Americans for Financial Reform

News Category: Press Releases & Statements

AFR Statement: On Confirmation of Jay Clayton to Run SEC

“We are seriously concerned about what Jay Clayton’s leadership will mean for investors and the economy. His longtime client, Goldman Sachs, played a central role in the devastating financial crisis of 2008 and has a long record of questionable market behavior. Clayton himself has numerous direct personal conflicts of interest.”

AFR Statement: Oppose Hensarling’s Bid to Dismantle Wall Street Reform and CFPB

The committee, with the backing of the Trump administration, is gearing up to pass a bill that would give Wall Street and assorted predatory lenders a free hand to abuse consumers and investors, and raise the likelihood of another financial crisis. Congress should be looking for ways to enforce the rules on Wall Street, not reward their army of lobbyists.

AFR IN THE NEWS: What Wells Fargo dodged by agreeing to pay $110 million to settle fake accounts case (Washington Post)

“’It is certainly not a coincidence after months of concerted pressure’ that Wells Fargo would opt to settle rather than litigate the issue, said Amanda Werner, arbitration campaign manager for advocacy groups such as Public Citizen and Americans for Financial Reform. ‘We’re happy to see that, but it doesn’t solve the problem in general. Essentially until we have strong federal rules and laws, we’re just waiting for the next scandal to happen.’”