Table of Guidelines

​Guidelines are "best" or "prudent" practices that OSFI expects federally regulated financial institutions to follow. Guidelines set standards for industry activities and behaviour. They address areas such as: solvency standards (e.g., capital adequacy), prudential standards (e.g., large exposure limits), and accounting standards (e.g., non-accrual loans). Guidelines are usually developed in a two-step process, with a draft guideline issued for industry comment, followed by a final guideline.

By Category

• Capital Adequacy Requirements
• Prudential Limits and Restrictions
• Accounting and Disclosure
• Sound Business and Financial Practices
• Standards of Sound Business and Financial Practices for Life Insurance Companies

Click here for Private Pension Plan related Guidelines.

OSFI publishes guidelines, which are essentially best or prudent practices, that it expects financial institutions to follow. Guidelines are used to set standards to govern industry activities and behaviour. These include solvency standards (capital adequacy), prudential standards (large exposure limits, portfolio mix), and accounting standards (e.g., non-accrual loans, transfer of assets, etc.).​

• Guidelines B-12 and B-3 for reinsurance are now located under the heading Sound Business and Financial Practices

• Guideline E-1 is now located under Other Application Guides
• Guidelines E-2, E-2A and E-6 are now located under Prudential Limits and Restrictions
• Guidelines E-4, E-5, E-10, E-12, E-13, E-14 and E-15 are now located under Sound Business and Financial Practices