The Federal Reserve announced the approval of a final rule to implement the Dodd-Frank resolution plan requirement set forth in Section 165(d) (the “Final Rule”). The Final Rule requires bank holding companies with assets of $50 billion or more and nonbank financial firms designated by the Financial Stability Oversight Council to annually submit resolution plans to the Federal Reserve and the FDIC.
On Tuesday morning, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) Board unanimously approved two rules regarding resolution planning: one rule for large bank holding companies and nonbank financial companies supervised by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors (“FRB”),1 and the other rule for large banks.2
The FDIC Board approved a final rule on the orderly liquidation process, which was the culmination of a series of rulemaking efforts begun earlier this year. The rule implements several provisions of Title II of the Dodd-Frank Act. Title II establishes an “orderly liquidation authority” (the “OLA”) through which the FDIC can be appointed as receiver and liquidate a covered financial company, such as a bank holding company, whose failure threatens to have serious adverse effects on financial stability in the U.S.
The July 6, 2011 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Board of Directors (the “FDIC Board”) meeting marked the changing of the guard from Chairman Sheila Bair to FDIC Vice Chairman Martin Gruenberg. Chairman Bair’s valedictory meeting was not merely ceremonial; it also covered several key developments regarding the timing of a final rule on resolution plans under section 165(d) of Title I and a final rule on the Orderly Liquidation Authority (“OLA”) under Title II.
A. RESOLUTION PLANS/ LIVING WILLS
Yesterday, Dexia S.A., a European bank that was rescued by the French and Belgian governments in September 2008, announced that it would no longer rely on state guarantees for future funding. All debt instruments issued prior to June 30, 2010 will remain guaranteed by the government pursuant to their terms.
Yesterday, Dubai World, the struggling investment branch of the emirate of Dubai, announced that it had tentatively reached an agreement with a group of banks to restructure $23.5 billion in debt. The tentative agreement was reached with the Coordinating Committee, which represents approximately 60% of Dubai World's creditors. Dubai World needs the approval of all of its creditors to finalize the agreement.
Yesterday, the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit of the House Committee on Financial Services held a hearing entitled “The Condition of Financial Institutions: Examining the Failure and Seizure of an American Bank.” Participants in the hearing examined the current state of U.S.