Fulcrum Perspectives

An interactive blog sharing the Fulcrum team's policy updates and analysis.

Francis Kelly Francis Kelly

U.S. Financial Regulatory Week Ahead

Bessent Moves to Take Control of Banking Regulation, SEC Chair-Nominee Atkins and Comptroller-Nominee Gould Get Their Confirmation Hearing, and Fed Governor Barr Talks Bank Regulation

As my kids used to say when they were little, “Spring has spronged.”  Daffodils are popping up all over Washington, and spring energy is showing up on the Trump regulatory agenda.  Numerous reports have leaked out that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is drafting recommendations for ways to streamline the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – likely pushing to merge the two agencies.  There is no word on how the Federal Reserve would factor into these plans, but it sets up a possible fight with Congress on the structure of bank regulation overall..

We would note that Semafor reported on all this last week (and, strangely, there was not much of a reaction to the in-depth report).  According to the report, Bessent is going to make the recommendations following the Senate confirmation of Luke Pettit as the Treasury Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions.  Pettit would likely run point on the effort.

Pettit’s Senate Banking Committee confirmation hearing is this Thursday, where he, along with SEC Chair-nominee Paul Atkins and Comptroller of the Currency-nominee Jonathan Gould, will face tough questions from Democrats on the committee. Ranking Committee Democrat Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is primed to go after Atkins in particular, sending a long letter to him this past week asking numerous questions about his business and his policy views.  It should be quite an interesting hearing.

Finally, we were interested to see former Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr – who stepped down from the role two weeks ago and is now “just” a Fed Governor – speaking g on bank regulation policy this coming week at the Banking Institute.  Barr clearly is going to keep a strong focus on the issue, and it will be interesting to watch his role evolve as fellow Fed Governor Michelle Bowman gets ready for confirmation hearings to replace him as Vice Chair for Supervision.  In some ways, this is just a reversal of roles, as Bowman was a frequent speaker and commentator (and critic) of bank regulatory policy under Barr.

There are several interesting think tank and trade association events this week, along with five separate hearings in the House of Representatives looking at a variety of regulatory issues.  Below  is what else we are watching in the Washington financial regulatory world this coming week:

 

U.S. Congressional Hearings 

U.S. Senate

·       Tuesday, March 25, 10:00 a.m. – The Senate Finance Committee holds a hearing on the nomination of Frank Bisignano as commissioner of the Social Security Administration.

 

·       Thursday, March 27, 10:00 a.m. – The Senate Banking Committee will hold the confirmation hearing for Paul Atkins for Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Jonathan Gould to be Comptroller of the Currency, and Luke Pettit to the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Institutions.

 

House of Representatives

·       Tuesday, March 25, 10:00 a.m. – The House Financial Services Committee holds a hearing on "Beyond Silicon Valley: Expanding Access to Capital Across America."

 

·       Tuesday, March 25, 10:00 a.m. – The House Agriculture Committee holds a hearing on "The CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) at 50: Examining the Past and Future of Commodity Markets."

 

·       Wednesday, March 26, 10:00 a.m. – The House Financial Services Committee’s Financial Institutions Subcommittee holds a hearing on "A New Era for the CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau): Balancing Power and Reprioritizing Consumer Protections."

 

·       Wednesday, March 26, 10:00 a.m. – The House Small Business Committee holds a hearing on "The Golden Age: Unleashing Main Street Through Deregulation."

 

·       Wednesday, March 26, 2:00 p.m. – The House Financial Services Committee’s National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions Subcommittee hearing on "Following the Money: Tools and Techniques to Combat Fraud

 

Federal Department & Regulatory Agency Meetings & Events

 

Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve Banks

·       Monday, March 24, 3:10 p.m. – Federal Reserve Board Governor Michael S. Barr gives a speech on Small Business Lending at the Advancing Innovation and Fairness in Small Business Finance, Washington, D.C.

 

·       Tuesday, March 25, 8:40 a.m. – Federal Reserve Board Governor Adriana D. Kugler gives a speech on the Economic Landscape and Entrepreneurship at the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 2025 Legislative Summit, Washington D.C.

 

·       Friday, March 28, 12:15 p.m. – Federal Reserve Board Governor Michael S. Barr participates in a discussion on banking policy at the 2025 Banking Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina.

 

U.S. Treasury Department

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Department of Commerce

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Department of Housing and Urban Development

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

·       Monday, March 24, 9:10 a.m. – Acting SEC Chair Mark Uyeda speaks at the SIFMA C&L 2025 Annual Seminar in Austin, Texas.

 

·       Thursday, March 27, 9:00 a.m. – The Securities and Exchange Commission holds a discussion on "Artificial Intelligence in the Financial Industry."  Acting SEC Chairman Mark Uyeda, SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, and SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw will participate.

 

·       Thursday, March 27, 2:00 p.m. – The SEC holds a Closed Meeting.

 

Commodities Futures Trading Commission

·       Monday, March 24, 1:40 p.m. – CFTC Commissioner Kristin N. Johnson will deliver a keynote address at the SIFMA C&L 2025 Annual Seminar Women’s Luncheon in Austin, Texas.

 

·       Wednesday, March 26, 12:00 p.m. (GMT) – CFTC Commissioner Christy Goldsmith Romero will participate in a policy roundtable convened by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association in London.

 

·       Wednesday, March 26, 9:50 a.m. – CFTC Commissioner Summer K. Mersinger will participate in the Crypto, Derivatives, and the Road Ahead: A Conversation with the CFTC and NFA panel at the Digital Chamber’s DC Blockchain Summit in Washington, D.C.

 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

·       Monday, March 24, 3:40 p.m. – Acting Comptroller of the Currency Rodney E. Hood will discuss financial inclusion at the Homeownership and Housing Policy Conference hosted by the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals in Washington, D.C.

 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

National Credit Union Administration

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

FINRA

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Federal Housing Finance Agency

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Federal Trade Commission & Department of Justice Antitrust Division

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Farm Credit Administration

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Farm Credit Insurance Corporation

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Small Business Administration

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

International Monetary Fund & World Bank

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

North American Securities Administrators Association

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

 

 

Trade Associations & Think Tank Events

Trade Associations

·       March 23 -26 – SIFMA holds its C&L 2025 Annual Seminar is being held in Austin, Texas.

 

·       The Digital Chamber’s Blockchain Summit will be held in Washington, D.C.  Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott (R-SC) and House Financial Services Committee Chair French Hill (R-AK) will speak.

 

Think Tanks and Other Events

·       Tuesday, March 25, 1:00 p.m. – The Urban Institute holds a discussion on "Improving Household Financial Security and Upward Mobility: Insights for Effective Policy and Practice."

 

 

Recommended Reads

  • Trump’s ‘Strategic Bitcoin Reserve’ Makes No Sense   The CATO Institute

    Bitcoin, the pioneer free-market digital asset, which was originally supposed to function beyond governments’ reach, is now being boosted by at least one of the governments it was supposed to defy: ours.  When bitcoin was invented in 2008, its anonymous (but certainly libertarian) inventors hoped it would rival official currencies, especially the US dollar. Instead of being regulated by governments, the quantity of bitcoin would be controlled by a decentralized and tamper-proof computer program, or “protocol,” set to have it gradually approach a limit of 21 million coins. By guaranteeing bitcoins’ scarcity, the protocol would make them an attractive alternative to monies that governments can print to their hearts’ content, which tend to depreciate for that reason.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Francis Kelly Francis Kelly

U.S. Financial Regulatory Week Ahead

Bessent’s Regulatory Pillar, Senate Banking Wants to Re-Write Bank Reputational Risk Guidance, the FDIC Revamps Merger Guidelines, and Trump Says He Will Name a New Fed Vice Chair for Supervision

Major changes to the financial regulatory world continue apace in Washington, and two events this past week stood out.  First, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent gave his first major speech laying out his “Three Pillars of the American First Economic Agenda.” Speaking at the New York Economic Club, Bessent said the first pillar would be overhauling financial oversight, making the case that “regulatory overreach of the past few years in pursuit of political agendas has missed material risk, stymied growth, and squashed innovation.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was the second significant change as the FDIC’s board of directors voted to roll back the Biden Administration’s proposed bank merger guidelines.  It was the first major financial deregulatory move of the Trump Administration.  The FDIC also withdrew from pending regulations on brokered deposits, corporate governance, and asset manager’s ownership stakes in banks.

In Congress, Republicans on the Senate Banking Committee (all 13 of them) signed on to legislation offered by Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott (R-SC) aimed at forcing federal banking regulators from using reputational risk as a component of supervision.  The point of the legislation, called the Financial Integrity and Regulation Management Act (FIRM Act), is to combat debanking.  The legislation was hailed by state bank regulators and the crypto industry, which has accused the FDIC and other bank regulators of discouraging banks from offering crypto services.  You can read a summary of the bill HERE.

Crypto had a big week last week with President Trump signing an Executive Order creating a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.  The President followed this up with a first-of-its-kind White House Crypto Summit, bringing together crypto industry leaders.   

 This came as the House Financial Services Committee (HFSC) voted to overturn a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rule subjecting nonbanks with digital payment platforms to greater scrutiny.   

The HFSC also voted to overturn CFPB rules restricting overdraft fees, something banks have strongly lobbied in favor of repealing.  Both overturned CFPB rules are likely to be passed by the full House but passage in the Senate is far from assured.

While all this was going on, Senate Banking Committee Chair Scott and House Financial Services Committee Chair French Hill (R-AK) sent President Trump a letter urging the President to move quickly in naming a new Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision.  Late Sunday, President Trump said he plans to make an announcement naming a new Vice Chair “fairly soon.”

We would also note — as we get many questions from clients — that we still do not know when SEC Chair-nominee Paul Atkins and Comptroller of the Currency-nominee Jonathan Gould will have their Senate confirmation hearings. The answer is we do not know as nothing has yet been scheduled, although we have heard rumors they may happen in the next two weeks.

Looking at the week ahead, the HFSC is holding a hearing on digital payments and the federal framework for payment stablecoins while the Senate Banking Committee is holding a hearing on affordable housing.  There will also be a raft of SEC and CFTC speeches this week as the futures industry holds its big annual conference in Boca Raton, Florida.  

And the Brookings Institution is holding an interesting event looking at how the State of New York regulates the financial sector.  Below is the full list of major events we are keeping our eyes on this week:

U.S. Congressional Hearings 

U.S. Senate

 

 

House of Representatives

 

Federal Department & Regulatory Agency Meetings & Events

Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve Banks

  • There are no public events scheduled for Fed Governors this week. They are in their Blackout Period in advance of the March 19th Federal Open Markets Committee meeting.

 

U.S. Treasury Department

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Department of Commerce

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Department of Housing and Urban Development

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

  • Monday, March 10, 1:30 p.m. – Acting SEC Chair Mark Uyeda will deliver remarks at the Institute of International Bankers 2025 Annual Washington Conference in Washington, DC.

 

·       Tuesday, March 11, 4:35 p.m. – SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce and CFTC Commissioner Summer K. Mersinger will participate in a fireside chat during the Global Policy & Regulatory Forum event hosted by the Alternative Investment Management Association in New York

 

  • Thursday, March 13, 2:00 p.m. – The SEC will hold a Closed Meeting.

 

Commodities Futures Trading Commission

  • Tuesday, March 11, 9:50 a.m. – CFTC Commissioner Kristin N. Johnson will speak on a panel titled “The Changing Face of Clearing” at FIA Boca50 in Boca Raton, Florida.

 

  • Tuesday, March 11, 11:10 a.m. – CFTC Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham will deliver a keynote address at the International Futures Industry Conference, FIA BOCA50 in Boca Raton, Florida.

 

  • Tuesday, March 11, 11:25 a.m. – CFTC Commissioner Christy Goldsmith Romero will speak on an international regulator panel at the International Futures Industry Conference 2025 in Boca Raton, Florida.

 

  • Tuesday, March 11, 4:35 p.m. – CFTC Commissioner Summer K. Mersinger and SEC Commissioner Hester M. Peirce will participate in a fireside chat during the Global Policy & Regulatory Forum event hosted by the Alternative Investment Management Association in New York.

 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

  • Monday, March 10, 10:00 a.m. – Acting FDIC Chair Travis Hill will speak at the Institute for International Bankers 2025 Washington Conference.

 

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

  • Monday, March 10, 2:00 p.m. – Acting Comptroller of the Currency Rodney Hood speaks on bank supervision at the Institute for International Bankers 2025 Annual Washington Conference.

 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

National Credit Union Administration

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

FINRA

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Federal Housing Finance Agency

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Federal Trade Commission & Department of Justice Antitrust Division

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Farm Credit Administration

  • Thursday, March 13, 10:00 a.m. – The FCA Board meets.

 

Farm Credit Insurance Corporation

  • Wednesday, March 12, 10:00 a.m. – The FCIA Board meets.  The agenda includes payment from Allocated Insurance Reserve Accounts, a policy statement concerning contracting, the Report on Biennial Liquidity Assistance Exercise, the Annual Report on Contracts, and the Annual Report on Whistleblower Activity.

 

Small Business Administration

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

International Monetary Fund & World Bank

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

North American Securities Administrators Association

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

  

Trade Associations Events

Trade Associations

 

 

Think Tanks and Other Events

  • Tuesday, March 11, 11:00 a.m. – The Brookings Institution will hold a hybrid event entitled “How New York is regulating financial services.”  New York Superintendent of Financial Services Adriene Harris will participate in a fireside chat.

 

 

 

 

Recommended Reads

 

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Francis Kelly Francis Kelly

U.S. Financial Regulatory Week Ahead

The Regulatory Confirmation Process Begins, the End of OCC/FDIC Merger Talk, Barr’s Regulatory Swan Song Speech DOGE Continues Its Review As Federal Workers Have to Respond to Musk Email

February 24 - 28, 2025

The new class of federal regulatory nominees begins the confirmation process this week as Jonathan McKernan, the nominee to run the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and Bill Pulte, the nominee to run the Federal Housing Finance Agency, stand before the Senate Banking Committee.  It is not clear yet when SEC Chair nominee Paul Atkins, CFTC Chair nominee Brian Quintenz, or Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) nominee Jonathan Gould will get his confirmation hearing, but rumor is that they will take place in the coming three weeks.

Also, on Capitol Hill this week, there are several hearings of note happening.  The House Financial Services Committee will be holding two hearings, one entitled “The Future of American Capital: Strengthening Public and Private Markets by Increasing Investor Access and Facilitating Capital Formation.”   The second hearing will take a broad review of finance and China.

Among regulators, Federal Reserve Board Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr will be giving his final speech as Vice Chair.  He will be at the Yale School of Management and speaking on financial stability.

Meanwhile, after several months of speculation about a possible effort to merge the OCC and the FDIC was put to rest this past week.  The OCC this past week denied plans to put the two agencies together (something the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 had urged).  The response was issued after reports of the OCC planning to receive transferred or fired FDIC workers coming over the agency.

Meanwhile, the Elon Musk DOGE effort continues apace with regulators as well as larger departments (particularly the Department of Defense) coming under intensified scrutiny (there were reports late last week that Defense could see tens of thousands of civilian employees let go).   While all this is going on, an email was sent to all federal employees from DOGE demanding federal workers describe by Monday what they do and justify their work.  A number of federal agencies, in response to the email, told workers to ignore the email, leaving many workers confused as to what would happen if they indeed ignored the email.

Below is what else we are watching in the Washington financial regulatory world this coming week:

 

U.S. Congressional Hearings 

U.S. Senate

·       Wednesday, February 26, 2:30 p.m. – The Senate Banking Committee will hold a hearing entitled “Exploring Bipartisan Legislative Frameworks for Digital Assets.”

 

·       Wednesday, February 26, 10:30 a.m. – The Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing entitled “Perspectives from the Field: Farmer and Rancher Views on the Agricultural Economy, Part 2”

 

·       Thursday, February 27, 10:00 a.m. – The Senate Banking Committee will hold confirmation hearings for Stephen Miran to be Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors, Jeffrey Kessler to be Undersecretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, and Jonathan McKernan to be Director of the Bureau of Consumer and Financial Protection.

House of Representatives

·       Tuesday, February 25, 10:00 a.m. – The House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing entitled “Examining Policies to Counter China.”  You can read the  background Committee memo to members HERE.  The committee will also consider seventeen separate bills focused on issues ranging from money laundering to SEC regulations for te World Bank to the African Development Fund.

 

·       Tuesday, February 25, 10:00 a.m. – The Trade Subcommittee of the House Ways & Means Committee will hold a hearing entitled “American Trade Enforcement Priorities”

 

·       Wednesday, February 26, 10:00 a.m. – The Capital Markets Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing entitled “The Future of American Capital: Strengthening Public and Private Markets by Increasing Investor Access and Facilitating Capital Formation.”

 

Federal Department & Regulatory Agency Meetings & Events

Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve Banks

 

·       Tuesday, February 25, 11:45 a.m. – Federal Reserve Board Vice Chair for Supervision Michael S. Barr will give a speech on Financial Stability followed by Q&A at the Yale School of Management in New Haven, Connecticut.

 

·       Thursday, February 27, 11:45 a.m. – Federal Reserve Board Governor Michelle W. Bowman will give a speech on community banking at the Fort Hays State University Robbins Banking Institute Lecture Series, Hays, Kansas.

 

U.S. Treasury Department

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Department of Commerce

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Department of Housing and Urban Development

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

·       Monday, February 24, 8:45 a.m. – The Florida Bar’s Federal Securities Institute and M&A Conference will be held in Tampa, Florida.  Acting SEC Chair Mark Uyeda will speak.

 

·       Tuesday, February 25, 10:00 a.m. – The SEC’s Small Business and Capital Formation Advisory Committee will meet.  They will hear from two speakers – Ashok Kamal, Executive Director, NuFund Venture Group, and Sara Zulkosky, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Recast Capital, on “Exploring Ways to Support and Facilitate Capital Formation for Emerging Fund Managers.”  The Committee will hold a second session entitled “Understanding the Challenges Faced by Small Public Companies Not Listed on a National Securities Exchange.”

 

·       Wednesday, February 26, 10:00 a.m. – The SEC will hold an Open Meeting to consider the “Final Rule Extending Compliance Dates and Order Granting Temporary Exemptive Relief for Standards for Covered Clearing Agencies for U.S. Treasury Securities and Application of the Broker-Dealer Customer Protection Rule with Respect to U.S. Treasury Securities.”

 

·       Thursday, February 27, 2:00 p.m. – The SEC will hold a Closed Meeting.

 

Commodities Futures Trading Commission

·       Tuesday, February 25, 11:40 a.m. (Germany) – CFTC Acting Chair Caroline D. Pham will participate in a fireside chat at the Sixth Joint Conference on CCP Risk Management 2025 in Frankfurt, Germany.

 

·       Wednesday, February 26, 10:20 a.m. (Germany) – Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham will be featured on a fireside chat titled, “Transatlantic Trends – The U.S. Election and Its Impact on Europe” at the Derivatives Forum Frankfurt 2025.

 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

National Credit Union Administration

·       Thursday, February 27, 10:00 a.m. – The National Credit Union Administration will hold a board meeting.  The agenda includes Board Briefing, Share Insurance Fund Quarterly Report and the NCUA Board Vice Chairman Designation.

 

FINRA

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Federal Housing Finance Agency

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Federal Trade Commission & Department of Justice Antitrust Division

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Farm Credit Administration

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Farm Credit Insurance Corporation

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Small Business Administration

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

International Monetary Fund & World Bank

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

North American Securities Administrators Association

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

  

 

Trade Associations & Think Tank Events

Trade Associations

·       Monday – Wednesday, February 24 -26 --  The American Bankers Association holds its Wealth Management and Trust Conference in San Diego, California.

 

Think Tanks and Other Events

 

·       Tuesday, February 25, 7:15 a.m. – The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. holds a discussion with Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan on "the current state of the economy, markets, the health of the U.S. consumer, and the global economic outlook for 2025."

 

·       Tuesday & Wednesday, February 25 & 16 – The American Conference Institute, the Canadian Institute, and C5 hold a forum on "Global Export Controls” in Arlington, Virginia.  John Sonderman, director of the Commerce Department Bureau of Industry and Security's Office of Export Enforcement and Paul Ahern, chief counselor for enforcement at the Treasury Department's Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, will be keynote speakers.

 

·       Wednesday, February 26, 9:00 a.m. – The Peterson Institute for International Economics will hold a virtual event entitled “The Trump Administration’s policies and global financial risk.”

 

Thursday, February 27, 11:00 a.m. – The Bipartisan Policy Institute is holding a hybrid event entitled “Searching for Solutions: Property Insurance and Housing Affordability.”

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Francis Kelly Francis Kelly

U.S. Financial Regulatory Week Ahead

The OCC Gets An Acting Comptroller, The CFPB Is Ordered to Stop Doing Whatever It’s Doing, Congress Starts Moving on Crypto Legislation, And Treasury Gets a New Assistant Secretaries for Financial Markets and Financial Institutions

February 10 - 14, 2025

While President Trump has yet to nominate anyone to any major financial regulatory post other than the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) (Paul Atkins as Chair), he has overseen the installation of a number of acting heads.  The latest is Rodney Hood as the Acting Comptroller of the Currency. 

Hood, who served as Chair of the National Credit Union Administration during President Trump's first term and remained as Vice Chair during most of the Biden Administration, has a strong pedigree in banking, having held senior positions at Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and J.P. Morgan Chase. 

What is interesting is that this is only an acting role.  Hood reportedly does not want to be made full-time and will only serve until President Trump selects someone else.  Hood joins the "Acting Club" with Caroline Pham as the Acting Chair of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, Travis Hill as Acting Chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Mark Uyeda as Acting Chair of the SEC (until Atkins is confirmed), and Russel Voight (the newly confirmed Director of the Office of Management and Budget) as the Acting Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

The CFPB is the hot topic of the week here in Washington, especially since Voight took over the Acting role from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.  Voight has ordered agency employees not to come into work or perform any work tasks – including moving on any ongoing litigation.  Moreover, Voight has instructed the Federal Reserve – which funds the CFPB out of its budget – not to send any more money as it is not "reasonably necessary to carry out its duties." What is clear is the Trump Administration wants to do away with the CFPB – to the loud cheering of virtually every financial institution regulated by the agency – and, if they cannot outright shut it down, then starve it to death financially.

The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents CFPB employees, has sued Voight, asking a judge to halt his orders and block Elon Musk's DOGE staffers from accessing internal CFPB communications systems.  If you go to the CFPB's website, you get the always ominous "404: Page Not Found" message (see screenshot below).

Over at Treasury this past week,  there were two particularly important nominations for the financial services sector.  Jason Trennert, the founder and Chair of Strategas Research Partners, was nominated to the role of Treasury Assistant Secretary for Financial Markets, and Luke Pettit, an aide to Senator Hagerty and previously at Bridgewater Associates and, before that, the Federal Reserve, was nominated to be Treasury Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions.

Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, the Senate Banking Committee and House Financial Services Committee continue rapidly accelerating their legislative strategies for the year.  House Financial Services Chair French Hill (R-Ark.) and his top deputy on cryptocurrency policy unveiled a draft bill last week to create a stablecoins regulatory structure.  The legislation closely mirrors legislation offered in the Senate by Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and co-sponsored by Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott (R-SC) and a number of other members.

There is not much happening at the regulatory agencies this coming week.  The big events are Federal Reserve Board Chair Jay Powell's semi-annual testimony before Congress on the State of the Economy and Governor Christopher Waller's interesting and timely speech in San Francisco on Stablecoins.

Below is what else we are watching in the Washington financial regulatory world this coming week:

U.S. Congressional Hearings

U.S. Senate

  • Tuesday, February 11, 10:00 a.m. – The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee holds a hearing on "The Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress."  Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell will testify.

 

House of Representatives

  • Tuesday, February 11, 10:00 a.m. – The House Agriculture Committee holds a hearing entitled “Examining the Economic Crisis in Farm Country.”

  • Tuesday, February 11, 10:00 a.m. – The House Judiciary Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust Subcommittee holds a hearing on "Reining in the Administrative State: Regulatory and Administrative Law Reform."

     

  • Tuesday, February 11, 2:30 p.m. – The House Financial Services Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Artificial Intelligence Subcommittee holds a hearing on "A Golden Age of Digital Assets: Charting a Path Forward."

     

  • Wednesday, February 12, 10:00 a.m. – The House Financial Services Committee holds a hearing on "The Federal Reserve's Semi-Annual Monetary Policy Report."  Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell will testify.

     

  • Wednesday, February 12, 10:00 a.m. – The House Small Business Committee holds a hearing on "Driving Economic Growth: SBA Lending Programs and the Vital Role of Community Banks."

 

 

Federal Department & Regulatory Agency Meetings & Events

Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve Banks

  • Tuesday, February 11, 3:30 p.m. – Federal Reserve Board Governor Michelle W. Bowman gives a speech on Bank Regulation at the 2025 Iowa Bankers Association Bank Management and Policy Conference.

  • Wednesday, February 12, 5:05 p.m. – Federal Reserve Board Governor Christopher J. Waller gives a speech on stablecoins at the A Very Stable Conference: Stablecoin Infrastructure for Real World Applications, San Francisco, California.

 

U.S. Treasury Department

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Department of Commerce

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Department of Housing and Urban Development

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

  • Thursday, February 13, 2:00 p.m. – The SEC will hold a Closed Meeting.

 

Commodities Futures Trading Commission

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

  • Tuesday, February 11, 1:00 p.m. – Consumer Financial Protection Bureau holds a virtual meeting of the Consumer Advisory Board to discuss broad policy matters related to the Bureau's Unified Regulatory Agenda and general scope of authority (NOTE: This meeting is likely to be cancelled).

  • Wednesday, February 12, 1:00 p.m. – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau holds a virtual meeting of the Combined Community Bank Advisory Council and Credit Union Advisory Council to discuss broad policy matters related to the Bureau's Unified Regulatory Agenda and general scope of authority (NOTE: This meeting is likely to be canceled).

 

National Credit Union Administration

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

FINRA

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Federal Housing Finance Agency

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Federal Trade Commission & Department of Justice Antitrust Division

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Farm Credit Administration

  • Thursday, February 13, 10:00 a.m. – The FCA Board of Directors holds a meeting to consider a regulatory burden final notice.

 

Farm Credit Insurance Corporation

  • Wednesday, February 12, 10:00 a.m. – the FCSIC Board of Director will hold a meeting.  The agenda includes review and setting of insurance premium accrual rates (Open); Policy statement concerning contracting (Open); Report on biennial liquidity assistance exercise (Closed); Annual report on Contracts (Closed); and Annual report on whistleblower activity (Closed)

 

Small Business Administration

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

International Monetary Fund & World Bank

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

North American Securities Administrators Association

  • There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

 

Trade Associations & Think Tank Events

Trade Associations

  • Tuesday, February 11, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – The Institute for International Bankers holds its 2025 U.S. Regulatory & Compliance Orientation Conference in New York.

 

Think Tanks and Other Events

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Francis Kelly Francis Kelly

U.S. Regulatory Week Ahead

The New Trump Presidency Begins, A Week Without (for the most part) Any Regulatory Heads, Senate Banking Committee Agenda Unveiled, and A New Joint Subcommittee on Crypto

It is a historic day today as President Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president at Noon.  An extraordinary political comeback will be capped, and with it will come a Republican House and Senate with an aggressive agenda on financial regulatory issues, taxes, and trade.

We would note, as many of you already have figured out, that for the most part, all the major financial regulatory heads have stepped down or are about to step down in advance of President Trump being sworn into office: Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr, SEC Chair Gary Gensler, FDIC Chair Martin Gruenberg, OCC Acting Head Michael Hsu, and CFTC Chair Rostin Benham.  By our count, the only financial regulatory trying to stick around is Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra (and we do not think that will last long once President Trump takes office – we will see).

So, it will be a very quiet week regulatory-wise this coming week.  As a matter of fact, regulatory quiet will last for a number of weeks (even months) ahead as President-elect Trump has yet to nominate any regulators aside from SEC Chair-designate Paul Atkins.  We are surprised as Trump was moving faster than any newly elected president in putting forth nominations for cabinet and subcabinet officials.  For reasons we are not entirely clear on, the nomination machine has slowed considerably in recent weeks – and knowing how slowly the Senate can and likely will move on confirmations of nominations, it could be months before we see new regulatory heads in place. 

Meanwhile, the new Chair of the Senate Banking Committee, Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), released his Priorities for the 119th Congress.  You can read them HERE.  Additionally, Scott is apparently in talks with House Financial Services Committee Chair French Hill (R-AK) about forming some sort of joint working subcommittee on crypto.  We would think that could be an exciting accelerant to setting up at least a basic regulatory framework for crypto, helping boost the sector among investors.

Below is what else we are watching in the Washington financial regulatory world this coming week:

 

U.S. Congressional Hearings 

U.S. Senate

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

House of Representatives

·       Wednesday, January 22, 10:00 a.m. – The House Financial Services Committee holds its 119th congressional organizational meeting.

 

·       Wednesday, January 22, 10:00 a.m. – The House Ways and Means Committee holds a hearing on "Matters Within the Committee's Tax Jurisdiction."

 

 

Federal Department & Regulatory Agency Meetings & Events

Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve Banks

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.  And there are no Governor speeches scheduled as the Fed is in its regular “blackout period” in advance of the January 29 Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

 

U.S. Treasury Department

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Department of Commerce

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Department of Housing and Urban Development

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Commodities Futures Trading Commission

·       Monday, January 20, 6:05 p.m. Switzerland) – CFTC Commissioner Kristin N. Johnson will participate in a fireside chat with the CEO of the Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC), Sandra Ro, at GBBC Blockchain Central 2025 in Davos, Switzerland on innovation, artificial intelligence, and emerging developments in financial markets.  

 

·       Tuesday, January 21, 11:35 a.m. Switzerland) – CFTC Commissioner Christy Goldsmith Romero will provide remarks virtually at the Global Blockchain Business Council’s 8th Annual Blockchain Central Davos 2025.

 

·       Friday, January 24, 12:15 p.m. Central Time – CFTC Commissioner Kristin N. Johnson will deliver a keynote address followed by a Q&A moderated by Professor William Birdthistle at the University of Chicago Law School. The conversation will explore the issues confronting federal financial regulators at this moment of transition from one presidential administration to another, including artificial intelligence, advances in technology and other notable developments in financial markets.

 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

National Credit Union Administration

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

FINRA

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Federal Housing Finance Agency

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Federal Trade Commission & Department of Justice Antitrust Division

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Farm Credit Administration

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Farm Credit Insurance Corporation

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Small Business Administration

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

International Monetary Fund & World Bank

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

North American Securities Administrators Association

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Trade Associations & Think Tank Events

Trade Associations

·       Tuesday, January 21, 11:00 a.m. – SIFMA will hold a virtual “State of the Industry” briefing for members.

 

·       Friday, January 24, 12:30 p.m. – The National Association of Realtors (NAR) will hold a policy forum on Friday, January 24, in Washington, DC, entitled "A Nation of Homeowners: How Tax Reform Can Boost the American Dream" in Washington, D.C.

 

Think Tanks and Other Events

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

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Francis Kelly Francis Kelly

U.S. Financial Regulatory Week Ahead

Congress Certifies Election Results, Fed Vice Chair Barr Steps Down, The Federal Government Is Closed Thursday for the National Day of Mourning for former President Carter

January 6 - 10, 2025

We regret the late arrival of this week's Reg Week Ahead.   Technical issues prevented us from publishing on our normal schedule.  We have updated it to incorporate Fed Vice Chair Michael Barr's resignation announcement today.

Washington (kind of) roars back to life this week with the new Congress sworn in and President-elect Trump continuing his record pace of nominations.  We said "kind of" because Washington got hit Monday with the biggest snowstorm we have seen in years, closing all schools and the federal government.  Nonetheless, Congress is gathering to certify the presidential election results. 

Also, the week will be truncated with the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter.  He will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda until his funeral at 10:00 a.m. at the Washington National Cathedral.  All living presidents have been invited, and President Biden will give a eulogy.

Looking at the regulatory week ahead, the big news of the day is Federal Reserve Vice Chair Michael Barr's announcement this morning that he will step down from the Vice Chair role but stay on (for now) as a Fed Governor.  Speculation has already begun regarding who will replace Barr, primarily focused on current Fed Vice Chair Michelle Bowman and former FDIC Chair Jelena McWilliams.

Also, this week, we have officially entered the retrospective phase of the Biden Administration's regulatory world, and the Brookings Institution seems to be the place to go to do that – particularly this Wednesday.  At 11 a.m.  CFTC Chair Rostin Behnam will deliver remarks and participate in a fireside chat, "Commodity derivatives regulation: Where do we go from here?".   Then, at 2:00 p.m., FTC Chair Lina Kahn sits for a fireside chat on the future of the FTC (and perhaps her plans – is she staying or going?). 

We also expect President-elect Trump to make several regulatory nominations this week.  So far, he has only nominated Paul Atkins for SEC Chair.  We are also expecting him to fill out the nominations for the top jobs at Treasury under Treasury Secretary-nominee Scott Bessent. 

Below is a listing of other events we are monitoring this week.  Please let us know if you have any questions.

 

U.S. Congressional Hearings

 

U.S. Senate

  • There are no hearings of significance scheduled this week.

House of Representatives

  •  There are no hearings of significance scheduled this week.

    Federal Department & Regulatory Agency Meetings & Events

Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve Banks

·       Saturday, January 4, 5:30 p.m. – Federal Governor Adriana D. Kugler gives a speech on monetary policy at the 2025 Allied Social Science Associations Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California.

 

·       Sunday, January 5, 1:15 p.m. – San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President Mary Daly will give a speech and participate on a panel discussing the Ben Bernanke’s contributions to economics at the 2025 Allied Social Science Associations Annual Meeting in San Francisco, California.

 

·       Monday, January 6, 9:15 a.m. – Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook gives a speech entitled “Economic Outlook and Financial Stability” at the Seventh Conference on Law and Macroeconomics being held in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

 

·       Thursday, January 9 – The Federal Government (and Federal Reserve) will be closed due to the national day of mourning for the death of former President Jimmy Carter.

 

·       Thursday, January 9 – Federal Reserve Board Governor Michelle Bowman will give a speech entitled “Reflections on 2024: Monetary Policy, Economic Performance, and Lessons for Banking Regulation” at te California Bankers Association 2025 Bank Presidents Seminar.

 

U.S. Treasury Department

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Department of Commerce

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Department of Housing and Urban Development

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

·       Wednesday, January 8, 3:00 p.m. – The SEC will hold a Closed Meeting.

 

·       Friday, January 10, 10:00 a.m. – The SEC will hold a Closed Meeting.

 

Commodities Futures Trading Commission

·       Wednesday, January 8, 11:00 a.m. – CFTC Chairman Rostin Behnam will deliver remarks and participate in a fireside chat, “Commodity derivatives regulation: Where do we go from here?” at the Brookings Institution.

 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

FINRA

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

National Credit Union Administration

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Federal Trade Commission & Department of Justice Antitrust Division

·       Wednesday, January 8, 2:00 p.m. – FTC Chair Lina Kahn will participate in a fireside chat at the Brookings Institution.

 

Farm Credit Administration Wagner Labor Initiative in New York.

·       Wednesday, January 8, 10:00 a.m. – The Farm Credit Administration will hold a board meeting.  The agenda includes an update on Farm Credit System Funding Conditions.

 

Farm Credit Insurance Corporation

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Small Business Administration

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

  

International Monetary Fund & World Bank

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

North American Securities Administrators Association

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

 

Trade Associations & Think Tank Events

Trade Associations

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Think Tanks and Other Events

·       Thursday, January 9, 9:00 a.m. – The Peterson Institute for International Economics will hold an event entitled “Should we care about who owns audit firms?”  

 

·       Thursday, January 9, 12:00 p.m. – The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. holds a discussion with Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan.

 

Please let us know if you have any questions or would like to be added to our email distribution list.

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Francis Kelly Francis Kelly

U.S. Regulatory Week Ahead

The Wall Street Journal Calls for Fed Vice Chair Barr to be Removed, The FDIC Inspector General’s Scathing Report About Harassment Under Chair Gruenberg’s Watch, And Washington Goes Totally Quiet

December 23 - 27, 2024

There is nothing going on next week in Washington – Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!  

As we write this, Congress is finally passing a stop-gap spending package to keep the government running for another three months.  And with that, the 118th Congress comes to an end.   

Enjoy the peace – it’s going to get very busy in January as the Trump Presidency begins and a whole new team of regulators with a vastly different agenda than the current team.

Quickly looking at what happened this past week, there were a couple of important events.  First, we would note the Wall Street Journal’s editorial calling for Federal Reserve Board Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr to be removed by President Trump “for cause” – the only way a Fed Chair or Fed Governor can be fired by a President.  The editorial listed a litany of Barr’s “sorry record”, and suggested Trump could name Fed Governor Michelle Bowman as Barr’s replacement.  The piece is hard-hitting, and we believe it suggests Barr – who was appointed by President Biden and has said publicly he intends to stay in the job – is going to face a particularly grueling future oversight by the Republican-led Senate Banking Committee and Republican-led House Financial Services Committee.

But Barr was not the only regulator to take a beating last week.  Once again, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) leadership came under withering criticism with the release of a new report from the FDIC’s Inspector General showing that more than a third of employees surveyed reported experiencing or witnessing workplace harassment.  "These conditions occurred because FDIC leadership does not consistently implement the agency's policies and stated core values, specifically, fairness, accountability, and integrity," the watchdog agency said in the report.  FDIC Chair Marty Gruenberg had no comment on the report and continues to refuse to resign despite presiding over such a toxic workplace.  Instead, he intends to leave on January 19, the day President Trump is inaugurated (and thereby avoid being fired by Trump). 

And finally, Delaware’s banking regulator signed off on the $35 billion Capitol One acquisition of Discover.  While the deal has to be approved by federal regulators, it was the first major positive sign the deal may ultimately be approved.

We hope you have a joyful Christmas and a Happy Hanukkah!

 

U.S. Congressional Hearings 

U.S. Senate

·       The Senate has completed its work in the 118th Congress. The new Congress – the 119th Congress – will be sworn into office on January 3, 2025.

 

House of Representatives

·       The House has completed its work in the 118th Congress. The new Congress – the 119th Congress – will be sworn into office on January 3, 2025.

 

Federal Department & Regulatory Agency Meetings & Events

Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve Banks

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

U.S. Treasury Department

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Department of Commerce

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Department of Housing and Urban Development

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Small Business Administration

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Commodities Futures Trading Commission

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

FINRA

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

National Credit Union Administration

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Federal Trade Commission & Department of Justice Antitrust Division

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Farm Credit Administration

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Farm Credit Insurance Corporation

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

International Monetary Fund & World Bank

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

North American Securities Administrators Association

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Trade Associations & Think Tank Events 

Trade Associations

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Think Tanks and Other Events

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Please let us know if you have any questions or would like to be added to our email distribution list.

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Francis Kelly Francis Kelly

U.S. Financial Regulatory Week Ahead

Washington’s Regulatory World Continues to Get Quieter and Quieter; Elon Musk Wants to “Delete” The CFPB

December 2 - 6, 2024

There really is not much going on in the regulatory world this coming week.  Some Fed Governor speeches, a couple of fireside chats with SEC Chair Gary Gensler, and a House Financial Services Committee hearing on the future of technology and the future of finance sum it all up.

Last week (on Friday, when we were all recovering from our Thanksgiving feasts), there was an unannounced Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) meeting at the Treasury Department.  Why they held it on an otherwise sleepy Thanksgiving Friday is anyone’s guess.  According to the post-meeting press release, “the preliminary agenda for the executive session includes an update on the Council’s Hedge Fund Working Group; a presentation on the life insurance sector; and an update on the Council’s Nonbank Mortgage Servicing Task Force.  The preliminary agenda for the open session includes the Council’s 2024 annual report.”

Elsewhere, President-elect Trump’s friend and confidant, Elon Musk – who is co-chairing the President’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) tweeted out, “Delete the CFPB [Consumer Finance Protection Bureau]  There are too many duplicative regulatory agencies.”   We will see how that turns out when Musk and his co-chair, Vivek Ramaswamy, get rolling on DOGE.  And we are sure Congress (starting with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), who almost single-handedly created the agency) will have much to say – pro and con – if the duo includes eliminating the CFPB.

Finally, we would note—as we noted last week—that the Great Washington Parlor Game of Who Gets What Presidential Nomination continues apace. Just before Thanksgiving, there were numerous reports that President-elect Trump was on the verge of nominating former Securities and Exchange Commissioner Paul Atkins as the next Chair of the SEC. We expect a number of financial regulatory nominations will be made in the coming week. 

Below is all we see happening in the coming week.  Please let us know if you have any questions.

see happening in the coming week.  Please let us know if you have any questions.

U.S. Congressional Hearings 

U.S. Senate

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

House of Representatives

·       Wednesday, December 4, 10:00 a.m. – The House Financial Services Committee holds a hearing entitled Innovation Revolution: How Technology is Shaping the Future of Finance.

 

Federal Department & Regulatory Agency Meetings & Events

Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve Banks

·       Monday, December 2, 3:15 p.m. – Federal Reserve Board Governor Christopher J. Waller gives a speech on the economic outlook at the American Institute for Economic Research (AIER) Monetary Conference, Washington, D.C.

 

·       Tuesday, December 3, 12:35 p.m. – Federal Reserve Board Governor Adriana D. Kugler gives a speech on the labor market and monetary policy at a Detroit Economic Club Event with Governor Adriana Kugler, Detroit, Michigan.

 

·       Wednesday, December 4, 1:45 p.m. – Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome H. Powell participated in a moderated discussion at the New York Times DealBook Summit, New York, N.Y.

 

·       Friday, December 6, 9:15 a.m. – Federal Reserve Board Governor Michelle Bowman delivers remarks at the Missouri Bankers Association Executive Management Conference (virtual).

 

U.S. Treasury Department

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Department of Commerce

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Department of Housing and Urban Development

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Small Business Administration

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

·       Tuesday, December 3, 3:00 p.m. – SEC Chair Gary Gensler will participate in a fireside chat at the 2024 Healthy Markets Association Conference in Washington, D.C.

 

·       Thursday, December 5, 10:00 a.m. – SEC Chair Gary Gensler will give remarks followed by a brief moderated Q&A session at the American Bar Association’s Federal Regulation of Securities Winter Meeting in Washington D.C.

 

·       Thursday, December 5, 2:00 a.m. – The SEC will hold a Closed Meeting.

 

Commodities Futures Trading Commission

·       Tuesday, December 3, 4:00 a.m. EST – CFTC Commissioner Kristin N. Johnson will participate in a fire-side chat “U.S. Regulatory Outlook for Digital Assets: Navigating Post Policy Elections” at the 2024 DigiAssets Connect in Geneva, Switzerland.

 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

FINRA

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

National Credit Union Administration

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Federal Trade Commission & Department of Justice Antitrust Division

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Farm Credit Administration Wagner Labor Initiative in New York.

 

Farm Credit Insurance Corporation

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

International Monetary Fund & World Bank

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

North American Securities Administrators Association

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Trade Associations & Think Tank Events

Trade Associations

·       December 5 – 6 – The American Bar Association holds its Federal Regulation of Securities Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C.

 

Think Tanks and Other Events

·       Wednesday, December 4, 10:00 a.m. – The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research holds a virtual discussion on "Farming and the Federal Budget: Will Farmers Face a New Age of Austerity?"

Please let us know if you have any questions or would like to be added to our email distribution list. 

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Francis Kelly Francis Kelly

U.S. Financial Regulatory Week Ahead

SEC Chair Gensler Makes It Official He’s Leaving As Is SEC Commissioner Lizarraga, Washington’s Favorite Parlor Game of Who Gets What Goes Full-Throttle, and Congress Makes Final, Half-Hearted Efforts at Crypto and Cannabis Legislation

November 25 - 29, 2024

Well, we made it to Thanksgiving week and wish everyone a restful, happy week ahead.  In Washington, it will be officially dead quiet but unofficially incredibly active as Nation’s Capitol’s favorite parlor game – Who is Getting Which Nomination? – is at full throttle.  Individuals and innumerable interest groups are furiously lobbying the Trump transition team behind the scenes to get their favorite candidate named to key regulatory and administration posts. 

The biggest prize for the moment is who will be named Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  This past week, Chair Gary Gensler made it official by announcing he would step down on January 19, the day before the presidential inauguration.  There will also be another opening at the SEC, as Commissioner Jamie Lizarraga surprised observers by announcing he would step down on January 17. 

A number of outstanding candidates are being mentioned as the likely SEC Chair nominee, most notably former SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins (full disclosure: Paul is a friend and former colleague—we served together at the SEC under then-SEC Chair Richard Breeden).  Other names mentioned are other SEC alumni, such as Brad Bondi and Norm Champ.

Over at the besieged Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, embattled Chair Marty Gruenberg announced he, too, will step down on January 19.  But unlike Gensler, his announcement was blasted by incoming Senate Banking Committee Chair, Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), who – like most Republicans on Capitol Hill – wants him to step down now for his role in the scandals at the agency outlined by the various reports.  Scott said: “I’ve called on Martin Gruenberg to resign from the agency for almost a year – yet he’s continued to play politics at the expense of the FDIC’s employees.  This announcement is long overdue, but Chairman Gruenberg’s decision to remain in office until the last minute demonstrates his failure to accept accountability for his actions.”

No word yet on the thinking of the heads of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Rohit Chopra, or Commodities Futures Trading Commission Chair Rostin Behnam.  Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr has said he intends to stay.

There were four policy-related events of note this past week: First, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) let it be known she is working to finalize a last-minute deal on cryptocurrency legislation.  Our view: This is a waste of time and effort, as there is no time or appetite among Republicans to try to rush a bill through before the end of the year. 

Second, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) wants to push a cannabis banking reform measure in one of the year-end budget extension bills.  Again, like the Stabenow crypto effort, it has virtually zero chance of success.

Third, in testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr said efforts to finalize any major bank rules before President-elect Trump takes office will not be finalized – including a much-battled over bank capital rule.

Fourth, a federal court struck down the SEC’s regulatory overhaul of the U.S. Treasury deal rules—a major blow to SEC Chair Gensler’s long-time efforts to redesign the Treasury marketplace.  This is the third federal court decision this year striking down Gensler-led rulemakings.

As we pointed out above, it will be a very quiet week in Washington this week – just a few interesting think tank and trade association events – you skip to the bottom to read all about them. 

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!  Please let us know if you have any questions.

 

U.S. Congressional Hearings 

U.S. Senate

·       The Senate is out of session this week for the Thanksgiving holiday.

 

House of Representatives

·       The House is out of session this week for the Thanksgiving holiday.

 

 

Federal Department & Regulatory Agency Meetings & Events

Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve Banks

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

U.S. Treasury Department

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Department of Commerce

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Department of Housing and Urban Development

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Small Business Administration

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Commodities Futures Trading Commission

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

FINRA

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

National Credit Union Administration

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Federal Trade Commission & Department of Justice Antitrust Division

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

Farm Credit Administration Wagner Labor Initiative in New York.

 

Farm Credit Insurance Corporation

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

International Monetary Fund & World Bank

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

North American Securities Administrators Association

·       There are no significant events scheduled at this time.

 

 

Trade Associations & Think Tank Events

Trade Associations

·       Sunday, November 24, 2:00 p.m. – The National Turkey Federation holds a news conference to welcome two Minnesota turkeys to the nation's capital, a day ahead of the "National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation" for the annual "pardon" of the birds at the White House - a Thanksgiving tradition dating back to 1947 with President Truman.

 

Wednesday, November 27, 8:00 a.m. – The Institute for International Finance holds an online “Talking Policy” event with Peter Routledge, Superintendent of the Office of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions.

 

Think Tanks and Other Events

·       Monday, November 25, 9:00 a.m. – The Peterson Institute for International Economics holds a virtual discussion on "Lessons from the Basel Committee's Assessments of Individual Jurisdictions."  Speakers include Stefan Ingves, Chair of the Toronto Centre and Patrick Honohan, Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute.

 

·       Tuesday, November 26, 11:00 a.m. – The Brookings Institution holds a virtual discussion on "China's Slowing Economy: What China is Doing About It, and What It Means for the Rest of the World."

Please let us know if you have any questions or would like to be added to our email distribution list.

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The Global Week Ahead

Preparing for the 2nd Trump Presidency, Peru Hosts the APEC Summit and Brazil Hosts theG20 Leaders While a Muted COP29 Begins, and Markets Wait for A Slew of Major Economic Reports

November 13 - 17, 2024

The political world shook last Tuesday when former President Donald Trump won a sweeping victory with enough of a coattail to help carry Republicans to win control of the U.S. Senate and – as of this writing – likely holding onto a razor-thin majority of the U.S. House of Representatives   The immediate fall-out has been a massive spike in geopolitical assessments in major capitals around the world, trying to get a handle on the potential impact of the return of the Trump foreign economic policy – particularly one that is now threatening across-the-board tariffs on any country Trump believes is not dealing fairly with the U.S. 

The clearest directional indicator of where and how Trump is going to move on these policies will be found in his cabinet appointments.  We expect the President-elect will move swiftly this coming week to begin filling out his cabinet while pressing the Republican Senate to rapidly accelerate the confirmation process as soon as the Senate is sworn into office on January 3.  Why the heightened state of urgency?  Our view is that Trump is a "lame duck" who cannot run for re-election in 2028.  At best, according to Trump staffers we have spoken to, Trump understands he has a solid two-to-two and half years to move on his agenda before the 2028 election cycle starts up, slowing down Washington's political legislative and regulatory agendas (as they do with processes again.  He's going to be a man on a mission, we have been told, to move hard and fast, more than any other President we have seen.

Also, this week, the APEC Summit begins in Peru.  The event highlights the growing political and trade relations between Latin America and the Indo-Pacific.  Chinese President Xi will be in attendance and will use the trip to inaugurate the controversial Chancay port in Peru.  The U.S. is concerned – as are some Peruvian leaders and other regional leaders – the port, which is owned and operated by the Chinese – could be used to support Chinese Naval operations in the region.

President Biden will also be in Peru for the APEC Summit, part of a six-day trip to Peru and Brazil.  While in Brazil, he will attend the G20 Summit, hold bilateral meetings with Brazil's President Lulu, and visit the Amazon Rain Forest to advocate for faster policy responses to Climate Change.

While all this is happening in Peru and Brazil, the United Nations' COP29 Summit begins in Azerbaijan.  This meeting seems to be on track to be less ambitious and more muted than previous COP Summits.  A number of global investment banks—normally regular and active attendees at COP meetings—are not attending.  While an estimated 197 countries will be represented, far fewer national leaders will be in attendance than in prior years.

Looking at the global economic radar screen, markets are looking out for a raft of economic reports in the U.S., EU, China, and Japan.  Despite being a shortened week for U.S. markets due to Veterans Day, markets will be intensely focused on the CPI print on Wednesday, and the PPI will be released on Thursday.  Also, U.S. retail sales and industrial production figures will be out this week on Friday.  Additionally, Fed Chair Jay Powell will be speaking at a conference hosted by the Dallas Federal Reserve on Thursday.

In Europe, the UK GDP and labor market figures are released on Tuesday, Germany's ZEW survey is out on Tuesday, and the European Central Bank's minutes from its October meeting are out on Thursday.  On Friday, the ECB releases the Autumn Economic GDP Forecast.

In Asia, China releases its October industrial production and retail sales figures on Friday, while Japan releases flash Q3 GDP estimates.

Below is what else we are closely watching around the world in the coming week:

Sunday, November 10, 2024 

Global

·       Nothing significant to report.

 

Americas

Political/Social Events –

·       Today is Primer Grito de Independencia Day in Panama, a public holiday.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

 

Asia

Political/Social Events –

·       The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit 2024 begins in Lima, Peru and runs through November 16.

·       Mauritius holds parliamentary elections.

·       Today is Cambodia Independence Day, celebrating when in 1945 Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk proclaimed the country an independent kingdom.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       China Vehicle Sales (October)

 

Europe

Political/Social Events –

·       Today is Remembrance Day, marking the anniversary of the end of World War I in 1918.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

 

Middle East

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Saudi Arabia Industrial Production (September)

 

Africa

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

 

 

Monday, November 11, 2024

Global

·       The United Nations COP9 Summit begins in Baku, Azerbaijan. More than 197 countries will participate, and it runs through November 24.

·       The International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Grossi is expected to travel to Iran to discuss the status of Iran’s nuclear weapons program.

 

Americas

Political/Social Events –

·       Today is Veterans Day, a U.S. federal holiday.  Most banks as well as the bond market is closed.  The equity markets are open.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Brazil Gross Debt to GDP (September)/ Nominal Budget Balance (September)/ BCB Focus Market Readout

·       Mexico Consumer Confidence (October)/ Industrial Production (September)

·       Uruguay Industrial Production (September)

·       El Salvador Inflation Rate (October)

 

Asia

Political/Social Events –

·       Japan’s Diet will select a new Prime Minister in an extraordinary session of the parliament. 

·       Chinese Vice Premier Ding  Xuexiang will meet with Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Gam Kim Yong and co-chair the 20th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation.

·       The IMF begins its mission to Pakistan to consider possible aid.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Japan Bank of Japan Summary of Opinions/ Current Account (September)/ Bank Lending (October)/ Eco Watchers Survey Outlook (October)

·       Indonesia Consumer Confidence (October)/ Car Sales (October)

·       New Zealand Business Inflation Expectations Q4

·       Malaysia Construction Output Q3

·       Thailand Foreign Exchange Reserves (October)

·       Kazakhstan PPI (October)

 

Europe

Political/Social Events –

·       Today is Armistice Day in the UK and most of Europe, marking the end of World War I.

·       The Paris Peace Forum begins and runs through November 12.

·       The Berliner Forum on Foreign Affairs begins in Berlin, Germany.  German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha will speak.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       European Central Bank Board Member Elizabeth McCaul gives the keynote speech at the Malta Financial Services Authority’s (MFSA) Annual Banking Supervision Conference in St. Julian’s, Malta.

·       Ireland Construction PMI (October)

·       Romania Balance of Trade (September)

·       Turkey Industrial Production (September)/ Unemployment Rate (September)/ Participation Rate (September)/ Auto Sales (October)

·       Slovakia Construction Output (September)

·       Slovenia Industrial Production (September)

·       Russia Balance of Trade (September)

·       Hungary Budget Balance (October)

 

Middle East

Political/Social Events –

·       The Arab-Islamic Summit begins in Riyad., Saudi Arabia. The primary discussion will focus on the situation in Gaza.

·       Syria peace talks sponsored by Russia, Turkey, and Iran will take place in Kazakhstan.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Jordan Inflation Rate (October)

·       Israel M1 Money Supply (September)

 

Africa

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Egypt Inflation Rate (October)/ Core Inflation Rate (October)

 

 

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Global

·       Nothing significant to report.

 

Americas

Political/Social Events –

·       Israeli President Isaac Herzog will meet with President Biden at the White House to discuss the situation in Gaza and Lebanon.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Federal Reserve Board Governor Christopher J. Waller gives a speech on payments systems at the Clearing House Annual Conference, New York, New York.

·       Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank President Neel Kashkari to participate in the Yahoo Finance Invest 2024"New Challenges, New Opportunities" conference.

·       Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank President Patrick Harker to speak on "Fintech, AI and the Changing Financial Landscape" before the Carnegie Mellon University Lecture Series.

·       Brazil BCB Copom Meeting Minutes/ Retail Sales (September)/ Business Confidence (November)

·       USA NFIB Business Optimism Index (October)/ RCM/TIPP Economic Optimism Index (November)/ NY Fed Treasury Purchases 1 to 2.5 yrs./ Consumer Inflation Expectations (October)/ Loan Officer Survey

·       Canada Building Permits (September)

·       Colombia Consumer Confidence (October)

·       Paraguay Balance of Trade (October)

·       Argentina Inflation Rate (October)

 

Asia

Political/Social Events –

·       The 15th Annual China Airshow begins in Zhuhai and runs through Sunday.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       New Zealand Electronic Retail Card Spending (October)

·       Australia Westpac Consumer Confidence Index (November)/ NAB Business Confidence (October)

·       Indonesia Retail Sales (September)

·       Japan Machine Tool Orders (October)

·       India Industrial Production (September)/ Inflation Rate (October)

 

Europe

Political/Social Events –

·       European Parliament holds confirmation hearings for 6 executive vice presidents-designate, including Italy's Raffaele Fitto, Spain's Teresa Ribera, France's Stephane Sejourne and Finland's Henna Virkkunen, as well as Estonia's Kaja Kallas.

·       NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will travel to Paris to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       European Central Bank Board Member Piero Cipollone chairs a high-level policy panel entitled "Financial sanctions and their implications for the international monetary system" at Global Research Forum on International Macroeconomics and Finance 2024 organized by the ECB, the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in Frankfurt, Germany.

·       Netherlands Inflation Rate Final (October)

·       Germany Inflation Rate Final (October)/ ZEW Economic Sentiment Index (November)/ ZEW Current Conditions (November)/ Current Account (September)

·       Romania Inflation Rate (October)

·       Turkey Current Account (September)/ Retail Sales (September)

·       Great Britain Unemployment Rate (September)/ Employment Change (September)/ Claimant Count Change (October)/ HMRC Payrolls Change (October)

·       Hungary Inflation Rate (October)

·       Euro Area ZEW Economic Sentiment Index (November)/ ECB Cipollone Speech

·       Serbia Inflation Rate (October)

·       Ukraine GDP Growth Rate Q3

 

Middle East

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

 

Africa

Political/Social Events –

·       The Africa Tech Festival 2024 will take place in Cape Town through November 14.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       South Africa Unemployment Rate Q3/ Unemployed Persons Q3/ Manufacturing Production (September)

 

 

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Global

·       The G7 Ministerial Meeting on Tourism begins in Florence, Italy.

·       The UN Security Council will hold a vote on renewing Yemen sanctions.

 

Americas

Political/Social Events –

·       U.S. Senate Republicans will meet to vote on who will be the chamber’s next majority leaders.  Senate Democrats will hold their leadership vote in December.

·       Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives will meet to vote on their leadership for 2025-2026.  House Democrats will meet in on November 19 to choose their leaders.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank President Alberto Musalem to speak on the U.S. economy and monetary policy before the Economic Club of Memphis.

·       Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank President Jeffrey Schmid to give luncheon keynote before hybrid “Energy and the Economy: Meeting Rising Energy Demand" Conference hosted by the Federal Reserve Banks of Dallas and Kansas City.

·       USA MBA Mortgage Market Index (November/08) / MBA Purchase Index (November/08) / Inflation Rate (October)/ CPI (October)/ Redbook (November/09) / Total Household Debt Q3/ Monthly Budget Statement (October)/ API Crude Oil Stock Change (November/08)

·       Peru Balance of Trade (September)

 

Asia

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       South Korea Export Prices (October)/ Import Prices (October)/ Unemployment Rate (October)

·       New Zealand Visitor Arrivals (September)

·       Japan PPI (October)

·       Australia Wage Price Index Q3

·       Philippines Foreign Direct Investment AUG

·       Kazakhstan Unemployment Rate Q3

·       India M3 Money Supply (November/01)

·       China New Yuan Loans (October)/ M2 Money Supply (October)/ Outstanding Loan Growth (October)/ Total Social Financing (October)

 

Europe

Political/Social Events –

·       EU President Ursula von der Leyen meets with French Prime Minister Michel Barnier in Brussels.

·       The Rebuild Ukraine conference will be held in Warsaw through Thursday.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       France Unemployment Rate Q3

·       Romania Industrial Production (September)/ Current Account (September)

·       Hungary Industrial Production Final (September)

·       Euro Area ECB Non-Monetary Policy Meeting

·       Belarus Inflation Rate (October)

·       Poland Balance of Trade (September)/ Current Account (September)

·       Russia GDP Growth Rate Q3/ Inflation Rate (October)

 

Middle East

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Import/ Export/ Balance of Trade (October)

 

Africa

Political/Social Events –

·       The breakaway region of Somaliland will hold a presidential election.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Mozambique Inflation Rate (October)

 

 

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Global

·       The International Energy Agency Monthly Market Report is released.

·       The G20 Social Summit begins in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and runs through November 16.

·       The IMF’s 25th Annual Jacques Polak Research Conference begins in Washington, D.C., and runs through November 15.

·       The UN Security Council votes on the renewal of the UN mission in Abiye, a disputed region between Sudan and South Sudan.

 

Americas

Political/Social Events –

·       President Biden begins a six-day state visit to Peru and Brazil and also attends the APEC Summit being hosted by Peru this year.  Chinese President Xi will also attend the summit.  Additionally, Biden will visit the Amazon rainforest to stress the importance of dealing with climate change.

·       The CPAC Conference begins in Mar-a-Lago, Florida.  Argentine President Javier Milei is expected to attend also meet with President-elect Trump.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Federal Reserve Board Chair Jay Powell gives a speech at the Dallas Federal Reserve’s Global Perspectives Conference.

·       Federal Reserve Board Governor Adriana D. Kugler gives a speech on central bank independence and the economic outlook at the Latin American and Caribbean Economic Association (LACEA) and the Latin American Chapter of the Econometric Society 2024 Meeting, Departamento de Montevideo, Uruguay.

·       New York Federal Reserve Bank President John Williams to give keynote before the “Intermediating Impact: Making Missing Markets" event hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

·       Brazil IBC-BR Economic Activity (September)

·       USA PPI (October) / Initial Jobless Claims (November/09)/ EIA Natural Gas & Crude Oil Stocks Change (November/08)/ 15- & 30-Year Mortgage Rate (November/13/ Fed Balance Sheet (November/13)

·       Colombia Industrial Production (September)/ Retail Sales (September)

·       Paraguay Consumer Confidence (October)

·       Mexico Interest Rate Decision

·       Uruguay Interest Rate Decision

·       Ecuador Balance of Trade (September)

 

Asia

Political/Social Events –

·       Sri Lanka holds parliamentary elections.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       New Zealand Food Inflation (October)

·       Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock takes part in a panel debate about the state of the economy at the ASIC Annual Forum in Sidney.

·       Australia Consumer Inflation Expectations (November)/ Full Time & Part Time Employment Chg (October)/ Unemployment Rate (October)/ Participation Rate (October)

·       Japan Foreign Bond Investment (November/09)/ Stock Investment by Foreigners (November/09)

·       India Passenger Vehicles Sales (October)/ WPI Food Index (October)

·       China PBoC 1-Year MLF Announcement

 

Europe

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey speaks alongside UK chancellor Rachel Reeves at the annual financial and professional services dinner at the City of London’s Mansion House.

·       European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde gives remarks at the Choiseul Sovereignty Awards 2024 ceremony in Paris, France.

·       Bank of England Member of the Policy Committee Catherine Mann will give a speech entitled “Revitalizing the Global Economy” at the Society of Professional Economists Annual Conference in London.

·       European Central Bank Board Member Luis de Guindos gives remarks at the 31 Encuentro del Sector Financiero organized by ABC and Deloitte in Madrid, Spain.

·       European Central Bank Board Member Isabel Schnabel participates on a policy panel entitled "Reassessing Policy Tools for Current and Future Challenges" at 25th Jacques Polak Annual Research Conference "Rethinking the Policy Toolkit in a Turbulent Global Economy" in Washington, D.C.,

·       Great Britain RICS House Price Balance (October)

·       Romania GDP Growth Rate Prel Q3

·       Hungary Construction Output (September)

·       Slovakia GDP Growth Rate Prel Q3

·       Spain Inflation Rate Final (October)

·       Euro Area ECB Guindos Speech/ Employment Change Prel Q3/ GDP Growth Rate 2nd Est Q3/ Industrial Production (September)/ ECB Monetary Policy Meeting Accounts

·       Netherlands GDP Growth Rate Flash Q3/ Balance of Trade (September)/ Household Consumption (September)

·       Poland GDP Growth Rate Prel Q3

·       Slovenia GDP Growth Rate Q3

·       France IEA Oil Market Report

·       Turkey Foreign Exchange Reserves (November/08)

 

Middle East

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Saudi Arabia Inflation Rate (October)

·       Oman M2 Money Supply (September)/ Total Credit (September)

 

Africa

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       South Africa Gold Production (September)/ Mining Production (September)

·       Angola Wholesale Prices (October)/ Inflation Rate (October)

 

 

Friday, November 15, 2024

Global

·       Nothing significant to report.

 

Americas

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Canada Manufacturing Sales Final (September)/ New Motor Vehicle Sales (September)/ Senior Loan Officer Survey

·       USA NY Empire State Manufacturing Index (November)/ Export Prices (October)/ Import Prices (October)/ Retail Sales (October)/ Industrial Production (October)/ Capacity Utilization (October)/ Manufacturing Production (October)/ Business Inventories (September)/ Retail Inventories Ex Autos (September)/ NOPA Crush Report/ Baker Hughes Total Rigs Count (November/15)

·       Colombia ISE Economic Activity (September)

·       Peru Unemployment Rate (October)

 

Asia

Political/Social Events –

·       Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Peru.

·       Nikkei and the U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) host the 21st CSIS/Nikkei Symposium in Tokyo under the title of "Shaping the Future: New Leadership in Japan, U.S. and Next Indo-Pacific Order." The Mount Fuji Dialogue, a gathering that unites influential government officials and businesspeople from the U.S. and Japan, is scheduled to start on Saturday in Tokyo.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       New Zealand Business NZ PMI (October)/

·       Japan GDP Growth Annualized Prel Q3/ GDP Price Index Prel Q3/ GDP Private Consumption Prel Q3/ Industrial Production Final (September)/ Capacity Utilization (September)/ Tertiary Industry Index (September)

·       China House Price Index (October)/ Industrial Production (October)/ Retail Sales (October)/ Fixed Asset Investment (YTD) (October)/ Unemployment Rate (October)/ NBS Press Conference

·       Indonesia Property Price Index Q3/ Imports/ Exports/ Balance of Trade (October)

·       Malaysia Current Account Q3/ GDP Growth Rate Final Q3

·       Hong Kong GDP Growth Rate Final Q3

·       Kazakhstan GDP Growth Rate Q3/ GDP (October)

·       India Bank Loan & Deposit Growth (November/01)/ Foreign Exchange Reserves (November/08)/ Imports/ Exports/ Balance of Trade (October)

·       Philippines Cash Remittances (September)

 

Europe

Political/Social Events –

·       Germany’s 2025 budget is presented to the Bundestag.

·       The EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Budget) meets in Brussels.  Ministers will discuss the EU’s 2025 annual budget.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       European Central Bank Board Member Elizabeth McCaul participates on a panel discussion at the high-level European Supervisory Authorities’ conference entitled "Financial services and Gender – Data, trends and progress in the EU and beyond" organized by EBA, ESMA and EIOPA in Frankfurt, Germany.

·       European Central Bank Board Member Philip R. Lane moderates a policy panel at a seminar entitled “A Fragmenting Trading System: where we stand and implications for policy" as part of the G7 Finance Track events organized by Banca d'Italia in Rome, Italy.

·       European Central Bank Board Member Piero Cipollone participates on a panel discussion on productivity at the CER Ditchley Park conference "A European path to higher economic growth" in Chipping Norton, UK.

·       UK GDP Growth Rate Prel Q3/ GDP (September)/ Goods Trade Balance (September)/ Balance of Trade (September)/ Business Investment Prel Q3/ Construction Output (September)/ GDP (September)/ Industrial Production (September)/ Manufacturing Production (September)/ NIESR Monthly GDP Tracker (October)/ Labour Productivity Final Q2

·       Germany Wholesale Prices (October)

·       Switzerland Producer & Import Prices (October)

·       France Inflation Rate Final (October)

·       Slovakia Inflation Rate (October)

·       Italy Inflation Rate Final (October)/ Balance of Trade (September)

·       Poland Inflation Rate Final (October)

·       Ireland Balance of Trade (September)

·       Serbia Building Permits (September)/ Current Account (September)

·       Belarus Industrial Production (October)

·       Ukraine Balance of Trade (September)

·       Turkey Budget Balance (October)

 

Middle East

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Israel Inflation Rate (October)

 

Africa

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Angola M3 Money Supply (October)

·       Nigeria Food Inflation (October)/ Inflation Rate (October)

·       Egypt Unemployment Rate Q3

 

 

Saturday, November 16, 2024

Global

·       Nothing significant to report.

 

Americas

Political/Social Events –

·       President Biden will attend the G20 Summit -which begins on Monday – and will meet with Brazilian President Lula in Rio de Janeiro.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

 

Asia

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

 

Europe

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       European Central Bank Board Member Luis de Guindos participates in an on-stage conversation at Trilateral Commission meeting in Madrid, Spain.

·       European Central Bank Board Member Isabel Schnabel gives a speech at the Chicago Booth Conference on the Global Economy and Financial Stability, in London.

 

Middle East

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

 

Africa

Political/Social Events –

·       Gabon holds a national referendum on a new constitution and could lead to the end of military rule.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

 

 

Sunday, November 17, 2024

Global

·       The G20 Leaders’ Summit takes place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

 

Americas

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

 

Asia

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       China FDI (YTD) (October)

 

Europe

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

 

Middle East

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Israel GDP Growth Annualized 1st Est Q3

 

Africa

Political/Social Events –

·       Senegal holds parliamentary elections.

Economic Reports/Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

 

 

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