Dechert’s securitization team is looking forward to the American Securitization Forum 2013 (“ASF 2013”) conference starting this Sunday, as it is expected to be once again the largest capital markets conference in the world. ASF 2013 is expecting over 4,500 participants who will all convene at the Aria Hotel and Convention Center in fabulous Las Vegas.

ASF 2013 will feature a myriad of panel discussions on a wide array of topics focusing on the securitization industry and the abundant opportunities (and head winds) that the industry faces as we settle into 2013. The conference kicks off on Sunday and continues through Wednesday with a series of substantive panels focusing on the critical policy changes confronting the securitization industry, including Dodd-Frank securitization regulatory reforms, risk-based capital regulations, GSE reform, and other federal and state legislative priorities.

Additional programming will address current business developments and the outlook for all securitization asset classes and product types, including CLOs, CMBS, RMBS, credit card ABS, student loan ABS, covered bonds, and other re-emerging sectors.

Given the increased role the various regulatory agencies continue to play within the securitization industry, it is particularly apropos that the featured speaker on Monday morning will be Thomas Curry, Comptroller of the Currency, and the featured speaker on Tuesday morning will be Troy Paredes, a Commissioner with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

On Monday, we expect the newest regulations from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “Bureau”) to be among the most discussed topics. The Bureau released the long awaited Qualified Mortgage Rule and the Ability-to-Repay Rule on January 10, 2013 as well as regulations regarding mortgage servicing on January 17, 2013. For more information on the rules and regulations, please see our Dechert OnPoint Updates here and here.

On Tuesday afternoon, Dechert Partner Cindy Williams will be speaking at a round table discussion of Dodd-Frank Section 619, commonly known as the Volcker Rule, and its implications for structuring and issuing asset-backed securities.

ASF 2013 will arrive as Dechert’s CLO team, led by Partners John Timperio and Cindy Williams, celebrates its top ranking as issuer’s counsel for U.S. CLOs by deal volume and deal count for 2012 and a close second as underwriters’ counsel for both deal volume and deal count, according to the statistics compiled by the Asset-Backed Alert’s ABS Database.

All indicators are that 2013 will be a great year for Dechert and all the work it does within the securitization landscape and there is no doubt that ASF 2013 will serve as a significant spring board for the securitization industry as a whole.

In addition to John Timperio and Cindy Williams, Dechert Partners Pat Dolan, Malcolm Dorris, Ralph Mazzeo and James Waddington will be in attendance. Dechert Associate Laurie Nelson will also be blogging from the ASF 2013, so in this case at least, what happens in Las Vegas will not stay in Las Vegas. We are all looking forward to seeing many of you there.

By: Ralph Mazzeo, Sean M. Solis, and John C. Bumgarner