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Article 4: Risk Measurement and Use of Models

C 153-2018 STA Effective from 27/6/2018
  1. 1. A bank must use risk measurement methodologies commensurate with the risk profile, nature, size and complexity of the business and the structure of the bank. These could include VaR analysis, scenario analysis and stress testing and single counterparty and concentration limits. Common metrics must be employed on a bank (or group)-wide basis to foster a bank (or group)-wide approach and effective identification and monitoring of risks across the Bank (or Group).
  2. 2. Risk measurement and modeling techniques must be used in addition to qualitative risk analysis and monitoring. The comprehensive approach to risk management must include policies and procedures for the development and internal approval for use of models or other risk measurement methodologies. Where the models, or data for the models, are supplied by a third party, there must be a process for validation of the model and data relative to the specific circumstances of the bank.
  3. 3. A bank must perform regular validation and testing of models. This must include evaluation of conceptual soundness, ongoing monitoring including process verification and benchmarking and outcomes analysis, including back-testing. Stress-testing and scenario analysis must be used to take into account the risk of model error and the uncertainties associated with valuations and concentration risks. Widely recognized weaknesses in VaR such as dependence on historical data and inadequate volatility estimates must be explicitly addressed by banks in developing and implementing VaR methodologies. Banks employing VaR or other model methodologies must regularly back-test actual performance against model predictions and adjust their methodologies in light of experience.
  4. 4. Model-based approaches must be supplemented by other measures. These include qualitative assessment of the logic, judgment and types of information used in models as well as assessments of policies, procedures, risk limits and exposures, especially with respect to difficult to quantify risks such as operational, compliance and reputational.