Minimum capital requirements

One Federal Reserve governor’s push to use an untapped capital buffer to counteract potential losses is stoking concerns that such a maneuver could spook financial markets.

The amount of debt owed by businesses and the valuations of corporations are elevated, creating a growing source of concern, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday.

The proposal by Fannie and Freddie’s regulator to impose bank-like capital requirements would be relevant only if the companies leave conservatorship. But that hasn’t stopped lenders from requesting changes.

The choice appears to reaffirm U.S. regulators' commitment to the international standards-setting body.

The proposed 9% ratio for institutions with less than $10 billion of assets is designed to create a simpler capital regime for small banks.

As regulators get set to unveil a new capital ratio for community banks, FDIC Chairman Jelena McWilliams said she wants to go even further to simplify the capital regime.

The mortgage insurer’s annual actuarial report showed strength in the agency’s capital reserves even though losses in the “home equity conversion mortgage” program are still a problem.

On the verge of controlling the Financial Services Committee, House Democrats criticized proposed changes to the Federal Reserve Board's post-crisis supervision program.

The central bank's top regulator said public comments about the new tool, used to gauge capital strength during stress tests, will likely result in changes before it is adopted.

The new approach would replace the "current exposure methodology" that banks typically use to calculate what they owe or are owed in swaps, futures or options contracts.

Donald Layton, who has run the mortgage giant since 2012, discussed the busy agenda leading up to his departure and says Freddie can serve as a "technical adviser" in GSE reform talks.

The heavy workload is not limited to implementing the financial regulatory reform bill enacted last spring, as the agencies also work to craft reforms of the Community Reinvestment Act and adjust key capital measures for the biggest banks.

The Federal Housing Administration is mandating that lenders originating new reverse mortgages offer a second property appraisal in certain cases.

Large retailers want the right to reject rewards cards at the point of sale to avoid higher swipe fees; Germany's financial regulator appoints an auditor to monitor the Deutsche Bank's progress.

The changes mandated by the recent regulatory relief law would narrow the definition of "high-volatility commercial real estate" exposures that get a higher risk weight.

OCC proposal would broaden the types of loans that would count toward CRA obligations; new law helps parents freeze accounts of minors.

A top regulator has signaled that the banking agencies are receptive to extending the comment deadline, after banks raised concerns about a proposed revision to the ban on proprietary trading.

With strategic changes at key trade groups and attention shifting away from regulatory relief for community banks, the interests of large institutions have taken on more prominence.

Bank to offer 100 free stock or ETF trades to customers; the BofA unit will deposit uninvested client cash in banks, not money market funds.

U.S. authorities are forced to take action on some shady dealings up north; the Systemic Risk Council says weaker capital rules could deflate bank equity.