Title VI

The five federal financial regulatory agencies recently published a final rule intended to simplify implementing regulations of Section 13 of the Bank Holding Company (BHC) Act, commonly known as the Volcker Rule.

The final rule revises numerous provisions of the Volcker Rule, intended to provide clarity and streamline compliance obligations based on trading assets and liabilities.

Learn more about changes enacted by the rule.

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Bankers’ calls for a tailored, streamlined approach to enforcing the regulatory framework implementing Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act provision, commonly known as the “Volcker Rule,” have been answered by a newly finalized joint agency rule revising provisions governing banks’ ability to engage in proprietary investment activities.

Regulators and banking industry advocates assert that the final rule will bring appropriate regulatory relief to the banking industry without compromising safety and soundness. However, credit union advocates and consumer groups have cast doubts on the latter notion.

Learn more details about the newly finalized rule.

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The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) recently laid out its priorities for 2019 in its annual report, which include measures designed to reduce regulatory burdens while continuing to promote safety and soundness in the banking sector. It also indicates that 2018 saw the fewest OCC-issued supervisory notices in 12 years.

Many of the OCC’s recent actions, and those it is planning to take in the coming months, involve implementing provisions of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act.

Find out more details about the report.

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Five federal financial regulators are seeking comments on a proposed rule that would exclude community banks from Volcker Rule restrictions. The jointly proposed rule implements a provision of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act.

FDIC Board Member Martin Gruenberg detailed what he believes should be considered when crafting such exemptions during a recent meeting with the FDIC Board of Directors, including asset thresholds and collateralized debt obligations.

Find out more details about how the exemption would impact community banks. 

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Square Inc. has reapplied to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) for an industrial loan charter more than five months after withdrawing its initial application. The company also filed a second industrial bank charter application with the Utah Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). 

Banks and credit unions, which are subject to significantly more regulatory scrutiny than fintech companies, have advocated for regulators to reject such applications until congressional action is taken to address certain safety and soundness concerns.

Find out more about Square’s second charter application and why the industry’s opposition isn’t likely to wane.

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Among the most divisive topics in financial regulation is a law with the expressed purpose of setting dividers between what banks can and cannot do. 

Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act, more commonly known as the “Volcker Rule” has been a subject of debate since its implementation. 

Data Boiler Founder and President Kelvin To told Dodd Frank Update he sees something tantamount to harmony between the two sides of the issue, in some respects, which could be the doorway to finding a bipartisan solution.  

 

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The Mortgage Bankers Association announced its support for bipartisan bills introduced in the House and the Senate intended to allow mortgage loan originators to continue working while transitioning between companies.

Both legislative pieces would be especially beneficial to mortgage loan originators  making the jump from a bank to a non-bank entity, which has additional requirements under the current SAFE Act provisions.

Read on to learn more details about the bills and the next step in the legislative process.  Read on »

Bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate proposes to enact a Financial Choice Act provision that would allow nonbank financial companies to charge the same interest rates on loans they purchase as national banks. Read on to learn more about the bill.  Read on »

Five federal financial regulatory agencies are considering ways to address concerns over potential unintended consequences impacting foreign investment funds not covered by section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act, also known as the “Volcker Rule.” Read on to learn what those concerns are and what the agencies are doing in response.  Read on »

With Congress turning its attention toward tax reform, the Community Home Lenders Association is concerned large increases in the standard deduction could negatively affect   certain homeowners and is recommending provisions to mitigate those impacts. Read on to learn more.  Read on »