Regulatory Capital and Risk Weights Explained for GARP FRR Exam Preparation
Understanding regulatory capital and risk-weighted assets (RWA) is a core requirement for effective GARP Financial Risk & Regulation (FRR) exam preparation . These concepts form the foundation of capital adequacy rules under the Basel framework and frequently appear in FRR exam questions , both conceptually and numerically. This article explains regulatory capital, risk weights, and capital ratios in a clear, exam-oriented manner , aligned with what candidates need for the GARP FRR exam . Capital Adequacy Formula in the FRR Exam At the heart of banking regulation is the capital adequacy ratio , calculated as: Capital Ratio = Regulatory Capital ÷ Risk-Weighted Assets (RWA) Where: Regulatory Capital (RC) = Tier 1 Capital + Tier 2 Capital Risk-Weighted Assets (RWA) = Assets adjusted for credit risk Minimum capital requirement = 8% under the Basel framework (before buffers) This ratio ensures banks can absorb losses and remain solvent during periods of fin...