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Banking

Vol. 23, No. 3,
Third Quarter 2010

Articles

Article Examines 2009 HMDA Data

New Capital Standards for Banks Released

Fed Gov. Tarullo Addresses Shadow Banking System

Fed Chairman Discusses Economic Outlook

New column to debut in Financial Update

Fed Chairman: U.S. Economy Still Faces Challenges

Fed Issues Rules Safeguarding Mortgagors

Consumer Credit Falls in July

Fed Chair Praises Financial Reform

Regulators Address Gulf Oil Spill's Aftermath

Fed Chair, Governor Address Business Credit

Atlanta Fed Publishes 2009 Annual Report

Departments

Financial Update Focus

Editor's Note: This publication is posted on a rolling schedule and content will be added throughout the quarter.

Updated September 28, 2010

2009 HMDA Data Point to Rebounding Loan Volumes, Larger Role for Government Guarantees
9/28/2010 - Mortgage loan volume rebounded in 2009 following two years of significant declines, new data show. While overall loan volume in 2009 remained well below the levels seen earlier in the decade, refinance activity rose sharply during the same time period.

Basel Committee Issues New Capital Standards for Banks
9/28/2010 - New capital standards for internationally active banking organizations were recently released. The Basel III agreement is intended to address lessons learned from the financial crisis, targeting matters including low capital structure, insufficient liquidity, and excess leverage.

Fed Gov. Tarullo Comments on Shadow Banking System
9/28/2010 - While many recent regulatory reform efforts have been aimed at large, regulated banking institutions, Federal Reserve Gov. Daniel Tarullo recently spoke about some important changes to the evolving regulation of the shadow banking system.

Fed Chairman Bernanke Discusses Economic Outlook, Policy Options
9/21/2010 - The recovery and repair of the U.S. economy are ongoing, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said recently. While the Federal Reserve has taken numerous steps to support the economic recovery that is underway, Bernanke discussed additional policy tools the Fed has at its disposal.

"ViewPoint" to Debut in September, Discusses Supervisory, Regulatory Issues
8/31/2010 - "ViewPoint," written by Michael Johnson, senior vice president of the Atlanta Fed's Supervision and Regulation Division, debuts in September and will focus on the numerous challenges the region's financial institutions face today.

Fed Chairman: Economy, State Governments Continue to Face Challenges
8/31/2010 - With many Americans still burdened by high unemployment, foreclosures, and diminished savings, the U.S. economy has a "considerable way to go to achieve a full recovery," said Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke recently.

photo of realtor and couple next to for sale sign

Federal Reserve Board Issues Mortgage Rules
8/31/2010 - The Federal Reserve Board recently unveiled a number of final rules aimed at protecting consumers from unfair or abusive lending practices. The Board also proposed new mortgage lending rules dealing with enhanced consumer protections and disclosures as well as revisions to the escrow rules for jumbo mortgage loans.

Consumer Credit Slips Further in July
8/27/2010 - Consumer credit outstanding declined again, albeit at a slower pace in July, according to the Federal Reserve's monthly Consumer Credit Report. Levels of consumer credit outstanding and revolving credit both fell.

Chairman Bernanke Comments on New Financial Reform Legislation
7/29/2010 - The U.S. Congress recently passed landmark financial reform legislation, and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke praised the new law, calling it a "welcome and far-reaching step toward preventing a replay of the recent financial crisis."

U.S. Financial Regulators Issue Joint Statement on Gulf Oil Spill
7/29/2010 - Federal regulators and state banking supervisors recently issued a statement urging financial institutions to work with customers affected by the Gulf oil spill, noting that efforts to work with those affected are consistent with sound banking practices.

photos of Fed Chair Bernanke and Fed Gov Duke

Fed Chairman, Governor Address Small Business Credit
7/29/2010 - Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and Fed Gov. Elizabeth Duke both recently addressed the need to restore the flow of credit to small businesses, citing their importance to economic recovery and their role in the restoration of communities damaged by foreclosures and job losses.

2009 Annual Report Covers Tough Year in Banking
7/8/2010 - The Atlanta Fed's 2009 annual report looks at the challenging year in Southeast banking as the industry sought stability and stronger risk management. The report examines the industry's performance, regulators' work, and lessons learned.