OFR

OFR Brief: Private Credit Exposures to Banks

The Office of Financial Research (OFR) published a brief on March 12, 2026, analyzing counterparty exposures between banks and private credit funds. The brief highlights that while the private credit sector's vulnerabilities appear contained, the linkages with traditional financial institutions through counterparty exposures are a key channel for risk transmission that warrants monitoring.

Cyber Outages Disrupt Repo Market, Costing $100B

A working paper published by the Office of Financial Research indicates that cyber-induced operational outages can disrupt the U.S. repurchase agreements (repo) market, potentially costing over $100 billion in funding and raising rates by over 50 basis points. The study highlights the importance of cybersecurity preparedness and institutional resilience.

Working Paper on Client Clearing, Netting Efficiency, and Pricing

The Office of Financial Research published a working paper analyzing client clearing services in centrally cleared markets. The paper, based on confidential data, demonstrates how client clearing improves netting efficiency for dealers and offers pricing advantages to clients, enhancing market access and competition.

Hedge Fund Participation in Cleared Repo and SEC Rule Readiness

The Office of Financial Research published a brief examining hedge fund participation in the cleared repo market and their readiness for the SEC Treasury clearing rule. The brief indicates hedge funds are largely operationally prepared, with balance sheet benefits for dealers being a key motivator for central clearing.

Central Counterparty Management of Liquid and Prefunded Resources

The Office of Financial Research published a working paper analyzing central counterparty (CCP) resource demands. The paper presents a framework for understanding aggregate CCP resource demands, integrating various dimensions of CCP heterogeneity and empirical data. It offers reflections on CCP liquidity management, particularly concerning physically settled contracts and the implications of insufficient liquid resources.

Florida Orders Cease and Desist for Unregistered Securities

The Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) issued an immediate final order against GSB LTD, d/b/a GS Partners, and other members of GSB Group. The order requires them to cease and desist from alleged unregistered and fraudulent securities and banking services, citing a multilevel marketing scheme and misleading profit generation information.

Alliance Credit Union of Florida Placed into Conservatorship

Florida's Office of Financial Regulation placed Alliance Credit Union of Florida into conservatorship on November 8, 2024, appointing the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) as conservator. Member accounts remain protected by the NCUA's Share Insurance Fund, and services will continue uninterrupted.

Bayview Fined $20M for Cybersecurity Lapses

The Office of Financial Regulation and 52 state agencies fined Bayview Asset Management and its affiliates $20 million for deficient cybersecurity practices and failure to cooperate following a data breach impacting 5.8 million customers. The companies must also implement corrective actions and undergo independent assessments.

Vanguard Agrees to $106 Million Multistate Settlement

Vanguard has agreed to a $106 million multistate settlement with state securities regulators and the SEC for failing to supervise registered persons and disclose tax consequences to investors. The settlement aims to compensate over 10,000 Florida investors and potentially hundreds of thousands nationwide for capital gains taxes incurred due to fund changes.

OFR Settles with Binance.US Money Transmitter in Florida

The Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) has reached an agreement with BAM Trading Services, Inc. (Binance.US), a licensed money transmitter. This settlement addresses procedures to protect Floridians and the marketplace, following a prior multi-state settlement related to a felony conviction.