#BNPL – Federal Financial Analytics

15 03, 2024

Al031824

Arezou Rafikian2024-03-15T17:23:21-04:00March 15th, 2024|3- This Week|

Answered Prayers?

Banks have been asking regulators for years – decades? – to update 1995 merger guidance. So the banking agencies are beginning to do, but not exactly as banks would have liked to see it done. Although Sen. Warren (D-MA) thinks the OCC’s proposed merger policy is too soft, our analysis (see FSM Report MERGER14) and that of many others finds it a formidable barrier to all but the simplest, smallest transactions. Now comes the FDIC. As the schedule below makes clear, it plans on Thursday to issue a proposal based on its 2021 RFI (see FSM Report MERGER9). We doubt any bank-merger policy influenced as strongly by CFPB Director Chopra will be a bank merger policy banks will like any better than the OCC’s, although some compromises may have to be made if Republican members of the FDIC board are willing to contemplate at least some of what Mr. Chopra, surely seconded by Chair Gruenberg, wants done.

Al031824.pdf…

14 03, 2024

DAILY031424

Eliza Allen2024-03-14T16:33:10-04:00March 14th, 2024|2- Daily Briefing|

Bipartisan Senators See More ILC Charters

Led by Sen. Romney (R-UT), bipartisan senators generally from states with large ILC presence or interest urged the agency to advance pending ILC charters and consider new ones. The Senators oppose regulatory actions that may “target” ILC charter applications, expressing concerns about delays in the FDIC’s decision process.

Global Supervisors Target Mortgages, BNPL, Fintech as Top NBFI Systemic Priorities

An FSI report today recommends a holistic approach to regulating NBFI retail lenders, urging a policy mix increasing NBFI oversight. This may well be right, but it will take statutory change in nations such as the U.S. to achieve it.

New Open-Standard-Setting for Open-Banking Set for Stringent Eligibility Standards

CFPB Director Chopra now states that the open-banking regulation regarding consumer data rights (see FSM Report DATA4) will be finalized in the fall, with proposed new standards for standard-setters released ahead of time so that the final rule addresses both issues. Mr. Chopra is concerned that some forms of standard-setting organizations “weaponize” data to enhance their competitive position.

Daily031424.pdf…

6 12, 2023

DAILY120623

Eliza Allen2023-12-06T16:42:25-05:00December 6th, 2023|2- Daily Briefing|

OFR Sees Heightened Systemic Risk

Striking a considerably more somber note than the FRB (see Client Report SYSTEMIC97), OFR today concluded that systemic risk is elevated due to an upcoming economic slowdown, heightened inflation, and geopolitical risk and global conflict.

OCC Cracks Down on BNPL Finance

Reflecting continuing CFPB concerns about buy-now/pay-later finance, the OCC today sets new risk-management standards for federally-chartered entities in this arena.

HFSC Housing Subcommittee Revisits Housing Debate

Today’s HFSC Housing Subcommittee hearing largely followed the staff memo’s outlined political playbook, with Chairman Davidson (R-OH) calling for market-based solutions and Ranking Member Presley (D-MA) arguing that expanded subsidies are necessary alongside zoning reform to make housing affordable.

Fed Proposes Market-Risk Valuation Reporting

Readying disclosures for the market-risk capital rewrite (see FSM Report CAPITAL233), the Federal Reserve has proposed new reporting standards that would require covered banks to disclose valuations of their covered positions taking into account unearned credit spreads, close-out costs, early termination costs, investing and funding costs, liquidity, and model risk.

Fed Proposes New Liquidity Risk Reporting Standards

Reflecting growing fears that banks could not actually monetize HQLAs under stress as proved the case for Credit Suisse, the FRB is also proposing new reporting standards requiring covered companies to report on qualifying master netting agreement compliance with current liquidity-risk measurement standards.

Daily120623.pdf…

23 10, 2023

DAILY102323

Eliza Allen2023-10-23T16:37:02-04:00October 23rd, 2023|2- Daily Briefing|

HFSC Plans Fintech-Friendly Legislation

Wednesday’s HFSC Digital Assets Subcommittee hearing on electronic payments will consider the state of various electronic payments offerings and lay the groundwork for several GOP measures to override current standards or give providers greater leeway. As a result, these bills are unlikely to advance in the Senate. Measures to be covered include a bill to be introduced by Rep. Steil (R-WI) to create a federal framework for the earned-wage lending programs the CFPB has recently criticized.

HFSC Plans Sanctions Review

As anticipated, Wednesday’s HFSC National Security hearing on Middle East sanctions will consider an array of bills designed to punish Iran, sanction Hamas, and – at least as far as Republicans plan – criticize the Biden Administration for actions such as agreeing to release $6 billion to Iran in exchange for several hostages. We have noted many of the bills on which a record will be built in prior client alerts, with the panel planning for example to advance H.R. 5923, a Lawler (R-NY) bill to extend current secondary sanctions related to Iran to all transactions with Chinese financial institutions and sanctioned Iranian banks related to oil purchases.

Daily102323.pdf…

22 05, 2023

DAILY052223

Eliza Allen2023-05-22T16:53:15-04:00May 22nd, 2023|2- Daily Briefing|

HFSC Set To Tackle LLPAs, GSE Policy

As noted, HFSC tomorrow will grill FHFA Director Thompson. Republicans will surely emphasize their opposition to recent LLPAs laid out at a subcommittee hearing last week; Democrats will continue to defend them.

Americans Struggle With Inflation, Savings; Bank Use Stable

Although the Fed’s latest economic well-being study has grim macro results with significant political consequences, it also finds that 94 percent of Americans in 2022 had banking relationships, an unchanged rate from 2021 although gaps remain by age, race, ethnicity, and disability.

Kashkari Disputes Need For Broad Reg Rewrite If Big-Bank Capital Goes Way Up

Renewing his campaign to hike large-bank capital ratios, FRB-Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari today said that higher capital requirements would have prevented recent failures and that additional, over-complex rules are poor substitutes for them.

Daily052223.pdf…

15 09, 2022

DAILY091522

Eliza Allen2022-10-13T11:49:04-04:00September 15th, 2022|2- Daily Briefing|

Financial Transactions to Get More Stringent CFIUS Scrutiny

The President today issued an executive order (EO) redefining key criteria used by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS).

BNPL Faces DOA Consumer Standards

In conjunction with issuing a lengthy report, CFPB Director Chopra today announced that he has directed staff to work on new interpretive rules or guidance for the BNPL sector.

Basel Battles On

Acting as anticipated following instructions from on-high, the Basel Committee today “exchanged views” on pending crypto regulation (see FSM Report CRYPTO29) – terminology suggesting the committee has yet to reach agreement on this controversial consultation despite a request by central bankers and supervisory heads to finalize standards by year end.

Fed Joins Agencies with CRE Workout Policy

After a delay doubtless reflecting the need to run policies by Michael Barr, the FRB today proposed the same CRE-workout policies released for comment in early August by the OCC, FDIC, and NCUA.

Waters Tries Late-Game CRA Tackle

Chairwoman Waters (D-CA) today announced that she has introduced legislation to update the CRA, making the standards tougher for banks but – as far as known so far – failing to extend the law’s reach to nonbanks as urged by CFPB Director Chopra and Sen. Warren (D-CA), among others.

Daily091522.pdf…

3 08, 2022

DAILY080322

Eliza Allen2023-01-04T13:29:59-05:00August 3rd, 2022|2- Daily Briefing|

Senate Ag Crypto Bill Lauds CFTC, Faces Many Obstacles

As we anticipated as the crypto debate continues, the Senate Agriculture Committee has sought to claim jurisdiction with a new, bipartisan bill granting the CFTC broad regulatory, supervisory, and enforcement powers over most digital-asset platforms and the assets traded on them.

ECB Study Favors CBDCs Over Private Crypto for Cross-Border Payments

A study released by the ECB today argues that CBDCs would be a cheaper, safer, and more effective vehicle for cross border payments for global transactions than privately-issued cryptoassets or stablecoins. Based on assessment of global, not just EU markets, the study thus has implications for those in the U.S. opposing a CBDC.

FRB-Minneapolis Renews Attack on Big-Bank Capital Resilience

Renewing its attack on big-bank capital ratios, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis today released its own stress-test conclusions, reinforcing its president’s longstanding view that the largest U.S. banks are woefully under-capitalized even though test results show considerable variance on a bank-by-bank basis as well as overall resilience.

FRB Philadelphia President Touts Fintech’s Financial Inclusion Potential

FRB Philadelphia President Patrick Harker today stated that fintech can increase financial inclusion, specifically citing buy-now pay-later products because they offer financial services to low- to moderate-income customers who would otherwise be locked out of traditional lending because they are more likely to be non-White, lower earning, and younger.

Daily080322.pdf…

15 06, 2022

DAILY061522

Eliza Allen2023-01-26T13:40:01-05:00June 15th, 2022|2- Daily Briefing|

Thompson FHFA Sticks with Utilities for GSE Future Charters
The FHFA today issued its annual report to Congress. Although the first under now-confirmed Director Thompson, it follows the agency’s practice of reporting to Congress largely on past actions.

CFPB Demands Better BNPL Data, Improved Credit Reporting
Although the CFPB has taken no official action on buy-now/pay-later finance since its January RFI, it today issued a staff report on the sector containing a new statement of CFPB policy.

Basel Battens Down First Climate-Risk Hatch
The Basel Committee today issued a final version of its 2021 proposed set of high-level principles for managing climate risk (see FSM Report CLIMATE12). We will shortly provide clients with an in-depth assessment of this new global framework, which is also the starting gun for final action on OCC and FDIC risk-management guidance (see FSM Report GREEN12).

TD Merger Draws Democratic Fire
Reflecting continuing opposition to large-bank mergers, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) along with Reps. Katie Porter (D-CA), Chuy García (D-IL), and Al Green (D-TX) today sent a letter to Acting Comptroller Hsu demanding that TD’s proposed acquisition of First Horizon Bank be denied unless or until the bank is held accountable for what the Members describe as flagrant consumer abuses.

Daily061522.pdf…

23 05, 2022

DAILY052322

Eliza Allen2023-02-21T13:53:43-05:00May 23rd, 2022|2- Daily Briefing|

FRB-NY Staff: Mandatory Flood Insurance Harms LMI Households

A New York Fed blog post today points to another important, unintended consequence of well-meaning regulation: the adverse impact of mandatory flood-insurance coverage on LMI households.

FRB Atlanta Staff Bolsters Proposed Cash Acceptance Mandate

A blog post today from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta strengthens the case for the mandate for retailer cash acceptance recently approved by the House Financial Services Committee.

Kansas City Fed Finds Persistent Commodity-Market Price Hikes, Volatility

Reflecting concerns in a recent Petrou op-ed, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City today released a report differing from the FOMC’s optimistic inflation forecasts at least as far as they relate to commodities.

HFSC Tackles Disability Rights

Tomorrow’s HFSC Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion hearing on disability rights will focus not only on housing access, but also on the extent to which a broad range financial services are easily accessible to persons with disabilities.

Fed Survey Shows Significant LMI Investment in Payment, Investment Crypto

The Fed today released a report on household well-being in 2021, detailing an array of survey findings that generally show Americans feeling remarkably prosperous and satisfied. The Fed cautions that this may no longer pertain, but the data do suggest what may be more than a passing rebound in economic resilience for at least some families.

Daily052322.pdf…

24 01, 2022

Daily012422

Arezou Rafikian2023-04-20T14:55:24-04:00January 24th, 2022|2- Daily Briefing|

FFIEC Advances Exam-Reform Initiative

Completing the final phase of its Examination-Modernization Project, the FFIEC late last week issued best practices for requesting examination information from supervised entities. Best practices include requesting only risk-focused and relevant information, giving institutions sufficient time, and examiner coordination to avoid duplicative and/or redundant requests.

CFPB Seeks Comment on BNPL

The CFPB’s inquiry into buy-now/pay-later (BNPL) providers along with questions for public comment were posted in today’s Register.

Daily012422.pdf…