Original News | Straight from DC | FinReg21|Reforming Financial Services Regulation in the 21st Century

Volcker describes an alternative scenario for regulatory reform

Friday 18 December 2009 19:33 | Managing Editor | 1383 comments

It’s the statement of a confident man, and at 82, former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker, something of a legend in his own time in the world of finance, is plenty confident.

Consumer agency opponents focusing on state preemption issue

Friday 02 October 2009 20:49 | Managing Editor | 573 comments

After lawmakers scaled back proposals for a Consumer Financial Protection Agency by removing the requirement to offer a “plain vanilla” product and other concessions, the fight is now focused on whether rules of the new federal agency should preempt state regulations or not.

Stability board holds key to implementing G20 regulatory measures

Thursday 01 October 2009 22:23 | Managing Editor | 698 comments

The Group of 20 Summit in Pittsburgh last week saw government leaders agree on important regulatory measures concerning bank capital and compensation, resolution of cross-border institutions and trading of over-the-counter derivatives, a top U.S. official said in congressional testimony this week.

SEC mulls further measures against naked short sales amid criticism from lawmakers

Wednesday 30 September 2009 21:06 | Managing Editor | 579 comments

The SEC once again tackled naked short selling issues as a panel of experts at its “roundtable” on short selling looked at a possible requirement to pre-borrow shares before selling them short, a procedure also known as “hard-locate.”

FDIC could seek bailout from banks

Tuesday 22 September 2009 21:19 | Managing Editor | 592 comments

WASHINGTON - Regulators have approached big banks about borrowing billions to shore up the dwindling fund that insures regular deposit accounts.

Government translates proposed derivatives regulation into draft legislation

Thursday 13 August 2009 19:39 | Managing Editor | 359 comments

The Obama administration moved a step closer to reversing what is now seen by many as a significant mistake by completing draft legislation to regulate derivatives trading.

Size not only determinant of systemic importance, Fed economist says

Wednesday 12 August 2009 23:50 | Managing Editor | 453 comments

While the administration has proposed to create a category of “Tier 1 Financial Holding Companies” that are systemically important financial institutions (SIFIs), a Federal Reserve economist suggests there may be a need for more categories.

State Street says legal reserve may not be sufficient in face of SEC probe

Monday 10 August 2009 23:03 | Managing Editor | 502 comments

Facing possible punitive action by the SEC, State Street Bank said its reserves to settle litigation related to its investments in subprime mortgages may not be sufficient.

Analysis: Regulation of credit rating agencies poses conundrums for lawmakers

Thursday 06 August 2009 20:22 | Managing Editor | 786 comments

The Treasury held its position that the government should not regulate methodologies or ratings of credit rating agencies. Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and other agencies have come under fire for misleading investors by assigning top ratings to mortgage-backed securities.

CFTC’s Gensler sees chance of position limits on energy trading already in fall

Wednesday 05 August 2009 00:00 | Managing Editor | 458 comments

After the third day of hearings, Chairman Gary Gensler stated that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) may publish rules limiting positions that can be taken on oil, natural gas and electricity futures. Currently, the agency only imposes limits on agricultural commodities.