Statements and Press Releases Archives - Page 42 of 83

Joint Statement: Another Step Forward for Retirement Savers

From a statement by the Save our Retirement Coalition: “Retirement savers need an enforceable fiduciary standard and a Department of Labor that is prepared to hold firms accountable for compliance. Until the full complement of rule requirements takes effect, their hard earned savings will continue to be at risk as a result of conflicted advice from financial professionals who put their own financial interests ahead of their customers’ best interests. Yesterday’s decision was an important step forward, but there is still a long road ahead.”

AFR Letter: Oppose the Regulatory Accountability Act

Throwing up elaborate procedural hurdles isn’t a recipe for to good government. It’s a deliberate plan for increasing the control that Wall Street’s lobbyists have over government decision-making at the expense of the public interest.

Joint Statement: Prepaid Card Protections Escape Congressional Veto

“‘This rule will give consumers, including people who rely on prepaid debit cards instead of a bank account, the basic protections they need to manage their finances more safely and securely,’ said Lisa Donner, executive director at Americans for Financial Reform. ‘When people learned it was under threat, they made the case that this rule is important and workable, and it looks like enough lawmakers paid attention.'”

“Take on Wall Street” Statement: Time to Close an Egregious Loophole

“‘It’s hard to find a more egregious example of Wall Street billionaires rigging the rules for their own advantage than the carried interest loophole,’ said Jon Green, Campaign Manager for the Take on Wall Street campaign. ‘It is an outrageous and unfair benefit for the wealthy and powerful for no reason other than that they are wealthy and powerful. Every member of Congress should stand with Senator Baldwin and Representative Levin in supporting this bill.'”

Joint Statement: Oppose Rollback of Fiduciary Rule in Congressional Budget Process

“Every additional day that the rule is not implemented and enforced is a day that allows Wall Street firms to drain their clients’ hard-earned savings to the tune of $45 million. Americans saving for an independent and secure retirement need and deserve lawmakers who side with their interests, not Wall Street’s.”

Policy Brief: Republicans’ Tax Plan is a Giveaway to Wall Street

“Wall Street banks are already expert tax-dodgers. According to Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy data, nine of the largest and most profitable U.S. banks paid an average federal tax rate of only 18.6% between 2008 and 2015–far less than the statutory rate of 35%. …Tax plans from President Trump and House Republicans would only make it easier for Wall Street to rig the tax code and avoid paying their fair share.”

AFR Statement: AFR Applauds Bipartisan Bill to Restore Glass-Steagall

“The Warren-McCain bill would restore the Glass-Steagall firewall and update it for the 21st century by fully addressing new developments like the massive growth in the market for complex derivatives and securities lending. By forcing the separation of commercial and investment banking, it would break up “too big to fail” banks that combine both activities, and reduce their power over the financial markets and the economy.”

AFR Event: Retirement Ripoff Counter Shows Losses of $532 Each Second Without Fully Enforced Fiduciary Rule

A new “Retirement Ripoff Counter” unveiled today at an event with Senator Elizabeth Warren and AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka shows how important it is that the fiduciary rule be fully implemented. Bad advice costs Americans $46 million a day, $1.9 million per hour, and $532 a second.

“Take on Wall Street” Statement: Wall Street Watchdogs Blast Banking Committee majority for approving Clayton to Head SEC

“Jay Clayton’s entire career of representing major Wall Street banks, advancing their interests at the expense of the public, helping them avoid accountability, stands in contradiction to the very mission of the agency he has been nominated to lead… Those who voted in favor of his appointment — both Democrats and Republicans –will have some explaining to do to constituents who are sick and tired of letting Wall Street continue rig the economy so all of the gains go to those at the very top.”

AFR Statement: AFR Applauds Resolution of Class-Action Lawsuit Against Wells Fargo

Public Citizen and Americans for Financial Reform applaud the announcement of a proposed $110 million settlement for consumers harmed by the bank’s fraudulent account scheme in multiple class-action lawsuits against Wells Fargo.