Benchmark Regulation (BMR)
Regulation (EU) 2016/1011 of the European Parliament and the Council on indices used as benchmarks in financial instruments and financial contracts (the “Regulation”)
Overview
Objectives
The Regulation aims to:
ensure benchmarks produced or used in the EU are robust and reliable
restore confidence in benchmarks
protect consumers and investors through greater transparency
improve governance and controls over the benchmark process
Scope
An Index is any figure i) published or “made available to the public” (i.e. accessible by a potentially indeterminate number of recipients) and ii) regularly determined
A benchmark is:
Any index by reference to which the amount payable under an instrument/contract, or the value of an instrument, is determined,
OrAn index that is used to measure the performance of an investment fund
Benchmark categories
Benchmark are classified as:
Critical benchmarks (e.g. – ibor)
Benchmarks used for financial instruments, contracts and performance of investment funds having a total value of at least EURO 500bn, and meeting qualitative criteria such as location of contributors and importance of the benchmark in the country where a majority of contributors is locatedSignificant benchmarks
Benchmarks used for financial instruments, contracts and performance of investment funds having a total value of at least EUR 50bn over a period of six months, and meeting qualitative criteria such as the benchmark has no reliable substitute, and its absence would lead to market disorderNon-significant benchmarks
Benchmarks that do not fulfill the conditions set for critical or significant benchmarks
Entities
BMR introduces obligations for benchmark Administrator, Benchmark Contributors and Benchmark Users:
Benchmark Administrator: supervised entities which:
- Administer the arrangements determining the benchmark
- Collect and analyse the input data
- Determine the rate of the benchmark
- Significant benchmarks
Benchmark Contributors: entities providing any input data required in connection with the determination of a benchmark, and is provided for that purpose
Benchmark Users: any legal or natural person which:
- Issue an instrument/contract referencing an index/indices
- Be a party to a contract referencing an index/indices
- Determine an instrument / contract payable amount by referencing an index/indices
- Provide a borrowing rate calculated as a spread or mark-up over an index/indices used as a reference in a contract to which the creditor is a party
- Measure fund performance through an index/indices
Main obligations for Benchmark Administrators
In terms of methodology:
Develop a transparent methodology for determining benchmarks
Prefer transactional data and publish a clear code of conduct related to input data and exercises of expert judgment
Establish measures to monitor and validate input data
Publish a procedure on the actions to be taken in case of changes to or cessation of benchmark
In terms of governance:
Apply for registration to NCA and apply for benchmarks registration at ESMA
Set up robust governance arrangements
Publish existing/potential conflicts of interests to users and NCA and set up an adequate conflicts of interest policy
Store records for at least 5 years (such as methodology, any changes to this methodology)
Put in place procedures for employees to report infringements
Main obligations for Benchmark Contributors
Adhere to administrator’s code of conduct of input data (use of robust technology and sufficient and accurate information)
Contribute input data for the determination of critical benchmarks on a mandatory basis under the NCA’s request
Meet governance and control rules, avoid conflicts of interest
Main obligations for Benchmark Users
No use of unregulated benchmarks
Ensure that prospectuses issued state if the benchmark is included in ESMA’s register
Prepare contingency plans to anticipate any benchmark changes, cessation or withdrawal/suspension, and reflect those plans in legacy and new contractual documentations with clients
Chronology of events: key dates
29 June 2016: Publication in EU Official Journal
01 January 2018: Entry into application, with a transition period ending 01 January 2022 for critical benchmarks and for third-countries benchmarks, and 01 January 2020 for other benchmarks
Reference Text
Text has been published in the Official of the EU on 29 June 2016