Tensions flared as members of the US Federal Reserve's governing body clashed over proposed alterations to banking regulations, paving the way for an unprecedented public meeting of the board scheduled for Thursday.
Michael Barr, the Fed's vice-chair for supervision, spearheaded the presentation of the proposed changes, which entail raising capital requirements for large and mid-sized banks while implementing modifications in risk measurement methodologies.
While the suggested reforms have been simmering on the backburner for some time, the recent banking crisis in March, triggered by the abrupt collapse of regional lender Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) due to excessive interest-rate risk, catapulted the proposals into the spotlight.
In a statement preceding the 1:00 pm (1700 GMT) meeting, Barr elucidated the objective of the measures: "Our actions today aim to achieve a straightforward goal: to bolster the banking system's strength and resilience by aligning capital requirements more effectively with risk."
However, public dissent emerged from two Fed governors, Michelle Bowman and Christopher Waller, who took the unusual step of openly expressing their strong opposition to certain elements of the proposals, particularly the envisaged 16 percent average increase in capital requirements.
Bowman voiced her apprehension in a statement, expressing concerns that the proposed changes "will exacerbate the challenges faced by the US banking system and burden banks, their clientele, and the economy with tangible costs, without commensurate benefits to safety, soundness, or financial stability."
In a rejoinder to the proposals, Waller asserted, "I am unconvinced that incurring such costs without evident benefits to the financial system's resilience is a prudent course of action."
Federal Reserve Chair, Jerome Powell, remained open to public input during the prolonged 120-day review period, acknowledging the expectations of Congress and the American public for an effective and efficient regulatory framework that bolsters the financial system and safeguards the economy while minimizing unnecessary burdens.
Powell stated, "I eagerly anticipate the perspectives of all stakeholders on how best to strike that critical balance."
As the rare public meeting unfolds, the US financial landscape awaits a momentous decision that could have far-reaching consequences for the banking sector's stability and security.
