FSOC Approves Final Rule to Designate Systemically Important Nonbanks

Nonbank Supervision Federal Reserve

On April 3, the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) voted to approve a final rule and interpretive guidance regarding the process it intends to use in designating nonbank financial companies as systemically important and subject to supervision by the Federal Reserve Board (FRB). The final rule and guidance follow an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking, two proposed rules, and proposed guidance. The final designation process is substantially similar to that outlined in the second proposed rule, issued in October 2011, with some clarifications. For example, the final rule provides a longer time period (no less than 30 days) for companies to respond to a notice that it is being considered for a systemically important determination and makes clear that hearings conducted as part of the determination process are nonpublic. The FSOC also clarified in response to comments that it intends to interpret the term "company" broadly to include any corporation, limited liability corporation, partnership, business trust, association, or similar organization, but not unincorporated associations. The rule does not provide any industry-based exemptions and the FSOC indicated that it does not intend to provide any, but will consider related comments as part of the determination process. Regarding coordination, the FSOC declined to delay finalizing this rule until related regulatory activities are completed, for example, the FRB's rule for determining if a company is "predominantly engaged in financial activities," choosing to view those considerations as non-essential to its consideration of whether a nonbank financial company could pose a threat to U.S. financial stability.