Senator Dodd Unveils Bank Oversight Plan
In an attempt to overhaul the U.S financial system, Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) has unveiled draft legislation that would bring major changes to the existing regulatory system. The proposal would create three new agencies while eliminating several others with the objective of monitoring bank practices and protecting consumers.
The 1,100 page draft bill offers more sweeping change than legislation that has recently been proposed by the White House and in the House of Representatives. Senator Dodd’s proposal removes most of the Federal Reserve’s banking oversight and consumer protection powers, leaving it the primarily in charge of monetary policy. Additionally, the bill calls for the establishment of a “Super Regulator” to oversee all banks. This new agency, called the Financial Institutions Regulatory Administration, would absorb the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Office of Thrift Supervision. It would also assume banking oversight powers currently held by the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit of Insurance Corp.