Agencies Begin Pro Forma Reg Review Likely to Take on New Urgency
The FRB, FDIC, and OCC today released the first of the requisite ten-year request for comment on the extent to which existing rules are outdated or unduly burdensome. We will shortly provide clients with an in-depth analysis of the request if it goes beyond the nominal inquiries in the past that led to little meaningful regulatory reform.
Senate GOP Turns to FHFA, FHLB on “Woke” Standards
Criticizing what they call the FHFA’s and FHLBs “politically contentious social agendas,” Senate Banking Republicans Hagerty (R-TN), Tillis (R-NC), Britt (R-AL), and Vance (R-OH) sent a letter to FHFA Director Thompson late yesterday arguing that several FHLB pilot programs are “racially discriminatory” and defy congressional intent. They also argue that the pilot programs highlight a potential gap in FHFA oversight because the final rule governing Fannie and Freddie pilot programs does not also apply to the FHLBs.
SEC Finalizes Contentious Treasury-Market Registration Standards
The SEC today voted 3-2 to approve a revised version of an earlier proposal subjecting certain hedge funds and other Treasury-market participants to registration and SRO regulation, thus reducing their competitive advantages vis-à-vis banks in the secondary-dealer arena. The new approach uses a qualitative test based on the extent to which a covered entity acts as a market-maker as well as Treasury investor.