SEC Proposes Amendment to Rule 144

 

On December 22, the SEC proposed to amend Rule 144. Among other things, the amendment would revise the holding period determination to the date of acquisition upon the conversion or exchange for market-adjustable securities acquired on the conversion or exchange of certain securities of issuers that do not have securities listed on a national securities exchange. The amendment would also require electronic filing of Form 144 and would eliminate the requirement to file Form 144 for resales of securities of issuers that are not subject to Exchange Act reporting. The public comment period will be open for 60 days following the publication of the proposed rule in the Federal Register. Release.

FHFA Extends COVID-19 Multifamily Mortgage Forbearance through March 31, 2021

 

On December 23, the Federal Housing Finance Authority (FHFA) announced an extension of the COVID-19 relief mortgage forbearance to qualifying multifamily property owners through March 31, 2020, which was previously set to expire on December 31, 2020. The relief program also extends certain protections to related tenants. Release.

Federal Reserve Extends Termination Date of Main Street Lending Program to January 8, 2021

 

On December 29, the Federal Reserve announced it would extend the termination date of Main Street Lending program facilities to January 8, 2021. The extension will allow additional time for lenders to process and fund loans that were submitted to the Main Street lender portal on or before December 14, 2020. Release.

Federal Reserve Announces the Extension of its Temporary U.S. Dollar Liquidity Swap Lines and the Temporary Repurchase Agreement Facility

 

On December 16, the Federal Reserve announced an extension through September 30, 2021, of its temporary U.S. dollar liquidity swap lines and the temporary repurchase agreement facility for foreign and international monetary authorities (FIMA repo facility). In March 2020, these facilities were temporarily established with the goal to ease strains in global dollar funding markets created by the COVID-19 pandemic and to support the supply of credit to households and businesses. These facilities were previously extended as of July 29, 2020. Release.

OCC Reports Decline in Mortgage Performance

 

On December 16, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) reported that the performance of first-lien mortgages in the federal banking system declined during the third quarter of 2020, which accounts for 27% of all residential mortgage debt outstanding in the United States. The percentage of seriously delinquent mortgages was 5.8% in the third quarter of 2020, compared to 6.8% in the prior quarter and 1.5% a year ago. In the third quarter of 2020, servicers initiated 48.2% more foreclosures than in the previous quarter and completed 14,097 mortgage modifications. Release.

CFPB Issues Two Final Rules to Promote Access to Responsible, Affordable Mortgage Credit

 

On December 10, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued two final rules related to qualified mortgage (QM) loans. The first final rule, the General QM Final Rule, replaces current requirements for measuring a consumer’s ability to repay General QM loans based on the consumer’s debt-to-income ratio, and instead adopts a price-based approached. The second final rule creates a new category called “Seasoned QMs” for first-lien, fixed-rate covered transactions that have met certain performance requirements, are held in portfolio by the originating creditor or first purchaser for a 36-month period, comply with general restrictions on product features and points and fees, and meet certain underwriting requirements. Release.

CFTC Approves Final Rules Relating to DCMs, SEFs and Margin Requirements for Uncleared Swaps

 

On December 8, the CFTC approved a number of final rules, including (i) amendments requiring designated contract markets (DCMs) to implement certain risk controls relating to market disruptions caused by electronic trading, (ii) amendments to eliminate certain operational requirements applicable to swap execution facilities (SEFs), and (iii) amendments to the margin requirements for uncleared swaps for swap dealers and major swap participants. DCM Risk Controls Release. SEF Regulations Release. Margin Requirements Release.

SEC Adopts Rule on Fair Valuation Practices Under Investment Company Act

 

On December 3, the SEC adopted Rule 2a-5 establishing an updated regulatory framework for fund valuation practices. The rule requires fund boards of directors (or their designee) to perform certain functions in order to determine in good faith the fair value of a fund’s investments, as required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, including periodically assessing and managing material risks associated with fair value determinations, selecting, applying and testing fair value methodologies, and overseeing and evaluating any pricing services used. Release. Final Rule.

Agencies Announce Threshold for Smaller Loan Exemption from Appraisal Requirements for Higher-Priced Mortgage Loans

 

On November 18, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Federal Reserve Board (FRB), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) (collectively, the “Agencies”) announced that the threshold for exempting loans from special appraisal requirements for higher-priced mortgage loans during 2021 will remain at $27,200, as it was in 2020. Release.

Federal Housing Finance Agency Announces Final Capital Rule for the Enterprises

 

On November 18, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) sent for publication a final rule that establishes a new regulatory capital framework for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the “Enterprises”). The final rule fulfills Congress’s Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 mandate that FHFA establish risk-based capital requirements for the Enterprises. Release.