Finance

Fed’s Barr Warns Bank Deregulation Threatens Financial Stability | PYMNTS.com

Published

3 weeks ago

June 12, 2026

Fed’s Barr Warns Bank Deregulation Threatens Financial Stability | PYMNTS.com

Recent moves by the Federal Reserve and other banking regulators to weaken regulation and supervision of banks threaten to undermine the safety and soundness of the financial institutions and increase financial stability risks, Federal Reserve Gov. Michael S. Barr said in a recent speech.

Speaking Saturday (June 6) at American University in Washington, D.C., Barr pointed to what he described as decreases in capital requirements, lighter-touch bank supervision, a potential push for lower liquidity requirements and declines in consumer protection.

“Taken together, the regulatory and supervisory changes recently enacted or proposed represent the most significant deregulation of the banking system since the Global Financial Crisis,” Barr said. “They tip the imperative balance that must be maintained between openness and innovation, on the one hand, and safety and soundness, on the other, in a way that will increase the risks of financial instability.”

“I have voted against these changes, and I feel it is also my duty to continue to speak about them and explain that the costs they impose, in the form of risk, greatly outweigh the promised benefits of a lighter regulatory burden,” Barr said.

Barr also highlighted what he described as growing risks in the nonbank sector and said these risks require a strong banking sector.

Some have argued that the banking sector should be deregulated so it can better compete with private credit and other nonbanks, but the sector needs improved regulation to protect banks from their exposure to nonbanks, Barr said.

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Banks are exposed to nonbanks through credit lines and asset-holding commonalities, he said.

“What all of this means is that we need strong banks at the core of the financial system to deal with shocks, including from nonbanks,” Barr said. “Dealing with those shocks requires robust capital and liquidity, and loosening bank regulatory standards moves in the opposite direction.”

“Bank deregulation can also lead to a race to the bottom,” Barr said. “If the goal is greater overall safety, it is perverse to relax safeguards. Deregulating banks so that they can better compete with nonbanks may lead to even more risk-taking by nonbanks. The answer is thus not to regulate banks less, but to regulate unsafe practices at nonbanks more.”

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Finance

New questions about Trump’s taxes after financial disclosure release

Published

5 hours ago

July 2, 2026

Press Room

New questions about Trump’s taxes after financial disclosure release

President Trump’s financial disclosure is raising many questions. For some, these include ethical concerns about whether he is profiting from the presidency. It’s also highlighting another mystery: how much is he paying in taxes? CBS News senior White House correspondent Weijia Jiang has more.

Finance

Regions Financial acquires Montgomery-based investment banking firm Frazer Lanier

Published

15 hours ago

July 2, 2026

Press Room

Regions Financial acquires Montgomery-based investment banking firm Frazer Lanier

Regions Financial Corp. has completed its acquisition of Montgomery-based investment banking firm The Frazer Lanier Company, expanding its municipal finance and corporate investment banking services.

The Birmingham-based financial company announced Thursday that the acquisition has officially closed. Founded in 1976, Frazer Lanier provides investment banking services specializing in municipal and corporate securities and has served corporations, cities, counties and local boards throughout its history.

According to Regions, the acquisition is intended to strengthen the bank’s capital markets capabilities while enhancing services for public sector and institutional clients across its multi-state footprint.

Frazer Lanier has built its business by serving as an underwriter or placement agent for tax-exempt and taxable bonds, helping public entities and organizations access financing.

“Two of our top priorities at Regions Bank are strategically expanding our services and investing in top-tier banking talent,” John Turner, chairman, president and CEO of Regions Financial Corp., said in a news release. “By welcoming experienced bankers from Frazer Lanier to the Regions family, we are connecting Regions’ clients with even greater capabilities while advancing our long-term strategy for growth.”

As part of the acquisition, Frazer Lanier will be integrated into Regions Bank’s Capital Markets division within the company’s Corporate Banking group.

Brian Willman, head of Corporate Banking for Regions, said the two organizations share a similar approach to serving clients.

“Frazer Lanier has built trust by staying close to clients and helping them navigate important decisions,” Willman said. “Together, we can expand that model by bringing more ideas, more capabilities and more connectivity to clients across our markets.”

Regions said the acquisition will expand its municipal finance and investment banking capabilities, strengthen its services for cities, counties and other public entities, and provide clients with broader access to financing and capital markets solutions.

Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Finance

Former Semmes finance director indicted on ethics, theft charges

Published

1 day ago

July 1, 2026

Press Room

Former Semmes finance director indicted on ethics, theft charges

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – A Mobile County grand jury has indicted the former finance director for the city of Semmes on ethics and theft charges.

Heather Renee Davis, who also previously served as city clerk for the city of Satsuma, faces a 12-count indictment. Ten of the counts are ethics violations.

Allegations

Prosecutors allege Davis improperly used her public positions in Semmes and Satsuma for personal gain, including misappropriating public money and resources.

Two counts accuse her of first-degree theft by deception involving amounts over $2,500. One count is tied to the city of Semmes and one to the city of Satsuma.