UK Basel 3.1: Credit risk standardised approach – off-balance sheet items
On 20 January 2026, the PRA published Policy Statement (PS) 1/26, setting out the final Basel 3.1 policy package. This comprises PRA Rulebook instruments, supervisory statements, statements of policy, and the associated reporting and disclosure templates and instructions.
The package largely confirms the near-final policy, with only minor amendments, corrections and clarifications (alongside targeted market risk updates consulted on separately).
Basel 3.1 will take effect on 1 January 2027, while the FRTB Internal Model Approach will come into effect on 1 January 2028.
Key changes to determine the exposure value of off-balance sheet items, include:
Off-balance sheet items are categorised into:
- issued off-balance sheet items where a firm has underwritten an obligation to a third-party and stands behind the risk; and
- commitments to extend credit, purchase assets, or issue off-balance sheet items at a future date.
Conversion factor (CF) increased from 0% to 10% for unconditionally cancellable undrawn commitments.
Commitments, where drawdowns are certain, will attract a CF of 100%.
Other transaction-related contingent items will attract a CF of 20%.
‘Other commitments,’ aside from UK residential mortgage commitments will attract a CF of 40%.
Other issued off-balance sheet items (including UK residential mortgage commitments that are not subject to a CF of 10% (unconditionally cancellable) or 100% (drawdown is certain)) shall receive a CF of 50%.
A summary of the revised classifications and applicable CFs is given below:
Existing and revised CFs:
Items in the ‘Existing’ column are re-arranged to align them with the revised rules for comparison purposes.
Colour coding and pointers have been added to the table to highlight the change in the risk category.
How We Can Help
Banks may face a variety of challenges when preparing for Basel 3.1. At Katalysys, we have a deep understanding of prudential regulatory requirements both from the perspective of rules and practical implementation. Our team is already supporting a range of clients in this area, and includes:
Workshops or training to cover new requirements.
Gap and impact analyses.
Guidance on implementing industry best-practice in relation to the Basel 3.1 standards.
Documenting or updating assumptions and interpretations in regulatory reporting.
Preparation of regulatory reporting policies and procedure notes.
Validation of the system outputs and calculations.
Review of regulatory returns, including post-implementation of Basel 3.1 changes.
For more information, please contact:
Josh Nowak
Managing Director, Risk & Regulatory Consulting
T: +44 (0)7587 720 988
Manish Patidar
Director, Regulatory Consulting
T: +44 (0)7766 001 643