GE continues to quickly and successfully execute the transformation of GE Capital into a smaller, more focused financial services firm. Today, GE filed its request to the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) for rescission of GE Capital’s designation as a nonbank Systemically Important Financial Institution (SIFI).
The filing demonstrates that GE Capital has substantially reduced its risk profile and is significantly less interconnected to the financial system, and therefore does not pose any conceivable threat to U.S. financial stability. The request details the changes and dispositions GE Capital has made since being designated as a SIFI in 2013 and, in particular, since GE announced in April 2015 that it would become a more focused digital industrial company by dramatically reducing the size of GE Capital.
“Our submission details the complete transformation of GE Capital. Our plan to change our business model, shrink the Company and reduce our risk profile has been successful,” said GE Capital Chairman and CEO Keith Sherin. “We have completed over 80% of our projected asset reductions; exited leveraged lending and U.S. consumer lending; exited nearly all middle market lending; reduced real estate debt by more than 75% and real estate equity by 100%; and reduced outstanding commercial paper almost 90%."
“We believe GE Capital no longer meets the criteria to be designated as a SIFI and we look forward to working cooperatively and constructively with the FSOC through the rescission process,” added Sherin.
The key points in the application are outlined in the offical press release.