Posts by: Eric Nyman

Federal Bank Regulators Issue Rule Supporting Treasury’s Investments in Minority Depository Institutions and Community-Development Financial Institutions

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On March 9, federal bank regulatory agencies announced an interim final rule that supports the Treasury Department’s implementation of a program established by Congress to make capital investments in minority depository institutions and community-development financial institutions. The Treasury Department’s Emergency Capital Investment Program (ECIP) will support the efforts of these financial institutions to provide loans, grants and forbearance to small businesses, minority-owned businesses and consumers, especially in low-income and underserved communities, which may be disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Release.

Federal Reserve Board Announces it will Extend its Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility

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On March 8, the Federal Reserve Board announced it will extend its Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (PPPLF) by three months to June 30, 2021. The Commercial Paper Funding Facility (CPFF), the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (MMLF) and the Primary Dealer Credit Facility (PDCF) have not had significant usage since last summer and will expire as scheduled on March 31. Release.

Federal Reserve Board Clarifies Guidance as it Relates to Definitions for Minority Depository Institutions

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On March 5, the Federal Reserve Board clarified guidance as it relates to definitions for minority depository institutions (MDIs) by expanding the MDI definition to include women-owned financial institutions, and highlighting resources available to MDIs through its Partnership for Progress (PFP) program. Release.

CFTC Approves NFA’s Swap Dealer Capital Model Review Program

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On January 13, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) Market Participation Division determined that the National Futures Association’s (NFA) swap dealer capital model requirements and review program is comparable to the CFTC’s swap dealer capital model requirements and review program and is an acceptable means of compliance with CFTC Regulation 23.102. Release.

FHFA Further Extends COVID-Related Loan Flexibilities

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On January 13, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that it will extend several loan origination flexibilities until February 28, 2021, that were set to expire on January 31, 2021. The extended flexibilities include alternative appraisals on purchase and rate term refinance loans, alternative methods for documenting income and verifying employment before loan closing and expanding the use of power of attorney to assist with loan closings. Release.

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

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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

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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.

Treasury and IRS Issue Guidance Clarifying the Deductibility of Expenses Where a Business Received a PPP Loan

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On November 18, the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released guidance clarifying the tax treatment of expenses where a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan has not been forgiven by the end of the year the loan was received. Since businesses are not taxed on the proceeds of a forgiven PPP loan, the expenses are not deductible. Release.

CFTC Unanimously Approves Final Rule for Granting Exemptions from Derivatives Clearing Organization Registration

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On November 18, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) unanimously approved a final rule establishing a framework for the Commission to grant an exemption from registration as a derivatives clearing organization (DCO) to a clearing organization organized outside of the United States for the purpose of clearing proprietary swap transactions for U.S. persons. Section 5b(h) of the Commodity Exchange Act permits the CFTC to exempt a non-U.S. clearing organization from registration for clearing swaps if the CFTC determines that the clearing organization is subject to comparable, comprehensive supervision and regulation by its home country authorities. Therefore, financial institutions may have more options for central clearing counterparties to clear swaps that they enter into that are subject to a clearing mandate by the CFTC – namely, derivatives clearing organizations organized outside of the U.S., so long as the CFTC determines that they are subject to comparable, comprehensive supervision and regulation by the relevant local authorities in the jurisdiction of their organization. Final Rule.