Risk-weighted assets (RWA) are a measure of the amount of risk associated with the assets held by a financial institution, such as a bank or insurance company. RWAs are calculated by assigning a risk weight to each type of asset, based on the level of risk it poses to the institution’s overall financial stability.

The risk weight assigned to each asset is determined by the asset’s credit rating, collateral value, and other factors that affect its likelihood of default or loss. For example, loans to individuals or companies with a higher credit rating are considered less risky and are assigned a lower risk weight, while loans to individuals or companies with a lower credit rating are considered more risky and are assigned a higher risk weight.

Once each asset is assigned a risk weight, the institution’s total RWAs are calculated by multiplying each asset’s value by its assigned risk weight. This provides a measure of the institution’s overall exposure to risk, and is used to calculate regulatory capital requirements under the Basel III framework.

By requiring institutions to hold regulatory capital in proportion to their RWAs, regulators can ensure that institutions have sufficient capital to cover potential losses, even during difficult economic conditions. This helps to promote financial stability and protect depositors, investors, and policyholders from undue risk.

Overall, the calculation of RWAs is an important tool for managing and monitoring risk in financial institutions, and helps to ensure the safety and stability of the financial system.