Doug Williams Testifies to Congress

October 12, 2011

Douglas Williams testifies before Congress about the impact of derivatives regulation on small to mid-size businesses

Williams urged Congress to reconsider regulation that will negatively impact the ability of community-oriented banks and small to mid-size businesses to manage interest rate risk.
 

Doug Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic Capital Bank, traveled to Washington on October 12, 2011 to speak before a Committee of the House of Representatives regarding the oversight of Interest Rate Risk Management products (derivatives). The Committee was investigating the impact of regulations on small and regional banks set forth in the Dodd-Frank bill.

Mr. Williams shared with the Committee that the regulations, as proposed, would increase costs for businesses and make it more difficult for small and regional banks to provide interest rate protection. Wrote Williams, "As is the case with hundreds of community and regional banks, Atlantic Capital Bank uses interest rate derivatives to help our clients meet their risk management needs and prudently manage risks that are inherent to the business of commercial banking. Certain proposed rules released by the CFTC could unnecessarily jeopardize our ability to manage risk, provide the services our clients need, and remain competitive against larger institutions."

To read Mr. Williams' testimony, please click here.