8 - Investment Funds

August 23, 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this notice is to set out the views of the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) staff regarding the implementation of the Canadian bail-in regime and to provide clarity on certain issues for investment fund issuers subject to National Instrument 81-102 Investment Funds (NI 81-102).

Background

On June 22, 2016, federal amendments to the Bank Act and the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act that implement a bail-in regime for Canada's domestic systemically important banks (D-SIBs) received Royal Assent.^[1] The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) has declared the six largest domestic Canadian banks^[2] as D-SIBs. In 2013, the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) designated the Desjardins Group as a domestic systemically important financial institution. On July 13, 2018, amendments to the Deposit Insurance Act (Québec) came into force, which established a bail-in regime that applies to the Desjardins Group. Subject to the upcoming adoption of implementing regulations, the Desjardins Group will be subject to a bail-in regime that is similar to the one applicable to D-SIBs.

If OSFI is of the opinion that a D-SIB has ceased, or is about to cease, to be viable, the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) may, in certain circumstances, take temporary control or ownership of the D-SIB and convert all or a portion of the D-SIB’s bail-in debt (Bail-in Debt) into common shares of the D-SIB. The term “Bail-in Debt” refers to certain debt issued by D-SIBs before any conversion occurs under the Canadian bail-in regime.

The details of Bail-in Debt are set out in regulations under the Bank Act and the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act that were adopted by the federal government on March 26, 2018, and will come into force on September 23, 2018 (Regulations).^[3] Under the Regulations, Bail-in Debt generally includes all unsubordinated unsecured debt of a D-SIB that is tradeable and transferable with an original term to maturity of over 400 days. Explicit exclusions from the bail-in regime are provided for covered bonds, derivatives and certain structured notes.^[4] The Regulations also include certain disclosure and naming requirements in respect of Bail-in Debt.

CSA staff guidance

CSA staff notes that pursuant to subsection 2.18(1) of NI 81-102, a money market fund is restricted in the types of securities it may have in its portfolio. In general, a money market fund may invest in investment grade short-term debt (i.e. remaining term to maturity of 365 days or less) to achieve its investment objectives of capital preservation and liquidity. CSA staff have received inquiries as to whether Bail-in Debt could be an eligible investment for a money market fund.

Given that Bail-in Debt is different from conventional convertible debt and is convertible in certain circumstances as defined in the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, CSA staff’s view is that money market funds are permitted to invest in Bail-in Debt so long as the Bail-in Debt continues to meet the prescribed eligibility requirements applicable to money market funds^[5] as set out in NI 81-102. For example, investment fund managers (IFMs) must continually monitor their investments in Bail-in Debt to ensure that such investments are in compliance with the designated rating requirements as prescribed by NI 81-102 and are generally readily convertible to cash, among other requirements, to ensure the safety and liquidity in such a money market fund’s portfolio assets.

Should an investment fund decide to invest in Bail-in Debt, the IFM must fully understand the key features and risks of such Bail-in Debt and take into consideration any risks to their funds as a result of such investment, for example, the risk that the CDIC may convert all or a portion of the Bail-in Debt into common shares.

If an IFM determines that one or more of its investment funds will or may hold Bail-in Debt CSA staff remind the IFM that:

•        any such holdings must be consistent with the fund’s investment objectives and strategies and be held in compliance with NI 81-102, as applicable; and

•        such funds must consider their disclosure obligations to their securityholders, including, for example, appropriate risk disclosure as it relates to Bail-in Debt and distinctions between Bail-in Debt and non-Bail-in Debt.

CSA staff will continue to monitor developments with respect to the implementation of the Canadian bail-in regime for investment fund issuers and will consider whether additional guidance is needed in this area. The CSA welcomes any input or feedback with respect to the issues in this notice.

Questions

Please refer your questions to any of the following: