NCUA Publishes Advance Notice Regarding Use of Financial Derivatives Transactions to Offset Interest Rate Risk

NCUA

On February 3, the NCUA published a second advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeking additional comments to identify the conditions for federal credit unions to engage in certain derivatives transactions to offset interest rate risk. The second notice follows one issued in June 2011, which requested comment on potentially modifying NCUA’s rule on investment and deposit activities to allow such derivative transactions.  The current notice focuses on the ability of federal credit unions to independently engage in derivative transactions, without the oversight of a third-party provider. The NCUA is seeking comment on eligibility requirements and safety and soundness considerations that might limit the types of derivatives that federal credit unions may use, exposure limits, and counterparty risk. Comments responding to the notice must be received by April 3, 2012.