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.
FHLB BYLAWS: Interim rule by the Federal Housing Finance Board giving the 12 Home Loan banks authority to approve their own bylaws. Published Dec. 11 and effective Jan. 12. Comments due Jan. 12.
TRUTH-IN-LENDING: Proposal by the Fed to amend its Truth-in-Lending commentary to explain the difference between open- and closed-end loans. Published Dec. 9. Comments due Jan. 20.
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. Comments due Feb. 2.
RESERVES: Proposal by the Fed to make it easier for banks to meet reserve requirements by letting them calculate mandatory reserves with deposit figures that are 17 days old. Published Nov. 12. Comments due Jan. 12.
RECOURSE: Proposal by the banking and thrift agencies to adopt new capital requirements for recourse agreements and similar tools used to sell securitized assets. Under the plan, banks holding the riskiest part of a securitization would face higher capital requirements than those holding less risky sections. Published Nov. 5. Comments due Feb. 3.
CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS: Proposal by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to exempt retail, service, and wholesale businesses from currency transaction reports, provided they have been bank customers for at least a year and frequently conduct cash transactions greater than $10,000. Published Sept. 8. Comments due Jan. 16.
