#mergers – Page 2 – Federal Financial Analytics

21 10, 2022

RESOLVE48

Eliza Allen2022-10-21T14:12:50-04:00October 21st, 2022|1- Financial Services Management|

DSIB-Resolution Requirements

The FRB and FDIC have moved beyond the resolution-planning requirements mandated in the Dodd-Frank Act then implemented over the years to what could be a new resolution regime for banking organizations considered category II or III companies under the inter-agency tailoring rules. Initially described as guidance when the agencies first announced this initiative, it appears likely that final standards will be more binding, which would almost certainly need to be the case under administrative procedures if the agencies decide not only to revise resolution planning on a sector or bank-by-bank case. This would be particularly likely if the agencies decide to include them in total loss-absorbency capacity (TLAC) standard for covered banking organizations akin to those now governing GSIBs.

RESOLVE48.pdf…

19 10, 2022

FedFin on: USB/MUFG Orders Point to New Merger, Regulatory Policy

Arezou Rafikian2022-10-19T10:27:40-04:00October 19th, 2022|The Vault|

As promised, this analysis focuses on the OCC and FRB approvals of the acquisition by U.S. Bancorp of MUFG’s Union Bank in California. Derided in a tweet from Sen. Warren (D-MA) as another “rubber-stamp” approval, both the nature of the transaction – which included massive commitments to community support – and the approvals themselves suggest otherwise. We shall continue to evaluate agency action on larger transactions and shortly provide clients with an analysis of the FDIC/FRB advance notice of proposed rulemaking on new resolution standards approved for public comment by the FDIC (see Client Report DEPOSITINSURANCE115). However, while policy and politics formulate new standards, pending….

The full report is available to retainer clients. To find out how you can sign up for the service, click here and here.…

19 10, 2022

MERGER11

Eliza Allen2022-10-21T14:03:33-04:00October 19th, 2022|5- Client Report|

USB/MUFG Orders Point to New Merger, Regulatory Policy

As promised, this analysis focuses on the OCC and FRB approvals of the acquisition by U.S. Bancorp of MUFG’s Union Bank in California. Derided in a tweet from Sen. Warren (D-MA) as another “rubber-stamp” approval, both the nature of the transaction – which included massive commitments to community support – and the approvals themselves suggest otherwise. We shall continue to evaluate agency action on larger transactions and shortly provide clients with an analysis of the FDIC/FRB advance notice of proposed rulemaking on new resolution standards approved for public comment by the FDIC (see Client Report DEPOSITINSURANCE115). However, while policy and politics formulate new standards, pending transactions are directly and immediately affected by the new approach epitomized in these orders. We thus note the financial-stability and resolvability conditions applied to this transaction, which clearly signal those – i.e., “severability” – for near-term deals as well as for future standards.

MERGER11.pdf…

19 10, 2022

DEPOSITINSURANCE115

Max Camateros-Mann2022-10-24T11:19:32-04:00October 19th, 2022|5- Client Report|

FDIC Hikes Premiums, Presses Resolvability

The FDIC board today voted 3-0 to increase DIF assessment rates by 2bps, finalizing its proposal (see FSM Report DEPOSITINSURANCE114) and rejecting industry arguments on grounds that a small DIF premium increase now would make a more damaging procyclical assessment increase under adverse economic conditions less likely. Unsurprisingly, the FDIC also joined the Fed in approving the ANPR that bears its name, with Acting Comptroller Hsu praising the ANPR’s balance between protecting financial stability and competition among the largest banks. CFPB Director Chopra used his remarks to advance his campaign against big banks and mergers, calling for an overall review of FDIC premiums to charge the largest banks more and an end to “lax” merger approvals. This report summarizes today’s meeting; in-depth reports on the final rule and ANPR will follow.

DEPOSITINSURANCE115.pdf…

18 10, 2022

FedFin on: FDIC Hikes Premiums, Presses Resolvability

Arezou Rafikian2022-10-24T11:21:49-04:00October 18th, 2022|The Vault|

The FDIC board today voted 3-0 to increase DIF assessment rates by 2bps, finalizing its proposal (see FSM Report DEPOSITINSURANCE114) and rejecting industry arguments on grounds that a small DIF premium increase now would make a more damaging procyclical assessment increase under adverse economic conditions less likely. Unsurprisingly, the FDIC also joined the Fed in approving the ANPR that bears its name, with Acting Comptroller Hsu praising the ANPR’s balance between protecting financial stability and competition among the largest banks. CFPB Director Chopra used his remarks…

The full report is available to retainer clients. To find out how you can sign up for the service, click here and here.…

14 10, 2022

AL101722

Eliza Allen2022-10-14T17:07:31-04:00October 14th, 2022|3- This Week|

Ouch?

Later this week, the FDIC board will decide whether to hike DIF premiums as proposed earlier this year (see FSM Report DEPOSITINSURANCE114). The banking industry is arrayed against this not only because it’s costly, but also – as our analysis addressed – procyclical. We will provide clients with an in-depth analysis of the final rule along with the meeting, which now also includes a certain vote in favor of FDIC agreement to the ANPR released late last week by the Fed asking an array of questions on large-bank resolvability. We will also provide clients with an in-depth analysis of this ANPR along with the accompanying orders setting new merger policy by way of the Fed and OCC decisions on the USB/MSFG transaction. These actions make it clear that mergers will be approved even in the absence of the formal Fed policy promised by Vice Chairman Barr, but the terms and conditions will be considerably stricter than was the case just a year ago for other super-regional transactions.

Al101722.pdf…

14 10, 2022

DAILY101422

Eliza Allen2022-10-14T17:04:18-04:00October 14th, 2022|2- Daily Briefing|

Along with a Squeaker Merger Approval, Fed/FDIC Begin Work on Large-Bank Resolvability

As anticipated in Karen Petrou’s speech yesterday, the Fed today unanimously approved and the FDIC will shortly do the same on an advance notice of proposed rulemaking re-enforcing large-bank resolvability. That this complex rulemaking will not slow near-term merger decisions was made clear today also by the Fed and OCC decisions to clear USB’s acquisition of MSFG’s California banking organization.

Covid Comm Presses CFPB for Still More Credit-Reporting Reform

The Chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, Rep. James Clyburn (D-NC) sent a letter to CFPB Director Chopra requesting that the Bureau investigate the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies (NCRAs) for failing to properly address credit reporting errors. Citing data, the Subcommittee obtained from the NCRAs, Chairman Clyburn alleges that reporting errors occurred far more often than previously thought, that the majority of disputes do not result in consumer relief, and that the NCRAs discarded “tens of millions” of submissions without investigation by claiming they came from unauthorized third-parties.

Waller Dismisses Threat To Reserve Dollar Without A CBDC

In remarks today, FRB Governor Waller reiterated his skepticism of foreign-issued CBDCs and stablecoins, arguing that the underlying reasons for dollar dominance are non-technological and CBDCs will not affect them. He dismisses concerns that foreign CBDCs would undermine dollar dominance because they could neither reduce payment frictions nor prevent illicit finance.

Daily101422.pdf…

3 10, 2022

DAILY100322

Eliza Allen2022-10-05T10:29:43-04:00October 3rd, 2022|2- Daily Briefing|

Gruenberg Commits to Climate-Risk Standards, Cautious on Premium Hike

Acting FDIC Chairman Gruenberg today strongly defended banking-agency action addressing climate risk, indicating that the FDIC will advance pending risk-management principles akin to those pending from the OCC (see FSM Report GREEN12) along with working with the Fed.

FRB-Chicago Study: Big U.S. Banks are Oligopolists

A new Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago working paper finds that U.S. banking has become increasingly concentrated judged by the top-five bank’s market share and a standard market-power index, concluding that this “oligopolistic” sector is thus able to charge undue fees to weaker corporate customers.

Warren Zelle Report Finds “Rampant” Fraud, Slams Banks

Following the hearing with large-bank CEOs (see Client Report REFORM213), Sen. Warren (D-MA) released a scathing report concluding that Zelle is plagued by “rampant and increasing fraud.”

Board Defies Critics, Demands Two Networks for Online Debit Transactions

Ahead of possible Congressional action on legislation to restrict credit-card interchange fees (see FSM Report INTERCHANGE10), the FRB today voted 6-1 to finalize its controversial proposal (see FSM Report INTERCHANGE8) requiring debit-card issuers to enable at least two unaffiliated payment-card networks, including with regard to “card not present” transactions.

FSOC Presses New Law, Rule, Supervisory Standards to Tackle Crypto Systemic Risk

As anticipated, the FSOC today approved a sweeping report on cryptoasset financial stability, finding that interconnectedness between this sector and the financial system poses significant risk that warrants structural action.

Daily100322.pdf…

30 09, 2022

DAILY093022

Eliza Allen2022-10-03T13:40:26-04:00September 30th, 2022|2- Daily Briefing|

Brainard Acknowledges Risk But Sticks to Policy Guns

Responding to acute concerns that Fed policy will shatter global financial stability, Fed Vice Chair Brainard today emphasized her longstanding and once-isolated view that monetary policy must consider financial stability.

Global Standard-Setters Turn to Clearing Margin, Liquidity

The Basel Committee, IOSCO, and CPMI issued the first substantive response to the FSB’s decision to target margining practices following its review of the 2020 financial crisis and the need to address nonbank financial intermediation (see Client Report NBFI).

HFSC Republicans Denounce Beneficial Ownership Rule

HFSC Ranking Member McHenry (R-NC) and Rep. Luetkemeyer (R-MO) released a statement today sharply criticizing FinCEN’s beneficial ownership final rule as overly broad and complex.

Basel Concludes High Capital Compatible with Sustained Profitability

The Basel Committee today released its latest report on bank capitalization, finding that profitability remains robust despite capital ratios increasing to the highest level since the beginning of the exercise in 2012.

Bowman Comes Out Swinging on New, Costly Big-Bank Rules

Following a speech earlier this week largely siding with banks on merger policy, FRB Gov. Bowman today agreed with assertions from bank CEOs (see Client Report REFORM213) and others that the largest U.S. banks are now well capitalized as judged by ratios and effective stress testing.

FRB/FDIC Turn to Regional Resolvability

The Fed and FDIC today announced that they will shortly propose resolution guidance for most regional banks.

Daily093022.pdf…

28 09, 2022

DAILY092822

Eliza Allen2022-09-29T09:56:21-04:00September 28th, 2022|2- Daily Briefing|

CFPB Targets Repeat Offenders, Overdraft Fees

Continuing his campaign against repeat offenders, CFPB Director Chopra announced sweeping penalties against Regions Bank for “illegal, surprise overdraft” fees. These are said to be “manipulative” fees charged after the bank had notified consumers of sufficient balances at the time of a transaction, with the release accompanying the order also alleging that Regions’ senior management continued these fees after staff warned against them following an earlier CFPB enforcement order and Fed warnings.

Fed’s Bowman strongly disputes assertion of undo banking-market concentration

In remarks today FRB governor Bowman made it clear that she will dissent for any new merger policy, concluding that regulated banking is currently over-concentrated. In her talk, she provides extensive data on the transformation of retail banking, arguing that the current measures are particularly deceptive when it comes to community banks.

Daily092822.pdf…