The financial condition of the banking system remained strong and improved during the first half of 2021, despite some lingering concerns, the Federal Reserve found in its latest supervision and regulation report released today.
The Federal Reserve today asked for comments on proposed changes to its payments system risk policy that would expand access to collateralized intraday credit from the Federal Reserve Banks.
Bank of America Chairman and CEO Brian Moynihan told lawmakers today that “it’s important to look at [the Supplemental Leverage Ratio] again and make sure it’s calibrated correctly,” in light of lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The FDIC today said that the banking industry remained resilient entering 2021, despite the extraordinary challenges of the pandemic. In its annual risk review publication, the agency said that the banking sector in 2020 was helped by strong capital and liquidity levels and “was a source of stability to the economy.”
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, “the benefits of a resilient banking system have been evident” as banks’ “strong capital and liquidity positions” have enabled the pandemic recovery, the Federal Reserve said today in its supervision and regulation report.
In a comment letter today, ABA told the Securities and Exchange Commission that any reform of money market funds should not focus on regulated banks, which have been a source of strength during the pandemic.
Following significant liquidity strains—particularly among money market mutual funds—at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic last March, the Financial Stability Board will publish a report in July outlining “consequential policy proposals” to improve MMF resilience.
In two comment letters to the Federal Housing Finance Agency last week, the American Bankers Association weighed in on proposed changes to liquidity requirements for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as well as proposed changes to resolution planning requirements for the two GSEs.
In remarks at a virtual industry event today, Fed Governor Lael Brainard commented on the strong performance of the banking sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing that strong capital and liquidity positions will continue to be important as banks continue to face a high degree of uncertainty.
The Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking feedback on potential ways to improve the resilience of money market funds in the face of economic instability.