Reporting Standard ARS 220.0 Credit Exposures and Provisions (APRA)
6 July 2021
The ABA and members are supportive of APRA’s move to data collection based on a concept-dimension data model. ABA members broadly support the approach APRA has outlined in their letter of June 8. The collective view of ABA members is that a successful implementation will result from sufficient time being given to develop a full taxonomy, and that this is finalised well in advance of the first submission date so banks can build the infrastructure to support the data model. ABA members have concerns with the overlap of two new reporting requirements (the tactical solution and the incremental collections), the granular level of detail required for the strategic solution (especially for the lower risk portfolios) and the timing by which each reporting needs to be provided.
Download PDFRegulator Performance Guide
2 June 2021
The ABA considers that the review of the existing Regulator Performance Guide is timely. It is critical to ensure that regulation of the financial system does not inhibit the ability of financial firms to serve the Australian population or grow the economy. The ABA supports the Government’s proposal to transition towards a more flexible and principles-based approach to regulator performance. We have developed our response with a focus on providing constructive suggestions to improve the potential scope and application of the three principles that are proposed with regard to financial regulation Continuous improvement and building trust Risk-based and data-driven Collaboration and engagement
Download PDFAPRA’s approach to new entrant ADIs
30 April 2021
The ABA welcomes an updated approach to new entrant ADIs focusing on sustainability. Providing pathways for restricted entry promotes competition through innovation amongst ADIs. The ABA agrees with APRA that an important balance needs to be made between supporting entities to both enter and thrive in the banking sector, while ensuring financial stability and protecting the interests of depositors.
Download PDFAPRA: A more flexible and resilient capital framework for ADIs
1 April 2021
The ABA recommends that the final policy settings accurately reflect the proven resilience of banks and the needs of the Australian economy. The ABA also expects further calibration to be undertaken to ensure there is no increase to the overall level of capital in the banking system, considers that the proposed application of a non-standard treatment to interest-only mortgages with terms greater than five years is unduly punitive, considers that the proposed capital allocation to New Zealand exposures at Level 2 is set at a conservative level that is not commensurate with the level of risk ABA members also feel consideration should be given to increasing the default level of the proposed CCyB, it considers that the required IT updates makes the 1 January 2023 commencement date challenging, encourages APRA to promptly update its 2015 International capital comparison study and some of APRA’s current proposals may amplify volatility without necessarily improving the measurement of risk.
Download PDFCritical Infrastructure Bill 2020
12 February 2021
The ABA has recommended a number of changes be made to the Bill enshrining verbal assurances already provided by the Department of Home Affairs. The ABA also proposes early consultation with industry to ensure time and resources for compliance, and to ensure guidance as to what information the government may require from critical infrastructure entities and the nature of information sharing between government and critical infrastructure sectors.
Download PDFCredit Reform
3 February 2021
The Australian Banking Association (ABA) supports the Government’s reforms to the National Consumer Credit Protection Act. So much has changed since 2009 that it is only sensible for the Government to review the legislative and regulatory framework. Ensuring the efficient flow of credit into the economy with strong consumer protections in place will assist Australia’s recovery from the pandemic.
Download PDFConsultation on confidentiality of key ADI metrics
20 November 2020
An approach which supports APRA’s first proposal while overcoming the governance, timing and definitional issues outlined in this letter, is for APRA to publish only Level 2 capital, liquidity and asset quality items aligned with Pillar 3 after all entities have first disclosed the information to market. The ABA supports APRA publishing data on a quarterly basis which is already reported under Pillar 3 requirements. The ABA recommends APRA publish data only after ADIs have already disclosed it. The ABA recommends that before making any data non-confidential or public, APRA conduct their own audit of data definitions to identify and rectify any gaps in the taxonomy. The ABA recommends APRA only make non-confidential and publish Level 2 data. The ABA recommends APRA provide written reassurance that the specific items in the forms which are non-confidential but not proposed to be published, will not be published without further consultation.
Download PDFConsultation on the Data Availability and Transparency (DAT) Bill 2020
6 November 2020
The ABA supports the broad policy that public sector data should be able to be shared with appropriate safeguards if doing so is in the public interest, under the proposed regime (DAT regime). However, the ABA considers the Bill as drafted would significantly undermine Commonwealth regimes that have enabled effective business regulation in banking and other critical economic sectors. As such, the ABA strongly urges the Government to provide an exclusion for data that is covered by existing confidentiality provisions in regulatory regimes, such as section 56 of the APRA Act 1998, and consider alternative means of achieving this policy objective in relation to this class of data.
Download PDFProposed APRA Performance Measures
24 September 2020
The ABA welcomes the timely review of APRA’s performance measures and supports more streamlined performance metrics. Developing new metrics is an opportunity for APRA to clearly demonstrate how it is implementing best practice and considering the compliance costs in its decision making holistically.
Download PDFAPRA consultation on treatment of loans impacted by COVID-19
21 August 2020
The ABA seeks clarification, but welcomes APRA’s approach by requiring a credit assessment to be ‘appropriate'. The ABA welcomes greater data transparency by regulators, but has a list of recommendations for ARS 923.3.
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