EBA finalises leasing data collection templates as prudential treatment exercise progresses

Following Leaseurope's successful efforts to secure a dedicated leasing provision in CRR III (Article 495c), the process supporting the European Banking Authority's (EBA) report on the prudential treatment of leasing has reached another important milestone. 

The EBA has now finalised the methodology, instructions and data collection templates that underpin its report on the prudential treatment of leasing under both the Standardised and Internal Ratings-Based (IRB) approaches. The final version reflects the extensive technical discussions held between the EBA and Leaseurope over months and incorporates the key points agreed throughout the process to ensure the exercise accurately captures the specific characteristics and low-risk profile of leasing. 

The templates were distributed through the National Competent Authorities (NCAs), to the parent banks participating in the one-off data collection exercise, and participating credit institutions have now submitted their data to their respective NCAs. 

To support participating institutions, Leaseurope convened a meeting of its informal group of leasing risk experts to present the final templates in detail, answer technical questions and discuss the implementation of the exercise. 

In parallel, the EBA also held a dedicated workshop for representatives of the banks participating in the exercise. The meeting brought together more than 200 participants and provided an important opportunity for institutions to seek clarification directly from the EBA on the reporting requirements and practical aspects of the templates. 

The process has now entered the data quality review phase, during which the National Competent Authorities are assessing the completeness and consistency of the information submitted before transmitting it to the EBA. Throughout the exercise, Leaseurope has continued to support participating institutions by responding to questions on the templates and facilitating dialogue among members to help ensure that the reported data accurately reflects the economic reality and risk profile of leasing activities. 

Leaseurope will remain closely engaged with the EBA and other stakeholders throughout the next stages of the exercise to support the development of the EBA's report, which will form the basis for the European Commission's legislative proposal on the prudential treatment of leasing, due by 31 December 2028.