Events Calendar
News and Information for and by the Securitization Industry
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ASF Ending Affiliation with SIFMA; Will Independently Serve Securitization Markets to Restart Credit Flow to Main Street
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TO: |
Securitization Industry Participants |
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FROM: |
ASF Board of Directors |
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DATE: |
January 14, 2010 |
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RE: |
ASF Ending Affiliation with SIFMA; Will Independently Serve Securitization Markets to Restart Credit Flow to Main Street |
We write to share with you the special news that we have voted to conclude our administrative affiliation with SIFMA. Since its inception as an independent affiliate of SIFMA’s predecessor, The Bond Market Association, the ASF has been self-funded and self-governed, but has utilized certain operational resources of SIFMA. In the near future, the ASF will move into new offices and handle its own technology, human resources and other back office functions, and will also assume complete responsibility for advocacy efforts, including government relations in Washington, DC.
On behalf of our entire membership, we would like to thank SIFMA for all of its support over the years. The Association has been a strong advocate for the securities industry throughout our affiliation, and a valuable ally in the field of securitization. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with the Association on the vital issues facing the financial markets as they relate to securitization and its impact on all Americans.
At the same time, we also look forward to serving, in an even more focused fashion, all securitization market participants. Our membership includes financial intermediaries, issuers, investors, servicers, law firms, accounting firms and other transaction parties. We believe that operating as a completely independent organization will allow us to do an even better job of helping to restart our markets and getting affordable credit flowing again to American consumers and businesses. As the only organization solely focused on the broad securitization markets, and with membership in every part of the markets, the ASF is uniquely positioned to craft and advocate consensus market positions. We look forward to continuing to work with you on such efforts as ASF Project RESTART, mortgage loan modifications, securities regulation, regulatory capital, accounting standards and the myriad of other issues facing our securitized debt capital markets. Please click here for a full list of 2009 ASF Activities and Accomplishments.
We have also formally approved the hiring of a new government relations professional in Washington, DC who will solely focus on securitization-related advocacy for the Forum. ASF member leadership and staff will spare no effort in ensuring your voice is heard before federal and state policymakers.
We also expect the transition to be seamless for ASF members. Committee membership and the important work being conducted by these bodies will not change. Please click here for the current ASF organizational chart showing all of the various active Committees and Subforums ASF members may be involved in. If you are a current ASF member and would like to join any of these standing groups or any of our many special task forces, please contact any member of the ASF staff.
Planning is also proceeding at full speed on the ASF 2010 conference, which is expected to draw over 4000 attendees again this year. The conference, developed by and for the securitization industry, is shaping up to be our most important event yet. A broad contingent of regulators and policymakers will attend the event to discuss with market participants the important issues facing our industry and economy. Comptroller of the Currency John Dugan will deliver a featured address and CNBC primetime host, Larry Kudlow, will moderate an exciting face off between former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. The event will be held at the Gaylord National Hotel in Washington, D.C from January 31 to February 3, 2010. If you have not made a reservation, sign up now to avoid missing out on this exciting and substantive event. The complete list of panels and speakers will be made available publicly on Tuesday, January 19, 2010.
Please click here for the press release announcing ASF ending its affiliation with SIFMA and here for more information about ASF 2010.
Thank you.