#Volcker Rule – Federal Financial Analytics

11 04, 2023

FedFin Assessment: Top Brainard, Gruenberg Regulatory Rewrites

Arezou Rafikian2023-04-11T16:52:14-04:00April 11th, 2023|The Vault|

In this report, we drill down on prior forecasts (see Client Report REFORM219) of near-term regulatory action to identify the revisions sure to be prioritized as NEC Director Brainard and FDIC Chairman Gruenberg seek to reverse rules finalized over their objections when they were in the minority. Ms. Brainard does not have a direct role dictating what the Fed will do given central-bank independence, but she has a good deal of influence as evidenced most recently by the White House action list. Acting Comptroller Hsu was not casting formal votes over these years, but he was an influential staff leader in this area and clearly has his own list – see for example his efforts on bank merger and resolution policy (see FSM Report RESOLVE48). We expect he will concur with Vice Chairman Barr and Mr. Gruenberg if they all advance the rewrites to the tailoring rules to which Ms. Brainard and Mr. Gruenberg so strongly objected….

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

11 04, 2023

REFORM220

Eliza Allen2023-04-11T10:41:47-04:00April 11th, 2023|5- Client Report|

FedFin Assessment: Top Brainard, Gruenberg Regulatory Rewrites

In this report, we drill down on prior forecasts (see Client Report REFORM219) of near-term regulatory action to identify the revisions sure to be prioritized as NEC Director Brainard and FDIC Chairman Gruenberg seek to reverse rules finalized over their objections when they were in the minority. Ms. Brainard does not have a direct role dictating what the Fed will do given central-bank independence, but she has a good deal of influence as evidenced most recently by the White House action list. Acting Comptroller Hsu was not casting formal votes over these years, but he was an influential staff leader in this area and clearly has his own list – see for example his efforts on bank merger and resolution policy (see FSM Report RESOLVE48). We expect he will concur with Vice Chairman Barr and Mr. Gruenberg if they all advance the rewrites to the tailoring rules to which Ms. Brainard and Mr. Gruenberg so strongly objected.

REFORM220.pdf…

25 01, 2023

DAILY012523

Eliza Allen2023-01-25T16:55:15-05:00January 25th, 2023|2- Daily Briefing|

SEC Re-Proposes Rule Targeting ABS Conflicts of Interest

The SEC today voted 5-0 to re-propose a controversial 2011 rule required under the Dodd-Frank Act (see FSM Report ABS17) barring the kinds of conflicts of interest all too evident before the great financial crisis related to asset-backed securitizations (ABS). Although the vote was unanimous, GOP commissioners had significant concerns with the proposal, several of which were shared by Democratic Commissioner Crenshaw. Questions on which the SEC will seek comment or where regulatory changes are possible include the extent to which internal firewalls could be considered sufficient under the law as barriers to conflicts of interest and/or if disclosures to investors are a possible alternative.

FinCEN Targets CRE Sanctions Evasion

Building on its sanctions evasion alert last year, FinCEN today issued an alert detailing red flags that may signal potential sanctions evasion via U.S. CRE investment. Citing the lack of visibility in CRE markets and its large proportion of foreign investors, FinCEN again warns that Russian oligarchs may use shell companies, third-parties, or other proxies to circumvent money laundering and beneficial ownership controls. It also lists the use of an offshore private investment vehicle, ownership of CRE through multiple jurisdictions without a clear business purpose, and failure to disclose beneficial ownership information, among others, as potential red flags that may warrant a suspicious activity report.

Daily012523.pdf…

15 11, 2022

REFORM214

Max Camateros-Mann2022-11-22T15:27:38-05:00November 15th, 2022|5- Client Report|

Crypto, Deposit Rates, Capital Top Senate Discussion

At today’s Senate Banking oversight hearing with the banking agencies, Chairman Brown (D-OH) generally applauded the work of regulators, emphasizing the need for tough standards, like-kind rules for bigtech companies, and an inquiry into why depositor interest rates lag Fed rate hikes along lines posed earlier by Sen. Reed (D-RI). FDIC Acting Chairman Gruenberg concurred, criticizing banks for sluggish rates. Ranking Member Toomey (R-PA) reiterated his longstanding complaints about regulators straying outside their mission in areas such as climate change. He also called for SLR relief to reduce Treasury-market risk and opposed pending large-bank resolution guidance (see FSM Report LIVINGWILL19) on grounds that it is unnecessary.

REFORM214.pdf…

12 01, 2022

FedFin Forecast: Prudential Regulatory Framework Set for Structural Change Largely Built on Current Standards

Arezou Rafikian2023-04-24T15:49:23-04:00January 12th, 2022|The Vault|

As promised, FedFin begins our 2022 forecasts with this in-depth report on bank regulation. In general, we conclude that the context of decisions in 2022 and beyond will shift from a focus on tailoring efficiencies and burden relief to one emphasizing risk mitigation, fairness, equity, and — for the very biggest banks — a smaller systemic footprint. This report looks at the impact of pending personnel decisions as well as the outlook for climate-risk, new capital rules, FBO standards, and other key issues….

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

12 01, 2022

REFORM211

Arezou Rafikian2023-04-24T15:49:07-04:00January 12th, 2022|5- Client Report|

FedFin Forecast: Prudential Regulatory Framework Set for Structural Change Largely Built on Current Standards

As promised, FedFin begins our 2022 forecasts with this in-depth report on bank regulation. In general, we conclude that the context of decisions in 2022 and beyond will shift from a focus on tailoring efficiencies and burden relief to one emphasizing risk mitigation, fairness, equity, and — for the very biggest banks — a smaller systemic footprint. This report looks at the impact of pending personnel decisions as well as the outlook for climate-risk, new capital rules, FBO standards, and other key issues. The only rule we think might get a near-term substantive rewrite is the stress capital buffer (see FSM Report CAPITAL225) via tougher CCAR standards and a reversal of the prior decision to end qualitative objections. The odds of a leverage rewrite are smaller, but not negligible.

REFORM211.pdf…

7 12, 2021

COVEREDFUNDS3

Arezou Rafikian2023-05-23T13:23:31-04:00December 7th, 2021|1- Financial Services Management|

Venture-Capital Investment Restriction

The OCC is “clarifying,” but also in many respects rescinding one aspect of controversial 2020 rules expanding the “covered funds” under which banks may make equity investments as provided by the Volcker Rule. Although the bulletin doing so is very brief, it is also decisive: regardless of the extent to which a venture-capital (VC) investment is permitted under the covered-fund rule, it is barred for national banks and other entities under OCC jurisdiction unless it fits into other, narrower authorizing standards.

COVEREDFUNDS3.pdf…