Date: 2022-02-25Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Guideline (EU) 2022/311 of the European Central Bank of 17 February 2022 amending Guideline ECB/2012/27 on a Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross settlement Express Transfer system (TARGET2) (ECB/2022/4)
Executive Summary:
This guideline amends Guideline ECB/2012/27, focusing on the remuneration of government deposits within the TARGET2 system. It aims to align the remuneration of government deposits held by national central banks with the Eurosystem's monetary policy. National central banks must comply with this guideline from May 2, 2022, and notify the ECB of implementation measures by March 25, 2022.
Key Points / Main Content:
Remuneration of PM Accounts and Subaccounts:
* PM accounts and subaccounts will be remunerated at either zero percent or the deposit facility rate, whichever is lower.
* Exceptions apply for accounts holding minimum reserves, excess reserves, or government deposits.
* Remuneration for minimum reserves is governed by Council Regulation EC No 2531/98 and Regulation EU/2021/378 (ECB/2021/1).
* Remuneration for excess reserves is governed by Decision EU/2019/1743 (ECB/2019/31).
* Remuneration for government deposits is governed by Article 4 of Guideline EU/2019/671 (ECB/2019/7).
Remuneration of TIPS Dedicated Cash Accounts (DCAs):
* TIPS DCAs will be remunerated at either zero percent or the deposit facility rate, whichever is lower.
* Exceptions apply for accounts holding minimum reserves, excess reserves, or government deposits.
* Remuneration for minimum reserves is governed by Council Regulation EC No 2531/98 and Regulation EU/2021/378 (ECB/2021/1).
* Remuneration for excess reserves is governed by Decision EU/2019/1743 (ECB/2019/31).
* Remuneration for government deposits is governed by Article 4 of Guideline EU/2019/671 (ECB/2019/7).
Impact Analysis:
Eurosystem Central Banks:
Impact: Required to implement the updated guidelines regarding the remuneration of government deposits within the TARGET2 system.
Action Required: Take necessary measures to comply with the guideline and apply them from May 2, 2022. Notify the ECB of the texts and means relating to those measures by March 25, 2022.
European Central Bank (ECB):
Impact: Responsible for monitoring the compliance of national central banks with the updated guidelines and ensuring the consistent application of the principles on the remuneration of government deposits.
Impact: Ensures consistent and effective application of general principles on the remuneration of government deposits.
Action Required: Monitor NCBs' compliance with the prohibition on monetary financing and oversee implementation.
National Central Banks (NCBs) of Member States whose currency is the euro:
Impact: Must adhere to the new rules regarding the remuneration of government deposits held as fiscal agents.
Action Required: Implement the guideline by May 2, 2022 and inform ECB by March 25, 2022 of the means to comply with it.
Key Entities Referenced
European Central Bank: The central bank of the European Union countries that have adopted the euro.
TARGET2: Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer system; a real-time gross settlement system for the euro zone.
Governing Council of the European Central Bank: The body responsible for formulating the monetary policy of the Eurosystem.
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union: One of the primary treaties of the European Union, outlining its scope and operation.
European System of Central Banks: Comprises the European Central Bank and the national central banks of all EU member states.
Guideline EU 2019/671: A guideline of the European Central Bank on domestic asset and liability management operations by the national central banks.
Eurosystem: The monetary authority of the Eurozone, which consists of the European Central Bank (ECB) and the national central banks (NCBs) of those member states that have adopted the euro.
Frankfurt am Main: A city in the State of Hesse, Germany; location where the guideline was adopted and the location of the European Central Bank headquarters.
L 46/142 EN Official Journal of the European Union 25.2.2022
GUIDELINES
GUIDELINE (EU) 2022/311 OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK
of 17 February 2022
amending Guideline ECB/2012/27 on a Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross settlement
Express Transfer system (TARGET2) (ECB/2022/4)
THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and in particular the first and fourth indents of
Article 127(2) thereof,
Having regard to the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank and in particular
Article 3.1 and Articles 17, 18 and 22 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) The Governing Council has decided on certain ceilings to the remuneration of government deposits, as specified in
Guideline (EU) 2019/671 of the European Central Bank (ECB/2019/7)(1).
(2) Limitations on the remuneration of government deposits held by national central banks (NCBs) as fiscal agents
pursuant to Article 21.2 of the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank
must be specified to achieve the single monetary policy, in particular in order to provide incentives for government
deposits to be placed in the market, so as to facilitate the Eurosystem’s liquidity management and monetary policy
implementation. In addition, the introduction of a ceiling on the remuneration of government deposits based on
money market rates clarifies the criteria and facilitates the monitoring of the NCBs’ compliance with the prohibition
on monetary financing carried out by the ECB in accordance with Article 271(d) of the Treaty.
(3) Guideline 2013/47/EU of the European Central Bank (ECB/2012/27)(2) contains provisions regarding the
remuneration on Payments Module accounts, their sub-accounts and TIPS Dedicated Cash Accounts. Governments,
as defined in Article 2 of Guideline (EU) 2019/671 (ECB/2019/7), may participate in TARGET2, as set out in Article
4(2)(a) or (b) of Annex II and in Article 5(2)(a) or (b) of Annex IIb to Guideline ECB/2012/27, and may hold balances
on such accounts overnight. Therefore, the provisions of Guideline ECB/2012/27 on the remuneration of such
accounts may interfere with the general principles on the remuneration of government deposits as approved by the
Governing Council whereby following the discontinuation of the euro overnight index average (EONIA) as of
January 2022 the remuneration ceiling applicable to such accounts and sub-accounts should be the euro short-term
rate (€STR).
(4) In order to ensure consistent and effective application of the general principles on the remuneration of government
deposits, it is necessary to clarify and update the provisions of Guideline 2013/47/EU (ECB/2012/27).
(5) For the purposes of the limitation on the remuneration of government deposits, Guideline (EU) 2019/671
(ECB/2019/7) should apply.
(6) Therefore, Guideline 2013/47/EU (ECB/2012/27) should be amended accordingly,
(1) Guideline (EU) 2019/671 of the European Central Bank of 9 April 2019 on domestic asset and liability management operations by the
national central banks (ECB/2019/7) (OJ L 113, 29.4.2019, p. 11).
(2) Guideline 2013/47/EU of the European Central Bank of 5 December 2012 on a Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross
settlement Express Transfer system (TARGET2) (ECB/2012/27) (OJ L 30, 30.1.2013, p. 1).25.2.2022 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 46/143
HAS ADOPTED THIS GUIDELINE:
Article 1
Amendments
Annexes II and IIb to Guideline 2013/47/EU (ECB/2012/27) are amended in accordance with the Annex to this Guideline.
Article 2
Taking effect and implementation
1. This Guideline shall take effect on the day of its notification to the national central banks of the Member States whose
currency is the euro.
2. The national central banks of the Member States whose currency is the euro shall take the necessary measures to
comply with this Guideline and apply them from 2 May 2022. They shall notify the ECB of the texts and means relating to
those measures by 25 March 2022at the latest.
Article 3
Addressees
This Guideline is addressed to all Eurosystem central banks.
Done at Frankfurt am Main, 17 February 2022.
For the Governing Council of the ECB
The President of the ECB
Christine LAGARDEL 46/144 EN Official Journal of the European Union 25.2.2022
ANNEX
Annexes II and IIb to Guideline 2013/47/EU (ECB/2012/27) are amended as follows:
(1) in Annex II, Title IV, Article 12, paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
‘5. PM accounts and their sub-accounts shall either be remunerated at zero per cent or at the deposit facility rate,
whichever is lower, unless they are used to hold any of the following:
(a) minimum reserves;
(b) excess reserves;
(c) government deposits as defined in Article 2, point (5) of Guideline (EU) 2019/671 (ECB/2019/7).
In the case of minimum reserves, the calculation and payment of remuneration of holdings shall be governed by
Council Regulation (EC) No 2531/98 (*) and Regulation (EU) 2021/378 of the European Central Bank
(ECB/2021/1) (**).
In the case of excess reserves, the calculation and payment of remuneration of holdings shall be governed by Decision
(EU) 2019/1743 (ECB/2019/31) (***).
In the case of government deposits, the remuneration of holdings shall be governed by the provisions relating to those
government deposits as set out in Article 4 of Guideline (EU) 2019/671 (ECB/2019/7) (****).
_____________
(*) Council Regulation (EC) No 2531/98 of 23 November 1998 concerning the application of minimum reserves
by the European Central Bank (OJ L 318, 27.11.1998, p. 1).
(**) Regulation (EU) 2021/378 of the European Central Bank of 22 January 2021 on the application of minimum
reserve requirements (ECB/2021/1) (OJ L 73, 3.3.2021, p. 1).
(***) Decision (EU) 2019/1743 of the European Central Bank of 15 October 2019 on the remuneration of holdings
of excess reserves and of certain deposits (ECB/2019/31) (OJ L 267, 21.10.2019, p. 12).
(****) Guideline (EU) 2019/671 of the European Central Bank of 9 April 2019 on domestic asset and liability
management operations by the national central banks (ECB/2019/7) (OJ L 113, 29.4.2019, p. 11).’;
(2) in Annex IIb, Title IV, Article 15, paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
‘5. TIPS DCAs shall either be remunerated at zero per cent or at the deposit facility rate, whichever is lower, unless
they are used to hold any of the following:
(a) minimum reserves;
(b) excess reserves;
(c) government deposits as defined in Article 2, point (5) of Guideline (EU) 2019/671 (ECB/2019/7).
In the case of minimum reserves, the calculation and payment of remuneration of holdings shall be governed by
Council Regulation (EC) No 2531/98 (*) and Regulation (EU) 2021/378 of the European Central Bank
(ECB/2021/1) (**).
In the case of excess reserves, the calculation and payment of remuneration of holdings shall be governed by Decision
(EU) 2019/1743 (ECB/2019/31) (***).
In the case of government deposits, the remuneration of holdings shall be governed by the provisions relating to those
government deposits as set out in Article 4 of Guideline (EU) 2019/671 (ECB/2019/7) (****).
_____________
(*) Council Regulation (EC) No 2531/98 of 23 November 1998 concerning the application of minimum reserves
by the European Central Bank (OJ L 318, 27.11.1998, p. 1).
(**) Regulation (EU) 2021/378 of the European Central Bank of 22 January 2021 on the application of minimum
reserve requirements (ECB/2021/1) (OJ L 73, 3.3.2021, p. 1).
(***) Decision (EU) 2019/1743 of the European Central Bank of 15 October 2019 on the remuneration of holdings
of excess reserves and of certain deposits (ECB/2019/31) (OJ L 267, 21.10.2019, p. 12).
(****) Guideline (EU) 2019/671 of the European Central Bank of 9 April 2019 on domestic asset and liability
management operations by the national central banks (ECB/2019/7) (OJ L 113, 29.4.2019, p. 11).’.