Federal Reserve Board Governor Powell Advocates Additional Regulatory Reform

At the Salzburg Global Seminar, Federal Reserve Board Governor Jerome H. Powell lauded the progress made by the U.S. financial system since the financial crises, particularly in the increased liquidity and improved loss-absorbing capacity of banks. Mr. Powell identified five "key areas" that would benefit from additional regulatory reform:

• Small banks: Continue to improve regulations governing call reports and the frequency of examinations by simplifying the general capital framework for community banks.

• Resolution plans: Extend the living will submission cycle from once a year to once every two years, and focus every other filing on key topics of interest and material changes from the previous year.

• Volcker Rule: Work together with the other four Volcker Rule agencies to reevaluate the rule and ensure that it delivers policy objectives effectively.

• Stress testing: Evaluate stress testing and comprehensive capital analysis and review, including through public feedback, in order to improve transparency of process.

• Leverage ratio: Reexamine enhanced supplementary leverage ratio in order to adhere to the proper calibration of leverage ratio and risk-based capital requirements.