An Act to modernize the financial system of the Federation, provide for deregulation of certain financial activities, establish clear separation between commercial and investment banking operations, and for other purposes.
The Financial Systems Reform and Modernization Act, 1742 (the "Act") represents a landmark reform of Nouvelle Alexandrie's financial sector, balancing deregulatory measures with new structural safeguards. Key provisions include:
Separation of commercial and investment banking operations (Title I)
Elimination of geographic barriers for banking operations across regions (Title II)
Modernization of capital requirements for financial institutions (Title III)
Streamlining of regulatory oversight structures (Title IV)
Creation of the Financial Innovation Sandbox Program (Title V)
Strengthening of consumer protection measures (Title VI)
Establishment of the Systemic Risk Council (Title VII)
FINANCIAL SYSTEMS REFORM AND MODERNIZATION ACT, 1742
Ordered, by the Cortes Federales of Nouvelle Alexandrie,
to be Printed, 1742AN.
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BE IT ENACTED by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Cortes Federales, in this present 10th session assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-
TITLE I SEPARATION OF COMMERCIAL AND INVESTMENT BANKING
1. PROHIBITION AGAINST AFFILIATION.
No banking entity that accepts deposits shall:
Engage principally in issuing, underwriting, selling, or distributing stocks, bonds, debentures, notes, or other securities, except as hereinafter provided;
Be affiliated with any corporation, association, business trust, or other similar organization engaged principally in the issue, underwriting, or distribution of securities;
Hold ownership interest in any organization described in paragraph (2).
2. EXCEPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS.
The prohibitions in Section 1 shall not apply to:
Investment in government securities, including federal, regional, or municipal debt instruments;
The extension would not be detrimental to the public interest;
The banking entity has made good faith efforts to achieve compliance;
The extension would not pose substantial risk to financial stability.
4. ESTABLISHMENT OF FIREWALLS.
Banking entities that conduct permitted securities activities shall establish robust information barriers, including:
Physical separation of banking and securities activities;
Separate management and reporting structures;
Distinct employee compensation systems;
Controls to prevent exchange of material nonpublic information;
Annual certification of compliance with these requirements.
TITLE II ELIMINATION OF GEOGRAPHIC RESTRICTIONS
5. INTER-REGIONAL BANKING OPERATIONS.
All restrictions on the ability of properly chartered banking institutions to establish branches or provide services across regional boundaries within the Federation are hereby eliminated.
The consent of regional authorities shall not be required for a banking institution to:
Merge with a banking institution headquartered in any Region;
Acquire a banking institution headquartered in any Region.
6. EQUAL COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY.
The Federal Securities & Investments Commission shall ensure that the removal of geographic restrictions does not result in anti-competitive concentrations of financial power.
No single banking institution may control more than fifteen percent (15%) of the total deposits of the Federation without special approval from the Federal Securities & Investments Commission, which may only be granted after:
Imposes losses on shareholders and unsecured creditors;
Removes culpable management.
Systemically important financial institutions shall be required to develop and maintain resolution plans ("living wills") that detail how they could be resolved in an orderly manner during financial distress.
The provisions of this Act shall supersede any Regional law that conflicts with its requirements.
Regions may impose additional requirements on banking entities headquartered within their jurisdiction, provided such requirements do not:
Conflict with federal law;
Discriminate against out-of-region banking entities;
Impose an undue burden on interstate commerce.
18. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Act or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the Act and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
19. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall take effect on the first day of the eighth month following its enactment.