SFA’s response to the Fixed Income Market Structure Advisory Committee (FIMSAC) recommendation regarding ways to mitigate conflicts on interest in credit ratings focused on 1) enhanced issuer disclosure, 2) increased NRSRO disclosure, 3) bondholder ratification of issuer-selected NRSROs, and 4) our members’ general comments around potential conflicts of interest.

SFA jointly filed an amicus brief with the Chamber of Commerce, SIFMA, ISDA, BPI, and LSTA, in the case of McCarthy v. Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., in the Northern District of California. The case has significant implications for the LIBOR transition and global financial markets. The plaintiffs in McCarthy v. Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. are requesting to bring the publication of the U.S. LIBOR benchmark rate to an immediate halt, threatening to disrupt financial transactions all over the world and undermine years of planning for an orderly transition from LIBOR.

Growing ESG in securitization: 81% of issuers incorporate ESG in their overall business operations, 73% within asset origination/underwriting practices, and 56% sponsoring or developing ESG-focused ABS/MBS programs. “Client Demand” is #1 factor motivating ESG for Institutional Investors in securitization. View the results and takeaways of SFA ESG Engagement survey.