UK FCA extends LIBOR benchmark deadline

Federal Issues Financial Conduct Authority LIBOR Covid-19 Of Interest to Non-US Persons

On April 29, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued a follow-up statement that allows firms the ability to use the LIBOR interest rate benchmark in new sterling LIBOR linked loans for an addition six months due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The FCA acknowledges that due to challenges presented by the current operating environment, it is not feasible for lenders to complete the transition from LIBOR across all new sterling LIBOR linked loans before the original Q3 2020 target end date. The FCA provides several recommendations including: (i) lenders should be in a position to offer non-LIBOR linked products by the end of Q3; (ii) from Q3 onward, lenders and borrowers should agree on a process to facilitate conversion to an alternative rate prior to the end of 2021; and (iii) all new issuances of sterling LIBOR-referencing loan products that expire after the end of 2021 should cease by the end of Q1 2021. The announcement also reiterates the FCA’s previously stated position that the central assumption that firms cannot rely on LIBOR being published after the end of 2021 remains unchanged (covered by InfoBytes here).

Find continuing InfoBytes coverage on LIBOR here.