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nid 92892
Jun 02, 2026
kgurnani@vixio.com
Australia
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority
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1734 charsAustralian Prudential Regulation Authority Finalises Liquidity Treatment Guidance for Settlement Service Provider Deposits
On June 2, 2026, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) released a letter to Minimum Liquidity Holding authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) addressing the liquidity treatment of deposits placed with settlement service providers (SSPs). The letter finalises frequently asked questions (FAQs) relating to this treatment following consultation feedback from industry participants.
The guidance clarifies how ADIs should treat deposits held with SSPs for liquidity purposes under APRA's regulatory framework. Settlement service providers play a critical role in the financial system by facilitating the transfer and settlement of payments and securities. The finalised FAQ provides authoritative direction on how these deposits should be classified and counted toward ADIs' minimum liquidity holding requirements, ensuring consistent application across the industry. This clarification is significant for ADIs managing their liquidity positions, as it removes uncertainty around the regulatory treatment of deposits with SSPs and enables more accurate liquidity reporting. The guidance applies to all ADIs subject to APRA's minimum liquidity holding requirements, including banks, mutuals, and other deposit-taking institutions. By finalising this guidance, APRA aims to promote regulatory clarity and consistency in how ADIs manage their liquidity obligations while maintaining prudential standards across Australia's financial system.
The finalised FAQ is available on APRA's website. ADIs should review the guidance to ensure their liquidity treatment of SSP deposits aligns with APRA's requirements. For further information, ADIs can contact APRA on 1300 558 849 or through its media unit at +61 2 9210 3636.
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1038 charsAustralian Prudential Regulation Authority Finalises Liquidity Treatment Guidance for Settlement Service Provider Deposits
On June 2, 2026, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) finalised FAQs for Minimum Liquidity Holding (MLH) Authorised Deposit-Taking institutions (ADIs) addressing the liquidity treatment of deposits placed with settlement service providers (SSPs), under Prudential Standard APS 210 Liquidity (APS 210) .
APRA has clarified that deposits placed by ADIs with settlement service providers to secure settlement obligations are considered encumbered. As these minimum security deposits remain under the control of the SSP to mitigate credit risk in the event of an ADI's default, they cannot be relied upon in a stress scenario. Consequently, they cannot be counted as MLH liquid assets.
Recognising that this strict definition may require ADIs to find alternative liquid assets, APRA has extended the transition timeline. ADIs are expected to report their liquidity in line with this finalised FAQ starting with their December 31, 2026, quarterly reporting. Resubmission of historical liquidity reports will not be required.