FVA – Sailing on the uncharted waters

Abstract

Purpose – This report aims to investigate the approaches taken by financial institution to implement and compute the funding valuation adjustment (FVA). FVA can be defined as the incremental cost attributable to trades with non-collateralised counterparties. This cost emerges related to the need to fund the collateral calls associated with collateralised hedge trades. In this respect, one common challenge faced by banks relates to designing appropriate methodological approaches to compute an FVA. Design/methodology/approach – Recognising the growing importance of an FVA, this report is designed to investigate different approaches to computing FVA and pricing funding costs into the uncollateralised positions. Embarking on semi-structured interviews, the report explores the methodologies and structural solutions utilised by global banks. Findings – This report has indicated several influential trends that shape the nascent FVA landscape, as well as innovative initiatives undertaken by the banks to effectively use this metric. Going forward, this paper has pointed to a number of current and future challenges faced by the participating banks with regard to implementing the FVA. Originality/value – Before regulators make FVA punitive, unprofitable or inadequate by propagating the move to collateralised trading or introducing sanctions on banks recognising FVA in their financial statements, and thus reducing banks’ exposure to arbitrage opportunities, FVA will remain a challenging metric for the banking industry in the near future. Therefore, it is pivotal to understand any potential risks and operational difficulties arising from “sailing on the uncharted waters with FVA”. Moreover, it is necessary to understand market consensus on methodological approaches to computing FVA, as well as practices around constructing the bank’s own cost of funds curves.