2022-09-01
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand issued the September 2022 revision of BS11 to impose outsourcing policy requirements on large banks registered under the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989. The policy mandates that banks maintain robust risk mitigation provisions, including separation plans and compendiums, to ensure they can continue providing basic banking services and meet time-critical obligations during a failure or extreme event. This revision introduces a temporary suspension clause allowing banks to temporarily bypass certain risk mitigation requirements for up to twelve months when addressing the impact of an extreme event.
BS11 – Version 1.0 0
BS11 Outsourcing Policy Purpose of document This document sets out the Reserve Bank’s policy for outsourcing by banks. Financial Stability Group September 2022
BS11 – Version 1.0 1 Document Version History January 2006 First issue date September 2017 Revised April 2020 Revised January 2022 Revised September 2022 Revised Legal powers Section 74 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989 (the Act) permits the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (the Reserve Bank) to impose conditions of registration on any bank relating to, among other things, the matters referred to in sections 78(1)(e), (1)(fa) and (1)(fb) of the Act. All of the material set out in this document that imposes requirements on banks forms part of the requirements referred to in the condition, except material that is identified as guidance by being included in a shaded box like this.
BS11 – Version 1.0 2 BS11: Outsourcing Policy Part A: Introduction Part B: General Requirements on Banks Part C: Reserve Bank Lists Part D: Transitional and External Review Arrangements Appendix One: Conditions of Registration Contents Part A: Introduction A1 Overview of Outsourcing Policy A1.1 Purpose and Structure of Document A1.2 Objectives of Outsourcing Policy A1.3 Application of Outsourcing Policy A1.4 Legal Powers A1.5 Reserve Bank action following noncompliance A2 Interpretation A2.1 Meaning of Words and Phrases Part B: General Requirements on Banks B1 Outcomes B1.1 Obligation of Individual Bank to Achieve Outcomes B1.2 Obligation of bank that is part of a foreign-owned banking group to achieve outcomes B2 Risk mitigation B2.1 Outsourcing arrangements to include risk mitigation provisions B2.2 Outsourcing arrangement with independent third party B2.3 Outsourcing arrangement with subsidiary B2.4 Outsourcing arrangement made through subsidiary B2.5 Outsourcing arrangement with other related party B2.6 Outsourcing arrangement made through parent or other related party B2.7 Other outsourcing arrangement B2.8 Outsourcing arrangement with other related party: robust back-up capability and alternative arrangements B2.9 Prescribed contractual terms B2.10 Temporary suspension from risk mitigation requirements B3 Non-objection from Reserve Bank B3.1 Non-objection required for certain outsourcing arrangements B3.2 Application for non-objection B3.3 Consideration of application B3.4 Existing outsourcing arrangements and in-progress outsourcing arrangements B4 Compendium B4.1 Requirement for, and purpose of, compendium B4.2 Content and form of compendium B4.3 Bank must maintain, and annually review, compendium B4.4 Bank must provide compendium to Reserve Bank B4.5 Transitional provision B5 Separation plan B5.1 Requirement for, and purpose of, separation plan B5.2 Content and form of separation plan
BS11 – Version 1.0 1 B5.3 Non-objection required for separation plan B5.4 Application for non-objection B5.5 Consideration of application B5.6 Bank to test separation plan annually B5.7 Reporting of changes to, and review of, separation plan Part C: Reserve Bank Lists C1 Pre-approved services and functions C1.1 Reserve Bank may maintain list of preapproved services and functions C1.2 Amendments to List of Pre-approved Services and Functions C2 Exempt services and functions C2.1 Reserve Bank may maintain list of exempt services and functions C2.2 Amendments to the Exempt List Part D: Transitional and External Review Arrangements D1 Path to compliance and external review D1.1 6-year transition period D1.2 Annual external review during 6-year transition period D1.3 Appointment of external reviewer D2 Reviews after 6-year transition period D2.1 3-yearly reviews D2.2 Appointment of external reviewer
BS11 – Version 1.0 0 Part A: Introduction A1 Overview of Outsourcing Policy A1.1 Purpose and Structure of Document
BS11 – Version 1.0 1 A1.2 Objectives of Outsourcing Policy The objectives of this policy are to ensure that an outsourcing arrangement entered into by a bank does not compromise that bank’s ability to– a. be effectively– i. administered under statutory management; and ii. operated for the purposes of continuing to provide and circulate liquidity to the financial system and the wider economy; and b. facilitate the carrying on of basic banking services by any new owner of all or part of the bank; and c. address the impact that the failure of a service or function provider may have on the bank’s ability to carry on all or part of the business of the bank. A1.3 Application of Outsourcing Policy
BS11 – Version 1.0 2 4. Section 74 of the Act permits the Reserve Bank to impose conditions of registration on banks which, among other things, may include conditions that relate to the matters referred to in section 78(1)(e), (1)(f), and (1)(fb) of the Act, namely– a. the separation of the business or proposed business from other business and from other interest of any person owning or controlling the applicant or registered bank (section 78(1)(e)); and b. the internal controls and accounting systems or proposed internal controls and accounting systems (section 78(1)(f)); and c. the arrangements for any business, or functions relating to any business, of the applicant or registered bank to be carried on by any person other than the applicant or the registered bank (section 78(1)(fb)). 5. The standard conditions of registration for banks subject to the outsourcing policy are set out in Appendix one. A1.5 Reserve Bank action following non-compliance
BS11 – Version 1.0 3 ii. New Zealand dollar savings accounts and deposits accounts, including term deposit accounts, provided to customers as a store of value; and iii. New Zealand dollar credit services to customers, including credit cards, overdraft and revolving credit facilities, secured and unsecured lending, and home loan facilities, including pre-approvals; and iv. payment clearing and settlement services, including credit card merchant acquiring services and agency arrangements; and v. account activity reporting for the accounts, services, and products required in respect of basic banking services held by customers; and b. that, if disrupted or suddenly discontinued, could be reasonably expected to– i. have a material negative impact on a significant number of third parties that rely on such services; or ii. lead to contagion effects, including significant adverse effects on market confidence Guidance: The definition of basic banking services makes no distinction between customer types and so, for the purposes of this definition, there is no difference between consumer, small- to-medium business, or institutional customers. Guidance: For all products offered to customers that are not basic banking services, a bank must be able to close out and manage the wind down of those products on a standalone basis. The level of back-up necessary to meet this requirement will be agreed with the Reserve Bank and may be less than the robust back-up capability outlined in Part B2. This will need to be covered off in a bank’s separation plan. See Part B5. banking group means the group defined in the bank’s conditions of registration becoming effective means the time at which outsourcing arrangement becomes enforceable by both the bank and the outsourcing arrangement provider business continuity programme/disaster recovery capability (BCP/DR capability) means a business continuity programme and disaster recovery capability that is– a. provided for by the outsourcing arrangement provider; and b. appropriate and adequate for the purposes of ensuring the continuation of the relevant outsourcing arrangement BS11 means this outsourcing policy
BS11 – Version 1.0 4 business day means a day of the week other than– a. any calendar day that is a Saturday, Sunday or a public holiday (as listed in section 44(1) of the Holidays Act 2003 but excluding the day of the anniversary of a province or the day locally observed as that day); and b. a day that is specified in any of the following paragraphs as not being a business day: i. if Waitangi Day or Anzac Day falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, the following Monday is not a business day. ii. if Christmas Day or New Year’s Day falls on a Friday, the following Monday is not a business day. iii. if Christmas Day or New Year’s Day falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, the following Monday and Tuesday are not business days. iv. if any other public holiday other than those listed in (b)(i) to (iii) above falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, the following Monday is not a business day provided that the Holidays Act 2003 or other relevant governing legislation of that public holiday intended that it be transferred to a week day. commencement date means the date on which a bank’s conditions of registration for the revision of BS11 issued in September 2017 first take effect compendium means a formal and centralised record of all outsourcing arrangements of a bank that complies with the requirements of Part B4 day of failure means the day on which either– a. a bank– i. becomes subject to statutory management; or ii. is no longer a subsidiary of its parent; or iii. is given a direction under the Act in relation to an outcome under section B1.1(3); or b. a disruption of an outsourcing arrangement of a bank occurs disruption of an outsourcing arrangement means a situation where, because of the interruption, suspension, or unavailability of an outsourcing arrangement, the bank is, or will be, unable to meet the outcomes of section B1.1(3) Exempt List means the list described in Part C2 existing outsourcing arrangement means an outsourcing arrangement that was entered into by a bank before the commencement date, and includes an in-progress arrangement
BS11 – Version 1.0 5 extreme event means an event or circumstance beyond the control of a bank and which could not have been reasonably anticipated. This may include the onset of natural disasters or any act of God, war, riot, act of civil or military authority, nuclear, chemical or biological contamination, epidemic or global pandemic, cyberattack and any act of a third party engaged in subversive or terrorist activity foreign-owned banking group: a. means an entity that – i. is incorporated, formed, or established in a jurisdiction other than New Zealand, regardless of whether it– A. has a primary place of business in New Zealand; or B. carries on business in New Zealand; and ii. carries on banking business with authorisation, licence, or similar permission from a banking supervisory authority having jurisdiction in that entity’s country of incorporation; and b. all subsidiaries of that entity function includes a system independent third party means a third party that is not a subsidiary, a parent, or a related party in-progress arrangement means an outsourcing arrangement,– a. in respect of which, at the commencement date,– i. the bank’s internal supplier risk acceptance and approval processes have commenced; and ii. Reserve Bank non-objection in relation to the proposed outsourcing arrangement has been sought by the bank (if applicable); and iii. a draft contract or statement of work is already under negotiation with the outsourcing arrangement provider or its external counsel; and b. that will be finalised no later than 3 months after the commencement date large bank means a bank– a. that is incorporated as a company in New Zealand; and b. whose net liabilities, as specified in the bank’s latest disclosure statement, exceed $10 billion
BS11 – Version 1.0 6 legal ability to control and execute a service or function means a bank’s ability to invoke statutory, contractual, or other rights, to ensure that the relevant service or function continues to be provided legal and practical control means both legal ability to control and execute a service or function and practical ability to control and execute a service or function list of pre-approved services and functions means the list described in Part C1 net liabilities– a. means the total liabilities of the banking group; but b. does not include any amounts that the banking group owes to related parties other related party means a related party that is not a subsidiary outsourcing– a. means a bank’s use, now and in the future, of a third party (either a related party within the banking group or third party that is external to the banking group) to perform services or functions on a regular or continuing basis that could be undertaken by the bank; but b. does not include a bank’s use of any services or functions on the Exempt List outsourcing arrangement means a contractual arrangement for outsourcing outsourcing arrangement provider means the service or function provider under an outsourcing arrangement parallel rights means– a. step-in rights that allow the bank to enforce its rights under the outsourcing arrangement in question– i. if the bank were to no longer be a subsidiary of its parent; or ii. on the failure of the other related party; or b. a separate contract that– i. provides for the continuation of the outsourcing arrangement in question; and ii. comes into force– A. if the bank were to no longer be a subsidiary of its parent; or B. on the failure of the other related party parent means a person that is a holding company of the bank
BS11 – Version 1.0 7 person includes a corporation sole, a body corporate, and an unincorporated body practical ability to control and execute a service or function means a bank’s ability to secure continued provision of the outsourcing arrangement within the timeframes set out in this document Guidance: Practical ability to control and execute a service or function depends heavily on the availability and responsiveness of personnel with the technical and business knowledge needed to control and execute the function, as well as physical access to and control of the required systems and data. In meeting the timeframes, the bank must ensure that it takes account of any delays that it may face in enforcing its legal rights. prescribed contractual terms means the contractual terms specified in section B2.9 related party means– a. a person that directly or indirectly controls the management of the bank; or b. a person that has direct or indirect qualifying interest in 20% or more of the voting or non-voting securities issued by the bank; or c. a person that is directly or indirectly controlled by that bank; or d. a person in which that bank has a direct or indirect qualifying interest in 20% or more of the voting or non-voting securities issued by that person; or e. a person (person A) to whom both the person in question (person B) and the bank are related parties; or f. any other person, where a parent of the bank– i. has a direct or indirect interest in 20% of the voting securities of that person; or ii. controls the management of that person: remediation period means a period of 12 months from the effective date of an outsourcing arrangement or from the date of the adverse impact of an extreme event for the purposes of section B2.10 as determined/approved by the Reserve Bank in subsection B2.10(6)(b). subsidiary for the purposes of BS11 means a subsidiary– a. within the meaning given by section 2(1) of the Act; and b. is incorporated in New Zealand. temporary suspension means a suspension granted under section B2.10 from relevant risk mitigation requirements set out in sections B2.2 - B2.6 for outsourcing arrangements that are relevant to BS11
BS11 – Version 1.0 8 Guidance: a temporary suspension is specific to the bank requesting it. The suspension is granted for six months with a further extension of a maximum six months. The suspension applies to outsourcing arrangements that are relevant to BS11 as they are what a bank needs to enter into to address an extreme event’s effect on BS11 outcomes. In contrast, the Exempt List comprises outsourcing arrangements whose services or functions are not relevant to BS11. The services and functions that appear on the Exempt List apply to the whole sector, and outsourcing arrangements in respect to these do not have to comply with BS11 requirements for as long as they remain on the Exempt List. thereafter means an indefinite period third party means a person that is not the bank time-critical obligation– a. means clearing, settlement, and any other obligation of a bank that is relevant to it meeting the requirements of BS11; and b. includes an obligation of a bank to ensure that payments are made to critical service or function providers Guidance: Critical service providers will be agreed with the Reserve Bank on a bank by bank basis.
BS11 – Version 1.0 9 Part B: General Requirements on Banks B1 Outcomes B1.1 Obligation of Individual Bank to Achieve Outcomes
BS11 – Version 1.0 10 d. an outsourcing arrangement with an other related party (see section B2.5); e. an outsourcing arrangement with an independent third party that is made through an other related party (see section B2.6); f. an outsourcing arrangement that is not specifically dealt with in any of sections B2.2 to B2.6 (see section B2.7). 3. If the outsourcing arrangement is with an other related party, the bank must also have robust back-up capability in place or, subject to the bank having obtained non-objection from the Reserve Bank, have made alternative arrangements (see section B2.8). 4. If the outsourcing arrangement is made with an independent third party through an other related party, the bank may seek the Reserve Bank’s agreement, by way of a notice of nonobjection, to substitute the parallel rights component of the prescribed contractual terms (see section B2.9) with robust back-up capability or alternative arrangements (see sections B2.6(3) B2.8). B2.2 Outsourcing arrangement with independent third party
BS11 – Version 1.0 11 B2.4 Outsourcing arrangement made through subsidiary
BS11 – Version 1.0 12 B2.6 Outsourcing arrangement made through parent or other related party
BS11 – Version 1.0 13 B2.8 Outsourcing arrangement with other related party: robust back-up capability and alternative arrangements
BS11 – Version 1.0 14 Guidance: This testing must be done to ensure that the back-up arrangement will be available and work as intended. f. changes made to the live environment must also be made in the back-up environment; and g. external review of the back-up arrangement must be conducted, to ensure the arrangement remains robust,– i. annually, during the six-year transitional period; and ii. at least every three years after that period has expired; and h. it has– i. direct ownership of the back-up system; or ii. legal and practical control over all aspects of the back-up system. Guidance: This means that the backup arrangement cannot be provided by a parent of the bank or a related party of the parent. However, a bank can apply to the Reserve Bank to have its back-up arrangement provided by a subsidiary. This requirement does not mean that the system must be located in New Zealand, but requires that the bank should have the legal and practical control over back-up system: that is, that they own the system (or have a direct relationship with the third party provider for that system) and the data that is required to use it. 6. The timeframes relating to the back-up capability requirement do not affect the timeframes for a bank’s conditions of registration relating to BS17: Open Bank Resolution Pre-positioning Requirements Policy (or other applicable requirements under other conditions of registration) and a bank must ensure that it can meet the requirements of these as well as the BS11 requirements. Guidance: The back-up capability timeframes are designed to ensure that a bank will be able to reopen at 9am the day after being placed into statutory management. It is important for banks to recognise that these timeframes do not affect a bank’s other obligations under its conditions of registration. 7. Despite subsections (3) – (6) if a bank has an outsourcing arrangement with an other related party, the bank may apply to the Reserve Bank for a non-objection to make alternative arrangements to the robust back-up capability requirements. 8. A bank must obtain non-objection from the Reserve Bank before the bank enters into an alternative arrangement.
BS11 – Version 1.0 15 9. An application for non-objection must be made to the Reserve Bank in the form available on the Reserve Bank’s internet site. 10. In considering whether or not to grant non-objection to a bank to make alternative arrangements, the Reserve Bank’s considerations will include, but will not be limited by, the following matters– a. whether the bank has legal and practical control over the outsourcing arrangement provider and the outsourcing arrangement; and b. whether the parent, an other related party, or any overseas authorities may be able to frustrate the outsourcing arrangement, or control or direct the outsourcing arrangement provider; and c. the relationship between the bank and the outsourcing arrangement provider; and d. what functions or activities the outsourcing arrangement provider will be undertaking on behalf of the bank; and e. whether the outsourcing arrangement provider will also be providing services or functions to any related parties. B2.9 Prescribed contractual terms
BS11 – Version 1.0 16 3. If a bank has entered into an outsourcing arrangement that is made through a parent or an other related party, the prescribed contractual terms also include a term that enables the bank to ensure that it has parallel rights in relation to that outsourcing arrangement. Guidance: This requirement is designed to ensure that the bank has continuing access to the services or functions if the bank is separated from its parent or the wider banking group. Further contractual terms the Reserve Bank would expect, but does not require, to see included in a robust outsourcing arrangement include terms relating to matters such as a) the scope of the arrangement and the services and functions to be supplied: b) the commencement and end dates: c) escrow arrangements: d) review provisions: e) pricing and fee structure: f) service and function levels and performance requirements: g) the form in which the data is to be kept and clear provisions identifying ownership and control of data: h) reporting requirements, including content and frequency of reporting: i) audit and monitoring processes; j) business continuity management around how the service or function provider will deal with a failure of the service or function it is providing: k) confidentiality privacy and security of arrangements: l) default arrangements and termination provisions: m) dispute resolution arrangements: n) liability and indemnity; o) sub-contracting: p) insurance. B2.10 Temporary suspension from risk mitigation requirements
BS11 – Version 1.0 17 independent investigation into the circumstances and reasons for making the applications, requiring the bank to hold additional operational capital, and enforcement. Guidance: a bank should only apply for a temporary suspension for genuine extreme events which could not have been reasonably anticipated or foreseen. A bank should not use this temporary suspension application as a means of managing business risks associated with its breach of BS11. 3. The temporary suspension shall apply only to the outsourcing arrangement(s) in B2.10(1) that are entered into, modified, or that become deficient within a 6 month period of the date stated by the Reserve Bank in granting the temporary suspension. Guidance: a deficient contract refers to an outsourcing arrangement where, despite its best endeavours, the bank is unable to obtain updated evidence of BCP/DR capability from a supplier because of the adverse impact of the extreme event on the bank or supplier. Remediation includes obtaining this evidence so that the bank ensures that the BCP/DR capability of that supplier continues to be appropriate and adequate as required by clause B2.2 to B2.6. The outsourcing arrangement must be directly related to responding to the adverse impact of an extreme event. 4. To apply for a temporary suspension, a bank must notify and provide the Reserve Bank with all of the following for consideration: a. that the bank is applying for a temporary suspension under this section B2.10; and b. description of the extreme event and the date that it occurred or the date that the bank determined that it was likely to occur; and c. description of the adverse impact of the extreme event and the date that it occurred or the date that the bank determined that it was likely to occur, including; i. high level analysis that the adverse impact of the extreme event prevents or is likely to prevent the bank from achieving the outcomes in section B1.1(3); or ii. high level analysis that the adverse impact of the extreme event had or is likely to have an adverse effect on the services the bank provides to, or receives from, its customers, suppliers or related parties; and d. high level analysis to show that the adverse impact of the extreme event presents circumstances which the bank considers it is not able to carry on operating normal business and could not have been reasonably anticipated that it would not be able to carry on operating normal business; and e. that the application is made no later than 5 business days after the adverse impact occurs or the bank becomes aware that an adverse impact may occur;
BS11 – Version 1.0 18 5. Based on the information provided by the bank in subsection (4), the Reserve Bank will assess the application within 5 business days from the date of receipt of the application and determine, at its full discretion, whether or not a temporary suspension shall be granted. The timeframe may be longer if the Reserve Bank requires more information or clarification from the bank. 6. Where a temporary suspension is granted, it will be: a. subject to conditions imposed by the Reserve Bank as appropriate, including but not limited to the bank’s compliance with the requirements in subsections (8) and (9); b. effective from the date that the adverse impact of the extreme event occurred or the date when the bank concluded that an adverse impact of an extreme event was likely to occur until the expiry date imposed by the Reserve Bank; and c. suspended with immediate effect if the bank breaches any conditions of the temporary suspension. 7. For the avoidance of doubt, during the 5 business day processing time while the Reserve Bank is assessing an application under subsection (5), a bank shall not be considered in breach of this subpart for failing to comply with the risk mitigation requirements (except for the compendium obligation) as a result of the extreme event. If the Reserve Bank declines a bank’s application, the bank must immediately comply with all BS11 requirements in full. 8. The bank must remediate outsourcing arrangements entered into or modified, or which became deficient (due to the adverse impact of an extreme event), and must be in compliance with BS11 within 12 months of the effective date of the outsourcing arrangement for new or modified outsourcing arrangements, or the date of the adverse impact of the extreme event for deficient outsourcing arrangements; 9. The bank must provide a report every 3 months from the commencement date of the temporary suspension, setting out the following: a. outsourcing arrangements entered into, modified or which became deficient as a result of the adverse impact of the extreme event that gave rise to the temporary suspension; and b. those outsourcing arrangements that have been remediated, and a timeline and milestones for those yet to be remediated. This reporting requirement ceases when all relevant outsourcing arrangements have been remediated including outsourcing arrangements entered into, modified or which become deficient during any extension of the temporary suspension period as approved under subsection (14). 10. A bank may apply for, and the Reserve Bank may grant at its absolute discretion, an extension of up to 6 months of the 6 month temporary suspension period.
BS11 – Version 1.0 19 Guidance: An extension would only be available in exceptional circumstances. One example may be where an extreme event (an earthquake) leads to the destruction of key infrastructure that the bank relies on for its operations and where there is no available substitute. The initial earthquake may give rise to an application for a temporary suspension. However, a large aftershock during the temporary suspension period may result in delays to the rebuild / repair of these facilities which may warrant an extension of the temporary suspension period. 11. To apply for an extension of the temporary suspension, a bank must notify and provide the Reserve Bank with all of the following for consideration: a. that the bank is applying for an extension of the temporary suspension under this section B2.10 and the date that it would like the temporary suspension extended to; b. analysis confirming that the adverse impact of the extreme event is continuing including: i. analysis that the adverse impact of the extreme event continues to prevent or is likely to prevent the bank from achieving the outcomes in section B1.1(3); or ii. analysis that the adverse impact of the extreme event continues to have or is likely to have an adverse effect on the services the bank provides to, or receives from, its customers, suppliers or related parties; and c. analysis to show that the adverse impact of the extreme event continues to present circumstances which the bank considers it is not able to carry on operating normal business and could not have been reasonably anticipated that it would not be able to carry on operating normal business. 12. The application for the extension must be made no later than 25 business days before the expiry date of the original temporary suspension; 13. Based on the information provided by the bank in subsection (11), the Reserve Bank will assess the application within 15 business days from the date of receipt of the application and determine, at its full discretion, whether or not a temporary suspension extension shall be granted. At this point the bank will have 10 business days to be compliant with BS11 if the application is unsuccessful. 14. Where a temporary suspension extension is granted, it will be: a. subject to conditions imposed by the Reserve Bank as appropriate, including but not limited to the requirements in BS2.10(9) and (15); b. effective from the day after the expiry of the original temporary suspension until such time as advised by the Reserve Bank; and c. suspended with immediate effect if the bank fails to comply with any conditions of the temporary suspension extension.
BS11 – Version 1.0 20 15. The bank must remediate the outsourcing arrangements entered into modified or which become deficient during the extended temporary suspension period and must be in compliance with BS11 within 12 months of the effective date of the outsourcing arrangement for new or modified outsourcing arrangements, or in the case of deficient outsourcing arrangements within 12 months of the date of the adverse impact of the extreme event. 16. An outsourcing arrangement to which this suspension applies must comply with compendium requirements set out in section B4 except for the following requirements: a. subsection B4.2(1)(d) - information on the outsourcing arrangements in place for the termination of the outsourcing arrangement; b. subsection 4.3(1)(b) - keeping the compendium up to date - but only in respect of the unavailability of information on termination arrangements in (16)(a) above. This information will be available and the compendium updated once the bank is in compliance with subsection B2.6. 17. When the information in subsection (16) becomes available the compendium must be updated within the 20 business day timeframe set out in subsection B4.3(1)(c) or by the end of the remediation period if the 20 business day timeframe is beyond the remediation period. 18. An outsourcing arrangement to which this temporary suspension applies must comply with section B5 in respect of requirements for a separation plan except, where relevant, subsections B5.2(1)(b)(ii), B5.2(1)(b)(iii), B5.2(1)(b)(iv), and B5.7(1). These separation plan requirements must be met by the end of the 12 month remediation period. 19. The bank must comply with the requirement to test end-to-end functionalities for back-up arrangements on an annual basis as required by B2.8(5)(e)(i)(A). Only failures relating to the outsourcing arrangements that are the subject of this temporary suspension and which are yet to be remediated will be an acceptable reason for a failure of the test. The failure of the test for any other reason is a breach of B2.8(5)(e)(ii). The bank must provide sufficient evidence to satisfy the Reserve Bank that the failed test was solely due to the outsourcing arrangements that are the subject of this temporary suspension and which are yet to be remediated. 20. The bank must comply with the requirement to test the separation plan annually as required by B5.6(1). Only failure relating to the outsourcing arrangements that are the subject of this temporary suspension and which are yet to be remediated will be an acceptable reason for a failure of the test. The failure of the test for any other reason is a breach of B5.6(1). The bank must provide sufficient evidence to satisfy the Reserve Bank that the failed test was solely as a result of the outsourcing arrangements that are the subject of this temporary suspension and which are yet to be remediated. 21. The results of the separation plan test must be reported in accordance with B5.6(2) including setting out in full how the outsourcing arrangements that are the subject of this temporary suspension and which are yet to be remediated were the cause of, or contributed to, the failure of the test.
BS11 – Version 1.0 21 22. Impediments identified during the separation plan test must be dealt with according to B5.6(3) including setting out in full how the outsourcing arrangements that are the subject of this temporary suspension and which are yet to be remediated are the cause of, or contributed to, any impediments for the purposes of B5.6(3)(a) and B5.6(3)(b), and how remediation of these outsourcing arrangements will remedy the impediment for the purposes of B5.6(3)(c). 23. All applications under this section B2.10 must be submitted to the Reserve Bank using the latest version of the application form available on the Reserve Bank’s website. B3 Non-objection from Reserve Bank B3.1 Non-objection required for certain outsourcing arrangements
BS11 – Version 1.0 22 Guidance: The application will contain fairly high-level information on the proposed outsourcing arrangement. It is anticipated that, in combination with the extended Exempt List, the Reserve Bank will be in a position to consider the majority of outsourcing applications under this application. It would only be for more complex arrangements that the Reserve Bank anticipates the need for a more comprehensive application. 3. The application must demonstrate that, in assessing the options for outsourcing a service or function, the bank has considered, and responded appropriately to, all the matters outlined in the application form. B3.3 Consideration of application
BS11 – Version 1.0 23 4. If the Reserve Bank considers that more information is required, it may request that the bank provides further, specified, information and, in that case,– a. the application will not be considered further until the bank provides the requested information; and b. on receipt of that information by the Reserve Bank, the application will be treated as a new request, and the process outlined in subsection (1) will be re-applied. 5. The Reserve Bank may decline the application if– a. it considers that it is not possible for the proposed outsourcing arrangement to comply with BS11; or b. despite requests for the bank to make modifications or provide further information, the bank has failed, within a reasonable time, to do so to the satisfaction of the Reserve Bank; c. the Reserve Bank, for any other reason, reasonably considers that it would not be appropriate to issue a notice of non-objection. 6. To avoid doubt, regardless of the issue by the Reserve Bank of a notice of non-objection, it is the bank’s responsibility to ensure the outsourcing arrangement in question is, and remains, compliant with BS11. Guidance: A notice of non-objection from the Reserve Bank to an outsourcing arrangement is made on the basis of information a bank provides to the Reserve Bank. A notice of non-objection does not constitute a safe-harbour. It is the bank’s responsibility to ensure an outsourcing arrangement is compliant with the policy and continues to be so. B3.4 Existing outsourcing arrangements and in-progress outsourcing arrangements
BS11 – Version 1.0 24 B4 Compendium B4.1 Requirement for, and purpose of, compendium
BS11 – Version 1.0 25 Guidance: In the case of a new outsourcing arrangement, the required information will be as required under section B4.2. Further, the other requirements in BS11 relating to outsourcing arrangement will apply equally to the new arrangement. d. forms part of the oversight and governance reviews undertaken by the board and senior management of the bank. 2. In addition to requirements of subsection (1), the bank must ensure that– a. the compendium is reviewed regularly, and at least annually; and b. the review is conducted by one of the following, as appropriate: i. the bank’s own internal audit function; or ii. an external auditor of the bank; or iii. the independent external reviewer (see Part D). B4.4 Bank must provide compendium to Reserve Bank The bank must provide the compendium to the Reserve Bank,– a. on request; and b. in the format requested (see section B4.2(2)). Guidance: The Reserve Bank will likely ask for a copy of a bank’s compendium at least once a year as part of normal supervisory practice. Outside of this annual request the Reserve Bank will likely only ask for a copy of a bank’s compendium in special circumstances. B4.5 Transitional provision
BS11 – Version 1.0 26 2. The purpose of a separation plan is to enable the bank to provide for the steps it would take to ensure that outsourcing arrangements in relation to the bank’s services and functions would continue to be provided on the day of failure and thereafter. Guidance: Specifically, the objective of the separation plan should be that the bank continues to meet the outcomes of BS11. 3. The requirement for a separation plan does not apply if the bank is subject to BS11, but it is not a member of a foreign-owned banking group. 4. A bank is not required to have a separation plan until 6 months after the commencement date, at which time the plan must be in draft form: the bank must have a separation plan that is fully compliant with this policy within 6 years of the commencement date. B5.2 Content and form of separation plan
BS11 – Version 1.0 27 e. the technology and other resource needed by the bank to implement its separation plan. 2. In preparing its separation plan, the bank must prepare for an abrupt loss of access to the services and functions provided by the parent or an other related party both on the day of failure and thereafter. Guidance: While a bank may have contractual arrangements in place for its parent and an other related party to provide transition services and functions in the event of separation, these contracts should not be relied upon for the purposes of the separation plan. However, banks may continue to rely on contractual arrangements that are in substance unaffected by the separation. The Reserve Bank may issue additional guidance to banks on how to produce separation plans. 3. The bank must include the separation plan within the scope of the external reviews of the bank’s compliance with the outsourcing policy, as set out in Part D. B5.3 Non-objection required for separation plan
BS11 – Version 1.0 28 Guidance: A notice of non-objection from the Reserve Bank to a separation plan is made on the basis of information a bank provides to the Reserve Bank. A notice of non-objection does not constitute a safe-harbour. It is the bank’s responsibility to ensure a separation plan is compliant with the policy and continues to be so. B5.6 Bank to test separation plan annually
BS11 – Version 1.0 29 Part C: Reserve Bank Lists C1 Pre-approved services and functions C1.1 Reserve Bank may maintain list of pre-approved services and functions
BS11 – Version 1.0 30 C2 Exempt services and functions C2.1 Reserve Bank may maintain list of exempt services and functions
BS11 – Version 1.0 31 Part D: Transitional and External Review Arrangements D1 Path to compliance and external review D1.1 6-year transition period
BS11 – Version 1.0 32 D2 Reviews after 6-year transition period D2.1 3-yearly reviews
BS11 – Version 1.0 33 Appendix One: Conditions of Registration 1 Conditions of Registration 1.1 General conditions of registration