Rules and Regulations

CFTC Approves Proposed Amendments to Margin Requirements for Swap Dealers and Major Swap Participants

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On August 14, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) approved two proposed amendments to margin requirements for Swap Dealers and Major Swap Participants (the “CFTC Margin Rule”). The first proposal would, among other changes, revise the method for determining whether an entity comes within the scope of the initial margin requirements under the CFTC Margin Rule and the timing for compliance. The second proposal would permit the application of separate minimum transfer amounts for initial and variation margin, as well as a minimum transfer amount of up to $50,000 for separately managed accounts. Each proposal will be subject to a 30-day comment period following publication in the Federal Register. Release.

CFTC Approves Final Swap Dealer Capital Rule

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On July 22, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) approved a final rule regarding new capital and financial reporting requirements for swap dealers and major swap participants that are not subject to supervision by a banking regulator and imposing financial reporting requirements for swap dealers and major swap participants generally. The final rule provides swap dealers and major swap participants three alternative methods to establish and meet minimum capital requirements depending on the characteristics of their business. The final rule also includes: a comprehensive model approval process; accompanying financial reporting, recordkeeping, and notification requirements; and a substituted compliance determination process for those swap dealers that may already be required to maintain capital in accordance with a foreign regulator. Release.

Federal Reserve Rule Change Allows Bank Directors and Shareholders to Receive PPP Loans

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On July 15, the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) announced it was extending a recent rule change relating to the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program. The rule change will allow certain bank directors and shareholders to apply to their banks for PPP loans for their small businesses. The rule change is effective immediately and will remain effective while the PPP is active. Release.

SEC Adopts Rule Amendments to Applications for Exemption Under the Investment Company Act

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On July 6, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it had voted to adopt rule amendments to establish an expedited review process for applications for exemption for funds under the Investment Company Act. The new process is intended to make the process of applying for more routine exemptions quicker and less expensive for applicants. Release.

Financial Regulators Modify Volcker Rule

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On June 25, financial regulatory agencies modified the Volcker rule’s prohibition on banking entities investing in or sponsoring hedge funds or private equity funds, known as covered funds. The final rule permits banking entities to offer financial services and engage in other activities that fall outside of the issues that the rule was intended to address, and it streamlines the covered funds portion of the rule. The rule will be effective as of October 1. Release. Final Rule.

Agencies Finalize Amendments to Swap Margin Rule

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On June 25, federal agencies finalized a rule that updates margin and capital requirements for banks and other entities with significant swap activities. The updated rule no longer requires entities that are part of the same banking organization to hold a specific amount of initial margin for uncleared swaps with each other, such swaps being known as inter-affiliate swaps. The changes to the swap margin rule also provide additional flexibility to allocate collateral internally. The final rule is intended to facilitate risk management and maintain existing safeguards. Release. Final Rule.

CFPB Issues Interim Final Rule on Loss Mitigation Options for Homeowners Impacted by COVID-19

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On June 23, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued an interim final rule that amends Regulation X by temporarily permitting mortgage servicers to offer certain loss mitigation options to borrowers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic without first obtaining a completed loss mitigation application from the borrower. Release. Interim Final Rule.

CFPB Issues Proposals to Amend Qualified Mortgage Definition and Extend GSE Patch

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On June 22, the CFPB issued two notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRMs) regarding the Qualified Mortgage (QM) exemption from the ability-to-repay requirements of Regulation Z. The first proposal would, among other changes, revise the general QM loan definition by replacing the QM borrower debt-to-income ratio limit with a price-based approach to determining loan eligibility. The second proposal would extend the current January 2021 sunset date in the provision granting QM status to mortgages eligible for purchase by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (the “GSE Patch”) to the date on which the amendments to the general QM loan definition become effective. Comments on the NPRM to revise the general QM loan definition are due 60 days following publication in the Federal Register. Comments on the NPRM to extend the GSE Patch are due 30 days following publication. Release. NPRM (General QM Loan Definition). NPRM (GSE Patch Extension).