In support of the transition away from LIBOR by the end of 2021, after which LIBOR can no longer be guaranteed, regulators regularly hold discussions with stakeholders to understand their needs and concerns related to the LIBOR transition.
As part of that effort, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the U.S. Department of the Treasury met with representatives of a number of U.S. regional banks on February 25, 2020 to discuss ways to support the transition of loan products away from LIBOR, including by holding a series of working sessions. Following up on this meeting, Credit Sensitivity Group workshops have been hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to further discuss these issues.
Four workshops were held between June and August that aimed to build a shared understanding of the challenges that banks of all sizes and their borrowers may have in transitioning loan products from LIBOR. They also explored methodologies to develop a robust lending framework that considers a credit sensitive rate/spread that could be added to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR).
Following a meeting on September 22, 2020 with representatives of a number of U.S. regional banks that participated in the Credit Sensitivity Group workshops, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, sent a letter to those participants. The letter noted that "the official sector does not plan to convene a group to recommend a specific credit-sensitive supplement or rate for use in commercial lending products, but we do plan to bring together workshop participants for two additional working sessions that can highlight the continued innovation in this space, including with regard to various specific credit sensitive rates, and explore solutions to implementation hurdles for commercial loans in the transition away from LIBOR. We recognize that innovation is central to the development and evolution of financial markets, and the official sector supports the continued innovation in, and development of, suitable reference rates, including those that may have credit sensitive elements." The series of Credit Sensitivity Group working sessions is complete as of January 14, 2021.
The Credit Sensitivity Group workshops were separate from and supportive of the work of the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (ARRC), which is a group of private-market participants convened by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to help ensure a successful transition from U.S. dollar (USD) LIBOR to its recommended alternative, SOFR. Firms should continue their preparations to transition to robust alternative reference rates and off of LIBOR.
The first Credit Sensitivity Group workshop, via webinar, brought together a diverse set of banks to provide an overview of, and background on, the issues related to transitioning loan products to SOFR to ensure a consistent level of understanding of the specific challenges.
The second Credit Sensitivity Group workshop, via webinar, brought together a diverse set of banks to review sources of data and information that include credit sensitive rate components for a supplement to SOFR that could address issues described in Workshop 1.
The third Credit Sensitivity Group workshop, via webinar, brought together a diverse set of banks to discuss conceptual design considerations for a potential credit sensitive supplement to SOFR, including characteristics to address issues described in Workshop 1.
The fourth Credit Sensitivity Group workshop, via webinar, brought together a diverse set of borrowers to understand the borrower perspective on issues related to transitioning certain loan products to SOFR and the potential need for a credit sensitive supplement to SOFR for such products.
Forum on ongoing innovation in reference rates for commercial lending
The first of two additional working sessions, via webinar, brought together a diverse set of banks and borrowers involved in prior Credit Sensitivity Group workshops, reference rate administrators, and other relevant parties to highlight areas of innovation underway in reference rates for commercial lending, particularly those with a credit sensitive element. This forum was not intended to facilitate or result in a recommendation of any particular products, services, or approaches, and does not constitute an endorsement by the official sector participants of any rate discussed.
Forum on implementation framework for commercial loan products
The second and final additional working session, via webinar, brought together a diverse set of banks and borrowers involved in prior Credit Sensitivity Group workshops and other relevant parties to review the implementation framework for commercial loan products amid the transition away from USD LIBOR, including how that framework could accommodate a diversity of potential rate inputs. This forum was not intended to facilitate or result in a recommendation of any particular products, services, or approaches.
Media & General Inquiries
The meetings, workshops, and forums associated with the Credit Sensitivity Group were closed to press. Journalists with questions may contact Darren Gersh at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors at darren.gersh@frb.gov or Suzanne Elio and Betsy Bourassa at the New York Fed at suzanne.elio@ny.frb.org and betsy.bourassa@ny.frb.org. All other inquiries may be directed to Monica Scheid at the New York Fed at monica.scheid@ny.frb.org.
