FHFA, Fannie and Freddie Launch Representation and Warranty Framework
On September 11, the FHFA announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are launching a new representation and warranty framework for conventional loans sold or delivered on or after January 1, 2013. The framework’s objective is to clarify lenders’ repurchase exposure and liability on future deliveries. Under the new framework: (i) lenders will be relieved of some repurchase obligations for loans that meet specific payment requirements; (ii) HARP loans will be eligible for representation and warranty relief after 12 months’ of acceptable payment history; (iii) information about exclusions from representation and warranty relief will be detailed; and (iv) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will make available for lenders a range of tools to improve loan quality. FHFA Release.
First Winning Bidder Announced for FHFA REO Pilot Initiative
On September 10, the FHFA announced that Pacifica Companies, LLC has purchased 699 Fannie Mae properties in Florida as part of the REO pilot initiative. The FHFA will announce the winning investors for properties in other areas upon closing of the transactions in the coming weeks. FHFA Release.
CFTC Seeks Public Comment on ICE Clear Europe Request about Futures
On September 11, the CFTC requested public comment on a petition from ICE Clear Europe Limited for an order pursuant to Section 4d(a) of the Commodity Exchange Act which would permit ICE Clear Europe and its clearing members that are registered futures commission merchants to: (i) commingle in a futures customer account positions in futures and options, and foreign futures and foreign options, and related customer money, securities and property; and (ii) portfolio margin such futures and options, and foreign futures and foreign options, in the futures customer account. Comments should be submitted by September 25. CFTC Release.
CFTC Reponses to Questions on Timing of Swap Dealer Registration Rules
On September 10, the CFTC responded to questions on the timing of when entities will be required to register as swap dealers. The CFTC issued FAQs to help market participants better understand the requirements and timing of the rules. CFTC Release.
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German High Frequency Trading Act Potential Implications for HFT Firms and Other Firms Using Automated Trading Strategies
On July 30, the German Ministry of Finance published a discussion draft bill regarding High Frequency Trading for the German financial services sector in the form of an “Act for the Prevention of Risks and the Abuse of High Frequency Trading” (HFTA). The new rules amend various German laws to extend their application to high frequency and algorithmic trading. Click here to read more.
Ruling No. 1831/12 of the Russian Supreme Arbitrazh Court of June 19, 2012 on Split Jurisdiction Clauses
The ruling, after being delayed for a month, was finally published on September 2 and relates to a split jurisdiction clause of a type that is in common use, for example in loan agreements, and which limits the remedies available to one of the parties. Click here to read more.
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German Bank Sues Goldman Sachs Over $189 Million in RMBS
Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank AG (DZ Bank) filed a summons with notice in New York State court on September 7, 2012, against several Goldman Sachs entities asserting claims in connection with DZ Bank’s alleged purchase of 9 RMBS for over $189 million. DZ Bank alleges that Goldman Sachs provided offering materials that misrepresented or omitted material information about, among other things, the underwriting standards used to originate the underlying loans, the statistical characteristics of the loans, and the transfer of the loans to the RMBS trusts. DZ Bank asserts causes of action for common-law fraud, fraudulent inducement, negligent misrepresentation, aiding and abetting fraud, declaratory judgment, and contract claims, including rescission, restitution, and mutual mistake. DZ Bank seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, and rescission. Summons.
Prudential Files RMBS Lawsuits Against Goldman Sachs and RBS
On August 21, 2012, several Prudential entities sued several RBS entities in New Jersey State court seeking to recover damages allegedly suffered in connection with over $343 million in RMBS. Prudential also sued several Goldman Sachs entities in New Jersey State court on August 24, 2012, seeking to recover damages allegedly suffered in connection with over $270 million in RMBS. In both cases, Prudential alleges that the offering documents for the RMBS at issue contain untrue statements of material fact and omissions concerning the underwriting standards used to originate the underlying loans, the result of the defendants’ pre-closing due diligence, owner-occupancy rates, the process by which appraisals in connection with the underlying loans were performed, the assignment of the loans to the RMBS trusts, and the credit ratings assigned to the RMBS. In the case against RBS, Prudential also alleges that the offering documents contain untrue statements of material fact and omissions concerning the loans’ LTV and CLTV ratios; in the case against Goldman Sachs, Prudential also alleges that the offering documents contain untrue statements of material fact and omissions concerning exceptions made during the loan underwriting process. Prudential asserts causes of action for common-law fraud / fraudulent inducement, aiding and abetting fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and violation of New Jersey’s civil RICO statute. Prudential seeks compensatory damages, treble damages in connection with its RICO claim, rescission, attorneys’ fees and costs, and prejudgment interest. RBS Complaint. Goldman Sachs Complaint.
NCUA Sues UBS Over $1.1 billion in RMBS Sold to Collapsed Credit Unions
On September 6, 2012, the National Credit Union Administration Board (NCUA) sued UBS in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. The NCUA filed the suit in its capacity as Liquidating Agent of U.S. Central Federal Credit Union and Western Corporate Federal Credit Union, which collectively are alleged to have purchased over $1.1 billion in RMBS from UBS. The complaint alleges that the originators of the mortgages collateralized into the RMBS had “systematically abandoned” the underwriting guidelines described in the offering documents. The NCUA also alleges that the offering documents contained untrue statements of material fact concerning weighted average LTV ratios, the evaluation of the borrowers’ capacity and likelihood to repay the mortgage loans, and the reduced documentation programs used by the originators. The NCUA asserts claims under Sections 11 and 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, Sections 25401 and 25501 of the California Corporate Securities Law, and the Kansas Uniform Securities Act. The NCUA seeks rescission or rescissionary damages or, in the alternative, compensatory damages. Complaint.
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Legislative Proposals for an EU Banking Union
On September 12, the European Commission published its legislative proposals to establish a single supervisory mechanism (SSM) for eurozone banks. An accompanying communication sets out the ‘roadmap’ for achieving the banking union.
There are two legislative proposals, both of which the Commission has called on the Council of the EU and the European Parliament to adopt by the end of the year:
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a regulation to create the SSM, which tasks the European Central Bank with prudential regulation policy and provides for non-euro countries to join voluntarily; and
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a regulation to adapt the existing European Banking Authority Regulation (1093/2010) to ensure the preservation of the integrity of the single market and balanced decision making by the European Banking Authority.
Consultation on Non-EEA National Depositor Preference Regimes
The FSA has published a consultation paper looking at the implications of non-EEA national depositor preference regimes which prioritise the claims of home-country depositors over those of depositors outside the home country if a firm becomes insolvent.
The proposed new FSA rules would prohibit firms from non-EEA countries that operate such regimes from accepting deposits through a UK branch, unless measures are introduced to eliminate the disadvantage to UK depositors caused by the subordination of their claims in favour of home country depositors.
It is intended that the new rules will be in place by January 2013, with a compliance deadline of January 2015.
Consultation on the Authorisation and Supervision Regimes Proposed under the UK’s New Supervisory Structure
On September 12, the FSA published a consultation paper entitled ‘Regulatory Reform: PRA and FCA regimes relating to aspects of authorisation and supervision’ (CP12/24). CP12/24 relates to the creation of the PRA and the FCA that will, along with the FPC, replace the FSA. The PRA and FCA will each adopt provisions from the FSA Handbook to create two new rulebooks that will come into effect when the new regulators acquire their legal powers; these new rulebooks will replace the current FSA Handbook.
In CP12/24 the FSA is consulting on substantive changes to the FSA Handbook that it proposes to make in order to ensure that sections adopted by the PRA and FCA are in line with their future objectives and functions.
The FSA’s consultation is fairly wide-ranging, but it suggests that firms may wish to focus their comments on the following proposals:
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the updated wording of prescribed status disclosures under GEN 4;
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the use of the regulators’ logos under GEN 5;
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the use of Skilled Persons (SUP 5);
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the channel for submitting waiver applications (SUP 8);
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certain updates to the guidance on transfers of insurance business to reflect other recent changes to legislation and current practices (SUP 18); and
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the chapter on other amendments.
The FSA is inviting firms to comment by December 12.
Global Financial Markets Association Letter Outlining Principles for Financial Benchmarks
On September 7, the Global Financial Markets Association (GFMA) published a letter setting out principles that it proposes to assist in the setting of global financial benchmarks such as LIBOR. The principles outline a set of best practice standards for conducting benchmark price assessments. The principles state that the overall responsibility for the benchmark process lies with the entity or group that develops and issues the benchmark (the “sponsor”). The Principles are grounded in three fundamental sponsor obligations, which GFMA believe should be applied in a manner commensurate with the significance of the benchmark:
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Governance: A sponsor should ensure that there is an appropriate governance structure for oversight of the benchmark;
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Benchmark Methodology and Quality: A sponsor should employ sound design standards in devising the benchmark and ongoing processes related to its operations; and
Controls: A sponsor should ensure that there is an appropriate system of controls promoting the efficient and sound operation of the benchmark process and should implement such a system of controls.
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