Applying IFRS

IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement

Credit valuation
adjustments for
derivative contracts
April 2014
Contents
In this issue:

1. Background ................................................................................... 2
2. What has changed? ........................................................................ 2
3. How do credit adjustments work? .................................................... 4
4. Valuation methods ......................................................................... 5
5. Data challenges .............................................................................. 7
6. Portfolio approaches and credit mitigation arrangements .................. 9
6.1 Collateral arrangements ........................................................... 9
6.2 Netting arrangements............................................................... 9
6.3 Allocation of portfolio-level credit adjustments ......................... 10
7. Interaction with hedge accounting ................................................. 11
Appendix: Credit risk modelling for derivatives ................................... 13

Challenging market conditions following the economic crisis and

the introduction of IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement (IFRS 13)
have highlighted the need to reflect credit risk appropriately in
the fair value of derivative contracts.

This publication provides insight into some of the methods used in practice to
determine valuation adjustments for credit risk on all derivatives measured at
fair value, except those for which a quoted price in an active market is available
(i.e., over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives). In addition, we briefly discuss some of
the practical implications including data challenges, portfolio considerations and
how these adjustments may affect hedge accounting.

Issues and questions are likely to be raised in the future as entities continue to
apply IFRS 13. In addition, various groups, such as the International Valuation
Standards Council, are developing guidance in respect of credit and debit
valuation adjustments. We encourage readers to closely monitor developments.

What you need to know

• All entities engaging in OTC derivative transactions must consider
whether a fair value adjustment for credit risk is required

• Two forms of credit-related adjustments should be considered: a credit

valuation adjustment (CVA); and a debit valuation adjustment (DVA) to
reflect the counterparty’s or the entity’s own default risk.

• There is no specific guidance on the methods used to calculate CVA and

DVA, which creates challenges in estimation.

April 2014 Credit valuation adjustments for derivative contracts 1

 1. Background
IFRS 13 became effective for annual periods commencing on or after
1 January 2013. IFRS 13 requires that fair value be measured based on market
participants’ assumptions, which would consider counterparty credit risk in
derivative valuations. Furthermore, the standard is explicit that the fair value of
a liability should reflect the effect of non-performance risk, including, but not
limited to, an entity's own credit risk (as defined in IFRS 7 Financial Instruments:
Disclosures).
As a result, IFRS 13 requires entities to consider the effects of credit risk when
determining a fair value measurement, e.g. by calculating a debit valuation
adjustment (DVA) or a credit valuation adjustment (CVA) on their derivatives.
As no specific method is prescribed in the accounting literature, various
approaches are used in practice by derivatives dealers and end users to
Fair value must be
estimate the effect of credit risk on the fair value of OTC derivatives.
measured based on
The degree of sophistication in the credit adjustment valuation method used by
market participants’ a reporting entity is influenced by the qualitative factors noted below.
assumptions, which Estimation can be complex and requires the use of significant judgement which
would consider credit is often influenced by various qualitative factors, including:
risk in derivative • The materiality of the entity’s derivative’s carrying value to its financial
statements
valuations
• The number and type of contracts for derivatives in the entity’s portfolio
• The extent to which derivative instruments are either deeply in or out of the
money
• The existence and terms of credit mitigation arrangements (e.g., collateral
arrangements in place)
• The cost and availability of technology to model complex credit exposures
• The cost and consistent availability of suitable input data to calculate an
accurate credit adjustment
• The credit worthiness of the entity and its counterparties

2. What has changed?

Although the requirements of IFRS 13 for non-performance risk in the valuation
of liabilities are consistent with the prior fair value measurement guidance in
IFRS, it is clearer that fair value includes such adjustments. IAS 39 Financial
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement (IAS 39) refers to making
adjustments for credit risk if market participants would reflect that risk when
pricing a financial instrument. However, the adoption of IFRS 13 and its more
explicit requirements for own credit risk may result in a change in practice for
some entities.
Major bank defaults (and subsequent legal claims on outstanding derivative
contracts) during the financial crisis highlighted the need to incorporate
counterparty credit risk into the valuation process. As a result, most market
participants are able to rationalise the conceptual need for a CVA adjustment
on their derivative assets and, in many cases, are already applying this
adjustment.

2 April 2014 Credit valuation adjustments for derivative contracts

 However, many other financial institutions and most end-users have historically
Definition of terms cited a number of reasons for not incorporating a DVA in their derivative
liability positions, including;
Credit default swap (CDS)
A credit derivative whereby the • The counterintuitive impact of recognising a gain in profit or loss as their
seller of the CDS compensates the own creditworthiness deteriorates
buyer in the event of default or
other specified credit event based • The difficulty or inability to monetise or obtain economic benefit from the
on an underlying reference entity own credit gain upon transfer or close out of the derivative liability
or index. • The increase in systemic risk that can arise from hedging DVA

Credit support annex (CSA) • That accounting standards are not explicit in requiring such an adjustment
A legal document that regulates and market practice on booking such adjustments is mixed.
the credit support (collateral) for
IFRS 13 is explicit that own credit risk must be incorporated into the fair value
derivative transactions and forms
measurement of a derivative liability under the concept of an exit price (as
part of an ISDA Master Agreement.
opposed to the IAS 39 'settlement price'). The standard is clear that an entity's
intention to settle or otherwise fulfil the liability or exit the instrument is not
Discounted cash flow (DCF)
A technique used to calculate the
relevant when measuring fair value. Even if an entity is unable to transfer a
present value of future cash-flows. liability, the IASB believes the transfer notion is necessary for measuring fair
value, because “it captures market participants’ expectations about the
International Swaps and liquidity, uncertainty and other associated factors, whereas, a settlement
Derivatives Association notion may not because it may consider entity-specific factors”1.
agreement (ISDA agreement)
In discussing the transfer notion, IFRS 13 explicitly states that the liability would
Part of a framework of documents
not be settled or extinguished at the measurement date, but rather, is assumed
designed to enable OTC derivatives
to remain outstanding with the market participant transferee required to fulfil
to be documented fully and
the obligation. Non-performance risk is assumed to be the same before and
flexibly.
after the transfer which contemplates a transfer to a market participant whose
The ISDA master agreement sets
out the standard terms that apply
credit risk is identical to the reporting entity. As the fair value of the liability is
to all transactions and is published considered from the perspective of market participants, and not the entity
by the International Swaps and itself, any relative efficiencies (or inefficiencies) of the reporting entity in
Derivatives Association. settling the liability would not be considered in the fair value measurement.
IFRS 13 also requires that valuation techniques maximise the use of relevant
Hypothetical derivative observable inputs and minimise the use of unobservable inputs. This
A mathematical expedient for
requirement is consistent with the idea that fair value is a market-based
calculating hedge (in)effectiveness
using a derivative that would have measurement and, therefore, is determined using market-based observable
critical terms that exactly match data, to the extent they are available and relevant. Therefore, the fair value
those of a hedged item. measurement of an OTC derivative under IFRS 13 would generally require the
use of market-observable credit spreads if they are available. This creates an
Loss given default (LGD) implicit hierarchy of the sources of credit risk data with market observable
The amount that one party expects current credit spreads being ranked higher than historical or blended data.
not to recover if the other party
defaults.

Over-the-counter (OTC)
A bilateral derivative executed
between two counterparties
outside of a regulated derivatives
exchange environment.

Probability of default (PD)

The probability that the
counterparty or reporting entity
defaults.

1 IFRS 13.BC82.

April 2014 Credit valuation adjustments for derivative contracts 3

 3. How do credit adjustments work?
In simple terms, the requirement for a credit adjustment as a component of fair
value measurement can be analogised to the need for a provision on a trade
receivable or an impairment charge on an item of PP&E. Whilst this analogy
helps conceptualise the requirement, the characteristics of derivatives mean the
calculation itself can be significantly more complex than for amortised cost
assets. Many derivative valuation models assume that the parties to the contract
will perform and therefore do not adjust for credit risk.
Consistent with the fact that credit risk affects the initial measurement of a
derivative asset or liability, IFRS 13 requires that changes in counterparty credit
risk or an entity’s own credit standing must be considered in subsequent fair
value measurements. It cannot be assumed that the parties to the derivative
contract will perform.
Given the terms of the asset or liability were determined based on the
counterparty’s or entity’s credit standing at the time of entering into the
contract (and since IFRS 13 assumes a liability is transferred to another party
with the same credit standing at the measurement date), subsequent changes in
a counterparty’s or entity’s credit standing will result in the derivative’s terms
being favourable or unfavourable relative to current market conditions.
Unlike the credit exposure of a vanilla receivable which remains constant over
time (typically at the principle amount of the receivable), the bilateral nature of
the credit exposure in many derivatives varies, whereby both parties to the
contract may face potential exposure in the future. As such, many instruments
have the possibility of having a value that is either positive (a derivative asset) or
negative (a derivative liability) at different points in time based on changes in the
underlying variables of the contract.
Table 1 below illustrates the income statement and balance sheet effect of CVA
and DVA adjustments as a component of fair value measurement on a single
derivative asset or liability.

Table 1: Accounting for CVA and DVA

Derivative asset example - CVA CU’000 Derivative liability example - DVA CU’000

Derivative position Risk-free derivative asset 100 Risk-free derivative liability (100)
valued using the risk-free
curve (1)

Credit adjustment Counterparty credit adjustment (10) Debit adjustment based on own 5
required (2) credit

Credit-adjusted Derivative asset 90 Derivative liability (95)

derivative position

Subsequent credit movements

Counterparty credit A gain arises in the income statement and Own credit A loss arises in the income statement and is
improves is reflected by a larger derivative asset on improves reflected by a larger derivative liability on
the balance sheet the balance sheet

Counterparty credit A further CVA charge is required in the Own credit A further DVA credit is required to the
deteriorates income statement and is reflected by a deteriorates income statement and is reflected by a
reduced derivative asset on the balance reduced derivative liability on the balance
sheet sheet
Notes:
(1)
The table represents a point-in-time during the life of a derivative asset or liability.
(2)
For illustrative purposes, we have assumed the counterparty credit valuation adjustment is CU10,000 and the debit valuation adjustment
is CU5,000. These credit adjustments are not intended to reflect reality.

4 April 2014 Credit valuation adjustments for derivative contracts

4. Valuation methods
The determination of a credit adjustment can be complex. Part of the
complexity stems from the particular nature of credit risk in many OTC
derivative contracts. Credit risk associated with a derivative contract is similar
to other forms of credit risk in that the cause of economic loss is an obligor’s
default on its contractual obligation. However, for many derivative products,
two features set credit risk apart from traditional forms of credit risk in
instruments such as debt:
• The uncertainty of the future exposure associated with the instrument. This
is due to the uncertainty of future changes in value of the derivative, as the
cash flows required under the instrument stem from: (1) movements in
underlying variables that drive the value of the contract; and (2) the
progression of time towards the contract’s expiry.
• The bilateral nature of credit exposure in many derivatives, whereby both
parties to the contract may face potential exposure in the future. This can
occur in instruments such as swaps and forwards given the potential for
these derivatives to ’flip’ from an asset to a liability (or vice versa), based on
changes in the underlying variables to the contract (e.g., interest rates or
foreign exchange rates).
As previously noted, there are no specific valuation methods prescribed in the
accounting literature to quantify the impacts of non-performance risk on
derivatives’ fair value. IFRS 13 is a principles-based standard intended to
provide a general framework for measuring fair value. It was not intended to
provide detailed application guidance for calculating the fair value of various
types of assets and liabilities. Likewise, IAS 39 does not provide specific
valuation guidance related to derivatives. As a result, extensive judgement
needs to be applied, potentially resulting in diversity in the methods and
approaches used to quantify credit risk, particularly as it pertains to derivatives.
As discussed above, a variety of factors may influence the method an entity
chooses for estimating credit adjustments. In addition, the cost and availability
of technology and input data to model complex credit exposures will also be a
contributing factor.
Below, we discuss some of the more common approaches that have been
observed in practice for calculating valuation adjustments for non-performance
risk on OTC derivative contracts. Detailed descriptions of these methods and
their advantages/disadvantages can be found in the appendix to this
publication.
The most advanced approach for calculating credit adjustments used within the
banking sector (and other financial institutions with large derivative portfolios)
is the Expected Future Exposure (EFE) approach. Using this method, the market
variables driving a derivative’s fair value are simulated. Expected exposure over
the life of the derivative is calculated by revaluing the derivative for each
simulated market scenario. These exposure profiles are then used to determine
a CVA and DVA by applying counterparty and own PDs, respectively. While the
EFE approach may be considered the most theoretically pure approach, it can
be very complex and it needs to be executed by quantitative experts and
requires access to significant IT systems.

April 2014 Credit valuation adjustments for derivative contracts 5

 As a result, many end users have adopted alternative approaches for estimating
the effect of credit risk on their derivative contracts. While a variety of less
complex approaches exist, they typically focus on current exposure. For
example, some approaches calculate CVA/DVA based only on the current
market value of the derivative, without simulating different possible future
outcomes. Other approaches calculate future exposure of a derivative based on
current market information (such as forward rates), assessing whether the
derivative is expected to be an asset or liability at several future dates.
However, these approaches do not reflect different possible outcomes for the
fair value at the point of default. These approaches can be referred to generally
as current exposure methods.
Whereas the EFE approach can be used for many types of derivatives,
alternative approaches may be more restrictive on the type of products for
which they are able to estimate credit adjustments. For example, the swaption
approach, which models the exposure as a series of options, can only be applied
to interest rate swaps. Furthermore, some methods cannot be applied at a
counterparty or portfolio level, either because exposure to a counterparty
contains derivative types that the method cannot handle or because of
limitations inherent in the method. For example, the discounted cash flow
approach, which adds a credit spread to a risk free rate (or a benchmark rate)
before discounting, is difficult to apply at a counterparty level when collateral is
involved or when there are offsetting trades subject to a master netting
agreement.
The bilateral nature of certain derivative types is addressed in some, but not all,
of the methods. An example is the variable exposure approach, which calculates
CVA as the cost of buying CDS protection for the future exposure at each cash
flow date. The future exposures are determined based on the current yield
curve (i.e., how the exposure of the swap is expected to change over time,
based on the current yield curve). This approach applies own or counterparty
credit spreads, based on whether the future exposure at each cash flow date is
a net asset or liability. In contrast, the constant exposure approach, based on
the same concept of buying CDS protection, assesses the potential future
exposure by adding a standard profile as a proxy for the potential future
exposure of the derivative to the current fair value of each transaction and,
hence, does not incorporate the bilateral nature of certain derivative types.
We have also seen approaches driven by in-house calculations, for example,
applying a duration approach to calculate an approximate valuation adjustment.
This is a useful starting point to check if the adjustment is likely to be material,
but tends to overstate the credit adjustment required.
In some cases, entities have relied on qualitative views of counterparty credit,
generally resulting in no credit adjustment being applied. Reporting entities
have pointed to both strong internal credit risk management policies, i.e.,
transacting OTC derivatives with investment grade counterparties and/or major
banks only, and also the historical low default rates in the financial services
sector. A combination of the guidance in IFRS 13 and a credit environment
where credit spreads have widened significantly, has undermined this
qualitative approach. The non-performance risk associated with even highly
rated counterparties has proven to be volatile and this should be reflected in
the fair value of the associated derivative contracts. A qualitative approach may
still be applied in certain scenarios, for example, where the unadjusted fair
value of derivatives is not material in totality or the tenure of the derivatives is
very short-dated.

6 April 2014 Credit valuation adjustments for derivative contracts

5. Data challenges
In addition to the method employed to determine a credit adjustment, the
inputs used in the various approaches can often require even more judgement.
Regardless of method, PD, LGD or credit spread assumptions are important
inputs. While the sources of information may vary, the objective remains
unchanged, that is, to incorporate inputs that reflect the assumptions of market
participants in the current market.
Where available, IFRS 13 requires entities to make maximum use of
market-observable credit information. For example, CDS spreads may provide a
good indication of the market’s current perception of a particular reporting
entity’s or counterparty’s creditworthiness. However, CDS spreads will likely not
be available for smaller public companies or private entities. In these instances,
reporting entities may need to consider other available indicators of
creditworthiness, such as publicly traded debt or loans.
In the absence of any observable indicator of creditworthiness, a reporting
entity may be required to combine a number of factors to arrive at an
appropriate credit valuation adjustment. For example, it may be necessary to
determine an appropriate credit spread using a combination of own issuance
credit spread data, publicly available information on competitors’ debt pricing,
sector specific CDS spreads or relevant indices, or historical company or
sector-specific PDs.
In all cases, identifying the basis for selecting the proxy, benchmark or input,
including any analysis performed and assumptions made, should be
documented. Such an analysis may include calculating financial ratios to
evaluate the reporting entity’s financial position relative to its peer group and
their credit spreads. These metrics may consider liquidity, leverage and general
financial strength, as well as comparable attributes such as credit ratings,
similarities in business mix and level of regulation or geographic footprint.
The use of historical default rates would seem to be inconsistent with the exit
price notion in IFRS 13, particularly when credit spread levels in the current
environment differ significantly from historical averages. Therefore, when
current observable information is unavailable, management should adjust
historical data to arrive at its best estimate of the assumptions that market
participants would use to price the instrument in an orderly transaction in the
current market.
In Table 2 overleaf, we have highlighted some of the common sources of credit
information and the advantages and disadvantages of using each input for the
credit adjustment calculation.

April 2014 Credit valuation adjustments for derivative contracts 7

 Table 2: Credit data requirements

Data requirements Advantages Disadvantages

CDS curve (own or • Market observable • Not available for many entities
counterparty) • Information is current (for counterparties • May not be representative of all the assets of the
with adequate CDS trading volume) entity
• Easy to source from third party data • May have liquidity issues due to low trading volumes,
providers resulting in higher-than-expected spreads and
additional volatility in calculations
• Exposure-specific data available for most
banking counterparties • CDS quotes may be indicative quotes, not necessarily
reflective of actual trades

Current debt credit • Market observable • May require an adjustment for illiquidity
spread • Available for some publicly traded debt • May require a judgemental adjustment due to
instruments maturity mismatch and amount of security of debt
issuance and derivative to be valued
• Easy to source from third party data
providers

Sector-specific CDS Index • Market-observable • Not exposure-specific; may require judgemental

adjustments to reflect differences between proxy and
or competitor CDS Curve • Information is current
entity (e.g., size, credit rating, etc.)
• Easy to source from third party data
providers • Index CDS curves can be influenced by
macro-economic factors, which do not affect entity or
• Proxy CDS curve mapping is possible for affect entity to a lesser or greater extent
almost all entities

Debt issuance credit • Market observable • Information can be outdated and may require an
adjustment for illiquidity
spread • Information can be current, in case a
recent issuance can be referenced (or • As it is not always possible to reference a recent
where pricing terms are available ahead issuance, a judgemental adjustment may be required
of debt issuance) to bridge gap between debt issue date and derivative
valuation date (i.e., financial reporting date)
• Easy to source from third party data
providers and/or from treasurer, through • May require a judgemental adjustment due to
communications with the banks maturity mismatch of debt issuance and derivative to
be valued

Credit rating /historical • Rating agency data available for most • Information can be outdated
entities
default information (e.g. • Conversion to PD may be based on historical
Moody’s publication of • Easy to source from third party data information
providers
Historic Probability of • May require an adjustment from long-term average
Default) measure to a ‘point-in-time’ measure
• Not associated with a specific maturity; ratings are
generally long term average estimates of
creditworthiness, which may not be appropriate for
short term derivatives

Internal credit risk • May be applied by most entities • Based on unobservable information
analysis • Ability to customise internal models • Information can be outdated
• May not be consistent with what other market
participants would use

8 April 2014 Credit valuation adjustments for derivative contracts

6. Portfolio approaches and credit mitigation
arrangements
When calculating derivative credit adjustments, reporting entities may factor in
their ability to reduce their counterparty exposures through any existing netting
or collateral arrangements. The measurement exception in IFRS 132 allows a
reporting entity to measure the net credit risk of a portfolio of derivatives to a
single counterparty, assuming there is an enforceable arrangement in place
that mitigates credit risk upon default (e.g., master netting agreement).

6.1 Collateral arrangements

In many instances, counterparty credit exposure in derivative transactions can
be reduced through collateral requirements. Such arrangements serve to limit
the potential exposure of one counterparty to the other by requiring the
out-of-the-money counterparty to post collateral (e.g., cash or liquid securities)
to the in-the-money counterparty. While these and other credit mitigation
arrangements often serve to reduce credit exposure, they typically do not
eliminate the exposure completely.
For example, many collateral agreements do not require collateral to be posted
until a certain threshold has been reached, and then, collateral is required only
for the exposure in excess of the threshold. In addition, even when transactions
with a counterparty are subject to collateral requirements, entities remain
exposed to what is commonly referred to as ‘gap risk’ (i.e., the exposure arising
from fluctuations in the value of the derivatives before the collateral is called
and between the time it is called and the time it is actually posted).
Finally, collateral arrangements may be either unilateral or bilateral. Unilateral
arrangements require only one party to the contract to post collateral, whereas
under bilateral agreements, both counterparties are subject to collateral
requirements, although potentially at different threshold levels.

6.2 Netting arrangements

A master netting agreement is a legally binding contract between two
counterparties to net exposures under other agreements or contracts (e.g.,
relevant ISDA agreements, CSAs and any other credit enhancements or risk
mitigation arrangements in place) between the same two parties. Such netting
may be effected with respect to periodic payments (payment netting),
settlement payments following the occurrence of an event of default (close-out
netting) or both. In cases of default, such an agreement serves to protect the
parties from paying out on the gross amount of their payable positions, while
receiving less than the full amount on their gross receivable positions with the
same counterparty.
Given the recent implementation of the amendments to IFRS 7 Disclosures —
Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (Amendments to IFRS 7)3,
which require disclosure of the effects of set-off and related netting on an
entity’s financial position, entities should have already examined these
agreements and determined how they apply in practice.

2
IFRS 13.48.
3 Issued in December 2011 and mandatorily effective for annual periods beginning on or after
1 January 2013 and interim periods within those annual periods.

April 2014 Credit valuation adjustments for derivative contracts 9

 In situations where an entity passes the measurement exception criteria
detailed in IFRS 13, it will still need to assess whether it has the practical ability
to implement a credit valuation method which reflects the net counterparty
exposure. This can be challenging, particularly for those entities that do not
have systems in place to capture the relevant net positions by
debtor/counterparty. Also, an allocation of the portfolio level adjustments is
required, as discussed in detail below.
A further complication arises if the net exposure represents the position across
different classes of derivatives (for example interest rate swaps and FX
forwards). Basic valuation methods can attempt to approximate a net position
through the creation of an appropriate ‘modelled net position’ representing the
net risk.
Given their ability to reduce credit exposure, netting and collateral
arrangements are typically considered in determining the CVA for a portfolio of
derivatives. This can add to the complexity of the calculation as total expected
credit exposure must be determined not just for a single derivative contract
(whose value changes over time), but for a portfolio of derivative contracts
(which can include both derivative assets and derivative liabilities). Simply
taking the sum of the CVA of individual trades could dramatically overstate the
potential credit exposure, as it would not take into account positions in the
portfolio with offsetting exposures. Consequently, when netting agreements
and collateral arrangements are in place, and a company has elected to
measure its derivative positions with offsetting credit risk using the
measurement exception in IFRS 13, the expected exposure is generally
analysed at the portfolio level (i.e., on a net basis).

6.3 Allocation of portfolio-level credit adjustments

The use of the measurement exception under IFRS 13 does not change the fact
that the unit of account is the individual derivative contract, a concept
particularly important when an individual derivative is designated as a hedging
instrument in a hedging relationship.
In the absence of any guidance under IFRS for how portfolio level credit
adjustments should be allocated to individual derivatives, we can look to
practices that have evolved in the market.
Various quantitative allocation methods have been accepted in practice, based
on the appropriate circumstances if consistently applied. These methods have
been accepted as long as a reporting entity can support that the method is
appropriate for its facts and circumstances and is applied consistently.
The following methods have been commonly used:
• Relative fair value approach — the entity allocates a portion of the
portfolio-level credit adjustment to each derivative asset and liability based
on the relative fair value of each of the derivative to the fair value of the
portfolio.
• In-exchange or full credit approach — the entity uses the derivative‘s
stand-alone fair value (in-exchange premise), which would take into account
the credit standing of the parties and ignore the effect of the master netting
arrangement. The benefit of this model is that it avoids the complexity of an
allocation.

10 April 2014 Credit valuation adjustments for derivative contracts

• Relative credit adjustment approach — the entity allocates a portion of the
portfolio-level credit adjustment to each derivative asset and liability based
on the relative credit adjustment of each of the derivative instruments to
the portfolio. This approach would require use of an in-exchange premise to
calculate a credit adjustment for each instrument.
• Marginal contribution approach — the entity allocates a portion of the
portfolio-level credit adjustment to each derivative asset and liability, based
on the marginal amount that each derivative asset or liability contributes to
the portfolio-level credit adjustment.
Once allocated, the adjustment to the fair value of an individual derivative used
as a hedging instrument must be incorporated into the assessment of that
hedge’s effectiveness.
Given the renewed focus on credit adjustments, it is likely that valuation
methods will become more sophisticated and new techniques and refinements
to the above portfolio allocation techniques will arise.

7. Interaction with hedge accounting

The inclusion of a credit adjustment within the derivative fair value
measurement can have a significant impact on an entity’s hedge accounting
relationships. A CVA or DVA is likely to cause hedge ineffectiveness in any fair
value or cash flow hedge relationship. This is because any change in
creditworthiness associated with the hedging derivative that would drive a CVA
or DVA adjustment is not likely replicated in the fair value movements of the
hedged item. In conjunction with other sources of ineffectiveness, the value
volatility from the credit risk associated with the counterparty or the entity may
result in failing the hedge effectiveness test.
Although fair value hedges have historically reflected the ineffectiveness
caused, the interaction of credit adjustments for cash flow hedges has
historically been viewed as more open to interpretation, largely due to diversity
in practice. Table 3 outlines some of the approaches which have been used in
practice.
IFRS 9 clarifies that for both fair value hedges and cash flow hedges, the hedge
accounting model is a valuation model which requires the value of the hedged
item and hedging instrument to be measured independently. Hedge
(in)effectiveness is then measured by comparing the changes in the value of the
hedging instrument and the hedged item, which would both need to consider
credit risk. The model does not allow perfect hedge effectiveness to be assumed
even where a hypothetical derivative is used, as this could conceal differences in
the credit risk or liquidity of the hedging instrument and the hedged item.

April 2014 Credit valuation adjustments for derivative contracts 11

 Table 3: Credit adjustments in cash flow hedges

Credit valuation approach Resulting Ineffectiveness

1 • Calculate a credit-related valuation adjustment as • Where the fair value of the hedging derivative asset or liability
part of the fair value of the hedging instrument, but includes a CVA or DVA, the cumulative change in fair value of the
ignore credit risk when valuing the hedged item hedging instrument should, in most cases, be a lower amount than
the cumulative change in fair value of the hedged item.
• Include difference in effectiveness assessment
• To the extent the hedging derivative has a lower cumulative
change in fair value (akin to an under-hedge), the entire change in
value is recognised in other comprehensive income.
• This method generally assumes that the hedging derivative has a
nil fair value at inception of the hedge relationship.

2 • Calculate a credit-related valuation adjustment as • This method assumes the credit spread of the entity and the
part of the fair value of the hedging instrument and counterparty are equal, which would be pure coincidence.
replicate the credit spread used for the hedging
derivative in the hypothetical derivative
• Whilst this method eliminates the majority of credit-related
valuation ineffectiveness, if there are no matched terms, the
representing the hedged item
relative fair values of the hedging derivative and hedged item may
still result in some hedge ineffectiveness.
• For measurement purposes only, over-hedged amounts are
recognised in the income statement.
• This method generally assumes that the hedging derivative has a
nil fair value at inception of the hedge relationship.

3 • Calculate a credit-related valuation adjustment for • This method incorporates the credit risk in the valuation of both
the hedging instrument and use an appropriate the hedging instrument and the hedged item, with the credit risk
adjustment for credit risk for the hedged item4 adjustment representing the credit risk that is associated with
each item (i.e., the credit risk adjustment for the hedged item
represents the credit risk of that item and is independent of the
credit risk associated with the hedging instrument).
• For measurement purposes only, over-hedged amounts are
recorded in the income statement

How we see it
The issue of credit valuation adjustments has been brought into the spotlight
with the adoption of IFRS 13. It is expected that the topic will continue to
attract attention and debate. Hopefully, this will result in greater
understanding, improved methods and consistency between reporting
entities.

Since no method is prescribed for credit valuation adjustments, entities will

need to apply judgement in selecting the most appropriate method in the
circumstances based on the requirements in IFRS 13. The complexity and
judgement involved in selecting and consistently applying a method may
require entities to provide additional disclosures to assist users of financial
statements.

4 As considered in IFRS 9

12 April 2014 Credit valuation adjustments for derivative contracts

Appendix: Credit risk modelling for derivatives
The methods discussed in this appendix represent some of the more common approaches that have been observed in practice. However, reporting entities may be
using other approaches. We have highlighted the major advantages and disadvantages of each approach. In all cases, judgement will be required to assess the
appropriateness of the methodology used and compliance with IFRSs. The methods presented only differ in the way they estimate the future exposure profile, and
not in the choice of the credit risk parameter.
Calculation
Description Advantages Disadvantages
method
Expected future • Considered to be the most • Costly to implement
theoretically pure approach
exposure • Involves complex modelling and
approach • Methodology takes both current and requires advanced technical skills
potential future exposure into
account
• High requirements with respect to
IT infrastructure
• Considers bilateral nature of
This approach simulates market variables that influence the price of a derivative, e.g., interest derivatives (i.e., possibility that a
rates and foreign exchange rates, taking into account the volatility of these market variables. For derivative asset becomes a liability)
each scenario, the fair value of the derivative is calculated, which results in an exposure path over • Can be applied on transaction level
the life of the derivative. Running this simulation many times and averaging the positive exposure and counterparty level (multiple
and negative exposure results in EPE and ENE, where EPE is the Expected Positive Exposure and derivatives with same counterparty)
ENE the Expected Negative Exposure. In the formula above, is the risk-free discount factor at
time bucket t. The CVA calculation utilises counterparty PDs, while for DVA, own PDs are used.
• Third-party software packages
available
Collateral may be incorporated directly in the exposure simulation. Netting may be applied when
aggregating EPE/ENE over several derivatives with the same counterparty.

Swaption • Methodology takes both current and • Applies to interest rate swap
potential future exposure into exposures only (including cross
approach 1,
account currency IRS)
• Considers bilateral nature of • Difficult to apply on counterparty
The swaption approach models EPE as a series of swaptions and is only applicable where the derivatives (i.e., possibility that a level, especially when exposure to
derivative is an interest rate swap. Simplistically, the exposure is modelled as an option on a derivative asset becomes a liability) a counterparty includes
reversed swap in case the counterparty defaults before the first cash flow date, plus an option on derivatives other than interest
• May be applied on transaction level
rate swaps
the reversed swap excluding the first cash flow in case the counterparty defaults between the first
and second cash flow dates, etc. The number of swaptions is determined by the remaining term of • Terms of swaptions are easy to
the contract and the payment frequency. determine
In the formula above, is the fair value of an option with expiry t on a swap opposite to • Intuitive appeal as the CVA is based
the derivative, with maturity T – t. 1, is the probability of default between time t – 1 and on the cost of replacing the asset
t. The CVA calculation utilises counterparty PDs, while for DVA own PDs are used.

April 2014 Credit valuation adjustments for derivative contracts 13

 Calculation
Description Advantages Disadvantages
method
Variable • Methodology takes current exposure • Does not account for potential
and future exposure (based on future exposure, as it does not
exposure
current market expectations, i.e., consider any variability of market
approach current forward rates at the variables that influence derivative
measurement date) into account fair value
This approach estimates CVA as the hypothetical cost to purchase credit protection, depending on
the forecast exposure of the derivative. Forecasting does not require simulation as it is based on • Considers bilateral nature of
the assumption that markets evolve according to current forward/futures prices. Therefore, derivatives (e.g., possibility that a
volatility of market variables is not taken into account. At each cash flow date of the derivative, derivative asset becomes a liability)
the fair value of the remaining cash flows is calculated. The variable exposure approach then sums • Can be applied on transaction level
the costs of buying CDS protection for the future exposure between consecutive cash flow dates. and counterparty level
For example, if the payment frequency of the derivative is quarterly, the maturity of each CDS
would be three months • Market-observable CDS spreads are
directly used for CDS pricing, not
In the formula above, is a par CDS with a notional principal equal to the present value of requiring assumptions to convert to
the remaining cash flows of the derivative at time t. In case the present value of the remaining PD
cash flows at a time point is a liability, own credit spreads are used to value the default leg of the
CDS. Otherwise, credit spreads of the counterparty are used. The present value of the premium • Intuitive appeal as the CVA is the
leg is used for calculating CVA. cost of purchasing credit protection

Constant • May be applied at the transaction • Does not account for potential
level and counterparty level, as future exposure, as it does not
exposure
add-on profiles can also be consider any variability of market
approach calculated on counterparty level variables that influence derivative
fair value
This approach is a simplification of the variable exposure approach, as the notional amount of • Market-observable CDS spreads are
each CDS is based on the current fair value of the derivative plus an add-on profile. This add-on directly used for CDS pricing, not • The approach without add-on
profile is a proxy for the potential future exposure of the derivative. The add-on profile is requiring assumptions to convert to profiles does not account for
computed in advance for a series of representative theoretical trades of standard maturities. PD potential future exposure at all
In the formula above, CDSt is a par CDS with a notional principal equal to the current fair value • Intuitive appeal as the CVA is the • Does not consider bilateral nature
plus the add-on (delta) profile at time t. CVA is calculated as the present value of the premium legs cost of purchasing credit protection of derivatives (i.e., only considers
of this series of CDS. For CVA, counterparty credit spreads are utilised to value the default leg of counterparty credit risk for
the CDS, while for DVA own credit spreads are used. derivative assets and own credit
A further simplification of this approach is to ignore the add-on profile. In this case, CVA is risk for derivative liabilities, over
calculated as the present value of the premium leg of one par CDS with a notional principal equal the life of the derivative)
to the current fair value of the derivative.

14 April 2014 Credit valuation adjustments for derivative contracts

Calculation
Description Advantages Disadvantages
method
Discounted cash • Methods (b), (c) and (d) consider • Does not account for potential
bilateral nature of derivatives (i.e., future exposure
flow approach possibility that a derivative asset
The discounted cash flow approach involves adjusting discount rates by including an additional becomes a liability)
• Method (a) does not consider the
bilateral nature of derivatives (i.e.,
credit spread to the discounted projected future cash flows. These adjusted discount rates are
• Methodology can be easily applied to only considers counterparty credit
then used to calculate . There are several variations of this methodology, with most vanilla derivative valuations risk for derivative assets and own
the difference being whether to use own credit spread or counterparty credit spread. These credit risk for derivative liabilities,
variations include: • Can be applied on transaction level
over the life of the derivative)
(a) Own/counterparty spread based on whether current MtM position is an asset or liability • Implemented by several software
vendors • Not applicable to complex
(b) Own/counterparty spread based on whether each individual future cash flow is a net asset or derivatives
liability
• Difficult to apply at counterparty
(c) Own/counterparty spread based on whether the cumulative net exposure at each cash flow level, as this requires valuing a
date is a net asset or liability. Method works through cash flows in chronological order synthetic instrument that includes
(d) As (c), but method works through cash flows in receding order with latest cash flows first all cash flows related to this
counterparty. Exposure to a
counterparty also cannot include
complex derivatives

Duration • Simple methodology can quickly • Does not account for potential
determine if adjustment is likely to future exposure
approach be material and therefore warrants
Duration is a measure that quantifies the sensitivity of the fair value of a derivative to interest rate • Does not consider bilateral nature
movements. This approach uses duration to measure how much the fair value of the derivative further attention
of derivatives (i.e., only considers
changes by applying the credit spread to the risk free valuation. The CVA calculation utilises the • Can be applied on transaction level counterparty credit risk for
counterparty credit spread, while for DVA own credit spread is used. and counterparty level derivative assets and own credit
In the formula above duration is the present value weighted average time of the cash flows. risk for derivative liabilities, over
is the current market value of the derivative, assuming neither party is subject to credit risk the life of the derivative)
• Not considered best practice

April 2014 Credit valuation adjustments for derivative contracts 15

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