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Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
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Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

Monthly Report on Credit and Liquidity Programs
and the Balance Sheet

January 2010 (1.2 MB PDF)

Lending Facilities to Support Overall Market Liquidity

Lending to Depository Institutions

Recent Developments

  • Credit provided to depository institutions through the discount window and the Term Auction Facility (TAF) has continued to decline, primarily reflecting reductions in loans outstanding under the TAF.
  • TAF auctions have been undersubscribed since the October 5, 2008, auction. Since then, the auction rate has been equal to the minimum bid rate, which has been 25 basis points since the January 12, 2009, auction.
  • As of the January 11, 2010, TAF auction, the transition to a single 28-day auction cycle was completed. The Federal Reserve expects that amounts provided under the TAF will be scaled back over 2010.
  • As indicated in table 6, total collateral pledged by depository institutions with discount window loans outstanding on December 30, 2009, was $286 billion, about three times the amount of credit outstanding.

Background

The discount window helps to relieve liquidity strains for individual depository institutions and for the banking system as a whole by providing a source of funding in times of need. Much of the statutory framework that governs lending to depository institutions is contained in Section 10B of the Federal Reserve Act, as amended. The general policies that govern discount window lending are set forth in the Federal Reserve Board's Regulation A.

Table 4. Discount Window Credit Outstanding to Depository Institutions
Daily average borrowing for each class of borrower over four weeks ending December 30, 2009

Type and size of borrower Average number of borrowers1 Average borrowing
($ billions)2
Commercial banks3
   Assets: more than $50 billion 9 30
   Assets: $5 billion to 50 billion 38 60
   Assets: $250 million to $5 billion 99 10
   Assets: less than $250 million 69 *
Thrift institutions and credit unions 35 4
Total 245 105
Note: Unaudited. Includes primary, secondary, seasonal, and TAF credit. Size categories based on total domestic assets from Call Report data as of September 30, 2009. Components may not sum to totals because of rounding.
* Less than $500 million.
1. Average daily number of depository institutions with credit outstanding. Over this period, a total of 504 institutions borrowed. Return to table
2. Average daily borrowing by all depositories in each category. Return to table
3. Includes branches and agencies of foreign banks. Return to table

Depository institutions have, since 2003, had access to three types of discount window credit--primary credit, secondary credit, and seasonal credit. Primary credit is available to depository institutions in generally sound financial condition with few administrative requirements. Secondary credit may be provided to depository institutions that do not qualify for primary credit, subject to review by the lending Reserve Bank. Seasonal credit provides short-term funds to smaller depository institutions that experience regular seasonal swings in loans and deposits.

Table 5. Concentration of Discount Window Credit Outstanding to Depository Institutions
For four weeks ending December 30, 2009

Rank by amount of borrowing Number of borrowers Daily average borrowing
($ billions)
Top five 5 42
Next five 5 18
Other 235 45
Total 245 105
Note: Unaudited. Amount of primary, secondary, seasonal, and TAF credit extended to the top five and next five borrowers on each day, as ranked by daily average borrowing. Components may not sum to totals because of rounding.

On August 17, 2007, in order to promote orderly market functioning, the Federal Reserve began to allow the provision of primary credit for terms as long as 30 days. On March 16, 2008, the Federal Reserve increased the maximum maturity of primary credit loans to 90 days. On November 17, 2009, in response to the improvement in financial conditions, the Federal Reserve announced that the maximum maturity on primary credit loans would be reduced to 28 days effective January 14, 2010.

In December 2007, the Federal Reserve introduced the TAF, which provides credit through an auction mechanism to depository institutions in generally sound financial condition. All regular discount window loans and TAF loans must be fully collateralized to the satisfaction of the lending Reserve Bank, with an appropriate "haircut" applied to the value of the collateral.

On September 24, 2009, the Federal Reserve announced that the TAF would be scaled back in response to continued improvements in financial market conditions. The offering amount under the 28-day auction will remain unchanged from its September level of $75 billion through January 2010. The auction amount for the 84-day auctions was reduced to $50 billion in October and to $25 billion in November. In addition, the maturity dates of the 84-day auctions were adjusted over time to align with the maturity dates of the 28-day auctions. As of the January 11, 2010, auction, all TAF auctions are on a 28-day cycle.

In extending credit to depository institutions, the Federal Reserve closely monitors the financial condition of borrowers. Monitoring the financial condition of depository institutions is a four-step process designed to minimize the risk of loss to the Federal Reserve posed by weak or failing depository institutions. The first step is monitoring, on an ongoing basis, the safety and soundness of all depository institutions that access or may access the discount window and the payment services provided by the Federal Reserve. The second step is identifying institutions whose condition, characteristics, or affiliation would present higher-than-acceptable risk to the Federal Reserve in the absence of controls on their access to Federal Reserve lending facilities and other Federal Reserve services. The third step is communicating--to staff within the Federal Reserve System and to other supervisory agencies, if and when necessary--relevant information about those institutions identified as posing higher risk. The fourth step is implementing appropriate measures to mitigate the risks posed by such entities.

Table 6. Lendable Value of Collateral Pledged by Borrowing Depository Institutions
Billions of dollars, as of December 30, 2009

Type of collateral Lendable value
Loans
   Commercial 63
   Residential mortgage 3
   Commercial real estate 15
   Consumer 18
Securities
   U.S. Treasury/agency 5
   Municipal 17
   Corporate market instruments 19
   MBS/CMO: agency-guaranteed 22
   MBS/CMO: other 12
   Asset-backed 77
   International (sovereign, agency, municipal, and corporate) 37
Total 286
Note: Unaudited. Collateral pledged by borrowers of primary, secondary, seasonal, and TAF credit as of the date shown. Total primary, secondary, seasonal, and TAF credit on this date was $96 billion. The lendable value of collateral pledged by all depository institutions, including those without any outstanding loans, was $1,231 billion. Lendable value is value after application of appropriate haircuts. Components may not sum to total because of rounding.

At the heart of the condition monitoring process is an internal rating system that provides a framework for identifying institutions that may pose undue risks to the Federal Reserve. The rating system relies mostly on information from each institution's primary supervisor, including CAMELS ratings, to identify potentially problematic institutions and classify them according to the severity of the risk they pose to the Federal Reserve.1 Having identified institutions that pose a higher risk, the Federal Reserve then puts in place a standard set of risk controls that become increasingly stringent as the risk posed by an institution grows; individual Reserve Banks may implement additional risk controls to further mitigate risk if they deem it necessary.

Collateral

All extensions of discount window credit by the Federal Reserve must be secured to the satisfaction of the lending Reserve Bank by "acceptable collateral." Assets accepted as collateral are assigned a lendable value deemed appropriate by the Reserve Bank; lendable value is determined as the market price of the asset, less a haircut. When a market price is not available, a haircut may be applied to the outstanding balance or a valuation based on an asset's cash flow. Haircuts reflect credit risk and, for traded assets, the historical volatility of the asset's price and the liquidity of the market in which the asset is traded; the Federal Reserve's haircuts are generally in line with typical market practice. The Federal Reserve applies larger haircuts, and thus assigns lower lendable values, to assets for which no market price is available relative to comparable assets for which a market price is available. A borrower may be required to pledge additional collateral if its financial condition weakens. Collateral is pledged under the terms and conditions specified in the Federal Reserve Banks' standard lending agreement, Operating Circular No. 10 (www.frbservices.org/files/regulations/pdf/operating_circular_10.pdf).

Table 7. Lendable Value of Securities Pledged by Depository Institutions by Rating
Billions of dollars, as of December 30, 2009

Type of security and rating Lendable value
U.S. Treasury, agency and agency-backed securities 155
Other securities
   AAA 183
   Aa/AA1 44
   A2 50
   Baa/BBB3 21
   Other investment-grade4 52
Total 504
Note: Unaudited. Lendable value for all institutions that have pledged collateral including those that were not borrowing on the date shown. Lendable value is value after application of appropriate haircuts. Components may not sum to total because of rounding.
1. Includes short-term securities with A-1+ or F1+ rating or MIG 1 or SP-1+ municipal bond rating. Return to table
2. Includes short-term securities with A-1 rating or SP-1 municipal bond rating. Return to table
3. Includes short-term securities with A-2, P-2, A-3, or P-3 rating. Return to table
4. Determined based on credit review by Reserve Bank. Return to table

Discount window loans and extensions of credit through the TAF are made with recourse to the borrower beyond the pledged collateral. Nonetheless, collateral plays an important role in mitigating the credit risk associated with these extensions of credit. The Federal Reserve generally accepts as collateral for discount window loans and TAF credit any assets that meet regulatory standards for sound asset quality. This category of assets includes most performing loans and most investment-grade securities, although for some types of securities (including commercial mortgage-backed securities, collateralized debt obligations, collateralized loan obligations, and certain non-dollar-denominated foreign securities) only AAA-rated securities are accepted. An institution may not pledge as collateral any instruments that the institution or its affiliates have issued. Additional collateral is required for discount window and TAF loans with remaining maturity of more than 28 days--for these loans, borrowing only up to 75 percent of available collateral is permitted. To ensure that they can borrow from the Federal Reserve should the need arise, many depository institutions that do not have an outstanding discount window or TAF loan nevertheless routinely pledge collateral.

Changes to the lending margins on discount window collateral took effect on October 19, 2009. The Federal Reserve periodically reviews its collateral valuation practices, and the new collateral margins reflect the results of a broad-based review, which began before the current financial crisis, of methodology and data sources. For more information on these changes to collateral margins, refer to the Discount Window and Payments System Risk public website (www.frbdiscountwindow.org).

As shown in table 8, most depository institutions that borrow from the Federal Reserve maintain collateral well in excess of their current borrowing levels.

Table 8. Discount Window Credit Outstanding to Borrowing Depository Institutions--Percent of Collateral Used
As of December 30, 2009

Percent of collateral used Number of borrowers Total borrowing
($ billions)
Over 0 and under 25 83 17
25 to 50 75 33
50 to 75 58 27
75 to 90 28 16
Over 90 19 2
Total 263 96
Note: Unaudited. Components may not add to totals because of rounding.

Lending to Primary Dealers

Recent Developments

  • There has been no borrowing at the Primary Dealer Credit Facility (PDCF) since mid-May 2009. As previously announced, the Federal Reserve anticipates that the PDCF will expire on February 1, 2010.
  • Since mid-August, borrowing from the Term Securities Lending Facility (TSLF) has remained unchanged at zero. The January 7, 2010, TSLF Schedule 2 auction was the last auction scheduled prior to the anticipated expiration of the TSLF on February 1, 2010.

Background

On March 16, 2008, the Federal Reserve announced the creation of the PDCF, which is an overnight loan facility that provides funding to primary dealers and helps foster improved conditions in financial markets more generally. PDCF credit is fully secured by collateral with appropriate haircuts--that is, the value of the collateral exceeds the value of the loan extended. Initially, eligible collateral was restricted to investment-grade securities. On September 14, 2008, however, the set of eligible collateral was broadened to closely match the types of instruments that can be pledged in the tri-party repurchase agreement systems of the two major clearing banks. On September 21, 2008, and November 23, 2008, the Federal Reserve Board authorized the extension of credit to a set of other securities dealers on terms very similar to the PDCF. Credit extended under either program is reported weekly in table 1 of the H.4.1 statistical release as "Primary dealer and other broker-dealer credit" and is included in "Other loans" in tables 10 and 11 of the H.4.1 statistical release.

Table 9. Credit Outstanding to Primary Dealers
As of December 30, 2009

Number of borrowers Borrowing under PDCF
($ billions)
Borrowing under TSLF
($ billions)
0 0 0
Note: Unaudited. Borrowing figures represent total amounts of PDCF and TSLF credit extended as of the date shown. The total reported for the TSLF represents the par value of securities lent.

On March 11, 2008, the Federal Reserve announced the creation of the TSLF. Under the TSLF, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (FRBNY) lends Treasury securities to primary dealers for 28 days against eligible collateral in two types of auctions. For so-called "Schedule 1" auctions, the eligible collateral consists of Treasury securities, agency securities, and agency-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (MBS). For "Schedule 2" auctions, the eligible collateral includes Schedule 1 collateral plus highly rated private securities. In mid-2008, the Federal Reserve introduced the Term Securities Lending Facility Options Program (TOP), which offers options to primary dealers to draw upon short-term, fixed-rate TSLF loans from the System Open Market Account (SOMA) portfolio in exchange for program-eligible collateral. The TOP is intended to enhance the effectiveness of the TSLF by offering added liquidity over periods of heightened collateral market pressures, such as quarter-end dates.

The Federal Reserve Board has authorized the extension of credit from the TSLF through February 1, 2010. TSLF Schedule 1 and TOP auctions, however, were suspended effective July 2009 in light of considerably lower use of the facility. Furthermore, in September the Federal Reserve announced its intention to scale back the size of TSLF auctions held between October 2009 and January 2010. The size of TSLF auctions was reduced to $50 billion in October and $25 billion in November; offering amounts remained at $25 billion in December and January. On December 16, 2009, the Federal Reserve announced that it anticipates that the TSLF and PDCF will expire on February 1, 2010, consistent with the Federal Reserve's announcement of June 25, 2009.

Table 10. Concentration of Borrowing at the PDCF and TSLF
As of December 30, 2009

Rank by amount of borrowing Number of borrowers Daily average borrowing
($ billions)
Top five 0 0
Next five 0 0
Other 0 0
Total 0 0
Note: Unaudited.

The TSLF supports the liquidity of primary dealers and fosters improved conditions in financial markets more generally. Securities lent through these programs are reported weekly in table 1A of the H.4.1 statistical release.

In addition to the TSLF and TOP, the Federal Reserve has long operated an overnight securities lending facility as a vehicle to address market pressures for specific Treasury securities. Since July 9, 2009, this facility has lent housing-related government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) securities that are particularly sought after. Amounts outstanding under that program are, generally, fairly modest, and are also reported in table 1A of the H.4.1 statistical release.

Collateral

Eligible collateral for loans extended through the PDCF includes all assets eligible for tri-party repurchase agreement arrangements through the major clearing banks as of September 12, 2008. The amount of PDCF credit extended to any dealer may not exceed the lendable value of eligible collateral that the dealer has provided to the FRBNY. The collateral is valued by the clearing banks; values are based on prices reported by a number of private-sector pricing services widely used by market participants. Loans extended under the PDCF are made with recourse beyond the collateral to the primary dealer entity itself. Breakdowns of PDCF collateral by asset type and credit rating are shown in tables 11 and 12, respectively.

Table 11. PDCF Collateral by Type
Billions of dollars, as of December 30, 2009

Type of collateral Lendable value
Securities
   U.S. Treasury/agency 0
   Municipal 0
   Corporate market instruments 0
   MBS/CMO: agency-guaranteed 0
   MBS/CMO: other 0
   Asset-backed 0
   International (sovereign, agency, and corporate) 0
   Equity 0
Loans 0
Other 0
Total 0
Note: Unaudited. Collateral pledged by borrowers of PDCF and related credit to primary dealers as of the date shown. Borrowing on that date was zero. Lendable value is value after application of appropriate haircuts.

Table 12. PDCF Collateral by Rating
Billions of dollars, as of December 30, 2009

Type of collateral Lendable value
U.S. Treasury/agency securities 0
Other securities
   Aaa/AAA 0
   Aa/AA 0
   A 0
   Baa/BBB 0
   Ba/BB 0
   B/B 0
   Caa/CCC or below 0
   Unrated securities 0
Equity 0
Total 0
Note: Unaudited. Collateral pledged by borrowers of PDCF and related credit to primary dealers as of the date shown. Borrowing on that date was zero. Lendable value is value after application of appropriate haircuts.

Transactions under the TSLF involve lending securities rather than cash: a dealer borrows Treasury securities from the Federal Reserve and provides another security as collateral. Eligible collateral is determined by the Federal Reserve. Currently, two schedules of collateral are defined. Schedule 1 collateral is Treasury, agency, and agency-guaranteed MBS. Schedule 2 collateral is investment-grade corporate, municipal, mortgage-backed, and asset-backed securities, as well as Schedule 1 collateral. Haircuts on posted collateral are determined by the FRBNY using methods consistent with current market practices. Breakdowns of TSLF collateral by asset type and credit rating are shown in tables 13 and 14, respectively.

Table 13. TSLF Collateral
Billions of dollars, as of December 30, 2009

Type of collateral Lendable value
Securities
   U.S. Treasury/agency 0
   Municipal 0
   Corporate 0
   MBS/CMO: agency-guaranteed 0
   MBS/CMO: other 0
   Asset-backed 0
Total 0
Note: Unaudited. Collateral pledged by borrowers of TSLF as of the date shown. Borrowing on the date was zero. Lendable value is value after application of appropriate haircuts.

Table 14. TSLF Collateral by Rating
Billions of dollars, as of December 30, 2009

Type of collateral Lendable value
U.S. Treasury, agency, and agency-guaranteed securities 0
Other securities
   Aaa/AAA 0
   Aa/AA 0
   A/A-1 0
   Baa/BBB 0
Total 0
Note: Unaudited. Collateral pledged by borrowers of TSLF on the date shown. Borrowing on that date was zero. Lendable value is value after application of appropriate haircuts. TSLF collateral must be investment-grade.

Commercial Paper Funding Facility (CPFF)

Recent Developments

  • The amount of commercial paper held by the CPFF has continued to decline in recent weeks. Improvements in market conditions have allowed some borrowers to obtain financing from private investors. This factor, combined with reduced funding needs, has contributed to the decreased usage of the facility.
  • As previously announced, the Federal Reserve anticipates that the CPFF will expire on February 1, 2010.

Background

The CPFF is a facility, authorized under Section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act, which supports liquidity in the commercial paper markets. The CPFF provides a liquidity backstop to U.S. issuers of commercial paper through a specially created limited liability company (LLC) called the CPFF LLC. This LLC purchases three-month unsecured and asset-backed commercial paper directly from eligible issuers. The FRBNY provides financing to the LLC, and the FRBNY's loan to the LLC is secured by all of the assets of the LLC, including those purchased with the accumulated upfront fees paid by the issuers. Breakdowns of commercial paper held in the CPFF LLC, by type and credit rating, are shown in tables 16 and 17, respectively.

Table 15. Concentration of CPFF Issuers
For four weeks ending December 30, 2009

Rank by amount of commercial paper Number of borrowers Daily average borrowing
($ billions)
Top five issuers 5 9
Other issuers 3 1
Total 8 10
Note: Unaudited. Amount of commercial paper held in the CPFF that was issued by the top five and the next five issuers on each day. Components may not sum to total because of rounding.

Table 16. CPFF Commercial Paper Holdings by Type
Billions of dollars, as of December 30, 2009

Type of commercial paper Value
Unsecured commercial paper
   Issued by financial firms 2
   Issued by nonfinancial firms 0
Asset-backed commercial paper 7
Total 9
Note: Unaudited. Components may not sum to total because of rounding; does not include $5 billion of other investments.

Table 17. CPFF Commercial Paper Holdings by Rating
Billions of dollars, as of December 30, 2009

Type of collateral Value
Commercial paper with rating1
   A-1/P-1/F1 9
   Split-rated 0
   Downgraded after purchase 0
Total 9
Note: Unaudited. Components may not sum to total because of rounding; does not include $5 billion of other investments.
1. The CPFF purchases only U.S. dollar-denominated commercial paper (including asset-backed commercial paper) that is rated at least A-1/P-1/F1 by Moody's, S&P, or Fitch and, if rated by more than one of these rating organizations, is rated at least A-1/P-1/F1 by two or more. "Split-rated" is acceptable commercial paper that has received an A-1/P-1/F1 rating from two rating organizations and a lower rating from a third rating organization. When pledged commercial paper is downgraded below split-rated after purchase, the facility holds such paper to maturity. Return to table

The CPFF was announced on October 7, 2008, and purchases of commercial paper began on October 27. This program is administered by the FRBNY, and the assets and liabilities of the LLC are consolidated onto the balance sheet of the FRBNY. The net assets of the LLC are shown in tables 1, 10, and 11 of the weekly H.4.1 statistical release, and primary accounts of the LLC are presented in table 7 of the H.4.1 statistical release. On December 16, 2009, the Federal Reserve announced that it anticipates that the CPFF will expire on February 1, 2010, consistent with the Federal Reserve's announcement of June 25, 2009.

Asset-Backed Commercial Paper Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (AMLF)

Recent Developments

  • Credit outstanding under the AMLF has been zero since October 13, 2009. As previously announced, the Federal Reserve anticipates that the AMLF will expire on February 1, 2010.

Background

The AMLF is a lending facility that finances the purchase of high-quality asset-backed commercial paper from money market mutual funds (MMMFs) by U.S. depository institutions and bank holding companies. The program is intended to assist money funds that hold such paper in meeting the demand for redemptions by investors and to foster liquidity in the asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP) market and money markets more generally. The loans extended through the AMLF are non-recourse loans; as a result, the Federal Reserve has rights to only the collateral securing the loan if the borrower elects not to repay. To help ensure that the AMLF is used for its intended purpose of providing a temporary liquidity backstop to MMMFs, the Federal Reserve has established a redemption threshold for use of the facility. Under this requirement, a MMMF must experience material outflows--defined as at least five percent of net assets in a single day or at least 10 percent of net assets within the prior five business days--before the ABCP that it sells would be eligible collateral for AMLF loans to depository institutions and bank holding companies. Any eligible ABCP purchased from a MMMF that has experienced redemptions at these thresholds could be pledged to the AMLF at any time within the five business days following the date that the threshold level of redemptions was reached.

The initiation of the AMLF, announced on September 19, 2008, relied on authority under Section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act. It is administered by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, which is authorized to make AMLF loans to eligible borrowers in all 12 Federal Reserve Districts. Lending through the AMLF is presented in table 1 of the weekly H.4.1 statistical release and is included in "Other loans" in tables 10 and 11 of the H.4.1 statistical release.

Since May 8, 2009, there has been no new borrowing through the AMLF, and as of October 13, 2009, all prior outstanding AMLF credit had matured. On December 16, 2009, the Federal Reserve announced that it anticipates that the AMLF will expire on February 1, 2010, consistent with the Federal Reserve's announcement of June 25, 2009.

Table 18. AMLF: Number of Borrowers and Amount Outstanding
Daily average for four weeks ending December 30, 2009

  Number of borrowers Borrowing
($ billions)
Total 0 0
Note: Unaudited.

Collateral

Collateral eligible for the AMLF is limited to ABCP that:

  • was purchased by the borrower on or after September 19, 2008, from a registered investment company that holds itself out as a MMMF and has experienced recent material outflows;
  • was purchased by the borrower at the mutual fund's acquisition cost as adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion of discount on the ABCP through the date of its purchase by the borrower;
  • was not rated lower than A-1, P-1, or F1 at the time it was pledged to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (this would exclude paper that is rated A-1/P-1/F1 but is on watch for downgrade by any major rating agency);
  • was issued by an entity organized under the laws of the United States or a political subdivision thereof under a program that was in existence on September 18, 2008; and
  • has a stated maturity that does not exceed 120 days if the borrower is a bank, or 270 days if the borrower is a non-bank.

The qualifying ABCP must be transferred to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston's restricted account at the Depository Trust Company before an advance, collateralized by that ABCP, will be approved. The collateral is valued at the amortized cost (as defined in the Letter of Agreement) of the eligible ABCP pledged to secure an advance. Advances made under the facility are made without recourse, provided the requirements in the Letter of Agreement are met. A breakdown of AMLF collateral by credit rating is shown in table 19.

Table 19. AMLF Collateral by Rating
Billions of dollars, as of December 30, 2009

Type of collateral Value
Asset-backed commercial paper with rating
   A-1/P-1/F1 and not on watch for downgrade 0
   A-1/P-1/F1 but on watch for downgrade1 0
   Below A-1/P-1/F1 0
Total 0
Note: Unaudited. Components may not sum to total because of rounding.
1. The AMLF accepts only U.S.-dollar denominated asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP) that is not rated lower than A-1, P-1, or F1 by Moody's, S&P, or Fitch, and (effective April 22, 2009) is not on watch for downgrade. Collateral that is on watch for downgrade or is rated below A-1/P-1/F1 is ABCP that has deteriorated after it was pledged. Return to table

Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (TALF)

Recent Developments

  • The December non-commercial mortgage-backed securities TALF subscription supported the primary issuance of six asset-backed securities (ABS) deals worth a total of about $3.8 billion, of which approximately $2.3 billion was financed through the TALF. Approximately $0.7 billion in loans were also extended against previously issued TALF-eligible ABS collateral. In addition, $1.3 billion in TALF loans were extended against legacy commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) collateral in the December CMBS TALF subscription.
  • On December 23, 2009, and January 11, 2010, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (FRBNY) announced that the credit ratings of four nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs)--DBRS, Inc.; Fitch Ratings; Moody's Investors Service; and Standard & Poor's--would be accepted for establishing the eligibility of selected types of ABS as collateral by the TALF. These NRSROs' ratings will be eligible beginning with the TALF's February 2010 ABS subscription. This action was taken in accordance with a rule adopted by the Federal Reserve Board establishing criteria for the FRBNY to determine the eligibility of ratings issued by NRSROs for TALF purposes. The rule's eligibility requirements do not apply to discount window lending or to other extensions of credit provided by the Federal Reserve System.

Background

On November 25, 2008, the Federal Reserve announced the creation of the TALF under the authority of Section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act. The TALF is a funding facility under which the FRBNY extends credit with a term of up to five years to holders of eligible ABS. The TALF is intended to assist financial markets in accommodating the credit needs of consumers and businesses of all sizes by facilitating the issuance of ABS collateralized by a variety of consumer and business loans; it is also intended to improve market conditions for ABS more generally.

Table 20. TALF: Number of Borrowers and Loans Outstanding
As of December 30, 2009

Lending program Number of borrowers Borrowing
($ billions)
Non-CMBS 106 39
CMBS 81 9
Total 147 48
Note: Unaudited. "Number of borrowers" may not sum to total because borrowers may be included in more than one category. "Borrowing" amounts may not sum to total because of rounding.

Eligible collateral initially included U.S. dollar-denominated ABS that (1) are backed by student loans, auto loans, credit card loans, and loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and (2) have a credit rating in the highest investment-grade rating category from two or more eligible NRSROs and do not have a credit rating below the highest investment-grade rating category from an eligible NRSRO. The loans provided through the TALF are non-recourse, meaning that the obligation of the borrower can be discharged by surrendering the collateral to the FRBNY. Borrowers commit their own risk capital in the form of haircuts against the collateral, which serve as the borrower's equity in the transaction and act as a buffer to absorb any decline in the collateral's value in the event the loan is not repaid. The U.S. Treasury is providing protection against losses of up to $20 billion to the FRBNY using funds authorized under the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.

On February 10, 2009, the Federal Reserve Board announced that it would consider expanding the size of the TALF to as much as $1 trillion and potentially broaden the eligible collateral to encompass other types of newly issued AAA-rated ABS, such as ABS backed by commercial mortgages or private-label (non-agency) ABS backed by residential mortgages. Any expansion of the TALF would be supported by the Treasury's providing additional funds from the TARP. As of December 30, 2009, however, the authorized limit for the program remained at $200 billion.

Between March and May 2009, the Federal Reserve expanded the range of eligible collateral for TALF loans to include:

  • ABS backed by loans or leases related to business equipment, leases of vehicle fleets, floorplan loans, mortgage servicing advances, and insurance premium finance loans; and
  • newly issued commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) and certain high-quality CMBS issued before January 1, 2009 (so-called "legacy" CMBS).

High-quality newly issued and legacy CMBS must have at least two AAA ratings from a list of eligible NRSROs--DBRS, Inc.; Fitch Ratings; Moody's Investors Service; Realpoint; or Standard & Poor's--and must not have a rating below AAA from any of these rating agencies.

The Federal Reserve also authorized TALF loans with maturities of five years, available for the June 2009 funding, to finance purchases of CMBS, ABS backed by student loans, and ABS backed by loans guaranteed by the SBA. The Federal Reserve indicated that up to $100 billion of TALF loans could have five-year maturities and that some of the interest on collateral financed with a five-year loan may be diverted toward an accelerated repayment of the loan, especially in the fourth and fifth years.

On September 1, 2009, the following four non-primary dealer broker-dealers were named as agents for the TALF: CastleOak Securities, LP; Loop Capital Markets, LLC; Wells Fargo Securities, LLC; and The Williams Capital Group, LP. These agents, like the primary dealers, may represent borrowers in accessing the facility.

On October 5, 2009, the Federal Reserve announced two changes to the procedures for evaluating ABS pledged to the TALF. The first change was to propose a rule that would establish criteria for the FRBNY to use when determining which NRSROs' ratings are accepted for establishing the eligibility of ABS to be pledged as collateral to the TALF. The rule establishing the process for approving NRSROs was finalized on December 4, 2009. The second change required the FRBNY to conduct a formal risk assessment of all proposed collateral in addition to continuing to require that collateral for TALF loans receive two AAA ratings from TALF-eligible NRSROs. These changes were intended to promote competition among credit rating agencies, ensure appropriate protection against credit risk for the U.S. taxpayer, and ensure that TALF collateral continues to comply with the existing high standards for credit quality, transparency, and simplicity of structure.

The Federal Reserve Board initially authorized the offering of new TALF loans through December 31, 2009, but subsequently authorized an extension of the program until March 31, 2010, for loans against newly issued ABS and legacy CMBS, and until June 30, 2010, for loans against newly issued CMBS.

Collateral and Risk Management

Under the TALF, the FRBNY lends on a non-recourse basis to holders of certain ABS backed by consumer, business, and commercial mortgage loans. Eligible collateral for the TALF includes U.S. dollar-denominated ABS that (1) have a credit rating in the highest long-term or, in the case of non-mortgage-backed ABS, the highest short-term investment-grade rating category (for example, AAA) from at least two eligible NRSROs and (2) do not have a credit rating below the highest investment-grade rating category from an eligible NRSRO. Eligible small-business-loan ABS also include U.S. dollar-denominated cash ABS for which all of the underlying credit exposures are fully guaranteed as to principal and interest by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. All or substantially all of the credit exposures underlying eligible ABS must be exposures to U.S.-domiciled obligors or with respect to real property located in the United States or its territories. The underlying credit exposures of eligible ABS must be student loans, auto loans, credit card loans, loans or leases relating to business equipment, leases of vehicle fleets, floorplan loans, mortgage servicing advances, insurance premium finance loans, commercial mortgages, or loans guaranteed by the SBA. Except for ABS for which the underlying credit exposures are SBA-guaranteed loans, eligible newly issued ABS must be issued on or after January 1, 2009. Eligible legacy CMBS must be issued before January 1, 2009, must be senior in payment priority to all other interests in the underlying pool of commercial mortgages, and must meet certain other criteria designed to protect the Federal Reserve and the Treasury from credit risk. In almost all cases, eligible collateral for a particular borrower must not be backed by loans originated or securitized by the borrower or by an affiliate of the borrower.

Table 21A. Issuers of Non-CMBS that Collateralize Outstanding TALF Loans
As of December 30, 2009

Issuers
AH Mortgage Advance Trust 2009-ADV2
AH Mortgage Advance Trust 2009-ADV3
Ally Auto Receivables Trust 2009-A
American Express Credit Account Master Trust
AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust 2009-1
Bank of America Auto Trust 2009-1
Bank of America Auto Trust 2009-2
BMW Floorplan Master Owner Trust
BMW Vehicle Lease Trust 2009-1
Cabela's Credit Card Master Note Trust
CarMax Auto Owner Trust 2009-1
CarMax Auto Owner Trust 2009-A
Chase Issuance Trust
Chesapeake Funding LLC
Chrysler Financial Auto Securitization Trust 2009-A
CIT Equipment Collateral 2009-VT1
Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust
Citibank Omni Master Trust
CitiFinancial Auto Issuance Trust 2009-1
CNH Equipment Trust 2009-B
CNH Wholesale Master Note Trust
Discover Card Execution Note Trust
FIFC Premium Funding LLC
First National Master Note Trust
Ford Credit Auto Lease Trust 2009-A
Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust 2009-A
Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust 2009-B
Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust 2009-C
Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust 2009-D
Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust A
GE Capital Credit Card Master Note Trust
GE Dealer Floorplan Master Note Trust
GE Equipment Midticket LLC, Series 2009-1
Great America Leasing Receivables Funding, L.L.C.
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Trust 2009-1
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Trust 2009-2
Honda Auto Receivables 2009-2 Owner Trust
Honda Auto Receivables 2009-3 Owner Trust
Huntington Auto Trust 2009-1
Hyundai Auto Receivables Trust 2009-A
Hyundai Floorplan Master Owner Trust
John Deere Owner Trust 2009
MMAF Equipment Finance LLC 2009-A
MMCA Auto Owner Trust 2009-A
Navistar Financial Dealer Note Master Owner Trust
Nissan Auto Lease Trust 2009-A
Nissan Auto Receivables 2009-A Owner Trust
OCWEN Servicer Advance Receivables Funding Company II Ltd.
PFS Financing Corp.
SLC Private Student Loan Trust 2009-A
SLM Private Education Loan Trust 2009-B
SLM Private Education Loan Trust 2009-C
SLM Private Education Loan Trust 2009-CT
SLM Private Education Loan Trust 2009-D
U.S. Small Business Administration
Volkswagen Auto Lease Trust 2009-A
WHEELS SPV, LLC
World Financial Network Credit Card Master Note Trust
World Omni Auto Receivables Trust 2009-A
World Omni Master Owner Trust

Table 21B. Issuers of Newly Issued CMBS that Collateralize Outstanding TALF Loans
As of December 30, 2009

Issuers
DDR I Depositor LLC Trust Series 2009-DDR1

Table 21C. Issuers of Legacy CMBS that Collateralize Outstanding TALF Loans
As of December 30, 2009

Issuers
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Inc. Series 2004-1
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Inc. Series 2004-2
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Inc. Series 2004-3
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Inc. Series 2004-4
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Inc. Series 2005-1
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Inc. Series 2005-2
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Inc. Series 2005-3
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Inc. Series 2005-5
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Inc. Series 2005-6
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust 2006-1
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust 2006-2
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust 2006-4
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust 2006-5
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust 2006-6
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust 2007-1
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust 2007-2
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust 2007-3
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust 2007-4
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust 2007-5
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2004-PWR4
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2005-PWR10
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2005-PWR7
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2005-PWR8
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2005-PWR9
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2005-TOP20
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2006-PWR12
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2006-PWR13
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2006-PWR14
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2006-TOP22
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2006-TOP24
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2007-PWR15
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2007-PWR16
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2007-PWR17
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2007-PWR18
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2007-TOP26
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2007-TOP28
CD 2005-CD1 Commercial Mortgage Trust
CD 2006-CD2 Mortgage Trust
CD 2006-CD3 Mortgage Trust
CD 2007-CD4 Commercial Mortgage Trust
CD 2007-CD5 Mortgage Trust
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust 2004-C1
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust 2006-C4
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust 2008-C7
COBALT CMBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2006-C1
COBALT CMBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2007-C2
COBALT CMBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2007-C3
COMM 2004-LNB2 Mortgage Trust
COMM 2005-C6 Mortgage Trust
COMM 2005-LP5 Mortgage Trust
COMM 2006-C7 Mortgage Trust
COMM 2006-C8 Mortgage Trust
Commercial Mortgage Loan Trust 2008-LS1
Commercial Mortgage Trust 2004-GG1
Commercial Mortgage Trust 2005-GG3
Commercial Mortgage Trust 2005-GG5
Commercial Mortgage Trust 2006-GG7
Commercial Mortgage Trust 2007-GG9
Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2006-C1
Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2006-C3
Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2006-C4
Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2006-C5
Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2007-C2
Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2007-C3
Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2007-C5
CSFB Commercial Mortgage Trust 2004-C3
CSFB Commercial Mortgage Trust 2005-C1
CSFB Commercial Mortgage Trust 2005-C2
CSFB Commercial Mortgage Trust 2005-C3
CSFB Commercial Mortgage Trust 2005-C4
CSFB Commercial Mortgage Trust 2005-C5
CSFB Commercial Mortgage Trust 2005-C6
GE Commercial Mortgage Corporation Series 2004-C3
GE Commercial Mortgage Corporation Series 2005-C1
GE Commercial Mortgage Corporation Series 2005-C4
GE Commercial Mortgage Corporation Series 2007-C1 Trust
GMAC Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc. Series 2004-C3 Trust
GMAC Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc. Series 2006-C1 Trust
GS Mortgage Securities Corporation II Series 2004-GG2
GS Mortgage Securities Corporation II Series 2005-GG4
GS Mortgage Securities Trust 2006-GG6
GS Mortgage Securities Trust 2006-GG8
GS Mortgage Securities Trust 2007-GG10
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp. Series 2003-CIBC7
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp. Series 2004-C1
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp. Series 2004-C2
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp. Series 2004-C3
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp. Series 2004-CIBC10
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp. Series 2004-CIBC8
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp. Series 2004-PNC1
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp. Series 2005-CIBC11
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp. Series 2005-CIBC13
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp. Series 2005-LDP1
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp. Series 2005-LDP2
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp. Series 2005-LDP4
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp. Series 2005-LDP5
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2006-CIBC14
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2006-CIBC15
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2006-CIBC16
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2006-CIBC17
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2006-LDP6
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2006-LDP8
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2007-LDP11
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2007-LDP12
LB Commercial Mortgage Trust 2007-C3
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2004-C1
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2004-C2
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2004-C4
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2004-C7
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2005-C2
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2005-C3
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2006-C1
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2006-C3
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2006-C6
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2006-C7
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2007-C1
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2007-C2
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2007-C6
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2007-C7
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2008-C1
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust 2003-KEY1
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust 2004-KEY2
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust 2005-CIP1
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust 2005-LC1
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust 2005-MKB2
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust 2006-C1
ML-CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust 2006-2
ML-CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust 2006-3
ML-CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust 2006-4
ML-CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust 2007-5
ML-CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust 2007-6
ML-CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust 2007-7
ML-CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust 2007-9
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust 2003-IQ4
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust 2004-TOP13
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust 2005-HQ5
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust 2005-HQ6
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust 2005-HQ7
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust 2005-IQ9
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust 2006-HQ10
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust 2006-HQ8
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust 2006-IQ11
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust 2006-IQ12
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust 2006-TOP21
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust 2006-TOP23
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust 2007-HQ11
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust 2007-IQ14
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust 2007-IQ15
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust 2007-TOP27
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2002-C1
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2003-C9
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2004-C12
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2004-C14
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2005-C16
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2005-C17
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2005-C19
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2005-C20
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2005-C22
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2006-C23
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2006-C24
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2006-C25
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2006-C26
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2006-C27
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2006-C28
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2006-C29
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2007-C30
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2007-C31
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2007-C32
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2007-C33

The FRBNY's loan is secured by the ABS collateral, with the FRBNY lending an amount equal to the market value of the ABS, less a haircut. The lendable value of the ABS may be adjusted based on a risk assessment by the FRBNY. The Federal Reserve has set initial haircuts for each type of eligible collateral to reflect an assessment of the riskiness and maturity of the various types of eligible ABS. Breakdowns of TALF collateral by underlying loan type and credit rating are shown in tables 22 and 23, respectively.

Table 22. TALF Collateral by Underlying Loan Type
Billions of dollars, as of December 30, 2009

Type of collateral Value
By underlying loan type
Auto 6
Commercial  mortgages 10
   Newly Issued *
   Legacy 10
Credit card 22
Equipment 1
Floorplan 1
Premium service 3
Servicing advances 1
Small business 1
Student loan 7
Total 53
Note: Unaudited. Components may not sum to total because of rounding. Data represent the face value of collateral.
* Less than $500 million. Return to table

Table 23. TALF Collateral by Rating
Billions of dollars, as of December 30, 2009

Type of collateral Value
Asset-backed securities with minimum rating of:1
   AAA/Aaa 53
   AA+/Aa+ to AA-/Aa- *
Total 53
Note: Unaudited. Components may not sum to totals because of rounding. Data represent the face value of collateral.
1. Eligible ABS collateral for the TALF must have a credit rating in the highest long-term or, in the case of non-mortgage-backed ABS, the highest short-term investment-grade rating category from at least two eligible NRSROs and must not have a credit rating below the highest investment-grade rating category from an eligible NRSRO. When pledged collateral is downgraded below the highest investment-grade rating, existing loans against the collateral remain outstanding. However, the ABS may not be used as collateral for any new TALF loans until it regains its status as eligible collateral. Return to table
* Less than $500 million. Return to table

TALF LLC, a limited liability company formed to purchase and manage any asset-backed securities that might be received by the FRBNY in connection with the TALF, has committed to purchase, for a fee, all ABS received by the FRBNY in conjunction with a TALF loan at a price equal to the TALF loan, plus accrued but unpaid interest. Purchases of these securities are funded first through the fees received by the LLC and any interest the LLC has earned on its investments. In the event that such funding proves insufficient, the U.S. Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) will provide additional subordinated debt funding to TALF LLC to finance up to $20 billion of asset purchases. Subsequently, the FRBNY will finance any additional purchases of securities by providing senior debt funding to TALF LLC. Thus, the TARP funds provide credit protection to FRBNY. Financial information on TALF LLC is reported weekly in tables 1, 2, 8, 10, and 11 of the H.4.1 statistical release. As of December 30, 2009, TALF LLC had purchased no assets from the FRBNY.


1. CAMELS is a rating system employed by banking regulators to assess the soundness of depository institutions. CAMELS is an acronym that stands for Capital, Assets, Management, Earnings, Liquidity, and Sensitivity. Return to table

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Last update: August 2, 2013