Minimum capital requirements

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.