The Washington Independent

Posts Tagged regulatory reform

Wall Street Complains Despite Record Profits

By | 08.31.10 | 5:57 pm

From The New York Times this morning:

“As every student of American history knows, this country’s core founding principles included nonpunitive taxation, constitutionally guaranteed protections against persecution of the minority and an inexorable right of self-determination,” [one hedge fund manager] wrote.

Cantwell Raises Possibility of Glass-Steagall Type Amendment

By | 04.20.10 | 1:30 pm

Speaking today at a news conference on derivatives, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) raised the possibility of proposing an amendment to Sen. Blanche Lincoln’s (D-Ark.) derivatives reform proposal that might force banks to separate their commercial and investment banking functions.

“I’m a purist,” Cantwell said, in response to a question regarding More…

The Committee for Truth in Politics Pre-Emptively Attacks Wall Street Reforms

By | 02.03.10 | 2:00 pm

Two great catches by Ben Smith — and more by his commenters — reveal that the little-known Committee for Truth in Politics is running ads that frame proposed financial regulatory reform as, paradoxically, “one big bailout” for banks. The ads are running in Pennsylvania, Montana, North Dakota and More…

Geithner Denies He Wants Bailout Authority

By | 10.29.09 | 11:21 am

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, who’s testifying this morning before the House Financial Services Committee on legislation empowering the White House to take over Wall Street firms when their failure threatens the finance system on the whole, just made a curious claim. Asked by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) whether More…

Sherman: Like White House Proposal, House Bill Creates ‘TARP on Steroids’

By | 10.29.09 | 9:58 am

Different bill; same concerns.

House Democrats introduced legislation Tuesday granting the White House broad new authority to bail out investment houses and other non-banks when their potential collapse is a threat to the larger financial system. But while the bill goes far beyond a similar White House proposal More…

Surprise! Bankers Don’t Like the Idea of a Consumer Protection Agency for Financial Products

By | 06.18.09 | 9:15 am

Well, this should come as no surprise: Financial industry groups already are gearing up to fend off a proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency that would regulate mortgages, credit cards, and other kinds of consumer lending. The idea was a key part of the financial system overhaul that President Obama More…

Obama’s ‘Goldilocks’ Problem With Financial Reform

By | 06.17.09 | 10:42 am

At The Wall Street Journal, Gerald Seib lays out President Obama’s biggest problem as he unveils his proposals for regulatory overhaul today — the “Goldilocks” dilemma. The plan is likely to draw fire from both Obama’s right and left, Seib says.

The Federal Reserve will get more powers to

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Questions to Ask as Obama Unveils Financial Regulatory Overhaul Plan

By | 06.17.09 | 10:25 am

Here’s something to keep in mind as President Obama unveils his financial regulatory overhaul plan today. Baseline Scenario helpfully offers a list of questions that the administration will either address or avoid as it rolls out its proposals. How Obama frames the debate will play a big part in More…

Don’t Count on Real Regulatory Reform, Even Though It’s a Great Idea

By | 05.28.09 | 9:09 am

Kevin Drum at Mother Jones applauds the idea of a single bank regulator, a proposal The Washington Post reports is now under consideration by the Obama administration.

For what it’s worth, I’d say that having a single bank regulator is long overdue.  The current structure not only doesn’t

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The Sad and Scandalous Comeback of Payday Lenders

By | 04.08.09 | 9:43 am

Mike’s excellent story today about the weak reforms of the payday lending industry proposed by onetime industry foe Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) details a disappointing setback for efforts to curb the insidious practice of charging down-on-their-luck consumers loan shark rates for short-term loans.