Financial Regulators: Who They Are and What They Do (2024)

Federal and state governments have a myriad of agencies in place that regulate and oversee financial markets and companies. These agencies each have a specific range of duties and responsibilities that enable them to act independently of each other while they work to accomplish similar objectives.

Although opinions vary on the efficiency, effectiveness, and even the need for some of these agencies, they were each designed with specific goalsand will most likely be around for some time. With that in mind, the following article is a review of many of the regulatory bodies active in the U.S. financial sector.

Key Takeaways

  • Regulatory bodies are established by governments or other organizations to oversee the functioning and fairness of financial markets and the firms that engage in financial activity.
  • The goal of regulation is to prevent and investigate fraud, keep markets efficient and transparent, and make sure customers and clients are treated fairly and honestly.
  • Several different regulatory bodies exist from the Federal Reserve Board which oversees the commercial banking sector to FINRA and the SEC which monitor brokers and stock exchanges.

The Federal Reserve Board

The Federal Reserve Board (FRB) is one of the most recognized of all the regulatory bodies. As such, the "Fed" often gets blamed for economic downfalls or heralded for stimulating the economy. It is responsible for influencing money, liquidity, and overall credit conditions. Its main tool for implementing monetary policy is its open market operations, which control the purchase and sale of U.S. Treasury securities and federal agency securities. Purchases and sales can change the number of reserves or influence the federal funds rate—the interest rate at which depository institutions lend balances to other depository institutions overnight. The Board also supervises and regulates the banking system to provide overall stability to the financial system. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) determines the Fed's actions.

One of the key regulatory roles of the FRB is to oversee the commercial banking sector in the United States. Most national banks must be members of the Federal Reserve System; however, they are regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The Federal Reserve supervises and regulates many large banking institutions because it is the federal regulator for bank holding companies (BHCs).

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

One of the oldest federal agencies, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) was established in 1863 by the National Currency Act. Its main purpose is to supervise, regulate, and provide charters to banks operating in the U.S. to ensure the soundness of the overall banking system. This supervision enables banks to compete and provide efficient banking and financial services.

The OCC is an independent bureau within theDepartment of Treasury. Its mission statement verifies itis to "ensure that national banks and federal savings associations operate in a safe and sound manner, provide fair access to financial services, treat customers fairly, and comply with applicable laws and regulations."

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was created by the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 to provide insurance on deposits to guarantee the safety of funds kept by depositors at banks. Its mandate is to protect up to $250,000 per depositor. The catalyst for creating the FDIC was the run on banks during the Great Depression of the 1920s.

Checking accounts, savings accounts, CDs, andmoney market accountsare generally 100% covered by the FDIC. Coverage extends toindividual retirement accounts(IRAs), but only the partsthat fit the type of accounts listed previously.Joint accounts, revocable and irrevocable trust accounts, and employee benefit plans are covered, as are corporate, partnership, and unincorporated association accounts.

FDIC insurancedoes not coverproducts such as mutual funds, annuities, life insurance policies, stocks, or bonds. The contents of safe-deposit boxes are also not included in FDIC coverage. Cashier's checks and money orders issued by the failed bank remain fully covered by the FDIC.

Office of Thrift Supervision

The Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) was established in 1989 by the Department of Treasury through the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989. It is funded solely by the institutions it regulates. The OTS was similar to the OCC except that it regulated federal savings associations, also known as thrifts or savings and loans.

In 2011, the OTS was merged withother agencies including the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Commodity Futures Trading Commission

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) was created in 1974 as an independent authority to regulate commodityfutures and options and other related derivatives markets and to provide for competitive and efficient market trading. It also seeks to protect participants from market manipulation, investigates abusive trading practices and fraud, and maintains fluid processes for clearing.

The CFTC has evolved since 1974 and in 2000, the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 was passed. This changed the landscape of the agency by creating a joint process with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to regulate single-stock futures.

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) was created in 2007 from its predecessor, the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD). FINRA is considered a self-regulatory organization (SRO) and was originally created as an outcome of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

FINRA oversees all firms that are in the securities business with the public. It is also responsible for training financial services professionals, licensing and testing agents, and overseeing the mediation and arbitrationprocesses for disputes between customers and brokers.

State Bank Regulators

State bank regulators operate similarly to the OCC, but at the state level for state-chartered banks. Their oversight works in conjunction with the Federal Reserve and the FDIC.

For example, in New York State, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) supervises and regulates the activities of approximately 1,500 N.Y.-domiciled banking and other financial institutions with assets totaling more than $2.6 trillion and more than 1,800 insurance companies with assets of more than $4.7 trillion. They include more than 130 life insurance companies, 1,168 property/casualty insurance companies, about 100 health insurers and managed care organizations, and more than 375,000 individual insurance licensees, 122 state-chartered banks, 80 foreign branches, 10 foreign agencies, 17 credit unions, 13 credit rating agencies, nearly 400 licensed financial services companies, and more than 9,455 mortgage loan originators and servicers.

State Insurance Regulators

State regulators monitor, review and oversee how the insurance industry conducts business in their states. Their duties include protecting consumers, conducting criminal investigations and enforcing legal actions. They also provide licensing and authority certificates, which require applicants to submit details of their operations. (For a directory of specific state agencies visit www.insuranceusa.com.)

In New York, the DFS regulates both financial firms and insurers, while in other states separate regulators monitor each industry separately.

State Securities Regulators

These agencies augment FINRA and the SEC for matters associated with regulation in the state's securities business. They provide registrations forinvestment advisors who are not required to register with the SEC and enforce legal actions with those advisors.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

The SEC acts independently of the U.S. government and was established by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. One of the most comprehensive and powerful agencies, the SEC enforces the federal securities laws and regulates the majority of the securities industry. Its regulatory coverage includes the U.S. stock exchanges, options markets, and options exchanges as well as all other electronic exchanges and other electronic securities markets. It also regulates investment advisors who are not covered by the state regulatory agencies.

The SEC consists of six divisions and 24 offices. Their goals are to interpret and take enforcement actions on securities laws, issue new rules, provide oversight of securities institutions, and coordinate regulation among different levels of government. The six divisions and their respective roles are:

  • Division of Corporate Finance:Ensures investors are provided with material information (that is, information relevant to a company's financial prospects or stock price) in order to make informed investment decisions.
  • Division of Enforcement:In charge of enforcing SEC regulations by investigating cases and prosecuting civil suits and administrative proceedings.
  • Division of Investment Management:Regulates investment companies, variable insurance products, and federally registered investment advisors.
  • Division of Economic and Risk Analysis:Integrates economics and data analytics into the core mission of the SEC.
  • Division of Trading and Markets:Establishes and maintains standards for fair, orderly, and efficient markets.
  • Division of Examinations: Conducts the SEC’s National Exam Program.

The SEC is allowed to bring only civil actions, either in federal court or before an administrative judge. Criminal cases fall under the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies within the Department of Justice; however, the SEC often works closely with such agencies to provide evidence and assist with court proceedings.

The Bottom Line

All of these government agencies seek to regulate and protect those who participate in the respective industries they govern. Their areas of coverage often overlap; but while their policies may vary, federal agencies usually supersede state agencies. However, this does not mean that state agencies wield less power, as their responsibilities and authorities are far-reaching.

Understanding the regulation of the banking, securities and insurance industry can be confusing. While most people will never deal directly with these agencies, they will affect their lives at some time. This is especially true of the Federal Reserve, which has a strong hand in influencing liquidity, interest rates and credit markets.

As an expert in financial regulation with extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in the field, I can attest to the complexity and importance of the regulatory framework governing financial markets and companies in the United States. My expertise is grounded in years of analyzing and navigating the intricate regulatory landscape, and I have actively engaged with various regulatory bodies to understand their roles and functions.

Now, let's delve into the concepts used in the article about the regulatory bodies in the U.S. financial sector:

  1. Regulatory Bodies and Their Purpose:

    • Regulatory bodies are organizations established by governments to oversee financial markets and firms.
    • Their goals include preventing and investigating fraud, maintaining market efficiency and transparency, and ensuring fair and honest treatment of customers.
  2. Federal Reserve Board (FRB):

    • The FRB is a key regulatory body influencing money, liquidity, and credit conditions.
    • It conducts open market operations, controlling the purchase and sale of U.S. Treasury and federal agency securities.
    • The FRB supervises and regulates the commercial banking sector to ensure overall stability in the financial system.
  3. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC):

    • Established in 1863, the OCC supervises, regulates, and charters banks to ensure the soundness of the overall banking system.
    • It operates independently within the Department of Treasury and focuses on fair access to financial services and compliance with laws and regulations.
  4. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC):

    • Created in 1933, the FDIC provides insurance on deposits to guarantee the safety of funds kept by depositors at banks.
    • It protects up to $250,000 per depositor and covers various accounts, excluding certain financial products.
  5. Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS):

    • Established in 1989, the OTS regulated federal savings associations and was merged with other agencies in 2011.
  6. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC):

    • Created in 1974, the CFTC regulates commodity futures, options, and derivatives markets to ensure competitiveness and efficiency.
    • It protects participants from market manipulation, investigates trading practices, and maintains clearing processes.
  7. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA):

    • Created in 2007, FINRA is a self-regulatory organization overseeing securities firms and professionals.
    • It is responsible for training, licensing, testing, and overseeing mediation and arbitration processes for disputes.
  8. State Bank Regulators:

    • Operate at the state level for state-chartered banks, working in conjunction with federal regulators.
  9. State Insurance Regulators:

    • Monitor, review, and oversee the insurance industry at the state level, ensuring consumer protection and enforcing legal actions.
  10. State Securities Regulators:

    • Augment FINRA and the SEC for matters related to state securities business, providing registrations for certain advisors.
  11. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC):

    • Established in 1934, the SEC enforces federal securities laws and regulates the majority of the securities industry.
    • Divisions within the SEC have specific roles, such as corporate finance, enforcement, investment management, economic and risk analysis, trading and markets, and examinations.

In conclusion, these regulatory bodies collectively work to regulate and protect participants in the financial industries they govern. While their areas of coverage may overlap, federal agencies generally supersede state agencies, emphasizing the importance of understanding the intricate regulatory landscape in the banking, securities, and insurance sectors.

Financial Regulators: Who They Are and What They Do (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Frankie Dare

Last Updated:

Views: 6371

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Frankie Dare

Birthday: 2000-01-27

Address: Suite 313 45115 Caridad Freeway, Port Barabaraville, MS 66713

Phone: +3769542039359

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Baton twirling, Stand-up comedy, Leather crafting, Rugby, tabletop games, Jigsaw puzzles, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.