Saturday, July 04, 2009

Regulatory Updates

RMA acts as a liaison between the financial services industry and bank regulatory agencies. As a not-for-profit, professional association, RMA does not lobby on behalf of the industry. However, RMA meets often with industry regulators to discuss issues of mutual concerns such as the impact of a slowing economy on bank portfolios.

The Current Financial Crisis

RMA will continue to monitor the regulatory response to the current financial crisis and bring you updates as they become available.

Interim Final Rule on TARP Standards for Compensation and Corporate Governance
June 10, 2009

Fed Issues First Monthly Report on Credit and Liquidity Programs
June 10, 2009

Testimony by Fed Chairman Bernanke on Economic, Financial Conditions and Federal Budget
June 3, 2009

Fed Outlines Criteria for Redeeming SCAP Capital
June 1, 2009

FDIC Adopts Final Rule Imposing Special Assessment
May 22, 2009

Fed Announces Final Rule on Bank Preferred Stock Issued to Treasury
May 22, 2009

ALLL — Observed Thrift Practices Including Sound Practices
May 22, 2009

FDIC Approves GMAC Financial Services Participation in TLGP
May 21, 2009

Statement by Treasury Secretary Geithner before Senate Banking Committee
May 20, 2009

Fed Says Some CMBS Will Be Eligible Collateral under TALF
May 19, 2009

Speech by Fed Chairman Bernanke on Stress Testing
May 11, 2009

Fed, OCC, and FDIC Release Results of the Supervisory Capital Assessment Program
May 7, 2009

Speech by Fed Chairman Bernanke on Lessons of Financial Crisis for Banking Supervision
May 7, 2009

Joint Statement by Regulators on Treasury Capital Assistance Program and Supervisory Capital Assessment Program
May 6, 2009

Testimony by Fed Chairman Bernanke on Economic Outlook
May 5, 2009

FDIC to Assist Customers with Loans at Failed Banks
May 5, 2009

Treasury, HUD Announce Housing Grants Funded through Recovery Act
May 4, 2009

Fed Announces Expansion of Eligible Collateral under TALF
May 1, 2009

Obama Administration Auto Restructuring Initiative: Chrysler–Fiat Alliance
April 30, 2009

Protecting American Credit Card Holders
April 29, 2009

Obama Administration Announces Details on Making Home Affordable Program
April 28, 2009

White Paper on Capital Assessment of Large U.S. Bank Holding Companies
April 24, 2009

Fed Announces Two New Interest Rates Applicable to TALF Loans
April 21, 2009

Treasury Secretary Geithner: Opening Statement Before the Congressional Oversight Panel
April 21, 2009

Treasury Secretary Geithner: Written Testimony Congressional Oversight Panel
April 21, 2009

Speech by Fed Chairman Bernanke on Financial Innovation, Consumer Protection
April 17, 2009

Speech by Fed Chairman Bernanke on Questions about the Financial Crisis
April 14, 2009

Treasury Provides New Guidance for PPIP
April 6, 2009

Multi-Agency Crackdown on Foreclosure, Loan Modification Scams
April 6, 2009

Speech by Chairman Bernanke on Fed’s Balance Sheet
April 3, 2009

OCC, OTS Release Mortgage Metrics Report for 4th Quarter 2008
April 3, 2009

2009 Financial Crisis Archive

2008 Financial Crisis Archive

RMA Recorded Audioconference: The Current Financial Crisis
Click here to listen to Eugene A. Ludwig, Founder and CEO of Promontory Financial Group, LLC, and former Comptroller of the Currency discuss the current financial crisis.

RMA In the News:
RMA President and CEO Kevin M. Blakely testifies before the U.S. Senate Banking Subcommittee—June 19, 2008 (PDF)

RMA and the Institute for International Finance (IIF) respond to Standard & Poor's Consultation on their Alternative Risk-Adjusted Capital Framework (PDF)
RMA and IIF submitted a joint response to Standard & Poor's proposal for an alternative Risk-Adjusted Capital Framework. In the response letter, the Associations argue that the development of an additional risk-adjusted capital framework—beyond what is already available through the internal economic capital process and the Basel II Framework—will not be helpful to the financial community. The letter asserts that the proposed approach is not risk based, will provide misleading, conflicting signals, and will foster confusion in the marketplace.

Getting You the Information You Need:

Regulatory Roundup
This section contains updates on regulatory activity such as proposed and final rules, bulletins, and guidance.

Response to the U.S. Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (PDF)

CRE Guidance Response: Concentrations in Commercial Real Estate Lending, Sound Risk Management Practices (PDF)

Basel II
RMA continues to work with the Basel Committee to reform the 1988 Capital Accord by providing industry input as to how the proposals impact bank capital and overall operations.

Loan Loss Reserves
RMA continues to closely follow the issue of Loan Loss Reserves since an AICPA Task Force revised its position significantly to allow an allowance for management judgment.

Toward Greater Financial Stability: A Private Sector Perspective 
The Report of the Counterparty Risk Management Policy Group II

Ed DeMarco is director of RMA's Regulatory Relations and he coordinates the efforts of RMA's Capital Working Group. He can be reached via e-mail at edemarco@rmahq.org or directly at 1-215-446-4052.