News Release
Canadian securities regulators issue guidance on bail-in debt regime
Aug 23, 2018
Toronto – The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published two notices outlining CSA staff’s views regarding the implementation of the bail-in debt regime for domestic systemically important banks (D-SIBs), which include Canada’s six largest banks, and for Quebec’s Desjardins Group. The first notice addresses the distribution or trade of bail-in debt to investors and the second notice provides guidance for investment fund issuers that may invest in bail-in debt.
Under the new federal bail-in debt regime, which comes into force on September 23, 2018, if the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) determines that a D-SIB is no longer viable, then the federal government may turn control of the D-SIB to the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC). As the appointed receiver, CDIC has the authority to convert all, or a portion of the D-SIB’s bail-in debt (D-SIB Bail-in Debt), into common shares to recapitalize the bank.
“We are publishing these two notices to provide greater clarity for persons offering this type of investment, including the expectations about disclosure and the associated risks,” said Louis Morisset, CSA Chair and President and CEO of the Autorité des marchés financiers. “To protect investors from the potential risks of investing in bail-in debt, registered dealers must comply with regulatory requirements and investment fund managers must understand the risks.”
CSA Staff Notice 46-309 Bail-in Debt clarifies that bail-in debt has additional risks to investors that are distinct from the risks of other types of “unsubordinated debt”. The notice also clarifies that, subject to specific exemptions, the trading or distribution of bail-in debt by persons or companies in the business of trading in securities to investors located in Canada must be done through a registered dealer and in accordance with relevant investor protection requirements under National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registration Requirements (NI 31-103).
CSA Staff Notice 81-331 Investment Funds Investing in Bail-in Debt clarifies that D-SIB Bail-in Debt is an eligible investment for a money market fund only if the D-SIB Bail-in Debt continues to meet the prescribed eligibility requirements applicable to money market funds, to ensure the safety and liquidity of such fund’s portfolio assets. The notice also outlines other requirements for investment fund managers that will or may hold D-SIB Bail-in Debt, including the requirement that they fully understand and take into consideration key features and risks of D-SIB Bail-in Debt to their investment funds.
CSA staff will continue to monitor developments regarding the implementation of the bail-in debt regime and will consider whether additional guidance is needed in this area.
Both notices can be found on CSA members’ websites.
The CSA, the council of the securities regulators of Canada’s provinces and territories, co-ordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets.
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For more information:
Kristen Rose
Ontario Securities Commission
416-593-2336
media_inquiries@osc.gov.on.ca
Hilary McMeekin
Alberta Securities Commission
403-592-8186
Jason Booth
The Manitoba Securities Commission
204-945-1660
David Harrison
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
902-424-8586
Craig Whalen
Office of the Superintendent of Securities
Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-5661
Jeff Mason
Nunavut Securities Office
867-975-6591
Shannon McMillan
Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan
306-798-4160
Andrew Poon
British Columbia Securities Commission
604-899-6880
Caroline Trottier
Autorité des marchés financiers
418-525-0337 #4115
Sara Wilson
Financial and Consumer Services Commission, New Brunswick
506-643-7045
Steven Dowling
Government of Prince Edward Island
Superintendent of Securities
902-368-4550
Rhonda Horte
Office of the Yukon Superintendent of Securities
867-667-5466
Tom Hall
Office of the Superintendent of Securities,
Northwest Territories
867-767-9305