On March 26, Bank of America and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, announced a settlement of FHFA’s RMBS-related suits against the Bank. The Bank has agreed to pay approximately US$9.3 billion to settle allegations that it violated federal and state securities laws in connection with private-label RMBS purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac between 2005 and 2007. Pursuant to the agreement, approximately US$5.83 billion will be allocated by FHFA to settle all claims asserted in four lawsuits brought by FHFA against Bank of America, Countrywide, and Merrill Lynch, and the remainder will be allocated to repurchases by Bank of America of RMBS held by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Bank of America Press Release. FHFA Press Release. Settlement Agreement.
board minutes
Treasury Committee Publishes Report on the Financial Services Bill
On 8 June, the Treasury Select Committee published a report setting out its main concerns on the Financial Services Bill. Report.
In particular, it called for amendments to the Bill which would:
- Oblige the Court of the Bank of England to undertake retrospective reviews of the Bank of England’s performance;
- Give a general power to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to direct the bank of England when public funds are at risk;
- Make competition an objective of the Prudential Regulation Authority;
- Ensure Parliament, through the Treasury Committee, may request retrospective reviews of the work of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (“FCA”).
It also considered whether the Treasury Committee should have a role in the appointment and dismissal of the Governor of the Bank of England and whether there is a way of requiring the FCA to publish board minutes. It welcomed the House of Lords to re-examine these issues. The second reading of the Bill in the House of Lords will take place on 11 June 2012.