Corporate lobbyists have put together a set of plans aimed at making it easier for executives to serve nothing but their own narrow self-interests without any scrutiny, eliminating accountability to the shareholders who actually own the company.
The requirement in the Dodd-Frank Act that major dealers in financial derivatives be regulated as such, and meet risk management and business conduct standards, is a direct response to derivatives market abuses that contributed to the 2008 financial crisis. The loophole created by today’s Final Rule could permit large-scale evasion of this requirement.
Wells Fargo workers have long demanded better protection, including a union, as well as a genuine seat at the table to help ensure the bank’s dangerous practices are kept in check. On the day of the hearing, workers will also deliver a petition to Sloan calling on him to meet with front-line workers to address the toxic, high-pressure environment that still exists for thousands of Wells Fargo employees.
This decision increases risks to the public. It is just one of numerous current and proposed deregulatory changes, to both the stress tests and other prudential requirements, which are currently in process at banking regulators.
Today, CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger is set to testify in front of the House Financial Services Committee, marking her first oversight hearing since being narrowly confirmed last December. Kraninger will now have to answer to a new chair, Rep. Maxine Waters, and a majority that is demanding answers to why the agency has sided with the industry over consumers.
On Tuesday, Senator Schatz (D-HI) and Representative DeFazio (D-OR) introduced the Wall Street Tax Act, a bill that would tax the sale of stocks, bonds, and derivatives at a rate of 10 cents per $100 of Wall Street transactions.