Americans for Financial Reform

Government Category: Advocacy Documents

AFR Calls on Regulators to Ban Predatory High Frequency Trading

“[W]e are troubled by the narrow scope of the Release and some of the assumptions underlying it. AFR believes that the Commission needs to consider the broader costs and benefits to the public of permitting ever-increasing speed and ubiquity of automated trading technologies. We believe that such an analysis would support stronger limitations on automated trading than appear to be contemplated…”

Don’t Let Private Equity Operate in the Dark — Oppose HR 1105

AFR sent a letter to members of Congress urging that they Oppose HR 1105 , the “Small Business Capital Access and Job Preservation Act.” Contrary to its title, this bill is not designed to benefit small business. Instead, it would exempt private equity fund advisors from basic reporting requirements designed to allow regulators to monitor systemic risk in the financial system and protect investors and the public.

AFR and More Than 200 Organizations Sign Letter Supporting Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Relief Act

More than 100 organizations joined AFR in signing a letter in support of the Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Relief Act. This crucial piece of legislation would protect homeowners who receive principal reduction modifications from devastating tax consequences is set to expire on December 31, 2013, just as the government’s recent settlement with JP Morgan Chase promises additional principal write downs. Congress must act swiftly to extend this legislation.

AFR and 30 Member Groups Sign Letter Opposing Bills to Gut CFPB

“Legislation under consideration in the Financial Services Committee would harm the CFPB’s ability to protect the public in a variety of ways . We urge you to oppose each of these bills and any similar proposals designed to hobble the CFPB and prevent it from doing its job.”

AFR Urges Stronger Leverage Ratio

AFR wrote to the banking regulators to urge them to strengthen the new supplementary leverage ratio proposed for large U.S. banks.