Finance and Banking Regulations (2024)

An Overview of Finance and Banking Regulations in the U.S.

In the United States, the finance and banking sectors operate within a complex web of regulations designed to ensure stability, protect consumers, and promote fair competition. These regulations span a variety of areas, from capital requirements to consumer protection laws, and are enforced by multiple federal agencies.

Innovations and new technology pressure regulators to continue to adapt and create new rules. In particular, crypto and digital currencies pose a regulatory conundrum that has yet to be fully sorted.

Which agencies regulate finance and banking?

Several federal agencies play a central role in regulating the U.S. finance and banking sectors:

• Federal Reserve System (aka “The Fed”): The Fed is the central bank of the United States and is responsible for monetary policy, regulating and supervising banks, and promoting financial stability.
• Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC): The OCC regulates and supervises national banks and federal savings associations to ensure their safety and soundness and compliance with banking laws.
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC): The FDIC insures deposits at banks and savings associations and serves as a federal regulator to ensure the stability of the banking system.
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): The SEC regulates the securities markets, protects investors, and oversees brokerage firms, investment advisers, and other market participants.
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): The CFPB is responsible for enforcing consumer protection laws and regulations related to financial products and services, including mortgages, credit cards, and payday loans.

What are the main laws that regulate banking and finance?

Several key regulatory frameworks govern different aspects of finance and banking in the U.S.:

• Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Regulations: The Bank Secrecy Act, and Anti-Money Laundering regulations require financial institutions to implement procedures to detect and prevent money laundering and terrorist financing activities. These regulations include customer due diligence requirements, suspicious activity reporting, and compliance with international sanctions regimes. See our Guide to What Transactions Must Be Reported to the IRS?
• The Travel Rule: The Travel Rule requires financial institutions to communicate with each other when users send funds from one financial institution to another. It ensures that certain information travels along with the funds during transactions. See more at our Guide to the Travel Rule.
• Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act: Enacted in response to the 2008 financial crisis, the Dodd-Frank Act introduced comprehensive reforms aimed at enhancing financial stability, improving transparency, and protecting consumers. It created new regulatory agencies, such as the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC), and implemented stricter oversight of financial institutions deemed “too big to fail.”
• Basel Accords: The Basel Accords are international banking standards developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. These accords establish minimum capital requirements, risk management standards, and supervisory guidelines for banks.
• Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX): SOX was enacted in 2002 in response to corporate accounting scandals, such as Enron and WorldCom. It introduced stringent requirements for corporate governance, internal controls, and financial reporting to protect investors and restore confidence in the financial markets.

The Evolution of Banking Regulation

Banking regulation in the U.S. has evolved significantly over the past century in response to economic crises and changing market dynamics. The landmark legislation that laid the foundation for modern banking regulation was the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933. This act separated commercial banking activities, such as accepting deposits and making loans, from investment banking activities, such as securities underwriting and trading. The goal was to prevent conflicts of interest and reduce the risk of bank failures.

In 1999, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act repealed key provisions of the Glass-Steagall Act, allowing commercial banks, investment banks, and insurance companies to engage in a wide range of financial activities under the same corporate umbrella. This deregulation was intended to foster innovation and competition in the financial sector but also contributed to the consolidation of financial institutions and increased systemic risk.

Challenges and Future Trends

Despite the extensive regulatory framework governing the finance and banking sectors, challenges remain. Regulatory compliance can be costly and burdensome for financial institutions, particularly smaller banks and fintech startups. Moreover, the rapid pace of technological innovation and the emergence of new financial products and services pose challenges for regulators tasked with ensuring market integrity and consumer protection.

Further Resources

Guide to Crypto Regulations

What Transactions Must Be Reported to the IRS

Guide to Laws for Consumers