Orange Earth

How Do You Reduce Regulatory Capital?By Doing What We Designed for a FTSE 100 Company

Regulatory Capital?In The UK Financial Services World, as it is across Europe, Regulatory Capital is calculated across the three pillars or the Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process.

The main findings of the ICAAP analysis are:how much and what composition of internal capital the firm considers it should hold as compared with the capital resource requirement (CRR) pillar 1 calculation, and the adequacy of the firms risk management processes.

Regulatory Capital?The Capital Resource Requirement (CRR) is the result of the Pillar 1 calculation and is mainly fixed overhead based, including winding down costs of the business or parts of it. Apart from accountancy efforts and a costs moratorium, there is little to be done to assist in this area from our perspective as a risk and compliance consultancy.However, where we score and can make a big difference is in the adequacy of the firms risk management processes.We saved a firm almost 20% of their Individual Capital Guidance (ICG) by helping define their risk management package

Several Key initiatives were identified amongst three main items;Implement a fully operational and effective risk governance structure enabling the timely identification, mitigation and reporting of the groups key risks along the chain of management up to the Board of DirectorsDesign and execute on an integrated control environment coordinated across all support functions to optimise the balance between efforts dedicated to controls improvement and areas of risks.Achieve the consistent integration of the risk tools and methodologies in the firms financial processes to inform the firms strategic decisions and ensure that the group remains within its risk appetite across all risk categories

Technical Situation was;The Credit Risk system needed urgent upgrading to take in all global feeds and be tested against the BCP.The risk identification and monitoring system required significant re-structuring to remove the one dimensional aspect of the risk reporting to a multi-level COSO cube based structure a challenge with the existing software (that had recently been relicensed and increased functionality applied).The Firms Risk Appetite needed to be clearly identified across the various risk categories and divisions to provide a clearer point to measure vulnerabilities and prioritise risks for mitigation action. The original method of risks were confused combined were cumulative in their assessment when the impact should have been totalled.

Solution was;The two risk consultants analysed the current risk database and quickly identified the single facet to the risks, calling for a complete overhaul of the list of potential standard risks on a triple layered standard, providing Management Information to the required level in a robust, consistent and appropriate standard.

Benefits were;Identification of the risks then provided a clearer and more accurate risk reporting regime which once identified could then be plugged into the entire business, creating business type specific scenarios for risk assessment purposes, feeding into the ICAAP calculations. This then provided an overall and measured risk assessment that provided quantifiable losses over previous qualitative measures. This had the benefit of saving over 18% of the regulatory risk capital requirement Translating into almost 100M!!!

Cost of Consultancy WorkTotal time spent 10 months.Resource Cost 5.3% of savings over 1 year.Resource Cost 1.06% of savings over 5 yearsInternal Cost approx. 350,000Senior Management sleep value - priceless

Dealing with a niche consultancyThere is more likelihood ofyour privacy and confidentialitybeing observed with fewer people working on the project.We (and/or the few people we might also involve) are constant which means that there isnt the need to sift through dozens of differing perceptions.Were faster. We can respond to requests quickly, and return all calls within four hours which means to you thatthere is no need to worry about a bureaucracy, delays and unknown people on the other end of the phoneDealing with a niche consultancySince we handle fewer concurrent projects than larger firms, our attention is focused on the job at hand. This means that you dont have to "compete" with another dozen or so of our clients, which may be larger, paying more or are more time-demanding.We structure our work so that every client receives maximum attention.Your investment is controlled.There is no "meter running".We work for a fixed, value-based, project fee. Large firms cant afford to do that as readily because of all the people involved and their own insistence on measuring their success by billable hours.We measure our success by client objectives reached, not in time units.Dealing with a niche consultancyThe expertise that larger firms use is often white-labelling for them by a pool of consultants available in the marketplace at any one time.We select our consultants frompractising subject matter expertswhich means that you obtain the same or better expertise for less money, because;Inevitably,we are less expensive. There are economies to using someone who can base their fees on each situation and not on a pre-determined service scale or need for reaching a practice quota. This means quite simply better value to you.Dealing with a niche consultancyYou are always dealing with the principalwhen you are dealing with my firm. This means that I am the relationship manager and there is no junior partner to whom responsibility will be transferred. There is no decreased accountability, no "hand-off" to a less-informed colleague.If your interests are at stake continually, shouldnt you reasonably expect my continual involvement?We canusually provide resources on a "just in time" basis. That is, our projects do not have to cover excessive overhead, such as multiple offices, large administrative backup, recruiting, partner perks, etc. We are organized to efficiently provide everything that you, as the buyer needs, but nothing more than that which means thatyou are paying for value and results and only minimum overhead.We will conduct an initial appraisal at our cost only charging for expensesWe will make a proposal based on our appraisal with your outcomes and needsWe will discuss the precise scope with you and provide you with a project priceWe will complete the work to your original scope and satisfactionWhat Makes Us Different?Phase 1Phase 2Phase 3Click Mouse Reveal Next PhasePhase 4

We have a wealth of Financial Services Experience, and due to the remedial and sensitive nature of our work forming over 60% of our business and that is conducted under a Non Disclosure Regime, we cannot demonstrate every client.Who Are Our Clients?

We Do have a large amount of experience in a number of other fields and industries within the major utilities and even Local Authorities.Who Are Our Clients?

How Can We Help You?We can provide all manner of assistance inInitial risk assessment or audit an initial analysis to identify higher risk areas of the business and weaknesses in procedures. We also do risk management design.Business development business analysis advice or advice on particular issues for example, how your firm is Treating Customers Fairly and an action plan for implementing Conduct Risk across your business.Help with setting up procedures for example procedural manuals for recruitment, training and competence, complaints handling and anti-money laundering. May also include templates for disclosure documents, fact-finds and registers.File audits checks to ensure that procedures are being followed and identify good practices and weaknessesComplaints Handling cost effective and project managed from start to finish making your response robust and consistentHow Can We Help You?Technical support may include advice on particular products or regulatory reporting. May be available in various formats, including website, helpdesk and individual technical advice.Training for example competency assessments, training opportunities or product risk guidance. May be online support, regulatory updates or seminar based.Support on individual issues for example in dealing with a complaint, a financial promotion or a particular suitability letter.Financial promotions(all areas of advertisement) - full support which would include websites, brochures, DVD's, email templates, client mail shots, adverts, contacting existing clients and so on.Remedial work helping to action remedial work required by the FCA/PRA.And much more just ask!

Questions? More Information?CEI Compliance Limitedwww.cei-compliance-limited.co.uk

Tel 07801 964980(UK)Tel +44 7092 289901 (Int)

We operate across the UK, Europe and the Middle East.

Currently exploring opportunities in Latin America