The Bank of England (BOE) will maintain the confidentiality of any pension funds, insurers, or hedge funds that seek support under its new financial stability tool, Deputy Governor Dave Ramsden announced. The measure aims to prevent a broader crisis from destabilizing the economy.
Speaking on Monday, Ramsden explained that the BOE acknowledges concerns raised by "shadow banks" that publicly disclosing their use of the bailout tool could create a stigma, undermining the effectiveness of the rescue and exacerbating financial instability.
The Contingent Non-Bank Financial Institution Repo Facility (CNRF), which will serve as a backstop for the gilt market, is set to launch in early 2025 following a slight delay. Ramsden noted that the gilt market is critical to the UK's financial system due to its scale and interconnectedness.
The creation of the CNRF reflects the evolving structure of financial markets since the 2008 financial crisis. Historically, only regulated banks had access to the BOE’s balance sheet under strict oversight. The tool was developed in response to events like the 2022 mini-budget crisis when liability-driven investment (LDI) funds faced severe liquidity challenges.
The CNRF will only be activated during extreme stress when gilt market disruptions pose a threat to financial stability that existing banking facilities cannot resolve. Users will be able to exchange collateral, such as gilts, for cash, with a “haircut” applied to mitigate risks for the BOE.
Ramsden indicated that the facility might expand beyond its initial focus on insurance companies, life assurers, and LDI funds, potentially including hedge funds. “We’re starting with these sectors, but it’s certainly not where we’ll stop. Further phases will follow,” he said.
The CNRF builds on lessons from the financial crisis, where concerns about stigma deterred banks from using standard BOE liquidity facilities for fear of appearing financially unstable. To mitigate similar risks, the BOE will not disclose the identities of firms accessing the CNRF. Instead, it will release aggregate borrowing data if the facility is activated.
Ramsden also highlighted the changing landscape of UK financial markets, with market-based lending now representing 56% of the £1.4 trillion ($1.8 trillion) in UK corporate debt. Hedge funds play an increasingly significant role in gilt markets, accounting for 28% of trading volumes, up from 16% in 2018. This shift necessitates new tools like the CNRF to address emerging risks.
The Deputy Governor emphasized the importance of understanding vulnerabilities, such as hedge fund leverage and market concentration, to safeguard the financial system. “The BOE must monitor these developments to manage potential system-wide risks effectively,” he said.
