Dodd-Frank Act Capital Markets Reform

September 2011 | International Banking Federation (IBFed)

The IBFed includes representatives from bank trade associations in more than a dozen countries and the European Banking Federation. Diana gave a formal presentation to the Financial Markets Working Group about the changes in capital markets regulation as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act. Her remarks focused on the newly created Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC), new regulatory framework for the swaps market, Volcker Rule, and securitization reform for asset-backed securities.

Comment Letter on Margin and Capital Requirements for Covered Swap Entities

July 11, 2011 | American Bankers Association (ABA) and ABA Securities Association (ABASA)

The ABA and ABASA asked the OCC, FDIC, Federal Reserve Board, and CFTC to not impose margin requirements for uncleared swaps entered into by commercial end users that use swaps to hedge or mitigate commercial risk and for the same exemption for banks with the limited swaps activities. They also asked the regulators not to impose third-party margin requirements on inter-affiliate transactions. The final rules did not impose margin on commercial end users and also exempted financial end users with $8 billion or less in gross notional exposure in uncleared swaps. Nonbanks that are covered swap entities (CSEs) would generally not have to collect initial margin from affiliates, while bank CSEs will be required to collect but not post initial margin with affiliates.

CFTC Agricultural Advisory Committee

May 19, 2011 | Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)

As a member of the CFTC Agricultural Advisory Committee representing the American Bankers Association (ABA), Diana raised issues about the exemption for swaps entered into in connection with originating loans and the small bank clearing exemption. She also engaged in a discussion about the timing of different agency proposals on margin requirements, including mention of mixed swaps that will be subject to both CFTC and SEC jurisdiction.

Comment Letter on End-User Exception to Mandatory Clearing of Swaps and Security-Based Swaps

February 22, 2011 | American Bankers Association (ABA)

The Dodd-Frank Act directs the CFTC and SEC to consider an exception from clearing requirements for banks and savings associations with $10 billion or less in total assets. The ABA urged the CFTC and SEC to grant the exception to small banks and savings associations whose swaps constitute a truly de minimis amount of the market. The final CFTC rule granted an exception.

The Financial Crisis of 2007-2009 Causes and Contributing Circumstances

January 12, 2010 | American Bar Association

Contributing author of the report prepared by the ABA Business Law Section Banking Law Committee (BLC) Task Force on the Causes of the Financial Crisis. This BLC Task Force was formed as a subgroup of the Task Force on Financial Regulatory Restructuring, which was appointed by the BLC to analyze financial regulatory and systemic issues that may have caused and contributed to the 2007-2009 financial crisis.

Proposed Amendments to Rule 15a-6: Exemption of Certain Foreign Brokers or Dealers

2008 | Practicing Law Institute (PLI)

Diana and Marlon Paz gave a PLI telephone briefing about the SEC’s proposed amendments to Securities Exchange Act Rule 15a-6. The rule provides a conditional exemption from broker-dealer regulation for certain limited activities of foreign broker-dealers conducting transactions with U.S. customers. The SEC adopted Rule 15a-6 in 1989 and the proposed amendments were intended to reflect increasing securities market internationalization and changes in technology and communication.