Standardized approach (counterparty credit risk) explained

The standardized approach for counterparty credit risk (SA-CCR) is the capital requirement framework under Basel III addressing counterparty risk for derivative trades. [1] It was published by the Basel Committee in March 2014.[2] See .

The framework replaced both non-internal model approaches: the Current Exposure Method (CEM) and the Standardised Method (SM). It is intended to be a "risk-sensitive methodology", i.e. conscious of asset class and hedging, that differentiates between margined and non-margined trades and recognizes netting benefits; considerations insufficiently addressed under the preceding frameworks.

SA-CCR calculates the exposure at default, EAD, of derivatives and "long-settlement transactions" exposed to counterparty credit risk, where . Here, α is a "multiplier" of 1.4, acting as a buffer to ensure sufficient coverage; and:

The SA-CCR EAD is an input to the bank's regulatory capital calculation where it is combined with the counterparty's PD and LGD to derive RWA; Some banks thus incorporate into their KVA calculations. Because of its two-step aggregation, capital allocation between trading desks (or even asset classes) is challenging; thus making it difficult to fairly calculate each desk's risk-adjusted return on capital. Various methods are then proposed here.[3] is also input to other regulatory results such as the leverage ratio and the net stable funding ratio.

Notes and References

  1. Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (2018). "Counterparty credit risk in Basel III - Executive Summary". www.bis.org
  2. Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. The standardised approach for measuring counterparty credit risk exposures (BCBS 279). www.bis.org. 3 May 2018. 2014-03-31.
  3. [FIS (company) |FIS]