The CAMELS rating system is a supervisory tool used by regulatory authorities to evaluate the soundness of financial institutions, particularly banks and credit unions. It assesses six components: Capital Adequacy, Asset Quality, Management, Earnings, Liquidity, and Sensitivity to Market Risk.
Assesses the financial strength and stability of the institution based on its capital levels.
Policies and procedures are established; documented; and maintained for capital adequacy management.
Evaluation of key capital ratios (e.g.; Tier 1 Capital Ratio; Total Capital Ratio) against regulatory minimums and internal targets.
Accuracy of Tier 1 Capital Ratio Calculation.
Accuracy of Total Capital Ratio Calculation.
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements.
Assessment of the accuracy and appropriateness of the institution's calculation of risk-weighted assets.
Accuracy of Credit Risk-Weighted Assets Calculation.
Accuracy of Operational Risk-Weighted Assets Calculation.
Internal Controls over RWA Calculation Process.
Evaluation of the institution's process for capital planning and conducting stress tests.
Adequacy of Stress Testing Scenarios.
Effectiveness of Stress Testing Methodology.
Use of Stress Test Results in Capital Planning and Risk Management.
Evaluates the quality of the institution's assets; including loans; investments; and other balance sheet items.
Policies and procedures are established; documented; and maintained for asset quality management.
Assessment of the overall quality; risk profile; and performance of the institution's loan portfolio.
Effectiveness of Credit Underwriting Standards.
Adequacy of Loan Grading and Classification System.
Trends in Delinquency and Non-Performing Loans.
Evaluation of the adequacy of the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL) in relation to the credit risk in the portfolio.
Adequacy of the ALLL Methodology.
Accuracy and Support for ALLL Calculation.
Assessment of concentrations of credit risk within the asset portfolio.
Identification and Monitoring of Concentrations.
Effectiveness of Concentration Limits and Mitigation Strategies.
Assesses the ability of the board of directors and senior management to identify; measure; monitor; and control the risks of the institution.
Policies and procedures are established; documented; and maintained for the overall management of the institution.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of the board of directors and senior management in providing oversight of the institution's activities and risks.
Board Composition and Expertise.
Effectiveness of Board and Committee Meetings.
Clarity of Roles and Responsibilities.
Assessment of the effectiveness of the institution's risk management framework and practices.
Adequacy of the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Framework.
Effectiveness of Risk Identification and Assessment.
Adequacy of Risk Monitoring and Reporting.
Evaluation of the adequacy and effectiveness of the institution's internal control system.
Design Effectiveness of Internal Controls.
Operating Effectiveness of Internal Controls.
Assessment of the institution's program for ensuring compliance with applicable laws; regulations; and supervisory requirements.
Regulatory Change Management.
Compliance Monitoring and Testing.
Analyzes the profitability; stability; and sustainability of the institution's earnings.
Policies and procedures are established; documented; and maintained for earnings management and analysis.
Evaluation of the institution's historical and current profitability trends and the stability of its earnings sources.
Analysis of Key Profitability Ratios.
Stability of Earnings Sources.
Assessment of the composition and quality of the institution's earnings; including the impact of non-recurring items and significant fluctuations.
Evaluation of the sensitivity of the institution's earnings to changes in interest rates.
Assesses the institution's ability to meet its short-term obligations and fund its operations.
Policies and procedures are established; documented; and maintained for liquidity risk management.
Evaluation of the institution's framework and practices for managing liquidity risk.
Liquidity Position Measurement and Monitoring.
Liquidity Stress Testing.
Funding Strategy and Concentration Risk.
Evaluation of the adequacy and operational readiness of the institution's Contingency Funding Plan.
Adequacy of CFP Strategies and Triggers.
Operational Readiness of Contingent Funding Sources.
CFP Testing and Updates.