2.70 R (Basic requirements for redeemability) and GENPRU 2.2.76 R (Redeemable instrument subject to a step-up);

(4) the item of capital meets the following conditions in relation to any coupon:

(a) the firm is under no obligation to pay a coupon; or

(b) (if the firm is obliged to pay the coupon) the coupon is payable in the form of an item of capital that is included in a higher stage of capital or the same stage of capital as that first item of capital;

(5) any coupon is either:

(a) non-cumulative; or

(b) (if it is cumulative) it must, if deferred, be paid by the firm in the form of tier one capital complying with (4)(b);

(6) it is able to absorb losses to allow the firm to continue trading and in particular it complies with GENPRU 2.2.80 R to GENPRU 2.2.81 R (Loss absorption) and, in the case of an innovative tier one instrument, GENPRU 2.2.116 R to GENPRU 2.2.118 R (Innovative tier one instrument should not constitute a liability);

(7) the amount of the item included must be net of any foreseeable tax charge at the moment of its calculation or must be suitably adjusted in so far as such tax charges reduce the amount up to which that item may be applied to cover risks or losses;

(8) it is available to the firm for unrestricted and immediate use to cover risks and losses as soon as these occur;

(9) it ranks for repayment upon winding up, administration or any other similar process no higher than a share of a company incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 or the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986(whether or not it is such a share); and

(10) the description of its characteristics used in its marketing is consistent with the characteristics required to satisfy (1) to (9) and, where it applies, GENPRU 2.2.271 R (Other requirements: insurers carrying on with-profits business (Insurer only)).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.65

An item of capital does not qualify for inclusion as tier one capital if the issue of that item of capital by the firm is connected with one or more other transactions which, when taken together with the issue of that item, could result in that item of capital no longer displaying all of the characteristics set out in GENPRU 2.2.64R (1) to GENPRU 2.2.64R (9).

31/12/2006

Guidance on certain of the general conditions for eligibility as tier one capital

GENPRU 2.2.66

GENPRU 2.2.65 R is an example of the general principle in GEN 2.2.1 R (Purposive interpretation). Its purpose is to emphasise that an item of capital does not meet the conditions for inclusion in tier one capital if in isolation it does meet those requirements but it fails to meet those requirements when other transactions are taken into account. Examples of such connected transactions might include guarantees or any other side agreement provided to the holders of the capital instrument by the firm or a connected party or a related transaction designed, for example, to enhance their security or to achieve a tax benefit, but which may compromise the loss absorption capacity or permanence of the original capital item.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.67

GENPRU 2.2.64R (2) is stricter than the Companies Act definition of fully paid, which only requires an undertaking to pay.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.67A

The purpose of GENPRU 2.2.64R (4) is to ensure that a firm retains flexibility over the payment of coupons and can preserve cash in times of financial stress. However, a firm may include, as part of the capital instrument terms, a right to make payments of a coupon mandatory if an item of capital becomes ineligible to form part of its capital resources (e.g. through a change in the relevant rules) and the firm has notified the FSA that the instrument is ineligible.

25/01/2008

GENPRU 2.2.68

The FSA considers that dividend pushers diminish the quality of capital by breaching the principle of complete discretion over coupons set out in GENPRU 2.2.64R (4). A dividend pusher operates so that, in a given period of time, payments must be made on senior securities if payments have previously been made on junior securities or securities ranking pari passu. As such, dividend pushers may not be included in the terms of tier one capital, unless the firm has the option to fund the "pushed payment" in stock.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.69

An item of capital does not comply with GENPRU 2.2.64R (10) if it is marketed as a capital instrument that would only qualify for a lower level of capital or on the basis that investing in it is like investing in an instrument in a lower tier of capital. For example, an undated capital instrument should not be marketed as a dated capital instrument if the terms of the capital instrument include an option by the issuer to redeem the capital instrument at a specified date in the future.

31/12/2006

Redemption of tier one instruments

GENPRU 2.2.70

A firm may not include a capital instrument in its tier one capital resources, unless its contractual terms are such that:

(1) (if it is redeemable other than in circumstances set out in GENPRU 2.2.64R (3)(a) (redemption on a winding up)) it is redeemable only at the option of the firm; and

(2) the firm cannot exercise that redemption right:

(a) before the fifth anniversary of its date of issue;

(b) unless it has given notice to the FSA in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.74 R; and

(c) unless at the time of exercise of that right it complies with GENPRU 2.1.13 R (the main capital adequacy rule for insurers) orthe main BIPRU firm Pillar 1 rules and will continue to do so after redemption.

23/03/2007

GENPRU 2.2.71

A firm may include a term in a tier one instrument allowing the firm to redeem it before the date in GENPRU 2.2.70R (2)(a) if the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) the other conditions in GENPRU 2.2.70 R are met;

(2) the circumstance that entitles the firm to exercise that right is a change in law or regulation in any relevant jurisdiction or in the interpretation of such law or regulation by any court or authority entitled to do so;

(3) it would be reasonable for the firm to conclude that it is unlikely that that circumstance will occur, judged at the time of issue or, if later, at the time that the term is first included in the terms of the tier one instrument; and

(4) the firm's right is conditional on it obtaining the FSA's consent in the form of a waiver of GENPRU 2.2.72 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.72

A firm must not redeem a tier one instrument in accordance with a term included under GENPRU 2.2.71 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.73

The purpose of GENPRU 2.2.71 R to GENPRU 2.2.72 R is this. In general a tier one instrument should not be redeemable by the firm before its fifth anniversary. However there may be circumstances in which it would be reasonable for the firm to redeem it before then. GENPRU 2.2.71 R allows the firm to include a right to redeem the instrument before the fifth anniversary in certain circumstances. A tax call is an example of a term that may be allowed. GENPRU 2.2.71 R says that the terms of the tier one instrument should provide that the firm should not be able to exercise that right without the FSA's consent. Any such consent will be given in the form of a waiver allowing early repayment. Thus although a firm may include a right to redeem early in the terms of a tier one instrument without the need to apply for a waiver the actual exercise of that right will require a waiver.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.74

A firm must not redeem any tier one instrument that it has included in its tier one capital resources unless it has notified the FSA of its intention at least one month before it becomes committed to do so. When giving notice, the firm must provide details of its position after such redemption in order to show how it will:

(1) meet its capital resources requirement; and

(2) have sufficient financial resources to meet the overall financial adequacy rule.

06/03/2009

GENPRU 2.2.75

If a firm gives notice of the redemption or repayment of any tier one instrument, the firm must no longer include that instrument in its tier one capital resources.

31/12/2006

Step-ups and redeemable tier one instruments

GENPRU 2.2.76

In relation to an innovative tier one instrument or a PIBS which is redeemable and which satisfies the following conditions:

(1) it is or may become subject to a step-up; and

(2) a reasonable person would think that:

(a) the firm is likely to redeem it before the tenth anniversary of its date of issue; or

(b) the firm is likely to have an economic incentive to redeem it before the tenth anniversary of its date of issue;

the redemption date in GENPRU 2.2.70R (2)(a) is amended by replacing "fifth anniversary" with "tenth anniversary".

31/12/2006

Meaning of redemption

GENPRU 2.2.77

(1) This rule applies to a tier one instrument, tier two instrument or tier three instrument (instrument A) that under its terms is exchanged for or converted into another instrument or is subject to a similar process.

(2) This rule also applies to instrument A if under its terms it is redeemed out of the proceeds of the issue of new securities.

(3) If the instrument with which instrument A is replaced is included in the same stage of capital or a higher stage of capital as instrument A, instrument A is treated as not having been redeemed or repaid for the purposes of GENPRU 2.2.

(4) (3) does not apply to GENPRU 2.2.114 R (Redeemable instrument likely to be repaid etc), GENPRU 2.2.74 R (Notice of redemption of tier one instruments), GENPRU 2.2.174 R (Notice of redemption of tier two instruments) or GENPRU 2.2.245 R (so far as it relates to notice of redemption of tier three instruments).

(5) (3) only applies if it would be reasonable (taking into account the economic substance) to treat the original instruments as continuing in issue on the same or a more favourable basis. The question of whether that basis is more or less favourable must be judged from the point of view of the adequacy of the firm's capital resources.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.78

(1) A share is not redeemable for the purposes of this section merely because the Companies Act 1985 or the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 allows the firm that issued it to purchase it.

(2) A capital instrument is not redeemable for the purposes of this section merely because the firm that issued it has a right to purchase it similar to the right in (1).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.79

This section generally uses the term repay and redeem interchangeably.

31/12/2006

Loss absorption

GENPRU 2.2.80

A firm may not include a share in its tier one capital resources unless (in addition to complying with the other relevant rules in GENPRU 2.2):

(1) (in the case of a firm that is a company as defined in the Companies Act 1985 or the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986)it is "called-up share capital" within the meaning given to that term in that Act or, as the case may be, that Order; or

(2) (in the case of a building society) it is a "deferred share" as defined in the Building Societies (Deferred Shares) Order 1991; or

(3) (in the case of any other firm) it is:

(a) in economic terms; and

(b) in its characteristics as capital (including loss absorbency, permanency, ranking for repayment and fixed costs);

substantially the same as called-up share capital falling into (1).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.81

A firm may not include a capital instrument other than a share in its tier one capital resources unless it complies with GENPRU 2.2.80R (3).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.82

There are additional loss absorption requirements for innovative tier one capital in GENPRU 2.2.116 R to GENPRU 2.2.118 R (Innovative tier one instrument should not constitute a liability).

31/12/2006

Core tier one capital: permanent share capital

GENPRU 2.2.83

Permanent share capital means an item of capital which (in addition to satisfying GENPRU 2.2.64 R) meets the following conditions:

(1) it is:

(a) an ordinary share; or

(b) a members' contribution; or

(2) any coupon on it is not cumulative, the firm is under no obligation to pay a coupon in any circumstances and the firm has the right to choose the amount of any coupon that it pays; and

(3) the terms upon which it is issued do not permit redemption and it is otherwise incapable of being redeemed to at least the same degree as an ordinary share issued by a company incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 or the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986(whether or not it is such a share).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.84

GENPRU 2.2.83 R has the effect that the firm should be under no obligation to make any payment in respect of a tier one instrument if it is to form part of its permanent share capital unless and until the firm is wound up. A tier one instrument that forms part of permanent share capital should not therefore count as a liability before the firm is wound up. The fact that relevant company law permits the firm to make earlier repayment does not mean that the tier one instruments are not eligible. However, the firm should not be required by any contractual or other obligation arising out of the terms of that capital to repay permanent share capital. Similarly a tier one instrument may still qualify if company law allows dividends to be paid on this capital, provided the firm is not contractually or otherwise obliged to pay them. There should therefore be no fixed costs.

31/12/2006

Core tier one capital: profit and loss account and other reserves: Losses

GENPRU 2.2.85

(1) Negative amounts, including any interim net losses (but in the case of a BIPRU investment firm , only material interim net losses), must be deducted from profit and loss account and other reserves.

(2) For these purposes material interim net losses mean unaudited interim losses arising from a firm's trading book and non-trading book business which exceed 10% of the sum of its capital resources calculated at stages A (Core tier one capital) and B (Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares) in the capital resources table.

(3) If interim losses as referred to in (2) exceed the 10% figure in (2) then a BIPRU investment firm must deduct the whole amount of those losses and not just the excess.

31/12/2006

Core tier one capital: profit and loss account and other reserves: Losses arising from valuation adjustments (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.86

(1) This rule applies to trading book valuation adjustments or reserves referred to in GENPRU 1.3.29 R to GENPRU 1.3.35 G (Valuation adjustments and reserves). It applies to a BIPRU firm.

(2) When valuation adjustments or reserves give rise to losses of the current financial year, a firm must treat them in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.85 R.

(3) Valuation adjustments or reserves which exceed those made under the accounting framework to which a firm is subject must be treated in accordance with (2) if they give rise to losses and under GENPRU 2.2.248 R (Net interim trading book profits) otherwise.

31/12/2006

Core tier one capital: profit and loss account and other reserves: Dividends

GENPRU 2.2.87

Dividends must be deducted from reserves as soon as they are foreseeable.

29/06/2007

GENPRU 2.2.87A

Each firm must assess for itself when, in its particular circumstances, dividends are foreseeable. A dividend is foreseeable at the latest:

(1) in the case of an interim dividend, when it is declared by the directors; or

(2) in the case of a final dividend, when the directors approve the dividend to be proposed at the annual general meeting.

29/06/2007

Core tier one capital: profit and loss account and other reserves: Capital contributions

GENPRU 2.2.88

A firm must account for a capital contribution as an increase in reserves and may, notwithstanding GENPRU 2.2.63 R, count that increase in reserves as core tier one capital.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.89

An item of capital qualifies as a capital contribution if it is a gift of capital (and, as such, is not repayable) and a coupon is not payable on it.

31/12/2006

Core tier one capital: profit and loss account and other reserves: Securitisation (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.90

In the case of a BIPRU firm which is the originator of a securitisation, net gains arising from the capitalisation of future income from the securitised assets and providing credit enhancement to positions in the securitisation must be excluded from profit and loss account and other reserves.

31/12/2006

Core tier one capital: profit and loss account and other reserves: Valuation

GENPRU 2.2.91

Profit and loss account and other reserves should be valued in accordance with the rules in GENPRU 1.3 (Valuation).

31/12/2006

Core tier one capital: profit and loss account and other reserves: Revaluation reserves (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.92

A revaluation reserve is not included as part of a BIPRU firm's profit and loss account and other reserves. It is dealt with separately and forms part of a BIPRU firm's upper tier two capital.

31/12/2006

Core tier one capital: partnership capital account (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.93

Eligible partnership capital means a partners' account:

(1) into which capital contributed by the partners is paid; and

(2) from which under the terms of the partnership agreement an amount representing capital may be withdrawn by a partner only if:

(a) he ceases to be a partner and an equal amount is transferred to another such account by his former partners or any person replacing him as their partner;

(b) the partnership is wound up orotherwise dissolved; or

24/03/2007

Core tier one capital: Eligible LLP members' capital (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.94

Eligible LLP members' capital means a members' account:

(1) into which capital contributed by the members is paid; and

(2) from which under the terms of the limited liability partnership agreement an amount representing capital may be withdrawn by a member only if:

(a) he ceases to be a member and an equal amount is transferred to another such account by his former fellow members or any person replacing him as a member;

(b) the limited liability partnership is wound up orotherwise dissolved; or

23/03/2007

Core tier one capital: Eligible LLP members' and partnership capital accounts (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.95

A BIPRU firm that is a partnership or a limited liability partnership may not include eligible partnership capital or eligible LLP members' capital in its tier one capital resources unless (in addition to GENPRU 2.2.62 R (General conditions relating to tier one capital)) it complies with GENPRU 2.2.83R (2)(Coupons should not be cumulative or mandatory). However GENPRU 2.2.64R (3) (Redemption) is replaced by GENPRU 2.2.93 R or GENPRU 2.2.94 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.96

If a firm has surplus eligible partnership capital or eligible LLP members' capital that it wishes to repay in circumstances other than those set out in GENPRU 2.2.93 R or GENPRU 2.2.94 R it may apply to the FSA for a waiver to allow it to do so. If a firm applies for such a waiver the information that the firm supplies with the application might include:

(1) a demonstration that the firm would have sufficient capital resources to meet its capital resources requirement immediately after the repayment;

(2) a demonstration that the firm would have sufficient financial resources to meet any individual capital guidance and the firm's latest assessment under the overall Pillar 2 rule immediately after the repayment; and

(3) a two to three year capital plan demonstrating that the firm would be able to meet the requirements in (1) and (2) at all times without needing further capital injections.

31/12/2006

Core tier one capital: Other capital items for limited liability partnerships and partnerships (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.97

The items permanent share capital and share premium account (which form part of core tier one capital) and perpetual non-cumulative preference shares (which forms stage B of the capital resources table) do not apply to a BIPRU firm that is a partnership or a limited liability partnership.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.98

Without prejudice to GENPRU 2.2.62 R (Tier one capital: General), the item other reserves (which forms part of the item profit and loss and other reserves) applies to a BIPRU firm that is a partnership or a limited liability partnership to the extent the reserves correspond to reserves that are eligible for inclusion as other reserves in the case of a BIPRU firm that is incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 or the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.99

A BIPRU firm that is a partnership or a limited liability partnership should include profit and loss (taking into account interim losses or material interim net losses) in its core tier one capital.

31/12/2006

Core tier one capital: partnership and limited liability partnership excess drawings (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.100

A BIPRU firm which is a partnership or limited liability partnership must deduct at stage E of the calculation in the capital resources table (Deductions from tier one capital) the amount by which the aggregate of the amounts withdrawn by its partners or members exceeds the profits of that firm. Amounts of eligible partnership capital or eligible LLP members' capital repaid in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.93 R or GENPRU 2.2.94 R are not included in this calculation.

31/12/2006

Core tier one capital: Share premium account

GENPRU 2.2.101

(1) A firm must include share premium account relating to the issue of a share forming part of its core tier one capital in its core tier one capital.

(2) A firm must include share premium account relating to the issue of a share forming part of another tier of capital in that other tier.

(3) A firm that is incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 or the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986may include its share premium account as core tier one capital notwithstanding (2) to the extent that the terms of issue of the share concerned provide that any premium is not repayable on redemption.

(4) (3) applies to a firm that is not incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 or the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986if its share premium account is subject to substantially the same or greater restraints on use than a share premium account falling into (3).

31/12/2006

Core tier one capital: externally verified interim net profits

GENPRU 2.2.102

Externally verified interim net profits are interim profits which have been verified by a firm's external auditors after deduction of tax, forseeabledividends and other appropriations.

29/06/2007

GENPRU 2.2.103

A firm may include interim profits before a formal decision has been taken only if these profits have been verified, in accordance with the relevant Auditing Practices Board's Practice Note, by persons responsible for the auditing of the accounts.

31/12/2006

Core tier one capital: valuation differences (insurer only)

GENPRU 2.2.104

GENPRU 2.2.104 R to GENPRU 2.2.107 R only apply to an insurer.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.105

Valuation differences are all differences between the valuation of assets and liabilities as valued in GENPRU and the valuation that the insurer uses for its external financial reporting purposes, except valuation differences which are dealt with elsewhere in the capital resources table. The sum of these valuation differences must either be added to (if positive) or deducted from (if negative) an insurer's capital resources in accordance with the capital resources table.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.106

Additions to and deductions from capital resources will arise from the application of asset and liability valuation and admissibility rules (see GENPRU 1.3 (Valuation), GENPRU 2.2.251 R (Deductions from total capital: Inadmissible assets) and GENPRU 2 Annex 7 (Admissible assets in insurance)). Downward adjustments include discounting of technical provisions for general insurance business (which is optional for financial reporting but not permitted for regulatory valuation - see GENPRU 2.2.107 R) and derecognition of any defined benefit asset in respect of a defined benefit occupational pension scheme (see GENPRU 1.3.9R (2) (General requirements: Adjustments to accounting values)). Details of valuation differences relating to technical provisions and liability adjustments for long-term insurance business are set out in INSPRU 1.2 (Mathematical reserves). In particular, contingent loans or other arrangements which are not valued as a liability under INSPRU 1.2.79 R (2) (Reinsurance) result in a positive valuation difference.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.107

(1) Subject to (3), this rule applies to an insurer that carries on general insurance business and which discounts or reduces its technical provisions for claims outstanding.

(2) An insurer of a kind referred to in (1) must deduct from its capital resources the difference between the undiscounted technical provisions or technical provisions before deductions, and the discounted technical provisions or technical provisions after deductions. This adjustment must be made for all general insurance business classes, except for risks listed under classes 1 and 2. For classes other than 1 and 2, no adjustment needs to be made in respect of the discounting of annuities included in technical provisions. For classes 1 and 2 (other than annuities), if the expected average interval between the settlement date of the claims being discounted and the accounting date is not at least four years, the insurer must deduct:

(a) the difference between the undiscounted technical provisions and the discounted technical provisions; or

(b) where it can identify a subset of claims such that the expected average interval between the settlement date of the claims and the accounting date is at least four years, the difference between the undiscounted technical provisions and the discounted technical provisions for the other claims.

(3) This rule does not apply to a pure reinsurer which became a firm in run-off before 31 December 2006 and whose Part IV permission has not subsequently been varied to add back the regulated activity of effecting contracts of insurance.

31/12/2006

Core tier one capital: fund for future appropriations (insurer only)

GENPRU 2.2.108

In relation to an insurer the fund for future appropriations means the fund of the same name required by the insurance accounts rules, comprising all funds the allocation of which either to policyholders or to shareholders has not been determined by the end of the financial year, or the balance sheet items under international accounting standards which in aggregate represent as nearly as possible that fund.

31/12/2006

Other tier one capital: perpetual non-cumulative preference shares

GENPRU 2.2.109

A perpetual non-cumulative preference share may be included at stage B of the calculation in the capital resources table if (in addition to satisfying all the other requirements in relation to tier one capital) it satisfies the following conditions:

(1) any coupon on it is not cumulative, and the firm is under no obligation to pay a coupon in any circumstances; and

(2) it is not an innovative tier one instrument.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.110

The other main provisions relevant to the eligibility of a perpetual non-cumulative preference share for inclusion in tier one capital are GENPRU 2.2.62 R (Tier one capital: General), GENPRU 2.2.64 R (General conditions for eligibility as tier one capital), GENPRU 2.2.65 R (Connected transactions), GENPRU 2.2.70 R to GENPRU 2.2.75 R (Redemption of tier one instruments) and GENPRU 2.2.80 R (Loss absorption). The rules about innovative tier one capital are also relevant as they may result in perpetual non-cumulative preference shares being treated as innovative tier one capital. Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares should be perpetual and redeemable only at the firm's option. Perpetual preference shares should be non-cumulative if they are to be included at stage B of the calculation in the capital resources table. Any feature that, in conjunction with a call, would make a firm more likely to redeem perpetual non-cumulative preference shares would normally result in classification as an innovative tier one instrument. Such features would include, but not be limited to, a step-up, bonus coupon on redemption or redemption at a premium to the original issue price of the share.

31/12/2006

Other tier one capital: permanent interest bearing shares (building societies only)

GENPRU 2.2.111

A building society may include a PIBS at stage B of the calculation in the capital resources table if (in addition to satisfying all the other requirements in relation to tier one capital) it is a "deferred share" as defined in the Building Societies (Deferred Shares) Order 1991.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.112

The other main provisions relevant to inclusion of a PIBS in tier one capital are GENPRU 2.2.62 R (Tier one capital: General), GENPRU 2.2.64 R (General conditions for eligibility as tier one capital), GENPRU 2.2.65 R (Connected transactions), GENPRU 2.2.70 R to GENPRU 2.2.75 R (Redemption of tier one instruments), GENPRU 2.2.76 R (Step-ups and redeemable tier one instruments) and GENPRU 2.2.80 R (Loss absorption). However many of the rules in this section about features of capital instruments that result in treatment as innovative tier one capital do not apply.

31/12/2006

Other tier one capital: innovative tier one capital: general

GENPRU 2.2.113

If an item of capital is stated to be an innovative tier one instrument by the rules in GENPRU 2.2, it cannot be included in stages A (Core tier one capital) or B (Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares) of the calculation in the capital resources table.

31/12/2006

Other tier one capital: innovative tier one capital: redemption

GENPRU 2.2.114

If a tier one instrument, other than a PIBS:

(1) is redeemable; and

(2) a reasonable person would think that:

(a) the firm is likely to redeem it; or

(b) the firm is likely to have an economic incentive to redeem it;

that tier one instrument is an innovative tier one instrument.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.115

Any feature that in conjunction with a call would make a firm more likely to redeem a tier one instrument, other than a PIBS, would normally result in classification as innovative tier one capital resources. Innovative tier one instruments include but are not limited to those incorporating a step-up or principal stock settlement.

31/12/2006

Other tier one capital: innovative tier one capital: loss absorption

GENPRU 2.2.116

A firm may include a capital instrument that is not a share in its innovative tier one capital resourcesif (in addition to satisfying all the other requirements in relation to tier one capital and innovative tier one capital) it satisfies the condition in this rule. In addition a firm may not include any other capital in its innovative tier one capital resources unless it satisfies the condition in this rule. The condition in this rule is that the firm's obligations under the instrument either:

(1) do not constitute a liability (actual, contingent or prospective) under section 123(2) of the Insolvency Act 1986; or

(2) do constitute such a liability but the terms of the instrument are such that:

(a) any such liability is not relevant for the purposes of deciding whether:

(i) the firm is, or is likely to become, unable to pay its debts; or

(ii) its liabilities exceed its assets;

(b) a person (including, but not limited to, a holder of the instrument) is not able to petition for the winding up or administration of the firm or for any similar procedure in relation to the firm on the grounds that the firm is or may become unable to pay any such liability; and

(c) the firm is not obliged to take into account such a liability for the purposes of deciding whether or not the firm is, or may become, insolvent for the purposes of section 214 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (wrongful trading).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.117

The effect of GENPRU 2.2.116 R is that if a potential tier one instrument does constitute a liability, this should only be the case when the firm is able to pay that liability but chooses not to do so. As tier one capital resources should be undated, this will generally only be relevant on a solvent winding up of the firm. The holder should agree that the firm has no liability (including any contingent or prospective liability) to pay any amount to the extent to which that liability would cause the firm to become insolvent if it made the payment or to the extent that its liabilities exceed its assets or would do if the payment were made. The terms of the capital instrument should be such that the directors can continue to trade in the best interests of the senior creditors even if this prejudices the interests of the holders of the instrument.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.118

A firm may not include an innovative tier one instrument, unless it is a preference share, in its tier one capital resources unless it has obtained a properly reasoned independent legal opinion from an appropriately qualified individual confirming that the criteria in GENPRU 2.2.64R (6) (Loss absorption) and GENPRU 2.2.80 R to GENPRU 2.2.81 R (Loss absorption) are met.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.119

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.118 R, an independent legal opinion may be given by an employee of that firm, but if an employee does so he should not be part of the business unit responsible for the transaction (including the drafting of the issue documentation).

31/12/2006

Other tier one capital: innovative tier one capital: coupons

GENPRU 2.2.120

A tier one instrument, other than a PIBS, with a cumulative or mandatory coupon is an innovative tier one instrument.

31/12/2006

Other tier one capital: innovative tier one capital: step-ups

GENPRU 2.2.121

If:

(1) a potential tier one instrument, other than a PIBS, is or may become subject to a step-up; and

(2) that potential tier one instrument is redeemable at any time (whether before, at or after the time of the step-up);

that potential tier one instrument is an innovative tier one instrument.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.122

See GENPRU 2.2.146 R to GENPRU 2.2.154 G for further rules and guidance on step-ups.

31/12/2006

Other tier one capital: innovative tier one capital: indirectly issued tier one capital (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.123

GENPRU 2.2.123 R to GENPRU 2.2.137 R apply to a BIPRU firm.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.124

(1) GENPRU 2.2.123 R - GENPRU 2.2.137 R apply to capital of a firm if:

(a) either or both of the conditions in (2) are satisfied; and

(b) any of the SPVs referred to in (2) is a subsidiary undertaking of the firm.

(2) The conditions referred to in (1) are:

(a) that capital is issued to an SPV; or

(b) the subscription for the capital issued by the firm is funded directly or indirectly by an SPV.

(3) A BIPRU firm may not include capital coming within this rule in its capital resources unless the requirements in the following rules are satisfied:

(a) (if (2)(a) applies and (2)(b) does not) GENPRU 2.2.127 R, GENPRU 2.2.129 R and GENPRU 2.2.132 R; or

(b) (in any other case) GENPRU 2.2.133 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.125

A BIPRU firm may only count capital to which GENPRU 2.2.124 R applies as innovative tier one capital.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.126

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.2, an SPV is, in relation to a BIPRU firm, any undertaking whose main activity is to raise funds for that firm or for a group to which that BIPRU firm belongs.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.127

The SPV referred to in GENPRU 2.2.124R (2)(a) must satisfy the following conditions:

(1) it is controlled by the firm and may not operate independently of the firm;

(2) the rights of investors in the SPV who do not belong to the group of the BIPRU firm in question are not such as to affect the ability of the firm to control the SPV; and

(3) all or virtually all of its exposures (calculated by reference to the amount) consist of exposures to the firm or to that firm's group.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.128

An SPV could take the form of a limited partnership. In such an arrangement, holders of a capital instrument issued by the SPV which do not belong to the group of the BIPRU firm in question should have no right to participate in the management of the partnership, whether under the partnership's constitutional documents or the transaction documents. In general, this means that they should be treated as limited partners. It is expected that the general partner, having control of the SPV, would be the firm.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.129

The SPV referred to in GENPRU 2.2.124R (2)(a) must fund its subscription for the capital issued by the firm by the issue of capital that satisfies the following conditions:

(1) it must comply with the conditions for qualification as tier one capital, as amended by GENPRU 2.2.130 R, as if the SPV was itself a firm seeking to include that capital in its tier one capital resources;

(2) its terms must include an obligation on the firm, when the capital resources of the firm fall below, or are likely to fall below, its capital resources requirement, to substitute for the instrument issued by the SPV a tier one instrument issued by that firm that:

(a) is not an innovative tier one instrument; or

(b) is an innovative tier one instrument provided that:

(i) it is only being classified as such because it is or may become subject to a step-up, and

(ii) the terms of the original instrument issued by the SPV included a step-up;

(3) the conversion ratio in respect of the substitution described in (2) must be fixed when the SPV issues the capital instrument; and

(4) to the extent that investors have the benefit of an obligation by a person other than the SPV:

(a) that obligation must be one owed by a member of the firm's group; and

(b) the extent of that obligation must be no greater than would be permitted by GENPRU if that obligation formed part of the terms of a capital instrument issued by that member which complied with the rules in GENPRU relating to innovative tier one capital.

25/01/2008

GENPRU 2.2.130

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.129 R and GENPRU 2.2.132 R, GENPRU 2.2.118 R (Requirement to obtain a legal opinion) does not apply.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.131

In relation to the obligation to substitute described in GENPRU 2.2.129R (2), a firm must take all reasonable steps to ensure that it has at all times authorised and unissued tier one instruments that are not innovative tier one instruments or that are innovative tier one instruments only because they are or may become subject to a step-up (and the authority to issue them) sufficient to discharge its obligation to substitute.

25/01/2008

GENPRU 2.2.131A

GENPRU 2.2.129R (2) and GENPRU 2.2.131 R allow a firm to replace the capital issued by the SPV with a tier one instrument that is not an innovative tier one instrument or that is an innovative tier one instrument provided that:

(1) it is only being classified as such because it is or may become subject to a step-up, and

(2) the terms of the original instrument issued by the SPV included a step-up.

In all other respects, the innovative tier one instrument issued by the firm must meet the conditions to be an item of tier one capital capable of inclusion in Stage B or higher in the capital resources table.

25/01/2008

GENPRU 2.2.132

The capital which the firm seeks to include in its capital resources under GENPRU 2.2.124R (3)(a) must satisfy the following conditions:

(1) it meets the conditions for inclusion in tier one capital (subject to GENPRU 2.2.130 R);

(2) its first call date (if any) must not arise before that on the instrument issued by the SPV; and

(3) its terms relating to repayment must be the same as those of the instrument issued by the SPV.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.133

(1) This rule deals with any transaction:

(a) under which an SPV directly or indirectly funds the subscription for capital issued by the firm as described in GENPRU 2.2.124 R; or

(b) that is directly or indirectly funded by a transaction in (1)(a).

(2) Each undertaking that is a party to a transaction to which this rule applies (other than the firm) must be a subsidiary undertaking of the firm.

(3) Each SPV that is a party to a transaction to which this rule applies must comply with GENPRU 2.2.127 R.

(4) Any capital to which (1) applies (other than the capital that is to be included in the firm's capital resources) must be in the form of capital that complies with GENPRU 2.2.129R (1) and GENPRU 2.2.129R (4), whether or not issued by an SPV.

(5) The obligations in GENPRU 2.2.129R (2) and GENPRU 2.2.129R (3) only apply to capital issued by an SPV at the end of the chain of transactions beginning with the issue of capital by the firm referred to in GENPRU 2.2.124 R.

(6) GENPRU 2.2.132 R applies to the capital issued by the firm as referred to in GENPRU 2.2.124 R. For these purposes references in GENPRU 2.2.132 R to the instrument issued by the SPV are to the instrument referred to in (5).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.134

The purpose of GENPRU 2.2.133 R is to deal with a capital-raising under which the capital raised by a special purpose vehicle is passed through a number of undertakings before it is invested in the firm. If the capital resources of the firm fall below, or are likely to fall below, its capital resources requirement the firm should replace the capital issued by that first special purpose vehicle with a tier one instrument directly issued by the firmwhich complies with GENPRU 2.2.129R (2).

25/01/2008

GENPRU 2.2.135

A firm which satisfies the conditions for the inclusion of capital set out in GENPRU 2.2.124 R, must, in addition, if that transaction is in any respect unusual, notify the FSA at least one Month in advance of the date on which the firm intends to include that capital in its capital resources.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.136

The FSA is likely to consider as unusual a transaction which involves the raising by the firm of tier one capital through a subsidiary undertaking of that firm that is not an SPV. The FSA would expect a firm to request individual guidance in such circumstances.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.137

A firm must ensure that, in relation to a transaction falling within GENPRU 2.2.124 R:

(1) the marketing document for the transaction contains all the information which a reasonable third party would require to understand the transaction fully and its effect on the financial position of the firm and its group; and

(2) the information in (1) and the transaction are easily comprehensible without the need for additional information about the firm and its group.

31/12/2006

Tier one capital: Conversion ratio

GENPRU 2.2.138

(1) This rule applies to a potential tier one instrument if:

(a) it is redeemable by the firm (ignoring GENPRU 2.2.77 R (Meaning of redemption));

(b) it provides that if the issuer does not exercise that right or does not do so in specified circumstances the issuer must or may have to redeem it in whole or in part through the issue of shares eligible for inclusion in the firm's tier one capital resources or the instrument converts or may convert into such shares; and

(c) GENPRU 2.2.77 R means that the obligation in (1)(b) is treated as not being inconsistent with GENPRU 2.2.70R (1) (Tier one capital should not be redeemable at the option of the holder).

(2) A firm must not include a potential tier one instrument to which this rule applies in its tier one capital resources if:

(a) the conversion ratio as at the date of redemption may be greater than the conversion ratio as at the time of issue by more than 200%; or

(b) the market price of the conversion instruments issued in relation to one unit of the original capital item (plus any cash element of the redemption) may be greater than the issue price of that original capital item.

(3) All determinations under this rule are made as at the date of issue of the original capital item.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.139

In GENPRU 2.2.138 R to GENPRU 2.2.142 R:

(1) the original capital item means the capital item that is being redeemed; and

(2) the conversion instrument means the tier one capital to be issued on its redemption.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.140

In GENPRU 2.2.138 R to GENPRU 2.2.142 R, the conversion ratio means the ratio of:

(1) the number of units of the conversion instrument that the firm must issue to satisfy its redemption obligation (so far as it is to be satisfied by the issue of conversion instruments) in respect of one unit of the original capital item; to

(2) one unit of the original capital item.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.141

In GENPRU 2.2.138 R to GENPRU 2.2.142 R, the conversion ratio as at the date of issue of the original capital item is calculated as if the original capital item were redeemable at that time.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.142

If the conversion instruments or the original capital item are subdivided or consolidated or subject to any other occurrence that would otherwise result in like not being compared with like, the conversion ratio calculation in GENPRU 2.2.138 R must be adjusted accordingly.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.143

(1) The significance of the limitations on conversion in GENPRU 2.2.138R (2) can be seen in the example in this paragraph.

(2) A firm issues innovative notes with a par value of £100 each. The terms of the instrument provide that if the instrument is not called at par at the first call date the notes convert into a variable number of ordinary shares.

(3) If the market price of the ordinary shares is 400 pence per share on the day of issue of the innovative notes then the maximum number of ordinary shares (M) that a single £100 par value innovative note can be converted into is calculated as follows:

(a) M = Par value of innovative instrument * 200% / market value of ordinary share;

(b) M = £100 * 2 / £4 = 50 shares.

(4) The practical effect is that conversion will result in the holder of an innovative capital note receiving ordinary shares equal to the par value of that note only when the market price of the ordinary shares remains above half the market price of the shares at the date of issue of the notes.

(5) If the market price of the ordinary shares fell by half to 200 pence, the maximum permitted number of shares (50) would have to be issued in order to give an investor in the innovative note ordinary shares with a market value equal to £100. If the market price of the ordinary shares fell below 200 pence, the issue of the maximum permitted number of ordinary shares would have a market value below £100.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.144

(1) In addition to the maximum conversion ratio of 200%, GENPRU 2.2.138R (2)(b) does not permit a firm to issue shares that would have a market value that exceeds the issue price of the instrument being redeemed.

(2) In the example in GENPRU 2.2.143 G, if the market value of the ordinary shares was 250 pence at the conversion date, the maximum number of ordinary shares that may be issued to satisfy the redemption of one of the £100 par value innovative notes would be 40 (= £100 / £2.5).

31/12/2006

Tier one capital: Requirement to have sufficient unissued stock

GENPRU 2.2.145

(1) This rule applies to a potential tier one instrument of a firm where either:

(a) the redemption proceeds; or

(b) any coupon on that capital item;

can be satisfied by the issue of another capital instrument.

(2) A firm may only include an item of capital to which this rule applies in its tier one capital resources if the firm has authorised and unissued capital instruments of the kind in question (and the authority to issue them):

(a) that are sufficient to satisfy all such payments then due; and

(b) are of such amount as is prudent in respect of such payments that could become due in the future.

31/12/2006

Step-ups: calculating the size of a step-up

GENPRU 2.2.146

(1) Where a rule in this section says that a particular treatment applies to an item of capital that is subject to a step-up of a specified amount, the question of whether that rule is satisfied must be judged by reference to the cumulative amount of all step-ups since the issue of that item of capital rather than just by reference to a particular step-up.

(2) Where a step-up arises through a change from paying a coupon on a debt instrument to paying a dividend on a share issued in settlement of the coupon, any net cost to the firm arising from the different tax treatment of the dividend compared to the tax treatment of interest may be ignored for the purpose of assessing the effect of that step-up.

31/12/2006

Step-ups: Limits on the amount of step-ups on tier one and two capital

GENPRU 2.2.147

(1) A firm may not include in its tier one capital resources a tier one instrument that is or may be subject to a step-up that does not meet the definition of moderate in the press release of the Basle Committee on Banking Supervision of 27th October 1998 called "Instruments eligible for inclusion in Tier 1 capital".

(2) For the purpose of (1) the words in that press release "than, at national supervisory discretion, either" are replaced by "than the higher of the following two amounts".

(3) The calculations required by this rule and GENPRU 2.2.151 R must be carried out as at the date of issue of the relevant instrument.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.148

The effect of GENPRU 2.2.147 R is that for inclusion in tier one capital resources, step-ups in instruments should be moderate. A moderate step-up for these purposes is one which results in an increase over the initial rate that is no greater than the higher of the following two amounts:

(1) 100 basis points, less the swap spread between the initial index basis and the stepped-up index basis; or

(2) 50% of the initial credit spread, less the swap spread between the initial index basis and the stepped-up index basis.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.149

If a coupon paid on an item of capital is initially set at a specified spread above an index (the initial index basis), and the coupon moves to being set relative to another index (the stepped up index basis), there will be an implied step-up (positive or negative) even if the specified spread does not change. This is because each index may itself include a spread relative to the risk free rate and this spread may differ between the two indexes. The deduction of the swap spread in GENPRU 2.2.148G (1) and (2) above adjusts for this difference.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.150

Where the step-up involves a conversion from fixed to floating (or vice versa), or a switch in basis index, the swap spread should be fixed at pricing date, reflecting the differential in pricing between indices at the time. The significance of deducting the swap spread can be seen by the following example:

(1) the pricing date:

(a) 10 year gilts (G) = 5.5% (the initial index basis);

(b) 3 month LIBOR is the stepped up index basis and the 10 year mid swap rate (L) = 5.9%;

(d) swap spread = 0.4% (= 5.9% - 5.5%);

(e) initial fixed coupon rate = 7.5%;

(f) the swap spread shows that there is 40bps of spread in the stepped up index basis relative to the initial index basis; and

(g) the initial fixed coupon rate of 7.5% is equivalent to the mid swap rate + 160bp, or L + 200bp - the swap spread;

(2) pricing of stepped-up rate at year 10 with step-up of 100bp without deducting swap spread:

(a) stepped-up floating rate = L + 200 + 100bp step-up = 8.9%; and

(b) effective step-up from initial fixed rate of 140bp (= 8.9% - 7.5%); and

(3) pricing of stepped-up rate at year 10 with step-up of 100bp with deduction of the swap spread:

(a) stepped-up floating coupon rate = L + 200 less 40bp swap spread (difference between 5.5% and 5.9%) + 100bp step-up = 8.5%

(b) effective step-up from initial rate of 100bp (= 8.5% - 7.5%).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.151

(1) Subject to (2), if a tier two instrument is or may be subject to a step-up that does not meet the definition of moderate in the press release of the Basle Committee on Banking Supervision referred to in GENPRU 2.2.147R (1) as adjusted under GENPRU 2.2.147R (2), the first date that a step-up can take effect is deemed to be its final maturity date if that date is before its actual maturity date.

(2) If a tier two instrument:

(a) is or may be subject to a step-up during the period beginning on the fifth anniversary of the date of issue of that item and ending immediately before the tenth anniversary of the date of issue; and

(b) the step-up or possible step-up is one which may result in an increase over the initial rate that is greater than 50 basis points, less the swap spread between the initial index basis and the stepped-up index basis (all these terms must be interpreted in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.147 R);

the first date that a step-up can take effect is deemed to be its final maturity date if that date is before its actual maturity date.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.152

An instrument does not breach GENPRU 2.2.147 R or as the case may be, is not subject to a deemed maturity date under GENPRU 2.2.151 R, even though it is or may be subject to a step-up that exceeds the amount specified in those rules if:

(1) the instrument is fungible with other instruments (the "existing stock") that are included in the firm's tier one capital resources (in the case of GENPRU 2.2.147 R) or tier two capital resources (in the case of GENPRU 2.2.151 R);

(2) (if there has been no more than one previous issue of the existing stock) the existing stock complied with those limits on its date of issue;

(3) (if there has been more than one previous issue of the existing stock) the first such issue of the existing stock complied with those limits on its date of issue; and

(4) the result of the step-up on the instrument to which this rule applies is that the coupon on that instrument and the coupon on the existing stock is the same.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.153

(1) A firm must not include in its tier one capital resources a potential tier one instrument that is or may become subject to a step-up if that step-up can arise earlier than the tenth anniversary of the date of issue of that item of capital.

(2) A firm must not include in its tier two capital resources a capital instrument that is or may become subject to a step-up if that step-up can arise earlier than the fifth anniversary of the date of issue of that item of capital.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.154

Debt instruments containing embedded options, e.g. issues containing options for the interest rate after the step-up to be at a margin over the higher of two (or more) reference rates, or for the interest rate in the previous period to act as a floor, may affect the funding costs of the borrower and imply a step-up. In such circumstances, a firm may wish to seek individual guidance on the application of the rules relating to step-ups to the capital instrument in question. See SUP 9 (Individual guidance) for the process to be followed when seeking individual guidance.

31/12/2006

Deductions from tier one: Intangible assets

GENPRU 2.2.155

A firm must deduct from its tier one capital resources the value of intangible assets.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.156

Intangible assets include goodwill as defined in accordance with the requirements referred to in GENPRU 1.3.4 R (General requirements: accounting principles to be applied) applicable to the firm. The treatment of deferred acquisition cost assets for BIPRU investment firms is dealt with in GENPRU 1.3 (Valuation); they should not be deducted as an intangible asset.

31/12/2006

Tier two capital: General

GENPRU 2.2.157

Tier two capital resources are split into upper and lower tiers. A major distinction between upper and lower tier two capital is that only perpetual instruments may be included in upper tier two capital whereas dated instruments, such as fixed term preference shares and dated subordinated debt, may be included in lower tier two capital.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.158

Tier two instruments are capital instruments that combine the features of debt and equity in that they are structured like debt, but exhibit some of the loss absorption and funding flexibility features of equity.

31/12/2006

General conditions for eligibility as tier two capital instruments

GENPRU 2.2.159

A capital instrument must not form part of the tier two capital resources of a firm unless it meets the following conditions:

(1) the claims of the creditors must rank behind those of all unsubordinated creditors;

(2) the only events of default must be non-payment of any amount falling due under the terms of the capital instrument or the winding-up of the firm and any such event of default must not prejudice the subordination in (1);

(3) to the fullest extent permitted under the laws of the relevant jurisdictions, the remedies available to the subordinated creditor in the event of non-payment or other breach of the terms of the capital instrument must (subject to GENPRU 2.2.161 R) be limited to petitioning for the winding-up of the firm or proving for the debt in the liquidation or administration;

(4) any:

(a) remedy permitted by (3);

(b) remedy that cannot be excluded under the laws of the relevant jurisdictions as referred to in (3);

(d) terms about repayment as referred to in (5);

must not prejudice the matters in (1) and (2) and in particular any damages permitted by (b) or (c) and repayment obligation must be subordinated in accordance with (1);

(5) without prejudice to (1), the debt must not become due and payable before its stated final maturity date (if any) except on an event of default complying with (2) or as permitted by GENPRU 2.2.172 R (Repayment at the option of the issuer) or GENPRU 2.2.194R (2) (Repayment of lower tier two capital at the option of the holder) and any remedy described in (4)(a) to (c) must not prejudice this requirement;

(6) the debt agreement or terms of the capital instrument are governed by the law of England and Wales, or of Scotland or of Northern Ireland;

(7) to the fullest extent permitted under the laws of the relevant jurisdictions, creditors must waive their right to set off amounts they owe the firm against subordinated amounts included in the firm's capital resources owed to them by the firm;

(8) the terms of the capital instrument must be set out in a written agreement that contains terms that provide for the conditions set out in (1) to (7);

(9) the debt must be unsecured and fully paid up;

(11) the amount of the item included must be net of any foreseeable tax charge at the moment of its calculation or must be suitably adjusted in so far as such tax charges reduce the amount up to which that item may be applied to cover risks or losses; and

(12) the firm has obtained a properly reasoned independent legal opinion from an appropriately qualified individual stating that the requirements in (1) to (7) and (insofar as it relates to whether the capital instrument is unsecured) (9) have been met.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.160

A holder of a non-deferred share of a building society must be treated as a senior unsecured creditor of that building society for the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.159 R.

31/12/2006

General conditions for eligibility as tier two capital instruments: Additional remedies

GENPRU 2.2.161

A capital instrument may be included in a firm's tier two capital resources even though the remedies available to the subordinated creditor go beyond those referred to in GENPRU 2.2.159R (3), if the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) those remedies are not available for failure to pay any amount of principal, interest or expenses or in respect of any other payment obligation; and

(2) those remedies do not in substance amount to remedies to recover payment of the amounts in (1).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.162

If damages are a remedy that cannot be excluded as referred to in GENPRU 2.2.159R (3) those damages should be subordinated in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.159R (1). Damages permitted by GENPRU 2.2.161 R should also be subordinated in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.159R (1).

31/12/2006

General conditions for eligibility as tier two capital instruments: Alternative governing laws

GENPRU 2.2.163

GENPRU 2.2.159R (6) does not apply if the firm has obtained a properly reasoned independent legal opinion from an appropriately qualified individual confirming that the same degree of subordination has been achieved under the law that governs the debt and the agreement as that which would have been achieved under the laws of England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.

31/12/2006

General conditions for eligibility as tier two capital instruments: Standard form documentation

GENPRU 2.2.164

The FSA is more concerned that the subordination provisions listed in GENPRU 2.2.159 R should be effective than that they should follow a particular form. The FSA does not, therefore, prescribe that the loan agreement or capital instrument should be drawn up in a standard form.

31/12/2006

Guidance on the general conditions for eligibility as tier two capital instruments

GENPRU 2.2.165

For the purposes of GENPRU 2.2.159R (5) the debt agreement or terms of the instrument should not contain any clause which might require early repayment of the debt (e.g. cross default clauses, negative pledges and restrictive covenants). A cross default clause is a clause which says that the loan goes into default if any of the borrower's other loans go into default. It is intended to prevent one creditor being repaid before other creditors, e.g. obtaining full repayment through the courts. A negative pledge is a clause which puts the loan into default if the borrower gives any further charge over its assets. A restrictive covenant is a term of contract that directly, or indirectly, could lead to early repayment of the debt. Some covenants, e.g. relating to the provision of management information or ownership restrictions, are likely to comply with GENPRU 2.2.159R (3) as long as monetary redress is ruled out, or any payments are covered by the subordination clauses.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.166

GENPRU 2.2.159R (3) allows a capital instrument to form part of the tier two capital resources even though the laws of the relevant jurisdiction do not allow remedies to be limited in the way described there. For example it is not possible to limit certain remedies in the case of an issue in the United States that is SEC-registered and subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.167

The purpose of GENPRU 2.2.159R (7) is to ensure that all of the firm's assets are available to consumers ahead of subordinated creditors. The waiver should apply both before and during liquidation or administration.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.168

The guidance in GENPRU 2.2.119 G (Employee may give legal opinion) also applies for the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.159R (12) and GENPRU 2.2.163 R.

31/12/2006

Tier two capital instruments: Connected transactions

GENPRU 2.2.169

An item of capital does not comply with GENPRU 2.2.159 R (General conditions for eligibility as tier two capital instruments) or GENPRU 2.2.177 R (Upper tier two capital: General) if the issue of that item of capital by the firm is connected with one or more other transactions which, when taken together with the issue of that item, could result in that item of capital no longer displaying all of the characteristics set out in whichever of those rules apply.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.170

GENPRU 2.2.66 G (Guidance on GENPRU 2.2.65 R) applies to GENPRU 2.2.169 R in the same way as it does to GENPRU 2.2.65 R (The equivalent of GENPRU 2.2.169 R in relation to tier one capital).

31/12/2006

Amendment of tier two instruments

GENPRU 2.2.171

A firm must not amend the terms of the capital or the documents referred to in GENPRU 2.2.159R (8) unless:

(1) at least one Month before the amendment is due to take effect, the firm has given the FSA notice in writing of the proposed amendment and the FSA has not objected; and

(2) that notice includes confirmation that the legal opinions referred to in GENPRU 2.2.159R (12) and, if applicable, GENPRU 2.2.163 R (General conditions for eligibility as tier two capital instruments: Alternative governing laws) and GENPRU 2.2.181 R (Legal opinions for upper tier two instruments), continue in full force and effect in relation to the terms of the debt and documents after any proposed amendment.

31/12/2006

Redemption of tier two instruments

GENPRU 2.2.172

A tier two instrument may be redeemable at the option of the firm, but any term of the instrument providing for the firm to have the right to exercise such an option must not provide for that right to be exercisable earlier than the fifth anniversary of the date of issue of the instrument.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.173

GENPRU 2.2.71 R to GENPRU 2.2.73 G (Tier one instruments may be redeemed by the issuer before the fifth anniversary in limited circumstances) apply to GENPRU 2.2.172 R in the same way as they do to GENPRU 2.2.70 R (The issuer should not redeem tier one capital before the fifth anniversary).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.174

In relation to a tier two instrument, a firm must notify the FSA :

(1) in the case of an insurer, six Months; and

(2) in the case of a BIPRU firm, one Month;

before it becomes committed to the proposed repayment (unless that firm intends to repay an instrument on its final maturity date). When giving notice, the firm must provide details of its position after such repayment in order to show how it will:

(3) meet its capital resources requirement; and

(4) have sufficient financial resources to meet the overall financial adequacy rule.

06/03/2009

Tier two capital: step-ups

GENPRU 2.2.175

The rules and guidance in GENPRU 2.2.146 R to GENPRU 2.2.154 G on step-ups cover tier two capital as well as tier one capital.

31/12/2006

Upper tier two capital: General

GENPRU 2.2.176

Examples of capital instruments which may be eligible to count in upper tier two capital resources include the following:

(1) perpetual cumulative preference shares;

(2) perpetual subordinated debt; and

(3) other instruments that have the same economic characteristics as (1) or (2).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.177

A capital instrument must (in addition to meeting the requirements of the rules about eligibility for inclusion in tier two capital) meet the following conditions before it can be included in a firm's upper tier two capital resources:

(1) it must have no fixed maturity date;

(2) the terms of the instrument must provide for the firm to have the option to defer any coupon on the debt, except that the firm need not have that right in the case of a coupon payable in the form of an item of capital that is included in the same stage of capital or a higher stage of capital as that first item of capital;

(3) the terms of the instrument must provide for the loss-absorption capacity of the capital instrument and unpaid coupons, whilst enabling the firm to continue its business;

(4) it meets the conditions in GENPRU 2.2.169 R (Connected transactions) and GENPRU 2.2.180 R (Loss absorption); and

(5) the terms of the instrument are such that either the instrument or debt is not redeemable or repayable or it is repayable or redeemable only at the option of the firm.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.178

If a firm gives notice of the redemption or repayment of an upper tier two instrument, the firm must no longer include it in its upper tier two capital resources.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.179

(1) The purpose of GENPRU 2.2.177R (2) is to ensure that a firm which issues an item of capital with a coupon retains flexibility over the payments of such coupon and can preserve cash in times of financial stress. However, a firm may include, as part of the capital instrument terms, a right to make payments of a coupon mandatory if an item of capital becomes ineligible to form part of its capital resources (for example, through a change in the relevant rules) and the firm has notified the FSA that the instrument is ineligible.

(2) For the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.177R (2), GENPRU 2.2.68 G (Dividend pushers) applies equally in relation to the inclusion of an instrument in upper tier two capital resources.

25/01/2008

Upper tier two capital: Loss absorption

GENPRU 2.2.180

A capital instrument may only be included in upper tier two capital resources if a firm's obligations under the instrument either:

(1) do not constitute a liability (actual, contingent or prospective) under section 123(2) of the Insolvency Act 1986; or

(2) do constitute such a liability but the terms of the instrument are such that:

(a) any such liability is not relevant for the purposes of deciding whether:

(i) the firm is, or is likely to become, unable to pay its debts; or

(ii) its liabilities exceed its assets;

(b) a person (including but not limited to a holder of the instrument) is not able to petition for the winding up or administration of the firm or for any similar procedure in relation to the firm on the grounds that the firm is or may become unable to pay any such liability; and

31/12/2006

Upper tier two capital: Legal opinions

GENPRU 2.2.181

A firm may not include an upper tier two instrument in its upper tier two capital resources unless it has obtained a properly reasoned independent legal opinion from an appropriately qualified individual confirming that the criteria in GENPRU 2.2.177R (3) and GENPRU 2.2.180 R (Loss absorption) are met. This rule does not apply to a perpetual cumulative preference share.

31/12/2006

Upper tier two capital: Guidance

GENPRU 2.2.182

GENPRU 2.2.180 R is an example of the general principle in GENPRU 2.2.177R (3).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.183

The guidance in GENPRU 2.2.117 G (There should be no liability to the extent that the firm would become insolvent, etc) also applies for the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.180 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.184

The guidance in GENPRU 2.2.119 G (Employee may give legal opinion) also applies for the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.181 R.

31/12/2006

Upper tier two capital: Revaluation reserves (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.185

(1) This rule applies to a BIPRU firm.

(2) A BIPRU firm must, in relation to equities held in the available-for-sale financial assets category:

(a) deduct any net losses at stage E of the calculation in the capital resources table (Deductions from tier one capital); and

(b) include any net gains (after deduction of deferred tax) in revaluation reserves at stage G of the calculation in the capital resources table (Upper tier two capital).

(3) A BIPRU firm must include any net gains, after deduction of deferred tax, on revaluation reserves of investment properties at stage G of the calculation in the capital resources table. A firm must include any losses on such revaluation reserves in profit and loss account and other reserves.

(4) A BIPRU firm must include any net gains, after deduction of deferred tax, on revaluation reserves of land and buildings at stage G of the calculation in the capital resources table. A firm must include any losses on such revaluation reserves in profit and loss account and other reserves.

(5) (2) only applies to a firm to the extent that the category of asset referred to in that paragraph exists under the accounting framework that applies to the firm as referred to in GENPRU 1.3.4 R (General requirements: accounting principles to be applied).

(6) (3) and (4) apply to a firm whatever the accounting treatment of those items is under the accounting framework that applies to the firm as referred to in GENPRU 1.3.4 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.186

Subject to GENPRU 2.2.185 R, a BIPRU firm should value its revaluation reserves in accordance with the rules in GENPRU 1.3 (Valuation).

31/12/2006

Upper tier two capital: General/collective provisions (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.187

A BIPRU firm which adopts the standardised approach to credit risk may include general/collective provisions in its tier two capital resources only if:

(1) they are freely available to the firm;

(2) their existence is disclosed in internal accounting records; and

(3) their amount is determined by the management of the firm, verified by independent auditors and notified to the FSA .

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.188

The value of general/collective provisions which a firm may include in its tier two capital resources as referred to in GENPRU 2.2.187 R may not exceed 1.25% of the sum of the following:

(1) the sum of the market risk capital requirement and the operational risk capital requirement (if applicable), multiplied by a factor of 12.5; and

(2) the sum of risk weighted assets under the standardised approach for credit risk.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.189

Where a firm is unable to determine whether collective/general provisions relate only to exposures on either the standardised approach or the IRB approach, that firm must allocate them on a basis which is reasonable and consistent.

31/12/2006

Upper tier two capital: Surplus provisions (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.190

A BIPRU firm calculating risk weighted exposure amounts under the IRB approach may include in its upper tier two capital resources positive amounts resulting from the calculation in BIPRU 4.3.8 R (Treatment of expected loss amounts), up to 0.6% of the risk weighted exposure amounts calculated under that approach.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.191

A BIPRU firm calculating risk weighted exposure amounts under the IRB approach may not include in its capital resources value adjustments and provisions included in the calculation in BIPRU 4.3.8 R (Treatment of expected loss amounts under the IRB approach for trading book exposures) or value adjustments and provisions for exposures that would otherwise have been eligible for inclusion in general/collective provisions other than in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.190 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.192

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.190 R and GENPRU 2.2.191 R, risk weighted exposure amounts must not include those calculated in respect of securitisation positions which have a risk weight of 1250%.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.193

If a BIPRU firm calculates risk weighted exposure amounts under the IRB approach for the purposes of BIPRU 14 (Capital requirements for settlement and counterparty risk) it must not include valuation adjustments referred to in BIPRU 14.2.18 R (1) (Treatment of expected loss amounts) in its capital resources except in accordance with that rule.

31/12/2006

Lower tier two capital

GENPRU 2.2.194

A firm may include a capital instrument in its lower tier two capital resources if (in addition to meeting the requirements of the rules about eligibility for inclusion in tier two capital) either the holder has no right to repayment or it satisfies either of the following conditions:

(1) it has an original maturity of at least five years; or

(2) it is redeemable on notice from the holder, but the period of notice of repayment required to be given by the holder is five years or more.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.195

A firm may include perpetual capital instruments that do not meet the conditions in GENPRU 2.2.177 R (Eligibility conditions for upper tier two capital) in lower tier two capital resources if they meet the general conditions described in GENPRU 2.2.159 R (General conditions for eligibility as tier two capital instruments).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.196

(1) For the purposes of calculating the amount of a lower tier two instrument which may be included in a firm's capital resources:

(a) in the case of an instrument with a fixed maturity date, in the final five years to maturity; and

(b) in the case of an instrument with or without a fixed maturity date but where five years' or more notice of redemption or repayment has been given, in the final five years to the date of redemption or repayment;

the principal amount must be amortised on a straight line basis.

(2) If a firm gives notice of the redemption or repayment of a lower tier two instrument and (1) does not apply, the firm must no longer include it in its lower tier two capital resources.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.197

If a firm wishes to include in lower tier two capital resources an instrument with or without a fixed maturity date but where less than five years' notice of redemption or repayment has been given, it should seek individual guidance from the FSA .

31/12/2006

The effect of swaps on debt capital

GENPRU 2.2.198

GENPRU 2.2.198 R to GENPRU 2.2.201 R apply to a tier one instrument, tier two instrument or tier three instrument of a firm that is treated as a liability under the accounting framework to which it is subject as referred to in GENPRU 1.3.4 R (General requirements: accounting principles to be applied) (a "debt instrument").

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.199

A firm must recognise for the purpose of this section any effect that changes in exchange rates or interest rates have on a debt instrument (as defined in GENPRU 2.2.198 R) under the accounting framework to which the firm is subject as referred to in GENPRU 1.3.4 R (General requirements: accounting principles to be applied).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.200

A firm must recognise, in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.201 R, the effect of a foreign currency hedge on a debt instrument (as defined in GENPRU 2.2.198 R) denominated in a foreign currency or of an interest rate hedge on a fixed rate coupon debt instrument if:

(1) the accounting framework to which the firm is subject as referred to in GENPRU 1.3.4 R (General requirements: accounting principles to be applied) provides for a fair value hedge accounting relationship between a liability and its related hedge;

(2) such a relationship exists under that accounting framework between that debt instrument and that hedge;

(3) (if the debt instrument is a tier one instrument) the firm's obligations under that hedge comply with the conditions in GENPRU 2.2.64 R to GENPRU 2.2.65 R (General conditions for eligibility as tier one capital);

(4) (if the debt instrument is a tier two instrument or an upper tier three instrument) the firm's obligations under that hedge comply with the conditions in GENPRU 2.2.159 R to GENPRU 2.2.169 R (General conditions for eligibility as tier two capital instruments) as modified, in the case of an upper tier three instrument, by GENPRU 2.2.244 R (Application of tier two capital rules to tier three capital debt) except as follows:

(a) GENPRU 2.2.159R (9) only applies to the extent that it requires that hedge to be unsecured; and

(b) GENPRU 2.2.159R (12) (legal opinion) does not apply.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.201

A firm must recognise the effect of a hedge as referred to in GENPRU 2.2.200 R by including the net accounting fair value of the hedging instrument in the valuation of the debt instrument (as defined in GENPRU 2.2.198 R).

31/12/2006

Deductions from tiers one and two: Qualifying holdings (bank or building society only)

GENPRU 2.2.202

GENPRU 2.2.202 R to GENPRU 2.2.207 R only apply to a bank or building society.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.203

A qualifying holding is a direct or indirect holding of a bank or building society in a non-financial undertaking which represents 10% or more of the capital or of the voting rights or which makes it possible to exercise a significant influence over the management of that undertaking.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.204

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.203 R, a non-financial undertaking is an undertaking other than:

(1) a credit institution or financial institution;

(2) an undertaking whose exclusive or main activities are a direct extension of banking or concern services ancillary to banking, such as leasing, factoring, the management of unit trusts, the management of data processing services or any other similar activity; or

(3) an insurer.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.205

The amount of qualifying holdings that a bank or building society must deduct in the calculation in the capital resources table is:

(1) (if the firm has one or more qualifying holdings that exceeds 15% of its relevant capital resources) the sum of such excesses; and

(2) to the extent not already deducted in (1), the amount by which the sum of each of that firm's qualifying holdings exceeds 60% of its relevant capital resources.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.206

The relevant capital resources of a firm mean for the purposes of this rule the sum of the amount of capital resources calculated at stages L (Total tier one capital plus tier two capital) and Q (Total tier three capital) of the calculation in the capital resources table as adjusted in accordance with the following:

(1) the firm must not take into account the items referred to in any of the following:

(a) GENPRU 2.2.190 R to GENPRU 2.2.193 R (surplus provisions); or

(b) GENPRU 2.2.236 R (expected loss amounts and other negative amounts); or

(2) the firm must make the deductions to be made at stage S of the calculation in the capital resources table (Deductions from total capital); and

(3) the firm need not deduct any excess trading book position under (2).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.207

The following are not included as qualifying holdings:

(1) shares that are not held as investments; or

(2) shares that are held temporarily during the normal course of underwriting; or

(3) shares held in a firm's name on behalf of others.

31/12/2006

Deductions from tiers one and two: Material holdings (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.208

GENPRU 2.2.208 R to GENPRU 2.2.216 G only apply to a BIPRU firm.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.209

A material holding is:

(1) a BIPRU firm's holdings of shares and any other interest in the capital of an individual credit institution or financial institution (held in the non-trading book or the trading book or both) exceeding 10% of the share capital of the issuer, and, where this is the case, any holdings of subordinated debt of the same issuer are also included as a material holding; the full amount of the holding is a material holding; or

(2) a BIPRU firm's holdings of shares, any other interest in the capital and subordinated debt in an individual credit institution or financial institution (held in the non-trading book or the trading book or both) not deducted under (1) if the total amount of such holdings exceeds 10% of that firm's capital resources at stage N (Total tier one capital plus tier two capital after deductions) of the calculation in the capital resources table (calculated before deduction of its material holdings); only the excess amount is a material holding; or

(3) a bank or building society's aggregate holdings in the non-trading book of shares, any other interest in the capital, and subordinated debt in all credit institutions or financial institutions not deducted under (1) or (2) if the total amount of such holdings exceeds 10% of that firm's capital resources at stage N of the calculation in the capital resources table (calculated before deduction of its material holdings); only the excess amount is a material holding; or

(4) a material insurance holding.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.210

For the purpose of the definition of a material holding, share capital includes preference shares. Share premium should be taken into account when determining the amount of share capital.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.211

When calculating the size of its material holdings a firm must only include an actual holding (that is, a long cash position). A firm must not net such holdings with a short position.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.212

A material insurance holding means the holdings of a BIPRU firm of items of the type set out in GENPRU 2.2.213 R in any:

(1) insurance undertaking ; or

(2) insurance holding company;

that fulfils one of the following conditions:

(3) it is a subsidiary undertaking of that firm; or

(4) that firm holds a participation in it.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.213

An item falls into this provision for the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.212 R if it is:

(1) an ownership share; or

(2) subordinated debt or another item of capital that falls into Article 16(3) of the First Non-Life Directive or, as applicable, Article 27(3) of the Consolidated Life Directive.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.214

The amount to be deducted with respect to each material insurance holding is the higher of:

(1) the book value of the material insurance holding; and

(2) the solo capital resources requirement for the insurance undertaking or insurance holding company in question calculated in accordance with Part 3 of GENPRU 3 Annex 1 (Method 3 of the capital adequacy calculations for financial conglomerates).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.215

For the purpose of the definition of a material holding, holdings must be valued using the valuation method which the holder uses for its external financial reporting purposes.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.216

(1) This paragraph gives guidance on how the calculation under GENPRU 2.2.214R (1) should be carried out where an insurance undertaking is accounted for using the embedded value method.

(2) On acquisition, any "goodwill" element (that is, the difference between the acquisition value according to the embedded value method and the actual investment) should be deducted from tier one capital resources.

(3) The embedded value should be deducted from the total of tier one capital resources and tier two capital resources.

(4) Post-acquisition, where the embedded value of the undertaking increases, the increase should be added to reserves, while the new embedded value is deducted from total capital resources.

(5) This means that the net impact on the level of total capital resources is zero, although tier two capital resources headroom will increase with any increase in tier one capital resources reserves.

(6) Embedded value is the value of the undertaking taking into account the present value of the expected future inflows from existing life assurance business.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.216A

(1) This paragraph gives guidance as to the amount to be deducted at Part 2 of stage M (Deductions from the totals of tier one and two) of GENPRU 2 Annex 2 (Capital resources table for a bank) and GENPRU 2 Annex 3 (Capital resources table for a building society) in respect of investments in subsidiary undertakings and participations (excluding any amount which is already deducted as material holdings or qualifying holdings).

(2) The effect of those rules is to achieve the deduction of all investments in subsidiary undertakings and participations for banks and building societies by ensuring that amounts not already deducted under other rules are accounted for at this stage of the calculation of capital resources.

(3) The following investments in subsidiary undertakings and participations should be deducted at this stage:

(a) those not deducted in Part 1 of stage M because of the operation of the thresholds in GENPRU 2.2.205 R (on qualifying holdings) and GENPRU 2.2.209 R (on material holdings); and

(b) those which do not meet the definition of qualifying holding or material holding.

(4) For example, an investment in an undertaking which is not a qualifying holding under GENPRU 2.2.204R (2) (on the definition of a non-financial undertaking), that is whose exclusive or main activities are a direct extension of banking or concern services ancillary to banking, such as leasing, factoring, the management of unit trusts, the management of data processing services or any other similar activity, should be deducted at this stage.

29/06/2007

Deductions from tiers one and two: Reciprocal cross holdings (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.217

GENPRU 2.2.217 R to GENPRU 2.2.220 R apply to a BIPRU firm.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.218

A BIPRU firm must deduct at stage M of the calculation in the capital resources table (Deductions from the totals of tier one and two) any reciprocal cross-holdings. However a BIPRU firm must not deduct such holdings to the extent that they fall to be deducted at Part 1 of stage M of the calculation in the capital resources table (Deductions for material holdings, qualifying holdings and certain other items).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.219

A reciprocal cross-holding means a holding of the BIPRU firm of shares, any other interest in the capital, and subordinated debt, whether in the trading or non-trading book, in:

(1) a credit institution; or

(2) a financial institution;

that satisfies the following conditions:

(3) the holding is the subject of an agreement or arrangement between the BIPRU firm and either the issuer of the instrument in question or a member of a group to which the issuer belongs;

(4) under the terms of the agreement or arrangement described in (3) the issuer invests in the BIPRU firm or in a member of the group to which that BIPRU firm belongs; and

(5) the effect of that agreement or arrangement on the capital position of the BIPRU firm, the issuer, or any member of a group to which either belongs, under any relevant rules is significantly more beneficial than it is in economic terms, taking into account the agreement or arrangement as a whole.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.220

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.219 R, a relevant rule means a rule in GENPRU, BIPRU or INSPRU or any other capital adequacy or solvency requirements of the FSA or any other regulator, territory or country.

31/12/2006

Deductions from tiers one and two: Connected lending of a capital nature (bank only)

GENPRU 2.2.221

GENPRU 2.2.221 R to GENPRU 2.2.235 G only apply to a bank.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.222

Connected lending of a capital nature means all lending within GENPRU 2.2.227 R or GENPRU 2.2.229 R and guarantees within GENPRU 2.2.231 R or GENPRU 2.2.233 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.223

A bank must not deduct any item as connected lending of a capital nature to the extent that it falls to be deducted at Part 1 of stage M of the calculation in the capital resources table (Deductions for material holdings, qualifying holdings and certain other items) or as a reciprocal cross-holding.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.224

For the purpose of the rules in this section about connected lending of a capital nature and in relation to a bank, a connected party means another person ("P") who fulfils at least one of the following conditions and is not solo-consolidated with the bank under BIPRU 2.1 (Solo consolidation):

(1) P is closely related to the bank; or

(2) P is an associate of the bank; or

(3) the same persons significantly influence the governing body of P and the bank.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.225

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.2.224 R, in relation to a person ("P") to which a bank has an exposure when P is acting on his own behalf and also an exposure to P when P acts in his capacity as a trustee, custodian or general partner of an investment trust, unit trust, venture capital or other investment fund, pension fund or similar fund (a "fund") the bank may choose to treat this latter exposure as an exposure to the fund, unless such treatment would be misleading.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.226

BIPRU 10.3.13 G (Guidance on BIPRU 10.3.12 R) applies to GENPRU 2.2.225 Ras it applies to BIPRU 10.3.12 R (Exposures to trustees for concentration risk purposes).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.227

A loan is connected lending of a capital nature if:

(1) it is made by the bank to a connected party; and

(2) it falls into GENPRU 2.2.228 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.228

A loan falls into this rule for the purposes of GENPRU 2.2.227R (2) if, whether through contractual, structural, reputational or other factors:

(1) based on the terms of the loan and the other knowledge available to the bank, the borrower would be able to consider it from the point of view of its characteristics as capital as being similar to share capital or subordinated debt; or

(2) the position of the lender from the point of view of maturity and repayment is inferior to that of the senior unsecured and unsubordinated creditors of the borrower.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.229

A loan is also connected lending of a capital nature if:

(1) it funds directly or indirectly a loan to a connected party of the bank falling into GENPRU 2.2.228 R or an investment in the capital of a connected party of the bank; and

(2) it falls into GENPRU 2.2.228 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.230

It is likely that a loan is not connected lending of a capital nature if:

(1) it is secured by collateral that is eligible for the purposes of credit risk mitigation under the standardised approach to credit risk as set out in BIPRU 5.4 (Financial collateral) and BIPRU 5.5 (Other funded credit risk mitigation); or

(2) it is repayable on demand (and should be treated as such for accounting purposes by the borrower and lender) and the bank can demonstrate that there are no potential obstacles to exercising the right to repay, whether contractual or otherwise.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.231

A guarantee is connected lending of a capital nature if it is a guarantee by the bank of a loan from a third party to a connected party of the bank and:

(1) the loan meets the requirements of GENPRU 2.2.228 R; or

(2) the rights that the bank would have against the borrower with respect to the guarantee meet the requirements of GENPRU 2.2.228R (2).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.232

A guarantee is also connected lending of a capital nature if it is a guarantee by the bank of a loan falling into GENPRU 2.2.229R (1); and

(1) the loan meets the conditions in GENPRU 2.2.228 R; or

(2) the guarantee meets the conditions in GENPRU 2.2.231R (2).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.233

The amount of a guarantee that constitutes connected lending of a capital nature that a firm must deduct is the amount guaranteed.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.234

A loan may initially fall outside the definition of connected lending of a capital nature but later fall into it. For example, if the initial lending to a connected party is subsequently downstreamed to another connected party the relationship between the bank and the ultimate borrower may be such that, looking at the arrangements as a whole, the undertaking to which the bank lends is able to regard the loan to it as being capable of absorbing losses.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.235

Lending to a connected party will not normally be connected lending of a capital nature where that party:

(1) is acting as a vehicle to pass funding to an unconnected party; and

(2) has no other creditors whose claims could be senior to those of the lender.

31/12/2006

Deductions from tiers one and two: Expected losses and other negative amounts (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.236

A BIPRU firm calculating risk weighted exposure amounts under the IRB approach must deduct:

(1) any negative amounts arising from the calculation in BIPRU 4.3.8 R (Treatment of expected loss amounts); and

(2) any expected loss amounts calculated in accordance with BIPRU 4.7.12 R (Expected loss amounts under the simple risk weight approach to calculating risk weighted exposure amounts for exposures belonging to the equity exposure IRB exposure class) or BIPRU 4.7.17 R (Expected loss amounts under the PD/LGD approach).

31/12/2006

Deductions from tiers one and two: Securitisation positions (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.237

A BIPRU firm calculating risk weighted exposure amounts under the IRB approach or the standardised approach to credit risk must deduct from its capital resources the exposure amount of securitisation positions which receive a risk weight of 1250% under BIPRU 9 (Securitisation), unless the firm includes the securitisation positions in its calculation of risk weighted exposure amounts (see BIPRU 9.10 (Reduction in risk-weighted exposure amounts)).

31/12/2006

Deductions from tiers one and two: Special treatment of material holdings and other items (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.238

GENPRU 2.2.238 R to GENPRU 2.2.241 R apply to a BIPRU firm and relate to the deductions in respect of:

(1) material holdings;

(2) expected loss amounts and other negative amounts referred to in GENPRU 2.2.236 R; and

(3) securitisation positions referred to in GENPRU 2.2.237 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.239

(1) The treatment in the capital resources table of the deductions in GENPRU 2.2.238 R only has effect for the purpose of the capital resources gearing rules.

(2) In other cases (3) and (4) apply.

(3) A BIPRU firm making the deductions described in GENPRU 2.2.238 R must deduct 50% of the total amount of those deductions at stage E (Deductions from tier one capital) and 50% at stage J (Deductions from tier two capital) of the calculation in the capital resources table after the application of the capital resources gearing rules.

(4) To the extent that half of the total of:

(a) material holdings;

(b) expected loss amounts and other negative amounts; and

exceeds the amount calculated at stage I (Total tier two capital) of that calculation, a firm must deduct that excess from the amount calculated at stage F (Total tier one capital after deductions) of the capital resources table.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.240

The alternative calculation in GENPRU 2.2.239R (3) to (4) is only relevant to BIPRU 11 (Pillar 3 disclosures) and certain reporting requirements under SUP. However the deduction of material holdings at Part 2 of stage E of the capital resources table in the case of a BIPRU investment firm with an investment firm consolidation waiver has effect for all purposes.

31/12/2006

Tier three capital: upper tier three capital resources (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.241

GENPRU 2.2.241 R to GENPRU 2.2.245 R only apply to a BIPRU firm.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.242

A BIPRU firm may include subordinated debt in its upper tier three capital resources only if:

(1) it has an original maturity of at least two years or is subject to at least two years' notice of repayment; and

(2) payment of interest or principal is permitted only if, after that payment, the firm's capital resources would be not less than its capital resources requirement.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.243

A BIPRU firm which includes subordinated debt in its tier three capital resources must notify the FSA one month in advance of all payments of either interest or principal made when the firm's capital resources are less than 120% of its capital resources requirement.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.244

The rules in the table in GENPRU 2.2.245 R apply to short term subordinated debt that a BIPRU firm includes in its tier three capital resources in the same way that they apply to a firm's tier two capital resources with the adjustments in that table.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.245

Table: Application of tier two capital rules to tier three debt
This table belongs to GENPRU 2.2.244 R

Tier two capital rule

Adjustment

GENPRU 2.2.159 R (General conditions for eligibility as tier two capital)

The references in GENPRU 2.2.159R (5) (Capital must not become repayable prior to stated maturity date except in specified circumstances) to repayment at the option of the holder are replaced by a reference to GENPRU 2.2.242R (1) (Upper tier three capital should have maturity or notice period of at least two years)
The reference in GENPRU 2.2.159R (10) (Description of tier two capital in marketing documents) to GENPRU 2.2.271 R (Other requirements: insurers carrying on with-profits business (Insurer only)) does not apply

GENPRU 2.2.160 R (Holder of a non-deferred share of a building society to be treated as a senior creditor)

GENPRU 2.2.161 R (Additional remedies)

GENPRU 2.2.163 R (Legal opinion where debt subject to a law of a country outside the United Kingdom)

GENPRU 2.2.169 R (Ineligibility as tier two capital owing to connected transactions)

The reference to GENPRU 2.2.177 R (General eligibility conditions for upper tier two capital) does not apply

GENPRU 2.2.171 R (Amendments to terms of the capital instrument)

GENPRU 2.2.172 R to GENPRU 2.2.173 R (Redeemability at the option of the issuer)

GENPRU 2.2.174 R (Notification of redemption)

References in the rules in the first column to the fifth anniversary are amended so as to refer to the second anniversary.

31/12/2006

Tier three capital: lower tier three capital resources (BIPRU firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.246

GENPRU 2.2.246 R to GENPRU 2.2.249 R only apply to a BIPRU firm.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.247

A BIPRU firm's net interim trading book profits mean its net trading book profits adjusted as follows:

(1) they are net of any foreseeable charges or dividends and less net losses on its other business; and

(2) a firm must not take into account items that have already been included in the calculation of capital resources as part of the calculation of the following items:

(a) interim net profits (see stage (A) of the capital resources table); or

(b) interim net losses or material interim net losses (see stage (A) of the capital resources table); or

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.248

Trading book profits and losses, other than those losses to which GENPRU 2.2.86R (2) (Valuation adjustment and reserves) refers, originating from valuation adjustments or reserves as referred to in GENPRU 1.3.29 R to GENPRU 1.3.35 G (Valuation adjustments or reserves) must be included in the calculation of net interim trading book profits and be added to or deducted from tier three capital resources.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.249

Trading book valuation adjustments or reserves as referred to in GENPRU 1.3.29 R to GENPRU 1.3.35 G which exceed those made under the accounting framework to which a firm is subject must be treated in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.248 R if not required to be treated under GENPRU 2.2.86R (2).

31/12/2006

Deductions from total capital: Inadmissible assets (insurers only)

GENPRU 2.2.250

GENPRU 2.2.250 R to GENPRU 2.2.253 G only apply to an insurer.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.251

For the purposes of the capital resources table, an insurer which is not a pure reinsurer must deduct from total capital resources the value of any asset which is not an admissible asset as listed in GENPRU 2 Annex 7 (Admissible assets in insurance), unless the asset is held to cover property-linked liabilities or index-linked liabilities under INSPRU 3.1.57 R or INSPRU 3.1.58 R (Covering linked liabilities).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.252

GENPRU 2.2.251 R does not apply to intangible assets which should be deducted from tier one capital resources under GENPRU 2.2.155 R (Deductions from tier one: Intangible assets).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.253

The list of admissible assets has been drawn with the aim of excluding assets:

(1) for which a sufficiently objective and verifiable basis of valuation does not exist; or

(2) whose realisability cannot be relied upon with sufficient confidence; or

(3) whose nature presents an unacceptable custody risk; or

(4) the holding of which may give rise to significant liabilities or onerous duties.

31/12/2006

Deductions from total capital: Adjustments for related undertakings

GENPRU 2.2.254

GENPRU 2.2.254 R to GENPRU 2.2.258 G only apply to an insurer.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.255

An insurer must deduct from its capital resources the value of its investments in each of its related undertakings that is an ancillary services undertaking.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.256

In relation to each of its related undertakings that is a regulated related undertaking (other than an insurance undertaking) an insurer must add to (if positive), at stage J in the capital resources table (Positive adjustments for related undertakings), or deduct from (if negative), at stage L in the capital resources table (Deductions from total capital), its capital resources the value of its shares in that undertaking calculated in accordance with GENPRU 1.3.47 R (Shares in and debts due from related undertakings).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.257

For the purposes of GENPRU 2.2.255 R, investments must be valued at their accounting book value in accordance with GENPRU 1.3.4 R (General requirements: accounting principles to be applied).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.258

Related undertakings which are also insurance undertakings are not included in GENPRU 2.2.256 R because an insurer that is a participating insurance undertaking is subject to the requirements of INSPRU 6.1 (Group Risk: Insurance Groups).

31/12/2006

Deductions from total capital: Illiquid assets (BIPRU investment firm only)

GENPRU 2.2.259

GENPRU 2.2.259 R to GENPRU 2.2.262 G only apply to a BIPRU investment firm .

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.260

Illiquid assets means illiquid assets including

(1) tangible fixed assets (except land and buildings if they are used by a firm as security for loans, but this exclusion is only up to the value of the principal outstanding on the loans); or

(2) any holdings in the capital resources of credit institutions or financial institutions, except to the extent that:

(a) they have already been deducted as a material holding; or

(b) they are shares which are included in a firm's trading book and included in the calculation of the firm's market risk capital requirement; or

(3) holdings of other securities which are not readily realisable securities; or

(4) deficiencies of net assets in subsidiary undertakings; or

(5) deposits which are not repayable within 90 days (except for payments in connection with margined futures or options contracts); or

(6) loans and other amounts owed to a firm except where they are due to be repaid within 90 days; or

(7) physical stocks except for positions in physical commodities which are included in the calculation of a firm's commodity PRR.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.261

If a loan or other amount owing to a firm was originally due to be paid more than 90 days from the date of the making of the loan or the incurring of the payment obligation, as the case may be, it may be treated as liquid for the purposes of GENPRU 2.2.260R (6) where through the passage of time the remaining time to the contractual repayment date falls below 90 days.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.262

If a loan or other amount is due to be paid within 90 days (whether measured by reference to original or remaining maturity), a firm should consider whether it can reasonably expect the amount owing to be paid within that period. If the firm cannot reasonably expect it to be paid within that period the firm should treat it as illiquid.

31/12/2006

Deductions from total capital: Excess trading book position (bank or building society only)

GENPRU 2.2.263

GENPRU 2.2.263 R to GENPRU 2.2.265 R only apply to a bank or building society.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.264

(1) The excess trading book position is the excess of:

(a) a bank or building society's aggregate net long (including notional) trading book positions in shares, subordinated debt or any other interest in the capital of credit institutions or financial institutions;

over;

(b) 25% of that firm's capital resources calculated at stage T (Total capital after deductions) of the capital resources table (calculated before deduction of the excess trading book position).

(2) Only the excess amount calculated under (1) must be deducted.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.265

The standard market risk PRR rules apply for establishing what is a net position and the amount and value of that position for the purposes of GENPRU 2.2.264 R, ignoring rules which would otherwise exclude such positions from BIPRU 7.2 (Interest rate PRR) or BIPRU 7.3 (Equity PRR and basic interest rate PRR for equity derivatives) on the basis that they are to be deducted from a bank or building society's capital resources, or for any other reason.

31/12/2006

Other capital resources: Unpaid share capital or initial funds and calls for supplementary contributions (Insurer only)

GENPRU 2.2.266

GENPRU 2.2.266 G to GENPRU 2.2.269 G only apply to an insurer.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.267

Unpaid share capital or, in the case of a mutual, unpaid initial funds and calls for supplementary contributions are excluded from the capital resources of a firm except to the extent allowed in a waiver under section 148 of the Act (Modification or waiver of rules).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.268

Subject to a waiver, under the Insurance Directives a maximum of one half of unpaid share capital or, in the case of a mutual, one half of the unpaid initial fund may be included in an insurer's capital resources, once the paid-up part amounts to 25% of that share capital or fund, up to 50% of total capital resources.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.269

In the case of a mutual carrying on general insurance business and subject to a waiver, calls for supplementary contributions within the financial year may only be included in a firm's capital resources up to a maximum of 50% of the difference between the maximum contributions and the contributions actually called in, subject to a limit of 50% of total capital resources. In the case of a mutual carrying on long-term insurance business, the Consolidated Life Directive does not permit calls for supplementary contributions to be included in a firm's capital resources.

31/12/2006

Other requirements: insurers carrying on with-profits business (Insurer only)

GENPRU 2.2.270

GENPRU 2.2.270 R to GENPRU 2.2.275 G only apply to an insurer.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.271

An insurer carrying on with-profits insurance business must, in addition to the other requirements in respect of capital resources elsewhere in GENPRU 2.2, meet the following conditions before a capital instrument can be included in that insurer's capital resources:

(1) the insurer must manage the with-profits fund so that discretionary benefits under a with-profits insurance contract are calculated and paid disregarding, insofar as is necessary for its customers to be treated fairly, any liability the firm may have to make payments under the capital instrument;

(2) the intention to manage the with-profits fund on the basis set out in (1) must be disclosed in the firm's Principles and Practices of Financial Management; and

(3) no amounts, whether interest, principal, or other amounts, must be payable by the firm under the capital instrument if the firm's assets would then be insufficient to enable it to declare and pay under a with-profits insurance contract discretionary benefits that are consistent with the firm's obligations under Principle 6 (Customers' interests).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.272

The purpose of GENPRU 2.2.271 R is to achieve practical subordination of capital instruments if they are to qualify as capital resources to the liabilities an insurer has to with-profits policyholders, including liabilities which arise from the regulatory duty to treat customers fairly in setting discretionary benefits. ( Principle 6 (Customers' interests) requires a firm to pay due regard to the interests of its customers and treat them fairly.) It is not sufficient for a capital instrument to be subordinated to such liabilities only on winding up of the firm because such liabilities to policyholders may have been reduced by the inappropriate use of management discretion to enable funds to be applied in repaying subordinated capital instruments before winding up proceedings commence.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.273

GENPRU 2.2.271 R is an additional requirement to all other rules in this section concerning the eligibility of a capital instrument to count as a component of an insurer's capital resources. Subordinated debt instruments will be the main type of capital instrument to which this rule is relevant, including both upper tier two (undated) and lower tier two (dated) subordinated debt instruments. Subordinated debt instruments which are issued by a related undertaking are not intended to be covered by this rule and may be included in group capital resources as appropriate if the other eligibility criteria are met.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.274

GENPRU 2.2.64R (10) and GENPRU 2.2.159R (10) contain provisions concerning the marketing of a capital instrument. In relation to a firm to which GENPRU 2.2.271 R applies, in order to comply with GENPRU 2.2.64R (10) and GENPRU 2.2.159R (10), it should draw to the attention of subscribers the risk that payments may be deferred or cancelled in order to operate the with-profits fund so as to give priority to the payment of discretionary benefits to with-profits policyholders.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.2.275

(1) Upper tier two instruments should meet the requirements of GENPRU 2.2.177R (3) which goes beyond the requirement in GENPRU 2.2.271R (3) since it requires a firm to have the option to defer payments in all circumstances, not just if necessary to treat customers fairly. However, for lower tier two instruments, GENPRU 2.2.271R (3) represents an additional requirement since a failure to pay amounts of interest or principal on a due date must not constitute an event of default under GENPRU 2.2.159R (2) for firms carrying on with-profits insurance business.

(2) For firms which are realistic basis life firms compliance with GENPRU 2.2.271R (3) would usually be achieved if the capital instrument provides that no amounts will be payable under it unless the firm's capital resources exceed its capital resources requirement. However, such firms should ensure that the terms of the capital instrument refer to FSA capital resources requirements in force from time to time, including the current realistic reserving requirements and are not restricted to former minimum capital requirements based only on the Insurance Directives' required minimum margin of solvency. For firms which are not realistic basis life firms, compliance with GENPRU 2.2.271R (3) will probably require specific reference to be made to treating customers fairly in the terms of the capital instrument.

31/12/2006

Public sector guarantees

GENPRU 2.2.276

A BIPRU firm may not include a guarantee from a state or public authority in its capital resources.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3

Application of GENPRU 2 to Lloyd's

31/12/2006

Application of GENPRU 2.1

GENPRU 2.3.1

GENPRU 2.1 applies to the Society in accordance with INSPRU 8.1.2 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.2

GENPRU 2.1.38 R to GENPRU 2.2.39 G apply to managing agents in accordance with INSPRU 8.1.4 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.3

GENPRU 2.1.13 R requires the Society to ensure, in relation to each member's insurance business, that capital resources equal to or in excess of the member's capital resources requirement (CRR) are maintained. GENPRU 2.1 sets out the overall framework of the CRR. INSPRU 1.1 sets out the calculation of the components of the general insurance capital requirement and the long-term insurance capital requirement.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.4

Managing agents are required to calculate the ECR for the purposes of carrying out syndicate ICAs under INSPRU 7.1. As with-profits insurance business is not carried on through any syndicate, the calculation of the with-profits insurance capital component will not be applicable. INSPRU 1.3 is not applied to Lloyd's.

31/12/2006

Calculation of the MCR

GENPRU 2.3.5

For the purposes of GENPRU 2.1.24 R, the Society must calculate the MCR in respect of the general insurance business of each member as the higher of:

(1) the member's share of the base capital resources requirement in respect of general insurance business for the members in aggregate; and

(2) the general insurance capital requirement for the members, calculated according to GENPRU 2.3.11 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.6

For the purposes of GENPRU 2.3.5R (1), the Society must determine the member's share by apportioning the base capital resources requirement in respect of general insurance business for the members in aggregate between members in proportion to the result for each member of GENPRU 2.3.11 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.7

For the purposes of GENPRU 2.1.25 R, the Society must calculate the MCR in respect of the long-term insurance business of each member as the higher of:

(1) the member's share of the base capital resources requirement in respect of long-term insurance business for the members in aggregate; and

(2) the sum of, for each member:

(a) the long-term insurance capital requirement; and

(b) the resilience capital requirement.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.8

For the purposes of GENPRU 2.3.7R (1), the Society must determine the member's share by applying to the aggregate long-term business base capital resources requirement the ratio of the result for the member of GENPRU 2.3.7R (2) to the aggregate of the results of GENPRU 2.3.7R (2) for all members.

31/12/2006

Calculation of the base capital resources requirement

GENPRU 2.3.9

The amount of the base capital resources requirement for the members in aggregate is:

(1) for general insurance business, €3.2 million; and

(2) for long-term insurance business, €3.2 million.

31/12/2006

Calculation of the general insurance capital requirement

GENPRU 2.3.10

For the purposes of GENPRU 2.1.34 R, the Society must calculate the general insurance capital requirement for the members in aggregate as the higher of:

(1) the aggregate for all members of the higher of, for each member, the result of the premiums amount and the claims amount; and

(2) the brought forward amount.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.11

The Society must determine the general insurance capital requirement for each member by apportioning the result of GENPRU 2.3.10 R between members on a fair and reasonable basis, provided that the general insurance capital requirement for a member must not be less than the higher of the result of the premiums amount and the claims amount for that member.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.12

The Society should calculate the premiums amount and the claims amount for each member on the basis of the member's own general insurance business, including insurance business that attaches to the reinsuring member for the purposes of GENPRU following an approved reinsurance to close (see INSPRU 8.2.16 R).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.13

The Society must calculate the general insurance capital requirement it would have to determine under GENPRU 2.1.34 R if it were an insurer carrying on all the general insurance business carried on by its members, but eliminating inter-syndicate reinsurance (the Society GICR).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.14

For the purpose of GENPRU 2.3.13 R the Society may make appropriate approximations, taking reasonable care to avoid underestimating the Society GICR.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.15

The Society must determine each member's share of the Society GICR by allocating the Society GICR between the members in proportion to the result for each member of GENPRU 2.3.11 R.

31/12/2006

Application of GENPRU 2.2

GENPRU 2.3.16

Subject to GENPRU 2.3.18 R, GENPRU 2.3.19 R and GENPRU 2.3.21 R, GENPRU 2.2 applies to managing agents and to the Society in accordance with:

(1) for managing agents, INSPRU 8.1.4 R; and

(2) for the Society, INSPRU 8.1.2 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.17

GENPRU 2.1 sets out minimum capital resources requirements for a firm and for Lloyd's members. GENPRU 2.2 sets out how, for the purpose of these requirements, capital resources are defined and measured. GENPRU 2.2 applies:

(1) to managing agents for their calculation of the capital resources managed by them in respect of each syndicate they manage (by reference, where there is a change in the underlying capital provision, to each open syndicate year); and

(2) to the Society for its calculation of:

(a) each member's capital resources; and

(b) its own capital resources.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.18

GENPRU 2.2.32 R to GENPRU 2.2.41 R (Limits on the use of different forms of capital) do not apply to managing agents.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.19

GENPRU 2.2.32 R to GENPRU 2.2.41 R (Limits on the use of different forms of capital) do apply to the Society with respect to:

(1) the capital resources requirements for the members in aggregate; and

(2) the aggregate capital resources supporting the insurance business of all the members.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.20

GENPRU 2.2.74 R does not apply to the Society or to managing agents.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.21

In this section (GENPRU 2.3), "the aggregate capital resources supporting the insurance business of all the members" are:

(1) the aggregate of all the members'capital resources calculated under GENPRU 2.3.25 R; and

(2) the Society's capital resources excluding callable contributions.

31/12/2006

Calculation of capital resources

GENPRU 2.3.22

The capital resources table applies with the modifications that:

(1) Core tier one capital includes Lloyd's members' contributions in accordance with GENPRU 2.3.34 R, subject, in the case of letters of credit, guarantees and verifiable sums arising out of life assurance policies, to compliance with GENPRU 1.5.8 G to GENPRU 1.5.12 R; and

(2) the Society may also recognise and value callable contributions, pursuant to GENPRU 2.3.24 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.23

Lloyd's member's contributions are admissible assets under GENPRU 2.3.34 R and include letters of credit, guarantees and verifiable sums arising out of life assurance policies held as funds at Lloyd's. Assets that may be valued as part of capital resources under PRU are not necessarily, however, permitted investments for members under the terms of any Lloyd's trust deed.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.24

In calculating its capital resources, the Society may, subject to GENPRU 1.5.13 R to GENPRU 1.5.14 R, recognise and value callable contributions.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.25

The Society must calculate each member's capital resources as the sum of:

(1) a member's proportionate share of the capital resources held at syndicate level for each syndicate in which the member participates; and

(2) the value of a member's funds at Lloyd's after deducting liabilities in compliance with GENPRU 1.5.18 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.26

In order to comply with GENPRU 2.1.13 R the Society must ensure at all times that:

(1) each member's capital resources requirement is covered by:

(a) that member's capital resources, calculated according to GENPRU 2.3.25 R; and

(b) to the extent that (a) is insufficient, by the Society's own capital resources; and

(2) the Society GICR is covered by the aggregate capital resources supporting the insurance business of all the members.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.27

For the purposes of GENPRU 2.3.26R (1)(b), the Society must maintain at all times capital resources sufficient to meet the aggregate of, for each member, the amount, if any, by which the member's capital resources fall short of the member's capital resources requirement.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.28

The Society must calculate each member's share of the amount of capital resources required to comply with GENPRU 2.2.33 R as the higher of:

(1) 1/3 of the long-term insurance capital requirement for the members in aggregate; and

(2) the base capital resources requirement;

allocated between the members in proportion to the result for each member of GENPRU 2.3.7R (2).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.29

For the purposes of GENPRU 2.2.34 R, the Society must ensure that the aggregate capital resources supporting the insurance business of all the members meet the higher of:

(1) 1/3 of the general insurance capital requirement for the members in aggregate;

(2) 1/3 of the Society GICR; and

(3) the base capital resources requirement;

with the sum of the items listed in GENPRU 2.2.34 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.30

The Society must calculate each member's share of the amount of capital resources required to comply with GENPRU 2.2.34 R as the higher of:

(1) 1/3 of the general insurance capital requirement for the members in aggregate;

(2) 1/3 of the Society GICR; and

(3) the base capital resources requirement;

allocated between the members in proportion to the result for each member of GENPRU 2.3.11 R.

31/12/2006

Characteristics of tier one capital

GENPRU 2.3.31

A Lloyd's member's contribution may be included in tier one capital resources to the extent that:

(1) the proceeds are immediately and fully available in respect of the member's insurance business at Lloyd's;

(2) (except in relation to letters of credit), it complies with GENPRU 2.2.64R (3) or cannot be repaid to a member until all of the member's liabilities in respect of its insurance business at Lloyd's have been extinguished, covered or reinsured by an approved reinsurance to close;

(3) it otherwise complies with GENPRU 2.2.64R (5) to GENPRU 2.2.64R (10).

31/12/2006

Adjustments for related undertakings

GENPRU 2.3.32

GENPRU 2.2.256 R (Adjustment for regulated related undertakings other than insurance undertakings) applies to the Society with the modification that the Society must also value its insurance undertakings in accordance with GENPRU 2.2.256 R.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.33

If a related undertaking is an insurance undertaking which has a deficit in the capital resources available to cover its capital resources requirement, the Society must make provision for:

(1) its proportionate share of that deficit; or

(2) in the case of a subsidiary undertaking, the whole of that deficit.

31/12/2006

Modification of GENPRU 2 Annex 7R for Lloyd's

GENPRU 2.3.34

In the case of members, Lloyd's members' contributions are included in GENPRU 2 Annex 7 and include:

(1) letters of credit;

(2) guarantees; and

(3) verifiable sums arising out of life assurance policies;

held as funds at Lloyd's.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2.3.35

The effect of GENPRU 2.3.34 R is that Lloyd's members' contributions, including letters of credit, guarantees and life assurance policies, are admissible assets.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2 Annex 1

Capital resources table for an insurer

31/12/2006

Capital resources calculation for an insurer

Type of capital

Related text

Stage

Core tier one capital

(A)

Permanent share capital

GENPRU 2.2.83 R

Profit and loss account and other reserves (taking into account interim net losses)

GENPRU 2.2.85 R ; GENPRU 2.2.87 R to GENPRU 2.2.88 R

Share premium account

GENPRU 2.2.101 R

Externally verified interim net profits

GENPRU 2.2.102 R

Positive valuation differences

GENPRU 2.2.105 R

Fund for future appropriations

GENPRU 2.2.108 R

Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares

(B)

Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares

GENPRU 2.2.109 R

Innovative tier one capital

(C)

Innovative tier one instruments

GENPRU 2.2.113 R to GENPRU 2.2.121 R

Total tier one capital before deductions = A+B+C

(D)

Deductions from tier one capital

(E)

Investments in own shares

None

Intangible assets

GENPRU 2.2.155 R

Amounts deducted from technical provisions for discounting and other negative valuation differences

GENPRU 2.2.105 R to GENPRU 2.2.107 R

Total tier one capital after deductions = D-E

(F)

Upper tier two capital

(G)

Perpetual cumulative preference shares

GENPRU 2.2.159 R to GENPRU 2.2.181 R

Perpetual subordinated debt

See previous entry

Perpetual subordinated securities

See previous entry

Lower tier two capital

(H)

Fixed term preference shares

GENPRU 2.2.159 R to GENPRU 2.2.175 G; GENPRU 2.2.194 R to GENPRU 2.2.196 R

Long term subordinated debt

See previous entry

Fixed term subordinated securities

See previous entry

Total tier two capital = G+H

(I)

Positive adjustments for related undertakings

(J)

Related undertakings that are regulated related undertakings (other than insurance undertakings)

GENPRU 2.2.256 R

Total capital after positive adjustments for insurance undertakings but before deductions = F + I + J

(K)

Deductions from total capital

(L)

Inadmissible assets

GENPRU 2.2.250 R to GENPRU 2.2.251 R; GENPRU 2 Annex 7

Assets in excess of market risk and counterparty limits

INSPRU 2.1.22 R

Related undertakings that are ancillary services undertakings

GENPRU 2.2.255 R

Negative adjustments for Related undertakings that are regulated related undertakings (other than insurance undertakings)

GENPRU 2.2.256 R

Total capital after deductions = K - L

(M)

Other capital resources*

(N)

Unpaid share capital or, in the case of a mutual, unpaid initial funds and calls for supplementary contributions

GENPRU 2.2.266 G to GENPRU 2.2.269 G

Implicit items

GENPRU 2 Annex 8

Total capital resources after deductions = M + N

(O)

* Items in section (N) of the table can be included in capital resources if subject to a waiver under section 148 of the Act.

Note: Where the table refers to related text, it is necessary to refer to that text in order to understand fully what is included in the descriptions of capital items and deductions set out in the table.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2 Annex 2

Capital resources table for a bank

31/12/2006

The capital resources calculation for a bank

Type of capital

Related text

Stage

Core tier one capital

(A)

Permanent share capital

GENPRU 2.2.83 R

Profit and loss account and other reserves (taking into account interim net losses)

GENPRU 2.2.85 R to 2.2.90

Eligible partnership capital

GENPRU 2.2.93 R; GENPRU 2.2.95 R

Eligible LLP members' capital

GENPRU 2.2.94 R; GENPRU 2.2.95 R

Share premium account

GENPRU 2.2.101 R

Externally verified interim net profits

GENPRU 2.2.102 R

Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares

(B)

Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares

GENPRU 2.2.109 R

Innovative tier one capital

(C)

Innovative tier one instruments

GENPRU 2.2.113 R to GENPRU 2.2.137 R

Total tier one capital before deductions = A+B+C

(D)

Deductions from tier one capital

(E)

Investments in own shares

None

Intangible assets

GENPRU 2.2.155 R

Excess of drawings over profits for partnerships and limited liability partnerships

GENPRU 2.2.100 R

Net losses on equities held in the available-for-sale financial asset category

GENPRU 2.2.185 R

(For certain limited purposes only certain additional deductions are made here)

GENPRU 2.2.239R (2) to GENPRU 2.2.239R (4)

Total tier one capital after deductions = D-E

(F)

Upper tier two capital

(G)

Perpetual cumulative preference shares

GENPRU 2.2.159 R to GENPRU 2.2.181 R

Perpetual subordinated debt

See previous entry

Perpetual subordinated securities

See previous entry

Revaluation reserves

GENPRU 2.2.185 R

General/collective provisions

GENPRU 2.2.187 R to GENPRU 2.2.189 R

Surplus provisions

GENPRU 2.2.190 R to GENPRU 2.2.193 R

Lower tier two capital

(H)

Fixed term preference shares

GENPRU 2.2.159 R to GENPRU 2.2.174 R; GENPRU 2.2.194 R to GENPRU 2.2.196 R

Long term subordinated debt

See previous entry

Fixed term subordinated securities

See previous entry

Total tier two capital = G+H

(I)

Deductions from tier two capital

(J)

(For certain limited purposes only certain additional deductions are made here)

GENPRU 2.2.239R (2) to GENPRU 2.2.239R (4)

Total tier two capital after deductions = I - J

(K)

Total tier one capital plus tier two capital = F+K

(L)

Deductions from the totals of tier one and two

(M)

Qualifying holdings

GENPRU 2.2.202 R to GENPRU 2.2.207 R

(Part 1 of stage M)

Material holdings

GENPRU 2.2.208 R to GENPRU 2.2.215 R

Expected loss amounts and other negative amounts

GENPRU 2.2.236 R

Securitisation positions

GENPRU 2.2.237 R

Reciprocal cross-holdings

GENPRU 2.2.217 R to GENPRU 2.2.220 R

Investments in subsidiary undertakings and participationsexcluding any amount which is already deducted as material holdings or qualifying holdings

GENPRU 2.2.216A G

(Part 2 of stage M)

Connected lending of a capital nature

GENPRU 2.2.221 R to GENPRU 2.2.233 R

Total tier one capital plus tier two capital after deductions = L-M

(N)

In calculating whether a bank's capital resources exceed its capital resources requirement:

(1)the credit risk capital component, theoperational risk capital requirementand thecounterparty risk capital component; or(2)the base capital resources requirement; as the case may be, must be deducted here.

Upper tier three

(O)

Short term subordinated debt

GENPRU 2.2.241 R to GENPRU 2.2.245 R

Lower tier three

(P)

Net interim trading book profit and loss

GENPRU 2.2.246 R to GENPRU 2.2.249 R

Total tier three capital=O+P

(Q)

Total capital before deductions = N+Q

(R)

Deductions from total capital

(S)

Excess trading book position

GENPRU 2.2.263 R to GENPRU 2.2.265 R

Free deliveries

BIPRU 14.4

Total capital after deductions (R - S)

(T)

In calculating whether a bank's capital resources exceed its capital resources requirement, themarket risk capital requirementand theconcentration risk capital componentmust be deducted here.

Note (1): Where the table refers to related text, it is necessary to refer to that text in order to understand fully what is included in the descriptions of capital items and deductions set out in the table.

Note (2): If the amount calculated at:

(a)stage N less the deductions in respect of the capital resources requirement made immediately following stage N; or(b)stage T less the deductions in respect of the capital resources requirement made immediately following stages N and T;

is a negative number the bank's capital resources are less than its capital resources requirement.

Note (3): Stage C must be omitted except where capital resources are being used for a purpose for which innovative tier one capital may be used (see GENPRU 2.2.27 R).

29/06/2007

GENPRU 2 Annex 3

Capital resources table for a building society

31/12/2006

The capital resources calculation for a building society

Type of capital

Related text

Stage

Core tier one capital

(A)

Profit and loss account and other reserves (taking into account interim net losses)

GENPRU 2.2.85 R to 2.2.90

Externally verified interim net profits

GENPRU 2.2.102 R

Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares

(B)

PIBS

GENPRU 2.2.111 R

Innovative tier one capital

(C)

Innovative tier one instruments

GENPRU 2.2.113 R to GENPRU 2.2.137 R

Total tier one capital before deductions = A+B+C

(D)

Deductions from tier one capital

(E)

Investments in own shares

None

Intangible assets

GENPRU 2.2.155 R

Net losses on equities held in the available-for-sale financial asset category

GENPRU 2.2.185 R

(For certain limited purposes only certain additional deductions are made here)

GENPRU 2.2.239R (2) to GENPRU 2.2.239R (4)

Total tier one capital after deductions = D-E

(F)

Upper tier two capital

(G)

Perpetual subordinated debt

GENPRU 2.2.159 R to GENPRU 2.2.181 R

Perpetual subordinated securities

See previous entry

Revaluation reserves

GENPRU 2.2.185 R

General/collective provisions

GENPRU 2.2.187 R to GENPRU 2.2.189 R

Surplus provisions

GENPRU 2.2.190 R to GENPRU 2.2.193 R

Lower tier two capital

(H)

Long term subordinated debt

GENPRU 2.2.159 R to GENPRU 2.2.174 R; GENPRU 2.2.194 R to GENPRU 2.2.196 R

Fixed term subordinated securities

See previous entry

Total tier two capital = G+H

(I)

Deductions from tier two capital

(J)

(For certain limited purposes only certain additional deductions are made here)

GENPRU 2.2.239R (2) to GENPRU 2.2.239R (4)

Total tier two capital after deductions = I - J

(K)

Total tier one capital plus tier two capital = F+K

(L)

Deductions from the totals of tier one and two

(M)

Qualifying holdings

GENPRU 2.2.202 R to GENPRU 2.2.207 R

Material holdings

GENPRU 2.2.208 R to GENPRU 2.2.215 R

(Part 1 of stage M)

Expected loss amounts and other negative amounts

GENPRU 2.2.236 R

Securitisation positions

GENPRU 2.2.237 R

Reciprocal cross-holdings

GENPRU 2.2.217 R to GENPRU 2.2.220 R

(Part 2 of stage M)

Investments in subsidiary undertakings and participationsexcluding any amount which is already deducted as material holdings or qualifying holdings

GENPRU 2.2.216A G

Total tier one capital plus tier two capital after deductions = L-M

(N)

In calculating whether a building society's capital resources exceed its capital resources requirement:

(1)the credit risk capital component, theoperational risk capital requirementand thecounterparty risk capital component; or(2)the base capital resources requirement;

as the case may be, must be deducted here.

Upper tier three

(O)

Short term subordinated debt

GENPRU 2.2.241 R to GENPRU 2.2.245 R

Lower tier three

(P)

Net interim trading book profit and loss

GENPRU 2.2.246 R to GENPRU 2.2.249 R

Total tier three capital=O+P

(Q)

Total capital before deductions = N+Q

(R)

Deductions from total capital

(S)

Excess trading book position

GENPRU 2.2.263 R to GENPRU 2.2.265 R

Free deliveries

BIPRU 14.4

Total capital after deductions (R - S)

(T)

In calculating whether a building society's capital resources exceed its capital resources requirement, themarket risk capital requirementand theconcentration risk capital componentmust be deducted here.

Note (2): If the amount calculated at:

is a negative number the building society's capital resources are less than its capital resources requirement.

Note (3): Stage C must be omitted except where capital resources are being used for a purpose for which innovative tier one capital may be used (see GENPRU 2.2.27 R).

29/06/2007

GENPRU 2 Annex 4

Capital resources table for a BIPRU investment firm deducting material holdings

31/12/2006

The capital resources calculation for an investment firm deducting material holdings

Type of capital

Related text

Stage

Core tier one capital

(A)

Permanent share capital

GENPRU 2.2.83 R

Profit and loss account and other reserves (taking into account material interim net losses)

GENPRU 2.2.85 R to 2.2.90

Eligible partnership capital

GENPRU 2.2.93 R; GENPRU 2.2.95 R

Eligible LLP members' capital

GENPRU 2.2.94 R; GENPRU 2.2.95 R

Sole trader capital

None

Share premium account

GENPRU 2.2.101 R

Externally verified interim net profits

GENPRU 2.2.102 R

Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares

(B)

Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares

GENPRU 2.2.109 R

Innovative tier one capital

(C)

Innovative tier one instruments

GENPRU 2.2.113 R to GENPRU 2.2.137 R

Total tier one capital before deductions = A+B+C

(D)

Deductions from tier one capital

(E)

Investments in own shares

None

Intangible assets

GENPRU 2.2.155 R

Excess of drawings over profits for partnerships, limited liability partnerships and sole traders

GENPRU 2.2.100 R; there is no related text for sole traders

Net losses on equities held in the available-for-sale financial asset category

GENPRU 2.2.185 R

(For certain limited purposes only certain additional deductions are made here)

GENPRU 2.2.239R (2) to GENPRU 2.2.239R (4)

Total tier one capital after deductions = D-E

(F)

Upper tier two capital

(G)

Perpetual cumulative preference shares

GENPRU 2.2.159 R to GENPRU 2.2.181 R

Perpetual subordinated debt

See previous entry

Perpetual subordinated securities

See previous entry

Revaluation reserves

GENPRU 2.2.185 R

General/collective provisions

GENPRU 2.2.187 R to GENPRU 2.2.189 R

Surplus provisions

GENPRU 2.2.190 R to GENPRU 2.2.193 R

Lower tier two capital

(H)

Fixed term preference shares

GENPRU 2.2.159 R to GENPRU 2.2.174 R; GENPRU 2.2.194 R to GENPRU 2.2.196 R

Long term subordinated debt

See previous entry

Fixed term subordinated securities

See previous entry

Total tier two capital = G+H

(I)

Deductions from tier two capital

(J)

(For certain limited purposes only certain additional deductions are made here)

GENPRU 2.2.239R (2) to GENPRU 2.2.239R (4)

Total tier two capital after deductions = I - J

(K)

Total tier one capital plus tier two capital = F+K

(L)

Deductions from the totals of tier one and two

(M)

Material holdings

GENPRU 2.2.208 R to GENPRU 2.2.215 R

Expected loss amounts and other negative amounts

GENPRU 2.2.236 R

(Part 1 of stage M)

Securitisation positions

GENPRU 2.2.237 R

Reciprocal cross-holdings

GENPRU 2.2.217 R to GENPRU 2.2.220 R

(Part 2 of stage M)

Total tier one capital plus tier two capital after deductions = L-M

(N)

In calculating whether a firm's capital resources exceed its capital resources requirement:

(1)the credit risk capital component, the operational risk capital requirement (if applicable) and the counterparty risk capital component; or(2)the base capital resources requirement; as the case may be, must be deducted here.

Upper tier three

(O)

Short term subordinated debt

GENPRU 2.2.241 R to GENPRU 2.2.245 R

Lower tier three

(P)

Net interim trading book profit and loss

GENPRU 2.2.246 R to GENPRU 2.2.249 R

Total tier three capital=O+P

(Q)

Total capital before deductions = N+Q

(R)

Deductions from total capital

(S)

Free deliveries

BIPRU 14.4

Total capital after deductions (R - S)

(T)

In calculating whether a firm's capital resources exceed its capital resources requirement, the market risk capital requirement, the concentration risk capital componentand (if applicable)the fixed overheads requirement must be deducted here.

Note (2): If the amount calculated at:

is a negative number the firm's capital resources are less than its capital resources requirement.

Note (3): Stage C must be omitted except where capital resources are being used for a purpose for which innovative tier one capital may be used (see GENPRU 2.2.27 R).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2 Annex 5

Capital resources table for a BIPRU investment firm deducting illiquid assets

31/12/2006

The capital resources calculation for an investment firm that deducts illiquid assets

Type of capital

Related text

Stage

Core tier one capital

(A)

Permanent share capital

GENPRU 2.2.83 R

Profit and loss account and other reserves (taking into account material interim net losses)

GENPRU 2.2.85 R to GENPRU 2.2.90 R

Eligible partnership capital

GENPRU 2.2.93 R; GENPRU 2.2.95 R

Eligible LLP members' capital

GENPRU 2.2.94 R; GENPRU 2.2.95 R

Sole trader capital

None

Share premium account

GENPRU 2.2.101 R

Externally verified interim net profits

GENPRU 2.2.102 R

Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares

(B)

Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares

GENPRU 2.2.109 R

Innovative tier one capital

(C)

Innovative tier one instruments

GENPRU 2.2.113 R to GENPRU 2.2.137 R

Total tier one capital before deductions = A+B+C

(D)

Deductions from tier one capital

(E)

Investments in own shares

None

Intangible assets

GENPRU 2.2.155 R

Excess of drawings over profits for partnerships, limited liability partnerships and sole traders

GENPRU 2.2.100 R; there is no related text for sole traders

Net losses on equities held in the available-for-sale financial asset category

GENPRU 2.2.185 R

(For certain limited purposes only certain additional deductions are made here)

GENPRU 2.2.239R (2) to GENPRU 2.2.239R (4)

Total tier one capital after deductions = D-E

(F)

Upper tier two capital

(G)

Perpetual cumulative preference shares

GENPRU 2.2.159 R to GENPRU 2.2.181 R

Perpetual subordinated debt

See previous entry

Perpetual subordinated securities

See previous entry

Revaluation reserves

GENPRU 2.2.185 R

General/collective provisions

GENPRU 2.2.187 R to GENPRU 2.2.189 R

Surplus provisions

GENPRU 2.2.190 R to GENPRU 2.2.193 R

Lower tier two capital

(H)

Fixed term preference shares

GENPRU 2.2.159 R to GENPRU 2.2.174 R; GENPRU 2.2.194 R to GENPRU 2.2.196 R

Long term subordinated debt

See previous entry

Fixed term subordinated securities

See previous entry

Total tier two capital = G+H

(I)

Deductions from tier two capital

(J)

(For certain limited purposes only certain additional deductions are made here)

GENPRU 2.2.239R (2) to GENPRU 2.2.239R (4)

Total tier two capital after deductions = I - J

(K)

Total tier one capital plus tier two capital = F+K

(L)

Deductions from the totals of tier one and two

(M)

Expected loss amounts and other negative amounts

GENPRU 2.2.236 R

(Part 1 of stage M)

Securitisation positions

GENPRU 2.2.237 R

Reciprocal cross-holdings

GENPRU 2.2.217 R to GENPRU 2.2.220 R

(Part 2 of stage M)

Total tier one capital plus tier two capital after deductions = L-M

(N)

In calculating whether a firm's capital resources exceed its capital resources requirement:

Upper tier three

(O)

Short term subordinated debt

GENPRU 2.2.241 R to GENPRU 2.2.245 R

Lower tier three

(P)

Net interim trading book profit and loss

GENPRU 2.2.246 R to GENPRU 2.2.249 R

Total tier three capital=O+P

(Q)

Total capital before deductions = N+Q

(R)

Deductions from total capital

(S)

Illiquid assets

GENPRU 2.2.259 R to GENPRU 2.2.260 R

Free deliveries

BIPRU 14.4

Total capital after deductions = R-S

(T)

In calculating whether a firm's capital resources exceed its capital resources requirement, the market risk capital requirement, the concentration risk capital component and (if applicable) the fixed overheads requirement must be deducted here.

Note (2): If the amount calculated at:

is a negative number the firm's capital resources are less than its capital resources requirement.

Note (3): Stage C must be omitted except where capital resources are being used for a purpose for which innovative tier one capital may be used (see GENPRU 2.2.27 R).

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2 Annex 6

Capital resources table for a BIPRU investment firm with a waiver from consolidated supervision

31/12/2006

Part 1 of the capital resources calculation for an investment firm with a waiver from consolidated supervision

Type of capital

Related text

Stage

Core tier one capital

(A)

Permanent share capital

GENPRU 2.2.83 R

Profit and loss account and other reserves (taking into account material interim net losses)

GENPRU 2.2.85 R to 2.2.90

Eligible partnership capital

GENPRU 2.2.93 R; GENPRU 2.2.95 R

Eligible LLP members' capital

GENPRU 2.2.94 R; GENPRU 2.2.95 R

Sole trader capital

None

share premium account

GENPRU 2.2.101 R

Externally verified interim net profits

GENPRU 2.2.102 R

Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares

(B)

Perpetual non-cumulative preference shares

GENPRU 2.2.109 R

Innovative tier one capital

(C)

Innovative tier one instruments

GENPRU 2.2.113 R to GENPRU 2.2.137 R

Total tier one capital before deductions = A+B+C

(D)

Deductions from tier one capital

(E)

Investments in own shares

None

(Part 1 of stage E)

Intangible assets

GENPRU 2.2.155 R

Excess of drawings over profits for partnerships, limited liability partnerships and sole traders

GENPRU 2.2.100 R; there is no related text for sole traders

Net losses on equities held in the available-for-sale financial asset category

GENPRU 2.2.185 R

(Part 1 of stage E)

(For certain limited purposes only certain additional deductions are made here. This line does not include material holdings.)

GENPRU 2.2.239R (2) to GENPRU 2.2.239R (4)

Material holdings falling into Note (4)

Note (4) of Part 2 of this table; GENPRU 2.2.208 R to GENPRU 2.2.215 R

(Part 2 of stage E)

(For certain limited purposes only certain additional deductions of material holdings are made here)

Note (5) of Part 2 of this table; GENPRU 2.2.239R (2) to GENPRU 2.2.239R (4)

(Part 3 of stage E)

Total tier one capital after deductions = D-E

(F)

Upper tier two capital

(G)

Perpetual cumulative preference shares

GENPRU 2.2.159 R to GENPRU 2.2.181 R

Perpetual subordinated debt

See previous entry

Perpetual subordinated securities

See previous entry

Revaluation reserves

GENPRU 2.2.185 R

General/collective provisions

GENPRU 2.2.187 R to GENPRU 2.2.189 R

Surplus provisions

GENPRU 2.2.190 R to GENPRU 2.2.193 R

Lower tier two capital

(H)

Fixed term preference shares

GENPRU 2.2.159 R to GENPRU 2.2.174 R; GENPRU 2.2.194 R to GENPRU 2.2.196 R

Long term subordinated debt

See previous entry

Fixed term subordinated securities

See previous entry

Total tier two capital = G+H

(I)

Deductions from tier two capital

(J)

(For certain limited purposes only certain additional deductions are made here)

Note (5) of Part 2 of this table; GENPRU 2.2.239R (2) to GENPRU 2.2.239R (4)

Total tier two capital after deductions = I - J

(K)

Total tier one capital plus tier two capital = F+K

(L)

Deductions from the totals of tier one and two

(M)

Material holdings falling into Note (5)

Note (5) of Part 2 of this table; GENPRU 2.2.208 R to GENPRU 2.2.215 R

(Part 1 of stage M)

Contingent liabilities

Note (6) of Part 2 of this table

Expected loss amounts and other negative amounts

GENPRU 2.2.236 R

Securitisation positions

GENPRU 2.2.237 R

Reciprocal cross-holdings

GENPRU 2.2.217 R to GENPRU 2.2.220 R

(Part 2 of stage M)

Total tier one capital plus tier two capital after deductions = L-M

(N)

In calculating whether a firm's capital resources exceed its capital resources requirement:

(1)the credit risk capital component, the operational risk capital requirement (if applicable) and the counterparty risk capital component; or(2)the base capital resources requirement;

as the case may be, must be deducted here.

Upper tier three

(O)

Short term subordinated debt

GENPRU 2.2.241 R to GENPRU 2.2.245 R

Lower tier three

(P)

Net interim trading book profit and loss

GENPRU 2.2.246 R to GENPRU 2.2.249 R

Total tier three capital=O+P

(Q)

Total capital before deductions = N+Q

(R)

Deductions from total capital

(S)

Illiquid assets

GENPRU 2.2.259 R to GENPRU 2.2.260 R

Free deliveries

BIPRU 14.4

Total capital after deductions = R-S

(T)

In calculating whether a firm's capital resources exceed its capital resources requirement, the market risk capital requirement, the concentration risk capital component and (if applicable) the fixed overheads requirement must be deducted here.

Part 2 of the capital resources calculation for an investment firm with a waiver from consolidated supervision

Note (2): If the amount calculated at:

is a negative number the firm's capital resources are less than its capital resources requirement.

Note (3): Stage C must be omitted except where capital resources are being used for a purpose for which innovative tier one capital may be used (see GENPRU 2.2.27 R).

Note (4): The material holdings that must be deducted at part 2 of stage E are material holdings issued by undertakings which would have been members of the firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group if the firm did not have an investment firm consolidation waiver if:

(1)

in relation to a BIPRU investment firm , the holding forms part of the undertaking's tier one capital resources; or

(2)

(subject to (3)) in relation to any other undertaking, the holding would form part of the undertaking's tier one capital resources if:

(a)

that undertaking were a BIPRU firm with a Part IV permission; and

(b)

it had carried on all its business in the United Kingdom and had obtained whatever permissions for doing so are required under the Act; or

(3)

in relation to any undertaking not falling within (1) and for which the methodology in (2) does not give an answer, the holding would form part of its tier one capital resources if the undertaking were a BIPRU firm of the same category as the firm carrying out the calculation under this Annex.

Note (5): The material holdings that must be deducted by a firm at part 3 of stage E and at stage J or at Part 1 of stage M are material holdings issued by undertakings which would have been members of that firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group if the firm did not have an investment firm consolidation waiver and which do not fall into Note (4).

Note (6): The contingent liabilities that must be deducted by a firm at Part 1 of stage M are any contingent liabilities which the firm has in favour of investment firms , financial institutions, asset management companies and ancillary services undertakings which would have been members of the firm's UK consolidation group or non-EEA sub-group if the firm did not have an investment firm consolidation waiver.

31/12/2006

GENPRU 2 Annex 7

Admissible assets in insurance

31/12/2006

(1)

(A)

Investments that are, or amounts owed arising from the disposal of:

(a)

debt securities, bonds and other money and capital market instruments;

(b)

loans;

(c)

shares and other variable yield participations;

(d)

units in:

(i)

collective investment schemes falling within the UCITS Directive;

(ii)

non-UCITS retail schemes;

(iii)

recognised schemes; and

(iv)

any other collective investment scheme where the insurer's investment in the scheme is sufficiently small to be consistent with a prudent overall investment strategy, having regard to the investment policy of the scheme and the information available to the insurer to enable it to monitor the investment risk being taken by the scheme

(e)

land, buildings and immovable property rights;

(f)

an approved derivative or quasi-derivative transaction that satisfies the conditions in INSPRU 3.2.5 R or an approved stock lending transaction that satisfies the conditions in INSPRU 3.2.36 R.

(B)

Debts and claims

(a)

debts owed by reinsurers, including reinsurers' shares of technical provisions (but excluding amounts recoverable from an ISPV*);

(b)

deposits with and debts owed by ceding undertakings;

(c)

debts owed by policyholders and intermediaries arising out of direct and reinsurance operations (except where overdue for more than 3 months and other than commission prepaid to agents or intermediaries);

(d)

for general insurance business only, claims arising out of salvage and subrogation;

(e)

for long-term insurance business only, advances secured on, and not exceeding the surrender value of, long-term insurance contracts issued by the insurer;

(f)

tax recoveries;

(g)

claims against compensation funds.

(C)

Other assets

(a)

tangible fixed assets, other than land and buildings;

(b)

cash at bank and in hand, deposits with credit institutions and any other bodies authorised to receive deposits;

(c)

for general insurance business only, deferred acquisition costs;

(d)

accrued interest and rent, other accrued income and prepayments;

(e)

for long-term insurance business only, reversionary interests.

An insurer may treat amounts recoverable from an ISPV as an admissible asset if it obtains a waiver under section 148 of the Act. The conditions that will need to be met, in addition to the statutory tests under section 148(4) of the Act, before the FSA will consider granting such a waiver are set out in INSPRU 1.6.13 G to INSPRU 1.6.18 G.

(2)

Subject to paragraph (3) belowa unit in a collective investment scheme is only admissible for the purposes of paragraph (1) above if it falls within paragraph (1)(A)(d), notwithstanding that it may also fall into one or more other categories in paragraph (1).

(3)

A derivative, quasi-derivative or stock lending transaction is only admissible for the purposes of paragraph (1) above if it falls within paragraph (1)(A)(f), notwithstanding that it may also fall into one or more other categories in paragraph (1).

31/12/2008

GENPRU 2 Annex 8

Guidance on applications for waivers relating to Implicit items

31/12/2006

G Implicit items under the Act

The capital resources table does not permit implicit items to be included in the calculation of a firm's capital resources, except subject to a waiver under section 148 of the Act. Article 27(4) of the Consolidated Life Directive states that implicit items can be included in the calculation of a firm's capital resources, within limits, provided that the supervisory authority agrees. Certain implicit items, however, are not eligible for inclusion beyond 31 December 2009 (see paragraph 5). The FSA may be prepared to grant a waiver from the capital resources table to allow implicit items, in line with the purpose of the Consolidated Life Directive, and provided the conditions as set out in article 27(4) of the Consolidated Life Directive are met. Such a waiver would allow an implicit item to count towards the firm's capital resources available to count against its capital resources requirement (CRR) set out for realistic basis life firms in GENPRU 2.1.18 R and for regulatory basis only life firms in GENPRU 2.1.23 R. An implicit item may potentially count as tier one capital (but not core tier one capital) or tier two capital. Where a waiver is granted allowing an implicit item as tier one capital, the value of the implicit item so allowed must be included at stage B of the capital resources table. If the application of the value of the implicit item is restricted by GENPRU 2.2.29 R, which requires that at least 50% of a firm's tier one capital resources must be accounted for by core tier one capital, the remainder may be included at stage G of the calculation in the capital resources table, subject to GENPRU 2.2.31 G. An implicit item treated as tier two capital will also be included at stage G of the calculation, again subject to GENPRU 2.2.81 R. Article 29(1) of the Consolidated Life Directive requires that implicit items be excluded from the capital eligible to cover the guarantee fund. Under GENPRU 2.2.33 R a firm must meet the guarantee fund from the sum of the items listed at stages A, B, G and H of the capital resources table less the sum of the items listed at stage E of the capital resources table. The FSA will only grant an implicit items waiver if the waiver includes a modification to GENPRU 2.2.33 R to ensure that the implicit item does not count towards meeting the guarantee fund.

Under section 148 of the Act, the FSA may, on the application of a firm, grant a waiver from PRU. There are general requirements that must be met before any waiver can be granted. As explained in SUP 8, the FSA may not give a waiver unless the FSA is satisfied that:

(1)

compliance by the firm with the rules will be unduly burdensome, or would not achieve the purpose for which the rules were made; and

(2)

the waiver would not result in undue risk to persons whose interests the rules are intended to protect.

The FSA will assess compliance with the requirements in the light of all the relevant circumstances. This will include consideration of the costs incurred by compliance with a particular rule or whether a rule is framed in a way that would make compliance difficult in view of the firm's circumstances. For example, the firm may demonstrate that if an implicit item were not allowed, the firm would either have to suffer increased (and unwarranted) costs in injecting further capital resources or operate with a lower equity backing ratio (see case studies in paragraph 43). Even if a firm can demonstrate a case for an implicit item waiver, it should not assume that the FSA will grant the waiver requested, or that any waiver will be granted for the full amount of the implicit item which could be granted, as set out in this annex. The FSA will consider each application on its own merits, and taking into account all relevant circumstances, including the financial situation and business prospects of the firm.

Implicit items are economic reserves which are contained within the long-term insurance business provisions. Article 27(4) of the Consolidated Life Directive identifies three types of implicit item, in respect of: future profits, zillmerisation and hidden reserves. This annex is intended to amplify the guidance in SUP 8 relating to the granting of waivers for implicit items and to provide guidance on other aspects. Whilst this guidance applies to applications for waivers for implicit items generally, for a realistic basis life firm, to the extent that an implicit item is allocated to a with-profits fund, this guidance relates to implicit items for the purposes of determining the regulatory value of assets (see INSPRU 1.4.24 R).

The Consolidated Life Directive (reflecting the changes introduced by the Solvency 1 Directive) requires member states to end a firm's ability to take into account future profits implicit items by (at the latest) 31 December 2009. Until then, the maximum amount of the implicit item relating to future profits permitted under the Consolidated Life Directive is limited to 50% of the product of the estimated annual profits and the average period to run (not exceeding six years) on the policies in the portfolio. The Consolidated Life Directive further limits the maximum amount of these economic reserves that can be counted to 25% of the lesser of the available solvency margin and the required solvency margin. The changes introduced by the Solvency 1 Directive take effect for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2004. However, the Consolidated Life Directive allows for a transitional period of five years, which runs from 20 March 2002 (the publication date of the Solvency 1 Directive), for Firms to become fully compliant with these new requirements. firms will need to consider the potential impact of these changes when engaging in future capital planning. When applying for an implicit item waiver a firm should provide the FSA with a plan showing how the firm intends to maintain its capital adequacy over the period to 31 December 2009. firms should also be aware that the FSA will typically only grant waivers for a maximum of 12 months.

Future Profits

The future profits implicit item allows firms to take credit for margins in the mathematical reserves to the extent that these are expected to emerge from in force business. The future profit from in force business should be assessed, in the first instance, on prudent assumptions, to demonstrate that there is an 'economic reserve'. Having demonstrated that it exists, the amount should be limited to an amount calculated using a formula that takes into account the actual profit which has emerged over the last five years (see paragraph 28).

Zillmerisation

Zillmerisation is an allowance for acquisition costs that are expected, under prudent assumptions, to be recoverable from future premiums. firms can make a direct adjustment to their reserves for zillmerisation, subject to the rules on mathematical reserves. However, where no such adjustment has been made, the FSA will consider an application for a waiver to take into account an implicit item.

Hidden reserves

Hidden reserves are reserves resulting from the underestimation of assets (other than mathematical reserves).

Process for applying for a waiver, including limits applicable when a waiver is granted

This annex sets out the procedures to be followed and the form of calculations and data which should be submitted by firms to the FSA . This guidance should also be read in conjunction with the general requirements relating to the waiver process described in SUP 8. The FSA expects that applications for waivers in respect of future profits and zillmerising will not normally be considered to pass the "not result in undue risk to persons whose interests the rules are intended to protect" test unless the relevant criteria set out in this guidance have been satisfied and an application for such a waiver may require further criteria to be satisfied for this test to be passed. As set out below, waivers in respect of either zillmerising or hidden reserves will not normally be given except in very exceptional circumstances.

Timing

A long-term insurer may apply to the FSA for a waiver in respect of implicit items. A waiver will not apply retrospectively (see SUP 8.3.6 G). Consequently, applications intended for a particular accounting reference date will normally need to be made well before that reference date. Applications by firms must be made to the FSA in writing and include the relevant details specified under SUP 8.3.3 D. Given the uncertainty in predicting the future, waivers will normally be granted for a maximum of 12 months at a time and any further applications will need to be made accordingly.

The information that will be required to enable an application to be considered as set out below, should normally include a demonstration of how the capital resources requirement is to be met, with and without the waiver. Clearly, up-to-date information may not be available before the financial year-end. In some cases information from the previous year-end's return may be used, as long as any known significant changes in the structure of the firm, or the assumptions used, have been taken into account.

If the application for a waiver is granted, when a firm submits its next return the amount of the implicit item shown should not exceed that supported by the firm's calculations as at the valuation date. In the event that the amount of the future profits item calculated by the firm based on these updated assumptions is less than the amount calculated at the time of the firm's waiver application, the lower figure should be used in the return.

An implicit itemin respect of zillmerising or hidden reserves is related to the basis on which liabilities or assets have been valued. In the case of hidden reserves, as explained below, the granting of a waiver will be dependent on the overall capital resources of the firm. Waivers in respect of these implicit items will, therefore, only be made in relation to the position shown in a particular set of returns and it will be essential for firms to submit applications to the FSA well in advance of the latest date for the submission of the relevant return.

Waivers may be withdrawn by the FSA at any time (e.g. where the FSA considers the amount in respect of which a waiver has been given can no longer be justified). This may be as a result of changes in the firm's position or as a result of queries arising on scrutiny of the returns.

Information to be submitted

An application for a capital resources(which includes an application for an extension to or other variation of a waiver) should be prepared using the standard application form for a waiver (see SUP 8 Annex 2). In addition, the application should be accompanied by full supporting information to enable the FSA to arrive at a decision on the merits of the case. In particular, the application should state clearly the nature and the amounts of the implicit items that a firm wishes to count against its capital resources requirement and whether it proposes to treat the implicit item as tier one capital or tier two capital. In order to assess an application, the FSA needs information as to the make-up of the firm's capital resources, the quality of the capital items which have been categorised into each tier of capital and a breakdown of capital both within and outside the firm's long-term insurance fund or funds and between the firm's with-profits funds and non-profit funds. An explanation as to the appropriateness of the proposed treatment of the implicit item under the capital resources table should also be provided, including a demonstration that, in allowing for implicit items, there has been no double counting of future margins and that the basis for valuing such margins is prudent.

The FSA recognises that the assessment of the insurance technical provisions reflects the contractual obligations of the firm. Implicit items are therefore margins over and above an economic assessment in these technical provisions only. Non-contractual "constructive" obligations arising from a firm's regulatory duty to treat customers fairly e.g. regarding future terminal bonuses, are not fully captured by the technical provisions. A firm must instead be satisfied that it has sufficient capital resources at all times to meet its obligations under Principle 6. The granting of a capital resources for an implicit item does not in any way detract from this requirement and a firm will need to be satisfied that this condition is still met.

As a minimum, applications for a future profits implicit itemshould be supported by the information contained in Forms 13, 14, 18, 19, 40, 41, 42, 48, 49, the answers to questions 1 to 12 of the abstract of the valuation report, Appendix 9.4 of IPRU(INS), the abstract of the valuation report for the realistic valuation, Appendix 9.4A of IPRU(INS) and Forms 51, 52, 53, 54 and 58. For a zillmerisationimplicit item, only those items noted above forming part of the abstract valuation report will normally be needed. Applications for a waiver in respect of a hidden reserves implicit item will normally be considered only if accompanied by the information which is contained in the annual regulatory returns. In particular, the balance sheet forms, long-term insurance business revenue accounts, and abstract of the valuation report as set out in Appendices 9.1, 9.3 and 9.4 of IPRU(INS) should be provided. This is not to say that a full regulatory return must be provided in the specified format, simply that the information contained in these forms should be provided. Where appropriate, the information may be summarised.

The following supporting information relating to the calculation of the amounts claimed should be supplied for each type of implicit item in respect of which a waiver is sought: Future profits: in addition to information related to the prospective calculation and retrospective calculation described below, the profits reported in each of the last five financial years up to the date of the most recent available valuation under rule 9.4 of IPRU(INS) which has been submitted to the FSA prior to, or together with, the application, and the amounts and nature of any exceptional items left out of account; the method used for calculating the average period to run and the results for each of the main categories of business, both before and after allowing for premature termination (where the calculation has been made in two stages); and the basis on which this allowance has been made. Zillmerising: the categories of contracts for which an item has been calculated and the percentages of the relevant capital sum in respect of which an adjustment has been made. Hidden reserves: particulars, with supporting evidence, of the undervaluation of assets for which recognition is sought.

Continuous monitoring by firms

Firms should take into account any material changes in financial conditions or other relevant circumstances that may have an impact on the level of future profits that can prudently be taken into account. firms should also re-evaluate whether an application to vary an implicit item waiver should be made whenever circumstances have changed. In the event that circumstances have changed such that an amendment is appropriate, the firm must contact the FSA as quickly as possible in accordance with Principle 11. (See SUP 8.5.1 R). In this context, the FSA would expect notice of any matter that materially impacts on the firm's financial condition, or any waivers granted.

Future profits - factors to take into account when submitting calculations to support waiver applications

Where an application is made in respect of a firm which has separate with-profits funds and non-profit funds, the firm should ensure that the capital resources requirement in respect of the non-profit fund is not covered by future profits attributable to policyholders arising in the with-profits fund. Furthermore, for a realistic basis life firm the amount of the implicit item allocated to each with-profits fund should be calculated separately, as the amount allocated to each with-profits fund will be taken into consideration in the calculation of the with-profits insurance capital component (see INSPRU 1.4.24 R).

firms need to assess prospective future profit (i.e. how much can reasonably be expected to arise) and compare this to maximum limits (in article 27(4) of the Consolidated Life Directive), which relate to past profits.

Future profits - prospective calculation

The application for a waiver should be supported by details of a prospective calculation of future profits arising from in-force business. The information supplied to the FSA should include a description of the method used in the calculation and of the assumptions made, together with the results arising. From 31 December 2009 at the latest, future profits implicit items will no longer be permitted under the Consolidated Life Directive. Where a firm first applies for an implicit item waiver after GENPRU 2.2 comes into effect, under the prospective calculation a firm should only take into consideration future profits that are expected to emerge in the period up to 31 December 2009. Implicit item waivers granted before GENPRU 2.2 comes into effect will continue to operate under the terms of those waivers, but an application to vary the terms of such a waiver, for example to extend the effective period, is an application for a new waiver for which a firm should usually only take into consideration future profits that are expected to emerge in the period up to 31 December 2009.

Assumptions

The assumptions made should be prudent, rather than best estimate, assumptions of future experience (that is, the prudent assumptions should allow for the fair market price for assuming that risk including associated expenses). In particular, it would not normally be considered appropriate for the projected return on any asset to be taken to be higher than the risk-free yield (that is, assessed by reference to the yield arrived at using a model of future risk free yields properly calibrated from the forward gilts market). It may also be appropriate to bring future withdrawals into account on a suitably prudent basis. For with-profits business, the assumptions for future investment returns should not capitalise future bonus loadings except where the with-profits policyholders share in risks other than the investment performance of the fund. Furthermore, the rate at which future profits are discounted should include an appropriate margin over a risk free rate of return. Calculations should also be carried out to demonstrate that the prospective calculation of the future profits arising from the in-force business supporting the application for the implicit itemwould be sufficient to support the amount of the implicit item under each scenario described for use in determining the resilience capital requirement - where the waiver relates to an implicit item allocated to more than one fund, this should be demonstrated separately for that element of the implicit item allocated to each fund. For an implicit item allocated to a with-profits fund, proper allowance should be made for any shareholder transfers to ensure that the implicit item is not supported by future profits which will be required to support those transfers. To the extent, if any, that future profits are dependent on the levying of explicit expense related charges (for example as in the case of unit-linked business) the documentation submitted should include a demonstration of the prudence of the assumptions made as to the level at which future charges will be levied and expenses incurred.

Other limitations on the extent to which waivers for implicit items will be granted to a realistic basis life firm

Where a waiver in respect of an implicit item is granted to a realistic basis life firm additional limits may apply by reference to a comparison of realistic excess capital and regulatory excess capital including allowance for the effect of the waiver. Where the capital resourcesrelates to an implicit item allocated partly or entirely to a with-profits fund, the waiver will contain a limitation to the effect that the regulatory excess capital for that with-profits fund, allowing for the effect of the waiver, may not exceed that fund's realistic excess capital. This limitation will apply on an ongoing basis so that, for example, in the case of an implicit item allocated to a with-profits fund, the amount of the implicit item would be limited to zero whenever the regulatory excess capital exceeded the realistic excess capital of that fund.

Other charges to future profits

To avoid double counting, no account should be taken of any future surplus arising from assets corresponding to explicit items which have been counted towards the capital resources requirement such as shareholders funds, surplus carried forward or investment reserves. Deductions should be made in the calculation of future surpluses for the impact of any other arrangements which give rise to a charge over future surplus emerging (e.g. financial reinsurance arrangements, subordinated loan capital or contingent loan agreements). Deductions should also be made to the extent that any credit has been taken for the purposes of INSPRU 1.4.45 R (2) for the present value of future profits relating to non-profit business written in a non-profit fund. The information supplied to the FSA should identify the amount and reason for any adjustments made to the calculation of the prospective amount of future profits.

The firm should confirm to the FSA that the calculations have been properly carried out and that there are no other factors that should be taken into account.

Future profits - retrospective calculation

Overriding limit

The maximum amount of the implicit item relating to future profits permitted under the Consolidated Life Directive is 50% of the product of the estimated annual profit and the average period to run (not exceeding six years (ten years during the transitional period referred to in paragraph 5)) on the policies in the portfolio. Article 27(4) of the Consolidated Life Directive also imposes a further limit on the amount of the implicit item equal to 25% of the lower of:

(1)

the firm's capital resources; and

(2)

the higher of its base capital resources requirement for long-term insurance business and its long-term insurance capital requirement.

Once the transitional period set out in article 71(1) of the Consolidated Life Directive has expired in 2007 (see paragraph 5), the FSA will not allow a capital resources for more than the amount permitted by article 27(4) of the Directive.

Definition of profits

The estimated annual profit should be taken as the average annual surplus arising in the long-term insurance fund over the last five financial years up to the date of the most recent available valuation which has been submitted to the FSA prior to, or together with, the application. For this purpose, deficiencies arising should be treated as negative surpluses. Where a firm's financial year has altered, the surplus arising in a period falling partly outside the relevant five year period should be assumed to accrue uniformly over the period in question for the purpose of estimating the profits arising within the five year period. When there has been a transfer of a block of business into the firm (or out of the firm) during the period, surplus arising from the transferred block should be included (or excluded) for the full five year period. Where a portion of a block of business is transferred, the surplus included (or excluded) should be a reasonable estimate of the surplus arising from the portion transferred.

Where a firm has been carrying on long-term insurance business for less than 5 years, the total profits made during the past five years should be taken to be the aggregate of any surpluses that have arisen during the period in which long-term insurance business has been carried on less any deficiencies that may have arisen during that period. The resulting total should still be divided by five to obtain the estimated annual profit.

Exceptional items

Substantial items of an exceptional nature should be excluded from the calculation of the estimated annual profit. Such items include profits arising from an exceptional change in the value at which assets are brought into account, where this is not reflected in a similar change in the amount of the liabilities, and profits arising from a change in the overall valuation approach between one year and another. An exceptional loss (i.e. a reduction of an exceptional nature in the surplus arising) may be excluded from the calculation only to the extent that it can be set against a profit or profits up to the amount of the loss and arising from a similar cause. It is not intended, however, that any adjustment should be made for the effect on surplus of a net strengthening of reserves for costs associated with an expansion of the business or for special capital expenditure, such as the purchase of computer systems.

Double counting

The inclusion of investment income arising from the assets representing the explicit components of capital resources (as part of the estimated annual profit for the purpose of determining the future profits implicit item) would result in double-counting. If those assets were required to meet the effects of adverse developments, this would automatically result in the cessation of the contribution to profits from the associated investment income. It would clearly not be appropriate for the FSA to grant a capital resourceswhich would enable a firm to meet the capital resources requirement on the basis of counting both the capital values of the assets and the value of the income flow which they can be expected to generate.

The definition of the estimated annual profit as the surplus arising in the long-term insurance fund ensures that any contribution to surplus arising from transfers from the profit and loss account, including investment income on shareholders' assets, is not included in the estimated annual profit. Thus double-counting should not arise in respect of shareholders' assets. Double-counting may arise, however, in respect of the investment income from the assets representing the explicit components of capital resources carried within the long-term insurance fund (e.g. surplus carried forward or investment reserves), but the amount of such investment income is not separately identified in the return.

Where there is reason to suspect that the elimination of any such double-counting would reduce a firm's capital resources to close to or below the required level, or would otherwise be significant, the FSA will request this information with a view to taking account of this factor in determining the amount of the implicit item. Additional information concerning investment income should be furnished with an application for a waiver, if a firm believes that any double-counting would fall into one of the categories mentioned above.

Average period to run

The average number of years remaining to run on policies should be calculated on the basis of the weighted average of the periods for individual contracts of insurance, using as weights the actuarial present value of the benefits payable under the contracts. A separate weighted average should be calculated for each of the various categories of contract and the results combined to obtain the weighted average for the portfolio as a whole. Approximate methods of calculation, which the firm considers will give results similar to the full calculation, will be accepted. In particular, the FSA will normally accept the calculation of an average period to run for a specific category of contract on the basis of the average valuation factor for future benefits derived from data contained in the abstract of the valuation report in the regulatory returns. A firm will be asked to demonstrate the validity of the method adopted only where an abnormal distribution of the business in force gives grounds for doubt about its accuracy.

Calculations will normally be requested only for the main categories of insurance business, accounting for not less than 90% of the mathematical reserves, except where there are grounds for expecting that the exclusion of certain categories of policies under this provision might have a significant effect on the resulting average period to run. Detailed calculations will not be required where a waiver is sought in respect of a low multiple of the annual profits, well within the average period to run for the firm.

Where, for a particular category of business, a method of valuation is used which does not involve the calculation of the value of future benefits and which is significant for the firm in question, the calculation of the average period to run should be based on estimates of the value of future benefits.

Premature termination of contracts

Allowance should be made for the premature termination of contracts of insurance, based on the actual experience of the firm over the last five years, or other appropriate period, and taking into account specific features of contracts such as options which can be expected to lead to premature termination (e.g. guaranteed surrender values on income bonds written as long-term insurance contracts and option dates on flexible whole-life contracts). The adjustment should be made separately for each of the main categories of business. The use of industry-wide rates of termination will be acceptable where a firm is satisfied that this will result in sufficient allowance being made having regard to the firm's own experience. Methods of calculation that involve a degree of approximation will be permitted.

For certain types of contract, where the period left to run is most naturally defined as the term to a fixed maturity or expiry date, the allowance for premature termination should also take into account terminations resulting from death.

Overall limit

The overall average period left to run calculated as described above should be limited to a maximum of six years under article 27(4) of the Consolidated Life Directive (or a maximum of ten years during the transitional period referred to in paragraph 5) before applying it to the estimated annual profit in order to determine the maximum value of the future profits implicit item.

Definition of period to run

The definition of the period to run and the basis of the allowance for early termination should clearly be considered together. For certain types of contracts (e.g. pension contracts with a range of retirement ages or other options), there is inherent uncertainty about the likely term to run. In such circumstances any estimate for determining the amount of the future profits implicit item for which a waiver is sought should be based on prudent assumptions tending, if anything, to underestimate the average period to run.

Zillmerising

The FSA does not normally expect to grant waivers permitting implicit items due to zillmerisation except in very exceptional circumstances. Zillmerisation is an allowance for acquisition costs that are expected, under prudent assumptions, to be recoverable from future premiums. Firms can make a direct adjustment to their reserves for zillmerisation, subject to the requirements on mathematical reserves set out in INSPRU 1.3.43 R, and this is the usual approach. However, where no such adjustment has been made, or where the maximum adjustment has not been made in the mathematical reserves, the FSA will consider an application for an implicit item, if the amount is consistent with the amount that would have been allowed as an adjustment to mathematical reserves under INSPRU 1.3.43 R.

Hidden reserves

The FSA will grant waivers permitting implicit items due to hidden reserves only in very exceptional circumstances. These items relate to hidden reserves resulting from the underestimation of assets. The rules for the valuation of assets and liabilities (see GENPRU 1.3) which apply to assets and liabilities other than mathematical reserves are based on the valuation used by the firm for the purposes of its external accounts, with adjustments for regulatory prudence such as concentration limits for large holdings, and would not normally be expected to contain hidden reserves.

Case studies on "unduly burdensome"

Some examples of situations where the existing rules might be considered to be unduly burdensome are given below:

•

A firm writes with-profits business. The firm's investment policy is affected by its published financial position. Application of the rules without an implicit itemwould result in the firm adopting a lower equity backing ratio. It may be possible to demonstrate that, in the circumstances, it would be unduly burdensome to require the firm to incur costs (which might prejudice policyholders) resulting from the lower equity backing ratio, rather than take allowance for an implicit item.

•

A firm has purchased a block of in-force business, on which the future profits may be reasonably estimated. However, this asset is given no value under the rules. It may be possible to demonstrate that it is unduly burdensome for the firm to recognise the cost of acquiring the assets whilst giving no value to the asset acquired.

•

A firm has a block of in-force business, on which the future profits may be reasonably estimated. Application of the rules without an implicit itemwould result in a need to obtain additional capital. It may be possible to demonstrate that it is unduly burdensome, having regard to the particular circumstances of the firm, to require it to incur the costs involved in the injection of further capital rather than take allowance for an implicit item.

•

A firm has purchased matching assets for guaranteed annuity liabilities. The operation of the asset and liability valuation rules leads to statutory losses in certain circumstances in spite of good matching of assets and liabilities on a realistic basis of assessment. It may be possible to demonstrate that it is unduly burdensome to require the firm to incur the costs involved in the injection of further capital rather than take allowance for an implicit item.

Conditions which will typically be applied to implicit items waivers

Limits

Where implicit items waivers are granted, the value cannot exceed (and will normally be less than) the monetary limits described in paragraph 27, except that during the transitional period the pre-Solvency I limits will apply. In addition, time limits will apply and waivers will normally only last for 12 months.

Publicity

The FSA will publish the waiver (see SUP 8.6 and SUP 8.7). Public disclosure is standard practice unless the FSA is satisfied that publication is inappropriate or unnecessary (see section 148 of the Act). Any request that a direction not be published should be made to the FSA in writing with grounds in support, as set out in SUP 8.6. Disclosure of a waiver will normally be required in the firm's annual returns.

31/12/2006