US Department of the Treasury
PPIP blip
Mortgage-backed securities purchases will begin in August under the US Treasury's Public-Private Investment Program. But analysts say holders of the paper may be unwilling to part with their toxic assets at any price. Peter Madigan reports
Flying blind
Despite some useful proposals, the Obama administration's regulatory reform initiative published in June ignores a crucial issue, argues David Rowe
Citi adds three directors to board in response to regulatory probe
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The future of systemic risk supervision
Editor's blog
Tarp inspector general calls for more clarity on banks' use of funds
The US Treasury's special inspector general for the Troubled Assets Relief Program (Tarp), Neil Barofsky, has called on the Treasury to force banks to report their use of the Tarp's bailout funds. But the Treasury is reluctant to do so.
Trading and one-off gains lift bank profits
Trading activities and one-off gains helped US banks record positive results during the week ending July 17, despite a continuing deterioration in traditional lending businesses, analysts said.
US Treasury issues fact sheet on hedge fund regulatory reform
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US PPIP toxic securities scheme launches, fund managers named
The US Treasury's scheme to purchase toxic mortgage-backed securities was officially launched yesterday with the unveiling of the asset managers charged with investing public funds, while officials sought to quell claims the scheme has been dramatically…
Finra scrutinises muni-bond market; US Treasury creates Consumer Financial Protection Agency
The US Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (Finra) has launched an investigation into financial institutions' underwriting derivatives contracts used by US municipals to finance debt at lower costs.
Tarp warrant sales could drive down vol on financials
The US Treasury's plan to dispose of warrants in banks held under the Troubled Assets Relief Program (Tarp) could have a significant impact on the options market, according to analysts.
AIG warns of potential losses in CDS portfolio
AIG could be exposed to further losses on the super-senior credit default swap (CDS) portfolio held by its subsidiary AIG Financial Products (AIG FP) should credit markets continue to deteriorate, according to a filing the company made to the US…
US regulatory reforms will target the big players
The Obama administration’s proposals on regulatory reform make it clear that, in future, size will matter to the regulation of US financial firms.
Lawyers highlight grey areas in securitisation regulation
Securitisation regulation recently passed by the European Union could have problematic legal implications for originators and investors, according to lawyers.
US securitisation regulation will force 5% retention
US regulators will require originators and sponsors of securitisations to retain 5% of securitised exposures and increase transparency of transactions, according to a leaked draft of a US Treasury report on improving the regulatory system, due to be…
Geithner: US Treasury 'will not cap pay'
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Pressure points
Regulators released the results of US bank stress tests last month, forcing 10 banks to raise a collective $74.6 billion in additional capital. But can market participants take any real comfort from the results? Mark Pengelly finds out
Stress-test success masks bigger problem with banks
The US government's bank stress tests appear to have been successful in stabilising financial markets, but some market observers believe they are obscuring broader systemic problems and could hamper efforts to deal with toxic assets.
Wolin returns to Treasury as deputy secretary
Neal Wolin has returned to the US Treasury as deputy secretary to work alongside secretary Timothy Geithner, after having left the department in 2001.
US to regulate OTC derivatives
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US banks require $74.6 billion in additional capital, stress tests reveal
Ten US banks collectively require an additional $74.6 billion in additional capital to insulate against possible losses over the next two years, the results of US government stress tests show.