Politics

A provision to standardize and clarify banks' operational risk obligations — which opponents say is excessively costly and may not be effective — is emerging as the focal point of the public debate on the broader rule. It may also be the key to taking the rule over the finish line.

Led by Senate Banking Committee ranking member Tim Scott, R-S.C., GOP members of the Senate Banking Committee say they have concerns about Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chairman Martin Gruenberg's leadership ability.

The fireworks that traditionally accompany big bank CEOs' appearances in Congress were absent Wednesday, but instead executives pushed their opposition to the Basel III capital rules and its impact on the economy. 

The Federal Reserve's vice chair for supervision said the central bank is weighing regulatory and supervisory changes to liquidity management standards. Current approaches, he said, might not be able to contend with the speed of modern runs.

During a second day of comparatively mild questioning from lawmakers in semiannual oversight hearings, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra said artificial intelligence could exacerbate existing weaknesses in the financial system without tighter protections.

Financial firms claim a proposal by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau would restrict lending, raise borrowing costs and result in more denials of credit to consumers.

The financial services industry has run TV ads during football games and organized lobbying visits by small-business owners in its fight against the Basel III endgame plan to raise capital requirements for larger lenders. The tactics are beginning to show signs of working.

In her first remarks since the release of a sweeping report on the banks, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Sandra Thompson urges them to strengthen underwriting and communication with their members' regulators.

Three GOP leaders of the House Financial Services Committee, including Chairman Patrick McHenry, say they'll explore possible connections between the agency's alleged "toxic" work culture and its staffing shortages that may have contributed to this year's banking crisis.

The House Financial Services Committee asked Federal Deposit Insurance Corp Chairman Martin Gruenberg tough questions about alleged workplace misconduct at the agency during a Wednesday hearing, while reiterating concerns about a proposed capital hike.