In this article, we outline the core expectations of an SEA, draw out common challenges, and describes how we can help you transform a regulatory obligation into a strategic opportunity. As the 1 October 2025 deadline approaches, banks must move swiftly to develop, review, and approve their SEA documents. Starting early is critical to allow for internal engagement, governance, and any required iterations of the document.

The PRA published a Policy Statement on 17 July 2025, outlining proposals to implement the remaining Basel large exposures standards (LEX standards). A key change for small and medium-sized banks is the proposed removal of CRM eligibility for immovable property, meaning exposures secured by immovable properties would no longer qualify for CRM under Large Exposures.

In early July, the PRA issued several policy statements and consultation papers with implications for banks of all sizes. We've summarised the key developments and outlined their practical impact across firm types.

The PRA published Policy Statement PS6/25, outlining measures to strengthen the supervision of branches and subsidiaries of foreign banks, while supporting the UK’s competitiveness.

The PRA has published Consultation Paper 12/25, marking the first phase of a two-stage review of its Pillar 2A methodologies and supporting guidance. This consultation seeks to address the consequential impacts of the PRA’s near-final rules for implementing the Basel 3.1 standards, while also providing additional clarity on its Pillar 2A methodologies.

As part of PS7/25, the PRA has published further details on its approach for calculating SME and infrastructure lending adjustments.

Arriving hot on the heels of our earlier article on what the 2025 Bank Capital Test Means for small- and medium-sized banks, the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has quietly published an accompanying set of stress parameters. These include both rates-up (supply shock) and rates-down (demand shock) scenarios, and can serve as a useful benchmark for firms not participating in concurrent stress testing. They may be particularly helpful for use in internal stress testing exercises, including within the Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP).

With the Bank of England’s 2025 Bank Capital Stress Test now in motion, small and medium-sized banks should take note. While only the large banks participate directly, it is nonetheless of interest for other firms as they approach their next stress testing exercise. The latest publications bring stress parameters up to date from the 2024 Desk-based Stress Test, and some elements have changed. This article explores what banks can take away from the latest stress programme and how to reflect those developments in their own risk management processes.

Following our recent webinar, our team has prepared responses to questions raised during the event. Click the download button to read the questions and answers.

On Demand Webinar: Strategies and best practices for small and medium-sized banks

Recorded on: Thursday, 27 March 2025

Today, the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), in consultation with HM Treasury, announced a one-year delay to the implementation of Basel 3.1 in the UK. Originally scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2026 for banks not classified as Small Domestic Deposit Takers (SDDTs), the new implementation date is now set for 1 January 2027.

Mark Your Calendar: Key Dates for Basel 3.1 and SDDT. It has been approximately three months since the PRA released the second part of its near-final rules for implementing the Basel 3.1 standards in the UK. With the official implementation date of 1 January 2026 less than a year away, the clock is ticking for firms to ensure compliance. While the implementation date of 1 January 2026 is top of mind for many, it is essential not to overlook several key milestones in 2025. These will be particularly relevant both for firms seeking SDDT status and banks navigating Basel 3.1 requirements.

The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) published Consultation Paper 8/24 ‘Definition of Capital: restatement of CRR requirements in PRA Rulebook’ (CP8/24) covering various matters relating to own funds including revocation by HM Treasury (HMT) of related rules set out in inter alia Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 (the CRR) and transferring them, with certain modifications, into the PRA Rulebook.

On 12 September 2024, the PRA published Consultation Paper 7/24 (The Strong and Simple Framework: The simplified capital regime for Small Domestic Deposit Takers (SDDTs)) as part of its Phase 2 of announcements, which sets out the proposed simplified capital regime for SDDTs.

This article outlines the changes to exposures to MDBs under the standardised approach of credit risk, as part of UK’s implementation of Basel 3.1 (PS9/24).

This article provides an overview of the near-final rules regarding the off-balance sheet items under the standardised approach, as part of the UK's implementation of Basel 3.1 (PS9/24).

On 12 September 2024, the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) published the second part of its near-final rules on the implementation of Basel 3.1 standards through Policy Statement 9/24 (PS9/24). This article focuses on the key changes in comparison to the PRA’s earlier consultation paper(s), in each of the major risk areas.

In December 2023, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) published a Consultative Document on the recalibration of shocks for the measurement of IRRBB. Following the consultation period, on 16 July 2024, the BCBS published the final Recalibration of Shocks in the Interest Rate Risk in the Banking Book Standard.

On 27th June 2024, the Prudential Regulation Authority (“PRA”) published the ICAAP Scenarios for non-systemic UK banks, which are the supply shock scenario and the demand shock scenario. This article summarises the key factors of the scenarios and provides specific points on how small- and medium-sized banks should approach there stress testing design processes, with relation to the 2024 ICAAP Scenarios.

On April 23, 2024, the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) published the outcomes of a thematic review of banks' risk management practices related to private equity (PE) financing activities. This article summarises the key areas of improvement and provides specific action points that small- and medium-sized banks may consider as part of their risk management practices.