Policy News from American Banker

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is the latest federal banking agency to let go of probationary employees.

Senior Republican House Financial Services Committee lawmakers in a letter to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. gave a series of recommendations that they said would combat so-called "debanking."

Federal Reserve Vice Chair Philip Jefferson said clearer Fed communication and better text analysis has made monetary policy transmission more efficient, but noted that the central bank must remain diligent in how it communicates forward monetary policy guidance.

President Donald Trump's concerted effort to bring the entirety of the executive branch under his direct control defies tradition, and in some cases, likely the law. Banks have thus far voiced little objection, but they should know how critical the rule of law is to their bottom line.

Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr urged the Trump administration to continue reforms initiated under Biden and emphasized the importance of keeping the central bank apolitical.

Letitia James and 22 other attorneys general have filed an amicus brief in a Maryland case challenging the dissolution of the consumer protection agency.

President Donald Trump issued an executive order Wednesday night disbanding of three bank and credit union advisory groups.

Calabria left the free-market think tank Cato Institute and is said to be at the Office of Management and Budget, reviewing multiple agencies.

The GAO studied executive compensation on request from Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee, in the wake of the Silicon Valley Bank crisis in 2023.

Banks are analyzing their regulatory exposure through the lens of "red state" versus "blue state" requirements — a consideration that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.

Republicans' emerging tax bill could include a measure to subject some credit unions to federal taxes, reigniting a long-simmering conflict between bankers and credit unions.

Deal advisors said the Trump administration's tariff threats and the specter of inflation have given some bankers reason to pause on acquisition plans. Momentum could still mount, but uncertainty in Washington is a detriment early in the new year.

A White House order peeling back agency independence would curtail bank regulation in the near term, but could set the stage for long-term uncertainty and volatility.

The former Georgia senator and entrepreneur, who promised to combat red tape and fraud in her confirmation hearing, takes office following a 52-45 vote.

While Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is continuing to try and save the agency she helped create, Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who benefited from crypto spending in his primary race, is a new ally.

Federal agencies need to speak with one voice when it comes to allowing legitimate crypto businesses full access to financial services.

The executive appointments at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau top the list of noteworthy moves by President Donald Trump to hit banks in recent days.

The Trump administration's orders to stop supervisory exams at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are seen as a potential conflict of interest for Elon Musk, whose company X would have been overseen by the bureau when it launches its payments wallet.

President Donald Trump's new executive order could have dramatic implications for bank regulation by subjecting agencies to White House political control.

The $35 billion transaction has faced pushback from critics on antitrust grounds since it was announced a year ago. The vote today puts the deal one step closer to closing.