4

CRR Article 400(2)(g) and (h) — sovereign large exposures exemption

4.1

CRR Article 400(2)(g) and (h) allows the PRA to exempt exposures which constitute claims on central banks in the form of minimum reserves held at central banks and denominated in their national currencies, and claims on central governments in the form of statutory liquidity requirements held in government securities, which are denominated and funded in their national currencies. 

Application process

4.2

A firm seeking a sovereign large exposures exemption should demonstrate in the application to the PRA how the conditions in the large exposures rules are met. 

4.3

The PRA will assess individual sovereign large exposures exemption applications against the conditions set out in the large exposures rules. 

4.4

Firms should note that the PRA will still make a wider judgement whether it is appropriate to grant this treatment even where the conditions set out in the large exposures rules are met.  

Application of criteria

4.5

It is the PRA’s intention to continue to apply a high level of scrutiny to applications in respect of CRR Article 400(2)(g) or (h). 

4.6

As part of the process of applying for a sovereign large exposure exemption, the PRA will set out the amount of the exposures that may be exempted. In general, the PRA expects the likelihood of the firm’s liabilities (that fund the particular exempt exposure) falling alongside a fall in that exposure in an event of default to form one of the key considerations in determining the total amount of such exempt exposures. 

4.7

The PRA will expect the firm to demonstrate that, taking into account the aggregate of all exposures exempted under other sovereign large exposure exemptions granted to the firm, the exemption being sought would not result in an undue risk to the safety and soundness of the firm.