Austrian implementation of the EU directive on addressing non-performing loans

Directive (EU) 2021/2167 on credit servicers and credit purchasers (“Loan Servicer Directive“)

Developing a liquid secondary market for non-performing loans (“NPLs”) 

With its Loan Servicer Directive, the European Union aims to reduce the current stock of NPLs by removing hindrances to the transfer of NPLs and ensuring a harmonised regulatory framework, while also safeguarding the legitimate interests of borrowers. 

Macroprudential background and rationales 

Excessive holdings of NPLs on the balance sheet of credit institutions add to systemic risk. Those holdings have accumulated over the past few years, with the COVID-19 pandemic accelerating the process and leading to a high ratio of NPLs across the EU. To address this issue, the EU prioritised developing a deep and liquid market for distressed assets to enable credit institutions to sell their NPLs, thereby reducing their balance sheet risk.¹ Hence, the envisaged risk dispersion in the private sector should strengthen the resilience of credit institutions and free up resources currently bound by NPLs. 

Austrian draft legislation

Whilst the Loan Servicer Directive should have been transposed into national law by 29 December 2023, the Austrian legislator published its legislative proposal at the beginning of February. According to the draft legislation, the Loan Servicer Directive shall be implemented in a new act on credit purchasers and credit servicers (Kreditdienstleister- und Kreditkäufergesetz – “KKG“) and by amending the banking act (Bankwesengesetz – BWG), the act on the financial markets authority (Finanzmarktaufsichtsbehördengesetz – FMABG) as well as the act on consumer credit (Verbraucherkreditgesetz – VKrG), including the act relating to immovable property (Hypothekar- und Immobilienkreditgesetz – HIKrG).

The legislative draft is under review until 21 February 2025. 

Scope

The KKG only applies to the purchase and servicing of non-performing credit agreements (i.e. NPLs) originated by credit institutions in the EU. Non-performing credit agreements are defined by reference to non-performing exposures under the Capital Requirements Regulation and the following indicators, amongst others, will cause a credit agreement to be classified as “non-performing”:

• There has been a default.
• The exposure is considered impaired under the applicable accounting framework.
• The exposure remains due for more than 30 days.
• The exposure would likely not be paid back without the realisation of collateral.

The KKG introduces two new types of regulated entities:

The following entities and/or activities are exempt:

• Credit Institutions.
• AIFMs and other specified regulated entities (even when performing credit servicing activities).
• Credit servicing activities in relation to an NPL, which has not been granted by an EU credit institution.
• The purchase of an NPL by an EU credit institution.
• Any transfer before the KKG comes into force.

Overview

The below table illustrates the licensing and conduct requirements applicable to credit purchasers and credit servicers, as well as any indirect ramifications for credit institutions. 

What is not regulated?

It is important to note that the KKG does not address some of the most important structuring considerations when transferring Austrian NPLs or NPLs by an Austrian credit institution, these include:

• The KKG does not address Austrian banking secrecy rules, meaning they will remain in full force and must be adhered to when transferring NPLs to credit purchasers and sharing information with credit servicers (any transfer in violation of Austrian banking secrecy may be declared null and void).
• Austrian date protection rules, which must also be complied with. 
• The KKG does notaffect Austrian civil law, especially the provisions regarding the assignment of claims and mandatory consumer protection laws.
• Austrian stamp duty potentially incurred when assigning NPL claims.

1. Council’s conclusions of 11 July 2017 on “Action Plan to Tackle Non-Performing Loans in Europe” and the Commission’s communication of 16 December 2020 on “Tackling Non-performing Loans in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic”. ↩︎