Trump

With a Democrat set to take the White House in January, the political balance at NCUA could shift amid changes for the CFPB and housing reform, and progressive banking ideas that were unthinkable over the past four years could gain traction.

With a Democrat set to take the White House in January, the agenda for agencies like the CFPB could undergo a rapid transformation, housing finance reform could be turned on its head and progressive banking ideas that were unthinkable over the past four years could gain traction.

As the presidential voting count waged deep into the night on Tuesday, the fate of fintech, financial services and payments regulation hung in the balance.

Control of Congress was still in play late Tuesday, as the Democrats retained control of the House of Representatives while neither party gained the necessary seats to control the Senate.

If days go by without a clear result, the uncertainty could lead to market volatility, put off talks for a stimulus plan and complicate bankers' planning for a potentially new regulatory environment.

If days go by without a clear result, the uncertainty could lead to market volatility, put off talks for a stimulus plan and complicate bankers' planning for a potentially new regulatory environment.

Giant banks have racked up more than $4 billion in U.S. penalties in a wave of settlements weeks before the presidential election. That says a lot about an industry that once vowed to behave after the 2008 financial crisis — and about the regulatory risks it sees ahead.

A Democratic victory in Tuesday's election would likely produce new leaders at the CFPB and OCC who could take bank regulation in a sharply different direction. Here are some names potentially under consideration.

The industry has enjoyed lower tax rates and regulatory relief during the current administration, but individual donations from the eight largest banks favor the Democratic nominee by more than 4-to-1.

Jamie Dimon, the chief executive of JPMorgan Chase, said he’s optimistic a Biden presidency could solve problems including health care and economic inequality without damaging businesses.