Numerous investor groups, regulators and politicians have challenged Bank of America’s June 29, 2011 announcement proposing an $8.5 billion settlement of claims based on representations and warranties made by Countrywide in RMBS securitizations. Between July 5 and July 13, four separate groups of investors each moved to intervene in the Article 77 proceeding brought by Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee or Indenture Trustee of the various securitization trusts, seeking judicial approval of the settlement. Potential objections have been voiced to the size of the settlement, potential conflicts of interest, and a failure to provide sufficient information to evaluate the settlement terms. On July 12, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman reportedly sent letters to investors that participated in the settlement negotiations seeking additional information, suggesting that the Attorney General’s office may object to the settlement. Representative Brad Miller, a North Carolina Democrat, raised additional questions about the terms of the settlement in a July 8 letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Walnut Place Motion to Intervene. Pension Fund Motion to Intervene. TM1 Motion to Intervene. FHLB Motion to Intervene. Miller Letter.
Federal Housing Finance Agency
Credit Risk Retention – Joint Regulatory Proposed Rules
On March 28, 2011, the Office of the Comptroller of Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Housing Finance Agency released a joint notice of proposed rulemaking to implement the credit risk retention requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The paper linked below provides an in-depth examination of the proposed rules and their implications for financial markets. Click here to read more.