2026-01-01
The Council of the Central Bank of Montenegro issued a decision detailing the mandatory valuation methodology for credit institution assets and liabilities prior to resolution actions or capital instrument write-downs and conversions. The regulation establishes precise definitions, valuation dates, and information sourcing requirements for independent valuers, while mandating comprehensive reports that disclose key assumptions, best point estimates, and value ranges. It further specifies distinct measurement bases such as hold and disposal values, outlines criteria for discount rates and handling valuation uncertainties, and requires explicit assessment of intra-group support and derivative liabilities to ensure accurate loss recognition and equitable creditor treatment.
Pursuant to Article 44 paragraph (2) item 3) of the Central Bank of Montenegro Law (OGM 40/10, 06/13, 70/17) and Article 44 paragraph (5) of the Law on Resolution of Credit Institutions (OGM 72/19, 08/21), the Council of the Central Bank of Montenegro, at its meeting held on 28 April 2021, passed the following DECISION ON DETAILED MANNER OF VALUATION OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES BEFORE TAKING RESOLUTION ACTION OR EXERCISING THE POWER TO WRITE DOWN OR CONVERT RELEVANT CAPITAL INSTRUMENTS I. BASIC PROVISIONS Subject matter Article 1 This Decision shall regulate in more detail the manner of valuation (hereinafter: the valuation) of assets and liabilities of a credit institution, or a legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3), and 4) of the Law on Resolution of Credit Institutions (OGM 72/19, 08/21) – (hereinafter: the Law), before taking resolution action or exercising the power to write down or convert relevant capital instruments. Definitions Article 2 Terms used in this Decision shall have the following meaning:
2 4) hold value means the present value, discounted at an appropriate rate, of cash flows that the credit institution or a person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law can reasonably expect under fair, prudent and realistic assumptions from retaining particular assets and liabilities, considering factors affecting customer or counterparty behaviour or other valuation parameters in the context of resolution. 5) disposal value means the measurement basis referred to in Article 13 paragraphs (5) to (7) of this Decision; 6) franchise value means the net present value of cash flows that can reasonably be expected to result from the maintenance and renewal of assets and liabilities or businesses and includes the impact of any business opportunities, as relevant, including those stemming from the different resolution actions that are assessed by the valuer. Franchise value may be higher or lower than the value arising from the contractual terms and conditions of assets and liabilities existing at the valuation date; 7) equity value means an estimated market price, for transferred or issued shares, that results from the application of generally accepted valuation methodologies. Depending on the nature of the assets or business, equity value may comprise franchise value; 8) measurement basis means the approach for determining the monetary amounts at which assets or liabilities are presented by the independent valuer; 9) resolution date means the date on which the decision to open resolution proceedings is adopted. General criteria Article 3 (1) When performing the valuation the independent valuer shall consider circumstances affecting the expected cash flows of, and discount rates applicable to assets and liabilities, and shall aim to fairly represent the financial position of the credit institution, or legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law, in the context of the opportunities and risks it deals with. (2) The independent valuer shall disclose and justify the key assumptions used in the valuation. Any significant deviation in the valuation from the assumptions used by the management body of the credit institution, or legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law in the preparation of financial statements and in the calculation of the own funds and capital requirements of the credit institution, or legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law shall be supported by the best available information.
3 (3) The independent valuer shall provide the best point estimate of the value of a given asset, liability, or combinations thereof. Where appropriate, the results of the valuation shall also be provided in the form of value ranges. (4) Criteria for the measurement of individual assets and liabilities of a credit institution, or legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law, as determined by this Decision shall also apply to the measurement of portfolios or groups of assets or combined assets and liabilities, businesses, or the credit institution, or legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law considered as a whole, as the circumstances require. (5) The valuation shall subdivide creditors in classes according to their priority ranking during bankruptcy proceedings, and shall include the following estimates:
4 referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law, pursuant to Article 47 paragraphs (1) to (4) of the Law; 3) the date determined pursuant to Article 9 of the Decision on methodologies and criteria for determining the amount of liabilities arising from derivatives (OGM 116/20), where they are subject to valuation of liabilities arising from derivative contracts. Sources of information Article 5 (1) The valuation shall be based on any information pertinent to the valuation date which is deemed relevant by the independent valuer. (2) In addition to the financial statements of the credit institution, or a legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law, reports of independent external auditor and regulatory reporting as of a period ending as close as possible to the valuation date, relevant information referred to in paragraph (1) of this Article may include the following:
5 10)trend analyses, adequately adjusted to reflect specific circumstances of the credit institution, or a legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law. Impact of arrangements on intra-group financial support Article 6 (1) Where the credit institution, or a legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law forms part of a group, the independent valuer shall take into account the impact that existing contractual intra-group support arrangements can have on the value of the assets and liabilities where, on the basis of the circumstances, it is probable that those arrangements will be put into effect. (2) The independent valuer shall only take into account the impact of other formal or informal arrangements within the group where, on the basis of the circumstances, it is probable that those arrangements shall remain in place in the context of a group's stressed financial condition or in resolution. (3) The independent valuer shall determine whether the resources of a credit institution, or a legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law within the group are available to meet losses of other group entities. Valuation report Article 7 The independent valuer shall prepare a valuation report to the Central Bank, as a resolution authority, which shall include at least the following elements:
6 6) any additional information which in the independent valuer's opinion would assist the Central Bank – and its resolution and supervision functions for purposes of Articles 44 to 47 of the Law. II. CRITERIA FOR THE VALUATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF ARTICLE 44 PARAGRAPH (3) ITEM 1) OF THE LAW General principles Article 8 (1) The valuations for the purpose of application of Article 44 paragraph (3) item 1) of the Law shall be based on fair and realistic assumptions and shall seek to ensure that losses under the appropriate scenario are fully recognised. (2) Where valuation referred to in paragraph (1) of this Article is available, the Central Bank – its supervisory or resolution function shall receive information used to determine that a credit institution, or a legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law is “failing or likely to fail” as referred to in Article 34 paragraph (1) item 1) of the Law. (3) Based on existing supervisory guidance or other generally recognised sources setting out criteria conducive to the fair and realistic measurement of different types of assets and liabilities, the independent valuer may challenge the assumptions, data, methodologies and judgements on which a credit institution, or a legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law based its valuations for financial reporting obligations or for the calculation of own funds and capital requirements and disregard them for the purposes of the valuation. (4) The independent valuer shall determine the most appropriate valuation methodologies which may rely on internal models of a credit institution, or a legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law, where the independent valuer deems it appropriate taking into account the nature of the risk management framework of the credit institution, or a legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law, and the quality of data and information available. (5) The valuations shall be consistent with the applicable accounting and prudential regulatory framework. Areas requiring particular attention in the valuation Article 9 (1) The independent valuer shall particularly focus on areas subject to significant valuation uncertainty which have a significant impact on the overall valuation.
7 (2) The independent valuer shall provide the result of valuation referred to in paragraph (1) of this Article in the form of best point estimates and, where appropriate, value ranges, as laid down in Article 3 paragraph (3) of this Decision. (3) Areas referred to in paragraph (1) shall include:
8 person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law to generate predictable cash flows; 7) general or specific liquidity or funding concerns with respect to the credit institution, or a legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law. (2) The independent valuer shall clearly separate any material unrealised gains identified in the valuation process, to the extent that those gains have not been recognised in the valuation, and shall provide adequate information in the valuation report of the exceptional circumstances that have led to those gains. III. CRITERIA FOR THE VALUATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF ARTICLE 44 PARAGRAPH (3) ITEMS 2) TO 7 OF THE LAW AND ARTICLE 46 PARAGRAPH (3) OF THE LAW General principles Article 11 (1) The independent valuer shall assess the impact on the valuation of each resolution action that the Central Bank may adopt in line with Article 44 paragraph (3) items 2) to 7) of the Law. (2) Without prejudice to the independent valuer's independence, the Central Bank may consult with the independent valuer in order to identify the range of resolution actions being considered, including actions contained in the resolution plan or, if different, any proposed resolution scheme. (3) To ensure a fair, prudent and realistic valuation, the independent valuer shall, where appropriate and in consultation with the Central Bank, present separate valuations that reflect the impact of a sufficiently diverse range of resolution actions. (4) The independent valuer shall ensure that when the resolution tools are applied or when the power to write-down or convert relevant capital instruments is exercised, any losses on the assets of the credit institution, or a legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law are fully recognised under scenarios that are relevant to the ranges of resolution actions being considered. (5) Where the values of the valuation diverge significantly from the values presented by the credit institution, or a legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law in the financial statements, the independent valuer shall use the assumptions of that valuation, to inform the adjustments to the assumptions and to the accounting policies necessary for the preparation of the updated balance sheet and report on financial position referred to in Article 45 paragraph (5) of the Law, in a way consistent with the applicable accounting framework.
9 (6) As regards losses identified by the independent valuer which cannot be recognised in the updated balance sheet, the independent valuer shall specify the amount, describe the reasons underlying the determination of the losses and the likelihood and time horizon of their occurrence. (7) Where capital instruments or other liabilities are converted to equity, a valuation shall provide an estimate of the post-conversion equity value of new shares transferred or issued as consideration to holders of converted capital instruments or other creditors. That estimate shall form the basis for the determination of the conversion rate or rates pursuant to Article 101 of the Law. Selection of the measurement basis Article 12 (1) In selecting the most appropriate measurement basis or bases, the independent valuer shall take into account the range of resolution actions to be examined according to Article 11 paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Decision. (2) The independent valuer shall determine the cash flows that the credit institution, or a legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law can expect on the basis of fair, prudent and realistic assumptions from existing assets and liabilities following adoption of the examined resolution action or actions, discounted at an appropriate rate as determined in accordance with paragraph (7) of this Article. (3) Cash flows shall be determined at the appropriate level of aggregation, ranging from individual assets and liabilities to portfolios or businesses, with due consideration to differences in the risk profiles. (4) Where the resolution actions referred to in Article 11 paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Article require that assets and liabilities are to be retained by a credit institution, or a legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law that continues to be a going concern institution, the independent valuer shall use the hold value as the appropriate measurement basis. The hold value may, if considered fair, prudent and realistic, anticipate a normalisation of market conditions. (5) The hold value shall not be used as the measurement basis where assets are transferred to an asset management vehicle pursuant to Article 90 of the Law or to a bridge institution pursuant to Article 79 of the Law, or where a sale of business tool pursuant to Article 73 of the Law is used.
10 (6) Where the resolution actions referred to in Article 11 paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Decision envisage the sale of assets the expected cash flows shall correspond to the disposal values envisaged for the expected disposal horizon. (7) The discount rates shall be determined having regard to the timing of cash flows, risk profile, financing costs and market conditions as appropriate to the asset or liability being measured, the disposal strategy considered and the post-resolution financial position of the credit institution, or a legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law. Specific factors relating to the estimation and discounting of expected cash flows Article 13 (1) For the purpose of estimating cash flows, the independent valuer shall apply their expert judgement in determining key characteristics of the assets or liabilities being measured. The independent valuer shall also apply their expert judgement in determining how the continuation, potential renewal or refinancing, run-off or disposal of those assets or liabilities, as envisaged in the examined resolution action, affect those cash flows. (2) Where the resolution action envisages a credit institution, or a legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law holding an asset, maintaining a liability, or continuing a business, the independent valuer may take into account factors potentially affecting future cash flows, including the following:
11 that the credit institution, or a legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law can reasonably expect in the currently prevailing market conditions through an orderly sale or transfer of assets or liabilities. (6) Where appropriate, having regard to the actions to be taken under the resolution scheme, the independent valuer may determine the disposal value by applying a reduction for a potential accelerated sale discount to the observable market price of that sale or transfer. (7) To determine the disposal value of assets which do not have a liquid market, the independent valuer shall consider observable prices on markets where similar assets are traded or model calculations using observable market parameters, with discounts for illiquidity reflected as appropriate. (8) The independent valuer shall have regard to factors that might affect disposal values and disposal periods, including the following:
12 illiquidity, the absence of reliable inputs for the determination of disposal values, and the resulting need to rely on valuation methodologies based on unobservable inputs. Methodology for calculating and including an additional capital for additional losses Article 14 (1) To address the uncertainty of provisional valuations conducted in accordance with Article 44 paragraph (3) items 2) to 7) of the Law, the independent valuer shall include in the valuation an additional capital to reflect facts and circumstances supporting the existence of additional losses of uncertain amount or timing. (2) In order to avoid double counting of uncertainty of provisional valuation referred to in paragraph (1) of this Article, the assumptions supporting the calculation of the additional capital shall be adequately explained and justified by the independent valuer. (3) In order to determine the size of additional capital, the independent valuer shall identify factors that may affect expected cash flows as a result of resolution actions likely to be adopted. (4) For the purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this Article, the independent valuer may extrapolate losses estimated for a part of assets of the credit institution, or a legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law, to the remainder of the balance sheet of the credit institution, or a legal person referred to in Article 3 items 2), 3) and 4) of the Law, and where available, average losses estimated for assets of peer competitors may also be extrapolated, subject to the necessary adjustments for differences in the business model and financial structure. IV. FINAL PROVISION Entry into force Article 15 This Decision shall enter into force on the eighth day following that of its publication in the Official Gazette of Montenegro, and it shall apply from the date of application of the Law on Resolution of Credit Institutions (OGM 72/19, 08/21). THE COUNCIL OF THE CENTRAL BANK OF MONTENEGRO CHAIRMAN Decision number: 0101-2837-3/2021 GOVERNOR, Podgorica, 28 April 2021 Radoje Žugić, m.p.