Date 15 November 2017
Westpac capital requirements increased after breaching regulatory obligations
Westpac New Zealand Limited (Westpac) has had its minimum regulatory capital requirements increased after it failed to
comply with regulatory obligations relating to its status as an internal models bank.
Internal models banks are accredited by the Reserve Bank to use approved risk models to calculate how much regulatory
capital they need to hold. Westpac used a number of models that had not been approved by the Reserve Bank, and
materially failed to meet requirements around model governance, processes and documentation.
“This is very disappointing. Operating as an internal models bank is a privilege that requires high standards and comes
with considerable responsibilities. Westpac has not met our expectations in this regard,” Reserve Bank Deputy Governor
and Head of Financial Stability Geoff Bascand said.
The Reserve Bank required Westpac to commission an independent report into its compliance with internal models
regulatory requirements. The report found that Westpac:
• currently operates 17 (out of 35) unapproved capital models;
• has used 21 (out of 32) additional unapproved capital models since it was accredited as an internal models bank in
2008; and
• failed to put in place the systems and controls an internal models bank is required to have under its conditions of
registration.
The Reserve Bank has decided that Westpac’s conditions of registration should be amended to increase its minimum capital
levels until the shortcomings and
non-compliance identified in the independent report have been remedied. Westpac’s minimum capital ratio requirements
will be 6.5 percent for Common Equity Tier 1 capital, 8 percent for Tier 1 capital and 10 percent for Total capital,
with the additional 2.5 percent capital conservation buffer applying. Currently, for all other locally incorporated
banks capital ratios are set at, respectively, 4.5 percent, 6 percent and 8 percent, plus the 2.5 percent buffer.
In addition, the Reserve Bank has accepted an undertaking by Westpac to maintain its total capital ratio above 15.1
percent until all existing issues have been resolved. The Reserve Bank has given Westpac 18 months to satisfy the
Reserve Bank that it has sufficiently addressed those issues or it risks losing accreditation to operate as an internal
models bank.
“We believe the regulatory action is appropriate given the seriousness of Westpac’s non-compliance and the need to
protect the integrity of the capital regime,” Mr Bascand said.
The Reserve Bank has taken into account that Westpac has not deliberately sought to reduce its regulatory capital. While
there have been serious shortcomings and
non-compliance, it appears that Westpac has remained well above its required regulatory capital levels.
Westpac has confirmed that it does not dispute the findings of the independent report, that it is committed to remedying
all the issues identified, and that it will maintain its total capital ratio above 15.1 percent.
More information
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