Regulatory Roundup: IMPORTANT, NOT IMMINENT

DATA REPORTING: More than a year after it was proposed, a plan to let banks voluntarily collect race and gender data on owners of small businesses remains pending before the Fed. Bankers are generally critical, claiming the data would be unreliable. But community activists are hoping two new presidential appointees will push the Fed board to adopt the regulation, which would give the first look at who gets small-business loans. Published April 26, 1995. Comments were due June 27, 1995.

BANK POWERS: The OCC is nearing completion on a proposal to let national banks conduct activities through operating subsidiaries that are not permitted for the parent. The rule had been on hold pending action on a House bill to repeal the Glass-Steagall Act, which would have required new securities activities to be conducted in holding company subsidiaries. However, that bill was withdrawn in June. The agency is expected to finalize the proposal before October. The OCC's plan was proposed in November 1994; comments were due in January 1995.

RECOURSE: The agencies are working on a proposal that is expected to reduce the amount of capital that banks must hold against some assets that are sold with recourse. However, regulators may require banks to hold more capital against other assets, such as letters of credit. An advance notice of proposed rulemaking was issued for comment in May 1994. Comments were due in July 1994. The proposal is expected this summer.