2022-05-17
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand and the Financial Markets Authority issued this framework to guide the assessment of whether Financial Market Infrastructures are systemically important under the Financial Market Infrastructures Act. The Regulator must holistically consider five statutory factors: size, participant types, nature and scope of activities, concentration of financial risk, and substitutability. This non-prescriptive approach relies on regulatory discretion and case-by-case judgment rather than fixed thresholds to determine designation and enhanced oversight requirements.
0 A Framework for Identifying Systemically Important Financial Market Infrastructures Ref #X203945 v1.3
A Framework for Identifying Systemically Important Financial Market Infrastructures 20 January 2022
1 1 A Framework for Identifying Systemically Important Financial Market Infrastructures Ref #X203945 v1.3 Contents Introduction and Purpose _____________________________________________________________________ 2 Background____________________________________________________________________________________ 2 Design of the Framework _____________________________________________________________________ 3 Overview 3 The Act Sets Out the Matters that the Regulator Must Consider 4 Aligned with International Best Practices 4 Regulatory Discretion 5 Summary of Framework Design 5 Further Details on How the Matters will be Applied _________________________________________ 5 Type of Participants 7 Nature and Scope of Activities 7 Concentration of Financial Risk 10 Substitutability 11 Annex A: The Process of Designation ______________________________________________________ 13 Annex B: Further Details on Factors Relating to Systemic Importance ___________________ 15
2 2 A Framework for Identifying Systemically Important Financial Market Infrastructures Ref #X203945 v1.3 Introduction and purpose
3 3 A Framework for Identifying Systemically Important Financial Market Infrastructures Ref #X203945 v1.3 8. The Act provides for an enhanced regulatory regime for FMIs. The Act provides designated FMIs and its participants with legal protections relating to settlement, netting, and the enforceability of an FMI’s rules. 9. The Reserve Bank and the FMA are the Regulator of FMIs under the Act.1 The Act allows the Regulator to take the following approach to regulating FMIs: the Regulator has information gathering and investigative powers in respect of all FMIs to enable monitoring of the wider sector. the Regulator has a comprehensive set of regulatory powers including issuing standards, enhanced oversight of an FMI’s rules, and crisis management powers. These apply to FMIs that are deemed to be systemically important and are designated on the recommendation of the Regulator. FMIs that are not deemed to be systemically important can apply for designation to access legal protections around settlement finality, netting and the legal enforceability of their rules. FMIs that opt-in for designation will be subject to a similar set of regulatory requirements as designated FMIs that are systemically important, except for crisis management powers under Part 4 of the Act.2 10. Annex A: provides a detailed description of the designation process for systemically important FMIs. Design of the framework Overview 11. An FMI is systemically important, according to section 28 of the Act, if one or both of the following apply to the FMI: Disruption to activities under the FMI could cause problems for one or more relevant persons (defined as direct or indirect participants of the FMI), that would threaten the stability of, or confidence in, the whole or a significant part of the financial system. Problems with one or more could, because of the transactions or other interconnections under the FMI between relevant persons, cause problems for one or more other relevant persons that would threaten the stability of, or confidence in, the whole or a significant part of the financial system. 12. The Regulator will consider both quantitative and qualitative factors in assessing and deciding whether an FMI satisfies the definition in section 28 of the Act. 13. This section introduces the basis upon which the Framework operates, in light of the contents of the Act and international best practice for regulating FMIs. The Framework emphasises the use of judgement by the Regulator when exercising its regulatory discretion and sets out the factors that the Regulator applies holistically when assessing systemic importance.
1 Except for pure payment systems, where the Reserve Bank is the only regulator. 2 Note that the regulation of designated FMIs can be also be tailored through tiers of standards. Annex A outlines the deemed in and opt-in designation processes.
4 4 A Framework for Identifying Systemically Important Financial Market Infrastructures Ref #X203945 v1.3 The Act sets out the matters that the Regulator must consider 14. Section 24 of the Act outlines five matters that the Regulator must take into account for purposes of deciding whether an FMI is systemically important. The five matters are: the FMI’s size, including the number of participants and the number of indirect participants; the types of persons who are participants and indirect participants; the nature and scope of the activities under the FMI, including the way in which, and the extent to which, ◦ the FMI interconnects (directly or indirectly) with other FMIs or other activities within the financial system; ◦ participants and indirect participants transact or otherwise interconnect with each other (directly or indirectly) under the FMI; the way in which, and the extent to which, financial risks are concentrated within the FMI; were activities under the FMI to be disrupted, whether another FMI could promptly and effectively take them over. 15. The Framework is structured around these five prescribed matters. Aligned with international best practices 16. The matters that the Regulator must take into account under the Act in deciding whether an FMI is systemically important are closely aligned with criteria outlined by the Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures and the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (CPSS and IOSCO, respectively) in the Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures (PFMI). The PFMI reflect international best practice for regulating FMIs. 17. The PFMI suggest that the criteria for assessing the degree to which an FMI should be subject to regulation, supervision and oversight include: the number and value of transactions processed; the number and type of participants; the markets served; the market share controlled; the interconnectedness with other FMIs and other financial institutions; and the available alternatives to using the FMI at short notice. 18. The PFMIs are widely followed in other jurisdictions. This provides some guidance about how the Framework outlined in this document will be applied.
5 5 A Framework for Identifying Systemically Important Financial Market Infrastructures Ref #X203945 v1.3 Regulatory discretion 19. Most FMIs are unique and diverse in terms of the services they offer and the markets they support. Accordingly, it is not feasible to have a one-size-fits-all approach for deciding whether an FMI is systemically important. It also means the Regulator, in exercising its regulatory discretion, must exercise judgement when considering the relevant factors that point to whether an FMI is systemically important. 20. The five prescribed matters that the Regulator must take into account when making systemic importance determinations include a range of quantitative and qualitative factors. The diversity of FMIs and the interdependence of the five factors mean that it is not feasible to define specific thresholds or even ranges for the prescribed matters. Accordingly, the Regulator seeks to apply the five matters in a holistic manner when making systemic importance assessments. 21. Compared to a more prescriptive approach, this approach is adaptable to different types of FMIs that are important because of the different roles they play in the financial system and economy. It also permits the Regulator to be responsive to the emergence of new risks in the financial system. The diversity of FMIs and the need for judgement means that the Regulator carries out its assessments of systemic importance on a case-by-case basis. Summary of framework design 22. In summary, the key features of this Framework include that it: describes the five factors in the Act, how they relate to systemic importance, and how they are applied to different types of FMIs; provides transparency and clarity on the process for determining whether an FMI is systemically important; and recognises that judgement by the Regulator is required in exercising its regulatory discretion in accordance with the provisions of the Act; does not include a systemic importance score or threshold; is designed such that systemic importance assessments are undertaken on a case-by-case basis; and provides for consultation with FMI operators and participants. Further details on how the matters will be applied 23. This section explains in detail the matters the Regulator considers for different types of FMIs when making the assessment of systemic importance of FMIs. See Table 1 in Annex A: for a summary. When undertaking its assessment, the Regulator will focus on the impact an FMI may have on the New Zealand financial system. That is, the assessment of whether or not an overseas FMI is systemically important will be on the basis of their systemic importance in New Zealand, and not their importance in the global market.
6 6 A Framework for Identifying Systemically Important Financial Market Infrastructures Ref #X203945 v1.3 24. The PFMI suggest taking into account the number and value of transactions processed and the number of participants in determining whether an FMI is systemically important. 25. Section 24(a) of the Act requires the Regulator to take into account the FMI’s size, including the number of participants and the number of indirect participants. Box A sets out the factors that the Regulator will consider in its assessment of size. Box A: factors relating to size
7 7 A Framework for Identifying Systemically Important Financial Market Infrastructures Ref #X203945 v1.3 Type of participants 30. The PFMI suggest taking into account the types of participants in determining whether an FMI is systemically important. Section 24(b) of the Act requires the Regulator to take into account the types of persons who are participants and indirect participants. Box B sets out the factors that the Regulator will consider in its assessment of the types of participants. Box B: factors relating to the types of persons who are participants
8 8 A Framework for Identifying Systemically Important Financial Market Infrastructures Ref #X203945 v1.3 Nature and scope of activities under an FMI (subcategory C-1) 35. Box C-1 sets out the factors that the Regulator will consider in its assessment of the nature and scope of activities under an FMI. Box C-1: factors relating to the nature and scope of activities under an FMI
9 9 A Framework for Identifying Systemically Important Financial Market Infrastructures Ref #X203945 v1.3 Interconnectedness with other FMIs (subcategory C-2) 42. Box C-2 sets out the factors that the Regulator will consider in its assessment of the nature and scope of activities relating to the interconnectedness with other FMIs. Box C-2: factors relating to interconnectedness with other FMIs
3 Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems (2008), The interdependencies of payment and settlement systems
10 10 A Framework for Identifying Systemically Important Financial Market Infrastructures Ref #X203945 v1.3 Environmental interdependency 49. The interdependency among FMIs may also result from a common reliance on an operational service provider. For example, many FMIs rely on SWIFT services to conduct clearing and settlement. Another example is that some FMIs are operated by the same IT service providers. These types of indirect interconnectedness expose the FMIs to the risks of disruption or failure of their common operational service providers and also poses a risk to the financial system. Interconnectedness among participants (subcategory C-3) 50. Box C-3 sets out the factors that the Regulator will consider in its assessment of the nature and scope of activities relating to the interconnectedness among participants. Box C-3: factors relating to interconnectedness among participants
11 11 A Framework for Identifying Systemically Important Financial Market Infrastructures Ref #X203945 v1.3 54. When comparing the importance of FMIs that provide similar services (for example, two PSs), market shares can reflect the extent to which financial risks are concentrated in an FMI. Market shares can be measured by an FMI’s volume as a proportion of total market volume of similar services or value as a proportion of total market value of similar services. 55. Participants are vulnerable to contagion risk, i.e. potential disruptions emanating from other participants of the same FMI. Contagion risk can lead to more severe impacts when the activities of an FMI are more concentrated in a small number of participants. The proportion of transactions by the five largest participants can indicate the extent to which risk is concentrated in the major participants of an FMI. The Regulator may also consider the potential impact that an FMI may have on the financial system in New Zealand, for example, the proportion of credit exposures that the domestic systemically important banks have to an FMI. Substitutability 56. The PFMI suggest taking into account the available alternatives to using the FMI at short notice in determining whether an FMI is systemically important. Section 24(e) of the Act requires the Regulator to take into account whether, were activities under the FMI to be disrupted, another FMI could promptly and effectively take them over. Box E sets out the factors that the Regulator will consider in its assessment of the substitutability. Box E. factors relating to substitutability
12 12 A Framework for Identifying Systemically Important Financial Market Infrastructures Ref #X203945 v1.3 60. The ability of participants to switch to alternative service providers during a disruption may mitigate the systemic risk posed by an FMI, but only to the extent that the risks do not materialise before the process of switching to the alternative is complete. 61. Some alternatives only replace part of the functions of an FMI, either due to the operational capability of the alternative services or due to the unique nature of some functions of an FMI. In these cases, it may be hard to find a genuine substitute for an FMI. 62. Moreover, switching to an alternative service involves cost, both time and money, for the operators and participants, and also for the financial system and the economy.
13 13 A Framework for Identifying Systemically Important Financial Market Infrastructures Ref #X203945 v1.3 Annex A: the process of designation The process for designation will differ depending on whether an FMI is considered systemically important following the Regulator making a recommendation on its own initiative or whether an FMI makes an application to opt-in to the regime. Figure 1 shows the steps in the process for the Regulator to make a designation recommendation on its own initiative and for FMIs that apply to opt-in to the regime. Where the Regulator has a reason to consider that an FMI should be deemed to be systemically important, the following designation steps will be taken:
14 14 A Framework for Identifying Systemically Important Financial Market Infrastructures Ref #X203945 v1.3 If the FMI does not qualify, the Regulator will reject the application and notify the applicant of the decision and of the reasons for the decision, according to section 25(5) of the Act. Figure 1: Process for designation The Regulator acts on its own initiative The Regulator identifies potentially sytemically important FMIs The Regulator seeks information from the FMIs The Regulator assesses the systemic importance and only if "yes" The Regulator determines the class(es) of the FMIs The Regulator has regard to matters for recommendation (section 23) The Regulator consults on designation proposal The Regulator makes recommendations to the Minister (including specifying whether the FMIs are systemically important) Notice of designation FMIs apply for designation FMIs choose to opt in the designation regime The Regulator considers the application and seek for information from the FMIs The Regulator assesses the systemic importance of the FMIs The Regulator determines the class(es) of the FMIs The Regulator has regard to section 23 to assess whether the FMIs are qualified for designation and only if "yes" The Regulator accepts the application The Regulator rejects the application and provide reasons
15 15 A Framework for Identifying Systemically Important Financial Market Infrastructures Ref #X203945 v1.3 Annex B: Further Details on Factors Relating to Systemic Importance Table 1 provides further detail on specific measures that the Regulator will use to assess the systemic importance of FMIs. The measures listed here are not necessarily exhaustive and the Regulator may consider others when making systemic importance determinations. Table 1: Guidance of measures and implications for systemic importance Category Implication for systemic importance Payment systems CCP SSS CSD TR A. Size Larger numbers indicate higher importance. Daily average and historical peak gross volume and value settled over the last 5 financial years. Number of direct and number of indirect participants. Daily average and historical peak gross volume and value (notional for derivatives) cleared over the last 5 financial years. Number of direct and number of indirect participants. Daily average and historical peak gross volume and value settled over the last five financial years. Number of direct and number of indirect participants. Daily average and historical peak gross volume and value processed over the last five financial years. Total value of securities held at the end of the last five financial years. Number of direct and number of indirect participants. Daily average and historical peak of volume and notional value recorded over the last five financial years. Number of users. B. Participants of high importance (direct and indirect) Participants of high importance indicate higher importance. Central banks; other FMIs; Banks (G/D-SIBs); Large corporates Central banks; other FMIs; Banks (G/DSIBs); Large corporates Central banks; other FMIs; Banks (G/D-SIBs); Large corporates Central banks; other FMIs; Banks (G/DSIBs); Large corporates Central banks; other FMIs; Banks (G/D-SIBs); Large corporates C-1. Nature and scope of activities Affirmative answers indicate higher importance. Is the FMI significant for the proper functioning of the market* it supports? Is the market served by the FMI significant for the Is the FMI significant for the proper functioning of the market* it supports? Is the FMI significant for the proper functioning of the market* it supports? Is the FMI significant for the proper functioning of the market* it supports? Is the FMI significant for the proper functioning of the market* it supports?
16 16 A Framework for Identifying Systemically Important Financial Market Infrastructures Ref #X203945 v1.3 Category Implication for systemic importance Payment systems CCP SSS CSD TR proper functioning of the wider economy? Does the FMI serve to mitigate risks for participants? Does the FMI have more than one function? Is the market served by the FMI significant for the proper functioning of the wider economy? Does the FMI serve to mitigate risks for participants Does the FMI have more than one function? Is the market served by the FMI significant for the proper functioning of the wider economy? Does the FMI serve to mitigate risks for participants? Does the FMI have more than one function? Is the market served by the FMI significant for the proper functioning of the wider economy? Does the FMI serve to mitigate risks for participants? Does the FMI have more than one function? Is the market served by the FMI significant for the proper functioning of the wider economy? Does the FMI serve to mitigate risks for participants? Does the FMI have more than one function? C-2. Interconnectedness with other FMIs More interconnections indicate higher importance. Vertical or horizontal system-based links with other FMIs. Institution-based links with other FMIs. Reliance on common operational service providers. Vertical or horizontal system-based links with other FMIs. Institution-based links with other FMIs. Reliance on common operational service providers. Vertical or horizontal system-based links with other FMIs. Institution-based links with other FMIs. Reliance on common operational service providers. Vertical or horizontal system-based links with other FMIs. Institution-based links with other FMIs. Reliance on common operational service providers. Vertical or horizontal system-based links with other FMIs. Institution-based links with other FMIs. Reliance on common operational service providers. C-3. Interconnectedness among participants A greater extent of tiering indicates higher importance. The extent and level of tiering between direct and indirect participants. The extent and level of tiering between direct and indirect participants. The extent and level of tiering between direct and indirect participants. The extent and level of tiering between direct and indirect participants. Not applicable. D. Concentration of financial risk Higher market share, larger credit/liquidity exposure, and higher proportion of transactions by the largest 5 participants Market share. Average daily and peak aggregate value of collateral posted to the FMI Market share. Mean and peak daily value of initial margin held by the FMI. Average and peak daily aggregate value Market share. Average daily and peak aggregate value of collateral posted to the FMI Not applicable. Not applicable.
17 17 A Framework for Identifying Systemically Important Financial Market Infrastructures Ref #X203945 v1.3 Category Implication for systemic importance Payment systems CCP SSS CSD TR indicate higher importance. Average daily and peak aggregate intraday credit provided by the FMI to its participants. Average and peak daily aggregate value of pay outs by the FMI to its counterparties. Proportion of transactions by the largest five participants in an FMI. of pay outs by the FMI to its counterparties. Proportion of transactions by the largest five participants in an FMI. Average daily and peak aggregate intraday credit provided by the FMI to its participants. Average and peak daily aggregate value of pay outs by the FMI to its counterparties. Proportion of transactions by the largest five participants in an FMI. E. Substitutability Less substitutability indicates higher importance. Higher cost indicates higher importance. Can the range and scale of the services provided by an FMI be fully or only partially replaced by alternatives? Cost (time and money) associated with switching to the alternatives. Can the range and scale of the services provided by an FMI be fully or only partially replaced by alternatives? Cost (time and money) associated with switching to the alternatives. Can the range and scale of the services provided by an FMI be fully or only partially replaced by alternatives? Cost (time and money) associated with switching to the alternatives. Can the range and scale of the services provided by an FMI be fully or only partially replaced by alternatives? Cost (time and money) associated with switching to the alternatives. Can the range and scale of the services provided by an FMI be fully or only partially replaced by alternatives? Cost (time and money) associated with switching to the alternatives. *Market is defined by the nature of transactions an FMI provides or the products traded/settled/recorded in an FMI.