Lesson plan

Basic indicator approach

The basic approach or basic indicator approach is a set of operational risk measurement techniques proposed under Basel II capital adequacy rules for banking institutions. Basel II requires all banking institutions to set aside capital for operational risk. The basic indicator approach, however, is much simpler as compared to the alternative approaches (i.e. standardized approach (operational risk) and advanced measurement approach) and thus has been recommended for banks without significant international operations. Based on the original Basel Accord, banks using the basic indicator approach must hold capital for operational risk equal to the average over the previous three years of a fixed percentage of positive annual gross income. Figures for any year in which annual gross income is negative or zero should be excluded from both the numerator and denominator when calculating the average. A standard deviation is commonly also taken. The fixed percentage 'alpha' is typically 15 percent of annual gross income.

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Article summary

The basic approach or basic indicator approach is a set of operational risk measurement techniques proposed under Basel II capital adequacy rules for banking institutions. Basel II requires all banking institutions to set aside capital for operational risk. The basic indicator approach, however, is much simpler as compared to the alternative approaches (i.e. standardized approach (operational risk) and advanced measurement approach) and thus has been recommended for banks without significant international operations. Based on the original Basel Accord, banks using the basic indicator approach must hold capital for operational risk equal to the average over the previous three years of a fixed percentage of positive annual gross income. Figures for any year in which annual gross income is negative or zero should be excluded from both the numerator and denominator when calculating the average. A standard deviation is commonly also taken. The fixed percentage 'alpha' is typically 15 percent of annual gross income.

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Discussion questions

  1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
  2. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
  3. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.