Volcker Rule Implementation (2024)

On December 10, 2013, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ("OCC"), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ("Board"), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued final regulations to implement section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, known as the Volcker Rule. The final regulations were published in the Federal Register on January 31, 2014, and became effective on April 1, 2014.

National banks (other than certain limited-purpose trust banks), federal savings associations, and federal branches and agencies of foreign banks (collectively banks) were generally required to conform their activities and investments to the requirements of the final regulations by July 21, 2015.

The final rule prohibits banks from engaging in short-term proprietary trading of certain securities, derivatives, commodity futures and options on these instruments, for their own account. The final rule also imposes limits on banks' investments in, and other relationships with, hedge funds or private equity funds. The final rule provides exemptions for certain activities, including market making, underwriting, hedging, trading in government obligations, insurance company activities, and organizing and offering hedge funds or private equity funds. The final rule also clarifies that certain activities are not prohibited, including acting as agent, broker, or custodian.

The OCC is posting below information that may be helpful for banks for purposes of Volcker Rule compliance:

Volcker Rule Implementation (2024)

FAQs

What are the final rules to implement the Volcker Rule? ›

The final rule prohibits banks from engaging in short-term proprietary trading of certain securities, derivatives, commodity futures and options on these instruments, for their own account. The final rule also imposes limits on banks' investments in, and other relationships with, hedge funds or private equity funds.

When did the Volcker Rule go into effect? ›

On December 10, 2013, the Volcker Rule regulations were approved by all five of the necessary financial regulatory agencies. It was set to go into effect April 1, 2014. The final rule had a longer compliance period and fewer metrics than earlier proposals.

What are the permitted activities of the Volcker Rule? ›

They include the following seven circ*mstances: (1) acting as an agent, broker, or custodian, (2) permitted organizing and offering, (3) permitted underwriting and market making, (4) investing in a fund organized by a banking entity, (5) risk-mitigating hedging activities, (6) activities and investments outside of the ...

What is the latest Volcker Rule? ›

The Volcker rule generally prohibits banking entities from engaging in proprietary trading or investing in or sponsoring hedge funds or private equity funds.

What is the Dodd-Frank and Volcker Rule? ›

➢ Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act, commonly referred to as the Volcker Rule, generally prohibits banking entities from engaging in proprietary trading and from acquiring or retaining ownership interests in, sponsoring, or having certain relationships with a hedge fund or private equity fund.

What financial instruments are under the Volcker Rule? ›

The Volcker Rule prohibits banks from using their own accounts for short-term proprietary trading of securities, derivatives, and commodity futures, as well as options on any of these instruments.

Does Volcker Rule only apply to us? ›

Thus, the Volcker Rule's jurisdictional provisions have extensive, but not unlimited extraterritorial effect. The Volcker Rule does apply to every foreign entity that directly or indirectly maintains a bank branch or agency in the United States, or controls a commercial lending company.

When did Volcker stop inflation? ›

During his tenure as chairman, Volcker was widely credited with having ended the high levels of inflation seen in the United States throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, with measures known as the Volcker shock. He previously served as the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York from 1975 to 1979.

What are covered funds in the Volcker Rule? ›

Loosely put, the Rule defines a covered fund as anything considered an investment company in the Investment Company Act, including private equity and hedge funds, as well as commodity pools with certain exclusions, and funds sponsored by a US banking entity where the affiliate holds ownership interests.

What is subject to the Volcker Rule? ›

The Volcker Rule generally prohibits a banking entity from entering into transactions with a related fund that w ould be a covered transaction under section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act if the banking entity w ere a member bank and the fund w ere its affiliate.

What is the Volcker Rule for market making? ›

The Volcker Rule contains exemptions from the prohibition on proprietary trading for underwriting and market making-related activities to the extent that such activities are designed not to exceed the reasonably expected near-term demands of clients, customers or counterparties (“RENTD”).

What is the Totus Volcker Rule? ›

The Volcker Rule (which generally prohibits banking entities from engaging directly or indirectly in proprietary trading) permits proprietary trading by FBOs provided that such trading is conducted "outside the United States." One of the conditions to utilizing the TOTUS exemption is that the FBO be a QFBO and that the ...

What is the Volcker Rule in compliance? ›

The Volcker Rule generally restricts banking entities from engaging in proprietary trading and from owning, sponsoring, or having certain relationships with a hedge fund or private equity fund.

What is the Volcker Rule quizlet? ›

The Volcker Rule included in the Dodd-Frank Act prohibits banks from proprietary trading and restricts investment in hedge funds and private equity by commercial banks and their affiliates.

What is the Volcker Rule and evolving financial markets? ›

The Volcker Rule prohibits proprietary trading by banking entities - in effect, reintroducing to the financial markets a substantial portion of the Glass-Steagall Act's static divide between banks and securities firms.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Golda Nolan II

Last Updated:

Views: 6372

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Golda Nolan II

Birthday: 1998-05-14

Address: Suite 369 9754 Roberts Pines, West Benitaburgh, NM 69180-7958

Phone: +522993866487

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Shopping, Quilting, Cooking, Homebrewing, Leather crafting, Pet

Introduction: My name is Golda Nolan II, I am a thoughtful, clever, cute, jolly, brave, powerful, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.