US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Vice Chairman Thomas M. Hoenig Discusses Finding The Correct Regulatory Balance

On March 28, 2018, outgoing U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Vice Chairman Thomas M. Hoenig discussed the importance of attaining meaningful regulatory relief without undermining the safety and soundness of the financial system. Citing a few historical examples, Vice Chairman Hoenig discussed the similarities among past crises, as well as the deregulatory attitude that has followed these crises once the economy begins to recover. Vice Chairman Hoenig noted that with a strong regulatory foundation, including strong capital and constraints on the reliance on government bail-outs, a number of costly administrative rules could be minimized or eliminated. One important group of regulations that Vice Chairman Hoenig discussed for retention was prudential standards, including maintaining at least a 10 percent minimum equity to total assets ratio. Vice Chairman Hoenig was critical of proposed legislative changes to the calculation of the supplemental leverage ratio, and with U.S. financial institution regulatory agencies implementing the new Basel Committee standards and corresponding reduction in capital, cautioning that the "United States should not engage in this race to the bottom." Vice Chairman Hoenig also cited the Volcker Rule, noting that it is an important concept that should not be eliminated for any group of banks. Instead, Vice Chairman Hoenig suggested possible means to simplify the reporting burden associated with the Volcker Rule, which he posited would reduce the regulatory burden of the Rule without having to carve out certain groups of financial institutions from compliance with the Rule altogether. Vice Chairman...