Past Events

Sixth Annual Capital Markets Summit – Strengthening U.S. Markets: Ensuring Capital for Main Street Businesses

On Wednesday, March 28, 2012, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness hosted its Sixth Annual Capital Markets Summit.  At this full-day event in Washington, attendees received an in-depth look at a number of the most important issues facing our capital markets.

View the final Summit agenda here.

Watch the webcast of the event.

The event highlighted the need for well-functioning and liquid financial markets for the broader business community, economic growth, and job creation.  Featuring prominent speakers in government, public policy, and business; the Summit  focused on the changing regulatory environment and significant emerging trends. Topics included the continued state of the Dodd-Frank Act, the changing regulation of the derivatives market, how the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is proceeding, and the importance of an efficient and effective regulatory structure to promote highly liquid capital markets for the U.S. economy.

Drawing more than 250 high-level audience members from the corporate, legal, financial services, legislative, regulatory, and academic communities, the program is was widely covered by the press including national and syndicated news programs, print and online media

Confirmed Speakers Included:

  • The Honorable Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Chairman,  U.S. House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises – “Restoring American Competitiveness”
  • Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce – “Bringing Up the Grade—Improving Financial Regulation to Spur American Growth, Jobs, and Competitiveness”
  • The Honorable Chris Coons (D-DE) - “The Importance of Healthy Capital Markets to America’s Economy”
  • The Honorable Gary Gensler, Chairman, Commodity Futures Trading Commission –  “Transparent Markets – Key to a Growing Economy”
  • Joe Echevarria, CEO, Deloitte LLP – “Making America Stronger”
  • Bob Greifeld, CEO, NASDAQ OMX Group – “State of the U.S. Capital Markets”
  • The Honorable Richard Cordray, Director, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – “Outlook from the CFPB”
  • Tom Wilson, Chairman, President and CEO, The Allstate Corporation – “Maintaining America's Prosperity”

 

 

In advance of the Capital Markets Summit, CCMC released the Financial Regulatory Reform 2012 Report Card.  The report card evaluates the progress being made by regulators and policymakers to achieve modern, well-regulated, fair, transparent, and vibrant capital markets. It looks both at the implementation of The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (The Dodd-Frank Act) as well as key regulatory reform issues not addressed by the new law.

 

Money Market Fund Reform: Event and Fly-in

On Wednesday, February 8, CCMC hosted an event featuring remarks from Senator Pat Toomey (PA), and a distinguished panel.  Senator Toomey and panelists outlined the environment around money market fund reform.  

Money market funds play a critical role in meeting the short-term capital needs of American businesses. The dual roles as investments and financial instruments that money market funds play in helping businesses manage their cash flow, make it an important tool for corporate treasurers. To that end, CCMC hosted a  group of corporate treasuers to give educational briefings on the hill, and hosted meetings with relevant regulatory agencies to communicate their concerns with the current proposals to further reform the regulation of money market funds.  To learn more about money market funds, download: Money Market Funds, Helping Businesses Manage Cash Flows.

To watch a webcast of the event , click here.
To view the event agenda, click here.

 

The Volcker Rule: Measuring the Impact on Business event and a Regulatory Engagement: Corporate Treasurer Fly-in

On Tuesday, January 24 CCMC hosted a discussion with Senator Bob Corker (TN), corporate treasurers, and issue experts who laid out their concerns with the proposed Volcker Rule.  For more information about the Volcker Rule visit our issue page by clicking here.

As part of the event, CCMC hosted a number of corporate treasurers and other finance professionals at meetings with several regulatory agencies to communicate with those staff members the broader concerns of the business community.

This is not just a Wall Street issue. Many agree that if implemented in its current form, the Volcker Rule will have wide-ranging adverse impacts upon regional and medium-sized banks with severe repercussions on the ability of main street businesses to raise capital in order to expand and create jobs.

Click here to view the event agenda.   

Click here to watch the event webcast.

 

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: Working Towards Fundamental Reform
 

Click here to watch a webcast of the event.
Click here to view the final agenda.

On Wednesday, December 14, 2011 CCMC hosted the event The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: Working Towards Fundamental Reform.  At this event, CCMC released the report U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: A Roadmap for Transformational Reform.  This report, compiled by former SEC Secretary Jonathan Katz, puts forth 28 reccomendations for fundamental reform of the Commission with the goal of restoring it as the world’s premier financial services regulator. 

At the event, Jonathan Katz and other regulatory experts discussed the report and the steps necessary to acheive fundamental reform at the Agency.  In addition, participants addressed the state of our regulatory system broadly and the weaknesses and potential changes that could help address them. 

 

 

Participants Included: (Bold indicates keynote speech)

  • Paul Atkins, Senior Partner, Sphere Consulting
  • Roel Campos, Partner, Locke Lord LLP
  • Brian Cartwright, Senior Partner, Latham & Watkins LLP
  • Daniel F.C. Crowley, Partner, K&L Gates
  • The Honorable Jo Ann Emerson, Chair, House Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee
  • The Honorable Daniel Gallagher, Commissioner, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
  • The Honorable Scott Garrett, Chair, House Financial Services Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises Subcommittee
  • Amy Goodman, Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
  • Bruce Hiler, Senior Counsel, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP
  • Jonathan Katz, former Secretary, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and report author
  • Michael J. Ryan, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Board Services, Corporate Board Member 
 

 

Evaluating Regulatory Complexity: Are We Making or Breaking Our Economic Recovery?

On Wednesday, November 9 CCMC hosted the event Evaluating Regulatory Complexity: Are We Making or Breaking Our Economic Recovery? This event was able to draw out the broad themes that have arisen around impediments to U.S. businesses staying internationally competitive, and the consequences for capital formation and market liquidity. There was a brief presentation outlining the state of the regulatory environment and update on Dodd-Frank implementation.  A panel discussion followed and dove into a variety of topics, such as derivatives, conflict mineral disclosures, and the Volcker rule and the regulatory process.

Participants Included:

  • Paul Atkins, Senior Partner, Sphere Consulting
  • Tony Carfang, Partner and Director, Treasury Strategies
  • Dan Davis, Associate, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher
  • Bob Ledig, Partner, Dechert LLP
  • Hal Scott, Director, Committee on Capital Markets Regulation; Nomura Professor and Director, Program on International Financial Systems, Harvard Law School

To view the webcast of the event, please click here.

 

Enhanced Supervision and Prudential Standards for Financial Institutions

On Friday, September 23, CCMC hosted a panel discussion and information session at the Capitol Visitors Center on the regulation of capital standards.  This timely discussion of proposed capital requirements, both domestic and international, explored the impact changes will have on investors, financial institutions, businesses, and the overall economy.  Panelists addressed Basel III developments, global SIFI surcharges, and national and global implementation.

The program allowed attendees to gain a greater understanding of the issues and implications of the proposals being debated in the U.S. and abroad.  Attendees heard from expert speakers such as:

  • James J. Angel, Associate Professor, Georgetown University McDonough School of Business
  • Bob Chakravorti, Chief Economist, The Clearing House Association
  • John McDonald, Senior Research Analyst, Sanford C. Bernstein
  • Mark Welshimer, Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell

To view the panel presentation, click here.

 

The Dodd-Frank Act One Year Later: Keeping our Markets Competitive Post Regulatory Reform

On Tuesday, July 19, CCMC hosted an event and released a report to coincide with the anniversary of the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act. The event looked over the past year, focusing on five key areas of implementation, and shifted the attention to look beyond Dodd-Frank at additional reforms necessary to ensure our competitiveness. To address the areas left unaddressed by the law, the report discusses where our regulatory structure and processes are reducing the quality and efficiency of the U.S. capital markets and hindering U.S. competitiveness.   

The event featured remarks from The Honorable Frank Lucas, Chairman, House Agriculture Committee; and The Honorable John Dugan, Partner, Covington & Burling, and former Comptroller of the Currency.  The panel discussions addressed the status of implementation for key provisions of the Act, took a look a the impact the Act is having on non-financial main street businesses, and looked ahead to the unfinished reform agenda.

To view the event agenda, click here.
To watch a webcast of the event, click here.
To read the report U.S. Capital Markets Competitiveness: The Unfinished Agenda, click here.

 

Fifth Annual Capital Markets Summit

Ensuring Competitiveness in a Post-Regulatory Reform Environment 

 

On Wednesday, March 30, 2011 CCMC hosted its Fifth Annual Capital Markets Summit. This all day event featured key business and government leaders to examine the state of our financial markets. The Summit included prominent speakers in government, public policy, and business who focused on the challenges of the regulatory environment and significant emerging trends. Topics included implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act, including changing regulation of the derivatives market and the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the importance of highly liquid capital markets to the U.S. economy.

 

  Confirmed Speakers Included:

  • The Honorable Spencer Bachus (R-AL), Chairman,  House Financial Services Committee
  • Jamie Dimon, President and CEO, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
  • Tom Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce – click here to view prepared remarks
  • Doug Oberhelman, Chairman and CEO, Caterpillar Inc.
  • Elizabeth Warren, Assistant to the President and Special Advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – click here to view prepared remarks

To view the final agenda, click here.
To watch a webcast of the event, click here.
To read the Chamber's press release, click here.

 

The Future of Financial Reporting: Convergence or Not?
March 10, 2011

On Thursday, March 10, 2011 the CCMC hosted a mid-day event that took an in depth look at the status of accounting standard convergence. 
This event brought together interested stakeholders in the accounting profession to discuss topics such as convergence,
the financial instruments project, FASB and IASB workplans, and other issues.

The event featured remarks from:

  • Leslie F. Seidman, Chairman, Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
  • Sir David Tweedie, Chairman, International Accounting Standards Board (IASB)

Following the speeches by each Chairman, a reaction panel discussed their thoughts on the future of financial
reporting, and what the profession can do to prepare for what's to come.

To view the agenda, click here.

To watch a webcast of the event, click here.

To read the prepared remarks for Sir David Tweedie, click here.

 

Corporate Governance Reform: Preparing for a Changing Landscape
March 2, 2011

On Wednesday, March 2, 2011, CCMC held an event that looked at the recent onslaught of coporate governance regulations.  Securities and Exchange Commissioner Elisse Walter was joined by former SEC Chairman Harvey Pitt  to discuss their views on these pending changes from the perspective of the Commission and former leadership.  Two panel discussions touched on issues such as proxy advisory firms, pay ratio and executive compensation, whistleblower structures, conflict minerals, and others.

Click here to download the agenda.

Click here to watch a webcast of the event.

 

 

FSOC and Systemically Important Designation
February 25, 2011

On Friday, February 25, 2011 CCMC hosted a policy event on regulation to designate systemically important financial institutions for heightened supervision.  The panel addressed the business community’s concerns with the Financial Stability Oversight Council’s (FSOC) current proposal outlining the criteria to measure a company’s systemic risk.  The panelists discussed the consequences of being designated — such as significantly increased regulatory, compliance, and capital requirements. 

This timely event was held on the last day of the open comment period for the FSOCs notice of proposed rulemaking regarding authority to require supervision and regulation of certain nonbank financial companies.  To read the Chamber’s comment letter, Click here.

Click here to view the event agenda.

To watch the webcast, click here.
 

 

The FTC and CFPB: Helping the Business Community Prepare For A New Regulatory Framework
January 20, 2011

On Thursday, January 20, the CCMC held and event featuring the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Jon Leibowitz. The event examined the FTC's agenda for the coming year, specifically in light of the creation of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Following Chairman Leibowitz's remarks, a panel of industry representatives discussed their concerns in areas of potential overlap between the CFPB and the FTC, and the overall impact on the business community. Click here to view the full agenda.

Click here to watch the event webcast.

Click here to view Chairman Leibowitz's remarks, as prepared for delivery. 

 

 

Over the Counter (OTC) Derivatives Reform: Preparing for a Changing Marketplace
September 21, 2010

On September 21, 2010 the CCMC hosted an event to examine the issues confronting market participants as key provisions, including the derivatives title, of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act are implemented. The half-day event included a keynote address by Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Chairman Gary Gensler and panel discussions. Click here to view the full agenda.

Click here to watch the event webcast.

Click here to view Chairman Gensler's speech.

 

 

Implementing New Financial Regulations: Impacts on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
July 27, 2010

On July 27, 2010 the CCMC held an event with SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro - Implementing New Financial Regulations: Impacts on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Last year, the CCMC set forth 23 recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the SEC after commissioning an extensive study of the agency’s management, operations, and chief regulatory functions. Since then, we have been encouraged by several of initiatives set in motion under the leadership of Chairman Mary Schapiro to modernize the agency and improve its regulatory, examination, and enforcement functions. The SEC now faces even greater demands as financial regulatory reform legislation moves into the regulatory phase.

This half day event will include a keynote address by SEC Chairman Schapiro and expert panelists to discuss how the recently passed financial regulatory reform bill will impact the SEC; how the Commission will handle the new mandates given their existing state; and additional steps that could help the agency achieve fundamental and sustainable reform to restore their reputation as the world’s premier securities regulator.

Click here to view the full agenda.
Click here to view Chairman Schapiro's speech.
Click here to watch the event webcast.
Click here to read the CCMC 2009 Report: Examining the Efficiency and Effectiveness of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

 

Consumer Protection Reform: A New Approach
January 20, 2010

On Wednesday, January 20, 2010 the CCMC hosted Consumer Protection Reform: A New Approach. The morning program addressed the proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency, demonstrated the potential negative impact for business, and discussed alternative options for financial regulatory reform. Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE) gave a keynote address, and was followed by a panel of experts from the business and academic community to discuss the impacts of the CFPA.

The day's conversation included more than 15 small business owners from across the country that travelled to Washington to take part in the event, then visit congressional offices to discuss their concerns with the CFPA and how it would affect their business.  There was representation from South Dakota, Colorado, Delaware, Virginia and Alabama.  The Denver Post covered the issue on behalf of Denver's South Metro Chamber participation.  To view the article, click here.


Click here to view the full agenda.
Click here to watch the event webcast.