Held-to-maturity (HTM)
US banks rejig securities to cut mark-to-market losses
Fifth Third leads charge with $12.6bn transfer from AFS to HTM pen
Don’t count on repo to monetise liquidity books, say experts
QT could force banks to sell bonds during stress, underlining need for fair value accounting
Asset-liability management: Special report 2023
There is nothing new about the dynamics behind the ALM banking crisis of earlier this year: maturity transformation, liquidity risk and interest rate risk are at the heart of the traditional banking business model. But these old threats have been given…
BofA cut $89 billion of AFS securities in H1
Pivot away from fair-value bond investments most sweeping among large US banks
After SVB downfall, EBA stress test seeks out unrealised losses
European regulator asks for data on the fair value and sensitivity of bonds and their hedges
Taking stock: putting a price on US bank regulation post-SVB
Tougher requirements could “blow a hole” of 200+bp in regulatory capital ratios – and cripple equity returns
Big US banks boost cash holdings by nearly 8% in Q1
Dash for cash props up HQLAs as AFS securities drop to six-year low
At US banks, share of HTM securities ticks up in Q1
Despite liquidity squeeze, regional banks increased proportion to a six-year high
First Republic taps Fed facilities in effort to plug funding hole
Discount window and BTFP provide temporary relief as deposits slump $72bn in Q1
BofA slashed AFS Treasuries holdings by 36% in Q1
Partial sale of securities portfolio crystallises $200 million of paper losses
US banks seize chance to transfer securities from HTM to AFS
Wells Fargo, JP Morgan and Citi reclassify $34bn following new hedge accounting treatment
The Catch-22 of US banks’ liquidity buffers
US banks are using held-to-maturity bonds to underpin liquidity adequacy, grating against accounting guidance. What happens if they’re forced to sell?
Did US hedge accounting rules contribute to SVB’s recklessness?
Hedging and directional risk-taking was a problem, but FASB regime may have complicated matters
US banks vulnerable to losses if HTM securities need to be sold
Overall mark-to-market value $300bn lower than amortised cost across 30 banks
SVB opens floodgates on liquidity buffers debate
European regulator says HQLAs should be booked at fair value, but not everyone agrees
HTM securities hit $2.5trn at US banks in 2022
BofA, First Foundation and Wells Fargo reported largest share of HTM to total securities behind SVB
At regional US banks, BTFP-eligible securities top $300bn
Assets classified as held-to-maturity made up less than 19% of aggregate securities portfolios in 2022
First Republic had just $11bn eligible for Fed’s new facility
The bank held nearly $20bn of municipal bonds, representing over 60% of its securities portfolio
At US banks, less than 50% of liquid assets classified as AFS
Goldman Sachs reported smallest proportion relative to HQLAs across US banks subject to LCR
Contrarian Goldman grew fair-value bond book in 2022
Held-to-maturity securities balloon, but bank also adds mark-to-market Treasuries as others curtail them
JP Morgan nets $1.9 billion bond book gain in swift turnaround
Q4 reversal in fair-value securities powers record quarterly increase in CET1 capital