Joint Financial Services Trade Associations Comment on Debt Ceiling Agreement

The American Bankers Association (ABA), Bank Policy Institute (BPI), Consumer Bankers Association (CBA), Financial Services Forum (FSF), International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA), Investment Company Institute (ICI), Managed Funds Association (MFA) and the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), a group of trade associations representing broker dealers, banks, asset managers and related financial institutions of all sizes, today issued the following statement on the agreement to raise the federal debt ceiling:

“We are encouraged that the Administration and Congressional leaders have reached a bipartisan agreement to raise the federal debt ceiling.  America’s capital markets are the strongest, deepest, and most liquid in the world, and we should not do anything to jeopardize that. It is critically important that the United States stand fully behind its obligations.  Failure to do so would immediately ripple through the financial system and do irreparable harm to the U.S. economy.

“We respectfully urge our public leaders to finalize the debt ceiling deal and take the remaining critical steps necessary to protect our nation’s financial standing in the world.”

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About the Bank Policy Institute:

The Bank Policy Institute (BPI) is a nonpartisan public policy, research and advocacy group, representing the nation’s leading banks and their customers. Our members include universal banks, regional banks and the major foreign banks doing business in the United States. Collectively, they employ almost 2 million Americans, make nearly half of the nation’s small business loans, and are an engine for financial innovation and economic growth.

Media Contact: Sean Oblack, 202-538-4227, [email protected] 

About the Consumer Bankers Association:

The Consumer Bankers Association represents America’s leading retail banks. We promote policies to create a stronger industry and economy. Established in 1919, CBA’s corporate member institutions account for 1.7 million jobs in America, extend roughly $4 trillion in consumer loans and provide $275 billion in small business loans annually. Follow us on Twitter @consumerbankers

Media Contact: Billy Reilly, 412-956-6162, [email protected] 

About the Financial Services Forum:

The Financial Services Forum is an economic policy and advocacy organization whose members are the chief executive officers of the eight largest and most diversified financial institutions headquartered in the United States. Forum member institutions are a leading source of lending and investment in the United States and serve millions of consumers, businesses, investors, and communities throughout the country. The Forum promotes policies that support savings and investment, deep and liquid capital markets, financial inclusion, a competitive global marketplace, and a sound financial system.

Media Contact:  Barbara Hagenbaugh, 202-457-8783, [email protected] 

About the International Swaps and Derivatives Association:

Since 1985, ISDA has worked to make the global derivatives markets safer and more efficient. Today, ISDA has over 1,000 member institutions from 78 countries. These members comprise a broad range of derivatives market participants, including corporations, investment managers, government and supranational entities, insurance companies, energy and commodities firms, and international and regional banks. In addition to market participants, members also include key components of the derivatives market infrastructure, such as exchanges, intermediaries, clearing houses and repositories, as well as law firms, accounting firms and other service providers. Information about ISDA and its activities is available on the Association’s website: www.isda.org. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube. 

Media Contact:  Nick Sawyer, ISDA London, +44 20 3808 9740, [email protected]  

About the Investment Company Institute:

The Investment Company Institute (ICI) is the leading association representing regulated investment funds. ICI’s mission is to strengthen the foundation of the asset management industry for the ultimate benefit of the long-term individual investor. Its members include mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), closed-end funds, and unit investment trusts (UITs) in the United States, and UCITS and similar funds offered to investors in Europe, Asia and other jurisdictions. Its members manage total assets of $29.9 trillion in the United States, serving more than 100 million investors, and an additional $8.1 trillion in assets outside the United States. ICI has offices in Washington, DC, Brussels, London, and Hong Kong and carries out its international work through ICI Global.

Media Contact:  Stephen Bradford, 202-993-3760, [email protected] 

About Managed Funds Association:

Managed Funds Association (MFA), based in Washington, DC, New York, Brussels, and London, represents the global alternative asset management industry. MFA’s mission is to advance the ability of alternative asset managers to raise capital, invest, and generate returns for their beneficiaries. MFA advocates on behalf of its membership and convenes stakeholders to address global regulatory, operational, and business issues. MFA has more than 170 member firms, including traditional hedge funds, credit funds, and crossover funds, that collectively manage nearly $2.2 trillion across a diverse group of investment strategies. Member firms help pension plans, university endowments, charitable foundations, and other institutional investors to diversify their investments, manage risk, and generate attractive returns over time. 

Media Contact:  Noah Theran, [email protected]   

About the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association:

SIFMA is the leading trade association for broker-dealers, investment banks and asset managers operating in the U.S. and global capital markets. On behalf of our industry’s one million employees, we advocate on legislation, regulation and business policy affecting retail and institutional investors, equity and fixed income markets and related products and services. We serve as an industry coordinating body to promote fair and orderly markets, informed regulatory compliance, and efficient market operations and resiliency. We also provide a forum for industry policy and professional development.  SIFMA, with offices in New York and Washington, D.C., is the U.S. regional member of the Global Financial Markets Association (GFMA).

Media Contact:  Katrina Cavalli, 212-313-1181, [email protected]