Regulatory Roundup: Open for Comment

ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS: A proposal by the Treasury Department that the government follow most of the banking industry's rules for electronic payments via the automated clearing house network. Published Feb. 4. Comments due May 4.

MERGER APPLICATIONS: Proposal by the banking and thrift regulators to develop a uniform application for bank mergers that would simplify paperwork when approvals are required from more than one agency. Published Jan. 21. Comments due March 23.

ARM DISCLOSURE: Interim rule by the Office of Thrift Supervision to simplify disclosure requirements for adjustable-rate mortgages. Published and effective Jan. 8. Comments due March 9.

THRIFT CAPITAL: Proposal by the OTS to exempt healthy independent thrifts from the agency's notification requirement when making certain capital distributions. Published Jan. 7. Comments due March 9.

FOREIGN BANKING: Proposal by the Federal Reserve Board to expand the ability of foreign branches of U.S. banks to underwrite securities and to invest in foreign companies. It also would make it easier for foreign banks to branch in the United States. Published Dec. 31. Comments due March 14.

MARKET RISK: Interim rule by the banking agencies eliminating a requirement that banks with large securities trading portfolios hold half the market risk capital demanded under international standards. Published Dec. 30 and effective Dec. 31. Comments due March 2.

CHARTER CHANGES: Proposal by the National Credit Union Administration to require credit unions seeking to become federal mutual thrifts to include in disclosure documents a warning that switching charters could reduce members' voting rights. Published Dec. 4. Comment deadline extended to Feb. 16.

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