Minimum capital requirements

The alternative is waiting for state and federal regulators to take steps that could disrupt the flow of capital and put some firms out of business.

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.