Republicans are calling on the central bank to relieve all banks with less than $250 billion of assets from enhanced supervision that was established after the crisis.
At least six Trump administration picks to fill financial posts are still pending, but the bitterly partisan divide over Judge Brett Kavanaugh has taken up most of the energy in Congress.
Another regulator has already gone out on its own with an advance notice of proposed rulemaking. But, Powell said, "It’s a process and we’re very much interested in pushing forward.”
The House of Representatives passed two bills that would tie appraisal waivers for Small Business Administration loans to bank rules for commercial real estate loans, despite objections from the Appraisal Institute about its members being cut out of transactions.
European banks are testing rings, watches and bracelets that are linked to credit and debit accounts; European regulators appear keener on increasing competition than U.S. counterparts.
The central bank said the proposal is intended to eliminate duplication of rules for entities covered by the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008.
