Regulators urge SEC to propose fund changes

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner's signature appears on a freshly printed $20 bill. / Mark Wilson/Getty Images

WASHINGTON A group of federal regulators is urging the Securities and Exchange Commission to adopt stricter rules for money-market mutual funds.

The Financial Stability Oversight Council issued the recommendations Tuesday. The panel is led by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.

Among the recommendations are requirements for funds to hold capital reserves against losses - there are none right now - and limits on how quickly investors can withdraw their money.

Money-market funds hold $2.7 trillion in assets. A run on money-market funds could pose a risk to millions of investors and companies. Regulators said changes are needed to protect the financial system.

SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro pushed for similar changes last summer but was opposed by a majority of SEC voting members. The mutual fund industry has lobbied against the changes.