News
FSB Launches Holistic Look at Regulatory Reforms
With the main elements of the G20’s core financial reforms underway, the Financial Stability (FSB) has proposed a framework to assess the effects of the reforms. In an April 11, 2017 consultation paper, the FSB proposes a structured framework specifying the processes and appropriate analytical approaches for the evaluation of the social benefits and cost of reform measure as well as identifying unintended adverse consequences.
Lack of Haircut Data Hampers E.U. SFT Risk Assessment
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA)’s report on Trends, Risks, and Vulnerabilities No. 1, 2017 (TRV) is the body’s latest effort to highlight areas of risk facing European financial markets. Noting that financial markets remained relatively calm since its last quarterly assessment, ESMA said that risks in the markets “remained at high levels, reflecting very high risk in securities markets, and elevated risk for investors, infrastructures, and services.” ESMA’s overall risk assessment remained unchanged with market and credit risks remaining at “the highest level,” while liquidity and contagion risk remained merely “high.” The report also identified political and policy uncertainties following Brexit and the U.S. elections as well as potential repercussions from the upcoming elections in some E.U. member states as the main risk drivers for 2017. ESMA also expressed concerns about haircut levels in securities financing transaction (SFT) markets but said that lack of haircut data was a significant impediment to assessing risks in SFT markets.
OFR Launches Initiative to Reduce Regulatory Reporting Burden
In a March 16, 2017 address before the Financial Data Summit in Washington, DC, Richard Berner, Director of the Office of Financial Research (OFR), announced an initiative to identify areas of “duplication, overlap, and inefficiency in regulatory reporting.” The initiative is being undertaken in partnership with the Financial Stability Oversight Council (and its member agencies). The goal of the project is to “improve data quality and reduce the reporting burden” faced by regulated financial firms.
House Committee Hearing Examines SIFI Designation Process
The House Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee held a hearing on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 to examine the process used by the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) to designate systemically important financial institutions (SIFIs). The subcommittee heard testimony from a panel of witnesses about the designation process and about the House Financial Services Committee’s February 28, 2017 report criticizing the FSOC and what it termed its “inconsistent and arbitrary” SIFI designation process.
SIFMA Asks G-20 for More Regulatory Balance
In a March 15, 2017 letter, SIFMA urged Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to take a leading role in the G-20 to reassess existing regulatory reforms and strike the appropriate balance between growth and stability. While acknowledging that regulatory reforms since the financial crisis have made markets more stable, SIFMA believes that too much emphasis on stability may be unnecessarily impeding growth.
G-20 Renews Its Commitment to Basel III
“We reiterate our commitment to support the timely, full and consistent implementation and finalisation of the agreed G20 financial sector reform agenda.”
Fed Finds Serious Liquidity Flaw in the Volcker Rule
Industry experts and regulators have debated for some time now about the effects regulation may or may not be having on liquidity. Critics of tough new bank regulations claim that the increased regulatory requirements, such as the higher capital requirements and new liquidity standards have reduced liquidity and banks’ market-making capacity. Regulators, on the other hand, have been skeptical and have called for evidence showing regulations negatively affecting liquidity. In a study published on December 22, 2106, the Fed itself has produced just such evidence.
Basel Issues Step-In Risk Consultation Sequel
On March 15, 2017 the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision published a second consultation paper on guidelines for the identification and management of step-in risk. The first consultation on the topic in December of 2015 set out a framework for identifying and managing step-in risk – the risk that a bank might support unconsolidated entities, beyond any contractual obligation, to protect itself from any reputational damage arising from its connection to such entities.
OFR Publishes Trio of Central Clearing Studies
Over the past few weeks, the U.S. Office of Financial Research (OFR) has published a trio of papers looking at various aspects of central counterparties (CCPs). These papers range from the best way to stress test CCPs, to the adequacy of CCP margin requirements and the relative risks and utility of central clearing to repo markets.
Is the US Poised to Break from Basel III?
In a letter dated January 31, 2017, Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) called on Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen to cease negotiating “binding” international financial regulatory standards in such forums as the Financial Stability Board, the Basel Committee, and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors “until President Trump has had an opportunity to nominate and appoint officials that prioritize America’s best interests.”