Politics

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is the latest federal banking agency to let go of probationary employees.

Senior Republican House Financial Services Committee lawmakers in a letter to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. gave a series of recommendations that they said would combat so-called "debanking."

Federal Reserve Vice Chair Philip Jefferson said clearer Fed communication and better text analysis has made monetary policy transmission more efficient, but noted that the central bank must remain diligent in how it communicates forward monetary policy guidance.

President Donald Trump's concerted effort to bring the entirety of the executive branch under his direct control defies tradition, and in some cases, likely the law. Banks have thus far voiced little objection, but they should know how critical the rule of law is to their bottom line.

Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr urged the Trump administration to continue reforms initiated under Biden and emphasized the importance of keeping the central bank apolitical.

President Donald Trump issued an executive order Wednesday night disbanding of three bank and credit union advisory groups.

Calabria left the free-market think tank Cato Institute and is said to be at the Office of Management and Budget, reviewing multiple agencies.

The GAO studied executive compensation on request from Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee, in the wake of the Silicon Valley Bank crisis in 2023.

Republicans' emerging tax bill could include a measure to subject some credit unions to federal taxes, reigniting a long-simmering conflict between bankers and credit unions.

Deal advisors said the Trump administration's tariff threats and the specter of inflation have given some bankers reason to pause on acquisition plans. Momentum could still mount, but uncertainty in Washington is a detriment early in the new year.